Does Coconut Oil Help Eczema?

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Before we try to find out whether coconut oil helps in curing eczema. Let’s understand what is eczema?

Eczema also is known as atopic dermatitis is a general term applied to any superfluous inflammatory reaction that includes the upper layer of the skin. The symptoms that are experienced include itching, redness, vesicles, and papules, oozing, weeping, crusting and scaling in later stages. Pigmentation may also be seen in some cases.

Why Should We Rest Our Hopes On Coconut Oil?

The fact that of all the kitchen ingredients we have picked coconut oil says a lot about it. But below are the reasons we should do so…

A Moisturizer Par Excellence

Eczema patients are advised to keep their skin moisturized all the time. Mineral oil often used for curing eczema isn’t good primarily for the reason that it creates a non-breathable layer on the surface of the skin making delay in recovery. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is a fantastic alternative, keeping the skin moisturized and also allowing your skin to breathe. The ability of the coconut oil to penetrate deep into the skin proves it to be extremely helpful in keeping the skin moisturized. It is a good antiseptic too. Enough reasons to apply!

Repairs The Damaged Skin Like No Other

Now moisturizing is not sufficient, an eczema sufferer needs topical care that ensures relief from the symptoms and also nourishes it deeply. Coconut oil with its long-chain fatty acids provides the nutrients that help skin fight the condition better and come out of the problem sooner than with the topical treatments. Unfortunately, some of the topical creams have shown adverse effects like thinning of the skin which can be deleterious. If you trust OTC cure, go for trusted names also backed by science. I came across Dermology anti-aging cream – it is really useful, doesn’t make the skin thin and cures with its natural ingredients.

Loaded With Antibacterial Properties

The fatty acids present in coconut oil make it an ideal antibacterial and antimicrobial agent. Well, eczema is not a bacterial infection though, but since the skin is in a compromised state in eczema, it is broken, and lends a passage for the tiny microbes to enter and cause an infection, therefore, coconut oil can prove to be helpful. If one keeps the skin slathered with coconut oil, chances of any bacterial infection get decreased to a great extent.

Is Anti Inflammatory In Nature

Inflammation is common when one is suffering from eczema but this too can be dealt with coconut oil. The reason for such flare-ups can be any – soap, detergent, some chemicals or high temperature. This essential oil has got some mild amount of anti-inflammatory properties, so use it to curb eczema as soon as you feel any sign of inflammation. Though it’s not very effective in high inflammatory cases, it can be employed to deal with moderate inflammation cases.

Checks Itching

Itching is the first and the most annoying symptom of eczema. There are moments when you feel like scratching your skin intensely. Some people who can’t bear the feeling, scratch their skin badly and get bruises with blood oozing out of it. This also predisposes skin to a lot of skin infections. The easiest and quickest remedy that is easily available at home is coconut oil. Just apply a thin layer and leave it. After a while, you will experience a decrease in the itching sensation.

The Best Immune System Booster

A lot of people experience allergic reactions to the topical treatments prescribed to them. And then to curb these reactions, immune suppressants are given, which results in serious side effects like vomiting, an increased risk of cancer, high blood pressure and some more. Coconut oil is a proven immune booster and can be used for the same purpose. When your immune system works well, no allergies and hence no side effects.

Excellent Makeup Remover

Eczema can get irritated by a lot of chemicals and this includes your make up removing products too. Coconut oil is an amazing makeup remover. It removes the last speck of makeup so smoothly that your skin won’t feel the itch and you won’t have to stay away from your favorite makeup cosmetics. But be cautious, some of the ingredients in the makeup products can cause huge irritation. Use products that don’t cause harm to your eczema-inflected skin. The removing part will be taken care of by coconut oil.

Can Supplement Breast Milk

There are researches suggesting that those who are fed with breast milk till the age of 4 months may not get eczema ever in their life. Coconut oil has one thing in common with breast milk and it is lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid, which turns into monolaurin when it enters the body. Monolaurin is known for its toxic effect on bacteria, viruses, fungus, and other microbes. Need we say more.

Suits All Skin Types

Whether your skin is dry, oily or sensitive, coconut oil is a game-changer. It suits all types of skin. It moisturizes the dry skin, removes oil from the oily skin and also heals the sensitive skin without irritating it. This is the beauty of coconut oil.

Remember…

When you go for different home remedies, you have to be careful about the symptoms and your skin type in particular, but this one natural remedy doesn’t require you to think even once, you can simply pick it up and apply. Coconut oil is good for all skin types and suits all age groups.

All this while we have been talking about coconut oil, but it is extremely important to know what type of coconut oil helps in combating eczema. It is virgin coconut oil.

Why Only Virgin Oil?

It is an extraction of fresh coconut. The edible part of the coconut is dried and then the oil is extracted from it as against the refined coconut oil which is extracted from copra. Copra is the inedible coconut shell. The edible part contains all the nutrients.

So now that you know the difference, buy virgin coconut oil only to treat your eczema stricken skin and heal it faster than ever.

Learn More:

Natural Tips for Eczema

How To Use Coconut Oil For The Skin

Where to Find Coconut Oil

Author Bio:
Melissa Mellie is a skin expert by profession. She loves to share her knowledge and experience with people. She regularly contributes her write-ups to health or skin care related websites and blogs with most of her writings based on tips for best anti-aging skincare. In her free time, she loves to travel, fashion shows and music.