Coconut Oil for Eczema

Do you suffer from eczema and struggle with treating your dry, irritated skin? If you haven’t tried Coconut Oil for Eczema it is an amazing home remedy and eczema treatment.

Dealing with eczema can be a frustrating and uncomfortable experience. But if you’re looking for natural and cost-effective remedies to soothe your skin, then you’re in the right place. Home remedies for eczema have been used for centuries and can provide relief without harsh chemicals. Making these remedies part of your self-care routine can help ease the discomfort and promote healthier skin.

Eczema is also known as Atopic dermatitis. People of every age can suffer from it. It is an inflammatory skin disease that causes rashes and infection. In the USA, 1 in every 10 people get eczema at some point in their life. Various home remedies such as the use of essential oils can ease the symptoms. Coconut oil is among eczema remedies that is becoming increasingly popular.

Although the exact causes of eczema are not known but a change in lifestyle and dietary habits might be the culprit. The symptoms of eczema include itchy, scaly, and swollen skin. The itching becomes severe at night and gets worst in winter. Eczema is accompanied by asthma and hay fever. The symptoms appear on the legs, arms and the pattern appear on the neck and hands. With a prevalence of 2-5%, atopic eczema is the most common type of dermatoses.

There is no proper medication for atopic eczema because the causes are unclear. Various irritants such as pollen, soap, and animal dander cause irritation. People having a family history of eczema have more chances of flare-ups. There is a variety of beneficial as well as harmful bacteria on our skin. Some protect us from the external environment and make us healthy. While others cause disease if increase in number. The changing of skin microflora -excess of Staph bacteria- can cause eczema flares.

Anti-itch medications and bandages soothe inflamed skin. The use of coconut oil can combat harmful bacteria on the skin and prevent infection. Various other substances such as aloe Vera gel, sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, and peppermint oil are proven to be useful.

Having a multitude of health benefits, coconut oil is especially used to treat skin problems such as acne, folliculitis, and dermatitis. Coconut oil has been known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Itching causes the skin to become crack. The cracked skin causes the bacteria to enter the body via these scars. Hence, it increases the chance of inflammation. The anti-microbial properties of coconut oil provide relief.

Is Coconut Oil Safe for Eczema?

According to National Eczema Association, coconut oil has anti-bacterial properties. It reduces staph bacteria and thus prevent infection. Studies have found that applying coconut oil to the skin reduces the eczema severity by 68%.

The medium chained fatty acids found in coconut oil are Capric acid, Palmitic acid, Lauric acid, and Caprylic acid. Some other fatty acids present in less concentration are Oleic acid and Stearic acid. These fatty acids have anti-microbial properties that are useful to treat skin disease. A high lauric acid content help to fight harmful microorganisms. In addition to it, coconut oil improves the quality of skin tissues. It strengthens the connectivity of skin cells.

According to the National Institute of Allergic and Infectious Disease, it is essential to moisturize the skin. Eczema removes the water more frequently and ends up with dry skin. Therefore, it is important to keep the skin moist. Coconut oil is a good moisturizer that reduces dryness.

The staph infection is associated with eczema that is one of the common problems. The body converts Lauric acid -present in coconut oil- into monolaurin. The compound control fungal and bacterial infections. In addition to it, Caprylic acid control yeast growth that is another benefit of coconut oil.

How Do You Use Coconut Oil for Eczema?

Apply the cold-pressed coconut oil to your whole body after taking a bath. This will increase the efficiency since moisture and coconut oil both are good for curing eczema. It is a best practice to apply it before going to bed. This will keep the skin moisturized all night.

Applying warm coconut oil to the skin relieves itching. For improving the overall immunity, you can take a spoon full of coconut oil orally. This will not particularly work for eczema but reduce the frequency of in and out of eczema.

Since stress is a major factor that triggers eczema, taking a warm bath with coconut added water would be beneficial. For this purpose, add 5-6 spoons of oil in warm water and take a bath with it. This will surely relax your nerves and reduce future breakouts. We have already learned eczema is common in infants and children. Therefore, it is best to apply coconut oil at night like a bandage.

Make it clear that the coconut oil you are using is virgin. Added chemicals in coconut oil might worsen your symptoms. Essential oils such as coconut oil trigger allergic reactions in some people. People get allergy so they should not use coconut oil for eczema. Apply the oil to a small patch of skin if you’re using it for the first time. This will help you to learn whether it cause any burning or redness. Always consult your doctor before trying any natural home remedies.