Castor Oil Topically for Eczema
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 1:28 am
Data shows why castor oil works for most of the people that tried it. The skin barrier or acid mantle is made up of a layers of dead skin cells bound together by a mixture of fatty acids, ceramides and cholesterol lipids that prevents loss of water from the deeper layers of the skin also to stop harmful elements from penetrating into the skin. This can get damaged. It can also be repaired. Pressed from the seeds of the castor plant. The oil is composed of fatty acids, 90% of which is ricinoleic acid which is unique. The acid has antimicrobial properties, anti-inflammatory properties, helps lubricate the skin and lock in moisture. It provides skin with the missing fatty acids. Castor oil is a pure, all natural plant oil (plant oils contain nutrients) so it doesn't harm the skin. It can be used on open skin. It can be found at most pharmacies (CVS) although you'll get a better deal online. It's also important to note that this may not be the only problem which is why it doesn't work for everyone. Because most eczema is internal it is important to address that. Nevertheless it doesn't mean that you have to pick one or the other.
Castor oil is working great for me. Before using it I had open eczema sores, broken skin and rashes all over my lower legs. Half way thru the night, I would have to reapply wet wraps. 5 weeks later, it's 90% gone. I can sleep thru the night. It's 95% gone on my lower legs but 10 days after I started using it, it spread to other parts of my body as a light rash so you may want to use it on your whole body. I was applying it 4 times a day. Now I'm down to once a day and no longer need wet wraps. My eczema is down to a light itch now and then.
Update: 6 weeks later my eczema stopped itching. I didn't need the oil. For the rest of the spring and the heat of the summer, I had no issues. Unfortunately when the weather got cooler in August (caught me off guard), my skin start to itch again (the air is drier in fall and winter). Not as bad as before but enough where I have to manage it. I was using wet wraps (I use wet socks/clothes 15-30 minutes) then apply castor oil or do a soak and smear (warm tub body soak 15 min then smear castor oil). It was helping to manage it but not as healing as in the early spring. So I decided to try castor oil packs. To create castor oil packs grab a piece of cloth and soak it in the oil. Once soaked, apply the cloth to the affected area. Place a heating source (hot water bottle) on top of the cloth to allow the castor oil to react with the skin. Complete this process for about thirty minutes to ensure you are fully benefiting from it. So far, this has really helped.
Castor oil is working great for me. Before using it I had open eczema sores, broken skin and rashes all over my lower legs. Half way thru the night, I would have to reapply wet wraps. 5 weeks later, it's 90% gone. I can sleep thru the night. It's 95% gone on my lower legs but 10 days after I started using it, it spread to other parts of my body as a light rash so you may want to use it on your whole body. I was applying it 4 times a day. Now I'm down to once a day and no longer need wet wraps. My eczema is down to a light itch now and then.
Update: 6 weeks later my eczema stopped itching. I didn't need the oil. For the rest of the spring and the heat of the summer, I had no issues. Unfortunately when the weather got cooler in August (caught me off guard), my skin start to itch again (the air is drier in fall and winter). Not as bad as before but enough where I have to manage it. I was using wet wraps (I use wet socks/clothes 15-30 minutes) then apply castor oil or do a soak and smear (warm tub body soak 15 min then smear castor oil). It was helping to manage it but not as healing as in the early spring. So I decided to try castor oil packs. To create castor oil packs grab a piece of cloth and soak it in the oil. Once soaked, apply the cloth to the affected area. Place a heating source (hot water bottle) on top of the cloth to allow the castor oil to react with the skin. Complete this process for about thirty minutes to ensure you are fully benefiting from it. So far, this has really helped.