Nurture Your Own

I have cited oatmeal and ice therapy as 2 homemade eczema remedies but I did not realized the crisco we use for baking is effective too.

It sounded so weird but Crisco did work for Debbie Russell from Somerset, Kentucky. She said

“My daughter had eczema to the point of breaking out in welts all over her body. We tried everything until someone told me to use Crisco on her. I completely covered her in Crisco 2-3 times a day. She was white and greasy but the Crisco absorbs quickly. The eczema is gone.”

So for those of you who are gung-ho to use alternative and holistic treatment, well, you can jolly well add Crisco as part of your repertoire of homemade eczema remedies. Well, you might already have it in your kitchen.

Additional Reading:

• “Cure Your Eczema in 14 Days” by Janet Simpson
• Eczema Diet Secrets by Evelyn Lim

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In the last post, I shared that oatmeal is a good homemade remedy to curb eczema spread and itch. Today, I’m sharing another excellent and very easy to make home remedy for eczema - ice therapy.

Why ice therapy? Applying ice onto an inflamed skin is akin to using water to douse the flames of a fire.

For those who are familiar with the onslaught of eczema, each outbreak brings about red, angry and very itchy rashes. They are mostly developed in the hands, limbs and joins. Some folks even had them on the face, chest and groin area. The inflamed skin is tigh, dry and excruciating itchy and many of us couldn’t help but scratch. Even I know I should not scratch, I did because the itch was simply unbearable but only after I put a piece of fabric (like a clean t-shirt) over my skin. The more you scratch it, the worse the condition gets. If your skin is tore and bleed during the scratching process, you might get bacterial infections through the open wounds.

Ice therapy for eczema numbs your inflamed skin. The icy cold of the ice makes your veins contract and thereby cutting down blood circulation. When you remove the ice pack, your veins will start to dilate. Blood is rushed into the area that you are treating. The blood carries necessary nutrients thus enabling your damaged skin tissues to heal.

You can buy a hot-cold pad from the pharmacy or you can make one. You can put a few ice cubes in a small plastic bag and have it wrapped in towel. Alternatively, do what my friend did, she wrapped a frozen raw beef steak in a plastic bag and use it as ice pack. She said the ice therapy took less than a few minutes and there is no danger of the steak getting defrost.

Anyway, place your ice pack directly above the itchy area. You may initially find that the itchiness intensifies instead of subsiding when you first apply the ice. Get a grip and ensure for a few moments because the cold sensation will definitely eliminates the itch.

Take precautions before you attempt to use ice therapy for eczema: (more…)

As I have said in my earlier posts, prescriptive medication and ailment from dermatologists were not just my armors against eczema. I had tried alternatives like sprouts, essential oils, etc. Today I learned from Charlene J. Nuble; that

The most common homemade eczema treatment will often involve oatmeal. Oatmeal grains, if added to moisturizing soap or creams, can keep skin moisturized and protected. Just be sure to avoid rubbing the oatmeal over the surface of your skin, as this can abrade your skin and add to the itching.

Another soothing way to maximize oatmeal is to soak in an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal is excellent for calming inflamed skin. You can simply buy porridge oats from the grocery store (such as Quaker Oats) and add them to a lukewarm bath. A cup or two should be fine. The itchier you are the more water and oats you should add.

Other than oatmeal bath, you can mix in different oils in your bath such as tea tree oil (which is also good for treating dandruff), linseed oil, evening primrose oil, and cod liver oil. Herbs such as licorice and clematis are also good additions to your bath. If you have fresh nutmeg, you can grind it up into a paste and apply it to your skin in order to add and keep in moisture.

Many people said their eczema skin will respond well with a certain treatment for a while and then the rashes return. This is why many eczema sufferers have more than one trick to deploy to curb the spread and minimize the excruciating itch. You may also want to read fellow eczema sufferers’ take on their healing journeys: Janet Simpson has some interesting information in her “Cure Your Eczema in 14 Days”. While Evelyn Lim compiled her research and experience into an Eczema Diet Secrets book.

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Your skin is itchy and angry red bumps start appearing and then multiplying at chest, thighs, joins and other part of the body. Is this eczema or some other skin diseases?

Dermatologist will use several tests to determine whether you have eczema or some other skin problem. First, the good doctor will ask you to show him/her those parts of your body that are red, itchy, swollen and dry because he will check on the signs and symptoms to eliminate other possibilities.

After he checked those out, he will also want to take a detailed history of your life to help him with his diagnosis. For example, you will be queried on your lifestyle, diet, allergies prescription medications, , and whether you come into constant contact with chemicals or other hazardous materials. He/She would ask you how your skin condition looks like when the rashes start appearing.

The reason is he/she needs to come to a conclusion if it is an (more…)

Well, I learned something new. There’s a connection between chewing and eczema! If an eczema sufferer like me who read extensively on the subject is still ignorance on this, there must be thousands out there who are ignorant. So now, I’m sharing what I’ve read.

Is it possible that you have eczema because of poor or insufficient nutrient in your system? Definitely. What we eat, drink and breath will affect our health so there is always such a possibility. However, whether you are eating right or wrong is not the only concern. The other question you need to ask is whether you are chewing your food sufficiently. According to nutritionists, you got to chew your food properly before you swallow. So if you are one of those stressed ones who chomped the food on the go, chances are you don’t chew long enough and thereby losing vital nutrients is very high.

The digestion of all food (especially carbohydrates) starts from our mouth. That’s because of an enzyme called ptyalin found in our saliva. Ptyalin starts the complex process of digestion. When you chew your foods properly, the ptyalin has more opportunities to break down any tough outer layers of your food. Only when that is broken down will nutrients be absorbed by your system.

According to health reporter, Janet Simpson:

If your food is not chewed sufficiently and is swallowed too quickly the pancreatic enzymes in your stomach have a hard time continuing the digestion process. Undigested food particles will then moves to the large intestines where it sits and ferments.

Fermentation produces gas and bloating. Fermentation also results in additional waste and toxins. If you do not chew your foods sufficiently it can lead to your feeling heavy, uncomfortable, sluggish, irritable and moody.

Chew every mouthful of food between 35 and 40 times this will ensure proper digestion.

Other benefits you will receive from chewing your food thoroughly include the following:

Tip #1: Thoroughly chewing your food will create an alkaline condition in your system. When you achieve an alkaline state as opposed to an acidic one your body is healthy and will fight off eczema and allergies more readily. (more…)

Writer and health reporter Janet Simpson has three diet tips to help create a beautiful, smooth healthy skin for eczema sufferer. She said our body will go through a systematic regeneration process and the eczema condition will begin to heal faster. She had these to share:

The basis of the plan is to introduce a large amount of quality nutrients into your diet so that you can transform the way your skin feels and looks.

Each piece of food that you eat will detoxify your body and rebuild your biochemical and energetic metabolism. The natural unprocessed foods will supply every single cell in your body with phytochemicals which have the ability to rejuvenate and cleanse your skin.

Raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains and super green foods are excellent at rebuilding the body and strengthening the immune system. The foods you will eat are also rich in anti-cancer compounds and anti-oxidants too. If you take in on the inside good, wholesome, quality food it will be reflected on the outside. You will gain gorgeous, smooth, clear skin.

The basics of “The 10 Day Raw Plan” are:

Dry Skin Rash Diet - Tip #1
First thing in the morning you drink a large glass of raw fruit and/or vegetable juice. You should also add an element of green food such as spinach, green cabbage or spirulina.

Dry Skin Rash Diet - Tip #2
The second meal of the day is a large raw, organic salad which contains many difference vegetables. There should be at least 7 different types of food. Serve your salad with two teaspoons mix of sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds and prepare a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice.

Here are some vegetables for you to choose from: collards, lettuce, cabbage, spinach, watercress, kale, rocket, radicchio, fennel, carrots chard, turnips, parsnips, radishes, beetroot, celery, yams, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and swedes.

Dry Skin Rash Diet - Tip #3
The last main meal of the day is made up of some grain and vegetables. You can prepare some brown rice and steam vegetables. Or you can stir fry the vegetables.

Or as an alternative you can prepare some lentil or split peas soup and eat with some rye bread.

Over the next ten days, Janet Simpson advised us to drink at least eight glasses of water per day to keep the body hydrated and cleansed. Do not drink tea, coffee, alcohol or any thing other than raw juice and water.

Check out Janet R Simpson’s “Cure Your Eczema in 14 Days” to know more of her secrets.

After Note: I just found out that there’s an eczema sufferer who has put her own research and experience into an eczema diet book, you might want to check that out too.

Related Articles:

How Can Eczema be Treated?
What’s so Depressing about having Eczema?
10 Reasons to Eat Sprouts to Cure Eczema
10 Great Benefits to Eating Alfalfa Sprouts
10 Great Benefits of Eating Raw Food & Juice

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Simpson

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Again, I was reading health reporter Janet Simpsons’ article on eczema and sprouts. She has a recommended a few of the most popular bean sprouts including in our daily diet to combat eczema and also to promote a healthy, glowing skin. This is what she shared:

#1 Alfalfa – is one the more popular sprouts. Alf-al-fa means ‘father of all foods’ in the Arabic language. Alfalfa is one of the richest sources of chlorophyll and magnesium. Alfalfa is mild to taste takes approximately 7 days to fully sprout. Alfalfa is quite often used as a remedy to build strength and correct illness.

#2 Buckwheat – not actually a wheat but a herb. Buckwheat is rich in B-vitamins such as choline and inositol. Buckwheat takes approximately 10 days to mature.

#3 Wheatgrass– Wheatgrass resembles the green grass in your back garden. The grass if very fibrous to swallow. The horses don’t have a problem. Wheatgrass takes 12-14 days to fully sprout.

#4 Mung Beans– They take approximately 5 days to grow

#5 Fenugreek – Fenugreek is a bitter herb. For best flavour mix with alfalfa and clover. Fenugreek grows in 8-9 days and is great for soothing the digestive track.

#6 Lentil– these are easy to grow and take 5 days to sprout.

If you seriously want to eliminate your eczema without the use of drugs, medicines or potions try bean sprouts. It will dramatically improve the quality of your blood, skin and digestion. Have a go!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janet_Simpson

Related Articles:

How Can Eczema be Treated?
What’s so Depressing about having Eczema?
10 Reasons to Eat Sprouts to Cure Eczema
10 Great Benefits to Eating Alfalfa Sprouts
10 Great Benefits of Eating Raw Food & Juice

Janet R Simpson offered 10 reasons why you should include sprouts in your Treatment of Eczema. As an eczema sufferer, I have tried many alternative treatments to lessen the flaring frequency as well as to curb the excruciating itch. The good news is sprouts do help. And it’s very interesting to read that a health reporter also concurred this method. You might want to try out this natural “cure”.

Here’s what Ms Simpson got to share:

Treatment of Eczema reason #1
Each sprouting seed is full with the nutritional and microbiological energy and life force strong enough to create a full grown healthy plant. These seeds contain a higher concentration of proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, bio-flavinoids, etc. than at any other stage of the seed’s life. These nutrients are paramount for the good health of eczema skin. They will fuel, nourish, cleans, detoxify and replenish every cell in your body. Sprouts and any living foods increases vitality, strengthens the immune system and slows down the aging process. Sprouts have the capability to clear eczema, and other ailments such as warts, blemishes and facial spots. (more…)

Once you got eczema, it’s unlikely to be ever completely cured. From time to time, the red, angry and weepy rashes will flare up again. However, you can make the intervals longer - like a year or even more - if you take some additional precautions on top of watching out for your diet and hygiene care. The severity and duration of the rashes will be significantly reduced too. Otherwise, I would be bald by now since I grip my hairs each time I get an eczema recurrence, and so tightly too, during the first unbearable 2 -3 years. I’m glad to say my condition has significantly improved since late 2003.

Eczema outbreaks can usually be avoided with some simple precautions. The following suggestions may help to reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups:

1. Moisturize frequently
2. Avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity
3. Avoid excessive perspiration or overheating
4. Reduce stress
5. Avoid scratchy materials (e.g., wool or other irritants)
6. Avoid soaps with alcohol and fragrance
7. Avoid harsh detergents, and solvents
8. Avoid environmental factors that trigger allergies (e.g., pollens, molds, mites, and animal dander)
9. Be aware of any foods that may cause an outbreak and avoid those foods

Very importantly, take note when you notice your condition worsen, when you come into contact with something or consumed something. Avoid those stuff and see if your skin condition improves over time. If it does, well, you now know you should stay clear of those specific irritants.

Recommended Reading:

• Cure Your Eczema in 14 Days” by Janet Simpson
• Eczema Diet Secrets by Evelyn Lim

Read Vivienne’s earlier posts on Eczema:
How Can Eczema be Treated?
What’s so Depressing about having Eczema?

Technorati Tags: eczema, eczema prevention

I found out through first hand experience that the more I scratched, the more the rashes spread. It began as a few innocent red bumps around the knee. And then, it spread all the way up to the thighs and dotted their way down to the ankles. That was when I learned that I had to curb the excruciating urge to scratch and claw. I ended up hitting the affected area with my palm. Painful, but at least I will not break the skin. When I really, really had to scratch, I used my finger tips (not nails) and scratch over a fabric. So, one of the most important components of an eczema treatment routine is to prevent scratching.

Some DIY methods to curb itching without consulting dermatologist or a general practitioner:

1. The most common treatment is the application of lotions or creams to keep the skin as moist as possible. The drier the skin, the itchier it becomes. These treatments are generally most effective when applied directly after bathing so that the moisture from the bath will be trapped in. Don’t just use any lotions or creams. Check out creams that do not contain added fragrances or alcohol. Fragrances and alcohol can dry the already dried and leathery skin further.
2. Cold compresses applied directly to itchy skin can also help relieve itching.
3. Application of non-prescription corticosteroid creams and ointments to reduce inflammation.
4. Blended vitamin E oil and patcholi and apply to the affected area.
5. Take raw sprouts, and increase in-take of raw food and juices. The benefits can be found in my earlier post.

What would a doctor prescribe for you if the condition turns chronic?

1. For severe flare-ups, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids, but be aware that side effects including new flare-ups can develop when treatment is discontinued (this treatment is not recommended for long-term use).
2. Skin affected by eczema may frequently become infected. The doctor may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
3. For severe itching, sedative antihistamines are sometimes used to reduce the itch. Drowsiness will be a common side effect; antihistamines are usually recommended for use in the evening to help a person restless from eczema get to sleep. I had to use this from time to time when I couldn’t sleep. Deprivation of sleep causes lots of inconvenience at work the next day.
4. Tar treatments and phototherapy are also used; however, tar can be messy. Phototherapy requires special equipment (lights).
5. Finally, in cases where eczema is resistant to therapy, the doctor may prescribe a drug called cyclosporine A. It supposedly modifies immune responses. However, this is used only in severe cases because of the serious side effects.

Like I had shared in previous posts, I had bought e-courses to improve my skin conditions and I also consumed raw sprouts to boost my immunity. Eczema can be treated but it might never be totally cured.

After 6 years, I learned to be content to keep it under control and enjoy the eczema free period as long as I can. It is possible to have a totally eczema-free skin for 1 -2 years. It is possible to keep it under control with just a few red bumps when it does surface again. The onus is on you to take precautions to prevent it from deteriorating or recurring. The responsibility is yours to take care of your diet and hygiene.

Additional Reading:

• Cure Your Eczema in 14 Days by Janet Simpson
• Eczema Diet Secrets by Evelyn Lim

Read Vivienne’s earlier posts on Eczema:
What’s so Depressing about having Eczema?
Can Eczema Be Prevented?

Technorati Tags: can eczema be treated, eczema treatment

Count yourself very fortunate if you never ever had eczema before - whether as a child or an adult. Some women have been known to develop eczema during pregnancy or after child-birth. It is quite difficult to diagnose the cause of eczema unless you go through an extensive series of tests with your dermatologist.

When I was diagnosed in 2001, the good doctor could only classify it as atopic eczema. She said if I were to know what was the source, I would have to go through a series of tests. Even then, she could not guarantee that the results will be conclusive. Many times it is difficult to identify the exact trigger that causes a flare-up.I decided against it as there was no real cure for eczema.

Since then, my skin will flare up periodically. It was very depressing and agonizing as the itch was excruciatingly unbearable. The more I scratched, the more the affected area hurt and itched. The more it hurt and itched, the more I wanted to hit, scratch or even claw at my skin. At times when I couldn’t tolerate it any more, I put a cloth over the affected area to scratch or claw with my fingers. The cloth reduced the risk of my skin breaking. The nights were worse. I would be gripping my hair at the temple, screaming silently as the burning sensation and itch kept me pacing up and down.

What does eczema look and feel like?
Although eczema may look different from person to person, it is most often characterized by dry, red, extremely itchy patches on the skin. Eczema is sometimes referred to as “the itch that rashes,” since the itch, when scratched, results in the appearance of the rash. Most sufferers will hide that part of body from sight. I was wearing pants and ankle long skirt for almost 2 years because my legs, from thigh to ankle, were usually red and sometimes even weepy. The legs were dry, leathery and scared even when the red patches subside. This is known as skin thickening or lichenification.

What makes patients with eczema itch?
The trigger will be different for different sufferers. For some, it could be rough or coarse fabrics that come into contact with the skin. For others, the hot weather caused them to perspire and would lead to an outbreak. While some would find that certain soaps, detergents, disinfectants, contact with juices from fresh fruits and meats, dust mites, and even animal saliva could trigger itching. Upper respiratory infections and stress can also sometimes worsen an existing flare-up.

How common is eczema?
The National Institutes of Health estimated that 15 million people in the United States have some form of eczema. About 10-20 percent of all infants have eczema. Fortunately, 50% of them will show very little symptom between 5 and 15 years old. Others will have some form of the disease throughout their lives.

What did I do?
I tried everything I deemed safe. I got the dermatologist’s prescription of oral medicine and ointment including steroids, urea cream, hydrocortizone, moisturizer, etc. I sought holistic treatments like aromatherapy and essential oils; I used blended concoction of vitamin E oil and patchuli. I consulted a dietitian to work out a diet plan. Recently I started sprouting and started to eat raw sprouts to boost my immunity and enzyme levels. I also bought e-courses to make sure that eczema stay away as long as possible. The reason for trying out alternative and holistic approaches is because of the side effects (including skin thinning) for prolonged usage of oral and external medicine.

Frustrating as it is, life still goes on.

Additonal Reading:

• Cure Your Eczema in 14 Days by Janet Simpson
• Eczema Diet Secrets by Evelyn Lim

Read Vivienne’s earlier posts on Eczema:
How Can Eczema be Treated?
Can Eczema Be Prevented?