As a nurse, I've often come in contact with patients who were suffering from eczema, from mild to severe, looking for a cure. Now first of all, eczema and dermatitis are usually referring to the same condition and there are three types of eczema. If you're suffering from eczema you'll find health professionals are quick to prescribe or recommend expensive drugs or chemical products when natural treatments for eczema such as using virgin coconut oil is the best choice. With coconut oil there is no exposure to drugs and chemical-laden products.

Eczema is a dermatitis that is in advanced stages that can be more serious. To apply the virgin coconut oil, massage it deep into the affected area. In adults, eczema is usually found on the inner elbow or behind the knee, but can be found anywhere.

Contact dermatitis can occur in the presence jewelry, perfumes, nickel in jewelry or glasses or bra hooks, chemicals in any cosmetics, shellac in most mascaras, lipstick, lotions, soaps, fabric softener sheets, pesticides from contact around the mouth, latex gloves, tomatoes, and the list goes on.

When you start treating your eczema externally with coconut oil, make sure you're also working on eliminating the cause of your eczema, whether it's internal or external. Coconut oil works so much better than eczema creams, which are usually expensive eczema products that are laden with chemicals, whether it's used for babies, teens or adults.

Virgin coconut oil is inexpensive and a good, cheap home remedy you can use for many skin problems. If you also have acne, coconut oil is an excellent treatment for acne too and is better than any chemical acne products. Besides the coconut oil treatment you can expose the affected area to direct sunlight for 20 minutes or so every day if you have access to sunlight and also get your daily dose of vitamin D that way too.

For the external causes of eczema such as contact dermatitis, make sure to avoid having your skin come in contact with the offender. One possible cause for eczema that has received recent attention from skin specialists, dermatologists and other skin doctors is that of a shock to the nervous system or exposure for a prolonged period to mental stress or strain.

Unprocessed (no bleaching, refining or deodorizing) organic virgin coconut oil soothes the area immediately. It goes to work on healing eczema, dermatitis or just about any skin condition you can think of. You want to make sure you get the kind that is not refined. Make sure it smells like coconut. The label will usually say it's virgin. It can be found in whole foods markets.

And atopic eczema is a chronic, recurring condition with "flares", which are active or new patches of eczema, and remissions - when eczema is not as active. For an attack of eczema to exist, two conditions are necessary: a predisposition or special irritability of the skin, and a directly exciting cause. Patients with eczema have skin that is usually sensitive to substances such as soap, wool, make-up, detergents, cosmetics, mascara, shampoos, lipstick, nail polish, etc.

If the eczema is on your hands, coconut oil will have to be applied more often. Once skin is exposed to an eczema trigger, the skin releases chemicals to the surface of the skin, which causes one to itch. While we don't understand all of the causes of eczema, there is evidence that the following possibilities play a role in causing eczema: diet, genetics, the immune system, and abnormalities in the barrier (protective) function of the skin.

After you've healed your skin with your new eczema treatment continue to use coconut oil and good clear skin will be your reward. It just takes a little motivation, a willingness to try it, and diligent application of coconut oil daily up to several times each day and/or at bedtime, use your judgment. You'll see marvelous results and have a healing skin product you can use forever for all your skin problems. It's great for dry skin care and combination skin care too!