by Ffjorren Zolfagar |
The month of February offers cool, crisp winter days. Temperatures remain low and the air is quite dry. As we head outdoors, our skin becomes vulnerable to the harsh winter elements sometimes causing a rash.
The common skin rash is, simply put, any eruption of the skin. It is also referred to as Dermatitis in the medical world, which means inflammation of the skin. Symptoms might include red inflamed skin, scaly dry patches, hives or little bumps. No matter what it looks like, it almost always itches. This constant uncomfortable state can leave you irritable and often times, affects sleep.
To combat this overall irritation, start with diagnosing the rash. There are many types of rashes, but a few are more common than others. Eczema rashes are usually accompanied with red and dry scaly patches of skin. These rashes tend to be hereditary and begin in early childhood. The rash comes and goes throughout one’s life, but does not follow any particular pattern. An eczema breakout is normally triggered by an allergy to things like seasonal changes, food, soaps, detergents or perfumes.
Contact Dermatitis refers to a rash that develops from something that came into contact with your skin and causes an allergic reaction, like poison ivy, perfumes or metals. It can also occur from an external irritant, like washing your hands too often or taking frequent, hot showers.
Heat rash is another common rash that normally occurs during the summer months. The rash begins when sweat becomes trapped under the skin. The sweat ducts become blocked and appears red and inflamed. It might cause a “prickly” or stinging sensation. Children tend to be afflicted with this rash more often than adults.
Other rashes include viral rashes (shingles, herpes or chickenpox) and fungal and bacteria infection based rashes (ringworm and impetigo). These rashes often occur as a byproduct of a virus or infection itself. Viral rashes typically last for a few days and they tend to go away on their own. Rashes derived from fungal and bacterial infections are treated with antifungal creams and oral antibiotics. The natural treatment for these rashes is based on the infection itself, however one can use natural rash remedies to soothe and heal the skin, as noted later in this article.
Common skin rashes often get lumped into one treatment category. Doctors generally prescribe a topical steroid cream or suggest an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. If it is an allergic reaction, they’ll suggest you avoid the substance or material that caused the rash.
Here are a few natural remedies that could help soothe and heal the above mentioned skin rashes:
Natural skin rash relief:
- Soak a washcloth in cool water, wring it and apply to the affected area for at least 10 minutes. Repeat as necessary. For more relief, try using cooled Comfrey tea.
- Natural creams with Vitamin E oil, Calendula and chamomile provide quick relief for irritated skin. There are a variety of natural itch relief lotions at your local health food stores.
- Add Oat straw powder or extract to a bath to help reduce inflammation and itching.
- Use calendula, chamomile, elder flower, and tea tree oil as an external, soothing wash. Smooth Emu oil on the rash as it will aid and expedite healing time.
- Take a lukewarm shower instead of a bath and do it every few days as opposed to daily.
- Wear loose fitting clothing, preferably cotton.
- Change out your washcloth or bathing sponge after each use.
- Avoid contact with common skin irritants like chemicals, dust and water.
Specific rash care:
Cradle Cap
- Use a calendula cream or vitamin E oil to help soothe and heal the dry skin.
- Apply aloe vera gel to help restore the skin.
- Apply evening primrose oil as a natural anti-inflammatory.
- Apply almond oil to aid in moisturizing.
Diaper Rash
- A warm bath with calendula or chamomile helps soothe the skin.
- Apply a baking soda and water mixture to the rash to balance the acidity of urine and stool.
- Apply evening primrose oil as a natural anti-inflammatory and Emu oil to soothe and heal the rash.
- Have your child go without a diaper as much as possible as the air and sunlight aid in “drying“ up the rash.
Heat Rash
- Peel a medium cucumber and puree it in a blender or food processor for approximately 10 seconds.
- Strain any excess water out.
- Apply the cucumber puree to the rash and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Wash off the cucumber puree and apply a soothing cream with Calendula, Vitamin E oil or Emu oil.
Soaps that heal:
You will need a glycerin soap base, which you can purchase from a natural/health foods store. Melt the soap base in a double boiler. You will also need soap molds.
Balsam of Peru and Benzoin Anti-itch Soap
Ingredients:
- 2 cups glycerin soap base
- 1 tablespoon tincture of balsam of Peru (herb)
- 1 tablespoon tincture of benzoic
Combine melted soap base and herbal materials. Stir until blended and then pour into molds. Cool and store the soap wrapped in opaque paper.
Baby’s Bottom Repair Soap (to prevent and treat diaper rash)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups glycerin soap base
- 3 tablespoons slippery elm powder
- 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
- 1 tablespoon balsam of Peru oil
Mix together slippery elm, vegetable glycerin, and balsam of Peru oil until smooth. Add to the glycerin soap base. Mix well and pour into molds. Cool and store the soap wrapped in opaque paper.
As you look at nature to remedy your skin rash, make sure you consult a physician, dermatologist, homeopath, holistic practitioner or naturopath if the rash persists. Also keep in mind that experts suggest 75 percent of rashes in children are allergy related. Therefore, it would be wise to consider allergy testing for your children and even yourself.
References:
- Rash 101: Introduction to common skin rashes. www.medicinenet.com.
- Babies and skin rashes. www.optiderma.com.
- Maine, Sandy. Soothing Soaps for healthy skin. Interweave Press, Inc., 1997.
- Balch, Phyllis. Prescription for nutritional healing. Penguin books, 2006.
- Soothe heat rash fast: when you can’t stop scratching, try these natural solutions. Natural Health, July 2003.
- Iannelli, M.D., Vincent. Heat Rash. Pediatric Dermatology Basics. www.about.com, March 2009.
