SPECIAL REPORT: ECZEMA

When I go out, I usually have a couple of bars of soap with me to give away to people I meet. One woman I met was concerned about her daughter's eczema. She has been looking for solutions to help her child. I let her know that I would do some research and develop an eczema set for her child to help relieve discomfort caused by eczema.

There are many chemicals in body care and cleaning products. A lot of these chemicals have been shown to increase the frequency, duration and severity of eczema outbreaks. There are many ways to reduce your suffering - but first you need to know what could be making it worse.

Household chemicals such as spray cleaners, floor cleaners, candles scented with synthetic fragrances, and products that contain heavy fragrances should be avoided. While not directly in contact with the skin, the chemicals hang in the air and settle on surrounding surfaces, much like cigarette smoke. These air-borne particles come in contact with the skin, increasing the risks of more frequent and severe outbreaks of eczema.

It is easy to make and use natural cleaning solutions to reduce household environmental toxins in your home that could be increasing the frequency, duration and severity of eczema outbreaks. There are hundreds resources both online and in book stores that contain the information you need to reduce or eliminate chemical-laden conventional household cleaning products. If you are a candle-freak like me, switch to beeswax candles without synthetic fragrances. The sweet aroma of beeswax creates a warm and wonderful environment without heavy perfumes. You also have the option of using a diffuser for essential oils to give your home wonderful natural aromas without irritating eczema-prone skin.