Homeopathic Remedies for Eczema – Causes & Best Medicines

This article will cover the Homeopathic Remedies for Eczema, its causes, symptoms, types, risk factors, management & best medicines. Eczema is a common skin condition characterized by dry, red, and itchy skin patches on the body that is not contagious, it is also called atopic dermatitis. The skin in eczema is dry, itchy, red, and bumpy.

Eczema is a skin disease due to a weak immune system, it damages the skin barrier function or cover.

The loss of barrier function makes the skin more sensitive, gets easily infected and dry this increases eczema.

Eczema Types

Apart from atopic dermatitis, other types are

1)Allergic contact dermatitis

Allergic contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that occurs after contact with a substance or an allergen that the immune system identifies as different/ foreign.

Contact dermatitis is mainly of two types –

a)Allergic contact dermatitis

b)Irritant contact dermatitis.

a)Allergic contact dermatitis

In allergic contact dermatitis, when the skin comes in contact with a foreign substance or allergen, the allergic reaction occurs on that skin surface, usually, individuals are sensitive to nickel, artificial jewels, creams, and cosmetics.

b)Irritant contact dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the skin comes in contact with a toxic or irritating substance such as detergent, bleach, or battery acid.

2)Atopic dermatitis

In atopic dermatitis, there is skin inflammation with a dry, itchy rash with red patches.

Atopic means, a genetic(hereditary) tendency towards developing allergic disorders.

Asthma and hay fever, bronchitis, are often observed in addition to eczema in atopic dermatitis.

3)Seborrhoeic dermatitis

Seborrhoeic dermatitis commonly occurs as scaly or crusty lesions, that are moist and with oily skin, it mainly affects the scalp, face, and eyelids.

It is seen in infants also in form of, thick, crusty eruptions appearing on the scalp called cradle caps.

4)Dyshidrotic Eczema

 Dyshidrotic Eczema refers to irritation, itching of the skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Its important sign is the formation of blisters.

Dyshidrotic eczema is mainly visible on the soles and palms, characterized by the presence of vesicles or fluid-filled bumps.

5)Discoid eczema

It is also called nummular eczema, this type of eczema presents as circular patches of irritated skin, it can be itchy, scaly, and crusted.

6)Venous/stasis eczema

It mostly occurs on the lower limbs due to poor blood circulation and varicose veins, leg ulcers are commonly observed there is poor blood circulation.

7)Neurodermatitis

Neurodermatitis appears due to a localized itch, as one that occurs after an insect bite.

This appears as scaly patches of skin that itch, on the head, forearms, wrists, and lower legs.

Eczema Causes 

A combination of factors causes eczema-like immune system activation, genetic or stress-related, and environmental triggers.

1)Immune system-related

Eczema may occur in some individuals, when the immune system is at fault, causing overreaction to small allergens or irritants, this overreaction cause inflamed skin and this further progresses to eczema.

Allergens are the substances like pollens, pet hairs, and food that triggers the allergic reaction, this is allergic eczema

Foods allergens like dairy products, eggs, nuts and seeds, soy products, and wheat can flare eczema symptoms.

2)Genetic factors

One is more at risk to get eczema if there is a family history of dermatitis or higher risk if one has a history of asthma, hay fever, and allergy.

There is the chance that the genes that control the protein levels, help the body to maintain normal healthy skin, fluctuation in a normal level of that protein, cause unhealthy skin.

Children may develop eczema if a parent has it, if both parents have an atopic condition, the risk is much higher.

3)Environmental factors

Environmental factors that can irritate the skin are tobacco smoke, air pollutants, harsh soap, fabrics such as wool fabrics or wool cotton, some skin products, including soaps, detergents, shampoos, disinfectants.

Microbes include bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, certain viruses, and fungi.

Climate changes, low humidity, dry air can make the skin dry and itchy and thus triggering eczema formation.

Summer heat and high humidity at beginning of the monsoon cause sweating and this can worsen the itchiness of eczema on the skin.

 Very hot and very cold weather and perspiration from exercise can lead to eczema.

4)Stress-related

Stress levels, mental and emotional stress, can worsen your eczema, which is one of the physical signs of stress. 

This is not a direct reason for eczema, but it was observed that worsening of eczema symptoms occurs with an increase in stress.

Stress causes hormonal imbalance in females, they may observe the increase in eczema symptoms when their hormone levels are fluctuating, such as during pregnancy stress and at some times in the menstrual cycle.

Eczema Symptoms

Eczema is mostly found on the hand, inner elbow, ankles, feet, knees, and around the eyes.

Common symptoms of eczema(Atopic Dermatitis) are

• The first sign of eczema is irritation and redness of skin surface, dry, scaly patches on the skin
• The skin flushing with redness
• Itching on the skin surface or patch
• Sores can be open, crusted, or weeping
• Rashes appear behind the creases of elbows or knees, on the neck, wrists, ankles, and the crease between the buttocks and legs, bumpy rashes, can become lighter or darker in color over time.
• Skin thickening, occurs on the skin surface, as eczema lasts for a long time
• The skin on the affected areas becomes very dry
• People who develop atopic dermatitis but no longer suffer from it can still have sensitive, irritating, or dry skin.
• The skin appearance affected by atopic dermatitis will depend on how much a person scratches and if the skin is infected, as scratching and rubbing can irritate the skin, worsen the inflammatory process, and worsen the itching.
• If skin infection occurs —red streaks, pus, yellow scabs form.
• Atopic dermatitis Eczema sometimes precedes asthma and hay fever, few children with childhood atopic dermatitis develop asthma and hay fever.

Neurodermatitis

Symptoms are

• Neurodermatitis, known as lichen simplex chronicus, starts with a patch of itchy skin, scratching the area, increases itchiness.
• As time passes, one scratches out of habit, chronic itchy, scaly skin, cause the affected skin to become discolored, thick, and leathery.

Complications of eczema are:

• Poor quality of sleep is observed in people suffering from eczema as there is continuous scratching day and night.
• Superadded skin infections can also occur if proper care is not taken,

Repeated skin scratching causes breaking of skin continuity leading to the formation of sores and cracks, they increase the chances of infection due to bacteria and viruses, including the herpes simplex virus.

Risk Factors For Eczema

Eczema can cause irritation and disturbance in everyday life, it varies in severity.

Eczema can appear in different forms depending on the age of individuals.

In persons with dark skin tone, the symptoms are difficult to get noticed.

People with a family history of eczema, hay fever, or asthma are more likely to suffer from eczema, it usually begins in childhood.

People can treat and prevent eczema flares using home remedies, moisturizers, medications, and a few lifestyle changes.

Diagnosis of Eczema

No lab test is required to diagnose atopic dermatitis(eczema).

Diagnosis can be done by the doctor, by examination of your skin, and by noting your medical history.

A doctor may ask you to do a skin patch test or other tests to rule out skin diseases.

Identification of conditions that weaken your immune system like diabetes, high blood pressure, the thyroid will need lab testing, these diseases may accompany your eczema.

Identifying potential food allergies is also an important factor for diagnosing the cause.

Eczema Management

Treatment for eczema conditions aims to heal the affected skin, minimize the area affected, and minimize the flare of eczema symptoms as currently no cure for eczema is available.

Your doctor will advise treatment, based on age, accompanying disease conditions, your health state, and symptoms.

In a few people, eczema can last lifelong, and in some, it goes away by treatment.

Medications

Doctors can prescribe several medications to treat eczema-

• Topical corticosteroid creams and ointments:

 These are anti-inflammatory medications that relieve the main symptoms of eczema, such as they control itching and help in skin repair.

External application on the skin is advised, some people may benefit from these medications.

Side effects, including thinning skin, due to over-use.

• Barrier repair moisturizers: 

Applying them will reduce water loss and aid in repairing the skin.

• Oral medications that control inflammation. 

If external creams /ointments treatments are not effective, a doctor can prescribe you oral medications like systemic corticosteroids, such as prednisone.

These medications are used as injections or oral tablets, one should use them for short periods, as symptoms may worsen upon stopping the medication.

• Topical calcineurin inhibitors: 

This medicine interferes with the activities of the immune system and aid in lowering inflammation and preventing flares.

Calcineurin inhibitors are, tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel).

• Medication to fight bacterial infection: 

A doctor can advise antibiotic cream if eczema occurs along with a bacterial skin infection, an open sore, or cracks.

He or she may recommend taking oral antibiotics for a short time to treat an infection

• Antihistamines: 

These are useful in the allergic origin of eczema, but they can the risk of nighttime scratching, as they tend to cause drowsiness.

• Injected biologic drugs:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved a new, injectable biologic drug (monoclonal antibody) called dupilumab -Dupixent.

They are used to treat severe eczema, which doesn’t respond well to other treatment options.

They hinder proteins that limit immune system response, giving good results in the treatment of eczema, even if treatment is successful, signs and symptoms may return /flare.

The doctor may suggest a combination of treatments:

Therapies

• Wet dressings- 

It is an effective and intensive treatment, it involves wrapping the affected area with topical corticosteroids and wet bandages, in case of severe atopic dermatitis. This is done in a hospital for patients with widespread lesions, as it’s labor-intensive and needs nursing skills, still one can ask your doctor about learning how to do this dressing at home.

• Light therapy(Phototherapy)

 This treatment is used for a patient who doesn’t get better with topical treatments or who gets rapid flares again after treatment.

The simplest form of light therapy (phototherapy) involves exposing the skin to controlled amounts of natural sunlight.

Other forms use artificial ultraviolet A (UVA) and narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) either alone or with medications under close monitoring of your doctor is recommended, this method can treat moderate dermatitis.

Long-term light therapy has few harmful effects, like premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer, that’s why, phototherapy is less commonly used in young children and not given to infants, discuss with your doctor the advantages and disadvantages of light therapy.

• Counseling for 

Talking with a therapist or counselor will help to deal with embarrassment or frustration that has occurred due to a skin condition.

• Relaxation, behavior modification, and biofeedback.

 For people who scratch habitually above therapy are very useful.

Infant eczema

Management of eczema in babies includes:

• Identification and avoiding skin irritants is important
• Moisturizing your baby’s skin with baby- bath oils, baby creams, or ointments

If these measures don’t improve the rash or if the rash appears infected baby may need medication to control the rash or to treat an infection one should visit the baby’s doctor.

Home care

People with eczema can support skin health and reduce eczema symptoms by following things.

• Eczema can be alleviated by taking lukewarm baths
• Application of moisturizing cream after bathing to ‘lock-in ‘ moisture of the skin helps prevent dryness
• moisturizing affected skin every day
• wearing clothes made of cotton and soft fabrics
• one should avoid wearing rough, scratchy fibers and tight-fitting clothing
• using a mild soap cleanser when washing the skin surface
• gently patting the skin dry with a towel, rather than rubbing the skin dry after bathing or taking a shower
• learning and avoiding individual eczema triggers like allergens, toxic irritants
• keeping fingernails short to prevent scratching from breaking the skin
• People can try various natural remedies including aloe vera or coconut oil.

Homeopathic Remedies for Eczema – Best Medicines

1. ARSENICUM ALBUM-Eczema with burning and restlessness

Symptoms

It is indicated for people who have eczema, in which the skin is dry, itches, and burns intensely.

People who respond well to this medicine are usually anxious, restless, and compulsively neat and orderly.

Scratching the affected area makes the itching worse, but applying heat, or bandage will give relief, along with skin problems, there is indigestion with burning pain and general chilliness is observed.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

2)SULPHUR-For eczema red, scaling, and crusted skin

Symptoms

Eczema with intense burning, inflammation, itching eruptions that are worse from bathing and warmth.

Eruptions can be dry initially, later can become moist, affected area appears red, with scaling or crusted skin.

It is useful in treating people who have used medicines repeatedly in form of creams and ointments on their eczema without much improvement.

Potency & dosage

200 CH Potency,4-8 globules daily ones are used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

3)RHUS TOXICODENDRON-For eczema eruptions that are like a blister

Symptoms

It is useful in the person whose eczema has eruptions like a blister, looks red, swollen itch intensely, and is better by hot application.

The patient is restless due to discomfort caused by eczema, they become very irritable and anxious about the disease.

The patient who responds well to this remedy often has muscle stiffness that is relieved by warmth and motion, and characteristic craving for cold milk is seen.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

4)CALCAREA CARBONICA-For stasis eczema with circulatory disturbance

Symptoms

It gives good results in people who have a typical craving for sweets and eggs, with sluggish metabolism and inclined to obesity problems.

They get easily tired by exertion, feel anxious and overwhelmed if they are not well. They tend to develop eczema and skin cracking worse in wintertime, with moist, itchy skin eruptions.

Eczema in children with intense sweating on head wetting the pillow and cold clammy hands and feet.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

5)GRAPHITES-For Eczema around with discharge that hardens into crusts

Symptoms

This remedy is indicated in people who have tough /leathery skin with cracks and soreness, and have a long history of skin affections.

It is useful in eczema around the ear, mouth, or on hands with cracked skin and golden oozing discharge that harden into crusts.

Itching is worse from warmth in bed and the person scratches the affected area until it bleeds.

There is difficulty in concentrating, especially in the morning, often suffers from constipation, and feels better when constipated.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

6)MEZEREUM-For eczema with blisters, that ooze and form crusts

Symptoms

This remedy is indicated in people who suffer from strong anxiety, feel physically in the stomach.

The eruptions in Mezereum are itchy, start with blisters, that ooze fluid, then form thick crusts, and scratching can lead to thickened skin.

Itching in the skin is better by cold, even if the patient is chilly in general, which is one of the indicative symptoms of the remedy.

Intense craving for fatty, fried food and better in the open air are some peculiar characteristic symptoms of Mezereum.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

7)HEPAR SULPHURIS-For eczema with infection and pus formation

Symptoms

This remedy gives good results in cases where a person is extremely sensitive to cold, the skin eruption is extremely sore, and becomes infected easily.

The skin on the hands and feet looks chapped and deeply cracked, usually slow in process of healing.

It is indicated in people who have a weak defense and suffer from frequent sore throat, are oversensitive to climate change, craving for sour drinks, lemons, vinegar is indicative of this remedy.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

8)PETROLEUM-For Eczema in winter

Symptoms

This remedy is useful in individuals where the eczema is extremely dry and the eruptions crack, especially on fingertips and palms.

Eczema is worse in winter with deep sore cracks that often bleed, and a person feels a cold sensation after scratching.

Skin is very unhealthy and gets infected easily, may get leathery and tough from chronic skin problems, itching is worse at night and from the warmth of bed.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

9)CALENDULA-For preventing infection

Symptoms

This remedy is useful in eczema that itches excessively and causes bleeding on scratching, some wounds result from scratching.

Calendula promotes the formation of healthy skin, it can be used as a specific in eczematous conditions anywhere on the skin surface.

It acts as an antiseptic and prevents infection.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. External application of ointment along with internal medicine is advisable.

10)ANTIMONIUM CRUDUM-For eczema with scaly pustular eruptions

Symptoms

It’s indicated when eczema appears around nostrils, labial commissures, corners of mouth and feet, with sore, cracked, and crusty patches.

The eczema patches are like boils, blisters, that dry, and scales are formed.

These scaly, pustular eruptions have a lot of burning and itching, are worse at night, and are very sensitive to touch and pressure.

The skin in eczema is thickened.

Potency & dosage

30 CH Potency,4 globules three times a day is used. Gradually, one can increase the potency depending upon the case’s progress.

Remember that homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.

Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.