Eczema may be very common—a recent survey found that more than 10% of adults could be afflicted—but there's still a lot of misinformation about it. Here's the straight scoop about this skin condition and what you need to know to keep it under control.
Myth:
- All eczema is the same - Eczema is an umbrella term for skin that's red, irritated, and itchy.
- It's contagious - People think any skin condition is contagious, especially if it occurs all over
- It's caused by stress - Stress doesn't cause eczema, but it can exacerbate it
- If you have it, your skin will always look awful - Some types are easier to treat than others—atopic dermatitis is a tough one because it's genetic
- Treatment is all about the meds - Topical medications can help heal skin during flares up, but lifestyle modifications are crucial, too
- Eczema is only a skin problem - Eczema can wreak havoc on the lives of people who have it, causing health problems that are more than skin deep
- Ditch gluten and your eczema will clear up - Unless you have celiac disease or a documented gluten sensitivity, there's no reason for your skin disease to be exacerbated by gluten
- You can't go swimming - While some people find that contact with chlorine leads to a flare-up, others say that it actually has a positive effect on their condition
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What's to know about eczema?
Eczema is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough. Blisters may sometimes occur. Different stages and types of eczema affect 31.6 percent of people in the United States.
The word “eczema” is also used specifically to talk about atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema. “Atopic” refers to a collection of diseases involving the immune system, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and hay fever. Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin. Some people outgrow the condition, while others will continue to have it throughout adulthood.
Fast facts on eczema:
- Certain foods can trigger symptoms, such as nuts and dairy.
- Symptoms vary according to the age of the person with eczema, but they often include scaly, itchy patches of skin.
- Eczema can also be triggered by environmental factors like smoke and pollen. However, eczema is not a curable condition.
- Treatment focuses on healing damaged skin and alleviating symptoms. There is not yet a full cure for eczema, but symptoms can be managed.
- Eczema is not a contagious condition.
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An Overview of the Different Types of Eczema
Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become itchy, inflamed and red in lighter skin tones or brown, purple, gray or ashen in darker skin tones. Eczema is very common. In fact, more than 31 million Americans have some form of eczema.
Eczema is not contagious. You can’t “catch it” from someone else. While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers do know that people who develop eczema do so because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When an irritant or an allergen from outside or inside the body “switches on” the immune system, it produces inflammation. It is this inflammation that causes the symptoms common to most types of eczema.
There are seven different types of eczema:
- Atopic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis
- Neurodermatitis
- Dyshidrotic eczema
- Nummular eczema
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Stasis dermatitis
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What exactly is eczema?
The word “eczema” has two meanings. It can mean either of the following:
- A group of conditions that causes inflamed, irritated, and often itchy skin
- Any one of the conditions within this group, such as atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, or stasis dermatitis.
TYPES AND TREATMENT:
- Atopic dermatitis - Often beginning in childhood, this is a common type of eczema. Here are signs that a child may have it.
- Contact dermatitis - Almost everyone gets this type of eczema at least once. Find out when to see a dermatologist.
- Dyshidrotic eczema - Tiny blisters on your hands, feet, or both is one sign of this type of eczema. See other signs.
- Hand eczema - If the skin on your hands is dry, thick, and scaly, you might have hand eczema. Relief requires finding the cause.
- Neurodermatitis - It can clear completely with the right treatment. However, finding what works for you can take time
- Nummular eczema - With the right treatment, many people see this eczema go away. Here’s what treatment involves.
- Stasis dermatitis - Self-care is essential for getting this eczema under control. See what dermatologists recommend.
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Eczema: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Eczema is a term for a group of conditions that make your skin inflamed or irritated. The most common type is atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. “Atopic” refers to a person’s tendency to get allergic conditions such as asthma and hay fever.
Eczema affects about 10% to 20% of infants and about 3% of adults and children in the U.S. Most children outgrow it by their 10th birthday. Some people continue to have symptoms on and off for life. There’s no cure, but most people can manage their symptoms by getting treatment and by avoiding irritants. Eczema isn’t contagious, so you can’t spread it to another person.
Eczema looks different for everyone. And your flare-ups won’t always happen in the same area. No matter which part of your skin is affected, eczema is almost always itchy. The itching sometimes starts before the rash.
related:
Understanding Eczema - the Basics
Understanding Eczema - Diagnosis & Treatment
Understanding Eczema - Symptoms
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Your Everyday Guide to Living Well With Eczema
Run a bath with bleach or vinegar to ease your eczema symptoms
Life with eczema can be a challenge. The chronic inflammatory skin disease is characterized by itchy, dry, and scaly skin that may leak clear fluid when you scratch it, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The National Eczema Association (NEA) notes that because eczema is linked to an overreactive immune system, a host of irritants, allergens, and environmental conditions can trigger symptoms to flare up.
Whether you’re among the 1 in 12 people in the United States who have eczema (per the NEA’s latest figures), or are a caregiver to a child who is, know that there are ways to live well with the condition.
Life with eczema can mean spending a lot of time and energy avoiding conditions and triggers that will cause your symptoms to flare up. Adjustments to your diet, lifestyle, home, and work spaces, travel accommodations, and how you manage your medications can all help minimize symptoms.
related: Best Natural & Essential Oils to Help Soothe Eczema-Prone Skin
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Eczema: The daily habit which could actually worsen the itchy skin condition
ECZEMA is a very itchy and irritating skin condition, which can be difficult to get rid of. However, there are certain things you should, or shouldn’t do, to ease the itch. Here is one daily habit you should avoid in order to stop the condition from worsening:
- If you suffer from an itchy skin condition such as eczema, otherwise known as atopic dermatitis, having a long bath or shower could seem like a good way to soothe the itch. However, long baths in soapy water or long, hot showers may actually worsen eczema, according to medical website emedicinehealth. Soaking in warm, non-soapy water followed immediately by moisturisers is helpful, however. To prevent dry skin, you should take short, lukewarm showers or baths, while using a mild soap or body cleanser.
- Prior to drying off, you should apply an effective emollient to wet skin, as these inhibit the evaporation of water. Emollients have a stiff consistency and leave a shine with a slightly greasy feel on the skin. “Most good emollients contain petroleum jelly, although certain solid vegetable shortenings do a more than creditable job,” said emedicinehealth. “The thicker, the better, although patient preference is usually toward thinner lotions because of ease of application and avoidance of a greasy feel.”
- “Oatmeal baths may be soothing to itchy, fissured skin although best outcomes will still result from applying moisturisers after rinsing off.” If you suffer from eczema, you should also avoid wearing tight-fitting, rough or scratchy clothing. You should also avoid scratching the rash, or cover the area with a dressing to stop yourself from scratching. Wearing gloves at night can also minimise skin damage from scratching. Anti-inflammatory topical creams may be necessary to control a flare of eczema, such as non-prescription steroid creams.
- Calamine lotion may also be soothing, but will tend to dry out the skin. For this reason, it may be more useful for treating acute flare-ups rather than as a long-term therapy. You should also clean the area with a hypoallergenic soap, as most antibacterial soaps are too irritating for eczema patients. Home remedies, such as apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil are frequently touted as cures for eczema, but there is little or no scientific basis for these claims, according to emedicinehealth. The medical website also recommends avoiding physical and mental stress, while eating healthily. “Eating right, light activity, and adequate sleep will help someone stay healthy, which can help prevent flares,” emedicinehealth said. “Do not expect a quick response. Atopic dermatitis is controllable but consistency in application of treatment products is necessary.”
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Eczema treatment: Three NHS-recommended ways to soothe symptoms and reduce painful rash
ECZEMA treatment can be accomplished by using creams, or taking simple precautions. the NHS said sufferers could try these three methods to reduce eczema rash and symptoms. Eczema treatment revolves around soothing symptoms through use of creams or other methods. Recently, the bathroom product Childs Farm was shown to help soothe the symptoms. There are several different types of eczema, according to the National Eczema Foundation based in the US. These include atopic dermatitis, which makes skin red and itchy, contact dermatitis, where skin is inflamed due to exposure to certain substances, and dyshidrotic eczema, which causes blisters to develop. “Eczema is the name for a group of conditions that cause the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed,” they said.
The NHS recommended these three ways to treat atopic eczema:
- Reduce damage from scratching - “Eczema is often itchy and it can be very tempting to scratch the affected areas of skin,” said the NHS on its website. “But scratching usually damages the skin, which can itself cause more eczema to occur.” To stop the behaviour, the NHS said rubbing skin with fingers instead may help. If a baby needs to stop scratching, “anti-scratch mittens” can also help. “Keep your nails short and clean to minimise damage to the skin from unintentional scratching,” they continued. “Keep your skin covered with light clothing to reduce damage from habitual scratching.”
- Avoid triggers - Once products which cause eczema flare ups are identified, the NHS recommended avoiding them. To do this they said: “If certain fabrics irritate your skin, avoid wearing these and stick to soft, fine-weave clothing or natural materials such as cotton. “If heat aggravates your eczema, keep the rooms in your home cool, especially the bedroom. “Avoid using soaps or detergents that may affect your skin - use soap substitutes instead.” The NHS also said it “isn’t recommended” to try and remove house dust mites from the home, as “there’s no clear evidence that it helps”.
- Make diet changes - Certain foods are more likely to cause an eczema flare-up than others. Common allergy inducing foods, according to Healthline, include cow’s milk, eggs, soy products, gluten, nuts, fish and shellfish. However, they warned this should only be done with GP advice. “It may not be healthy to cut these foods from your diet, especially in young children who need the calcium, calories and protein from these foods. “If your GP suspects a food allergy, you may be referred to a dietitian. They can help to work out a way to avoid the food you’re allergic to while ensuring you still get all the nutrition you need.”
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What It's Really Like To Have Eczema
More than 30 million Americans have eczema, a skin disease characterized by itchy, red rashes. While many people have it as kids and outgrow it by the time they're teens, others (about 3% of adults) are stuck with it for the long-haul.
Here, three women share what living with eczema is really like—and why it's more than just an annoying rash:
- It feels like a bad case of poison ivy - "But reactions to poison ivy go away after a few days of agony
- It's almost impossible not to scratch - Telling someone with eczema to "stop scratching" is one of the least helpful things you can do
- People are afraid of you - When severe eczema covers much of your body, people are bound to stare
- It can rule your life - Everything from what you wear to the weather can cause extra-sensitive skin to flare up, which means your entire day can easily revolve around skincare and trigger avoidance
- There's a lot of trial and error - While some people with mild eczema might do well with basic skin care and medicated creams, others require light therapy or steroids and some need hormones or biologic drugs
- It's easy to feel depressed about it - The stress of constantly having to think about potential triggers, like whether your clothing will make you itch or the weather will irritate you, can quite literally get under your skin when you have eczema
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Can Essential Oils Help Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis?
Certain essential oils may aggravate your skin regardless of whether you have been diagnosed with eczema
Essential oils may seem like an appealing treatment option, but research shows there are no proven benefits for people with this skin condition. In fact, these oils could pose health risks. Essential oils are natural oils extracted from plants, and they give plants their unique scent. As such, manufacturers commonly use essential oils in perfumes, flavorings, and aromatherapy, Merriam-Webster notes. About 90 essential oils are safe to use on the skin and there are at least 1,500 possible combinations you can try, according to a review published in May 2017 in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. When you apply them directly to the skin, essential oils may offer unique benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, thanks to their plant compounds. Tea tree oil, for example, may be an effective anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial topical treatment for a variety of conditions, such as acne and edema (swelling), according to a past review. Thanks to these potential benefits, essential oils are an appealing treatment option for people with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis.
Eczema is a group of skin conditions that include atopic dermatitis, and though there are many different forms of eczema, each shares the characteristic red, itchy, inflamed skin, according to the National Eczema Foundation. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic type of eczema, and those who have it need to manage their symptoms daily to avoid uncomfortable — and sometimes painful — flare-ups. Some people turn to essential oils to calm inflammation and in hopes of staving off infection.
According to the essential oils brand Doterra, you may be able to apply an essential oil directly to your skin without a carrier oil. Those oils, which are categorized as neat and do not need a carrier oil, include lavender and sandalwood. Yet others, such as cinnamon, thyme, and oregano, must be diluted with a carrier oil such as almond, coconut, or jojoba. The website also advises diluting oils such as peppermint, ginger, and black pepper before using them on sensitive skin, which is a common concern for people who are managing eczema.
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What You Need to Know About Allergic Reaction to Essential Oils
Essential oils are currently the “cool kids” of the wellness scene, touted for health benefits ranging from relieving anxiety, fighting infections, easing headaches, and more. But if used improperly, essential oils can cause allergic reactions, among other adverse effects. Read on to learn how to spot symptoms of an allergic reaction to essential oils and tips for safely using this alternative treatment.
What are essential oils? Essential oils are aromatic compounds extracted from plants. They play a central role in aromatherapy, which is a type of holistic health treatment that promotes health and well-being. Much of the hype surrounding essential oils stems from the fact that they are natural products. This doesn’t necessarily mean that essential oils are totally safe. These complex substances aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and some of their health benefits are overstated. There are dangers associated with using aromatherapy around pregnant women, children, and pets. There are dangers associated with incorrect use. It is possible to be allergic to essential oils.
What is an allergic reaction? Allergic reactions are quite common. They occur when your immune system overreacts to an allergen — a substance that is normally harmless. The allergen triggers your body to start producing antibodies, which produce chemicals to “attack” the allergen. Allergic reactions range from mild to life-threatening, and they result in symptoms that usually affect your nose, lungs, throat, skin, stomach, sinuses, or ears.
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Essential oil lies –what you need to know about doterra and Young Living
OK, that’s it. The essential oil debate is raging and I can’t help but jump in at this point. As a qualified naturopath and herbalist with over 10 year’s experience and also specific training in aromatherapy – I’d like to give a measured and informed voice to the topic.
The first thing is that I want to say this. Essential oils are AMAZING. They are an excellent healing tool and there are hundreds of very safe, useful and proven applications for them.
But…. and this is a very big but… like any medicine, they have a list of limitations and potential risks if they are not used correctly. Let’s examine some of them. Oh and if you don’t like rants, then maybe you don’t want to read this post (but you should because I make some very good points). If you’re a rep or a convert to brands like doTERRA and Young Living, I hope this helps you, because much of what you’ve been told simply isn’t true.
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Everything You Need to Know About doTERRA’s On Guard Essential Oil
While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
There are many different essential oil companies in business, including doTERRA. According to the company’s website, the name doTERRA is derived from the Latin words for “gift of the Earth.” doTERRA claims to stand apart from other essential oil companies with sustainable oil sourcing practices and its Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) label showing the purity of its oils.
According to a National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy blog post, “CPTG” is a marketing term only, and the field is largely unregulated. One of doTERRA’s most popular oil blends is called On Guard:
- What are the benefits of On Guard?
- What the research says
- How to use On Guard
- Risks and warnings
- Other ways to boost your immune system
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Essential Oils: Natural Doesn’t Mean Risk-Free
Each morning, she placed a drop of frankincense oil, which some say is an immune booster, under her tongue. If her head hurt, she dabbed calming peppermint oil on her temples. At night, she massaged the bottoms of her feet with grapefruit oil, often billed as an appetite suppressant. By day, she lathered her arms with antibacterial bergamot oil and dropped fragrant lemon oil into her detergent and water bottle. Then one night after sitting in the sun at a baseball game, she spotted a rash on her neck and arms. By morning, her eyes were swollen shut and the oozing welts on her neck burned. The rash cleared. But for weeks, each time the sun hit her skin even briefly, it returned. Ultimately, it got so gruesome that doctors had to inject her with steroids. The suspected culprit: A toxic reaction to essential oils. “I admit I was probably overusing them,” says the 44-year-old mother of five from Omaha, NE. “But I don’t think people are aware that even though they’re natural products, they can do real damage.”
Armstrong is among a small but growing number of consumers turning up with chemical burns, allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and other side effects from the popular aromatic plant extracts. In the past year, retail sales of essential oils soared 38%, with consumers spending more than $1 billion on oils and accessories, according to market research firm SPINS. That’s not including tens of millions in sales from companies that bypass retail shelves and sell directly to consumers via a growing network of independent distributors.
Those distributors, and more demand for over-the counter “natural” remedies free of the side effects that can come with prescription drugs, has fueled a surge in essential oils demand. But as their DIY use explodes, concerns abound. “There is definitely credible science behind certain benefits for certain essential oils,” says Cynthia Bailey, MD, a dermatologist in Sebastopol, CA. “But you have to choose wisely, and you cannot use them indiscriminately.”
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Allergic contact dermatitis to essential oils
What are essential oils? Essential oils are volatile aromatic substances obtained from plant material through various methods including distillation and extraction. Essential oils have been widely used for centuries in aromatherapy, balneotherapy, and perfumery (see perfumes and fragrances). During aromatherapy, essential oils are often applied directly to the skin or delivered by inhalational methods. Essential oils are also increasingly being used in household products and in aerosol diffusers. Commonly used essential oils include:
- Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia oil)
- Ylang-ylang oil (I and II) (Cananga odorata oil)
- Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon spp. oil)
- Sandalwood oil (Santalum album wood oil)
- Clove oil (Eugenia caryophyllus oil)
- Jasmine absolute oil (Jasminum officinale oil)
- Sweet bay (Laureal) oil (Laurel nobilis oil)
- Cedarwood oil (Juniperus virginiana wood oil)
- Patchouli oil (Pogostemon cablin oil)
- Neroli oil (Citrus aurantium flower oil)
- Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita oil)
- Narcissus absolute oil (Narcissus poeticus flower extract)
- Lemon oil (Citrus medica limonum oil)
- Eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus oil)
- Orange oil (Citrus aurantium dulcis oil)
- Tea tree oil
- Ylang-ylang oil (I and II)
- Lemongrass oil
- Sandalwood oil
- Clove oil
- Jasmine absolute oil
- Narcissus absolute oil.
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Essential Oils: What You Need to Know
Can the scent of lavender calm your nerves? Will a mixture of eucalyptus and coconut oils massaged on your chest to help you breathe a little easier?
Essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus have gained popularity in aromatherapy and are sometimes used as alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals. While they’re generally safe, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you decide to try them.
Essential oils are made by distilling the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and bark of plants with steam or water. These highly concentrated oils are then inhaled, ingested, or can be applied to the skin through a lotion, cream, or oil. “There are thousands of different plants that can be used to produce different extracts,” says Dr. Susan Rabizadeh, chief of dermatology at Cedars-Sinai. And while it’s true that oils offer certain health benefits, they also have the potential to cause harm, especially in pregnant women, babies, and people who have compromised immune systems. To enjoy aromatherapy—and play it safe—follow these essential oil dos and don’ts.
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Halp! I Got an Allergic Reaction to Essential Oils—Here’s How to Fix It
As the founder of the San Francisco clean beauty boutique Ayla Beauty, Dara Kennedy keeps to a strict regimen of natural products (you gotta practice what you preach, right?). So she was shocked when she started getting welts on her face—not exactly what you’d expect from using botanicals derived from the earth. But it was clear some ingredient wasn’t mixing well with her complexion. The culprit behind Kennedy’s—and many others’—reaction, it turns out, stems from a certain, innocent-seeming natural extract: vitamin E, also known as tocopherol. So she actually had an allergic reaction to essential oils… which actually is pretty common. “It’s interesting because I’ve been using natural products for so long,” says Kennedy. “People think essential oils are so nice and natural, but you can have too much of a good thing.” In fact, tocopherol (as one example) ranks highly on the North American 80 Comprehensive Series, a list of the most common allergies—also on the list are tea tree oil and ylang ylang. But does this mean all natural extracts could potentially cause a rash?
“It’s not like every essential oil is bad,” says Kennedy (phew). “It’s just that people need to respect that they’re potent. They just happen to be in everything, and the more you use them, the more likely you’ll have some sort of reaction.” When I asked a dermatologist about it, he pointed out that vitamin E is normally well-tolerated—but he sees it cause another skin woe. “Vitamin E generally has a low incidence of allergic reactions,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York-based dermatologist. “Being an oil soluble vitamin, the biggest issue I have seen in patients using vitamin E is acne breakouts.” That said, he says the most common skin reaction to essential oils is an irritation—”especially if the oils aren’t diluted out.” They also have the potential to have phototoxic reactions. “That means a chemical burn if the oil is still on your skin and you go out into the sun,” says Dr. Zeichner.
So if you’re one of the 15 percent of the population has some sort of sensitivity to essential oils, there’s no actual need to be alarmed. “It’s not like everyone’s proactively testing themselves for these things,” says Kennedy. “If you have sensitive skin and aren’t really sure, getting your skin tested could help keep problems from happening.” You could also go on a beauty detox to weed out allergens as well as surplus steps in your routine.
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Are Essential Oils Safe?
Most essential oils are safe and free of adverse side effects when used properly. However, as with any substance you are introducing into your body, it is important to use them intelligently. We recommend that you never eat or drink essential oils. You should pay attention to the following factors:
- Dosage - Dose is the most important factor in essential oil safety. Some essential oils used in the wrong doses or too high a concentration have been found (in animal and laboratory studies) to contribute to tumor development and other harmful changes in the body. Some essential oils can even be damaging to the skin, liver and other organs if used improperly.
- Purity Sometimes essential oils are altered by adding synthetic chemicals or other, similar smelling, essential oils or they are sometimes diluted with vegetable oil. Look for language indicating purity on the label. It is not necessarily bad if the label indicates, for example, that the bottle contains 20% essential oil and 80% vegetable oil. This is sometimes done so that popular but expensive oils like rose or neroli (that can cost over $100 per teaspoon when pure) can be made more affordable. If you think you are starting with 100% essential oil and you are not, however, you may be disappointed with the results. On the other hand, if you are starting with professional quality essential oils, which are generally much more concentrated, you need to dilute them to be safe.
- Application method - An essential oil that is safe when applied in one way may not be safe when used in another way. Some oils are considered safe if inhaled, and yet may be irritating if applied to the skin in concentrations as low as 3-5%. Thyme, oregano, clove, and cinnamon bark essential oils are examples of this. Several of the citrus oils, such as bergamot, lemon, lime, orange, and angelica, can cause phototoxicity (severe burns or skin cancer) if there is exposure to natural sunlight or sun-bed radiation following skin applications, whereas this would not result from inhalation. Be sure to clarify the recommended application method and concentration for the essential oil and intended use. And once again, don't ingest oils without professional guidance.
- Possible drug interactions - There is little published research on interactions between pharmaceutical drugs and essential oils. Given the complex chemistry of essential oils, however, it makes sense that this is possible or even likely. As with dietary supplements and herbs, it is important to discuss regular essential oil use with your healthcare provider and together assess any potential risks and benefits. For example, studies indicate that peppermint and eucalyptus oils increase the skin absorption of 5-fluorouracil, an anti-cancer drug (Abdullah et al 1996, Williams & Barry, 1989).
related: How Do I Choose and Use Essential Oils?
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Essential Oils for Allergies
You may experience seasonal allergies in late winter or spring or even in late summer and fall. Allergies may occur occasionally as a plant you’re allergic to blooms. Or, you may experience around-the-clock allergies during specific seasonal months. Essential oils may be used as an alternative or complementary treatment for allergy symptoms. They’re derived from plants and can be used in a variety of ways. Popular ways to use essential oils include:
- diffusing them into the air
- using them in bath and spa products
- applying them to the skin when diluted
- spraying them into the air
- breathing them in directly from the container
There isn’t a great deal of research to support the use of essential oils, but more is coming out all the time. If done with care, aromatherapy with essential oils might benefit you. If you’d like to incorporate essential oils into your life to relieve allergy symptoms, here are a few you might want to try.
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The Appropriate Dose (Topical Application)-Dilution
Topical use of essential oils may induce a sensitivity response, especially on young or sensitive skin. To decrease the likelihood of developing a sensitivity, it is advisable to use a carrier oil to dilute the more potent oils and when trying an oil for the first time. The recommend dilution ratio is typically 1 drop of essential oil to three drops of carrier oil. A diluted mixture can be prepared in advance by mixing the oils in an empty glass bottle or for a single dose by mixing the oils directly in the hands.
There are 3 main classifications (Neat, Dilute, and Sensitive) of oils for topical use:
- Neat - Essential oils categorized as “neat” can be applied topically without dilution on most people. These oils are considered mild and generally do not induce skin sensitivity. Examples of “neat” essential oils are frankincense, lavender, melaleuca, melissa, and sandalwood.
- Dilute - If categorized as “dilute,” essential oils should be diluted with a carrier oil before topical application in every case. Oils that fall into this category are those with a high proportion of constituents that are especially potent, such a phenols. Examples of essential oils that require dilution are cassia, cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme.
- Sensitive - “Sensitive” oils are those that should be diluted before use on young or sensitive skin. Examples of “sensitive” oils are peppermint, ginger, eucalyptus, wintergreen, and black pepper.
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25 Best Essential Oils for Eczema & Psoriasis
Did you know that eczema and psoriasis affect about 42.5 million Americans? If you are suffering from one of these diseases, then you know about the pain and discomfort that is associated with them. So, what do you do to treat it?
While there are a lot of prescription drugs on the market for these skin disorders, none of them cure the issue completely, and they all have side effects. If you are still looking for some relief, it is a good idea to try some essential oils. To treat eczema, an increasing number of people are turning away from conventional Western medicine and adding essential oils to their daily regimen. These oils act as a holistic healing agent that looks at the bigger picture of the skin conditions.
Essential oils have anti-inflammatory and stress-reducing properties that can help promote healing and create a lasting change to improve your skin for good. Here, we will talk about the 25 best essential oils on the market today to treat eczema and psoriasis.
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The Best Essential Oils and How to Use Them
There is a short list of things that people believed to be a trend, but yet decades later, their popularity remains throughout the years. Essential oils have been all the rage since their discovery. These aromatic extracts have been utilized for a variety of reasons, the majority of which are related to health and wellness.
Different cultures across the globe have used essential oils because of their potent qualities. They arouse the senses and are also generally antimicrobial antidepressant, and most importantly, stress relievers because of their inherent soothing effects. Nevertheless, it’s important to decide carefully on the kind of essential oil that you should use as each of them has a distinctive function and purpose. The method for producing essential oil is relatively straightforward. Throughout history, essential oils served as natural medicines, then cosmetics such as colognes, succeeded by the use in the food industry, and lately in aromatherapy. They are called essential oils as they possess the “essence” of the plant of which they have been extracted. Thus, once you use them, you are in fact experiencing a part of the plant itself.
Searching for the best essential oil is actually not that hard. All it takes is to understand what you want to treat, enhance or revitalize. If you use the wrong type of oil, then you won’t be enjoying the results that you desire. The Best Essential Oils:
- Lemon Oil
- Cinnamon Oil
- Lavender Oil
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Peppermint Oil
- Jasmine Oil
- Pomegranate Oil
Rollerball device to relieve eczema itch
Koh Bei Ning’s rollerball anti-itch device for eczema skin is becoming a reality with her Kickstarter and website launch. (Photo: Koh Bei Ning)
Imagine suffering from eczema and endless itchy skin. And then imagine you create a nifty rollerball device that relieves eczema itch – and it gets picked up by the James Dyson Award for a national innovators contest. Imagine you get so much interest that you crowdfund on Kickstarter to make your rollerball invention a reality. Koh Bei Ning doesn’t need to imagine. This was her dream and it’s becoming a reality.
Koh suffers from atopic dermatitis (its common name is eczema) and as part of her final-year thesis at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Division of Industrial Design (DID), she created a rollerball itch relief device that works as a gentle alternative to scratching. She submitted her design as an entry to the James Dyson Award, an international design innovation competition which highlights design engineers at the start of their careers. Her rollerball device became the Singapore runner-up.
Koh’s invention is a rollerball mechanism with a textured ball that rolls over the skin. It uses repetitive downward pressure on itchy skin to provide relief through the texture, while minimising force on the skin. For sufferers of eczema, this motion reduces tearing of already inflamed and irritated skin and avoids further irritation from fingernails when scratching. Doors opened for her after her invention won accolades, which enabled her to share how her eczema itch relief rollerball, now called Rollo, works. “I have been given many valuable opportunities such as participating in Prototypes for Humanity, an exhibition in Dubai which gathers 100 student innovations,” she said.
