When your doctor diagnoses you with eczema, there are a few popular treatment options that will likely be offered. Even though your aim is the learn how to get rid of eczema, most of the treatments are intended to control the symptoms. From topical ointments to antihistamines, the medical community attacks eczema from various angles. The goal is to get rid of the rash and also to suppress the immune response that causes it.

Can Eczema Be Treated Without Medications?

Most medications only serve to cover up the symptoms of eczema. If you have been suffering with eczema for a while you probably notice that you have to switch up medications regularly since your body gets used to them. If you are looking for a natural treatment for eczema that will cure your eczema long term, you should take a look at Rachel Anderson’s website, Eczema Free Forever.

She explains why traditional medications do not work to treat eczema and the most effective ways to get rid of your eczema for good, Eczema Free Forever.

More on Medications used for Eczema & Some Disadvantages

How To Get Rid of Eczema #1 – Corticosteroids

By far the most popular treatment for eczema, topical corticosteroids are usually in ointment or cream form and are applied directly the affected area. These applications are intended to treat the rash by decreasing inflammation and reducing the itching sensation. In many cases, these treatments are effective, but they do not provide a long-term solution and eczema outbreaks are likely to continue.

Corticosteroids are also available in an oral form, usually chosen for severe or vey widespread eczema that covers a significant amount of skin. They may also be chosen when symptoms are resistant to topical applications. The side effects of oral steroids are generally more severe as well as more common, so they should be approached with caution.

Steroid creams are generally considered safe if used in moderate amounts for short periods of time, but have potential side effects when used excessively. Topical steroids have been connected with thinning of the skin, further irritation, and dilation of blood vessels; most of these symptoms occur with long term use of high potency applications. Topical steroids used in the vicinity of the eyes have been connected with cataracts and glaucoma. Known side effects of oral corticosteroids include osteoporosis, high blood pressure, growth retardation in children, and gastrointestinal problems including nausea and vomiting.

How To Get Rid of Eczema #2 – Antihistamines

Generally prescribed to relieve severe itching caused by eczema, antihistamines come in both topical and oral forms as well. Generally, the oral form is chosen for eczema patients, especially the type with sedative properties. This is because many patients suffering from severe itching have difficulty sleeping. Sedative antihistamines will help to provide more restful sleep, which in turn is good for allowing the body to heal itself. Topical antihistamines may also be used for more immediate itch relief.

Antihistamines are generally considered safe for use, even in young children, as long as dosing recommendations are followed. As they may cause drowsiness, caution should be used when taking them; you should avoid driving or other activities that may be dangerous. Some children react to antihistamines with bursts of hyperactivity. Other common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, dizziness and loss of appetite.

How To Get Rid of Eczema #3 – Immune suppressants

As eczema is a result of an overactive immune system, drugs that suppress the immune system can be helpful in treating it. As with other treatments for eczema, these can be either oral or topical.

Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors are applied directly to the skin and reduce inflammation and itchiness. They block the body’s immune response that results in the itching and irritation of eczema outbreaks. An oral immune suppressant, Cyclosporine is commonly used when other methods of treatment have failed. This drug suppresses the immune response that results in eczema from within.

These types of drugs are generally a last choice because they carry higher risks of serious side effects. Both types have been linked with an increased risk certain types of cancer, although they retain FDA approval for use. Other side effects include abdominal upset, headaches, and fatigue. Topical applications result in increased sensitivity to UV rays, and caution should be used during sun exposure while using them.

All prescription treatments for eczema carry a risk of side effects. They should always be used exactly as directed, and with careful attention to dosage amounts and frequency of use. If you are looking for a natural way to cure your eczema, I recommend visiting Eczema Free Forever, one of the few websites offering tips on how to cure eczema naturally.

What causes eczema? Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in the US, yet there is very little understanding among the general public regarding what causes eczema. This may be because it is not always clear even to the medical community, and because there is more than one condition commonly called eczema.

Eczema is a term used to refer to a number of different skin problems, but the main two types of eczema both have their roots in the immune system: atopic eczema and contact eczema.

Your eczema can be affected by the foods that you eat. Foods can either boost or weaken your immune system. If you want a plan to get rid of your eczema, I recommend visiting Susan Clark’s website on natural eczema cures, Beat Eczema.

The genetic connection.

Eczema is known to run in families, and may be passed down through generations along with allergies. Parents who suffer from eczema are likely to pass the condition on to their children. In truth, what is being passed down isn’t eczema precisely, but the genetic predisposition to eczema which is caused by an inappropriate immune response. Because the immune system is complex and its responses are controlled by more than one gene, the likelihood of inheriting the gene that causes eczema is a little more complicated than simply looking to the parents for signs of eczema.

It requires a combination of genes to create the immune response that causes eczema symptoms, so eczema in the family doesn’t guarantee a child will have it, nor will every child of an eczema sufferer have the same problems. With some diseases, only one pair of genes is involved, therefore you need only inherit one particular diseased gene from each parent in order to have the condition. Eczema, however, requires several genes to be inherited, and can be caused by more than one combination of diseased genes. This makes it much more complicated to predict.

This type of chronic atopic eczema doesn’t usually require contact with anything in particular to set off the reaction, but seems to flare up and recede at varying intervals. But a second type of eczema, known as contact eczema, does not require a genetic predisposition, and appears to be more related to an allergic reaction to a particular substance.

Eczema and allergies.

Just like hives or other allergic reactions, contact eczema – otherwise known as contact dermatitis – is caused by coming into contact with an allergen to which your body has a strong reaction. As with any allergic reaction, the immune system reacts very strongly to a particular substance and causes the dry, itchy rash recognized as eczema. What causes eczema in this case is truly the allergen, which could be anything from a particular fabric to a type of detergent. Avoiding contact with known irritants can prevent eczema rashes from occurring.

What does not cause eczema?

While there are many things that may worsen the symptoms of eczema, they aren’t truly the cause. Eczema is characterized by dry, itchy patches of skin that may even result in cracked, weeping sores. Dry skin is exacerbated by a dry environment. Dry air in your home or office and lack of moisture in the skin will make the symptoms of eczema worse, but the dryness isn’t the true cause.

Eczema is not caused by pollution in the environment, but pollutants in the air can definitely worsen the symptoms. The same goes for stress, which is commonly mistaken as a cause of eczema. Stress can make eczema breakouts more frequent and more severe, but an underlying cause of the eczema must still exist. A person who has never had eczema is unlikely to suddenly suffer from the condition simply because of stress.

The most important thing to remember is that eczema is not just a skin condition, but an immune disorder. Its causes are internal, even though the symptoms appear externally. While many external irritants can worsen eczema symptoms, they don’t actually cause it.

If you are looking for a step by step guide on how to treat your eczema the natural way, I recommend you visit this website, Beat Eczema.

For anyone who suffers from eczema, finding relief from the itching and dryness is the number one priority. Not everyone wants to turn to prescriptions that may not solve the problem in the long term and could even result in unwanted side effects. If are looking for eczema natural treatments, there are some natural and simple ways to treat your eczema.

Eczema Free Without Medication?

Treating eczema naturally is the only sure way to eliminate eczema for good. Medications only serve to cover up the symptoms, but the eczema is still there when you stop treatment. There are certain foods and lifestyle changes that can help or harm your eczema. If you are looking for a detailed plan on how to cure eczema naturally, I like this website, Eczema Free Forever.

Follow these three easy eczema natural treatment steps to put yourself on the path to a life free of itchy eczema outbreaks – naturally.

Eczema Natural Treatment #1
Remove Irritants From Your Home

Turn your home into a haven for eczema-prone skin by removing the potential irritants that can cause an eczema outbreak. Start with the air you breathe. Dust, bacteria and other pollutants in the air can all contribute to worsening eczema symptoms. Keep the air clean by replacing or cleaning your furnace filter regularly, and circulate it by opening windows whenever possible and running fans. An air purifier will keep your air even cleaner, and is especially helpful in the winter months when windows stay closed and air doesn’t have a chance to circulate.

Substances and chemicals that touch your skin directly play an important role in eczema prevention too. Take a closer look at your laundry detergent, hand soap, and body wash, as well as other products that come into contact with your skin. Choose options that are hypoallergenic, free of dyes and perfumes, and non-drying whenever possible. The most natural option is often the best, especially when it comes to soap which can be very drying.

Eczema Natural Treatment #2
Wash & Moisturize Your Skin

Keeping your skin moisturized is an important factor in treating and preventing eczema outbreaks. If you suffer from eczema, your skincare products and routine are vital to preventing itchy dry skin from developing. The first step to skin that is moisturized is to provide it with the best natural source of moisture – water. Soak in warm bath for five to ten minutes a day, or take a shower. Avoid hot water as is can be damaging to skin; watch your skin to test the temperature – if it turns red, the water is too hot. When bathing, don’t use bubble bath or soap. Choose a moisturizing, hypoallergenic cleanser, or during a severe outbreak, skip it altogether. Soaking in water will allow the top layer of your skin to absorb moisture, and it will also make moisturizers used after bathing more effective.

The best moisturizers for eczema sufferers are thick creams or ointments that provide a great deal more moisture to the skin. Apply directly after bathing to allow the moisturizer to best penetrate the skin. Natural oils such as coconut oil and tea tree oil have been known to provide relief from eczema symptoms as well. It’s a good idea to moisturize right before bed, so that your skin won’t be exposed to any drying or damaging agents afterwards and can continue to absorb moisture while you sleep.

Eczema Natural Treatment #3
Watch What You Put In Your Body

The third step to treating eczema naturally is to take a holistic approach and remember that healthy skin comes from within. Add foods and supplements to your diet to provide nutrients known for supporting soft, healthy skin. Vitamin E is well known for keeping skin at its best, and can be found in foods like almonds. Also found in almonds as well as fish and olive oil, Omega-3 fatty acids are skin-friendly fats that are also good for your health. These essential nutrients can also be obtained in supplement form.

Finally, recent research has shown all kinds of benefits from the use of pro-biotic supplements, including immune support which can help to clear up and prevent eczema. In addition to supplements, you can add these healthy bacteria to your diet by eating yogurt.

These three steps to healthy skin are things you can do right now, without a prescription, and are completely natural options for treating your eczema.

When treating your eczema naturally, it is going to be important that you keep good records. You are the owner of your body, not your physician. You are responsible for keeping records of what is working and what isn’t. If you are wanting to cure your eczema naturally, I recommend this step by step guide detailing natural remedies that work, Eczema Free Forever.