Eczema is a very common medical condition, which may affect as many as 1 in 10 persons in the US (NationalEczema.org). Eczema typically exists of patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding. While sometimes eczema results from a reaction to irritation, it more typically has no obvious external cause.
Here are ten things you probably never knew about eczema:
1.) Colloidal oatmeal is a gold standard for treating eczema.
Colloidal oatmeal is one of the few skin care ingredients that is regulated by the U.S. FDA. From the Avena sativa L. plant, colloidal oatmeal is simply oats ground into an extremely fine powder. It is known for soothing and calming the skin, as studies have shown it improves barrier function, cleanses, soothes, and even contains soothing antioxidant vitamin E (Cosmetic Dermatology supplement, 2008).
Colloidal oatmeal also relieves pain and itching by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in a mechanism similar to that of the drug indomethacin (Cosmetic Dermatology supplement, 2008).
Due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing nature, studies published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatologysuggest using colloidal oatmeal as a first-line treatment to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis. It is suggested that use of colloidal oatmeal to treat these conditions may allow for reduced need of topical drugs like corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors, which have more known potential side effects than colloidal oatmeal.
2.) Allantoin and other calming agents may help.
Derived from the Comfrey plant, allantoin works naturally to soothe those red, flakey patches of skin that stem from eczema. Its calming effects have also been noted as allantoin was noted to reduce hypertrophic scarring as a part of a therapeutic gel (Dermatologic Surgery, 2010).
3.) Avoid products with limonene.
Limonene comes from citrus fruit rinds and is commonly used in products as a natural fragrance. In a study on human skin where researchers measured the amount of irritation before, immediately after removal, and for several hours after removal of limonene, it was found to be significantly irritating. Researchers found participants had significant irritation for 24 hours, and that irritation lasted up to 72 hours for some participants (International Programme on Chemical Safety).
The concern isn’t necessarily the oils themselves, but the oxidation that occurs on contact with air. Two studies done to test the irritation levels found that oxidized limonene is an irritant, which acts as a skin sensitizer and can cause contact dermatitis (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Contact Dermatitis). The first study validated Europe’s decision to classify limonene as a skin sensitizer.
Limonene also increases skin permeability, which means you need to be careful about which products you use along with it, as they will be more readily absorbed (Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin).
4.) Oils may be better than water.
Because jojoba is so similar to our skin’s natural oil, it makes even your skin think it is hydrated. “Jojoba oil is rich in natural fats that mimic those in the outer layer of the skin,” explains Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. “This means it can help the skin retain moisture and heal itself.” (source)
Scientific research confirms this. One study shows that use of jojoba oil shows modest swelling, indicative of moisture retention, in the stratum corneum (uppermost layer of skin) after use (Journal of Dermatological Science, 2008). Jojoba oil can also help to increase the penetration of other ingredients into the skin (Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 1984). This makes jojoba useful for anti-aging products as well as eczema treatments, as the beneficial anti-inflammatory ingredients get further within the skin faster.
5.) Beeswax may be better than water for eczema also.
Beeswax is endlessly useful, both in its applications on skin and for the way it works in formulations. Though there’s not a wealth of scientific study on what it could do, we know that beeswax works excellently as an emollient and stabilizer. Future study will tell us if this common ingredient has any other beneficial properties.
Beeswax is a wax ester (Skin Therapy Letters). Essentially, it’s a natural ingredient that works well to give formulas the right consistency and coats the skin to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in the same way that ingredients like petrolatum do. It is semi-occlusive which means it protects and lets skin breath same time.
Beeswax has a slight antioxidant effect, likely due to minor ingredients or propolis, but it’s primarily used because it creates a thin, non-allergenic, protective layer over skin (NC State University).
Reports have shown that beeswax may help in the treatment of psoriasis and eczema. Studies involving participants with both disorders used a mixture of beeswax, honey, and olive oil found that this mixture helped to significantly improve symptoms for both disorders (Bastyr Center).
6.) Coconut oil is a godsend.
Coconut oil is very heavy oil that is frequently used in hair products, as it contains triglycerides that are easily absorbed into the skin and hair shaft.
It isn’t just coconut oil that’s good for skin; coconut water can have beneficial effects as well. It’s been shown to hydrate skin as well as increase elasticity and decrease roughness (Molecules). It contains kinetin, which has been shown to be effective in anti-aging treatments against fine lines, wrinkles, and skin sagging.
Coconuts contain between 45-48% of anti-inflammatory lauric acid, which can be found in many beauty products and human breast milk (Pharmacognosy Magazine). It’s got anti-microbial properties that studies have suggested would allow it to work to protect against infection. One study found it to have higher antimicrobial properties than oleic and palmitic acid against propionibacterium acne (Biomaterials). But that doesn’t mean it’s always the best. Researchers found that oleic acid was the only acid effective in eliminating MRSA (Journal of Lipid Research) — unless lauric acid was mixed with gentacinim or impenem, in which case they worked synergistically against MRSA (Anti-Infectives Week).
7.) Calendula extract is highly beneficial.
Studies have shown Calendula extract to be a natural anti-inflammatory agent, excellent for taking down redness and irritation (Skin Therapy Letters, 2000). What makes the calendula extract so beneficial is the high level of flavonoids – a type of antioxidants that are found within the plant. These antioxidants work to increase oxygen and blood flow to damaged skin allowing new tissue to grow. All of the powerful properties in this flower help heal your skin!
8.) You might want to pay with a credit card instead of cash and coins.
The January 2013 Volume of the Contact Dermatitis journal is all about nickel allergy resulting from handling coins. It seems that not much attention is given to this particular source of nickel allergy for two main reasons:
- Manufacturers claim that there is no way around nickel in coins; it is cheap, easy to stamp, resists corrosion and prevents coin fraud.
- Unlike jewelry and belts containing nickel, the time spent actually holding coins is too short to cause an allergic reaction anyway.
But dermatologists come across hand eczema caused by handling coins, especially in cashiers. One group of scientists reviewed literature from 1900 to 2012, while another evaluated nickel content of coins from 52 countries. Combined, the studies in this issue of the journal make a few good points:
Nickel allergy affects about twice as much women as men, but this can be due to other factors, not just handling coins.
There are regulations for how much nickel can be present in various products; a certain level should not be exceeded. But these regulations do not make it clear whether these levels cause a skin reaction in the short term or the long term, or through cumulative effect.
Either way, eczema is exacerbated by handling coins for a prolonged period of time. So be sure to wear gloves if you are a cashier, or to pay with a card!
9.) If all else fails, see a dermatologist for a second opinion.
Eczema is commonly misdiagnosed. In fact, a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis is often mistaken for eczema. Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized by large-ish scales (dandruff) and red itchy skin. In more severe cases there is excessive greasiness, yellow crusts and fissuring of the skin with possible secondary bacterial infection.
SD may be mistaken for eczema, or both may occur simultaneously. One way to know if you may have SD is if you have tried many treatments for eczema and nothing has provided relief. SD requires a different course of therapy, as it is caused by a fungus, Malassezia furfur, and must be treated by a dermatologist.
Bottom Line
There are many excellent products and ingredients out there for eczema relief! I recommend products with anti-inflammatory colloidal oatmeal, soothing calendula and allantoin, and hydrating jojoba oil. I especially love Skinfix Body Repair Balm, which repairs skin with 2% colloidal oatmeal, twice the level of most other eczema products. The formula is additionally packed with natural active ingredients like sweet almond oil, allantoin, and zinc; combined with shea butter, soothing botanicals, and emollient protective oils, this exclusive repair balm can immediately relieve and protect the skin.