How to Soothe Eczema with Baking Soda

How to Soothe Eczema with Baking Soda

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a recurring skin inflammation that is caused due to the sensitive, dry and itchy skin, genetics, stress, allergies, irritants, hormonal changes, etc. that may damage the skin and creates a red, rough and raised patches on the skin (especially to your little ones). These flakes will appear in visible places like on face, behind ears, on the scalp, on hands and feet, wrists, and all over the body.

However there is no complete cure for eczema but you can manage its symptoms or conditions with the help of some natural home remedies and daily skin care.

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a most common household ingredient used for many health, beauty and home purposes that include eczema. Here we are going to learn all about its properties and methods on how to use baking soda for treating eczema.

First of all, let’s know about the properties of baking soda for controlling the eczema attacks on the skin.

• It has natural antiseptic properties and cleansing property that cleanses and clears the bacteria or other germs from flare-up zone.
• It balances the pH levels of the body to alkalize it.
• It has a soothing effect that reduces the rashes and inflammation caused on the irritated part of eczema affected skin areas.
• It gently exfoliates the skin to remove dead cells on skin’s surface to reduce the itching and irritation on eczema affected skin areas.
• It effectively detoxifies the skin and strengthens the skin to prevent any further flare-ups.
• The gentle foaming action of baking soda helps for deep cleansing of sensitive eczema spots.
• Baking soda is safe to use eczema remedy (if taken in limited quantities) regularly, even for children also.

There are various ways of using baking soda for treating eczema flare-ups, but the most commonly used methods are explained below. Have a look on it and try these methods to get rid of eczema.

Method – 1: (Baking Soda Bath)

Baking soda helps to relieve you from itching by balancing the pH levels of the body. Bath or soak will definitely help you in clearing the problem, especially in the areas where we can’t apply easily.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1/2 – 1 cup of baking soda in a tub of lukewarm water.
• Stir well and soak for about 10 – 15 minutes, so that your skin will absorb that water.
• After that, rinse your body with normal water and dry the skin thoroughly.
• Repeat the same process to get rid of eczema along with its irritation.

Note:

• Or mix some ground oatmeal or salts (Mediterranean sea salt and Epsom salt) to this baking soda bath before soaking to get rid of irritation and itching along with clearing the dead cells on the skin’s surface.
• Or simply add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of finely ground oats in a bath tub. Stir well and soak for few minutes. Rinse the body with normal water and pat dry the skin.

Method – 2: (Baking Soda Paste for Eczema)

Even the topical application of baking soda as paste form will help to clear eczema. This process is used to treat eczema itch, redness, irritation and eczema scars on the skin (even for babies).

Steps to be followed…

• Mix baking soda and warm water in such a ratio that it becomes thick and heavy consistency (mud-like paste).
• Apply this paste directly on eczema flare up.
• Let it sit for about 5 – 7 minutes and rinse it off with water.
• Dry the skin thoroughly and apply moisturizer that suits your skin type to seal in the hydration.

Method – 3: (Baking Soda with Apple Cider Vinegar)

Apple cider vinegar has immune boosting abilities, riboflavin, mineral salts, vitamin B1, acetic acid and all other essential nutrients to relieve you from itching, dryness along with the reduction of eczema. So, this combination is very effective in treating eczema and its symptoms.

Steps to be followed…

• Combine 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 1/2 cup of water.
• Stir well and be sure that it will fizz while mixing it.
• When it gets stopped, drink this mix and if you prefer, you can add a little of honey or lemon in this water before drinking.
• Regular intake of this drink will definitely help you to get relief from the problem.

Note: Or you can also add 1 teaspoon of raw honey in this mix to enhance its taste.

Method – 4: (Baking Soda with Neem Oil)

Neem oil helps to prevent the itching and irritation caused by eczema. Baking soda helps to balance the pH levels of the skin. So, this combinational process is very effective in getting rid of eczema.

Steps to be followed…

• Pour few drops of neem oil in baking soda.
• Stir well to make a fine paste and apply it on eczema affected skin areas.
• Leave it on for few minutes and rinse it off with water.
• Dry the skin and apply your regularly used moisturizer to prevent the dryness caused due to baking soda – neem paste on the skin.

Method – 5: (Baking Soda for Scalp Eczema)

Baking soda treats scalp eczema or seborrheic dermatitis balances the pH levels of the scalp and makes it a less hospitable for the microbes causing infection.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup of water.
• Stir well and apply this mix to all over the scalp but concentrate more on eczema affected scalp areas.
• Let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes and rinse the hair with water thoroughly.
• After that, again wash your hair with diluted apple cider vinegar (vinegar mixed with water) to ensure that natural acidity of skin / scalp is restored.
• Repeat the same regularly until you cleared eczema on scalp.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Baking soda is a natural salt like mineral and when it gets mixed with any acidic material then there will be a chemical reaction occurs that produces carbon dioxide bubbles with a lot of fizzy. So, don’t get confused when this reaction occurs.
2. For more effective results, apply coconut oil as a natural moisturizer after having baking soda bath and drying the skin thoroughly.
3. Always use baking soda but not baking powder (as both are different) for treating any health or beauty problems, including eczema.
4. It’s recommended to do some skin patch test before using baking soda for treating eczema, as everyone’s skin texture is not the same, especially those who have sensitive skin.
5. Be sure that not to swallow the bath solution (especially for children), as the sodium content may cause other health problems. Also, avoid using baking soda on eczema if you’re suffering from diabetes, as with a tendency to develop any infection or bleeding on small cuts or wounds.
6. Using baking soda will treat not only eczema but also diaper rash for your babies and young children.
7. Consult your doctor if you didn’t find any relief from eczema after using baking soda for few days for immediate diagnose and treatment.

Have you ever used baking soda for treating your eczema? Or do you any other baking soda methods? Then share your experience with us in the below comments section.

Original article and pictures take http://diyremedies.org/baking-soda-for-eczema/ site