First Person Medical Experience: Treating Eczema with Salt Water

At the age of 18 months, Isis Banks woke up to a frightening scene. She was covered with blood including her face and hands. The source of the blood was a series of scratched on her elbow caused by scratching in the middle of the night. The little girl had no idea what made her want to scratch her elbows, knees, wrists and other body parts, but the itching was so intense she could on control the sleep scratching. Isis was later diagnosed with severe eczema and a four year battle for clear skin began.

The treatment prescribed for severe eczema includes steroid creams, antibiotics and hypoallergenic lotions. Hydrocortisone creams are also suggested to curb the itchy skin associated with severe eczema. For Isis, none of these treatments worked to clear the skin 100%. Despite changing bathing products, laundry detergent and home cleaning products, the little girl continued to suffer from severely itchy skin.

Potential Cause for the Condition

While the cause of severe eczema is not well understood, some pediatricians and dermatologists believe there is an allergy to blame for the constant histamine assault on the body. After allergy testing, it was revealed that Isis was allergic to cats, but nothing else that could be causing the itchy skin. The eczema continued to worsen.

After one particularly difficult outbreak, Isis developed Impetigo. Impetigo is an infection of the skin that is contagious when touched. After a round of antibiotics and more steroid, skin-thinning cream, the eczema continued. Shortly after, another outbreak occurred and another round of antibiotics was required to fight off Impetigo. Isis's parents thought there would be no end to the condition, until a family vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Vacation Brings Hope for Clearing Eczema

During the trip, Isis spent hours in the pool and ocean. The itching stopped and her skin began to heal just a bit. This was the first ray of hope for Isis's parents. After returning home to Las Vegas, Nevada, the eczema returned with a vengeance. It was back to the steroid creams, constant lotion application and emotional pain.

Life took Isis's parents from Las Vegas, Nevada to Raleigh, North Carolina and eventually to Oak Island, North Carolina. Just two weeks after moving to Oak Island, North Carolina, Isis found relief for the first time in more than four years. The salt water cleared her skin completely within a month and Isis has been eczema free for more than six months. Despite the winter cold weather and lack of swimming days in the ocean, her skin has remained clear.

The Proof Behind the Theory

Some websites continue to suggest staying away from salt water when suffering from eczema, such as the Eczema Guide and David Hosking's Pharmacy - both of which are listed high on search engine results for salt water and eczema treatment. These claims are simply not true. According to a study published in Photochemistry and Photobiology in March 1999, salt water combined with UVB radiation is an effective treatment for atopic dermatitis, or eczema. UVB radiation comes from the sun.

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