Eczema Scars: 10 Effective Ways To Improve Their Appearance

A few ingredients from your kitchen that may improve the appearance of those pesky scars

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nermeen Bedair, MD, PhD (Dermatology)
August 23, 2022 By Ramona Sinha, Certified Skin Care Coach

Eczema Scars: 10 Effective Ways To Improve Their Appearance

About 31.6 million people in the US (17.1% of the total population) have some form of eczema. Surprisingly, most of these cases are undiagnosed and undertreated (1). Although eczema scars are uncommon, chronic and untreated eczema patches can thicken and cause dark patches on the elbows, wrists, ankles, and knees. Scratching these uncomfortable patches can also lead to bacterial infection, resulting in complications and scars.

This article talks about how to treat eczema scars with efficient home treatments and techniques. Keep reading to find out more!

In This Article

Can Eczema Leave Behind Scars?

Usually, eczema does not cause scarring. However, some complications may lead to scarring.

Eczema is an inflammatory condition that affects the epidermis (top layer of the skin). You may develop itchy, red patches and blisters during flare-ups. However, once the flare-up subsides with proper treatment, the epidermis can rebuild itself. This means your skin heals without any scars and marks.

However, eczematic patches can thicken if left undiagnosed and untreated, especially in body parts like your elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. Further scratching may also injure the skin and cause a bacterial infection that may affect the deeper skin layers. As a result, you may develop scars. You may also experience skin depigmentation on the injury site that may become darker than the surrounding skin and leave visible marks.

From environmental factors to underlying health issues – anything can trigger an eczema flare-up. Some common factors include:

Extreme weather conditions
Dust mites and mold
Clothes made of wool, polyester, and nylon
Pollen
Household cleaners and laundry detergents
Tobacco
Chlorine in swimming pools
Sun exposure
Some ingredients or chemicals in skin care products

Proper diagnosis, treatment, and eczema management are the best ways to prevent complications. You can also follow the at-home remedies discussed below to manage eczema flare-ups and prevent scarring.

10 At-Home Remedies To Improve Eczema Scars

1. Oatmeal Bath

Colloidal oats contain compounds called avenanthramides, which are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. Colloidal oats extract stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) to reduce skin dryness, redness, scaling, itching, and erythema caused by eczema (2).

You can boil rolled and powder oats and massage the affected area with it. Alternatively, you can prepare a warm soak or oatmeal bath.

You Will Need

1-2 cups of powdered oatmeal

Method

Fill your bathtub with warm water.
Pour the powdered oats into the tub and stir well.
Soak in the oatmeal bath for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse it off with room temperature water.
Follow up with a medicated or prescription moisturizer.

Note: Avoid oatmeal bath if you are allergic to gluten. Start with applying soaked oatmeal to a limited area like the upper arm to test for hypersensitivity.

2. Chamomile

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Chamomile extract is used in topical creams to soothe eczema symptoms. It has similar effects as steroidal creams in calming eczema flare-ups (2).

You can prepare chamomile-infused oil to prevent eczema flare-ups and minimize scars.

You Will Need

A cup of dried chamomile flowers
2 cups of sweet almond oil (you may use apricot kernel or cold-pressed sunflower oil)
A glass jar

Method

Pour the dried flowers and oil into the glass jar.
Secure the lid, shake it well, and store it in a cool dark place (preferably a cupboard).
Leave it for 2-3 weeks. Shake the jar every few days.
Strain the oil and store it in a glass jar.
Massage the affected areas with the chamomile-infused oil.

Note: Avoid using chamomile if you are allergic to daisies. Do a patch test before using the oil.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial. It is used topically for wound healing, soothing inflamed skin, and psoriasis (2).

Aloe vera has hydrating properties and can minimize dryness and discomfort caused by eczema patches. It can soften the skin, accelerate wound healing, and reduce the chances of scarring.

You Will Need

2-3 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel

Method

Blend the aloe vera gel.
Apply it to the affected area and leave it on overnight.
Rinse off the following day.

Use fresh gel scooped from an aloe leaf. If not available, use store-bought pure aloe vera gel. However, do a patch test to avoid allergic reactions.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is hailed for its medicinal properties and is beneficial in both oral and topical forms. Fresh turmeric juice is used to soothe skin conditions like eczema, scabies, allergic reactions, shingles, and chickenpox. It contains curcumin, a compound that has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties (2). It can soothe eczema symptoms and minimize the chances of developing eczema scars.

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of honey
A pinch of turmeric powder or ½ teaspoon of raw turmeric paste

Method

Mix the two ingredients and apply to the affected area.
Leave it on for about 10-20 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water.

5. Manuka Honey

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Honey is used in traditional Persian, Ayurvedic, and Quranic medicine for treating wounds, inflammation, eczema, and other skin issues. Medical-grade honey and Manuka honey are commonly used in clinical wound care practices around the globe. It has skin healing ability and has antimicrobial properties.

There is not enough evidence to prove its efficacy in soothing eczema. However, it exerts emollient, humectant, and skin-soothing effects, which may help minimize the discomfort caused by eczema symptoms and prevent scarring (3).

You Will Need

2-3 teaspoons of pure Manuka honey

Method

Massage the honey directly onto the affected areas for 2-3 minutes.
Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse with warm water.

Note: Avoid using honey if you are allergic to pollen.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

There are no studies to prove the beneficial effects of ACV for eczema management. It does not have any significant impact on the skin barrier integrity (4). However, diluted ACV is widely used as a DIY remedy to soothe eczema flare-ups. While this is not a recommended method and may even cause minor side effects like itching, follow the recipe if you want to give it a try.

You Will Need

2-3 tablespoons of pure ACV (with mother)
2-3 tablespoons of water
Cotton or gauze wraps

Method

Dilute the ACV with water.
Soak the cotton wrap in the solution.
Apply the dressing to the affected area.
Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash it off.

7. Cocoa Butter

The FDA recognizes pure cocoa butter to have skin-protecting properties (5). While no scientific proof demonstrates cocoa butter’s efficacy in relieving eczema-related symptoms, it can be used as an emollient to keep the area moisturized and prevent scarring.

You Will Need

1-2 tablespoons of pure cocoa butter

Method

Massage the affected area with cocoa butter.
Leave it on overnight.
Rinse off the next day.
Use it every day as a moisturizer.

8. Hempseed Oil

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Dietary hempseed oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties and can improve the clinical symptoms of atopic dermatitis. It contains essential fatty acids (EFAs) like linoleic, alpha-linoleic, and gamma-linoleic acids. It can relieve symptoms like dryness and itchiness and improve skin moisture levels. These properties may also help soothe eczema discomfort, relieve itching and prevent scarring (6), (7). You can use hempseed oil topically and orally.

You Will Need

1-2 tablespoons of hempseed oil
1 tablespoon of coconut oil (or any other carrier oil)

Method

Mix the two oils and massage the affected area with the mixture.
Leave it on for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
Wash off afterward.

9. Shea Butter

Shea butter contains vitamins A and E and works well as an emollient and skin moisturizer (8). It may help keep the affected area moisturized, reduce itching and dryness, and prevent the chances of developing eczema scars. Shea butter is widely used in skin lotions and creams for its hydrating and skin-softening properties.

You Will Need

½ cup of shea butter
½ cup of vegetable oil (coconut, safflower, almond, or avocado oils)
A glass jar

Method

Melt the shea butter.
Mix the oil in it and whip the mixture with a hand blender.
Store the whipped cream in the glass jar and refrigerate.
Use it as a moisturizer and apply it to the affected area regularly.

10. Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is highly beneficial in soothing eczematic skin conditions (like atopic dermatitis). It reduces skin dryness by preventing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), relieving symptoms like flaking and itchiness (9).

You Will Need

1 cup of virgin coconut oil
2-3 drops of any essential oil (optional)
Glass jar

Method

Whip the coconut oil with an electric blender until it turns creamy.
Mix the essential oil (for fragrance) if using.
Store it in the glass jar and use it regularly as a moisturizer.

You can use these remedies to manage eczema symptoms at home. However, do a patch test before using them.

Eczema scars are uncommon. But if you do not treat your eczema on time, the patches thicken and leave dark scars on your elbows, ankles, wrists, and knees. Scratching these affected areas can also lead to infections and scarring. Therefore, you can try some home remedies to reduce the appearance of these scars. You can prepare these remedies with simple and easily available things at home like oatmeal, chamomile, aloe vera, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil. However, consult your doctor if these remedies do not work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will skin discoloration from eczema go away?

Yes, skin discoloration from eczema can go away. However, it takes approximately 6-8 months for it to fade away completely. For some people, it may even take up to a year.

Why does eczema leave white patches?

Eczema causes white patches as the affected skin is irritated and forms a patch that is lighter in pigment than the surrounding skin.

Is Vaseline good for eczema?

Yes, Vaseline is good for eczema. It has soothing and moisturizing properties that help manage irritation, redness, and discomfort.

Key Takeaways

Chronic untreated eczema can lead to thick dark itchy patches that when scratched may lead to infections and scars.
Skin depigmentation on the injury site may also darken and develop visible marks.
Oatmeal, chamomile, aloe vera, turmeric, manuka honey, shea butter, and coconut oil are a few of the effective home remedies to help heal and reduce the appearance of eczema scars.

Sources

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