(NaturalHealth365) Most people have heard of eczema before, but many people don’t realize that seven different types of eczema exist, including atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis.  For the roughly 15% of Americans affected by these conditions, alleviating skin irritation, redness, and itchiness is a huge factor in their comfort and quality of life.  But is eczema relief only possible through conventional treatment and medications?

Not according to many experts, including the National Eczema Association.  And while you should always chat with your personal doctor before exploring any new natural remedy for your skin condition, you might find it reassuring to know that many of these next-to-nature solutions are effective, inexpensive, and possibly already in your own home.

Looking for natural eczema relief?  Here are the most popular remedies, according to the National Eczema Association

No natural eczema relief strategy would be complete without some basic lifestyle habits that can prevent and control flare-ups from the get-go.  This is why experts recommend a regular skin cleansing and moisturizing routine to help support optimal skin health.  Experts also encourage people to learn and avoid their common eczema triggers, which include stress, dry skin, and irritants like heavy metals, fragrances, household cleaners, cigarette smoke, and even certain fabrics like wool and polyester.

But what happens when eczema symptoms pop up anyway?  In addition to or in lieu of conventional treatments, many people have found success with the following natural remedies:

• Supplements including fish oil, zinc, vitamin D, selenium, prebiotics, probiotics, turmeric, and melatonin (one 2012 Cochrane systematic review found that supplementing with fish oil significantly improved symptoms and quality of life in people with eczema)
• Sunflower oil and/or coconut oil applied topically
• Mind-body practices like yoga, tai chi, qi gong, and meditation to reduce stress
• Acupuncture (a recent 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials found that this ancient technique might be even MORE effective than conventional medicine at reducing eczema symptoms)

As the National Eczema Association is wise to point out, these natural remedies have varying levels of scientific support, and we’re still learning more about their effectiveness.  The good news is, these interventions are generally considered safe, even for young children.

Is it eczema? Here are the top signs and symptoms to look out for

As mentioned, eczema affects about 15% of Americans.  It also affects about 20% of infants, and research suggests children may be more at risk for developing it if they have a family history of hay fever or asthma.  Since eczema can develop at any age, it’s important to be aware of the main signs and symptoms, including:

• Dry, itchy, and sensitive skin
• Areas of skin that are inflamed or discolored
• Scaly, rough, and/or leathery patches of skin
• Patches of skin that are oozing or crusting
• Swelling

Different types of eczema may present with different symptoms, and of course, other health conditions may present similarly.  So, the only way to know for sure if you or your child’s issues are due to eczema is to speak with a medical professional.  In the meantime, it’s never a bad idea to re-evaluate your diet and lifestyle to see how they could be impacting the health and function of your body’s largest organ.

Sources for this article include:

Nationaleczema.org
Nationaleczema.org
Clevelandclinic.org
NIH.gov
NIH.gov