10 At-Home Tips for Soothing Eczema

Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS

Written By Elizabeth Beasley on May 28, 2021

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  Eczema Relief Right at Your Fingertips

  The next time you have an eczema flare-up, there’s no need to wander the drugstore looking for the perfect product to soothe your itchy, dry skin. There are many eczema remedies you can find right at home in your kitchen or bathroom cupboard. These at-home tips for soothing eczema will help in a variety of ways: easing itching, reducing redness, preventing future flare-ups, and warding off bacteria before it can cause an infection.
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  1. Try a bleach bath.

  A bleach bath may sound scary, but it’s actually recommended by many doctors and the American Academy of Dermatology. Bleach helps ease eczema symptoms because it kills bacteria on your skin’s surface and reduces inflammation. Making a bleach bath is a simple solution. Add half a cup of regular strength 6% bleach to a bathtub full of water–do not use concentrated bleach. Mix thoroughly and soak in the bath for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse your body completely with lukewarm water. Limit bleach baths to twice a week and never submerge your head. Bleach baths are safe for children, too, but ask your dermatologist prior to trying one.
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  2. Soak in some chamomile.

  The chamomile flower is great for soothing skin, reducing inflammation, and decreasing itchiness. That’s because this plant contains a-bisabolol, a natural alcohol that calms eczema symptoms. It can also ward off germs and bacteria. You can place dried chamomile flowers directly in your bath or tie them in a cheesecloth pouch and let them soak. Do you have any chamomile teabags in your cupboard? Those work, too! Just pop three or four bags in a warm bath, hop in, and relax.
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  3. Up the humidity.

  Many people use humidifiers in the winter to add moisture to dry, cold air. But you can use your humidifier year round for treating eczema. A cool mist setting is ideal for soothing dry skin without the added heat that can make redness and inflammation worse. You can even add chamomile essential oil to your mist for an extra dose of natural comfort. Place humidifiers in the rooms where you spend the most time to get the biggest benefit.
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  4. Bathe with colloidal oatmeal.

  Colloidal oatmeal is an affordable, natural way to improve eczema symptoms. How is it different than the oatmeal you eat for breakfast? Colloidal oatmeal is made of ground up oats that have been boiled to release their skin-soothing elements. You can buy it at the store or make your own by grinding oats in your blender or food processor. Then just add a cup or two of the powdered oatmeal to a warm bath and enjoy. This DIY eczema remedy is the perfect gentle treatment for kids and adults.
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  5. Lather on some coconut oil.

  Soothing baths help relieve itchiness and prevent flare-ups, but how can you treat eczema when you’re on the go? Grab a scoopful of coconut oil and apply it as a salve to calm itchy eczema patches. Coconut oil has fatty acids that moisturize, reduce inflammation, and protect your skin from bacteria. Opt for cold-pressed virgin coconut oil and lather it on it after bathing to seal in moisture. It’s safe to apply several times a day, even before bed.
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  6. Apply some sunflower oil.

  If you don’t like the smell of coconut, sunflower oil is an excellent alternative. Sunflower oil enhances your skin’s protective barriers and helps it retain moisture, all while working as an anti-inflammatory. Apply it to your skin twice a day, after showering and before bed. As a bonus, it’s a healthy and versatile oil that you can use for cooking, too!
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  7. Spritz a salt spray.

  Have you ever noticed when you’re at the beach, your eczema feels better? That’s because salty air contains the perfect combination of moisturizing water and drying salt. This can be particularly good if you have any wet, oozing eczema patches. At home, you can make a DIY sea salt spray to provide quick relief without a trip to the beach. Mix a cup of boiled or distilled water with one tablespoon of sea salt and a pinch of Epsom salt or magnesium flakes. Shake it up in a spray bottle until the ingredients are well dissolved. Then spritz your skin as needed.
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  8. Grab some probiotics.

  Bacteria on your outer layer of skin can cause eczema to flare up. But did you know the bacteria in your body can be just as disruptive? Balancing bacteria on the inside and outside of your body can help reduce eczema symptoms. Taking a probiotic supplement or eating probiotic foods will get rid of bad bacteria and promote good bacteria in your gut, which can ultimately improve the condition of your skin. If you don’t like taking supplements, you can get probiotics through foods and drinks like sauerkraut, kombucha, and water kefir.
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  9. Apply French green clay.

  Scratching your skin when you have eczema can give you temporary relief, but can also create sores and scabs. To stop itching in its tracks, dab on a paste made of French green clay. This clay is filled with magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, and other minerals. French green clay is made from decayed plant matter, so be sure to look for the green color that means it’s the real thing. To apply, make a paste with water or witch hazel and dot on affected areas. You can purchase French green clay online or at your local drugstore.
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  10. Meditate.

  Finally, a home remedy that doesn’t require any ingredients: meditation. Stress is a known trigger for eczema itchiness and flare-ups. Learning to relax quickly can help you get relief in minutes. A regular meditation practice also keeps your stress levels low, which is great for your skin and entire body. Try a 5-minute guided meditation first thing in the morning or before bed. You can find a lot of free meditations online or download a meditation app. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to use meditation to calm your mind and body when an itchy moment arises.

Eczema Remedies | Treating Eczema

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