Eczema Bulletin, Issue #016 - Dead Sea Salts For Eczema
Welcome to November's edition of the Eczema Bulletin e-zine, and thank you for subscribing.
This is the 16th edition of Eczema Bulletin. It will bring you articles and news about eczema, and also any updates to what-is-eczema.com. If you would like to add any suggestions for articles or news, or even add your own then I would love to hear from you
You can contact me here
This month's Eczema Bulletin includes
- November's Featured Article – Dead Sea Salts For Eczema
- My favourite eczema news article
- Tip of the Month
- 5 Ways To.....manage your lip eczema
Featured Article - Dead Sea Salts For Eczema
The Dead Sea is renowned for being where you can go for some sun, and to float on water while reading a newspaper!
It is also known for having an extremely high concentration of salt. It is so concentrated that no animal, fish or plant is able to live in it.
These salts may not allow anything to live there, but they can be extremely beneficial for your eczema.
They are full of minerals. Around 27 to be exact! The following minerals help to make up the salt, and they have properties which are good for your skin.
- Bromide. Soothes the skin. Can also help you to relax, which is a benefit if your eczema becomes more irritated when you are feeling stressed
- Calcium. Regulates your skin cell lipid content. This guards your skin against irritants and allergens. Can also reduce irritation
- Magnesium. Can provide a barrier on the skin to reduce the effect of allergens. Also helps skin tissue to heal quicker
- Potassium. Keeps the moisture balanced in your skin. This can help combat dryness
- Sulphur. Fights bacteria on your skin, which can reduce the chance of an infection
- Zinc. Helps to repair damaged skin tissue, benefiting skin that has been damaged by scratching
The salts are readily available to buy from shops and online.
The problem is that some of the salts are not pure Dead Sea salts. Some are put through processes that can diminish their mineral content.
Buy the salts from a reputable company. One that sells pure salts, with a high mineral content.
When you get your salts, the best way to use them is in the bath.
For an adult, fill a bath up with warm water. Add the salt, and mix well. Then have a soothing soak. But for no more than 20 minutes.
For a child, use less water and less salt. If you half fill the bath, then use half the amount of salt.
It may take up to a
couple of months before you see any huge difference in your eczema. It is worth persevering with it. The salt works on the natural healing of your eczema and your skin, so may take a little longer to show any improvement.
Eczema News Article
Researchers have found that children with eczema may benefit from taking a daily Vitamin D supplement.
A vitamin D supplement could help with eczema that is made worse by the winter weather.
Natural sunlight or the UV light given in light therapy, helps to produce vitamin D in the body.
Because of the shorter winter days and lack of sunshine, the body doesn't produce enough vitamin D. This can lead to a deficiency of the vitamin.
A study was done in Mongolia, over one month. A group of children with atopic dermatitis were given a vitamin D supplement to take daily.
It was found, after a month, that the children had an average of 29% improvement in their symptoms.
More studies are required to say for certain if taking a vitamin D supplement could help eczema sufferers throughout the year.
If you or your child's eczema becomes worse in the winter it may be worth trying a vitamin D supplement for a month or so. This
will be enough time to see if there is any improvement in your skin.
It is recommended that you talk to your doctor before starting a course of the supplement.
Tip Of The Month - Be Aware Of Petrolleum Jelly Allergy
As eczema sufferers, we like to try a range of different creams and ointments. Anything that can help alleviate the symptoms of our eczema.
Sometimes something in these treatments can make the symptoms worse. Sometimes it can be obvious if the cream contains added chemicals. But it could be an ingredient that you wouldn't normally suspect.
Petroleum jelly is used in a number of skin creams, ointments and other skincare products. It is a very good emollient, and that is why it is in many eczema treatments. It stops the skin losing moisture, helping to combat dry skin, and the accompanying eczema symptoms.
Unfortunately, some people are allergic to petroleum jelly. They may apply an ointment just before going to bed. In the morning a rash has appeared where it was applied. Petroleum jelly may be the culprit.
Sometimes the user would of used the same ointment for a couple of months beforehand. In the past it has helped to keep the skin
moisturised, reducing dry skin and inflammation.
This is because an allergy can take some time to develop. This is always something to keep in mind when looking into what is causing a reaction.
If you suspect that you may have an allergy look for products free from petroleum jelly.
Some of the companies that make these products are
A petroleum jelly allergy is not a common allergy. But it is one to be aware of if you are using petroleum based treatments for your eczema.
