Are you looking for effective natural remedies for eczema? If so, using essential oils may help manage your eczema symptoms.
Note that there isn’t any scientific evidence that supports the use of essential oils to treat eczema. Yet, it’s a popular traditional medicine that people have been using for millennia.
According to National Eczema Association statistics, over 30 million people in the world suffer from eczema.
The term ‘eczema’ is an ancient Greek word that means “to boil out.”
It is related to conditions that adversely affect the skin’s barrier function (including genetic factors, nutrient deficiencies, bacterial infection, dry, irritated skin, allergens, microbes, hot and cold temperatures, stress and hormones, etc.).
It is a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, yellowish or reddish.
The term “eczema” can be used widely to describe any rash-like skin condition.
It’s a curable skin disease; however, it spreads from one part of the body to another through frequent contact.
You don’t need to consult a doctor to get rid of eczema unless it itches, bleeds, and hurts a lot. Treating eczema at home with natural remedies like plant oils is easy.
This article will review the best essential oils for eczema treatment.
What Makes Essential Oils Good For Eczema?
With the increasing awareness of prescription medicines’ harmful effects, more and more people are turning to natural medicines to cure common diseases like eczema.
Many prescription drugs, including topical steroids, immune suppressants, phototherapy, and OTC creams, are available for eczema.
According to one of the recent clinical surveys, more than 40 percent of people are extremely dissatisfied with the clinical remedies currently available for getting rid of eczema. Many people surveyed reported the prescription medicines for eczema as ineffective, expensive, and resulting in dangerous side effects.
Many patients prefer to opt for natural therapies to eliminate common skin and hair issues.
Botanical oils applied to the skin have been shown to help reduce skin irritation. They also keep the skin moist and flexible.
EOs are the most effective natural remedy for curing common hair and skin diseases.
EOs are naturally endowed with antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory qualities that cure common skin and hair ailments.
Best Essential Oils For Eczema Treatment
Many essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial elements that work well for eczema.
It’s crucial for people with eczema to control inflammation, which causes pain, redness, itching, and skin scaling.
EOs that contain anti-inflammatory properties are best for eliminating atopic dermatitis.
Inflammation is the body’s natural protective reaction to injury, infection, or chemical irritants. However, during eczema flare-ups, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks otherwise healthy tissues.
Using anti-inflammatory medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to manage eczema is not a long-term solution. They can be harmful to one’s health if consumed on a regular basis for an extended period. Those medicines also do not work well for all; on the other hand, they worsen the disease in some cases.
Fortunately, there is a wide range of natural oils that you can use for dermatitis without the fear of side effects.
I have selectively handpicked seven EOs, which are traditionally used as the most preferred plant oils for eczema.
We will discuss the 7 best essential oils that may help heal eczema.
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is my favorite essential oil for checking the symptoms of eczema. It is the most versatile EO and has great medicinal value in treating skin disorders, depression, digestive problems, inflammation, and much more.
Lavender oil contains natural properties with antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory qualities. This oil efficiently removes inflammation, itching, swelling, and pain. It moisturizes the dry skin caused by eczema.
It’s best when used along with calendula oil.
You can directly apply or spray this oil on eczema-affected areas. Use it two or three times a day. It must be diluted with carrier oils like virgin coconut oil, or jojoba oil if you use it on babies or if you have highly sensitive skin.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has myriad uses in treating common skin diseases. It is well-known for healing sores, inflammation, and acne associated with eczema.
Tea tree essential oil is a highly valuable natural remedy because of its antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
One of the best natural treatments used for eczema is tea tree oil therapy. Add a few drops of each tea tree oil and lavender oil to one teaspoon of virgin coconut oil, and apply this oil mixture to the dermatitis-affected area of the skin twice daily.
3. Thyme Oil
Thyme oil is a natural remedy often used to treat several health and skin problems.
Carvacrol, an organic compound in this oil, is an excellent remedy for swelling, pain, and infections. According to one of the studies, among all the essential oils tested, thyme was found to reduce COX-2 expression by 65%.
Thyme oil works best for eczema when combined with other EOs. You can use a blend of eucalyptus and thyme oils diluted with rosehip seed oil. Apply this oil mixture to eczema-affected areas of the skin twice daily.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
The health benefits of eucalyptus are well known for its multiple uses in treating various diseases. Its properties include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, and antiseptic medicinal qualities.
It is widely used as an ingredient in several herbal and oral medicines. It is a commercially used cough suppressant, mouthwash, and insecticide.
Mix 1 part eucalyptus oil with 10 parts water and apply to a soft, clean cloth. Gently cleanse eczema-affected areas two to three times a day.
5. Chamomile Oil
The ancient Romans used essential chamomile oil to treat inflammatory diseases, especially skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and warts.
Past studies have also reported the effectiveness of chamomile oil in decreasing inflammation caused by eczema.
According to the Mayo Clinic, using chamomile cream on eczema produces the same results as other over-the-counter creams.25 percent hydrocortisone.
You can use a cream containing chamomile oil or pure chamomile oil on eczema-affected areas. Make sure to dilute the chamomile oil in any carrier oils if it is too harsh on your skin.
6. Bergamot Oil
Bergamot oil is extracted from a particular variety of orange native to Italy. The citrusy scent of the bergamot oil is very refreshing and mood-elevating. This oil contains excellent-quality anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe wounds, burns, and other skin conditions.
Bergamot oil is often used on the skin and scalp to treat eczema, hives, psoriasis, varicose ulcers, and seborrhea.
According to a research report, this oil can lower COX-2 by 21%; when applied at a concentration of 0.10 mL/kg, it reduces inflammation by up to 63%.
You can apply diluted Bergamot oil to the affected skin three times a day to reduce pain and swelling.
7. Rose Geranium Oil
Rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is an uncommon Pelargonium species native to southern Africa. The rose geranium oil can produce a soothing and healing effect on inflamed skin.
A 2013 study that tested the effectiveness of EOs found that when a small amount of rose geranium oil was applied to inflamed skin, it reduced the swelling by more than 70% within a few days.
This oil’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties make it a great way to treat eczema and other skin diseases.
How to Use Essential Oils?
Any good essential oils can cure eczema, either as standalone remedies or mixed with other oils and herbal extracts.
You can use essential oils treatment in several ways.
Topical oil treatment
The topical application of diluted essential oils to the affected areas is the easiest and most commonly followed treatment method. They easily penetrate the skin barrier and heals the skin disease from within.
Get your favorite essential oil and mix it with a good carrier oil.
You should use about 5 to 10 drops of essential oil each time.
Gently massage the oil mixture on the affected areas of the skin; repeat this treatment 2 or 3 times a day.
The oil applied to the skin should remain untouched for at least 15 minutes.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy that uses essential oils as the primary therapeutic agent to treat various diseases. Aromatherapy with EOs is administered through an EO diffuser, inhalation, massage, or simple applications on the skin’s surface.
Aromatherapy helps to cure eczema by relieving stress and elevating moods by stimulating the olfactory system in the brain.
Lavender, rose, ylang-ylang, bergamot, chamomile, and frankincense oils are best for aromatherapy.
Cool or hot compress treatment
A combination of essential oils is diluted in 2 cups of cold/warm water; soak a clean cloth and use it to compress the affected skin area. Usually, 2 drops of chamomile, 2 drops of lavender, and 2 drops of tea tree oil are mixed in the water used for the compress.
Essential oil bath
Fill your bathtub with lukewarm water and 5 drops each of lavender, chamomile, and geranium oil (you can use other essential oils of your choice). Soak yourself in the bathtub for 20 minutes. This treatment is ideal if you have a lot of eczema on your legs, hands, or any other part of your body.
Using lavender spray
Fill the spray bottle with 1 cup of pure water and add 12 drops of lavender oil.
Shake the bottle well before you use the lavender spray on eczema that affects the skin. This spray helps to reduce the itching and inflammation caused by eczema.
Essential oil lotions
Get a skin lotion like vitamin E or shea butter. Add 4 drops of your favorite essential oil per ounce of lotion.
Apply the lotion mixed with the essential oil to inflamed skin. It is exceptionally good for moisturizing and reducing pain and irritation.
Tips for Fast Healing Of Eczema
Essential oils work very well for getting rid of most types of skin conditions. However, you can only achieve the best results from this treatment by following certain preventive or relief requirements. Here are a few tips for you to follow:
- Eat omega-3 and anti-inflammatory foods.
- Reduce the frequency of baths to reduce dryness and itchiness on the skin
- Do not use harsh detergents and soaps that cause allergic reactions.
- Have vitamins E and D diets or supplements
- Use a moisturizing skin cream that has anti-inflammatory ingredients.
- Make sure to keep the skin hydrated and
- Wear cool, smooth-textured cotton clothing.
- Treat stress and anxiety.
- Use a humidifier.
- It is nice to take a lukewarm shower daily (not recommended for dry skin).
- Apply a good skin moisturizer immediately after the bath to trap the moisture.
- Avoid itching and picking at inflamed skin.
- A few of the EOs might cause skin irritation; test and find the suitable oil for your skin.
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