GETTING OVER ECZEMA

For about 3 months I’ve found solace in Witch Hazel to fight inflammation. I purchased alcohol free unscented brand and would apply it to my face when I’m having a flare up. This is what I’ve noticed

the first day the witch hazel dries my skin out allowing my skin to heal creating a layer of dead skin that I then gently rub off the next day in the shower with my fingers.  I then use a face cloth for any spots I missed in the shower but NOTE if the skin is not ready to shed, DO NOT FORCE IT otherwise you’ll break the skin have to repeat the process.

I use Shea butter or Castor oil during this process to keep my skin moisturized. Within about 2-3 days my skin is healed. NOTE: Extremely drying! Be cautious when applying on neck, may cause tears in creases during the healing process, avoid if possible.

Here is the exact brand I use click the link to purchase online:

Thayers Natural Remedies

I notice when I'm itchy, I'm hot. So I try to find ways to cool down externally + internally. 

External: Fan, Cold wet cloth applied to itch, Aloe Vera

I've noticed when I don't get enough sleep, eat a lot of sugar and don't stay hydrated my skin tells it to the world. My skin will look so dry the next morning.

I've also noticed the week before my minstrel cycle (PMS) my immune system is at a weaker state during this time and my diet effects my skin severely. I try to avoid sugars of all types (i.e. carbs, alcohol, fruits high in sugar). This triggers my eczema and the urge to itch is extremely intense. I have a hard time resisting the urge to scratch even more so when I don't get enough sleep.

Combinations for DRY SKIN.

1. Sleep deprivation + Sugar + Dehydration = Dry Skin

Fresh homemade Aloe Vera Gel!

Health Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel:

•TOPICALLY, as a remedy for skin conditions including burns, sunburn, frostbite, psoriasis, and cold sores.

(Skin Function Diagram)

Give your skin a break. Your skin is sensitive and bombarding it with different skin creams and cleansers, which contain harmful chemicals make things worse. Let your skin breath and do what it's meant to do...Constant cleansing prevents the skin from maintaining moisture naturally. And with eczema...you need moisture! 

Try it for a couple of days!

I did it for a week and haven't gone back since. 

I rinse my face with luke warm water.

Remove make-up (In my case just eyeliner) with olive oil or coconut oil and a damp cloth. These natural oils don't strip your skin and maintains your skins natural moisture. 

Apply Shea butter.

Thats it!!! Click here for the skin care routine I follow when my skin breaks out.

WHEN MY FACE IS AT IT'S WORSE (weeping or severely dry and cracked) & Maintenance

In the morning:

I take a shower with Dr. Bronner's Unscented Castile Body Wash and apply coconut oil (strengthens underlying tissues and helps remove excessive dead cell on the skin's surface that makes your skin rough and flaky in texture [e]) or olive oil (anti-inflammatory & antioxidants[f]) to my whole body including my face in the shower to prevent my skin from absorbing too much water and drying out. I then run my face under the water for a minute or two to allow the dead skin to become loose enough to rub off gently. I then use my fingers to rub off the dead skin because dead skin can interfere with the healing process.[d] NOTE: If you cannot easily rub off dead skin, it isnt ready to come off yet and leave it be or run under water until it becomes easier to remove. BE GENTLE!

I then rinse off dead skin and apply coconut oil to my face and pat myself dry. The coconut oil/ olive oil gives me time to apply raw Shea butter (natural anti-inflammatory contains vitamins A and E, as well as essential fatty acids [a] ).

Throughout the day I drink plenty of lemon water and apply Shea butter to dry areas.

Click here for info on Sea Salt Baths 

Before Bed (after showering):

Apply Shea Butter and Coconut oil and give myself a gentle body massage. This helps me to be gentle to myself, relax and appreciate the skin I'm in.

I try to take Vitamin D, Primrose, Flaxseed oil and Omega-3 supplements so my body can break it down and my skin can absorb the nutrients while I rest. I find that my skin looks better in the morning.

Gently cleanse face with just luke warm water If I scratched a lot I use Cetephil because it works as an anti bacterial. (If your skin is infected, your body will focus on fighting the infection rather than healing your skin)

Wipe dry with a soft fabric (cotton preferably)

Apply raw Shea butter (natural anti-inflammatory contains vitamins A and E, as well as essential fatty acids [a] ) and Look's Goon On Ya Manuka Honey (natural antibacterial qualities,anti-inflammatory, protects against damage caused by bacteria, can repair tissue damaged by infection[b]) to rash, infected area. NOTE: It burns/itches depending on how severe your skin is. I have found that after applying it frequently the itch is less severe.

When itchy, I sit by the fan near an open window and drink water to keep myself cool and occupy my hands by writing or making Origami, which has become a great way for me to stop scratching. 

I change my Sheets 3-4 times a week when my skin is at its worse, to avoid dust mites which is a known trigger for those who suffer from eczema.[c]

After a week of this my skin has healed from scaley weepy eczema to evened moisturized skin.

I have eliminated dairy, read meat and poultry from my diet. for more info on my diet click here.

Feel free to ask questions, give it a try and let me know your results!

NOTE: Sometimes your skin just needs a break, so once in a while when I'm home, I rinse everything off and allow my skin to dry up for a couple of hours and when I feel my skin is ready for a moisturizer, usually before bed, I apply the Shea and Manuka honey. 

HAPPY HEALING!

WORKS CITED:

[a] Riggins, Kimberly. "What Are the Benefits of Raw Shea Butter?." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 30 Jan. 2014. Web. 21 July 2014.

[b] Nazario, MD, Brunilda . "Manuka Honey: Medicinal Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects."WebMD. WebMD, 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 21 July 2014. 

[c] Kenny, Dr. Tim, and Dr Laurence Knott. "Eczema - Triggers and Irritants." . National Eczema Society, 21 Feb. 2012. Web. 21 July 2014. 

[d] "Wounds - how to care for them - Better Health Channel." Better Health Channel. World of Wounds, 1 Feb. 2012. Web. 21 July 2014. 

[e] Kitchens, Simone. "Coconut Oil For Skin, Hair, Body: 6 Things To Know About The Super Ingredient." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 27 June 2012. Web. 21 July 2014. 

This online database provides information of more than 69,000 beauty skincare products and the possible harmful chemicals they contain that could lead to serious health concerns. Please, pay attention to what you feed your skin.

Research shows that overuse of topical steroids can cause addiction, Red Skin Syndrome & worsen eczema.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON TOPICAL STEROID WITHDRAW SYNDROME

"Dr. Rodney Ford: Food Allergy-Eczema Connection and Probiotics From Birth and What Kids Teach Us

May 28, 2014  56 minutes

Dr. Ford is a pediatric expert who focuses on child health, food allergy, respiratory allergy, gluten-sensitivity, celiac disease and gastroenterology problems. My exclusive interviews are now available with my book at http://remrehab.com and today we discuss food allergy, eczema, why probiotics should be taken from birth and the huge prevalence of egg allergies in babies and what to do about it." - EVAN BRAND

                                  CLICK HERE TO LISTEN