Dealing With Eczema & Dry Itchy Skin

Apricot Active Cream (Eczema Cream)

Eczema is a rash-like skin conditions that affects the skin. Also known as atopic dermatitis a skin condition that affects the skin. There are different types of eczema but I would list the most common; wet weeping eczema, dry itchy skin eczema, blistering skin eczema and the most common being atopic dermatitis. Eczema is not contagious it is  treatable but not totally curable. When dealing with eczema prone skin, sometimes many people find out that as soon as they stop using the prescribed product their skin flares up.However, all hope is not lost, If treated properly it could disappears or grown out of. But there is always a solution to help relive the problem. You are better of using natural products with gentle ingredients instead of harsh chemical based products or steroids that will dry out or thin out the skin and make it worse.

Anyone can develop eczema even in their later age.  If you are not sure why or what the cause is, there are a list of possibilities and causes. However, personally, you need to pin point what triggers or flares up your eczema, that way you are in a better position to mange whatever triggers it bearing in mind that people lead different life styles.Eczema triggers could be as a result of food allergies, sensitivity to dairy products, sensitivity to detergents in daily products or additives. It is also important to bear in mind that, people with eczema often develop sensitive skin and should be treated gently. Even using perfumed (synthetic ) skincare products can aggravate the skin due to the harsh chemicals that are not gentle on the skin. So be very careful when choosing products, don't choose them because they smell nice.Only make sure you know the ingredients that's been used in making them and that they are natural and gentle. 

In the United kingdom, more and more people both old and young are suffering from Eczema. According to statistics, An estimated 1.7 million people in the UK have eczema, and the numbers appear to be rising.Chronic itching can severely reduce their quality of life. 15 million people have some form of eczema. This tells me that this is still a misunderstood condition that people are fighting to understand. Because eczema affects people in different forms.

Brush with Eczema
A few years ago, when I first found out that the rashes on my daughters skin was eczema I was devastated. From then on, I suddenly began to notice people and children with eczema, where ever I went I saw a bit of scratching and itching here and there. At that point I promised my self that I would do everything to help find a solution to the problem.With this article, I hope to share a few tips and solutions that can help you manage and deal with eczema prone skin using natural remedies and methods. As you know, he skin is the largest organ of the body and understanding how it functions and the reason why we develop certain ailments is a very good way to look after yourself. Skin problems cause a huge amount discomfort as well as emotional stress and can make people sometimes feel unsure especially after trying so many different things that haven't worked. I totally believe If you understand a skin problem then you would understand how to deal with it or find solution to the problem.I have seen a lot of people from newly born to granny who have suffered dry and eczema prone skin. 

Questions to ask ?
1. Why this happens,
2. When it happens and
3. What particular time you mostly experience the flair ups.
Some triggers that may flare up eczema:
detergents and drying soaps
stress, fragrance, scratchy clothing (ie: wool), dairy products (sometimes nuts), dust mites
Using perfumed skincare products can aggravate the skin due to the harsh chemicals that are not gentle on the skin which often causes allergic reactions.
I believe If you understand a skin problem then you would understand how to deal with it or find solution to the problem.I have seen a lot of people from newly born to grannys who have suffered dry and eczema prone skin
Tips for dealing with Eczema
1. Make sure you add essential fatty acids to your diet like evening primrose oil, borage oil, flax seed, hemp, using supplement will help reduce the inflammatory response inside the body. Taking antioxidants such a betacarotene and vit C and E help boost the immune system.
2. Drinking herbal teas such as chamomile and nettle will help calm and stop itchy and allergic reactions.
3. Having Herbal bath using porridge oats in muslin cloth helps stop itching and especially soothing for babies and children. I suggest adding a few drops of lavender oil and olive oil in the bath to help lock in moisture
4. Apply an emollient cream regularly such as ours, that contain chickweed Safflower oil are soothing and healing and will help stop the itchy feeling. Topically use ointments with marigold. Those with mild eczema often report good result from using our Neroli dry skin cream
5. Those with moderate to itchy Eczema both adults and children have reported good results from using our Active Eczema cream. Which was developed as a result of our own family eczema problems.
Helpful home remedies for eczema
Oatmeal wash- run oat in a muslin cloth to help stop itching
Oil in bath to lock in moisture- choose oil with out any chemicals olive or almond
Wet wrapping:
Dehydrated skin should be constantly moisturised to lock and seal in.
Consult a practitioner to help you understand your skin ailment better.

Useful Resources
Talk eczema
eczema society

Solid Perfume (Making Perfumes)

I have been interested in fragrance and natural perfumery for as long as I can remember. My nose/interest for natural perfumes and essential oils led me to books on the subject, the more I read the more intrigued and fascinated I became. I finally followed my nose,  and this love of natural perfumes led  me to train as an Artisan Natural  Perfumer in 2010- to get a hands on feeling of different  blending techniques. I must add that it takes quite a considerable amount of time and dedication and some getting used to, to understand the vast number of oils and essences in perfumery. Even though I have been working with essential oils and botanicals for as long as I can remember in making my range of skincare products. The art of blending perfumes is extremely  creative, some may see it as a lot of work but I see it as calming, enjoyable and relaxing.

I created a new solid perfume recipe, and  three months on, the scent combination seems to have come into its own with hints of Exotic Egyptian Jasmine, White Champaca  and Osmanthus. This reminds me of the perfume I created when I worked with Alec Lawless of Essentially Me in 2010 -  where I learnt of a different way of blending with calculations to create perfumes. If mathematical calculations is not your thing, honestly, it takes a lot of getting used to.

With the new perfume blend that I've been working on, I wanted to create something that would intrigue and invoke the sensual scenes but at the same time connecting with your inner strength and scense of being. I put it quite simply, a bouquet of flowers with intriguing scents that makes you want more.

I enjoy connecting to nature through a scence of smell and perfume,  including everything aromatic and smelling nice. I would like to convey this in my perfumes, whether solid or liquid but luxurious and personal. My perfumes are still a work in proggress and am loving the exotic blend of oils and infustion of extracts both in the solid solid and liquids. I will share updated information soon, but in the mean time keep an eye on the website to purchase. And this blog for latest  information.

About Solid Perfumes:
Solid perfume have been in existance for thousand of years. Aparently, it was used by the Egyptians to smell nice, you can connect with someone if you smell nice. I like people who smell nice because there is just something about figuring out which scent the perfunme they are wearing is.Solid perfume is deeply rooted in the history of many cultures. The blend of fragrant botanicals with wax and oil creates a unique experience for the wearer. Solid perfumes are easy to carry around in a purse or pocket and are a truly discrete way to wear your perfume as they stay close to your body which makes them ideal for environments where you are in close proximity to others.

pic credit: one of the old pictures that I treasure from blending perfumes.
xxx