Heard of lavender oil? rose oil? maybe almond oil? Ever indulged in the mystic fragrance of these essential oils whether it’s in the form of scented candles or the form of cosmetic products. You might have, as there’s nothing these natural oils can’t do when it comes to skin.

However, it makes us question. Does it treat medical conditions regarding skin too? Can it treat them all? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. And if it does, how it will treat a skin-related medical condition – eczema. For that let’s first find out the three main things: symptoms, causes, and most importantly treatment.

 

What is Eczema?

Several therapeutic properties found in certain essential oils are documented as being antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic (pain-relieving). When applied topically, the oil will easily penetrate the skin and can be carried through the bloodstream to affected areas within minutes where you need it most.

Rebecca Park Totilo

Healing Arthritis Naturally With Essential Oil

 

The term eczema is closely related to atopic dermatitis is a medical skin condition causing redness, itchiness, inflammation. It is generally associated with patchy inflamed skin. 

Eczema has several types caused by a different variety of reasons, thus sharing different symptoms.

 

What are the Symptoms of Eczema?

 

Eczema mostly affects babies, infants, and sometimes adults also with a different kind of eczema. The red inflamed patches appear on the skin of – arms, around the elbow, back, back of the knees, and even face. Eczema can occur anywhere on the skin.

The most common symptoms are:

• Itchy skin
• Dry skin
• Patchy skin
• Inflamed skin
• Irritated skin 
• Redness
• Muscle pain 
• Blisters or swelled skin
• Bumpy skin
• Cracks on the skin
• Intense itchiness at night
• Burning sensations can be there as well 

The symptoms vary from person to person, plus, it also depends on the age of the affected person, and symptoms are based on the severity of the skin condition. In some cases, it appears and then disappears. In other cases, it’s acute and sometimes chronic. Infants are more prone to Eczema and it’s most likely to fade or go completely away when they grow up. 

So what causes this skin condition?

 

Causes of Eczema 

There’s no accurate evidence on what causes eczema yet. However, it is said that it could come as a result of genetics, environmental factors allergen food, or stress. Skin loses its power to shield it from coming in contact with viruses or bacteria.

Besides that, it can be due to the immune system that reacts unfavorably when it comes in contact with allergens or irritants. It is seen that people with a genetic or family member with eczema hay fever or asthma are more prone to get eczema.

 

Treatment of Eczema 

 

Given that there’s no permanent cure for eczema, there is not much to worry about as it is not contagious except if you have other medical problems like asthma. In that or any case seek medical aid. Eczema can be treated at home with home remedies, by moisturizing and taking medications under guidance.

 

Changing your lifestyle will help you too. But how?

 

“You need to find the food choices that fit your lifestyle because your food choices are your lifestyle.”

Shawn Wells, 

The Energy Formula: Six life-changing ingredients to unleash your limitless potential

 

Kick-start the journey to being healthy with these riveting changes 

• Changes in food and diet 
• Changes in routine – moisturizing and taking a bath before bed 
• Dry skin is more prone to flare-up
• Having suggested fruits or foods
• Detergents can also irritate the skin
• Perfumes can cause irritation 
• Avoiding chemical products that can trigger the conditions – harsh chemical soaps fabrics 
• Avoiding stress as it can give rise to the condition – perform yoga or meditation 
• No scratching! it can irritate the inflamed skin more
• Use mild soaps and a soft towel to pat dry 
• The use of prescribed ointments can help relieve itchiness 

 

“Self-care is an essential part of a healthy life. Essential oils figure in many at-home remedies to smooth the skin, soothe the spirit, and calm the mind.”

Amy Leigh Mercree

Essential Oils Handbook: Recipes for Natural Living

 

Self-care is of utmost value to prevent or cure eczema. Essential oil is believed to prevent or subdue the effects of eczema to some extent. then why not find out.

 

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are the natural liquid concentrations of a single plant, it can be specific parts of the plant (stem, barks, leaves, herbs). Often used in aromatherapy, they emit a pleasant scent that has therapeutic properties. They are so potent that direct application of the oils is dangerous. Thus, it is diluted in carrier oils.

 

You might not need perfumes after applying essential oils. Some of these oils share anti-inflammatory antimicrobial, antiseptic properties alongside antioxidants. These properties can prove beneficial in treating skin conditions as well as adding stability to the mind. That’s the reason why we all call essential oils a gift from mother nature. The oils that we will be discussing later on in the blog…

• Lavender oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Sunflower seed oil
• Chamomile oil 
• Tea tree oil 
• Peppermint oil
• Jojoba oil

 

Never put essential oils directly. Topical applications will do good, hence buy diluted versions or dilute them yourself before application. You can also seek the advice of doctors or dermatologists if you plan to use these in the future.

 

Why is being careful before using essential oils significant?

 

The essential oil can be used to subdue the risks of eczema. However, if these oils have allergic reactions on your skin, it is advised to drop them. Always do a patch test before trying out these oils or take advice from experts. due to the unknown allergies, the use of this oil can do more harm than good. 

 

Don’t forget to dilute them or use diluted versions of this oil. Never use them directly so that you can dilute them with carrier oils or oil that you are not allergic to, to avoid worsening of the condition. Side-effects can also erupt. Topical application can improve the condition of the skin to get rid of eczema.

 

There is still no backed evidence that essential oils help treat eczema. These oils have exceptional qualities such as being anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and are rich in antioxidants. Additionally, it can be used as a complementary method in terms of ongoing medical treatment for eczema, if only suggested by doctors. 

 

Here are the Best Essential Oils for Eczema: 

 

1. Tea tree oil

 

Tea tree oil is renowned for its several benefits such as it is enriched with antioxidants and its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are believed to treat various infections. It is extracted from the plant’s leaves. Dilute tea tree oil with carrier oils coconut oil to avoid skin rashes. Tea tree oil fights acne, fungus thus found in many skincare products.

The oil claims to prove beneficial to treat or ease out the effects of eczema to some extent. If you are allergic to the oil, avoid it.it will help in infecting or soothing damaged or cracked skin.

You can add this into your home remedies if it suits you well. It can be added in the topical treatment of eczema due to its effectiveness in decreasing the chances of a flare-up.

 

2. Chamomile oil

 

“Chamomile oil helps to calm nervous tension and promote deep relaxation.”

Amy Leigh Mercree

Essential Oils Handbook: Recipes for Natural Living

 

If you have seen chamomile in the tea you know its benefits and what it is famous for – soothing. Chamomile oil in treatment will let you soothe out all your Irritated skin thus will calm down your eczema alongside inflamed skin. 

It’s also anti-inflammatory means leaving no room for infections and fungus because of antifungal and antiseptic properties. Relish your senses and throw away your skin problems with chamomile oil.

 

3. Peppermint oil

 

What makes peppermint so considerable for eczema. Peppermint oil is believed to calm itchiness other than it also has various health benefits. Do the patch test or dilute it with carrier oils before use. Not recommended for children. Seek advice before using anywhere on the skin or affected area.

 

4. Jojoba oil

 

During Eczema skin’s ability to create a barrier loses making skin prone to eczema. Or creating symptoms that hinder the same. Jojoba oil has qualities that make its way into many skincare ranges therefore its other surprising abilities as anti-inflammatory oil also made its way into Best Essential Oils for Eczema list. 

Since it resembles human sebum a liquid wax-like structure it has qualities like; helps soothe skin Irritated skin, moisturizing, and nourishing from deep inside. Anti Inflammatory property allows it to soothe and calm the skin better; thus best natural moisture to go for.

 

5. Sunflower seed oil

 

As the name suggests, it is extracted from good-quality Sunflower seeds. This carrier oil helps pump hydration and extricate flakiness with anti-inflammatory properties. This oil is potent hence should only be used after diluting it with carrier oils. It is chock-full with vitamins – A, C, E. Reducing inflammation makes it easy with sunflower oil sunflower seed oil would also smooth the skin.

 

6. Lavender oil 

 

Smells good? Relaxes mind? Reduce stress levels and anxiety? Promotes sound sleep? Lavender oil is almost everyone’s favorite.

Astonishing us with its benefits, lavender oil never fails to impress that’s why with us it is a skincare product’s fav too.

This essential oil is essential for Eczema treatment due to its soothing, calming, inspecting benefits. It reduces flare-ups. Stress can trigger eczema lavender oil is also successful in bringing down stress levels by inducing calming and relieving effects on the body and mind.

One can relish in the power of its beauty while treating eczema. Nighttime flare-ups won’t be a problem now. Thanks to lavender oil reducing inflammation Anti-inflammatory, redness. Dilute before use. 

 

7. Eucalyptus oil

 

Dilute it with carrier oils before you use it. Knowing that it’s anti-inflammatory can help in flare-ups and also treats wounds, inflammation, or infections.

If you have oily acne-prone skin, using too much can lead to break out so it is advised to take dermatologists’ suggestions. Eucalyptus also relieves muscle pain that can be caused due to eczema.

 

How to use essential oil to treat eczema? 

 

“Immerse yourself into yourself.”

Adrienne Posey

 

These oil treatments are a great complementary treatment to combat eczema by suppressing its symptoms.

Other than this, these oils will let you enjoy home-friendly aromatherapy that will not only affect your mood in a good way but will also keep you motivated.

 

Here are a few ways you can incorporate into your home remedies treatment:

• Mix it with carrier oils like coconut Jojoba almond to apply daily to the affected area
• Massage it on the particular area gently 
• Add in your cream or lotion in diluted form
• Make it a spray or cream by DIY – can also store in a dropper bottle 
• Use it by putting a few drops of bathwater in your products
• Aromatherapy- diffuse it in the air with the help of a diffuser for an overall impact 
• Use a damp towel, damp from essential oil as advised to pat in the affected area
• Pat dry only
• Scratching can lead to infection – avoid it 
• Switch to softer and gentler fabric and not wool
• Use chemical-free or fragrance-free stuff whether it is cosmetic products, detergents, etc.

 

In a nutshell 

 

“I believe that for every illness or ailment known to man, that God has a plant out here that will heal it. We just need to keep discovering the properties for natural healing.”

Vannoy Gentles Fite, 

Essential Oils for Healing: Over 400 All-Natural Recipes for Everyday Ailments

 

All of these oils are said to help eczema; it is not a 100% accurate treatment for eczema. Thus, if suits you can help you a lot. These oils are preferred because they are paraben, sulfate phthalates free without additives, preservatives, and harsh chemicals.

As eczema can affect anyone, regardless of age. It is advised to keep track and monitor the progress or any effects or side effects or consult a doctor before using any of them on your skin. 

The oils come into play when the creams and moisturizers do not come as strong as they should during the treatment. Thus, it is replaced by natural formulas to target the condition in a tolerable and preferable way. 

Mix it! Blend it! Dilute it! 

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