Knee Eczema - woman holding bare knee on couch

Treating Knee Eczema Naturally

Eczema tends to develop in places where the skin touches or rubs against itself – such as creases of elbows, armpits, and behind the knees. Learn more about how to treat knee eczema naturally!

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that affects roughly 10-20% of the population. It has a tendency to develop in places where the skin touches or rubs against itself – such as creases of elbows, armpits, and on or behind the knees.

Why exactly? These problem areas are often hotspots for sweaty irritation and chafing. Plus, as sweat and the salt found in perspiration build-up, you may be tempted to scratch your irritated skin  This can lead to a vicious itch-scratch cycle. 

Symptoms of Eczema on the Knee

  • Red rash
  • Dryness 
  • Flaky skin 
  • Itchy or irritated
  • Cracked or scaly 

How to Naturally Treat Behind Knee Eczema 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for eczema on the knee but there are ways to manage and control symptoms. This is especially useful because eczema on the back of the knees can be uncomfortable – especially when walking, running, or playing. This can be especially distracting when trying to go about your daily activities.

To avoid scratching your skin and potentially paving the way for infection to develop, check out our tips for treating eczema behind the knee naturally: 

Moisturize

As one of the prime symptoms of eczema is dry skin due to a damaged skin barrier, it’s important to keep your skin hydrated.

We recommend this Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream because it’s as natural as can be. Made with just six, all-natural ingredients – including Manuka honey, olive oil, and beeswax – you can rest assured there won’t be any burning or stinging.

From babies to adults, everyone can enjoy the soothing and nourishing effects of this oil-based balm

Wear Eczema-Friendly Clothing

The clothes you wear can aggravate your eczema symptoms as they come into direct contact with your skin. That’s why it’s important to wear eczema-friendly clothing that won’t exacerbate your condition.

We love these Remedywear™ Pants for Adults and Kids because they’re perfect for wearing alone as pajamas to protect you while you sleep or underneath regular pants during the day.

Made with eco-friendly TENCEL and embedded with anti-inflammatory zinc, they are breathable and comfortable to wear all day or night. Enjoy the moisture-wicking properties and cooling effect on sensitive skin. 

Wet Wrap Therapy

Wet wrap therapy is a great way to target problem areas and hydrate the skin. If you’ve never tried it before, don’t worry–it’s simple. Here’s what you do:

  1. Soak your body in lukewarm bathwater
  2. Pat your skin dry with a towel and apply a natural eczema cream such as the Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream mentioned above.
  3. Dampen some wet wraps like these Remedywear™ Bandages and gently wrap around the knee. Cover up with a dry layer. 
  4. Be sure to leave the wet wraps on for a minimum of two hours or up to overnight. Once you remove the bandage, don’t forget to reapply the moisturizer to your skin for a final boost of hydration

Find Your Triggers

Do you know what triggers your eczema? This is an essential step in the healing process as it allows you to avoid coming into contact with your triggers as much as possible.

While triggers vary from person to person, there are some common culprits you should be aware of. These include stress, sweat, airborne allergens (such as pollen, dust, grass, or pet dander), chemical irritants (such as laundry detergent, scented soap, or nickel jewelry), extreme temperatures, and even food.

Typical food triggers include gluten, dairy, eggs, citrus fruits (such as lemons, grapefruit, and limes), and shellfish. If you’re unsure of your food triggers, you might want to try an elimination diet. As the name suggests, this involves eliminating certain foods from your diet for a certain amount of time and then slowly incorporating them back in to see if a reaction occurs. 

References: 

https://skinanswer.com/eczema-on-back-of-knees-diagnosis-symptoms-and-treatments/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/symptoms/#:~:text=Atopic%20eczema%20can%20occur%20all,face%20and%20scalp%20in%20children.&text=The%20severity%20of%20atopic%20eczema,lot%20from%20person%20to%20person.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322435