Friday, April 8, 2016

Eczema Natural Treatment Options That One May Consider

By Anna Lewis


Eczema (also referred to as atopic dermatitis) is an allergic skin condition. Allergens are widespread and may be found in foods such as eggs, gluten, peanuts, soy and citrus among others. It is believed that stress and genetics have a role to play. Recent studies have also implicated some antibiotics and components of vaccines. The easiest way of dealing with the condition is to avoid the allergens. If this does not work, consider the numerous natural eczema natural treatment options that exist.

Since the main problem is an activation of the immune system against normal body cells, treatment should be focused on this system. Appreciate that there is plenty of lymphoid tissue filled with immune cells found in the lining of the gut. This tissue is also referred to as gut associated lymphoid tissue, GALT, due to its location. If this tissue is allowed to function optimally, it will help protect us from numerous infections and inflammatory conditions.

Having a property diet is the first step towards having a properly functioning immune system. A proper diet means that you provide the body with useful nutrients and you keep it away from potentially harmful foods and allergens that are likely to trigger an allergic reaction. Increase your intake of raw foods and cut down on processed foods, dairy, sugar, caffeine and gluten as much as possible.

There are several vitamins and minerals that have been shown to have beneficial effects. Vitamin B12, zinc and magnesium are but just a few examples. These improve the function of the immune system. Vitamin C and E help in protecting cells from attack by free radicals. In addition, vitamin C has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Many of these vitamins are found in fruits, vegetables, seeds and fish.

Make an effort to also include probiotics in your diet. These help by enriching normal bacteria residing in the gastrointestinal tract. The bacteria which are also known as normal flora suppress harmful organisms that cause disease. It has been established that women who receive probiotics in the course of their pregnancy reduce the chances of having eczema in their babies. There are many forms of cultured foods that contain probiotics.

Stress management is an important aspect in the management of eczema. Adequate sleep is a treatment in and of itself and should be treated with the importance it deserves. Young children below the age of 12 years need to sleep at least 10 hours every night. Adults should have a minimum of 6 hours of quality sleep. Regular meditation, breathing exercises and yoga are effective ways of ensuring that the body repairs and restores itself.

A number of natural extracts can relieve symptoms even as one deals with the main problem which is the allergic reaction. Coconut oil added to the diet or used on the skin as an ointment is one of the most effective. Another important extract is aloe vera which is said to help in moistening and soothing dry skin. Flowers of calendula officinalis are another commonly used product. The general advice is that one should combine several of these ointments to get maximum results.

Eczema, like many other immune mediated conditions, is quite difficult to treat. The widespread use of corticosteroids frequently worsens the symptoms. There are many natural treatments available but most take a long time to produce positive results. A well balanced diet is the cheapest yet one of the most effective treatments that can be used.




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