Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin. It can be of different types like contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, etc.
Symptoms of dermatitis include inflammation, swelling, itching, burning sensation and redness. Severe dermatitis can also produce blisters, crusting and scaling of skin.
Some of the common causes are an allergic reaction, certain environmental conditions, irritants, accumulation of toxins in the body, nutritional deficiencies, and genetics. People who have thin or dry skin are more prone to dermatitis.
There are many home remedies that can give you relief from dermatitis symptoms. For these natural remedies, you just need some common ingredients from your kitchen.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for dermatitis.
1. Coconut Oil
The amazing antimicrobial and moisturizing properties of coconut oil can greatly help deal with the problem of dermatitis. It can significantly reduce redness, scaling and dryness within a few days.
Gently apply some warm coconut oil on the affected area to soften the skin. For best results, use virgin coconut oil daily before going to bed.
2. Oatmeal
An oatmeal bath can help treat skin irritation, itching and rashes. It will also help keep your skin moisturized.
- Mix one cup of fine powdered oatmeal in lukewarm bath water.
- Soak in this bath water for 15 to 20 minutes daily.
- Repeat this remedy daily for one month.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Another effective ingredient that can be used for treating dermatitis is apple cider vinegar. It will relieve inflammation and itchiness.
- Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. Use a cotton ball to apply this solution on the affected skin. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes, and then clean the area with a damp cotton cloth. Repeat this remedy daily for a few weeks to see positive results.
- Another option is to consume two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar mixed in a glass of water two or three times daily.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is widely used in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis. This will help to restore the pH balance of your skin and relieve the itching sensation and skin irritation. It also has moisturizing and antimicrobial properties.
- Apply fresh aloe vera gel several times a day for a few months to get rid of dermatitis.
- You can also drink a few ounces of aloe vera juice to enjoy healthy and glowing skin.
5. Vitamin E
One of the best and easiest home remedies for dermatitis is vitamin E oil. This oil promotes healing and provides relief from itching and inflammation.
So, apply vitamin E oil on your skin, especially at night before going to bed. You can also try lotions and creams containing vitamin E.
Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin E, such as sunflower seeds, wheat germ oil, peanut butter and corn, can also help prevent eczema.
6. Honey
Honey is a very commonly used ingredient that can help reduce the inflammatory condition of the skin. It also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
- Mix equal parts of raw honey, beeswax and olive oil. Heat the mixture in a double-boiler to make an ointment. When it cools, apply it to your skin and leave it on for several hours. Do this daily for several weeks to notice positive improvement in your skin condition.
- When dealing with radiation-induced dermatitis, applying manuka honey twice daily has been found to be beneficial.
7. Chamomile
The therapeutic properties of chamomile flowers can have a soothing effect on the affected skin.
- Steep two or three teaspoons of chamomile flowers in a cup of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool the solution. Now, dip a piece of clean cloth in it, place on the affected area and leave it on for 20 minutes. Do this a few times daily until you are satisfied with the results.
- Alternatively, you can use a chamomile cream a few times a day or mix five to 10 drops of chamomile essential oil in your bath water and soak in it for about 20 minutes daily until you get relief.
Note: Perform a patch test before using chamomile on your skin to rule out the possibility of it causing an allergic skin reaction.
8. Neem
Indian lilac or neem leaves can also be used to treat the problem of dermatitis to a great extent. It will help restore your skin’s health and protect it from various infections.
- Mix one tablespoon each of sesame oil and turmeric powder in one tablespoon of ground neem leaves. Apply this paste on the affected skin and leave it on for a few hours before washing it off. Do this daily for a few months.
- Another option is to add a few drops of neem oil to warm bath water and soak in it for about 20 minutes daily until you get relief.
9. Turmeric
Another very effective ingredient that can be used in the natural treatment of dermatitis is turmeric because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
- Heat a quart of water and add one-half teaspoon of turmeric powder to it.
- Boil the solution.
- Allow it to cool and then drink it. You can also use this solution to wash the affected area.
- Do this daily for a few months.
10. Slippery Elm
Slippery elm is a highly beneficial herbal remedy for dermatitis due to its high mucilage content which helps moisturize the skin and promotes healing.
- Wash and then grind a few slippery elm leaves to make a paste.
- Apply it on the affected skin.
- Leave it on until it dries completely and then wash it off.
- Do this thrice daily until you see improvement.
To conclude, dermatitis is usually not a serious condition and you can easily deal with the problem using these natural treatments. If you still do not get relief then it is recommended to consult a dermatologist.
Resources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-4362.2002.01423.x/abstract
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/235092.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20195063
VERY HELPFUL THAN YOU
Well put together and informative, attractive article. I have found some of these ingredients when applied individually have benefited my perioral dermatitis especially the coconut oil and aloe vera. However I prefer using a cream by mama nature-proskin eczema as this contains both of these ingredients amongst others and has actually cured me of my perioral dermatitiis, despite being told by two dermatologists that I would have to live with it. Calendula is also an amazing ingredient that cures many ills of the skin.
Hello I have dermatitis on my face it’s just horrible, where do I get the stuff from you are talking about please
I have some apple cider vinegar and vitamin E cream so I will try them. The creams the doctor prescriber were useless. Thank you very much.
I just tried the vinegar and water solution followed by the vitamin e oil…my face feels so much better…paid $30 for a prescription cream and all it did was burn my face. I will stick to home remedies first from now on.
I’ve never had issues with dermatitis until a few years ago. I wish I never had this on my hands, they get so sore when a break out happens. I’m frustrated because I don’t know what is triggering it.The priscription creams help heal the break outs, but I wish there was some thing I could do besides just treating it to help prevent them or make them less sever. I have tried a cream by Mazor it’s a bit expensive but worth it at the time, as it was great at healing the break outs. I will try a few of these remedies. I’m sick of having to plaster my hands in bandaids for work and feeling embarassed when people constantly ask about it.
Guys I think our biggest problem Is being impatient with natural remadies. Granted we live in the fast lane but we should listen to our body’s . I’m guilty as much as anyone else I have it on my finger tips where they burst open and tear and burn like hell. I’ve used all these remadies before with very little pleasure but I think it’s due to inpatient ness so this time I WILL take it slow. Good health guys
hi there, i had eczema & psoriasis for years. i found eliminating wheat from my diet cured my disease. everyone is different so what worked for me may not work for you. i also switched to all natural creams and lotions, no sodium laurel sulfates and with natural ingredients i am sensitive to even some of them, so it’s trial and error. good luck
Yes sulfates are a big no no for skin algergy. cocconut oil is great organic coconut, and works great for me it takes time but works to get rid of it. I also take it internaly so that it will work from inside out i take 4 small tea spoons a day morn midafternoon eve and night.
Riccardo, you are bang on.
I get perioral dermatitis on my face every couple of years and the standard treatment my doctor prescribes is an antibiotic for 6-8 weeks. Depending on the severity, it may be longer. So, if an oral antibiotic can take that long, why do people think a natural remedy won’t either? Chances are it will take less time but in reality shouldn’t we afford these remedies enough time to work? I, for one, do not plan on going down the antibiotic route again. It simply wipes out all the good gut flora and puts you at risk for other issues.
Suffering exactly as Lidsey above describes. I had severe eczema as a child and grew out of it. Over the last 3mths I have had severe dermatitis on the palms of my hands, which is now spreading to my fingers. Tried an ointment provided by doctor, however that made it break out into painful blisters. Currently seeking something that will restore my sanity. It is bad enough to constantly have bandaged hands, to hurt when trying to undertake normal daily tasks, to be deprived of sleep, to be reduced to tears when changing dressings, and add to that the fact that my normal profession is a massage therapist.
I am so over this condition as it has drained every aspect of my being. Will try some of the remedies that have been mentioned above – thank you for the information. xxx
I have contact dermatitis I get it on my feet and the palms of my hands mostly. I have been to several regular doctors and several dermatologists now I too have done allot of different RX ointments – but no real cure or great results.
I have just started using virgin coconut oil this article is helpful I am going to try
all of these things and hope that I solve this plus maybe it can help other people.
Natural is better anyway – if you can get it to work for you. Thank you for the info.
Thanks 4 those home remedies.I wl try wit those ones around.
I have dermatitis severely on both my lower legs and it is spreading to other areas, I am driven mad by itching all my family shout at me for scratching so I scratch in secret. Doctors creams no good I will try Aloe Vera and the honey treatment thanks for the suggestions. Mags
I had this all though elementary school and middle school. I been to doctors and tried everything I found out the cure for me was really hot showers and I scratched but since the water hit them I did t tear my skin. After the itch was gone I rinsed with cold water and soon enough it was gone 7 years later u would never kno I have this skin Condition
I’m still working on the elimination of intense dermatitis on my feet, and the itching of my body. However, I found changing hand soap to a baby shampoo, after a short time, was a cure for my hands, as long as I always used it, with the exception of the times I needed to use regular soap at public establishments. Generic baby shampoo worked well. I think mild with least chemicals was the key for cleansing.
5 years ago I was diagnosed with psoriasis.never having skin issues In my 27 years I wanted a second opinion.I went to 2 other doctors telling me I had dermatitis caused by coming in contact with something I’m allergic to.Very painful cracking in my fingers,itchy,burning,water like blisters all over my arms hands and fingers.I’ve been treated with everything from creams, lotions,prednizone steroids.I was told from a older gentleman to try lucky tiger…it is only sold in barber shops.I swear by it.it relieves pain and heals.it does have a strong menty smell but if your case is as bad as mine then u won’t mind.when I brake outwitch is almost ever week I will apply before I go to bed and maybe once at work.you should try it!
I have had this for several years and it is annoying. Burning, itching, flakey, drk skin, and sometimes oily like little boils, etc on hand. I have found that soaking my hand in milk, more specifically spoiled milk, offers almost instant relief and seems to work much better than the expensive prescription treatments I have used in the past. I swear by it.
My hand really itched at about 9:45 one night and i didnt want to wake anyone up, so i just found some deodorant and put it on the itch a couple times and soon it stoped itching. You will have to reapliy it about 2-3 times
I get dermatitis on my knuckles and find using Nivea Soft moisturising cream works to get rid if it. I get it if I don’t dry my hands properly after washing them especially in winter. If anyone has psoriasis have you tried eliminating yeast from your diet your and putting an anti fungal cream on it. I have heard this will help it go away
I can’t tell you about internal remedies. But as far as external:
I’ve had had dermatitis and eczema on my hands and feet all though child hood very bad. A few things that have helped me:
-I wash all my cloth in none scented detergent. All none scented to be exact, especially my socks. When your body, or feet sweat, it releases the fragrances in your cloth and effects your skin.
– Scrub my shower floor with white vinegar (This prevents the soap scum that builds up on the shower floor from sticking to your feet).
-I buy ClimaCool socks, very thin socks from the sport shore so my feet get more air,
Anyone get relief when getting the house watered softened? I think ours failed about a year ago as I have had troubles when I never really did much before. Just discovered this….and FWIW, our 3 year old coffee maker failed a couple of months ago, which probably was a big hint on that. Tested the water and it was 147 ppm which is moderate-high on the scale.
Just a thought. Looking forward to getting the water softener repaired next week. Never gave much thought to it, but I’ve been to 5 doctors this year for an answer and none of the creams help and I find I am more comfortable when I have showered in a hotel than my home. It also takes mega amounts of dishwashing liquid to wash dishes. Hope this helps someone who might have gone through the same kind of thing. Never gave it a second thought until we had some plumbing issues and I decided to go ahead and test the water content and it revealed this higher hard water content reading.
Was diagnosed with skin infection a few months ago thanks very much will try those home remedies hopefully it will work wonders
Hi There,
I have read all your comments with greatest interest. As a child I had atopic eczema and lucklily grew out of it, but now, in my 64th year, have another very severe bout, due to another bad physical condition. I a
have been seeing a Natural Therapist who did a number of tests. To summarise: I have many food intolerances including gluten, lactose, yeast, soya, peanuts, plus, plus, plus. Then there was no longer a normal bacterial growth in my large bowel, I also had fungal infection. As soon as I drastically altered my diet, underwent bowel treatment including enemas, my skin began to heal. I had perioral rashes, soreness around the rectal area, pustels on my arms – apparently all coming from the acidic metabolites my body wants to get rid of to cure himself. I still use antihistamines and cortisone creams, but lesser and lesser, and my awful fatigue and weakness has gone. I feel like a different person, I am so grateful.
I have also tried spraying deodorant on the itching spots, and I works! Thank you dearly Avery
I have found that any product with sulfates will cause this terrible itching. Shampoo, hand soaps, detergents and dish liquids can be the problem. Read labels to find alternatives. My favorite remedy is Whole Foods Lavender body lotion. It really works.
I was diagnosed this week with contact dermatitis- due to what the dermatologist says from raking outside in a wooded area – with latex / rubber gloves on – must have picked up something – I have lived here 19 years and no problem before- She prescribed hydroVal a cortisone cream which I apply .
It doesn’t really bring relief to my hands which are covered in tight blisters in the palms and now my knuckles are swollen and sore
Would coconut oil be the way to go – and if you start with one treatment is it better to stay with that one for everywhere on your body
For immediate relief, I put an ice pack on affected areas. (This doesn’t heal the condition, but takes the itch away)