Essential oils for eczema can be a great way to treat the difficult condition. Up to 30 million Americans are estimated to be living with this skin condition. While there is no known cure for some people with eczema, essential oils can successfully ameliorate the symptoms. This is the most inexpensive and safe approach to curing the condition.
What is Eczema?
The term eczema is used to describe skin conditions that look like a rash. More often, it is used specifically to describe atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammation of the skin that starts during infancy and can continue well into adulthood. The term atopic refers to a group of immune-mediated diseases to which a patient can inherit a predisposition. Dermatitis is a general term for the inflammation of the skin.
What Causes of Eczema?
The main cause of eczema has not been discovered yet. It is believed that some people develop this skin condition due to a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Children whose parents have had another atopic disease are more likely to develop eczema.
Environmental causes include irritants (such as soap, shampoos, detergents), allergens (such as pollens, pets, mold), microbes (such as Staphylococcus aureus and fungi), extreme temperatures, foods (dairy products, wheat, nuts), and changing hormone levels (especially during pregnancy).
Stress is not a cause, but it is one of the factors that makes eczema symptoms worse.
Why Is It Good To Use Essential Oils For Eczema?
Eczema’s symptoms include dryness and skin rashes that cause redness, itching, blistering, flaking, crusting, cracking, oozing, or even bleeding. People with eczema do not produce as many fats and oils as people with healthy skin, and they are also unable to retain water. Because there is not enough moisture in the deep layers of the skin, bacteria, and irritants can pass through and break down the skin.
Using essential oils for eczema is a cornerstone in keeping the condition under control because it maintains the skin soft, supple, and flexible. Oils relieve the itch and produce a layer over the skin that traps water under it. The result is the restoration of the skin’s protective barrier against irritants, bacteria, and allergens.
Chamomile
Chamomile is one of the best essential oils for eczema as well as pretty much every skin condition you can think of. It reduces inflammation and softens very dry skin. It is also a good antiseptic and antibiotic and does not allow biotic infections to develop. Any existing infections are also eliminated.
Bergamot
Bergamot is an essential oil used with great success as a folk medicine in Europe for thousands of years. You may also have heard of it as the oil that creates the wonderful flavor of the well-known Earl Grey tea. It’s efficient in treating many skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, varicose ulcers, and, of course, eczema.
Tea Tree
Tea tree is best known as a powerful immune system stimulator. It has plenty of outstanding properties including the capacity to prevent bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. But do not use tea tree on its own, because it can dry the skin. Mix it up with moisturizing oils, and you will see how new skin cells will start growing and any marks or scars resulting from eczema will start to fade away.
Carrot Seed
The best thing about this essential oil for eczema is that it works for all skin types. Derived from the seeds of the carrot plant, it calms inflamed skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. The skin tissue gets toned, becomes more flexible, and will start healing.
Mandarin
The health benefits of this oil can be attributed to its antiseptic, circulatory, and depurative properties, among many others. Being an effective antiseptic, it protects wounds from bacteria, fungi, and viral infections. It forms a protective barrier on the wound and stimulates the collection of platelets and leucocytes. When applied to the skin, the healing time is greatly reduced.
Rosemary
Rosemary was considered sacred by many ancient civilizations. It’s one of the most powerful essential oils you can find. Due to its astringent properties, it is used with great results in treating acne, eczema, dermatitis, and athlete’s foot. This essential oil will kill bacteria and relieve the itch caused by skin conditions such as eczema. Rosemary oil can be applied directly to the affected area.
Rosewood
Rosewood is highly valued for its anti-infectious, antibacterial, antiseptic, tissue regenerator, and analgesic properties. Because it can improve blood circulation, it will speed up wound healing, including eczema.
Cedarwood
This essential oil is recommended for people suffering from inflamed skin caused by skin conditions such as eczema. Cedarwood oil can balance the production of sebum, kill bacteria, prevent or destroy fungal infections, and ultimately heal or greatly relieve symptoms of eczema. It can be used in addition to steams, blends, or masks used when treating various skin problems.
Geranium
Geranium essential oil is renowned for its capacity to improve the health of the skin, reduce inflammation and irritation, and improve circulation. It eases pain and rashes associated with conditions such as eczema. It’s also known as a powerful cicatrizant that will free the skin from after marks caused by many skin conditions, such as acne and eczema. This product also stimulates the production of a balanced level of sebum that will help with the dryness of skin caused by eczema.
Birch
Birch essential oil is a good tonic, analgesic, disinfectant astringent, and antiseptic, among many other health benefits. The antiseptic and disinfectant capabilities are two of the key properties of birch oil. Due to the presence of Methyl Salicylate and Salicylic Acid, birch is one of the best essential oils for eczema. Many medicinal creams and lotions for eczema contain these two components.
How To Use Essential Oils
You can use essential oils for eczema on their own or mix them with others. Experts recommend diluting the oils to prevent side effects. Keep in mind that some oils are irritants and blending them is a must. Use only the recommended amounts because increasing the dosage will not necessarily increase their potency, and you might even experience skin discomfort.
