November is Eczema Awareness Month, and if you are caring for an elderly loved one with eczema, you’re likely hoping to find some effective treatments for his or her condition. In many cases, natural remedies have proven effective in alleviating eczema symptoms, and Oakville, ON, home care professionals have put together a list of 5 simple treatments your loved one can try.
1. Coconut Oil
This particular type of oil has a unique blend of saturated and polyunsaturated fats, which makes it an excellent option for treating various medical conditions. When applied directly to the skin, coconut oil will sink deep into the cells to nourish, hydrate, and protect them. Coconut oil can be used as often as your loved one would like and almost immediately diminishes itching, stinging, and burning sensations.
2. Fermented Cod Liver Oil
In recent years, fish oil pills have become extremely popular for treating a wide variety of issues, ranging from joint inflammation to eczema. These pills are an excellent source of fat-soluble vitamins like A, K, E, and D. When taken regularly, fermented cod liver oil stimulates the body’s natural healing process to combat the root causes of eczema.
3. New Diet
Eczema can easily be triggered by various foods that cause gut inflammation. Seniors with chronic eczema should keep a food log to see if anything they are eating tends to coincide with outbreaks. Some of the most common triggers include milk, eggs, soy, wheat, nuts, and fish.
4. Cotton Clothes
Although clothing may not seem like an actual treatment, it can have a major impact on eczema, and changing your loved one’s wardrobe might drastically reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks. Synthetics, wool, and other rough materials often irritate the skin and cause painful reactions. Loose-fitting cotton clothes tend to be the most comfortable for seniors susceptible to skin irritation.
5. Oatmeal Baths
As long as your loved one is not allergic to oats, he or she might benefit from having an oatmeal bath once or twice a week. This old remedy has been used to treat many skin conditions, including sunburns, poison ivy, acne, eczema, and psoriasis. A single cup of oatmeal in a warm bath can reduce inflammation and moisturize your loved one’s skin.
To learn more about senior health and wellness, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite and live-in care. Our caregivers can prepare nutritious meals, assist with bathing, and help with a variety of other household tasks, and we also offer comprehensive Parkinson’s, stroke, and Alzheimer’s home care Oakville, ON, seniors can count on. For more information on our in-home care services, please call (905) 337-1200 to schedule a complimentary consultation.