Eczema. A quick google will give you the fairly bland definition of inflammation of the skin, characterised by itchy, red, cracked and rough patches of skin. But if you've ever had it yourself, or even worse, watched your child suffer a flare up, then you know that that description really doesn't do it justice.
Now the cause of Eczema can vary from genetics, to environment, to weakness in the immune system, to defects in the skins protective barriers, to stress. And the prevention or cure of Eczema is a little bit of a holy grail simply because every body reacts differently to the standard treatments. While we'd love to say we know the answer, we're still waiting for it like everyone else.
But, in the meantime, we have concocted a soak* you can easily create at home that will both relieve the itch and the dryness and hopefully give your or your little one some serious relief.
FOOT OR HAND SOAK
Ingredients:
2-3 Litres of Warm Water (this will depend on the tub or bucket you have to use)
3-4 Tablespoons of blitzed Oats (we used organic but go with whatever you have easy access too)
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
2-3 Tablespoons of Magnesium Chloride Flakes
Method:
1. Blitz a cup or two of oats in the blender^ until ground to a fine dust (save whatever you don't use this time for the next soak)
2. Fill tub/bucket with warm water
3. Dissolve Ground Oats and Magnesium Chloride Flakes into the warm water
4. Add Coconut Oil and stir until melted
5. Soak feet or hands for up to 20 minutes
6. Gently dab dry with a towel
BATH SOAK
Ingredients:
A nice full warm bath. (Possibly wine and a magazine/ipad)
1 Cup of blitzed Oats (we used organic but go with whatever you have easy access too)
3 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
1/2 to 1 Sachet of Magnesium Chloride Flakes
Method:
1. Blitz a cup or two of oats in the blender^ until ground to a fine dust (save whatever you don't use this time for the next soak)
2. Fill bath with warm water
3. Dissolve Ground Oats and Magnesium Chloride Flakes into the bath water
4. Add Coconut Oil and stir until melted
5. Soak away (we'd say 15-20 minutes)
6. Gently dab dry with a towel
Why these three ingredients?
Oatmeal
It turns out, Oatmeal isn't just for breakfast. As detailed in a study published by the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology Oatmeal has a chemical structure that makes it ideal for treating conditions like Ezcema.(1) It is able to protect the skin and hold in moisture because of its starches and beta-gluocans. It also has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and can cleanse and soften the skin.
Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium Chloride is important to include for two reasons. Firstly a Magnesium deficiency will increase our sensitivity to stress and stress is one of the causes linked to Eczema flare ups. Secondly, "Magnesium deficiency will also result in an increase in histamine production. This in turn causes the blood vessels to swell and fluid to leak into the skin and underlying tissues. The end result is red blotches on the skin and itchiness, again a classic symptom of eczema"(2).
So while you're soaking in your Oatmeal why wouldn't you add in your Magnesium as well?
Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil has become natures wonder drug in recent years but it does seem to be earning its title. Not only does it have antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties (3) that can soothe your skin it will also help to reduce inflammation and hydrate - which when it comes to Eczema is the name of the game.
Amazingly it contains Lauric Acid (also found in breast milk) which can help contain any staphylococcus bacteria on the skin which may be contributing to flare ups.
Just don't add too much to a Bath Soak or you may find yourself sliding all over the tub.
Happy Soaking!
^If you don't have a blender or foot processor simply place the oats into a stocking and pop that in the bath instead!
*This is to be used in conjunction with whatever treatment your healthcare practitioner has prescribed. This should not replace treatment that has been prescribed to you without consultation with your healthcare providers.
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17373175#
(2) http://www.eczema.com.au/articles/105-magnesium-eczema/
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19134433
(Stock image via Shutterstock)
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