By Bonnie Jenkins

It never fails. About this time every year, the palms of my hands begin to itch. I know it won’t be long before they turn red and flaky. Yes, every Spring, my eczema comes roaring back and the battle to control it begins anew.

Technically known as dermatitis, eczema is actually a group of skin conditions that affects an estimated 15 million Americans. It’s marked by redness, peeling skin, open sores and incessant itching—symptoms that can lead to a lifetime of discomfort and embarrassment. If that weren’t bad enough, conventional treatments aren’t always effective and often rely on antibiotics and topical steroids that can thin the skin, weaken an already delicate immune system and damage the liver. Fortunately, Mother Nature has a number of safe, effective tricks up her sleeve to help control this potentially devastating condition.

The first step is to do some sleuthing to find out what makes your eczema flare up. For some people, a dry climate can cause trigger eczema. For others, stress or illness can worsen the disease. Certain foods, fabrics or the chemicals commonly used in cosmetics and cleaning products can also produce symptoms or make them worse. For me, it’s a combination of a lack of humidity and the chemicals commonly found in household cleaners. But I’ve found that pinpointing, then avoiding, what makes my skin rage, can lessen my symptoms.

Avoiding allergens or dryness may not resolve the problem completely. Sure, it helps, but it turns out the problem may be more than just skin deep. Studies show that people with eczema do not have the ability to process fatty acids normally. This can result in a deficiency of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that the body converts to a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin E1. Studies show that supplementing with GLA-rich oils like evening primrose oil can help prevent eczema outbreaks. In one review of 26 clinical trials, British researchers concluded that evening primrose oil effectively reduced itching, crusting, swelling and redness when used routinely for four to eight weeks.

Another fatty acid—docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—can also soothe angry skin. Found in fatty fish like salmon, a randomized, double-blind trial of 53 patients with eczema found that taking 5.4g of supplemental DHA significantly improved symptoms. The researchers suspect that DHA’s benefits come from its ability to boost blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Earlier studies suggest that DHA may be effective because it also reduces levels of leukotriene B4, a substance that has been linked to eczema.

Probiotics can also help prevent eczema, at least in children. Several studies show that exposure to beneficial bugs both before birth and during the first two years of life appears to stop eczema before it even starts. Although it’s not known if they have the same effect in adults, researchers speculate that probiotics may reduce allergic reactions by improving digestion, by helping the intestinal tract control the absorption of food allergens, and/or by changing immune system responses.

Topical treatments can also be effective. Natural creams containing chamomile have proven just as effective for itching and inflammation as a hydrocortisone cream.

If you suffer from cracked skin or open wounds, you can also try tamanu oil. Studies of this Polynesian oil show that it contains potent polyphenols that help heal wounds and encourage the formation of new tissue. Simply dab the oil on the affected area several times a day with a clean cotton ball or look for a chemical-free lotion that boasts this exotic oil.

Since eczema can come and go, most people are never completely free from the condition. But, using these all-natural alternatives to prescription drugs can help you manage symptoms and may even reduce the frequency of your outbreaks—without the side effects that often come with traditional treatments.

References:

Horrobin DF. Essential fatty acid metabolism and its modification in atopic eczema. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2000;71(1 Suppl):367S-72S.

Koch C, Dölle S, Metzger M, et al. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology. 2008;158:786-792.

Niers L, Martín R, Rijkers G. The effects of selected probiotic strains on the development of eczema (the PandA study). Allergy. 2009;64:1349-1358