People who get eczema usually have a family history of allergies or asthma. Though the cause of eczema is still unknown, there are indications that it might be linked to an over-reactive immune system. It is possible that when the body comes into contact with allergens in the air or on the skin, the immune system overreacts to these allergens causing inflammation and irritation of the skin.

Sometimes the skin is just reacting to an irritant and allergies are not involved. You may be able to help your particular type of eczema simply by avoiding sodium hydroxide, propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulfate found in many soaps, toothpastes, shampoos, etc. These can worsen or cause eczema for a lot of people.

Natural products can help, but you should still read the labels as they sometimes have these chemicals as well. You might also try stopping the use of perfumes, deodorants and cosmetics that are not natural. There are chemicals in these that also might trigger a reaction.

Some different types of eczema are:

Atopic dermatitis -- This kind usually begins in infancy and is due to allergies. It is typically found in families with a history of asthma or hay fever. This kind is most likely due to a malfunction in the body's immune system. Stress can worsen atopic dermatitis, but it is not the cause.

Contact dermatitis -- Caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen. The irritants can include bath soap, laundry soap, household cleaning products and detergents. The allergens can include weeds, jewelry, perfume, cosmetics, neomycin (an ingredient in antibiotic creams), etc.

Seborrheic dermatitis -- This is a red rash with a yellowish oily scale. It is common in people with oily skin or hair and may come and go depending on time of the year, physical stress or neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease. It is called cradle cap when found on babies.

Stasis dermatitis -- This kind is usually found on the lower leg as a result of fluid accumulation in the tissues just beneath the skin. The excess fluid inhibits the blood's ability to nourish the skin and puts pressure on the skin from beneath.

Neurodermatitis -- This is a contact dermatitis or eczema that occurs in areas where your clothing rubs or itches the skin. It is made worse as you rub or scratch the area.

Perioral dermatitis -- This type is also known as rosacea, adult acne or seborrheic dermatitis. It involves the skin about the nose and mouth. The exact cause is not known, but it is likely that cosmetics, face creams, etc. may be the culprit.

Natural eczema and dermatitis remedies:

Vitamin B12 -- People with eczema tend to have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil -- You can apply it right on your skin. In just a couple of minutes it is completely absorbed. Adding coconut oil to your diet is also beneficial. Not only will it give you healthier skin, it may also help you lose weight.

Neem -- The beneficial effects neem has on the skin makes it an excellent treatment. It moisturizes and protects the skin and heals the lesions, scaling and irritation. In India, leaves from the neem tree are traditionally used to treat eczema and a range of other inflammatory skin conditions. It can be in a cream to put directly on your skin, or it can be taken internally.

Apple Cider Vinegar -- Put one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and take three times a day. You can add raw honey as a sweetener. You can also apply it directly on the skin by mixing 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into half a cup of water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it directly on your skin.

You may also find that boosting your immune system is beneficial. Even though eczema is caused by an overreaction of the immune system, by boosting your immune system you help it work more effectively. Another thing you might look into is food allergies. It is possible that food allergies are causing the immune system to overreact.