Eczema, also called dermatitis, is a patch of itchy skin where blisters form, then dry and become crusty. There is no cure, but treatments can make you comfortable and help prevent outbreaks.

• Itching
• Red bumps
• Blisters
• Crusts
• Swelling
• Oozing
• Scaliness

• Allergies to plants, chemicals, foods
• Certain drugs
• Vitamin or mineral deficiencies
• Certain physical or psychological disorders

Your health care provider will look at your skin rash. He or she may ask about stress in your life, your diet, drugs you are taking, and chemicals or materials you may be exposed to at work, to find the cause of your rash.

Your health care provider may prescribe a skin cream to relieve itching and dryness. He or she may also suggest that you do the following.

• Stay away from things that irritate your skin
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco
• Don't spend too much time in the sun
• Lubricate your skin with oil, moisturizers

• Topical and systemic corticosteroids—apply according to package directions for skin lesions; high-potency topical steroid applied early may stop the itching and the attack. One percent topical hydrocortisone for children; may use higher concentration in adults
• Disulfiram—recommended for nickel allergy or dyshidrotic eczema
• Oral cromolyn sodium—recommended for nickel allergy or dyshidrotic eczema
• Zinc oxide—apply to areas of severe itching
• Topical psoralen with special UVA light sources—to treat hands and feet

Discovering which foods you are allergic to and avoiding them is important. Following nutritional guidelines and using herbs as needed may help reduce swelling and allergic reactions. Eczema may be associated with stress and anxiety, so mind-body techniques such as meditation, tai chi, yoga, and stress management may help prevent it. Starch, oatmeal, and other baths may temporarily relieve the symptoms.

Note: Lower doses are for children.

• Avoid foods you are allergic to. Common allergenic foods are dairy products, soy, citrus, peanuts, wheat, fish, eggs, corn, and tomatoes.
• A rotation diet, in which the same food is not eaten more than once every four days, may be helpful in treating chronic eczema.
• Eat fewer foods that cause inflammation, such as saturated fats (meats, especially poultry, and dairy), refined foods, and sugar.
• Increase intake of fresh vegetables, whole grains, and essential fatty acids (cold-water fish, nuts, and seeds).
• Flaxseed (3,000 mg twice a day), borage (1,500 mg twice a day), or evening primrose oil (1,500 mg twice a day) to reduce swelling. Children can be supplemented with cod liver oil (¹/2 to 1 tsp. per day), or any of the above oils, 500 mg, twice a day.
• Beta-carotene (25,000 to 100,000 IU/day), zinc (10 to 30 mg per day), and vitamin E (100 to 400 IU per day) to strengthen your immune system and help your skin heal.
• Zinc spray can heal the affected tissue in some patients.
• Vitamin C (250 to 500 mg two times per day) reduces your body's reponse to substances that cause allergies. Vitamin C from rose hips or palmitate is citrus-free and hypoallergenic.
• Selenium (50 to 200 mcg per day) helps regulate fatty acid metabolism and keeps your liver healthy.
• Bromelain (250 mg two to four times per day, taken between meals) reduces swelling.

Flavonoids, found in dark berries and some plants, help reduce swelling, strengthen connective tissue, and help reduce allergic reactions. The following are flavonoids that may be taken in dried extract form.

• Catechin (25 to 150 mg two to three times per day), quercetin (100 to 250 mg two to three times per day), hesperidin (100 to 250 mg two to three times per day), and rutin (100 to 250 mg two to three times per day).
• Rose hips (Rosa canina) are also high in flavonoids and may be used as a tea. Drink 3 to 4 cups per day.

Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts).

• Herbs that help your skin heal and increase lymphatic drainage are useful for relieving eczema. Use the following herbs in combination as a tincture (15 to 30 drops three times per day) or tea (2 to 4 cups per day): burdock root (Arctium lappa), yellowdock (Rumex crispus), red clover (Trifolium pratense), cleavers (Galium aparine), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), peppermint (Mentha piperita), and nettles (Urtica dioica). To prepare a tea, steep the root elements for 10 minutes, then add the rest of the herbs and steep an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
• Skin creams and salves containing one or more of the following herbs may help relieve itching and burning, and promote healing: chickweed (Stellaria media), marigold (Calendula officinalis), comfrey (Symphytum officinale), and chamomile (Matricaria recutita).
• Marshmallow root tea (Althea officinalis) may soothe and promote healing of gastrointestinal inflammation that is often found with eczema. Soak 1 heaping tbsp. of marshmallow root in 1 quart of cold water overnight. Strain and drink throughout the day.

Although very few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of eczema based on their knowledge and experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. A constitutional type is defined as a person's physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual. Any remedy that causes aggravation of symptoms should be discontinued right away.

• Calendula -- applied to the skin, particularly if the affected area is inflamed; this remedy soothes but does not cure the skin condition
• Sulphur -- for redness, burning, itching, and hot skin that tends to worsen with washing and scratching
• Urtica urens -- for large, red rashes (particularly those related to allergies) that itch and burn intensely
• Rhus toxicodendron -- used as a remedy for inflamed skin resulting from direct contact with an irritating substance; some homeopaths use it to treat eczema

Acupuncture may help your immune system function better and reduce the allergic reactions that cause your eczema.

Eczema is usually just an annoyance, but it does recur and can become severe. Call your provider if it comes back frequently or grows worse.

Starting an infant on solid foods conservatively and gradually may help prevent the food sensitivities that can cause eczema.

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