To those who suffer eczema, if you\\\'re only treating the symptoms of eczema, then you\\\'re not healing the skin, you\\\'re just bandaging it. Therefore, the disease conrols you, instead of you controlling it. Get knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the skin and of the disease, and you\\\'ll gain your independence of eczema\\\'s control over you. You don\\\'t need to spend a fortune treating the problem, you just need to spend some time. The highest priced medicine is not your best defense. Your best defense against the disease is to understand it in totality, and with wisdom, to treat it in totality. Hopefully, the knowledge gained from my research will better help you in treating the disease. SKIN 1) Largest organ in the human body 2) Regulates the bodies temperature 3) Naturally transmits vitamin D from the sun SKIN MAKEUP 1) Epidermis (outer layer) 2) Dermis (inner layer) 3) Glands - sweat glands which regulate body heat and sebaceous glands that open to the hair follicles and produces an oily substance that make the hair smooth and glossy

ECZEMA - SKIN DISEASE 1) Sensitive patches of dry, itchy, blistery, cracked skin 2) Hereditary 3) Breakouts flare-up due to harmful irritants that bring about allergic reactions

TREAT THE WHOLE 1) Internal 2) External 3) Foreign

HOW 1) Build up your immune system 2) Moisturize the skin 3) Identify allergens

BUILD UP IMMUNE SYSTEM 1) Drink water - it flushes out harmful toxins in the blood stream as well as aiding in the digestive process 2) Eat healthier - more fruits and vegetables, less processed/fast foods 3) Consult a reputable nutritionist/physician that will test you for vitamin deficiencies and assist you in remedying the problem

MOISTURIZE THE SKIN 1) Use steroid-free creams or lotions - steroids eat away at the skins epidermis 2) Choose more natural lotions that contain vitamin E and aloe which are good for the skin\\\'s healing process 3) Keep the skin clean - decrease the shower length, not necessarily the showers and moisturize immediately after - also, switch to a more natural soap that\\\'s good for sensitive skin

IDENTIFY ALLERGENS 1) Take account of food or drinks that bring about flare-ups 2) Take note of harsh chemicals in detergents, household cleansers, and soaps 3) Clean the air in your house with filters, humidifiers, or clean air systems - choose more natural fibers over synthetics - check for dust mites in bed linens and drapes - when possible, opt for non-carpeted flooring

In summary, eczema sufferors have a moisture problem; therefore, keep your skin moisturized with products that are beneficial to the skin and aide it in its natural healing process. You can go to your local \\\'Whole Food\\\' grocery store or \\\'GNC\\\' store and purchase Burt\\\'s Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion (for sensitive skin of all ages) for about $8.00-$12.00. In two weeks we watched our three month old niece go from a severe eczema breakout (head to feet) to totally clear skin. The human body is amazing in its ability to heal itself. Eczema sufferors just need to find out what the skin is missing, replenish it, and watch the body work the way in which it is suppose to.

*Note - One eczema sufferor may experience breakouts in the winter months and another, in the summer. At face value, that looks like two different experiences; but upon closer inspection, you will find that during those months they are both confined to their homes and artificial air sources (air conditioners and heaters) that both produce dry air and further deplete the skins moisture. Along with that is unclean air. That\\\'s why there is a big market now for in-home clean air systems. Adding green indoor plants to your house is another way of obtaining a more healthy indoor atmosphere. Also, keep the skin protected with a moisturizing sun-screen when you are out in the sun.