I'm back from a break! I have been taking classes and making products for the last few months. It has been busy and busy feels good. I wanted to spend time talking about a common condition that I get asked about all the time, Dermatitis. This ranges from eczema to psoriasis or other minor rashes or skin irritations.
Traditional treatments may leave you searching for options. So many of the drug store brand products either have strong medicinal scents or contain useless chemicals with little to no relief. One type of solution for you might be essential oils. They can be used in aromatherapy or diluted with a carrier oil for topical use.
Eczema and Psoriasis are most common. Both conditions cause red, itchy, and dry rashes that range from mild to severe. You sometimes can't help but want to scratch the itchy patches which cause further damage to your skin, putting you at risk for infection. Essential oils that are anti-pruritic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and emollient can help to support skin health while reducing the number or severity of flare-ups. Here are some options to consider:
Important: Essential oils are not FDA regulated and may cause side effects, so a person may want to check with their doctor before using them.
- Tea Tree Essential Oil: Tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree plant. It’s used for a variety of skin conditions. It has been proven to be an effective antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatment. However, consult with your physician about using any treatments outside of their recommendations as you may be allergic to Tea Tree oil or other oils.
- Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint oil is considered to have numerous health benefits, such as the ability to relieve indigestion and calm nausea. Some people claim it can also be applied topically to reduce itching.
- Chamomile Essential Oil: Chamomile is a traditional treatment that may soothe and calm eczema, inflammation, and skin infections. One study found that essential oils can penetrate into the deeper layers of a person’s skin, and may therefore be useful as an anti-inflammatory.
- Geranium Essential Oil: Extracts from the geranium shrub contain over 12 active ingredients that are anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Studies report that they act against a range of bacteria and can help with acne.
- Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender essential oil is a pain-reliever, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic. It also helps stimulate wound healing while repelling insects. It’s usually gentle enough for sensitive skin types. Lavender has been studied to calm the entire nervous system with some effectiveness, so diffusing it can help ease allergies and itchiness caused by anxiety and stress.
- Patchouli Essential Oil: Patchouli is a bushy herb in the mint family that typically grows to a height of 2–3 feet and produces small white or pink flowers. The essential oil is derived from the plant's leaves. It can be used to aid in skincare for cracked skin, dry skin, inflammation, dandruff, dermatitis, minor skin infections, small wounds, athlete’s foot, and more. Patchouli is known to have properties such as antidepressant, antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, deodorant, aphrodisiac, calming, and grounding. This is one of my personal favorite essential oils. You can find quality Patchouli EO here.
- Calendula Oil: Calendula oil comes from the calendula, or marigold, flower. It has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Calendula also stimulates the production of collagen which assists in the healing process. The oil we get from Calendula officinalis is not a true extract or essential oil, it is infused oil that is produced by soaking the wilted calendula flower petals in a carrier oil like olive oil for several weeks, then sifting the petals out and the result is calendula infused oil. Calendula oil is excellent for healing skin conditions such as eczema or another dermatitis. You can find quality organic calendula oil here.
I personally make many of the Lucky Chameleon products with homemade-infused calendula oil, here are a few:
At the end of the day, some studies suggest that essential oils like Tea Tree and Patchouli may help ease inflammation and lower the risk of infection, but we don't know how well they will work. That is dependent on the severity of your condition, your health in general, and your physician's recommendations. Your best move is to connect with a dermatologist, herbalist, or holistic practitioner to understand your options. For more information on dermatitis, visit the American Academy of Dermatology.
In the meantime, keep a lookout for new Lucky Chameleon products to help aid in dermatitis symptoms!
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. The information provided or product sold is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional. All of the statements in this blog are my personal opinion and are not intended as medical advice.
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