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Health: Treat eczema with coconut oilKarachi, Mar 04, 2009 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- Eczema is a dermatological term for extra dry or inflamed skin. Its also known as: atopic eczema, atopic dermatitis and infantile eczema. Eczema is a chronic skin disorder characterized by itching rashes, which may be red, scaly, dry, or leathery. Eczema is usually a persistent, itchy skin condition consisting of skin dryness and inflammation (manifested by redness of the skin, crusting and thickening of the skin). Eczema is an inflammation of the skin and may be associated with an allergic reaction, although the cause is often unknown. Eczema is a commonly inherited condition; it often affects people with a family history of allergies, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Research into the cause of eczema is still in the beginning stages. Many people do not realize that eczema is not contagious and a child might be unnecessarily sent home from school. Atopic eczema is a chronic, recurring condition with flares (which are active or new patches of eczema) and remissions (when eczema is not as active). An attack of eczema is usually described as acute or chronic, but the only distinction lies in the greater or less intensity of the inflammation at the time of description. It doesnt have anything to do with the length of time that the disease has lasted. A severe attack of eczema is usually accompanied by some slight constitutional disturbance, but the general health seldom suffers appreciably, unless, as occasionally, the itching is so bad as to make sleep impossible. However, eczema is actually dermatitis that is in advanced, more serious stages. Childhood eczema is sometimes found behind the knee or in the bend of an elbow and will often completely clear up by the time the child reaches puberty. Irritant Contact Eczema is caused by contact with a substance that could be encountered daily, such as soaps, certain chemicals, and detergents. Varicose Eczema is a condition found in the lower leg. In adults, eczema is commonly located on the inner elbow or behind the knee. Other more serious types of eczema include nummular, discoid and dyshidrotic. The use of coconut oil is found beneficial for healing eczema or dermatitis. Unprocessed organic virgin coconut oil soothes immediately and goes to work on healing eczema, dermatitis or just about any skin condition. Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). It is the MCFA that give coconut oil its healing benefits. The majority of fats and oils in our diets, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or come from animals or plants, are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Some 98 to 100% of all the fatty acids you consume are LCFA. MCFA are very different from LCFA. They do not have any negative effect on cholesterol and hence, protect the body against from any form of heart disease. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. There are only a very few good dietary sources of MCFA. By far the best sources are from coconut and palm kernel oils. Lauric acid, known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, contributes about 50% of the fatty acid in coconut fat. Lauric acid, which is also contained in mothers milk, is the most essential fatty acid for the building of an immune system. In the body, it is converted to monolaurin, a powerful monoglyceride that destroys lipid-coated viruses (such as cytomegalovirus, HIV, herpes, and influenza) as well as pathogenic bacteria. Coconut Oil To Heal Eczema Skin The MCFA help restore damaged skin, by penetrating into the cell structures of the connective tissues. Hence, it is excellent as a natural eczema treatment, for other skin disorders as well as for anti-ageing purposes. It also helps prevent the skin from developing liver spots, by destroying free radical formation. MCFA in coconut oil help to prevent fungal and bacterial infections in the skin. At least one type of bacterium feeds on the sebum of our skin, breaking down the tryglycerides of the coconut oil into free fatty acids. When they are broken apart into free fatty acids, they become powerful antimicrobials, killing disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The combination of the slightly acid pH of the skin and the MCFA provides a protective chemical layer on the skin that prevents infection from disease-causing organisms. When you bathe or shower, ordinary soap tends to wash off the acid mantle of your skin. Applying coconut oil helps to restore the protective layer of your skin. It helps to reduce any inflammation and is healing to wounds, blood blisters and rashes. |