Treating Eczema & Dermatitis with Manuka Honey Ointment

No doubt, there are many treatment methods for both Eczema and Dermatitis that sufferers have tried. Manuka Honey Concentrated Ointment could be the perfect solution to your discomfort. Research tells us that these natural alternatives can avoid exposing ourselves or your child to unnecessary chemicals found in many eczema and dermatitis treatments.

In our range of Manuka Honey Ointment, we suggest using our Therapeutic Skin Cream after every shower, bath or swimming. This will put moisture back into your skin and the Manuka Ointment will soak in very quickly to start to repair. Our Manuka Power Ointment also protects your skin. Manuka Power Ointment naturally offers some sun protection but sunscreen is still advised to be applied if you are going outdoors.

What is Eczema or Dermatitis?

Eczema is a general term encompassing various inflamed skin conditions.  One of the most common forms is Atopic Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis.  It is a chronic, non-infectious, inflammatory skin condition usually causing itching and sometimes accompanied by crusting, scaling or blisters. It is very common and affects nearly a third of Australians during some stage of their life.

 

                               

  Other symptoms include overall dryness of the skin, redness and inflammation.  Constant scratching can also cause the skin to split, leaving it prone to infection.  Fortunately, many children find the disease clears and disappears with age. 

A powerful recommendation

For those seeking treatment for more serious conditions, we suggest a more powerful Manuka Honey, and, if your eczema or dermatitis is very bad, try Manuka Power Concentrated Ointment. This product is 30% Manuka Honey, so it is very concentrated and can be used in conjunction with the Therapeutic Skin Cream.

  1. Being a natural product, the Therapeutic Skin Cream can be applied as many times during the day as required but as part of your every day routine it should be applied to your neck, arms and legs after every shower, bath or swimming. You should be doing this all the time, not just when your skin is inflamed - this should become part of your daily routine. The idea of Manuka Honey and Eczema treatment, while new, has the potential to offer the much needed relief you’ve been searching for.
  2. For the areas that are extremely bad, apply some MANUKA POWER ointment - this can be applied before or after the Therapeutic Skin Cream. So, use both products when your skin is extremely bad.
  3. When your skin is so bad that it has broken the skin, apply Manuka Honey to your skin rash or condition in its purest form to the broken skin for 3-5 days until the affected area has been covered with a scab or new skin. Then apply the Therapeutic Skin Cream as normal.

Manuka Power Concentrated Ointment is excellent on broken skin - it has natural antibacterial properties that helps heal and stops infections.

If symptoms persist, and Manuka Honey for your skin rash or other condition is not improving, please consult your healthcare practitioner.

If you are unsure of what your skin irritation might be, we have included some handy facts below

Different types of eczema:

Atopic Eczema - thought to be a hereditary condition being genetically linked. Associated atopic conditions include asthma and hayfever.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis - develops when the body's immune system reacts against a substance in contact with the skin. The allergic reaction often develops over a period of time through repeated contact with the substance.

Infantile Seborrhoeic Eczema - a common condition affecting babies under one year old. Also referred to as cradle cap, usually starting on the scalp or the nappy area.

Adult Seborrhoeic Eczema - usually affects adults between the ages of 20-40. First seen on the scalp as mild dandruff but can spread to the face, ears and chest. The skin becomes red, inflamed and starts to flake.

Nummular Eczema (Nummular Dermatitis) - A stubborn, itchy rash that forms coin-shaped patches on the skin. The lesions as they get older may clear in the centre or become scaly and then resemble fungus (ringworm).

Dyshidrotic Eczema - a condition in which small blisters that cause intense itching develop on the hands and feet. They are most common along the edges of the fingers, toes, palms and soles. The vesicles produce intense itching and scratching leads to skin changes with thickening.

Perioral Dermatitis - a common facial skin problem in adult women. Groups of itchy or tender small red spots appear most often around the mouth. They spare the skin bordering the lips but develop on the chin, upper lip and cheeks.

Dermatitis Seborreica - the overproduction of skin cells and the skin's oil (sebum). Causing red, flaky, slightly itchy skin in areas that have many oil-producing glands such as the scalp, face, chest and back. The area from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth may be affected as well as the scalp of infants.

Stasis dermatitis - is a common inflammatory skin disease that occurs on the lower extremities in patients with chronic venous insufficiency with venous hypertension. The condition typically affects middle-aged and elderly patients.

Dermatitis herpetiformis - a chronic, extremely itchy rash consisting of bumps and blisters. Dermatitis herpetiformis is linked to sensitivity of the intestine to gluten in the diet (celiac sprue). It usually begins in persons 20 and older, though children may sometimes be affected. It is seen in both men and women.

Diaper Dermatitis - diaper rash is an irritation of the skin covering the groin, lower stomach, upper thighs and buttocks.

What Causes Eczema?

Although the cause of eczema is unknown, the condition appears to be an abnormal response to the body's immune system. In people with eczema, the inflammatory response to irritating substances overacts, causing itching and scratching.

Many substances have been identified as itch 'triggers' in patients with eczema and triggers are not the same for every person. Many times it is difficult to identify the exact trigger that causes a flare-up.

For some, it seems that rough or coarse materials coming into contact with the skin causes itchiness. For others, feeling too hot and/or sweating will cause an outbreak. Other people find that certain soaps, detergents, disinfectants, contact with juices from fresh fruits and meats, dust mites and animal saliva may trigger itching.

How Can Eczema Be Prevented?

Eczema outbreaks can usually be avoided with some simple precautions. The following suggestions may help to reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups.

  • avoid sweating and overheating
  • avoid sudden changes in temperature or humidity
  • reduce stress
  • choose cotton clothing and bedding instead of synthetic or woollen fabrics which tend to cause irritation to the skin
  • avoid fabric softeners and use non-biological washing powders
  • avoid harsh soaps, detergents and solvents
  • avoid environmental factors that may 'trigger' allergies such as pollens, moulds, mites etc.

                               

    Dry & Cracked Skin

    Dry skin can be uncomfortable and unsightly, turning plump cells into shrivelled ones and creating fine lines and wrinkles long before they are due.  Ordinary dry skin (xerosis) usually isn't serious, however, the inherited forms of dry skin (ichthyosis) can sometimes be disfiguring and may cause psychological distress to people living with them.

    Dry Skin Symptoms

    Dehydration of the skin can cause it to become dry and cracked.  This may only be a temporary problem brought on, for instance, by the colder weather in winter.  However, other environmental factors including exposure to wind, salt water, sun, harsh soaps or chemicals can also lead to the skin becoming dry, flaky and cracked.  Other signs of dry skin you may experience include:

    • the skin feeling tight especially after showering or swimming
    • fine lines or cracks appearing in the skin
    • the skin feeling itchy or scaly
    • deep fissures appear that may bleed
    • severe redness

    Before and after photos of cracked heals:

            

    What causes dry skin?

    Factors which contribute to dry and cracked skin include:

    • contact with harsh soaps, detergents and solvents
    • cooler climatic conditions
    • exposure to wind, sun or salt water
    • central heating, air conditioning, wood stoves and heaters
    • increasing age, resulting in decreased natural lubrication
    • poor diet - nutritional deficiencies can contribute to dry skin.

    How to treat dry skin

    In most cases dry skin problems respond well to self-care measures.  Although it may not be possible to achieve flawless skin, the following measures can help keep your skin healthy.

    • drink eight glasses of water each day
    • take showers less frequently to retain your skin's natural oils which help hold in moisture
    • avoid harsh, drying soaps and use a cleansing cream instead
    • use a humidifier in your room or leave a pan of water on your radiator to evaporate and put some moisture into the air
    • use a lip balm or moisturiser to protect your lips
    • regular exercise benefits the skin as it boosts circulation and encourages blood flow
    • moisturise often with Nature's Gold Therapeutic Skin Cream to rehydrate the dry areas of skin.  The hydroscopic effect of the Manuka Honey will provide nourishment and hydration to eliminate dry and cracked skin and the antibacterial properties of the cream will also assist the healing process where the surface of the skin has been damaged.

    To purchase Nature's Gold Therapeutic Skin Cream, Manuka Power Concentrated Ointment or our Manuka Intensive Hand Cream click the links or call 1300 309 128.