Last updated on January 19th, 2024 at 04:05 pm
If you have eczema, it can be difficult to find a moisturizer that works for you and doesn’t aggravate your condition.
Enter beeswax, the perfect solution to help treat and prevent dry skin for people with eczema.
Let’s take a closer look at the intrinsic link between beeswax and eczema, how you can use beeswax as a natural remedy for eczema, and some of the ways you can apply it.
beeswax and eczema Overview
Eczema is a skin condition that causes redness, itching and inflammation. It’s triggered by many things, including stress, skin irritants and allergies.
It’s often associated with other health conditions like asthma and hay fever.
There are many different types of eczema, but it’s most commonly categorized as either atopic or contact dermatitis based on the symptoms.
- Atopic eczema is a genetic condition that affects children up to age 5 years old; it may flare up any time after that age but typically goes away by adolescence.
- Contact dermatitis generally develops in adults who have been exposed to certain allergens over a long period.
Why is beeswax good for eczema?
An emollient softens and soothes the skin. It helps to seal moisture into your skin, which is exactly what you want and need as an eczema sufferer.
Beeswax is the main ingredient in many ointments used to treat severe eczema flare-ups. It’s also used as a base for creams, lotions and balms due to its ability to hold other ingredients onto your skin without leaving an oily residue behind.
It forms a barrier between moisture evaporating off the skin (which can cause irritation and dryness), while still allowing sweat or oil from your body through so it doesn’t clog up pores or trap germs on top of your skin.
Beeswax absorbs water very easily. Even though it looks like a solid block of wax it quickly softens up as you apply it to the dry patches on your body like elbows or knees.
*Pro tip – Get it warm enough and it will transform into an easy to apply liquid.
Beeswax can reduce the amount of steroids needed when treating eczema
If you suffer from eczema you’ve probably had to use steroid creams in the past to stop the constant itching that can drive you mad.
The problem is that when you use steroid creams regularly, they can have side effects like thinning skin and muscle weakness.
Some studies have shown that long-term use of steroid creams may increase the risk for diabetes and high blood pressure.
Thanks to beeswax’s anti-inflammatory properties you can gain many of the same soothing benefits provided by steroid creams without the potential health implications.
If you have found that regular use of a corticosteroid cream has helped control your eczema but you are concerned about side effects or want to avoid using steroids altogether, we recommend trying a product containing beeswax as an alternative.
You can apply beeswax directly to the skin, or use it as an ingredient in skin care products
There’s a really wide range of skincare and cosmetic products that now use beeswax as an ingredient. It can be found in lip balms, salves and lotions, that are perfect for chapped lips.
Beeswax soaps are a great option as an alternative to normal soap which can aggravate your eczema even further.
If you see a product that contains beeswax, make sure it is specifically listed as being present. Also, check for other natural ingredients that may help with your skin condition.
If there isn’t a long list of different products on the label or packaging (for example oils from various nuts and seeds), then this might not be ideal for treating eczema.
If you’re ever unsure about whether a product will help or worsen your eczema you should check with your physician, doctor or a qualified health expert.
Conclusion
As you can see, beeswax is a great option for people with eczema and might just be the missing key to clearing up your eczema completely.
If you suffer from this sometimes debilitating condition and want to try something natural, we strongly recommend giving beeswax a shot!
