In the last post, I shared that oatmeal is a good homemade remedy to curb eczema spread and itch. Today, I’m sharing another excellent and very easy to make home remedy for eczema – ice therapy.
For those who are familiar with the onslaught of eczema, each outbreak brings about red, angry and very itchy rashes. They are mostly developed in the hands, limbs and joins. Some folks even had them on the face, chest and groin area. The inflamed skin is tight, dry and excruciating itchy and many of us couldn’t help but scratch. Even I know I should not scratch, I did because the itch was simply unbearable but only after I put a piece of fabric (like a clean t-shirt) over my skin. The more you scratch it, the worse the condition gets. If your skin is tore and bleed during the scratching process, you might get bacterial infections through the open wounds.
Why ice therapy?
Applying ice onto an inflamed skin is akin to using water to douse the flames of a fire. Ice therapy for eczema numbs your inflamed skin. The icy cold of the ice makes your veins contract and thereby cutting down blood circulation. When you remove the ice pack, your veins will start to dilate. Blood is rushed into the area that you are treating. The blood carries necessary nutrients thus enabling your damaged skin tissues to heal.
You can buy a hot-cold pad from the pharmacy or you can make one. You can put a few ice cubes in a small plastic bag and have it wrapped in towel. Alternatively, do what my friend did, she wrapped a frozen raw beef steak in a plastic bag and use it as ice pack. She said the ice therapy took less than a few minutes and there is no danger of the steak getting defrost.
Anyway, place your ice pack directly above the itchy area. You may initially find that the itchiness intensifies instead of subsiding when you first apply the ice. Get a grip and ensure for a few moments because the cold sensation will definitely eliminates the itch.
Take precautions before you attempt to use ice therapy for eczema:
1. Never put ice directly onto the inflamed rashes. Always use a towel to wrap the ice pack. Do not let the ice pack stay on one spot for too long, move the ice pack. Prolonged period may cause cold sore.
2. Commercial hot-cold pack can be a lot colder than a homemade ice pack, so you may want to wrap that with a towel too.
3. Limit to a maximum usage of 15 minutes on any one spot. You do not want to damage the nerves here.
4. Ice therapy is not recommended if you also suffer from cold allergic conditions, paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis or have blood circulation problems.
Among all the homemade eczema treatments, this is one that dermatologists and doctor will not frown on – if you follow the above recommendations.
Homemade remedies help to relieve pain and itch but they are temporarily relief. To prolong a blissful eczema-free period, you have to observe dermatologist’s advice of staying away from alcoholic based and fragrance based toiletries, keep a balanced and healthy diet with lots of greens (raw greens where possible … sprouts are recommended and there’s reasons to that) and exercise to minimize stress. For some who like to seek alternative treatments, eating raw sprouts or using essential oils are possible options. .
Additional Reading on Experts’ Views on Eczema: Be Eczema Free
Additional Reading on “Homemade Eczema Treatment” by Vivienne Quek:
- Homemade Eczema Treatment (10): Milk
- Homemade Eczema Treatment (9): Almond Oil with Vitamin E
- Homemade Eczema Treatment (8): Cure Eczema Eyes with Aloe Vera
- Homemade Eczema Treatment (7): Butter
- Homemade Eczema Treatment (6): Mango Peels
- Homemade Eczema Treatment (5): Wheatgrass
- Homemade Eczema Treatment (4): Watermelon & Coconut Oil
- Homemade Eczema Treatment (3): Crisco
- Homemade Eczema Treatment (1): Oatmeal
Thanks for tip!
But i have a question, why can’t ice be applied directly to the skin?
Firstly, it will be too cold for you to tolerate for more than 1 -2 minute. That will not provide the comfort and itch relief you were seeking for. Secondly, your skin will be wet from the melting ice and that’s going to be a little messy. A towel will soak up the water. Thirdly, probably is the most important, is that ice-pack/ice pad wrapped in towel is soothingly cold and not icy cold so you will not get cold sore.
Hey thanks for the great tip. Been using this remedy all the time and its really taken the pain away quick fast.
I have eczema. I had it as a child and for about 2 and a half years it stopped flaring up. I am about to be 15 and about a week ago my eczema started flaring up. I’m guessing it was from the intense stress from this year so far. I have tried many many different creams and only one I found worked. But now, it isn’t working. The itch is unbearable. I am about ready to skin myself the itch is so bad. So I immediately thought: ice. I applied it directly on the skin and kept it there for 5 mins and didn’t wrap it in a towel. That’s how bad the itch is. The pain from the direct ice pack didn’t phase me. If there are any suggestions please let me know. My skin is in terrible condition.
I just tried the ice therapy. It was so helpful! I’m amazed at how fast it worked. Thank you!