Q. Do you know of any home remedies for help in relieving symptoms of eczema? When humidity is low, my skin condition is aggravated something awful. It gets dry, itchy, red and ugly where it cracks and peels.
A. This time of year is exceptionally rough on skin conditions such as eczema or dry skin. There are many remedies that may work together to ease symptoms.
One reader had success by putting Pepto-Bismol on the itchy patches. Others report that old-fashioned Noxzema skin cream can ease symptoms. Another moisturizer, CeraVe, also has supporters.
We have summarized these and many other options in our Guide to Skin Care & Treatment. Some readers also find oral supplements helpful. Old-fashioned additions such as cod liver oil and brewers yeast have provided some with good results; others use probiotics as well as fatty acid supplements such as borage oil or hemp seed oil. Oolong tea has been tested scientifically and found helpful (Archives of Dermatology, Jan., 2001).
