Can oregano oil be used as an effective eczema treatment? Before that can be answered, you will first need to understand what eczema is and what type of eczema you have.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is defined as a chronic skin disorder marked by dry inflamed skin that is red and very itchy. It is generally mild but it can sometimes affect the entire body. In extreme cases, the skin can break open, accompanied by pain and severe itching. The most familiar example of this condition is the skin rash caused by poison ivy. People of every age can be affected by this skin condition, not just kids as many mistakenly believe.
How Do You Get Eczema?
This form of contact dermatitis is caused by recurring contact with mild irritants like laundry detergents. On the other hand, even slight contact with strong chemicals or allergens can cause flare-ups characterized by redness, itching, and inflammation of the skin. Eczema is believed to be caused by a hypersensitive immune system that exhibits an aggressive reaction to the slightest irritation. This condition occurs when the immune system responds abnormally to the presence of proteins that are from the body, thinking that they belong to intruders like germs and other microorganisms. In eczema, the body’s immune system fails to distinguish invader from friendly protein, which in turn results in the outbreak of rashes. A flare-up of eczema occurs when several eczema symptoms manifest themselves on the skin. Eczema flare-ups are typically caused by:
- Synthetic fabrics
- Detergents and liquid cleaners that can cause skin dryness
- Rough materials like leather or wool
- Change in temperature
- A rise in body temperature
- An abrupt drop in humidity
- Sweating
- Infection of the upper respiratory tract
- Allergy to certain foods
- Stress
- Animal dander
What Are The Common Types of Eczema?
Eczema varies with each individual and comes in different forms. Their treatment differs most of the time, and this is why you must be able to clearly identify the type of eczema you have. Below is the most common type of eczema that affects the most number of people.
Atopic Dermatitis
When people talk of eczema, they mostly refer to atopic dermatitis, which is the most common representative of this skin disorder. It affects about 9 to 30% of the American population. If you have dry scaly skin that’s red and itchy, scaling behind your ears, and rashes on your arms, legs, and cheeks, then you most likely have atopic dermatitis.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is basically dandruff in its most common form. Symptoms include flakes of skin that fall off. It usually occurs on your hair, scalp, eyebrows, eyelids, behind your ears, sides of your nose, and even your mustache. It is believed to be caused by excess growth of yeast on the skin.
Contact Dermatitis
This very common type of eczema comes in two kinds: allergic and irritant. It occurs when your skin directly comes into contact with allergens or irritants that cause itchiness, swelling, redness, or pain, or all of them. Irritant dermatitis is triggered through direct contact with irritants like detergents, bleach, paint, cleaners, insect spray, etc. Allergic dermatitis occurs through certain allergens like medications, fabrics, foods, or certain plants like poison ivy.
Dyshidrotic Eczema
This type of eczema exhibits symptoms that include tiny fluid-filled blisters on your palms, fingers, soles of your feet, and toes. Itchiness, flaking, scaly skin, redness, and pain appear along with the blisters.
Nummular Eczema
Nummular or discoid eczema can happen at any age. Unlike the more common forms of eczemas, this type is more stubborn and more difficult to treat. It appears as itchy coin-shaped spots accompanied by wet, open sores as well as dry flaking skin in some areas.
Neurodermatitis
This usually starts out with a small patch of skin that becomes itchier the more it is scratched. As a result of repeated scratching, the skin becomes thick and tough. Raised red patches that are rough to the touch usually develop on the neck, forearm, wrist, thigh, and/or ankle.
Stasis Dermatitis
This skin disorder usually appears in the lower legs and affects people over 50 who have poor circulation. Usual symptoms include inflammation in the ankle area, itching, scaling, redness, and pain. In severe cases, skin cracks ooze and develop ulcers. This condition can lead to infection if not treated. Having some knowledge of the most common forms of eczema can help give you an idea of how to best treat your skin condition. What’s more, it will enable you to determine what triggers the flare-ups and how to deal with it with success.
Treating Eczema
The main thrust of eczema treatment is to cut down swelling, itching, and prevent the condition from taking a bad turn. The patient is usually given oral and topical medications in combination. Ointments and skin creams are applied to the affected skin to prevent it from drying. Oral medications are often prescribed to manage severe eczema breakout. However, dosages need to be controlled to prevent dangerous side effects. Treating eczema with conventional drugs and antibiotics can be expensive and likely to cause harmful side effects. The good news, however, is there is a better and safer way to treat eczema. It is through the use of oregano oil, a powerful substance known for its antimicrobial properties. It is 100% pure and organic, more affordable, without the harmful side effects that come with most pharmaceutical drugs.
Healing Properties Of Oil Of Oregano
Oregano oil is extracted from Origanum vulgare, a wild oregano species growing in the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean. This is not the kitchen variety that is popular in Italian cuisine. Rather, this plant has a long track record of success as a medicinal herb. The plant has long been used as a treatment for fever, common cold, skin disorders, as well as digestive problems. Today, instead of using the plant itself, the potent concentrated oil is used after extracting it from the leaves through steam distillation. Oil of oregano has passed through a barrage of clinical experiments and tests before its antibiotic properties have been confirmed. Research has shown that this essential oil can effectively fight the development and growth of various microbes like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. As an example, oregano oil can stop the overgrowth of candida, a fungus that tends to exacerbate the outbreak of eczema.
The Chemical Compounds Of Oil Of Oregano
Oregano oil’s ability to combat harmful microorganisms is made possible by its powerful chemical components. The oil contains phenols, phytochemicals, and flavonoids that can stop many types of microbes. The oil’s primary active ingredients are carvacrol and thymol. Oregano oil also carries a substantial amount of vitamins, minerals, and various trace elements that it utilizes to bolster the body’s immune ability to resist a variety of infections and diseases. Researches have shown that it can destroy MRSA, a bacteria that is considered virtually indestructible. Science has begun to find a way to use it as a growth inhibitor of cancer cells.
How To Treat Eczema Using Oregano Oil
Oregano oil amazing healing capability will prove valuable in the treatment and control of eczema. Here is a simple guideline to help keep your eczema under control.
- Combine a couple of drops of oil of oregano with 5 ml olive oil (virgin). Rub the affected area with this mixture twice daily. Discontinue the treatment if you experience skin irritation. Instead, do the step below.
- Take 2 to 4 drops of oregano oil orally everyday. The taste may be too strong for you if you are taking it for the first time. To make it easier to ingest, put the drops under your tongue. You can also dilute it in a glass of water or combine it with your favorite juice.
If possible, do both oral and topical treatments to maximize effectiveness and hasten the healing process. Discuss with your doctor the possibility of using oil of oregano to treat eczema. Because it is safe, convenient to use, and above all, effective, oregano oil may just be the ideal way to relieve the unpleasant flare-ups of eczema. Safety is of the utmost importance, so be sure to read about the possible side effects of oregano oil.