Body Butter Vs Lotion: The Difference
Body butter is a nutrient-dense thick cream made of natural oils and butter designed to hydrate and nourish your skin.
It is more concentrated than a lotion, and because body butter contains no water, it isnt prone to microbial growth and has a longer shelf life.
While it takes longer to penetrate the skin, it can soften very dry and rough spots like the knees, elbows, and feet. By whipping it, the body butter will become soft, fluffy, and easy to apply.
Using Essential Oils For Eczema
The itchiness and redness, as well as pain that may accompany the rash of eczema, can lead some patients to try various treatments. Some essential oils leave a greasy feel and look to the affected areas, which can be a negative setback to some patients.
A more appealing appearance may be achieved by using a non-oily base to dilute the essential oils in creams, salves, and lotions. This can include a water-based acrylic gel if the natural carrier oils are too greasy.
Aloe vera gel may be a good carrier to mix with essential oils to maximize the beneficial effects of essential oils.
Essential Oils For Weeping Blisters
The weeping blisters you get along with your eczema arentjust painful. In fact, they make some eczema sufferers contemplate staying homebecause they are ashamed of their appearance.
While staying home isnt always practical, the sentiment is certainlyunderstandable. Instead, treat your blisters to promote rapid healing.
Roman Chamomile
Roman Chamomile effectively cleanses the oozing of weepingblisters. It features anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterialproperties that will gently cleanse the blisters to prevent infections.
While the antiseptic and antibacterial agents work to cleanse the wound, the anti-inflammatory components soothe and calm your frazzled skin, giving you some much-needed relief from the pain and inflammation of eczema.
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Other Carrier Oils To Use For Eczema
Before you choose a specific natural carrier oil to use with essential oils for eczema treatment, it is important to know how these carrier oils work.
Coconut oil is often used as an essential oil blend for eczema, as it restores moisture to dry skin areas. This is a natural balm that soothes dry, rough skin by adding moisture during the healing process.
A Diy Eczema Cream Suitable For Children
Due to the essential oils used in the recipe, it is not suitable for babies under the age of 3 months old.
Although the 1% lavender essential oil that Ive included is deemed as a safe level for children, Its a very aromatic oil that can be overpowering for little ones, so I personally would lower it to around 0.5g.
Both lavender and chamomile can act as a sort of sedative in children, this should help them to get a good nights sleep whilst their irritated skin is being hydrated.
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The Symptoms Of Eczema
Itchiness ranging from a mild tickle to a severe and intense itch is a symptom of nearly all types of eczema. In fact, the skin can become itchy before the appearance of any rash. Eczema is also a common reason for itchy bumps on your elbows.
Respected dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman says that dry skin is usually associated with eczema. The affected skin often develops a rash and become thickened or scaly.1 These patches of reddened skin can turn a brownish-gray color and the skin can feel like leather.
The symptoms of eczema can be aggravated if a person scratches the itchy rash because this allows Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to infect broken skin. The end result is that the skin becomes raw, swollen and very sensitive. It may also ooze fluid which can leave the skin with crusty patches when the fluid dries.
Gentle Soaps And Detergents
Laundry detergent can contain harsh chemicals that aggravate eczema.
Many body washes and cleansers contain detergents, which help provide a soapy lather. Detergents and other lathering agents can dry out the skin, especially in people with eczema.
Bar soaps can also be harsh on the skin because of their alkalinity.
Try using a gentle, no-lather, fragrance-free cleanser. Avoid products with rough particles for scrubbing or exfoliating, as these can further irritate the skin.
Many people with eczema also find that switching to a more gentle, fragrance- or color-free laundry detergent can help improve symptoms.
Additionally, try skipping fabric softener, which lingers on clothes and often contains fragrances and chemicals that can irritate the skin.
Sitting next to a fireplace or near a furnace may feel good, but it can worsen eczema symptoms. The hot, dry air can dehydrate the skin and aggravate the itchiness of eczema.
Use a humidifier during the dry winter months and avoid getting too close to heaters and fireplaces.
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How To Use Tea Tree Oil On Your Hands
Dab a dime-sized amount of diluted tea tree oil onto the back of your hand and rub the blend into your skin. You dont need to wash it off. Just let it absorb into your skin like a lotion.
You can also incorporate hand creams or soaps containing tea tree oil into your routine. If you can, opt for an all-natural formula.
Check the label to make sure the cream doesnt contain any fragrances, alcohol, or other ingredients that may irritate your eczema.
Why The Body Butter Feels Grainy
Through my research, I found that sometimes, the body butter becomes grainy. This can happen IF:
- You heat the shea butter above its melting temperature Melt it over low heat for at least 10 minutes. You can also melt the other ingredients first and add the shea butter in the end.
- The melted shea butter is cooled down too slow Pour the melted shea butter into a bowl and place it in the freezer or refrigerator, or over an ice bath, to cool down fast.
- You use unrefined shea butter Use refined to avoid grainy feeling in the end product.
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Shea Butter For Eczema
Shea butter is the fat that comes from the nuts of an African shea tree. When applied topically to the skin, shea butter will hydrate dry skin and add a protective barrier that can ward off environmental threats.
Shea butter can soften and smooth skin. It can also reduce swelling that may occur when having a flare-up. Shea butter can be applied to the area of concern to reduce skin irritations.
It is very rare to have an allergic reaction to shea butter however, if you experience inflammation or irritation, be sure to stop using shea butter right away.
Natural Eczema Treatment: 13 Home Remedies For Eczema
May 30, 2017
Is your skin red, dry, scaly and extremely itchy? Have you been diagnosed with eczema? The skin condition eczema is believed to affect over 30 million Americans. So, what is eczema? In fact, eczema isnt a single condition it is actually a group of skin conditions that includes atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, hand eczema, neurodermatitis, nummular eczema and stasis dermatitis. Finding a soothing, natural eczema treatment can be life-changing for those suffering from this frustrating condition.
Eczema typically first appears in very young children with research finding that 65 percent of cases occur before infants hit their first birthday, and 90 percent of those affected have their first cases before they turn 5 years old. Of further concern is that eczema in children is becoming more and more common. Diseases eczema can resemble include psoriasis, rosacea and dermatitis, but its a different condition.
A study conducted by the Department of Pediatrics at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center found that 39 percent of Caucasian children develop eczema by 3 years old. Interestingly, this same study found children that have a dog in the home are significantly less likely to develop eczema at any age.
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How To Prevent Eczema Flare
Eczema is a chronic skin condition which can only be cured until the next flare-up. Therefore, one of the best ways in managing outbreaks of eczema is to take steps to prevent the frequency of eczema flare-ups.
Dermatologist, Dr. Debra Jaliman recommends a few simple tips which can reduce the frequency of eczema outbreaks on your skin:
- Moisturize your skin regularly throughout the day to keep a protective barrier on your skin and prevent itchiness.
- Try to avoid sudden changes in temperature.
- Stress can trigger an eczema flare-up, so try to find ways to manage stress better.
- Avoid clothing and other fabrics that can irritate sensitive areas of skin that are prone to eczema flare-ups.
- Avoid soaps and detergents that strip the skin of its protective oils.
Dr. Jaliman also said that certain foods can trigger an outbreak.
The Importance Of Diluting Essential Oils
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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Clinical Aromatherapist Dorene Petersen Recommends Her Favorite Essential Oils To Help Soothe The Itchy Nightmare Of Eczema Also Included Is A Recipe For A Luscious Homemade Cream To Soothe Painful Dryness
Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that plagues more than 30 million Americans, according to the National Eczema Organization.
Though there are plenty of over-the-counter and prescription treatments, there are many alternative therapies that can also help soothe eczema, including essential oils.
âThere is research out there that shows that essential oils can be used to effectively ease skin conditions,â says clinical aromatherapist Dorene Petersen. âThough they can be used to soothe a variety of inflammatory responses occurring in the body, essential oils have the most impact addressing chronic conditions like those in the skin.â
Petersen, who is president of the Portland, Oregon-based American College of Healthcare Sciences, which offers one of the few accredited programs in integrative health and wellness available in the U.S., sat down with S& H and shared her favorite essentials oils to use to help relieve eczema. âHowever, donât use directly on the skin,â she warned. âUsing a blend of essential oils in a fast-absorbing carrier oil is best.â
Getty/Simona Osterman
Immortelle
Immortelle, or Helichrysum aromaticum, is a plant that has been used for traditional medicinal purposes for a long time, particularly in the Mediterranean region. Oil can be harvested from the stems and leaves, while the flowers can be dried to be used medicinally.
Getty/rudchenko
Roman Chamomile
Getty/Viktor Lutsenko
Plants Oils To Try When You Have Eczema
Some plant oils are high in beneficial fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, that can help your skin repair its natural barrier. To avoid skin irritation, you need to choose cold-pressed, unrefined oils. This means theyâre made without the addition of heat or chemicals.
Along with skin barrier repair, two cold-pressed plant oils may have extra benefits for people with eczema.
You can try:
- Cold-pressed coconut oil: This oil contains a fatty acid called monolaurin that may help control Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that lives on everyoneâs skin. People with eczema often have more staph on their skin than those without the condition. If these bacteria multiply out of control, they can cause serious infections. A study of coconut oil in people with eczema showed it reduced staph on the skin by 50%.
- Cold-pressed sunflower seed oil: This oil may calm skin inflammation in people with eczema. It also may encourage your skin to make more ceramides, fats that help keep it smooth and soft.
How to use coconut and sunflower seed oil
To get skin benefits from coconut or sunflower seed oil, apply a cold-pressed product to your skin after you bathe. Then layer your favorite moisturizer on top. This helps seal in the oil as well as the moisture from your bath or shower.
Show Sources
Peter Lio, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University and co-director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center in Chicago.
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Benefits Of Making Diy Whipped Body Butter:
Some fantastic benefits of the DIY whipped body butter include:
- Moisturizes, smoothes, and regenerates your skin
- Forms a protective barrier that helps keep moisture from leaving your skin
- Nourishes your skin with vitamins and antioxidants
- It can reduce stretch marks and scars
- It is affordable & customizable!
How To Use Essential Oils To Treat Eczema
The most common way to use essential oils for eczema is to make them into a cream or dilute them with a carrier oil before applying topically.
When using essential oils, its important to dilute them, as they can be quite potent and strong and can cause burns, irritation, and allergic reactions when applied directly to the skin.
Add just a few drops of the essential oil to a carrier oil, like coconut or sunflower oil, and mix the solution before applying to the affected area as a topical eczema treatment.
Not only is this much safer, but it also helps to ensure your body gets the benefits of the essential oil, as the carrier oil helps your body absorb the essential oil.
You could also try adding a few drops of essential oil to bath water be sure to use water thats warm, rather than hot, so as not to irritate the skin further.
Its always best to consult a doctor before using essential oils for your eczema, especially if you are using other prescription topical or oral solutions or have any allergies or sensitivities.
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Essential Oils For Cracked Skin
When your skin is cracked, you are exposed to fungus, germs,and the possibility of infection. Fight those contaminants with essential oils withanti-microbial propertiesthey will also soothe the damaged skin.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree Oil is a must-have when treating the broken skinthat stems from eczema. This essential oil is a versatile and powerfulmulti-tasker that is proven to kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
When treating eczema, it is useful as a topical antisepticto help prevent infection and help the wound heal up faster.
Because its so versatile in use, you should always keep tea tree oil on hand in your medicine cabinet. While we count it on our list with essential oils for eczema treatment, you can also use it to heal acne, dry cuticles, toenail fungus, chicken pox lesions, and more!
Helichrysum
Helichrysum is an antioxidant, antibacterial, and ananti-inflammatory agent, making it an ideal essential oil for eczema. Itsespecially helpful if youre experiencing cracked skin.
The anti-inflammatory helps to reduce the swelling around the cracked skin and promotes healing. Plus, the antibacterial components help prevent the cut from becoming infected. The antioxidant fights free radicals from the environment from assaulting the tender area and causing additional trauma.
Calendula Oil
When skin is so dry and scaly that it cracks open, it canleave you in a very uncomfortable situation physically and cause you embarrassmentover your skin mentally.
How To Use Essential Oils For Treating Eczema
It is very easy to make your own home remedy for treating the symptoms of eczema using essential oils. Remember that we all have different and unique skin types, so what works for other people may not be the ideal treatment for you. Always try the bellow remedies on a small patch of skin first to see how it reacts.
Quick and Easy Essential Oil Recipe for Eczema
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How To Make Homemade Eczema Cream
Making your own eczema cream using essential oils is a lot easier than you may think.
The most important part is to make sure that all of your areas, containers, and hands are fully clean.
You dont want to pass any type of bacteria into the cream you will be putting on your skin.
- In a tinted glass jar or glass bowl add about 1/4 of your cream and 1/4 of the coconut oil. Coconut oil will be hard in cold temperatures and oily when its warm.
- Using a spoon whip the two together.
- Add 20 drops of Melaleuca essential oil and 20 drops of Lavender essential oil. The Melaleuca will help with the itching and the Lavender will help with healing.
- Mix everything together well and you will get a nice smooth consistency whipped cream.
Tip: Make sure to use a glass jar and not plastic when using essential oils.
Remember, this eczema cream has coconut oil, so the consistency will change according to the temperature you keep it in.
Diy Eczema Cream Recipe
If you currently have an eczema outbreak, your best bet is to address the signs immediately. Eczema isnt fun in the slightest! This DIY eczema cream is an all-natural solution that you can feel good about applying to your skin.
Please also attempt to work out the potential causes for YOUR eczema as the eczema causes arent eliminated by the treatment with essential oils. Only the symptoms of eczema can be addressed with a healing salve.
Work with high-quality, organic ingredients. For example, these here from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Buy top-quality ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs here. Mountain Rose Herbs is one of our top 10 best and highly recommended essential oil brands.
Melt all of your base oils in a double-boiler over medium heat.
How To Make A Homemade Eczema Cream
- Add the first 3 ingredients to a double-boiler. If you dont have a professional double-boiler, a simple steam double boiler made with a regular cooking pot and aluminum or glass bowl, will do. That said, a double boiler would be a fantastic little home DIY investment .
- When all of the solids have melted, remove the mixture from the heat.
- Add the 1 tsp of vitamin E oil, and the essential oils.
- Stir to combine.
- While still hot, distribute the liquid mixture into your round metal containers
- Let cool for 15 minutes.
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