Medically CitedIn This Article
About Psoriasis And Eczema
If you have psoriasis or eczema, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with red, dry, cracked and itchy skin that flares up with the weather, stress, and a myriad of other triggers. After several trips to the dermatologist in search of that “miracle cure,” you're left with expensive prescription and best natural creams for psoriasis that provide only temporary relief, or worse, cause your skin to sting and burn.
What if I told you there are proven natural remedies for eczema and psoriasis that are safe and effective? Many of these treatments can improve these conditions as dramatically as prescription creams without potential side effects. They are affordable and easy to find at a local store or online.
Holistic treatments target the cause of psoriasis and eczema - an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks the skin. They also repair damaged skin barrier by killing harmful bacteria and fighting inflammation, making your skin more resistant to future flare-ups.
Natural Remedies For Psoriasis And Eczema
Here are 5 safe and effective holistic treatments for psoriasis and eczema to try today:
1. Probiotics
Probiotics
One of the first natural remedies I recommend to my patients with psoriasis and eczema is probiotics. Probiotics encourage the growth of “good” skin bacteria and yeast, normalizing the skin microbiome and reducing faulty attacks by the immune system.
A recent study from JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) Dermatology found that probiotics reduced the symptoms of eczema in children aged 4-17 years old by 83%. The recommended probiotic contained Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, and Lactobacillus casei. These bacterial strains exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. [1]
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, was the first to use vinegar for medicinal purposes around 400 B.C. In my practice, I frequently recommend apple cider vinegar for various skin conditions because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Similarly to probiotics, apple cider vinegar normalizes bacterial balance of the skin and reduces inflammation.
The best way to use apple cider vinegar for psoriasis and eczema is to fill a bathtub with warm (not hot) water and add one cup to one pint of apple cider vinegar. Soak for 10-15 minutes or longer if tolerated well. Some people find it helpful to rinse with cool water afterward, but it is not necessary. Pat dry and apply your favorite moisturizer to lock in the benefits.
3. Oregon Grape
Oregon Grape
This flowering plant native to North America has been studied for its beneficial effects in the treatment of several skin conditions. A large clinical trial showed promise in using 10% extract of Oregon grape to reduce scaling, itch, and inflammation associated with psoriasis. [2].
Oregon grape works best when applied topically three times daily. You can also add a few drops of alcohol-free Oregon grape tincture to your favorite moisturizer right before application. Pick a fragrance-free moisturizer with ceramides, due to their superior moisture-locking properties.
4. Balneotherapy
Balneotherapy is the treatment of diseases by bathing and has been used for centuries to treat various skin conditions. Ancient Greeks and Romans performed balneotherapy in natural hot and cold springs and mineral waters.
My favorite way of using the healing power of the water is to draw a warm bath and add five drops of sea buckthorn oil, mixed into a tablespoon of your favorite shower gel or 1-2 oz of bath salt. Make sure that the water is not too hot and don't forget to seal in the therapeutic benefits with a moisturizer immediately after the bath.
Sea buckthorn oil contains linoleic acid , gamma-linolenic acid, and fatty acids, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Together these active ingredients repair skin barrier through the production of lipids and natural moisturizing factors. Replenishing these natural moisturizing factors provides immediate relief from the red, itchy and scaly plaques of psoriasis and eczema. [3]
5. Mindfulness
Mindfulness
Finally, stress can be a significant cause of eczema and psoriasis flare-ups due to its pro-inflammatory effects. Reducing stress is a systematic process that requires a change in our habits and a way of thinking. And one of the most successful stress-busting strategies is the practice of mindfulness.
Mindfulness meditation involves focusing your thoughts on the awareness of the present moment. It is the practice of immersion into your inner feelings, thoughts, sensations of your body and the environment around you.
It is not difficult to master but requires training to incorporate it into your daily routine. Research shows that only 5-15 minutes of regular mindfulness exercise can improve your stress levels and reduce inflammation [4].
The key to using these holistic treatments is to be patient, stay consistent and remember that eczema and psoriasis are chronic conditions that require a multi-pronged approach. For some patients, natural therapies alone will provide the quick relief from psoriasis and eczema treatment they are looking for. But for others, a combination of Western medicine and holistic medicine approach is necessary to control their eczema and psoriasis symptoms. There are the best creams for eczema available that may reduce psoriasis, itchiness, and other skin issues.
4 Sources
We review published medical research in respected scientific journals to arrive at our conclusions about a product or health topic. This ensures the highest standard of scientific accuracy.
[1] Navarro-López V, Ramírez-Boscá A, Ramón-Vidal D, Ruzafa-Costas B, Genovés-Martínez S, Chenoll-Cuadros E, Carrión-Gutiérrez M, Horga de la Parte J, Prieto-Merino D, Codoñer-Cortés FM. Effect of Oral Administration of a Mixture of Probiotic Strains on SCORAD Index and Use of Topical Steroids in Young Patients With Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2018 Jan 1;154(1):37-43. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.3647. PMID: 29117309; PMCID: PMC5833582.[2] Bernstein, Steve, Howard Donsky, Wayne P. Gulliver, Douglas A. Hamilton, Sion Nobel and Robert Norman. “Treatment of Mild to Moderate Psoriasis with Reliéva, a Mahonia aquifolium Extract—A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.” American Journal of Therapeutics 13 (2006): 121-126.
[3] Verdier-Sévrain S, Bonté F. Skin hydration: a review on its molecular mechanisms. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2007 Jun;6(2):75-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2007.00300.x. PMID: 17524122.
[4] Anderson, N. D., Lau, M. A., Segal, Z. V., & Bishop, S. R. (2007). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and attentional control. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 14(6), 449–463. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.544
