Living with an itch you want to scratch? No, we’re not talking about that lingering curiosity, we’re talking about eczema, that dry, itchy skin condition that plagues one in three Australians.
If you suffer from eczema you’ll be all too familiar with the feeling of flaky, scale-like skin, of scratching at the sight of dust and waking to bleeding elbows. It’s not only irritating but it can be downright painful.
According to Dr Michael Freeman, Principal Dermatologist at The Skin Centre Suite, triggers of eczema include stress, foods, preservatives, chemicals, pollens, dust mites, toiletries and weather conditions.
With so many indicators, no real cure and a prevention that would entail wrapping ourselves in bubble wrap in a sterile room for eternity, it can be hard to find relief. So, we’ve done some research and found three very different treatments that may be just what you’ve been itching for.
3 eczema treatments you’ve been itching for
MediHoney
We love it on toast and in our tea but did you know that Manuka honey has also been proven to help relieve eczema? That’s right, medical grade antibacterial Manuka honey is used in hospitals around the world as it has been clinically-proven to help support wound healing, and relieve itching and scaling within one week for people with chronic seborrheic dermatitis of scalp, face and chest. Comvita’s eczema care range, MediHoney utilises the healing power of Manuka honey to combat the condition with a three-step solution.
Shop → MediHoney Range
Skin Friend
Traditionally treated with topical ointments, Skin Friend (which took ten years in the making), is the first oral treatment of its kind. It was developed by Karen Fischer, author of The Eczema Diet and nutritionist at Eczema Life Clinic, who began prescribing it to her patients after the successful treatment of her daughter. Today, this holistic alternative has attracted an international client base due to its effectiveness in healing the skin through supporting the immune system and targeting the root of the problem. The Skin Friend kit includes two oral supplements along with an acid-alkaline food chart and eczema-friendly food chart to encourage patients to target eczema from within. All products are 100% vegan, gluten free and with no added nasties.
Shop → Skin Friend Kit ($63.60)
Eau Thermale Avène
The Avène XeraCalm A.D. Lipid Replenishing range provides immediate, deep moisturising relief from dry, tight skin caused by age, weather and in particular, atopic dermatitis or eczema. Specifically formulated with a combination of ingredients, the XeraCalm collection nourishes, repairs and protects the skin by providing soothing relief of conditions and increasing the derma resistance to external aggressors. Comprising both a balm and an oil, when used together, the duo provide lasting hydration for 48 hours and has been shown to soothe itching by up to 97 percent within the first month of use.
Shop → Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm Balm ($37.99) & Oil ($41.99)