Eczema is a general term for rash-like skin conditions. The most common type of eczema is called atopic dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction. Eczema is often very itchy and when you scratch it, the skin becomes red and inflamed. Eczema affects adults and children, but it is most common in babies.

Symptoms of Eczema

Following are the major eczema symptoms:

1. Intense itching

2. Rash itches and burns

3. Inflammation on skin

4. Small bumps on forehead, neck and cheek

Causes of Eczema

Following are the major eczema causes:

1.Hereditary factors

2.Irritation with smoke, chemicals, detergents and solvents

3.Excessive stress

4.Emotional stress

5.Blood circulation problem

6.Deficiency of vitamin B6

Preventing Eczema or Dermatitis

1.Chlorine is an abrasive chemical so avoid swimming in chlorinated pools.

2.Keep away from substances that you are allergic or hypersensitive.

3.Avoid contact with detergents, use dishwasher and clothes washer, and for bathing use mild soaps.

Treatment of Eczema

1. Avoid frequent use of soaps, hot water, and other cleansing procedures (especially if you have a dry skin type) that tend to remove natural oil from the skin.

2. Topical corticosteroids , reduce inflammation in the skin and are usually safe and very effective in curing eczema when used correctly. Mild corticosteroids are generally used for children and on the face and flexures, eg crease of the elbow, behind the knees etc.

3. A very common treatment for treating eczema involves – applying lotions, creams, or ointments to keep the skin as moist as possible.

Home Remedies for Eczema or Dermatitis

1.Dab some witch hazel on the affected area with a cotton ball. Apply this on the affected area.

2.Application of spearmint leaf juice also helps reduce eczema.

3.Sun bathing is also helpful in curing eczema. It kills the harmful bacteria and thus treating the inflammation caused.

4.It is generally advisable to avoid using soaps, chemicals and other drying agents on the eczema affected area.
Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that affects 2 to 2.6 percent of the United States population, or between 5.8 and 7.5 million people. Although the disease occurs in all age groups, it primarily affects adults. It appears about equally in males and females. Psoriasis occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement (also called turnover) takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days. In its typical form, psoriasis results in patches of thick, red (inflamed) skin covered with silvery scales. These patches, which are sometimes referred to as plaques, usually itch or feel sore. They most often occur on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet, but they can occur on skin anywhere on the body.

Causes of Psoriasis

Following are the major psoriasis causes:

1.Due to abnormality in the mechanism in which the skin grows and replaces itself

2.Abnormality with the metabolism of amino acids

3.Use of certain medicines

4.Due to infections

5.Heredity factors are also responsible

6.Physical and emotional stress

Home Remedies for Psoriasis

1. In a small cup of olive oil, put 2 drops of calendula oil and 1 drop of oregano oil. Rub it on the pretentious area.

2. In 4 cups of water, boil 4 marigold heads, for about 2 minutes. Once cooled, massage the unguent into your scalp.
Then, wash the hair with a mild shampoo. Add lemon juice or cider vinegar to the rinse water to ensure a thorough rinse.

3. Mix a cup of freshly ready bitter gourd juice with a tsp of limejuice. Drink this mixture each day, on an empty stomach, for 4 to 5 days.

4. Mud packs are effectual in treating psoriasis. Take crushed Fuller’s earth and add enough water to form a paste.