Although much is known about eczema, this is a question that confuses even the experts. One thing that is known is that the incidence of eczema is on the rise, but the reasons for this are unknown. Some types of eczema are easily treated or are simply outgrown, while others are more resistant to either natural or conventional treatments. If you suspect you or someone in your family has eczema, it is important to consult a qualified physician, holistic doctor or herbalist before attempting to treat the condition, since some topical treatments can cause or aggravate eczema in some individuals.
What is Eczema?
The word "eczema" is derived from Greek words that together mean, "to boil over." Eczema and dermatitis (Greek for "skin inflammation") are technically synonymous, though often health care professionals and laypersons refer to some skin disorders as eczema and others as dermatitis. The different types of eczema are loosely classified by their causes, visible symptoms and/or the age group that is generally most at risk. Some common types of eczema include:
- Atopic dermatitis: This is the most common form of eczema. It is thought to be a hereditary disorder and is also associated with family histories of asthma or hay fever. It usually occurs before the age of 5. A long-lasting form of eczema, it offers occurs on the face of infants and usually clears up on its own over time, though about 50% of those who have it as children continue to have minor flare-ups into adulthood.
- Contact dermatitis, as the name implies, occurs as a result of contact with an allergen. The symptoms of contact dermatitis are dry, red, itchy skin. A severe allergic reaction can result in blisters and/or flaky, cracking skin. If the cause of the allergic reaction is known, contact dermatitis will usually clear up when the allergen is removed. One of the difficulties of diagnosing this type of eczema, though, is that common household products such as shampoo can contain the ingredient that causes rash, but the allergic reaction may only occur after years of use.
- Seborrheic eczema is a very common form of eczema. Mild forms of this type of eczema include cradle cap in infants and dandruff in adults. In more severe cases, itchy, inflamed patches of skin can appear anywhere on the body where oil producing (sebaceous) glands are most prominent.
Natural Treatments for Eczema
Historically, herbal medicines have been shown to be an effective treatment for many types of eczema, but care must be taken, since some people are allergic to some natural substances and their topical application can actually cause a skin rash. For example, chamomile, which is so soothing for many, can cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Some topical remedies that have been shown to be effective include formulations that include licourice and witch hazel. There are also homoeopathic remedies that may be very effective, but again, care should be taken and a homoeopathic practitioner consulted first.
Many people have found relief from eczema using a variety of mind/body techniques such as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and various forms of energy healing. Stress and anxiety have been associated with flare-ups of eczema, so meditation, yoga and other stress reducing practices may also be of benefit to sufferers. For more information about natural treatments, see our NT Pages article, Eczema Treatments.
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