5 NATURAL REMEDIES FOR DRY SKIN AND ECZEMA

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, affects many children and adults and people use CBD to manage it. However, following the insufficient studies on the CBD benefits, natural remedies like bleach baths, aloe vera, honey, and coconut oil come in handy.

Dry skin is one of the symptoms of eczema, a common skin condition affecting children and may continue into adulthood. The condition is characterized by redness and itchiness and occurs periodically, making it chronic. Yet, no cure for eczema has been identified, and people must manage it independently. Meanwhile, CBD keeps growing in hype and demand, and many people consider it the ultimate solution for many health challenges, including eczema. Still, it is worth noting that CBD research is in infancy, and there is insufficient evidence to prove it is great for eczema. Thus, as this blog explains, people look for natural alternatives like honey, coconut oil, and aloe vera to manage the condition and its symptoms.

Know CBD

Since many people talk about or use CBD, there is a greater need for you to know CBD for what it is. Whether online or in the streets, we cannot just have enough CBD doing this or that. What is CBD, and why do many relate to it? Mascal et al. (2019) and Kicman & Toczek (2020) defined CBD as the non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis plants, mainly extracted from hemp. Cannabinoids are the active chemical compounds in cannabis, which vary in properties. CBD stands out for resulting in the expected benefits without making you feel high. Thus, more people are after it, and you can enjoy it through the many products featuring it.

CBD and Eczema; Can It Help?

Following the great hype around CBD, you may wonder if it could be one of the natural remedies for eczema. According to Watt & Karl (2017), CBD is therapeutic, and many want to tap into this therapy. Besides, the American Academy of Dermatology (Feb 2018) reported that many CBD fans were after topicals and used the cannabinoid to manage eczema and other skin conditions. Yet, this does not mean CBD is a medication for eczema, and the FDA has not approved the same. However, related CBD studies show that the cannabinoid could help manage eczema symptoms. For instance, Schuelert & McDougall (2011) and Hammell et al. (2016) found the cannabinoid great for managing pain and inflammation, explaining why many are after the CBD topicals to fight eczema.

CBD Products for Eczema: What to Take

Would you like to explore CBD benefits for eczema? Many do, and you may feel the pressure to do the same. Which product would be the best to exploit the cannabinoid’s anti-inflammatory properties? There are many CBD categories for you to explore, including gummies and other edibles, and your ultimate choice depends on your needs and preferences. CBD vapes and oils are the fastest in CBD delivery and would be the most ideal choice if you want products that allow you to enjoy quick results. However, since eczema is a skin condition, you do well to apply CBD topicals like creams, patches, and balms to explore the cannabinoid’s benefits. CBD is not the only way to go when you suffer from eczema and other skin conditions. There are other alternatives for you to explore, mostly natural, and whose operations are supported by studies.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a common ingredient in many beauty and skincare products, and, unsurprisingly, it would make a good remedy for eczema and its symptoms. According to Paulsen et al. (2005), it is a good remedy for psoriasis vulgaris, a skin condition resulting in rashes and redness. How good is it for eczema? Zagórska-Dziok et al. (2014) reported that aloe vera has powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for eczema. However, as you use it for your skin, be careful with how it reacts. Some have found it irritating and making the skin conditions worse.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a common remedy you can try for eczema. People have used it for skin rashes and other dermatological problems, and the results are impressive so far. The National Eczema Foundation reported that apple cider vinegar makes a good skin remedy but warns about it causing burns and irritations. Thus, you must exercise caution while using apple cider vinegar on your skin. You need to dilute it with enough water when using it for the skin and be watchful over how the skin reacts. If the skin responds negatively, making it worse than eczema, it is best to stop using the vinegar altogether.

Bath Bleaches

Another natural remedy you would like to use on your skin for eczema is bath bleaches. While this may sound dangerous, it is alright and can help you manage eczema symptoms when you dilute it. Like the vinegar in the preceding section, bath bleaches need to be diluted when used on the skin. The recommended dose is 1 spoon of bath bleach with 1 gallon of water. With salt bleaches, there is no need to use corticosteroids and antibiotic topicals on the eczema skin. People soak in the bath bleach for 5- 10 minutes, and you can do the same and see if your eczema improves.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oils are yet another remedy you can use on dry skin and eczema. It has many fatty acids and vitamins that rejuvenate the skin. According to Kappaly et al. (2015), coconut oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, useful for skin management and repair. These properties make coconut oil protect the skin from a bacterial infection in the case of eczema.

Honey

Honey has been a signature product since time immemorial. We use it to add flavor to food, as a preservative, and the health sector uses it to clean wounds. According to Samarghandian et al. (2017), honey possesses powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties, which are useful for skin health. Besides, it can help you manage the irritation and itchiness that eczema brings.

Conclusion

Eczema is a skin condition causing rashes, itchiness, and redness. As the hype of CBD increases, people use it for skin conditions, including eczema. Still, there is insufficient evidence to prove that CBD can treat eczema, although it can help manage its inflammation and pain. This article features natural alternatives that act as eczema remedy, including honey, salt bleaches, coconut oil, and aloe vera.

References

Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European journal of pain (London, England), 20(6), 936–948.

Kappally, S., Shirwaikar, A., & Shirwaikar, A. (2015). Coconut oil–a review of potential applications. Hygeia JD Med, 7(2), 34-41.

Kappally, S., Shirwaikar, A., & Shirwaikar, A. (2015). Coconut oil–a review of potential applications. Hygeia JD Med, 7(2), 34-41.

Kicman, A., & Toczek, M. (2020). The effects of cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating compound of cannabis, on the cardiovascular system in health and disease. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(18), 6740.

Mascal, M., Hafezi, N., Wang, D., Hu, Y., Serra, G., Dallas, M. L., & Spencer, J. P. (2019). Synthetic, non-intoxicating 8, 9-dihydrocannabidiol for the mitigation of seizures. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-6.

National Eczema Association. https://nationaleczema.org/get-the-facts-acv/

Paulsen, E., Korsholm, L., & Brandrup, F. (2005). A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of a commercial Aloe vera gel in the treatment of slight to moderate psoriasis vulgaris. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 19(3), 326-331.

Samarghandian, S., Farkhondeh, T., & Samini, F. (2017). Honey and Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Research. Pharmacognosy Research, 9(2), 121–127.

Schuelert, N., & McDougall, J. J. (2011). The abnormal cannabidiol analogue O-1602 reduces nociception in a rat model of acute arthritis via the putative cannabinoid receptor GPR55. Neuroscience letters, 500(1), 72–76.

Watt, G., & Karl, T. (2017). In vivo evidence for therapeutic properties of cannabidiol (CBD) for Alzheimer's disease. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 20.

Zagórska-Dziok, M., Furman-Toczek, D., Dudra-Jastrzębska, M., Zygo, K., Stanisławek, A., Kapka-Skrzypczak, L. (2017). Evaluation of clinical effectiveness of Aloe vera – a review. J Pre Clin Clin Res., 11(1), 86-93.