Dermatitis Scars: 13 Home Remedies

eczema scars

By Hannah Do (see bio below)

Itching is only half of the battle you have to go through if you have eczema scars or dermatitis scars. Because once the itch and scratching subside, you’ll have to deal with the terrible and embarrassing scars. While some scars fade away in time, some of them actually never go away.

If you’ve been chronically suffering from this skin issue, or you just want to prevent it from happening to you, then read on to learn more about natural remedies for eczema.

13 Home Remedies for Dermatitis Scars

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the few herbs that can address eczema both internally and externally. It’s widely known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Because eczema involves drying and crusting of the skin, applying aloe vera gel directly on the affected area can help keep the area moisturized. When it’s moisturized, there’ll be lesser itching and scratching. This aloe Skin Soothing Spray is a great product for fighting itchy skin on the spot. Aside from moisturizing, aloe vera, when left overnight, can also lighten dermatitis scars. It works by sloughing off dead skin cells and encouraging skin cell regeneration.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is another natural exfoliant and great home remedy for eczema scars. However, unlike other exfoliants on the market, it also calms itching. To use if for your eczema scars, all you have to do is get one tablespoon of water and mix it with 2 tablespoons of baking soda to create a paste. Once you achieve the right consistency, rub it gently on the affected part for around 2 to 3 minutes. You can use lukewarm water when rinsing it off. Keep in mind to pat the skin dry to avoid creating tears in the skin.

3. Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, particularly tyrosol and squalene. These antioxidants are essential in increasing blood flow to scar tissues to help minimize their appearance. Aside from antioxidants, it also has the ability to penetrate the deep layers of the skin to help prevent dryness. You can apply olive oil and gently massage it on your eczema scars. Try to opt for the extra olive oil for a less preservative option. After applying the oil, you need to apply a warm compress to facilitate easier absorption. Leave the compress on your skin until it has cooled down.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar and honey in a glass of water can help enhance your immune system and decrease the chances of eczema flare up. To remedy scars, you can use ACV topically by mixing it with an equal amount of water. You should take note, however, that using it on your skin can cause a mild stinging effect. Similar to olive oil, opt for a raw organic ACV.

5. Nutmeg Powder

Nutmeg powder is probably the least popular among the eczema scar remedies in this list but it’s actually been used to treat a lot of skin issues since time immemorial. It has vitamin A and C which are all good for your skin’s health. To use nutmeg powder, you need to mix ½ tbsp of it with 1 tbsp of warm water to create a thick paste. You can also choose to mix it with 1 tbsp of warm milk. Take an adequate amount of this paste and apply it evenly on your scars every day.

6. Shea Butter

Shea butter works best if you leave it on your skin overnight. You can use it on its own or you can mix it with a few drops of lemon to turn it into a paste. It is rich in vitamin A and E and using it twice a day can greatly help decrease the appearance of your scars gradually. Shea butter not only helps with preventing scars, but it’s one of many popular natural remedies for eczema.

7. Honey

Honey, particularly Manuka Honey, is good to use if you want to reduce eczema flare-ups and scars. It has anti-inflammatory effects that can help facilitate wound healing.  After washing the affected area, apply honey directly on your skin. In you want extra exfoliation, you can mix it with sugar and gently scrub your skin with the mixture for a few minutes.

My favorite Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream contains olive oil, manuka honey and manuka oil and is known for reducing the appearance of eczema scars.

8. Fish Oil

Fish oil comes from the skin and tissues of certain fishes. You can find it most commonly in the form of soft gel capsules. You can take fish oil tablets internally, preferably three times a day. You can also puncture them to squeeze the oil out. In case you decide to extract the oil, make sure that you’re using a clean safety pin to avoid contaminating it with bacteria.

9. Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is an effective moisturizer and salve. With frequent use, it can help lighten and even vanish eczema scars. To experience its best benefits, try to use cocoa butter in its purest form. Refrain from using creams and lotions that are marketed to contain cocoa butter as most of these products have ingredients that can further aggravate your skin irritation.

10. Avocado Oil

Consuming avocado oil, particularly cold pressed, on a daily basis can help boost the levels of fatty acids in your skin. This oil is specifically rich in monounsaturated oleic acid, which can hasten skin cell regeneration and wound healing. Its use isn’t limited to topical application. In fact, including it in your diet can also help address eczema scars.

11. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil works wonders when it comes to scars and blemishes. It easily penetrates the skin layers to prevent free radicals from interfering with wound healing. You can use vitamin E oil topically on its own, or you can mix it with an equal amount of aloe vera. However, as the oil is a bit thick and heavy, you may find it more convenient to apply at night. In case you are the busy type, you can consume vitamin E soft gel capsules instead.

12. Coconut oil

If you have mild eczema, applying a light layer of virgin coconut oil twice a day can heal the affected skin. In severe cases, you may have to apply a thick coat of this oil and wrap it with a bandage.

Doing these measures can help limit itching and scratching, which are essentially the factors that result in scarring. However, for existing acne scars, applying it directly, consuming it internally and creating a mask out of it are all proven helpful.

13. Oatmeal

Soaking yourself in an oatmeal bath can diminish the appearance of eczema scars over time. You just have to add 2 cups of ground oatmeal into your warm bath water and stay there for at least 30 minutes.

Make sure that the oatmeal is ground into a fine powder before using. If not, the oatmeal can end up sinking at the bottom of the tub or, worse, clogging your drain.

You can take an oatmeal bath at least twice a day, depending on the severity of your scars. Aside from diminishing eczema marks, you can also use an oatmeal bath to take care of your itchy skin.

 

13 Home Remedies for Eczema Scars 2Bio: Hannah Do is the founder of Thank Your Skin, a beauty blog dedicated to provide honest skin care advice and information. She aspires to help her readers achieve their most beautiful skin by sharing personal tips learned through both years of experience and thorough research. Check out thankyourskin.com to learn more about Hannah and her work.

 

11 Comments

  1. Selina on July 26, 2016 at 7:37 pm

    Great article! It is so true, I’m currently trying to manage my scarring from years of flare ups. I have Indian skin and so the pigmentation is very discoloured at present, however our skin is sensitive and so we cannot do as others would like harsh peels!! I think the aftermaths of eczema can be hard to manage…one great remedy I use is yoghurt – cheap and easily accessible. It contains lactic acid which encourages cell regeneration and it’s a great mask. I use this and then apply Shea butter / coconut oil and I see more brightness in my skin. Scarring takes time but it does fade.

    On the positive side, my scars always remind me of where I’ve been and it’s really grounding! Makes us appreciate things even more

    Thanks for the good read!

    Selina

    Myeczematales.com

  2. Revitol Rosacea Treatment on August 2, 2016 at 4:52 am

    Having vitamin E in your diet or apply a cream with vitamin E is another way of treating eczema scars. It decreases hypertrophic scarring caused by eczema.

  3. Samantha on July 8, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    Amaing article, thanks! I’m struggling with my eczema scars too and among natural products I always preferred coconut oil, it always gave me the best effect. However I’m impressed with how much other ones I can try, I want to try other oils too the most of all 🙂 I’m also very curious about baking soda, I know about its positive effects in case of drinking it with water but I didn’t know that it can be helpful for eczema scars too. But I suppose that it’s better to use it with smth else, I mean not only soda for the skin, especially if it’s sensitive, I’m afraid that in such case it can be harmful… Did you try it, what was your experience? I would be glad to hear about it.

    • Jennifer Roberge on July 9, 2017 at 12:05 pm

      Hi Samantha – we haven’t tried the baking soda, but we’ve been using the Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream for years and my son doesn’t have one single scar.

      • Glenda Aler on April 19, 2021 at 3:07 pm

        Could you please let me know the brand? Thank you.

        Glenda Aler
        gnaler1006@yahoo.com

  4. Mohd Noor Sham on April 15, 2018 at 3:46 am

    Pure Vitamin E Oil is also great for dry skin and eczema. I know a staff of mine who had some skin disorders on her breast. When she walks into my office there was this terrible smell from the infected skin. She told me that she has seen many specialist but the prescription they gave did not work. After reading about the benefits of pure vitamin E oil, i bought her some to try it out. It worked miracle on her. With one month she was completely cured just by rubbing it on her breast.

    • Ochie on April 21, 2020 at 3:00 am

      can you let me know the brand you bought her. tahnks.

  5. Lubna on April 2, 2019 at 10:33 am

    Hi I have heard alot about aloo vera but some how it makes my daughter more itchy the moment i put it on her it makes her she cries and starts itching. Oats bath have worked well for us. I will try the manuka honey cream mentioned here. Thanks for the article.

  6. Leilani on October 14, 2019 at 11:41 am

    I found this article very helpful! I have yet to try any of these methods but I look forward to. I’m a fourteen year old girl but my hands and face don’t look as if. I was born with eczema from head to toe and it has been very hard. I’ve been trying to find ways to maybe “fix” my hands and face if that even is possible. I’ve been doing tons of research because I don’t want to do even more damage to my skin. But thank you so much for this article!!!

  7. judy tanui on June 3, 2020 at 4:51 am

    Hae laura thanks for the article I have had the eczema condition for about 11 years now around my mouth and hands I have not tried the above home remedies have been applying excavate cream and taking the urais tablets it has not helped because when am out of the drugs it resurface again I am now going to try the remedies and see what works for me thank you

  8. […] on your face nor your body in many cases. There are some amazing home remedies that can help with eczema scars, just make sure you don’t blindly follow them without […]

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