ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

9 practical home remedies to fight atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis, also called eczema, or atopic eczema, is a skin disorder characterized by patches of dryness, redness, and inflammation triggered by allergens. The extremely itchy rashes appear on the skin when a person comes in contact with the allergen and then usually go away or remain. In the fight against atopic dermatitis, several remedies may be of use. Read on to learn about effective ways to fight eczema from the comfort of your home.

Information
In any challenge, the first task patients must take up is research. When a person is diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, curiosity will make them learn more about the condition. Nearly 1 in 10 people in the country live with this condition. This skin disease is not contagious, though it is partially hereditary. The eczema patches are likely to appear in the creases of the elbow, knees, face, neck, palms, and legs. These areas are likely to be dry, scaly, and excessively itchy. Often the skin may become thick, leathery, and discolored. Common triggers for flare-ups of atopic dermatitis are cold, dry weather, allergens in the food, long, hot showers, heat, sweating, strenuous exercise, unhealthy lifestyle habits, sand, certain types of grass, pollen, dust, soaps, detergents, wool, and synthetic fabrics, as well as stress. While consulting a dermatologist, ask as many questions as possible so that you are not worried and are well-equipped with knowledge about this skin disease.

Natural moisturizers
When people suffer from atopic dermatitis, their skin is bound to be reactive to many products on the market. Fragrances are an ingredient in many commercial creams, and these substances are likely to trigger flare-ups. So, to moisturize picky and sensitive skin, switch to pure unprocessed products like coconut oil. It is an excellent moisturizing agent that helps soothe inflamed skin. It also enables the repair of the skin and restores the natural barrier broken down by atopic dermatitis. Virgin or cold-pressed coconut oil has the additional benefit of having antibacterial effects and preventing further skin infections, which are common complications in eczema due to the altered skin biome. In addition, coconut oil is a relatively inexpensive natural moisturizer that can help you fight eczema from the confines of your home.

Evening primrose oil
The gamma-linolenic acid abundant in evening primrose oil is an essential fatty acid. It cannot be produced by the body and thus needs to be injected or applied. You can buy this in local stores selling natural skincare products. Mix it with a carrier oil like olive or coconut, and remember not to use the essential oil on its own since it can be very harsh. You can also get oral supplements of gamma-linolenic acids that contain evening primrose or borage oil. These have shown positive effects on reducing symptoms of atopic dermatitis by correcting the skin lipids that trigger inflammation.

Wet-wrap therapy
A sure way to improve atopic dermatitis is to increase the skin’s moisture levels. Wet-wrap therapy is another simple at-home formula to moisturize the skin. As the name suggests, you need to wrap wet strips of fabric (natural ones like cotton or linen) or gauze around the affected areas. The damp layer prevents the skin from drying and absorbs moisture. This therapy is most effective after a bath and after applying a moisturizer. If you do not prefer coconut oil, you can try tub moisturizers since they are thicker and allow the skin to absorb more moisture and retain it longer.

The Goldilocks Bath
The Goldilocks Bath – not too hot, not too cold, just right. Bathing with atopic dermatitis requires extra care. Among the common triggers of eczema is hot water. It means you need to be more careful when you shower every day. Ensure the water is lukewarm. Stay away from scented soaps and avoid harsh chemicals. A mild soap-free cleanser is best for sensitive skin. Ensure there are no dyes or perfumes in the soap. It would be best to avoid bath bombs, but you can try an oatmeal bath to soothe the skin. Do not rub the skin, but pat it gently after bathing.

Invest in a humidifier
Another effective home remedy against atopic dermatitis is a humidifier. Like smoke and fire, dry skin is not far away when there is dry air. The air will likely be parched of moisture, particularly in cold months. It means an eczema flare-up is more likely. However, as a safety precaution, you can use a cool-mist humidifier to maintain the moisture in your skin. It is especially beneficial at night to prevent your skin from drying and itching when you sleep.

Prevent the scratching
“Do not scratch” is easy to advise but hard to follow. Itching damages the skin by worsening atopic dermatitis and can cause additional infections by triggering bleeding. Try to rub the affected area instead of scratching, and keep your nails short. Try using gloves at night to prevent accidental damage to the already sensitive skin. Topical corticosteroid creams containing menthol, calamine, or camphor can also soothe the itching. Avoid rough fabrics like wool.

Clothing styles
One of the most fundamental things patients can do at home to control atopic dermatitis is carefully tailoring their closet to their skin’s particular needs. Loose and comfortable clothes are best for eczema. Natural fabrics, mainly cotton, linen, and silk, are best, while nylon, polyester, and wool are best avoided. Remember to be mindful of wearing underwear made of natural fabrics as well. Try to remove tags and labels and cover seams with silk so they do not irritate your sensitive skin.

Relaxation is the key
Unchecked stress and tension can cause inflammation, triggering an eczema flare-up. Stress management is thus an essential home remedy to reduce itching and irritation. Meditation is a great way to manage stress and anxiety. Exercising also helps restore peace to the body and mind. Try to attend a yoga session each week or invest in a treadmill to stay active at home. Remember always to shower after physical activities to remove sweat. You can also organize a get-together with friends to destress or dance to the music you love to relax.

Popular Reads

11 useful tips for anxiety management

Nearly 84% of participants in a particular mental health survey were said to have some form of anxiety. The severity of symptoms did vary from person to person, but the fact remains that we live in a world where almost everything is a potential trigger for anxiety. And living in denial about having a psychological trigger only worsens the problem. Luckily, it is possible to manage anxiety by following the suggestions recommended by experts. Identify the triggers Anxiety is mainly triggered due to an event or episode where one finds themselves in a difficult position. It could be something that puts a person out of their comfort zone. Doctors advise people to identify these triggers and avoid them. Any comment, action, or situation that did not work out in favor triggers anxiety. So, make a list of such events and instances and ignore them the next time something happens related to that event. At the same time, try to remain positive as it can help strengthen the mind to manage anxiety better. Keep busy Distraction is one of the simplest ways to prevent a panic or anxiety attack. You can perform simple chores or indulge in a favorite task to stay physically and mentally occupied for a few hours. When the mind is occupied, there is hardly any scope for negative thoughts to trigger unnecessary overthinking. Some creative activities to boost cognitive performance include taking a walk, painting, drawing, listening to music, meditating, praying, and reading. You can opt for any of these to stay busy. Try mindfulness techniques Deep breathing and mindfulness techniques have helped thousands overcome their fear or anxiety time and again. Focused deep breathing is a method where one inhales for four counts and exhales for the same duration; this is practiced for minutes. It helps lower heart rate, which, in turn, calms the mind and body.

Atrial fibrillation – Causes, symptoms, and management tips

The human heart is susceptible to several health complications, including atrial fibrillation (AFib). The condition is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia, which is a term describing when the heart beats unusually slowly, fast, or irregularly. AFib is estimated to affect between 2.7 million to 6.1 million individuals in the country. An individual with the complication experiences irregular beating in the heart’s upper chambers, affecting blood flow, leading to health complications. Causes Irregularities in the structure of the heart are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Sometimes people may develop the condition without any known heart damage or problems. Risk factors like age may also contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation. Other potential causes of the phenomenon include a heart attack, sick sinus syndrome – issues with the heart’s natural pacemaker, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defect – A heart defect that an individual might be born with, high blood pressure, lung diseases, heart valve problems, use of stimulants, including certain prescriptions and caffeine, physical stress caused due to pneumonia, other illnesses, and also surgery, sleep apnea, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), metabolic imbalances, viral infections, and complications due to earlier heart surgery. Symptoms A person who develops atrial fibrillation may not notice symptoms, and the condition is detected only after a physical examination. But some people experience signs and symptoms before a diagnosis. A few common symptoms of AFib include being unable to exercise to one’s full potential, feelings of weakness, throbbing pain in the chest, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations and sensations of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, and feeling extremely fatigued. Therefore, the symptoms of atrial fibrillation differ from one person to the other. Occasional symptoms (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) Here, a person may experience something that lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Macular degeneration – Types, causes, and remedies

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects a person’s vision and develops as people age. This progressive eye disorder involves the deterioration of the macula, which is a part of the eye’s retina. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and may develop in one or both eyes. This condition is of two main types – dry and wet. Read further to learn about the disorder, its causes, and its types. Dry macular degeneration People are more likely to have dry macular degeneration than wet form. It is also less severe and develops when tiny yellow protein deposits under the macula. These deposits dry and thin the macula, causing gradual central vision loss while the peripheral vision remains intact. In the advanced stages, the dry form can progress to the wet form. People with dry macular degeneration need to test their eyes daily at home using an Amsler grid. One must consult a health expert immediately if any vision changes are observed. Wet macular degeneration In this condition, the blood vessels grow beneath the retina and macula and cause blood and fluid to leak into the retina. This build-up of fluid results in scarring, leading to permanent loss of central vision. The wet form can cause a sudden change in eyesight resulting in a severe loss of centralized vision when left untreated. People with wet macular degeneration may require repeated treatments. Symptoms Macular degeneration may not cause any symptoms during the early stages. However, as the condition progresses, it can cause distortion and blurry vision. It can result in difficulty reading, driving, and identifying colors. Macular degeneration occurs mainly in people aged over 50. Blurred vision Dark, blurry areas appear in the center of the vision, leading to increased blurriness in reading printed words. Visual distortion The person may experience visual distortions, such as straight lines that look wavy or crooked, and objects may appear distorted.