Skin conditions of any kind can be bothersome, but eczema and psoriasis are probably two of the most common and irritating. Both are genetic autoimmune skin diseases that result in flaky skin inflammation that can be terribly itchy and leave you feeling helpless and even embarrassed.
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Outbreaks of eccesema and psoriasis
If you or someone close to you suffers from eccesma or psoriasis, then you know how much it can affect a person’s life. Outbreaks of eczema and psoriasis are often red and trigger swollen skin and can appear anywhere on your body: on your hands, arms, knees, and even on your face.
While affected skin can often seem unsightly, it is pain and tenderness that can affect people’s lives the most.
The treatment for eczema and psiorasis usually limited to just controlling the severity of outbreaks and relieve symptoms. Keeping the skin clean and hydrated is the usual remedy, however some of the prescribed medications and products can be a bit fishy.
Unhealthy Conventional Treatments for Eczema
One of them is the use of mineral oil and petroleum jelly on the skin. Both are by-products of petroleum (gas and oil), and while they help keep skin moist, they clog pores and prevent air from reaching the skin.
The other more specific treatment for psoriasis is to sit in a bath scented with coal tar, which smells similar to asphalt.
However, there are natural, non-petroleum-based options for direct skin treatment of eczema and psoriasis and at least one can effectively eliminate breakouts – it’s neem oil . Extracted from the fruits and seeds of the neem tree.
Neem oil as a natural treatment for eczema and psoriasis
Neem oil is a thick red or green oil that is not only highly hydrating, but is also naturally antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and relieves external pain.
Although its scent can be quite strong, its medicinal qualities are impressive and it is relatively safe to use as a self-prescription treatment.
In fact, the culture of India has been using neem oil for thousands of years for anything from diseases and inflammation of the skin to fevers and insecticides.
Natural healing cream for eczema and psoriasis
There are neem oils for the skin that are already on the market and you may not have a problem locating some varieties. However, making a topical cream yourself is easy, relatively inexpensive, and safe. It also allows you to control how much neem oil you want in the product: although neem is a natural oil, it is strong in effects and aroma.
With these ingredients you can get a bottle with 110g.
- * 10g / 0.35oz neem oil (cold pressed and raw)
- 40 g / 1.41 oz shea butter
- 30 g / 1.06 oz cocoa butter
- 20 g / 0.70 oz castor oil
- 10g / 0.35oz sweet almond oil (alternative: grapeseed oil)
- 5 drops of tea tree essential oil (optional)
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)
- The 10 g of Neem oil will give rise to a lotion with a strong smell and action. If you prefer, you can cut the amount in half -5g to mask the smell and create a smooth cream.
It is also possible to add more than 10g of neem oil to this recipe but you will need to test the cream on a small part of your infected skin before using it all. Neem can be very strong and if placed on the skin undiluted, it is possible that it can cause contact dermatiti For a more liquid cream add more liquid oil in the recipe.
Instructions:
- Take all the ingredients except for the essential oils and place them in a double skillet (double boiler). You can also use the common water bath. The point of the water bath is that you want to heat the oils slowly, evenly, and through an indirect heat source.
- Melt the oils over medium heat until they are completely liquid. Mix well and place the container in the freezer for five minutes.
- Take out the bowl and beat with a mixer, add the essential oils at this time if you have chosen to include them. These fragrances will help mask the smell of Neem and are two ingredients that will help inflamed skin. Lavender essential oil is very relaxing and anti-inflammatory, and tea tree essential oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial, as well as having a relaxing medicinal scent.
- Make sure to wipe off any oil that hardens around the rim of the container and turn it into the liquid oils; then put the bowl in the freezer for another five minutes – then take it out and beat again. Repeat this process until the oils become opaque and creamy; then place it in a container with a lid. You can use the cream after it has set for about a day.
Note: Remember to consult with a specialist before trying this or any home remedy.