Apart from herbal supplements that can help to heal from within, topical creams when applied may help reduce inflammation, relieve itch or aid with wound healing. In the market, there are a few brands that you can look out for. Baby products are usually made using the gentlest ingredients, and product brands such as MooGoo, Four Cow Farm, Salcura and Egyptian Magic Cream are being used by many here in Singapore.
With all skin products, it is highly recommended that you do a patch test on a small area to see if you are allergic to the product.
This article will review some of these products while talking about three main presentations that are more common as the patient goes from acute flare to a more chronic skin condition.
1. Erythema
Erythema means redness of skin, the most indication of skin inflammation. If you are experiencing inflamed, red and angry rashes, you are probably in the acute stage of a flare. The following products can be considered:
Moogoo Products
The Moogoo Irritable Skin Balm (ISB) is an anti-inflammatory cream that can help soothe rashes over a period of time. It is a cream that aims to ‘treat’ the spreading rash. It will still require time to treat as this is a natural product.
As it is not as moisturizing, it is recommended that you consider also applying the Moogoo MSM Soothing Cream (mentioned under “Moisturisers”) onto affected areas as well, after Moogoo ISB.
Four Cow Farm Products
The Calendula Remedy is a deeply rich and emollient handcrafted cream for soothing irritated skin. Calendula is known for its antiseptic and inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries as an excellent soother for skin irritations. The Calendula Remedy has 80% organic calendula-infused olive oil, along with Vitamin E and organic roman chamomile.
Egyptian Magic Cream
Egyptian Magic Cream is touted by celebrities, and even doctors. There are only six ingredients in this cream: honey, beeswax, olive oil, royal jelly, bee pollen and bee propolis. The unique process combines these six simple ingredients to create a moisturising balm unlike any other. Beeswax’s anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-allergenic, and germicidal antioxidant properties, make it beneficial for wound healing.
There are no additives, preservatives, fragrances, chemicals or parabens. The cream can also help inflamed skin. Slightly oily, it is recommended to take a small amount, rub against your palms or fingers and gently pat on the affected skin area.
2. Oozing/Weeping
Oozing on open wounds can be a messy affair as it will stick onto clothes and bedsheets. These are some suggestions for you to apply to dry up the wounds.
Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is commonly used to treat wounds at all stages of healing because of its disinfectant properties. Baking soda can help remove hardened scabs, prevent scars from forming and lower the risk of developing infections around the wound. When combined with water, it turns baking soda into a mild antiseptic.
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Potassium Permanganate
Potassium Permanganate (PP) helps to clear ooze effectively. However, it is recommended that you use it moderately as it can be very drying. Soaking your body with potassium permanganate and water with concentration of 1:10,000 should be used (when it turns pink in colour). It might be stinging but it clears the ooze promptly. You can get potassium permanganate from drug stores or your nearest clinic.
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Zinc Oxide Creams
When zinc oxide is applied to the area around the wound, it provides the body with the extra zinc it needs to repair skin cells. Zinc oxide helps keep the wound area moist and clean. Most diaper cream meant for babies have zinc oxide in them (e.g. Desitin Maximum Strength Original Paste). It contains the maximum level of zinc oxide, and forms a protective barrier to heal and soothe the rash. The ones provided by Health Champions & Stephanie Apothecary have up to 50%.
Dead Sea Salt
If you have a bathtub at home, Dead Sea salt is a good option for comforting your skin. Ingredients include magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides. Magnesium is important for combating stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energises the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for the immune system function).
Note though that salt is not everybody’s preferred mode of bath, but is always worth a try.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts, otherwise known as Magnesium Sulphate, will help your tense muscles relax and also give relief from inflammation. This is also available at local drug stores. Just add a good amount of salt in the tub and soak yourself in.
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Herbal Drying Wash
At ChineseDoc.Sg, we have our own proprietary formula (stronger than PP or Zinc Oxide) for drying out any oozing lesions.
3. Dry Itch
Moisturisers may help calm the skin and relieve itch. These are some of the products you can consider.
Moogoo Products
Moogoo is an Australian company that advocates strongly on natural and safe products that are made with ingredients effectively designed for people with skin and scalp problems.
The MSM Soothing Cream is made from the moisturising base of the “Full Cream” with the addition of 10 per cent MSM (Organic Sulfur) and the removal of milk protein. MSM has skin calming properties that will help soothe the dryness and itch. It also has sweet almond oil, which is one of the best moisturising oil for irritated skin due to its essential fatty acid profile.
Four Cow Farm Products
Similar to the two brands above, Four Cow Farm products are made from premium food-grade ingredients, including its preservatives and emulsifiers. The products do not contain chemical-ladened ingredients such as parabens, propylene glycol, sulfates, artificial fragrances, etc.
Tea Tree Remedy is a product that you can consider using as it acts as a gentle all-natural barrier for soothing and protecting problem skin. It is made from natural beewax and extra virgin cold-pressed castor and macadamia oils, with the natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of organic tea tree pure essential oil. Tea Tree has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent properties and it helps heal eczema, yeast infections, and many other types of bacterial and fungal skin infections.
Salcura Natural Skin Therapy Products
Salcura products contain only natural ingredients from around the world without artificial chemicals or pharmaceutical products such as cortisones, parabens and paraffin.
Salcura DermaSpray is highly popular in the U.K. for its effective and practical solution for eczema. With sea buckthorn oil as its key ingredient, it helps to calm and soothe the skin. It also contains Omega 3, 6, 7 and 9, which help rejuvenate the skin. The spray is non-greasy and offers fast, deep skin absorption.
Salcura Zeoderm can also be used for skin that is particularly dry and cracked. With volcanic zeolite as its key ingredient, it helps to eliminate skin toxins and defends against skin cell damage.
Conclusion
The products mentioned above serves as a guide for you to cope with eczema, atopic dermatitis and topical steroid withdrawal. As with all natural products, it will take a period of time before the treatment will show result. During the process of experimenting on these products, your body will also be able to highlight the different allergies you might or might not have. We have to emphasize that a patch test is necessary before applying the cream on affected skin on the rest of the body. I hope this article has been useful.
