It is important in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis to treat the cause of the disease and the aggravating factors in as many ways as possible. Those who modify their lifestyles, mind their eating habits, and reduce their level of stress often experience a much greater degree of eczema and psoriasis clearing. While you try to treat the symptoms that are most visible and distressing with topical treatments, you should try to treat the cause! If we find and treat the cause, then maybe all the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis need not occur! Good health for your skin as well as your entire body may require a permanent lifestyle change that will reward you with a longer life and more beautiful skin to wear during those extra years. Changing your habits is the best natural treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.

A picture can be worth a thousand words. Before implementing the lifestyle changes, take a picture of your eczema and/or psoriasis affected skin so you can see the cause and effect of each lifestyle change in 2-3 months by taking an "after" picture.

You will find these recommendations very effective in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis even if you do not order Dermatitis-Ltd III.

  1. Keep the body well hydrated with alkaline water. The smallest person should consume at least 8 glasses of water a day (eight ounce glass). The average person should consume 10 to 12 glasses daily. And a person with an above average exercise program or that lives in a cold climate should have 12 to 16 glasses. Christie Brinkley, a well-known international model, weighs only 135 pounds and averages 12 to 16 glasses per day (3 to 4 liters)! Drinking alkaline water is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and skin condition.
  2. Be sure to moisturize your body with creams or lotions such as Jojoba oil (found in most health stores), Keri lotion, 10% urea cream, or Eucerin. Vaseline and ointments can cause the sweat glands to become blocked and make rashes worse. Therefore, they should be avoided.
  3. Use soap substitutes such as Cetaphil "gentle cleansing bar for dry sensitive skin" (not the aggressive antibacterial for acne, the oily skin, or the Cetaphil pump liquid with two alcohols), Emulave, or Neutrogena. Cetaphil cleansing bars can be purchased at your local drug store or pharmacy. Bubble bath should never be used as it may cause dryness and irritation of the eczema and/or psoriasis.
  4. Reduce or eliminate coffee and other stimulants as well as reducing or eliminating alcohol. Stimulants and alcohol are acidic and work against your attempts to cure your eczema and/or psoriasis!
  5. Avoid skin irritants such as animal dander (dogs and cats), feathers, harsh fabrics (denim and corduroy), tight clothing, and sometimes even wool and silk. Cotton clothing is recommended as much as possible.
  6. Launder clothing with mild soap or detergent (Dreft, Ivory Snow, certain sans-additive detergents such as Tide Free). Use no additives such as enzymes, fabric softeners. Wash new clothing prior to wearing.
  7. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl by Parke-Davis (25 mg.), can be taken after 7:00 PM to control itching, which tends to be worse at night.
  8. Keep nails clean and short to prevent scratching, which can lead to worse irritation or infection.
  9. Avoid temperature and humidity extremes. Don't overdress or overheat. When humidity is low as during the winter in heated homes, a humidifier may be helpful.
  10. Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools. Lake and ocean swimming is fine. Apply moisturizers afterwards.