By Dr Harsh Sharma, DHMS, BHMS

Published August 18, 2018, Last updated November 17, 2018

Eczema is an allergic skin disease that can be very distressing for the patient. The tragic part is that it is not easy to cure. The allopathic system of medicine which is the most prevalent everywhere and where most of the patients head first of all, does not have any lasting cure for eczema. Compared to that, homeopathy is much more effective. Homeopathic medicines are able to completely cure eczema though it takes some time. Before we learn more about the best homeopathic medicines for eczema, we should know a little bit more about eczema, its cause and symptoms.

What is Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema is a chronic skin disease causing the skin to ‘boil out’. Eczema is the commonly used name for the medical condition ‘dermatitis’. Dermatitis is the inflammation of the dermis or the skin. Therefore, eczema is the inflammation of the skin. This inflammation can be caused due to various reasons, though allergy is the most common reason.

What causes Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis

Usually patients suffering from eczema have other allergies too. That is why increased incidence in families is seen. This may be of the respiratory system or any other system of the body. Family history of allergies is also common. A weak immunity over reacts to certain responses. This over reaction of the immunity is the root cause of the problem.

Symptoms of Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis

The usual symptoms of eczema are redness, itching, scaling and thickening of the skin.

Itching is the most predominant symptom. At times the itching is so intense that one is forced to scratch the area till it bleeds.

A thick crust like layer is formed on the skin which may give a leathery look to the skin.

In some cases, there may be oozing of a discharge from the affected area . The discharge is often watery and sticky. This is known as wet eczema.

In other cases, there is no oozing of any discharge and the skin remains dry. This is often known as dry eczema.

Treatment of Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis

Out of habit, the first line of treatment for most patients is the nearby allopathic doctor or their family doctor. The usual line of treatment of a few anti-allergics and a couple of medicines to stop the itching are resorted to. For some days, the patient feels better. After some time, the problem starts again. Then some stronger medicines are given or the patient is referred to a skin specialist. The skin specialist also prescribes some more of the same creams, although with different brand names. If those too don’t work, steroidal creams and then oral steroids are given. Sooner or later, they also stop working. Most of the patients have a bitter experience of the allopathic system of medicine’s treatment of eczema or atopic dermatitis. That is because the creams and the medicines prescribed are only palliative in nature. They are able to relieve the problem temporarily. After some time, the problem returns and one is forced to apply even stronger creams.

Can Homeopathy cure Eczema

Under these circumstances, patients look for a treatment that can cure atopic dermatitis or eczema completely, once and for all. That is why the first question patients ask is whether Homeopathy can cure eczema. There is a difference between the word ‘cure’ and ‘treat’. Patients want to get cured and not treated. They have had enough of treatment. Here is where Homeopathy comes in. The homeopathic system of medicine does not believe in suppressing the problem. Rather, the disease is cured from the roots. It takes some time for the homeopathic medicines to cure the problem but once cured, it does not recur.

Homeopathic medicines for Eczema

In Homeopathy, the stress is on improving the poor or the weak immune system. As mentioned above, allergy is the manifestation of a hyperactive immunity. Therefore instead of just treating the symptoms of the allergy, Homeopathy goes to the very basic cause of the problem and sets right the immune system. Once the immunity is in order and stops over reacting to ordinary stimuli, the allergy is cured.

Why homeopathic treatment for eczema is better than allopathy

In Allopathy, anti-histaminics or immunosuppressant medicines like steroids are used which only give temporary relief, with the problem returning once the medicine is stopped. On the other hand, during Homeopathy treatment of eczema, allergy is cured by strengthening the immune system and the symptoms subside on their own. At the same time, it needs to be understood that this is purely natural eczema treatment. No steroids or anti allergic medicines are used. The immunity is strengthened by Homeopathy instead of being suppressed as happens with allopathic treatment.

5 Best Homeopathic remedies for Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis

On the basis of my experience of treating eczema with Homeopathy, I am giving the 5 best Homeopathic remedies for eczema or atopic dermatitis. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these 5 Homeopathic medicines have been found to be very effective.

Here are the 5 best homeopathic remedies for eczema or atopic dermatitis-

Graphites – best homeopathic medicine for eczema with thick discharge

Mezereum – best eczema treatment in homeopathy with crust formation

Hepar Sulph – best homeopathic medicine for atopic dermatitis with pus formation

Dulcamara – best medicine for eczema worse in cold damp weather

Sulphur- best medicine for eczema with burning

Your eczema might be required to be treated with a different medicine and the right choice of medicine can only be made after a careful analysis of the symptoms, history, family history, allergies, eating and drinking habits, body’s reaction to temperature and other symptoms related to your personality. Having said that, one needs to make it known that these 5 homeopathic remedies for Eczema are most commonly indicated and used. These have the potential to cure eczema completely so that there is no recurrence of the problem. Of course, one needs to be patient and give some time to the medicines to take effect.

A brief description of the symptoms of the 5 best homeopathic medicines for eczema is being given below-

1. Graphites-One of the best Homeopathic medicines for Eczema or atopic dermatitis with thick oozing

Where there is oozing of thick and sticky discharge from the eruptions, Graphites is the best Homeopathic medicine for eczema or atopic dermatitis. Usually the patient is obese and suffers from constipation. Such patients are more likely to be sensitive to the cold weather.The skin is rough and hard. In unaffected areas, the skin is dry. It is often indicated in females with menstrual difficulties. The menses are late and scanty.

2. Mezereum- One of the best Homeopathic remedies for Eczema or atopic dermatitis with crust formation

When there is formation of a crust, more so on the head, Mezereum is the best Homeopathic medicine for eczema. The head is usually covered with a thick, leather like crust. Pus collects just below the crust. The itching is intolerable and is worse in the bed. The patient feels better in open air and is worse at night.

3. Hepar Sulphur- One of the best Homeopathic medicines for Eczema or atopic dermatitis with pus formation

In cases, where suppuration or pus formation is most marked, Hepar Sulphur is the most useful medicine for atopic dermatitis or eczema. There is intense itching in the area affected by eczema. There are deep cracks on the skin. The patient is sensitive to touch and also to cold air but is better in the damp weather. The eruptions aggravate in winters. The sensitivity to cold is so much that the person cannot uncover himself even for a moment. Even if a door is opened in the other room, he will feel the cold and often starts reacting or sneezing because of the change in temperature. For such a patient, Hepar Sulph is often the best homeopathic medicine for eczema.

4. Dulcamara- One of the best Homeopathic medicines for Eczema or atopic dermatitis worse in the cold damp weather

For eruptions that aggravate in the cold damp weather, Dulcamara is one of the best homeopathic medicines for eczema or atopic dermatitis. The itching is also worse in cold damp weather. There is the formation of thick brown yellow crusts which bleed when scratched.

5. Sulphur- One of the best Homeopathic medicines for Eczema with burning

If there is intense burning along with itching in the eczematous parts, then Sulphur is the best Homeopathic medicine for eczema. The problems tend to get worse in heat and in summers. The skin is usually dry and looks unhealthy. The itching is worse from warmth and in the evening. There are often other skin problems too that may affect the person. Usually family history of skin diseases is also seen in such cases. The patient often feels hungry in the morning around 11 am.

FAQs on homeopathy for eczema

क्या एक्जिमा का होम्योपैथिक इलाज संभव है?

एक्जिमा का होम्योपैथिक इलाज बहुत ही बढ़िया है और पूरी तरह से एक्जिमा को जड़ से खत्म कर देता है.

Which are the best homeopathic remedies for eczema on legs?

There are no separate homeopathic remedies for eczema on legs. All the homeopathic remedies are capable of eczema on legs. The only condition is that the symptoms of the medicine and that of the patient should match.

Are there any effective homeopathic medicines for eczema and itchy skin?

Yes, there are many effective homeopathic medicines for itchy skin and eczema. Itchy skin is a common symptom of eczema. Five of the most commonly indicated medicines for eczema have been given above.