Epsom Salt Baths For Eczema : Benefits & How it Works
Epsom salt and eczema
Although there’s anecdotal use of Epsom salt baths to relieve the symptoms of eczema, it’s not yet been scientifically proven. … According to the National Eczema Association, a soak in a bath immediately followed with moisturizing is the best way to replace moisture in the skin
What is Epsom salt?
Epsom salt is just a fancy name for magnesium sulfate. The only reason it is called salt is due to its chemical structure. It is different from your ordinary table salt, based on the way it functions and its various health benefits. This mineral compound has a lot of uses in beauty and fitness.
Epsom salt contains oxygen, sulfur, and magnesium. Although it tends to have the same name as the usual table salt, Epsom salt is safe and simple to use. Epsom got its unique name from the elegant town of Epsom in Surrey, England. It was also at this location that this beneficial compound was first found.
So, don’t let the name “salt” scare you. Epsom only has the chemical structure, not the corrosive effect table salt can cause when consumed in an excess amount. They both have a similar appearance. Taste between both is entirely different.
About taste, the Epsom salt is bitterer compared to the usual table salt. It is unpalatable and is usually not used to improve the taste of foods. But the benefit of this salt is part of the reason many go after it. Many people consume this salt by drinking after dissolving it in water.
How Epsom Salts Can Relieve Your Eczema
Epsom salts can work wonders for distressed skin. By providing easily absorbable magnesium sulfate directly into the skin, these salts can provide local and systemic anti-inflammatory action. Swelling and pain are soothed and even better, an Epsom salt soak can calm itchiness.1
Did you know that magnesium plays a critical role in over 325 enzymes in your body? By soaking in epsom salts, it can help to improve muscle and nerve function, reduce inflammation and improve blood flow and oxygenation in your body.
Is there a chance of toxicity with using Epsom salt?
You can take an Epsom salt bath as many times as you want without any harm. Reaching magnesium toxicity levels from this salt is unlikely. The reason for this is that a more significant amount of this mineral is removed from the body through urine. So, even if you have an optimal amount of magnesium in your blood, there is no way you will experience toxicity.
Reasons Epsom salt is highly effective for treatment of eczema
Epsom salt has several health benefits and can tackle eczema in several ways. Let’s take a look at the various ways you can use Epsom to get rid of your inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Epsom salt releases magnesium, a mineral with high anti-inflammatory properties. And the reason magnesium has this ability is that it can influence specific inflammatory factors as well as immunological responses to antigen issues.
Why are the anti-inflammatory properties of Epsom salt relevant?
The anti-inflammatory property that Epsom salt has due to the magnesium it contains is helpful. The reason is that some of the symptoms of the skin disease, eczema, is due to hypersensitivity reaction which an individual might experience.
The allergic reaction also triggers the immune system to release and produce several pro-inflammatory factors that cause inflammation. But the magnesium in the Epsom salt stands as a blockage to prevent the release of these factors.
Antimicrobial properties
Epsom salt possesses incredible antimicrobial properties that make it useful for eczema treatment. It is regarded as a hydrated salt that can absorb moisture quickly. Also, in the primary state, magnesium sulfate is hygroscopic. That is, it is always looking for water molecules from the surrounding to transform into hydrated salt.
To cut the long explanation short, know that Epsom salt has the potential to fight against pathogens that appear on the skin. These properties or actions of the salt are due to its ability to reduce eczema and edema swelling on the skin surface.
Detoxifying properties
As mentioned earlier, Epsom salt contains magnesium and sulfate, two useful minerals that promote detoxification of the body. Magnesium can lower blood toxicity because it can function as an alkalinizing agent.
Having an immune system that can counter the actions of toxins is vital. That is what Epsom salt can provide you. The salt helps to restore the balance between acid and base in the body, which indirectly prepares the immune system to tackle any attack.
In addition to Epsom salt baths,
Dr. Engelman recommends 5 home remedies:
1. Moisturize skin year-round. The more pliable and moisturized skin is, the less it will be prone to crack and itch. Layer products to provide multiple barriers, starting with the lightest product and finishing with the heaviest.
2. Stop taking hot showers. Hot water can put stress on your skin and strip its natural oils, leaving it more dry and vulnerable.
3. “Soak and grease.” Spend at least 20 minutes in the shower or bath, then immediately apply moisturizer to trap some of the water on your skin, keeping it from evaporating.
4. Avoid harsh soaps with fragrances. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid and retinols can further irritate the skin by drying it out. Dr. Engelman also suggests using products void of toxic ingredients, which can cause irritation, redness and sensitivity.
5. Use oil-based products. Oil-based products are the best way to add moisture back into the skin and create a barrier. Ingredients such as aloe vera will help to heal flare-ups quicker.
Benefits Of Epsom Salt Bath For Eczema
People use Epsom salt baths as a home treatment for: Arthritis pain and swelling. When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, such as in a bath, it draws toxins from the body.
An Epsom salt bath is known to ease pain and relieve inflammation, making it beneficial in the treatment of sore muscles, bronchial asthma, and migraine .
Epsom salt has numerous health benefits and can help you to treat eczema symptoms in several ways. Let’s take a look on how to use it in order to get rid of the skin condition.
