Millions of Americans suffer from some sort of skin allergy or irritant. When it is extreme it can be diagnosed as eczema. There are various forms of treatment for eczema including natural, or holistic treatments.
Traditional Chinese Medicine relies heavily on remedies found in nature. Because of these natural qualities, they tend to elevate and work well with your body’s own functions.
A lot of holistic treatments come from Chinese medicine, some of which have been practiced for centuries. Although these treatments have been known to work very well they are not regulated by the FDA so consult with your doctor before embarking to ensure there is no countereffect with treatments or medicines you are already taking.
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What is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition also known as Atopic Dermatitis. It usually develops during early childhood and is usually genetic. It starts as dry itchy skin that can become inflamed and bright red. Internal, as well as external factors, can cause an eczema flare-up.
External things such as heat and high alcohol content lotions can inflame it quickly. Internally, allergens to certain foods can cause a flare-up as well. It is usually found on hands, feet, elbows, and knees and can be small raised bumps or patches of red skin that may or may not leak fluid and crust over if scratched. Scratching eczema can make it worse by triggering more inflammation and adding germs from you hands themselves.
It was first described and named in 1933 by two American dermatologists by the name of Fred Wise and Marion Sulzberger.The gene that is thought to cause eczema is the ‘filaggrin gene’. This gene tells the body how to make the protein, also called filaggrin.
People with eczema inherit a mutation that causes this gene to stop working, which causes an impairment to their healthy skin function, causing your skin to overreact to small skin irritants.
Is it Possible to Heal Eczema Naturally?
One of the first lines of defense against eczema is your skincare routine. Using mild soaps that don’t contain any dyes or perfumes can help prevent flare-ups. Afterward, you can moisturize your skin with a gentle lotion. Those containing aloe or oatmeal may give the most relief while staying away from those that are alcohol or petroleum-based.
Here is a list of some natural things that have shown beneficial in dealing with eczema.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: restores skin’s natural pH balance. In addition, apple cider vinegar is great for reducing inflammation and it also improves your gut health. Keeping things going is certainly one way to prevent adverse reactions like eczema!
- Coconut Oil: has antimicrobial properties, is moisturizing, and is naturally light in fragrance to prevent irritation. Coconut oil can be applied directly to the affected site either in solid or liquid form. It can also be used with other ingredients, like lavender or tea tree oil, to create a nice lotion.
- Tea Tree Oil: has anti-inflammatory properties as well as antifungal properties. These will reduce swelling and itching. In addition, tea tree oil is naturally soothing on the skin and would make a nice addition you your shower routine regardless!
- Honey: much like tea tree oil, honey is a natural anti-inflammatory, extremely rich in antioxidants, and harbors antimicrobial properties. If you do plan to use honey, it is best for you (and for the bees!) if you find an organic, local source.
- Lavender: has lots of antifungal properties and can help reduce inflammation. Putting lavender oil onto your skin is a surefire way to relax not only your skin, but yourself!
How Does Chinese Medicine Treat Eczema?
Chinese medicine combines skin creams, baths, teas, and sometimes medicinal pills to combat eczema. This treatment is said to calm the immune system which calms the body’s reaction to stimulants that cause eczema.
Some Chinese treatments also combine acupuncture with the treatments listed above. This treatment usually lasts twelve weeks. In a study conducted in 2008, the recipients of the origin of Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture all reported a reduction in their eczema symptoms.
What Does the Treatment Look Like?
Acupuncture is where thin needles are inserted into the body at specific “acupoints”. These points are said to release endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killer. It also affects the part of the brain that produces serotonin, the “happy hormone”. This treatment would be done in a series spanning 12 weeks.
Baths usually consist of additives such as aloe and oatmeal. They may also include lavender which, as stated above can help calm the skin and ease redness.
Oolong tea is used to help reduce inflammation and itching. It is suggested that you drink a liter a day to reap the benefits this tea can offer. Lavender can also be steeped into a tea and help to calm your skin from the inside out.
The treatments such as baths, teas, and creams would be used on an as-needed basis after the initial treatment.
Find a Doctor of Chinese Medicine Near You
Doctors of Chinese Medicine can practice just about anywhere. You can use Google to find the ones nearest you. Some offices are labeled solely for acupuncture and others may actually title themselves as an office of Chinese Medicine.
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is also a good place to search. (source: NCCAOM) They will not only be to tell you who can assist you but also able to let you know who is the most accredited in your area.
Conclusion
Chinese medicine definitely has its advantages to health and well-being. It helps with numerous ailments including those suffering from eczema. Whether you choose to lather on a cream, soak in a bath, enjoy a nice cup of oolong tea or would like to try ear seeds for weight loss these remedies could have you feeling more comfortable in your skin in no time.
