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Eczema Bulletin, Issue #014 - Can Salt Therapy Benefit Eczema?
September 01, 2014

Eczema Bulletin, Issue #014 - Can Salt Therapy Benefit Eczema?



Welcome to September's edition of the Eczema Bulletin e-zine, and thank you for subscribing.

This is the 14th 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

  • September's Featured Article – Can Salt Therapy Benefit Eczema?
  • My favourite eczema news article
  • Tip of the Month
  • 5 Ways To.....help raise eczema awareness



Featured Article - Can Salt Therapy Benefit Eczema?


Salt therapy has been used for many years, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. It is reported to be beneficial for many conditions. But is it beneficial to eczema?

Salt therapy is a complimentary treatment for eczema. It can be used alongside conventional treatments.

It is popular amongst it's users as it is 100% natural, drug free and completely safe to use. Both adults and children can use it.

The therapy is given in a room, sometimes called salt rooms, or salt caves, depending on where you go.

You just sit in the room, and naturally breathe in the air around you. The air is filled with particles of salt. These particles are breathed into the body, helping to heal from the inside. They also have direct contact with the skin, which heals the outside.


These are some of the main benefits of salt therapy for eczema.

  • Antibacterial. Kills the bacteria on the skin. This will lessen the chance of an infection occurring
  • Anti-inflammatory. Helps with the red and sore symptoms of eczema
  • Reduces IgE levels in the body. Stopping the immune system from overreacting, and triggering an allergic reaction, and further symptoms


The therapy is also reported to be beneficial if you have Seborrhoeic Dermatitis, and have some hair loss. Salt therapy is also thought to help with hair growth.


Salt therapy is getting more popular all over the world, with new treatment centres opening regularly. After doing some research into it, it is something I am interested in trying out.

There are reports that as many as 75% of people who try salt therapy, see an improvement in their health. Though there is no exact figure to show it's effectiveness in helping to treat eczema.

If you have been to a salt room and tried salt therapy, please let me know. I would love to hear about your experience, and how it affected your eczema, and it's symptoms.


Eczema News Article


A programme shown last night on the BBC, 'Horizon, Allergies: Modern Life and Me', questions if modern life in the Western world is responsible for the rise in allergies.

It is thought that bacteria help to 'train the immune system'. So being exposed to different types of bacteria could help to decrease the chance of allergies developing.

The programme investigated if the lives we lead reduce our exposure to bacteria, so increasing our chances of developing an allergy.

It is a very interesting watch. If you want to watch it, you can on BBC iPlayer

There is also an article on the BBC website about the research done in the programme.





Tip Of The Month - Eczema Friendly Shaving


When you have eczema, shaving can make your skin drier, more sore, and cause a rash to appear.


Here are a few tips that could be the best way to shave, and help make being hair-free less irritating.

  • Never dry shave. Keep the skin at least damp. I find it easier to shave in the bath. My skin seems to dry off too quickly in the shower
  • Change your razor or blade regularly. You could use a disposable one. Use it once then throw it away. A blunt blade is not good for the skin. And there is a risk of spreading an infection if a blade is used often. I find the Wilkinson Sword blades good to use. They can be a little pricey, but they do a better job than the cheaper disposable ones
  • Use shaving cream on the skin. I don't just mean the specially made shaving creams and gels. I use aqueous cream. I don't have issues with it when I rinse it off my skin fairly quickly. Though you can any cream that your skin likes. Just use a cream!
  • Shave in the direction that the hair grows. This can help to stop the spotty rash that can sometimes appear. Especially when shaving regularly
  • Always moisturise afterwards. Use your favourite emollient liberally. Also use it when the skin is still slightly damp. It helps to keep in some of the moisture, so your skin become drier



Do you have a tip you would like to share? Let me know :)




5 Ways To.......help raise eczema awareness


1. Talk. Talk to everyone. Eczema is quite a misunderstood condition. People either seem to think that it is just a bit of itchy skin, or a contagious disease! Though you will find that nearly everyone you speak to, knows someone who has eczema, or someone who has it in the past. So the good news is that most people have heard of it, they just don't always know the impact it can have on the sufferer and their family

2. Raise money for an eczema charity. A lot of countries have a national eczema society, as well as smaller, more local groups. You could do an organised charity event, like a 5km run, for your local group. Or you could come up with your own inventive fundraising idea. You can spread the word on social media, by creating a justgiving page, or by doing an article in the local press

3. Post on online forums and message boards. They don't have to be eczema related. They can be any forum or board that talks about anything remotely to do with eczema. Like allergies, or home remedies. Share your knowledge on the world wide web!

4. Talk at schools/baby groups. Talking to parents could help them with a present issue, or make them aware of something that could happen in the future. Eczema can appear at anytime. And also just because one child doesn't suffer, it doesn't mean another of their children wont either. Talking to children can make them aware of eczema, and to understand the basics of it. This can help when a classmate is a sufferer

5. Start a local support group. This is quite a biggie. This is definitely something I am looking into doing in the near future. There is no better support than from people who are dealing with the same issues. As a group you support each other, as well as raising awareness. Whether its organising a fundraising event, holding a stall at a health fair, or talking to the press, you will get so much more done as a group



Please share any stories you have of any ways that you have helped to raise awareness of eczema. I am especially interested in hearing from anyone who runs a support group. Contact me here




Keeping Up-To-Date With What is Eczema


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The October edition of Eczema Bulletin will include

  • October's Featured Article – Immunisation and Eczema
  • My favourite news item of the month
  • Tip of the Month
  • 5 ways to.....use an emollient



Hope you enjoyed September's Eczema Bulletin, and thanks for reading

Teri


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