Eczema is a chronic inflammatory, itchy skin condition in which the skin is very dry or sometimes moist. It is also referred as dermatitis. This skin problem can occur in any part of the body such as face, leg, chest, neck, hands etc. The lesions may be seen as red patches, sometime with a discharge, scaling, and small vesicles. Though not a serious disease, facial eczema is quiet disheartening skin condition. It can lead to depression, and emotional distress as a consequence of its unsightly nature.
Facial eczema is common among young children; usually face is the first place for atopic eczema in children and infants.
Facial eczema in children often clears after the age of 5 to 7 years. However facial eczema in adults is more a concern due to its negative impact on a person’s lifestyle. On a positive note, this type of facial eczema is responsive to safe home remedies and natural treatment.
What Causes Eczema On Face?
The cause for facial eczema is similar to various other types of eczema. Researchers are not sure of the facial eczema cause. However, they have found many contributing factors for eczema in general and facial eczema in particular.
Few of the triggering causes for facial eczema are allergies, stress, change in climate; particularly occurrence of eczema is more prevalent in dry and windy climate.
The other known factors are change in hormone during the time of puberty or pregnancy and menopause in women. Pollution is another man made cause for facial eczema, it may be dust or fumes in the air. Frequently there is a family history of facial eczema. If your parents had history of facial eczema, you are at a greater risk of developing the condition in childhood or later in your life.
Symptoms Of Facial Eczema
The two types of eczema which commonly affect a person’s face are:
- Atopic eczema
- Seborrheic eczema
In atopic eczema the skin of the face is usually dry and pale. In most cases there is family history of suffering from this disease. There is excessive itching, with rough and thick skin. Atopic eczema is commonly seen on the cheeks, eyes, eyelids and nose as they are considered to be vulnerable parts on the face for eczema symptoms.
Seborrhoeic eczema is usually noted in adults and results in reddish brown, greasy, scaling areas rather than vesicles. The scalp, eyebrows and area around the nose are the usual sites on the face.
Natural Remedies For Facial Eczema
Ideally when a person has eczema on face, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist. This is because face is a delicate area and correct diagnosis for its treatment is an absolute requirement.
Natural home remedies for facial eczema include the following:
- Identify the irritant such as detergent, bubble bath, soaps etc. Non soap cleansers should be used in place of conventional soaps.
- Itching can be eased with herbal substances such as aloe vera juice.
- Atopic eczema may be related to hypersensitivity to certain food substances. Some common foods that effect majority of cases include milk and milk products, wheat, cereals especially corn and soya beans, eggs, food preservatives and additives. With elimination diet you can detect the foods that suit you.
- The extract of pineapple, enzyme bromelain is an effective anti inflammatory agent. It alleviates the symptoms of eczema.
- The desert plant aloe vera has astounding healing properties for facial eczema. You can apply aloe vera gel on the eczematous area if the skin is dry. In other cases apply freshly extracted aloe vera juice on the eczema twice in a day.
- A mixture of almond oil and aloe vera is an effective dressing for dry eczema on face.
- Reduce stress and anxiety. Relaxation exercise such as meditation and yoga are helpful in a long way.
- Drink plenty of water.