6 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Eczema

Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is an inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by inflamed skin with rough, red, itchy rash. The rash may be dry and have cracks without any eruptions. In other cases, eruptions may arise in the form of papules (small eruptions without any fluid), vesicles (fluid-filled eruptions) or pustules (pus-filled eruptions), or skin peels. Eczema may cover a small area or may spread all over the body. Itching, with mild or severe intensity, may be felt. Upon scratching, the skin may bleed.

There is an outstanding treatment for eczema in homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies help to reduce skin inflammation by optimizing the overactive immune system and work in restoring the skin barrier to retain skin moisture. Simultaneously, they focus on healing the rash and eruptions on the skin extremely well along with managing attending signs and symptoms like itching, burning, tenderness, pain, dryness, flaking and bleeding. Further, these remedies control the progression of eczema and function to treat the root cause of eczema that provides long-term relief rather than temporary alleviation of the symptoms. Homeopathy also helps in reducing reliance on harmful topical creams like corticosteroids, hydrocortisone ointments and immunosuppressants prescribed in conventional medicine. External, medicated creams only remove the outer manifestation and cannot cure eczema, rather they cause harm by driving the disease into some important, centrally-located organ in the body and manifest itself in a more harmful way (asthma, for example).

Safe and effective treatment

Homeopathy offers safe and effective treatment for eczema in persons of all age groups. Homeopathy assures zero side effects of its medicines which are prepared from naturally-occurring substances.

Homeopathy heals with oral medicines

Homeopathy believes in the doctrine that skin ailments are an outward expression of some internal disturbance in the body. So that kind of medicine that can heal internally, rather than externally (like ointments) is offered by homeopathy. Homeopathy mostly recommends medicines taken orally (by mouth) that treat the internal turmoil in the body that is being expressed on the skin. Once the internal system attains a state of balance, the eczema also goes away.

Homeopathy considers case-specific symptoms

It is the totality of symptoms that helps in the correct diagnosis in every individual case and is the sole guide in selecting the most suitable homeopathic medicine. Homeopathy does this by a thorough case-taking followed by deep evaluation to come to the conclusion regarding the prescription to give the best results. So, one should always use any homeopathic medicine for eczema after consulting a homeopathic physician having expertise in homeopathy. Self-medication may not help as a person not well acquainted with homeopathic laws does not know how to prescribe the medicines, select the potency, dosage, and repetition.

Homeopathy offers relief without suppression

Homeopathic remedies are non-suppressive which means they do not suppress the symptoms of eczema, rather they follow an approach to cure it from its origin. With suppression, there are always chances of some graver manifestation in the body internally. Homeopathy medicines provide natural cure without suppression.

Top 6 Homeopathic Medicines for Eczema

The top six medicines for the treatment of eczema are Graphites, Sulphur, Natrum Mur, Petroleum, Psorinum and Mezereum.

1. Graphites – Top-grade Medicine For Eczema

Graphites is a renowned homeopathic medicine to treat eczema. It works well in case of both, dry eczema and moist eczema. The key symptoms to recommend in dry eczema are excessively rough, dry skin along with intense irritation. Cracks may develop on the affected skin.

In moist eczema, it should be used when the skin oozes moist, sticky fluid in any part of the body-bend, such as the elbow, behind the knees, behind the ears, on one’s face (especially around the mouth, chin, and nose), on one’s hands, between fingers, eyelids, and scalp.

When to use Graphites?

It is an excellent choice of medicine for treating eczema which is dry with rough skin or cracks as well as moist eczema with discharge of sticky fluid.

How to use Graphites?

In the majority of cases, it works well in low potencies. Initially, it can be taken in 3X potency once or twice a day depending on the intensity of the complaint.

2. Sulphur – For Itchy Eczema

Sulphur is the best medicine for itchy eczema. It can control itching in eczema patches very effectively. Those who need it, complain about worsening of itching in the evening and night. Warm temperatures worsen itching which leads to scratching followed by a burning sensation. Upon scratching, a person is relieved of itching in the affected part but it appears in some other part of the body. Sulphur can also be used for the symptoms of moist eczema when there is a discharge of yellow fluid from eruptions. Sulphur is also the most appropriate choice when eczema cases have been treated with ointments in the past with no relief.

When to use Sulphur?

Sulphur should be used to manage itching in eczema rashes that get worse in the evening and night.

How to use Sulphur?

Though it can be used in both low and high potencies, it is safe to take this medicine in 30C power initially. Its dosage should not exceed one dose a day. Do not use its high potencies without a physician’s consultation.

3. Natrum Mur – For Eczema on the Margins of the Hairline

For eczema on the edges of the hair, Natrum Mur is a highly recommended medicine. There is marked redness and inflammation on the edge of the hairline. The rash may ooze fluid. It may also damage the hair.

When to use Natrum Mur?

This medicine can be prescribed when eczema is specifically located on the margins of the hairline with excessive redness and inflammation.

How to use Natrum Mur?

Natrum 6X can be taken three to four times a day as per the severity of the symptoms.

4. Petroleum – For Eczema with Deep Cracks on the Sskin accompanied by Bleeding

The foremost indication to use petroleum in eczema is when you see deep cracks on the skin, accompanied by bleeding. Where eczema hits, the skin is dry, hard, and rough. This medicine helps reduce the dryness of skin and heals cracks most effectively and gently.  Although cracks can develop on the skin in any part of the body, hands are the most affected which may feel the burning sensation and itching. In many cases, eczema tends to get worse in winters, for which petroleum is the most frequently prescribed medication.

When to use Petroleum?

The key feature for using it is eczema with deep cracks and bleeding. It is also one of the best homeopathic medicine to soothe flare-ups of eczema in winter.

How to use Petroleum?

It can be taken in 30C potency twice a day.

5. Psorinum – For Eczema in Bends (folds of skin)

Psorinum is a very effective medicine when eczema appears in the bends or the folds of skin. Rashes may occur in the bend of the elbow, armpit-folds or area behind the ear. In case of eczema behind the ear, a discharge may ooze out, the rash may be itchy which disturbs sleep as it gets worse at night.

When and How to use Psorinum?

It is recommended to use this medicine when eczema occurs in bends/folds of skin like elbow, armpits.

How to use Psorinum?

It is advised to use it in 200C potency and even potencies higher than this. It is advised not to use this medicine without consultation with a homeopathic doctor as it is a strong medicine and the dose varies for every individual and is usually not to be repeated very frequently.

6. Mezereum – For Thick, Crusty Eruptions with Pus Underneath

Mezereum is an important medicine for managing cases of eczema having thick crusty eruptions with pus underneath. It is attended with intolerable itching. At times the eruptions may bleed when touched. In case of eczema on scalp gluing / sticking of hair

When to use Mezereum?

The characteristic feature guiding its use in eczema is eruptions covered with thick crusts and pus collection underneath.

How to use Mezereum?

The suggested dose of this medicine is Mezereum 30 C once a day. Take homeopathic doctor’s advice before using its higher potencies like 200C.

Note

One may consider using these medicines for about two-three weeks. For prolonging their use and switching to high potencies, consultation with homeopathic doctor is important.

What causes Eczema?

The exact cause of eczema is not known. A combination of genetic and environmental factors is believed to play a major role. Persons with a family history of eczema or any other allergy (over-reaction of the immune system to something that does not have any effect on the majority of people) such as nasal allergy, asthma, etc. are at higher risk of developing eczema. According to research, those suffering from eczema do not produce adequate protein filaggrin, which is responsible for keeping skin moisturized and healthy.

There are a few environmental triggers that can flare up eczema. These include irritants (like soaps, and detergents), certain food products (like dairy products, nuts, eggs, and wheat), extreme temperatures (either very hot or very cold), low humidity (dry air), increased sweating, allergens (e.g. dust mites, pet dander), synthetic fabric, wool, and stress.

What are the various Types of Eczema?

Various types of eczema include atopic dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, and venous/stasis eczema.

1. Atopic dermatitis

Characterized by skin inflammation with a dry, itchy rash, this disease runs in the family and starts during childhood. Atopy means a genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases. Asthma and hay fever are often reported in addition to eczema in atopic dermatitis. The signs and symptoms vary as per the age group. In kids up to 2 years of age, the rash mainly appears on the scalp and face, especially on the cheeks. In 3-18 years of age, rashes occur frequently in the bend of the elbow or knees, wrist, ankle, or neck. In adults, the rash mainly is seen in the bend of the elbow, knee, and neck and sometimes may cover the entire body.

2. Contact dermatitis

It is mainly of two types – allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. In allergic contact dermatitis, the allergic reaction appears on the skin when exposed to a foreign substance, like metals (nickel, gold) or cosmetics. Irritant contact dermatitis arises when the skin comes in contact with a toxic or irritant substance, such as detergent, bleach, or battery acid.

3. Seborrhoeic dermatitis

It mainly affects the scalp, face, and eyelids. It will show up as flakes or as greasy/ crusty eruptions. In infants, thick, crusty eruptions appear on the scalp and are referred to as cradle caps.

4. Dyshidrotic eczema

It is mainly visible on the soles and palms. It is characterized by the presence of vesicles (fluid-filled bumps)

5. Venous/stasiseczema

It mainly develops on the lower limbs due to poor blood circulation and varicose veins. There is a tendency to develop leg ulcers in such cases.

How to diagnose Eczema?

A doctor can easily diagnose a case of eczema by looking at the skin eruptions/rash and reviewing its attending symptoms and the medical history of the patient. A family history of eczema adds to the likelihood of its presence. There are no specific lab investigations required for eczema diagnosis. However, in some cases, a doctor may recommend tests to check for skin allergy. It includes a patch test to find out specific allergens that might be triggering the symptoms. In this test few allergens after being put on a patch is applied to the skin. In case any of these allergens are triggering the complaint that area will become inflamed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. At what age is eczema likely to appear?

In a majority of the cases, eczema starts early, before five years of age. However, eczema can show up in the teenage years and adults as well.

2. Which part of the skin is more vulnerable to eczema?

Eczema can develop on the skin anywhere from head to toe but may vary with the age group. In children, common areas are the face, scalp, and chest. Adults are more likely to get eczema at the elbow bends and behind the knees.

3. Why does my child have eczema?

The answer could lie in his genes. If a child has eczema, there is a chance he has atopic dermatitis. Atopy is a term applied to a genetic predisposition toward developing allergic diseases like hay fever, dermatitis, and asthma. But, there are chances that your child’s eczema will go away as he gets older. However, the age at which a child will start to show improvement varies though most children do start to get better by the age of three years.

4. Is eczema an allergy?

There are cases of eczema that are allergic in origin, but not every case is an allergy. In allergic eczema, the skin reacts to coming in contact with an allergen. A few common allergens are poison ivy (a plant), nickel, cosmetics, and antibiotic creams.

5. Can eczema spread from skin contact?

No, eczema is not contagious. It does not spread from one person to another via the skin.

6. Is eczema related to weather?

Eczema can occur irrespective of the weather conditions though it usually gets triggered in cold weather.