Eczema and psoriasis are irritating skin conditions where a person’s hair follicles get clogged and blocked, producing a nasty condition where little red bumps appear on the skin’s surface. Typically, when a child gets eczema and/or psoriasis, they will show symptoms as early as toddler age, while in most sufferers these afflictions become apparent closer to puberty. While 80% of sufferers should outgrow the conditions by the time they hit their 20s, some people suffer with a form of eczema and/or psoriasis their entire lives, and it can be an uphill battle.
Eczema and psoriasis occur when a person’s hair follicles get irritated and clogged, producing red bumps along the back of arms, on thighs and calves (sometimes the entire leg) and even on the face, most commonly the cheeks and along the jawline. They can often look like a full flaky rash, or a cluster of whitish or red itchy bumps that can become more exacerbated with scratching or rubbing. It’s often difficult to treat, and the most common treatment methods are creams high in salicylic acids that break down and slough away the skin that is blocking the hair follicles. While typically effective, the side effects of these expensive creams (prescribed by a dermatologist) are intense burning due to the harsh chemicals that is literally burning the skin off the effected areas to clear the clogged pores.
Many people give up on the prescriptions for treating psoriasis and eczema because the treatment hurts far worse than the condition, as the lotions prescribed make the affected skin feel like a giant sunburn that itches intensely (so intense that many people have to wear gloves or socks on their hands to avoid scratching themselves bloody in their sleep) and now don’t know what to do to treat their embarrassing, itchy, and certainly noticeable condition. However, there are ways to treat these common skin afflictions without harsh chemicals that actually make the condition appear worse.
In cases of eczema and psoriasis, sunlight is a natural cure than can dramatically reduce the condition. Some dermatologists will actually prescribe tanning as a treatment for these rashes. Sunlight has Vitamin K, A and D, which are healthy for skin regeneration, and the rays on the skin actually help the hair follicles unblock themselves naturally. Even exposing the affected areas to sunlight for 15 minutes at a time can create a dramatic difference in just a few days, as it seems to dry up the condition. Always wear a hypo-allergenic sunscreen, of course. For the psoriasis on my arms I finally succumbed to a t-shirt, and sat in the sun for about 20 minutes a day, sunning my arms. Lo and behold, my “sun bumps” as I would call them cleared almost completely within a week! I was thrilled! The bumps on my face, which had gradually became less apparent by the time I hit my late teens, also cleared up completely the rest of the way while I was sunning my arms. It works, and it’s painless, and better yet it’s free. I will remind again, wear a hypo-allergenic sunscreen while treating your condition in the sun as you always need protection from the sun, even when it’s helping you, and don’t bake for more than a half hour at a time. 15 or 20 minutes should do you.
Another effective treatment is to stay hydrated and treat your skin from within. Take Vitamin E capsules and consume foods with Zinc, or take a Zinc supplement daily. Your skin needs these nutrients to replenish itself and naturally slough off the skin cells that block the hair follicles to begin with, and consuming water keeps your skin from becoming dry and therefore undernourished to regenerate properly.
Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing. Humidity makes eczema and psoriasis worse, so wear breathable clothing at all times to allow the skin to breathe so it doesn’t further clog your affected pores.
When shaving, use a natural soap or no soap at all, if you have this condition on your thighs or other areas of your legs. Shave gently without tearing the skin, and if the skin becomes irritated and the bumps become severe (they often raise and become redder after shaving) rinse with cool water to ease the bumps before getting out of the shower. Don’t scratch them or irritate them worse, and try shaving every other day or every few days to avoid further irritating your skin.
Your laundry detergent is a major factor in how badly your psoriasis and eczema is affecting you. Heavily scented or ample amounts of detergent in your laundry will irritate your sensitive skin, making your condition worse. Use hypo-allergenic detergents or cut down on the amount you use (and stay away from scents) to help your skin stay irritant-free.
Only use natural or hypo-allergenic lotions on your skin. Gently exfoliate your skin in the shower with an apricot, coffee grounds, or salt scrub to slough off old skin cells that are helping to block your pores, and after showering, apply a natural lotion, such as Aloe Vera, or Coconut or Vitamin E oil to your thirsty skin. Perfumes and additives in regular lotions irritate your skin and make psoriasis and eczema worse. When applying perfume or cologne to your body, avoid spraying directly onto the affected skin.
The key to treating eczema and psoriasis is to help the skin naturally treat itself by staying away from irritants, providing nutrients so the skin can replenish daily, and to provide sunlight to help heal the condition. It really doesn’t have to get worse before it gets better, and following these simple steps, you can be bump-free and have happy skin.
