Coconut Oil for Eczema

35 User Reviews

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Posted by Maureen (CT) on 08/22/2024
★★★★★

I soaked a small piece of cotton flannel in coconut oil and used it to cover a patch of eczema on my hand. Then I put on two cotton gloves to keep the flannel in place and added a vinyl glove on top, which I only wore for some of the time. I kept it on for a 2-3 days for the majority of the day and night.

After a couple days, the top layer of skin started peeling. The skin underneath was softer and smoother, no longer eczema but still reddish and dry. It's been a few days since the peeling and my skin is healing and looking better every day.

Note: when it got itchy, I rubbed a little borax (dry) on it. This also seemed to help the peeling.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Barbara (Aiken, South Carolina) on 06/03/2017 23 posts
★★★★★

Coconut Oil gave quick relief to Eczema:

I want to report quick relief for itchy eczema. There are clear, little bubbles between my fingers on the left hand only, so it could be a contact issue. Yesterday I increased my intake of organic apple cider vinegar, but last night I applied organic coconut oil to my left hand at bedtime. This morning the itch has stopped and healing is happening. I will be continuing both the ACV and the coconut oil.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Mil (Tx) on 02/16/2017
★★★★★

For Eczema: Use extra virgin coconut oil for all your cooking/ for all salad dressings/for all oil needs for one month. Please do not use any other oil in this month. Watch the miracle with your own eyes.

My daughter who has severe eczema got healed within a few weeks. I shared this with another mom whose daughter has similar condition. She got healed too. Nothing you to loose. Please try it. Eczema made my daughter's life hell and our family's too. Coconut oil is a blessing for us.

Replied by anna
(london)
10/18/2023

Hi Mil,

Which brand of coconut oil did you use?

Thank you

Coconut Oil

Posted by Fungus Free (Atlanta, Ga) on 08/10/2016
★★★★★

I've been using coconut oil for about 7 months to help cure my eczema and it actually worked. I had eczema on my wrist and around the inside of my legs, close to my knees. The eczema had turned my skin very dark patches, it would itch horribly, and left my skin feeling very hard /rough. I started using the oil and noticed that it alleviated the itching & the darkness started to cease; also, my skin was returning to its original state of softness. The eczema is completely gone now. However, I'm still using it, to see if it will continue lightening the darker spots on my legs.

I also have a nail fungus that I have been trying to get rid of for over 15 years and decided to use the oil on my nail. I've only been using the oil on my nails for around 2 weeks and I can see a huge difference already. I trimmed the nail down as much as I could and started applying the oil to the nail twice a day and I really would love for you all to see the difference in my nail bed. It was raised, which was very noticeable, and now the nail bed is much flatter. I have attached a before and after picture. I am very impressed with what coconut oil has done for me. I will continue to use it, because it's natural, it's great for the skin, it cures, and it has no side affects.

EC: Sorry, our image uploader only allows 1 photo per post. Please upload your other photo. We would love to see it!

Coconut Oil

Posted by Mia (Minneapolis, Mn) on 06/17/2016
★☆☆☆☆

I have acute and chronic eczema. According to blood tests I am allergic to coconut, so folks, it's not a cure all. Be sure it works for YOUR body.

Replied by Sara
(The Beach)
06/17/2016

Same here, but I can use Shea butter and it has given me great relief. Hope this helps.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Greesh (Seattle, Wa) on 08/22/2013
★★★★★

My 5 year old daughter had very bad eczema for three years. I tried all kinds of natural remedies but nothing seemed to help. I accidentally discovered that cooking with organic extra virgin coconut oil and eliminating all other oils from diet had a miraculous effect. My daughter skin got cleared within a month.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Engaginearth (Lubbock, Tx) on 02/23/2013
★★★★★

Coconut Oil worked perfectly for me. I developed Eczema out of no where. I used other things that sorta worked and every time I used over the counter products the eczema always came back and not only that it came back worse. I had these rashes all over my arms and it was embarassing. So with a little research I heard about Coconut Oil so I figured I had nothing to lose. Needless to say it worked within days and not only that it never returned and best of all it's organic and no freaking steroids or harmful chemicals like all that other otc drugs and harmful prescriptions. I now use the oil just as an everyday lotion.

Replied by Maya
(Hawaii, US)
03/26/2015

Does it have to be Virgin Coconut Oil? Can I use regular coconut oil?

Replied by Mama to Many
(Tennessee)
03/27/2015

Dear Maya,

When I am using coconut oil for medical purposes, I always used organic cold pressed coconut oil. Many coconut oils are process and deodorized. I can't imagine this is good for the healing properties in it. If my lavender essential oil had no odor, I would think it was worthless as a medicine. Same with my coconut oil.

~Mama to Many~

Coconut Oil

Posted by Mark (Newton Abbot, Devon Uk) on 11/26/2012
★★★★★

Coconut oil has cleared my 24 year old son of eczema, he has been using it for around 3-4 weeks so far, I had not seen him much in this time, this weekend he came to visit and hardly a trace of eczema anywhere, needless to say he is extremely pleased, to date I have had him try tea tree oil, banana skin, olive oil salt water, apple diet, diet changes, and countless other natural remedies, one thing that may have helped him is that as I am an hypnotherapist a couple of months ago I finally got him to agree to a few sessions of stress/anxiety reduction along with visualisation of healing and positive preferred future outcomes, this so far along with the coconut oil has provided the most positive and beneficial results, he intends to use it permanently as his skin now looks so soft and healthy.

Replied by Stonefieldsian
(Auckland, New Zealand)
11/27/2012

Can you be more detail..... how many spoons to take or just apply topical? Thanks.

Replied by Mark
(Devon, UK)
01/28/2013
★★★★☆

Hi stonefieldsian, my son just applied it to his affected areas several times daily, maybe 2 -5 times or when he thought about it, he also ate it several times each day, no set schedule just as and when he remembered but probably a small dollop on a spoon 2 -4 times daily, he also started eating a little better including a few more apples, when I last saw him I noticed his skin is still very much better than it used to be but it is still a little red in some areas so not completely cured but def. Much better. I think he still eats too much junk and drinks too much beer! I hope this helps

Replied by Caitlin
(Austin, Tx)
01/12/2012

Hi, Help Me! Your thread really stayed on my mind. I have a young niece (20) who also has eczema ruining her skin since she was about 4 years old - about the time she started eating junk food, particularly her favorites, pizza and ice cream!

Recently she went on a cleansing type diet... No grains, milk, SUGAR, or plain & diet sodas (just water). She stuck to cooked meat & fish, raw fruits, veggie drinks, and cooked vegetables. She used meat oils; not butter or grain based vegetable oils. The differance in her skin in one week was astounding! Her eczema began clearing by the fourth day. In a week it was just small patches on her stomach and arms and behind her knees. She was soooo excited.

Then, on the 9th day, she went to a friend's birthday party and had pizza and beer. The next morning, the eczema was back, full force. She now believes food sensitivities are the culprit of her chronic eczema and tries to keep away from milk, grains, sugar and her eczema is minimal when she does not eat these foods regularily. But, it is very hard for her as all her friends are junk food junkies.

I relate this to you because you may be eating many things that are not good for your body to process; that keep your skin in a state of inflammation. And, unlike some young people, you may be more sensitive to certain, common foods. I wholly recommend that you find out what those foods are.

I must say, the most beautiful young girl I had ever seen was in a FuDr.. Cker's hamburger joint. I joke not when I say that this young lady had a healthy aura around her that glowed. Looking about 18, she had clear, beautiful skin, very clear blue eyes, & thick beautiful, shiny hair. I decided to watch what she ate. She sat down with a full hamburger and immediately discarded the bread. She wrapped the meat, tomatoes and onions in lettuce leaves and ate this makeshift sandwhich with a few french fries. She drank 2 glasses of water. Her boyfriend, who had medium acne on his cheeks, ate the full hamburger with fries and strawberry malt. Although young, this girl had figured it out - "we look what we eat. '

So I say to you , clean out your system and start over. Find the foods that keep you healthy and discard those that don't. It's simple but hard to do. Depends on how badly you want it. Peace out, & love! Cat

Replied by Caitlin
(Austin, Tx)
12/26/2011

Mornings: Clean your face with the coconut oil and a warm cotton pad. Then, make a loose paste with baking soda and water in your clean hands and GENTLY message all over the face; let it sit for 1-3 minutes or until dry; rinse with cold water. Gently pat dry.

Before Bed: Follow same procedure but when done, message a very small amount of Balmex over the face (never on eyes). This should alliviate your eczema problem as it did mine in 2 wks.. Be patient. Also, eliminate what can cause eczema in the first place. Prime culprits are wheat, milk, and sugar.

Replied by Cat
(Tauranga, New Zealand)
12/17/2011

Are you using the coconut oil topically or internally? As with most health problems these days, they are best cured from the inside - out. Rubbing it on your skin will help but it's best to keep up with the good oils in your diet, that's probably what you're missing. Try the oil pulling with the coconut oil also, it is the miracle treatment!

Replied by Help Me :(
(Toronto, Ontario)
12/15/2011
★☆☆☆☆

I'm 16 years old going on 17 and I've had eczema my whole life. I've tried extra virgin coconut oil 100% natural and all. My eczema worsened by a lot!! I was so upset and depressed and this happened during my finals. I just don't understand how it worked for so many people but not for me. I feel like there's no hope. What's worse is that now I have keratosis pilaris all over my stomach and back.

I did this treatment for 1 month hoping and praying it will work. The result I got was eczema all over my body. I just wanted to die. Anyways, I'm just wondering where I went wrong. During that month I've applied Virgin Coconut Oil every day all the time and nothing else. It was actually really drying so I felt my skin was really dry even though I put Virgin Coconut Oil like 45 mins ago. Can I apply moisturiser after I apply vco? After my eczema 'magically disapears' do I continue applying Virgin Coconut Oil or stop?

Can someone please tell me exactly what they did and made it work? It will mean the world to me. Thanks

Replied by Leslie
(New Castle, Pa)
12/15/2011

Help Me :( from Toronto, Ontario,

Try Nixoderm. I am using it for perioral dermatitis (a suggestion from someone on this site) and it is working. I did some googling and I've read that eczema sufferers have found relief with it. I had to buy mine on ebay it came from the UK. It was cheap. I paid $1 for two small tins (you only need to use sparingly). The shipping was $6.00 since I live in the US. Nixoderm has been around for 40 years. If you go on acne.org and view the message boards there is positive feedback with using Nixoderm for eczema. Hope this helps. God bless.

Replied by Pam
(Charlotte, Nc)
12/15/2011

Not sure if you have heard much about Hydrogen Peroxide or not but I just started taking it this week for a rash that I have had on my hands for over two years. I had been to my doctor several times and was prescribed several creams but nothing worked. I have been taking the 35% food grade Hydro for only 4 days and my rash is completely dried up!! I would also purchase the book, The One- Minute Cure!! Hope this helps!!!

Replied by Jen
(Bozeman, Mt, Us)
12/15/2011

Are you sure that you have eczema and not something else? I was diagnosed with eczema when I was about 2 years old and treated for it for about 10 years. The treatments never worked and finally when I was about 12 or 13 I was told it wasn't eczema but psoriasis. That was when the treatments started working. Either way you need to make sure you are taking in enough fat like coconut oil internally first. Your body cannot produce the right amount of moisturizer if you are not eating the right fats.

Young girls especially tend to stay away from fats but that is a big mistake when you have skin issues. I would try 1 to 2 teaspoons of coconut oil on your toast or in you coffee (if you drink it). Then make sure you are getting enough omega 3's from either flax oil or fish oil capsules. The other thing you can try is D3 internally and externally. I take D3 capsules and then I apply a D3 oil to each patch of dry skin when I get break outs (which I haven't for many years now that I take all of the above internally).

I know how difficult it is to go through when you are so young. I remember wishing I had a much less obvious illness rather than one that everyone could see, unless I wore a turtleneck and pants all the time (I lived in Sunny California so not an option). Good luck.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Brian (Pittsfield, Ma) on 10/17/2011
★★★★★

Coconut Oil started helping after a couple days and has gotten better and better after almost 2 weeks.

Replied by Andi
(Indonesia)
01/11/2015

I'm wondering do you do the elimination diet or just drink the coconut oil?

Can you eat everything right now? Without having a flare again?

Replied by Liz
(Boston, Massachusetts)
09/28/2011

I wrote a post about a week ago regarding the trial/error and finally, success in treating my daughter's chronic eczema - eczema that in the course of ten years, no dermatologist could help clear up. (And the prescribed steroids offered only minimal and temporary results.)

Here's what worked:

- A container of yogurt (we used Dannon vanilla) every morning, followed by a fish oil capsule.

- Another fish oil capsule before bed.

If this method is going to work for you, you will notice a significant improvement within a week and 100% improvement in the weeks following.

My daughter's eczema has been completely *cured* with this method. She just turned eighteen and I haven't seen her skin look this clear and beautiful since she was a toddler! It's truly amazing. She is absolutely thrilled - no more wearing long sleeves in the summer due to embarrassment of her eczema-laden arms.

I have done a ton of research over the years and tried many different natural methods and combination of methods hoping to finally rid her of her eczema curse, and the method above did the trick! It's convenient. It's easy. And it works!

I hope it works as well for you. Please keep us posted, as I'm very curious (and excited) to see if it cures someone else. Good luck! :)

Replied by Eczema
(Singapore)
09/27/2011

I heard a lot about extra virgin coconut oil for eczema and I decided I wanted to try it myself. I've had eczema for nearly my whole life and I just want my suffering to end. I have a few questions. I'll be grateful if anyone can answer:

1. Does taking VCO orally cure eczema or do I have to apply it to the skin. Which way is faster?
2. How many weeks or days did it take for it to work for you?
3. Is there a certain diet I have to follow or can I just eat normally?
Thanks so much. Hope it works!!

Coconut Oil

Posted by Jmilicia (Austin, Texas) on 06/19/2011
★★★★★

Coconut Oil for Scalp Eczema

My daughter has eczema on her scalp it gets really red, dry and flaky we had tried everything under the sun and nothing helped. About a year ago I read an article about Organic Coconut Oil and it did the trick, I take a good amount of Coconut Oil and rub it deeply into her scalp and she sleeps with it on over night and her scalp problems are solved for at least 3-4 weeks. I apply this at least once a month and not only does it help with the eczema but her hair looks shiny and healthy. Hope this helps.

Replied by boo
(florida)
09/14/2022
★★★★★

coconut oil really works for soothing my eczema!

Coconut Oil

Posted by Vania (Clarksville, Tennessee, Usa) on 03/03/2011
★★★★☆

Harold, several months have passed since you posted about your experience with Oil Pulling for Eczema, so you may have discovered this remedy already. Have you tried Organic Coconut Oil?

I had a very bad case on my arms (I'd never had it there before) for several months. Several months before, I had searched the internet for home remedies for Eczema, hoping to find a treatment for my back. Coconut Oil was a recurring theme, but I really didn't expect it to help me. Finally, after my arms got really bad, in desperation I went to my local health food store to buy it. I bought it on a Monday (this was about 3 years ago), and ate a tablespoon of it that night. On Tuesday I ate three tablespoons. On Wednesday evening, it occurred to me that it might work even better if I put it on the affected areas, too. By Saturday, all of the eczema was gone. Really.

I still have eczema on my back, because I don't usually make the time to reach it well. And I'm inconsistent in my intake. I've lived with eczema nearly all my life, so I'm used to it, and my skin is scarred in several places because of it. But, whenever I get really sick of it, I know I can depend on Coconut Oil's healing powers.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Vania (Clarksville, Tennessee, Usa) on 02/20/2011
★★★★★

I was first diagnosed with Eczema when I was 9 years old, and it has truly been a plague. Over the years my mother took me to several doctors on a fruitless search for relief. I found one doctor who was successful, but it is inconvenient to see him regularly, because his office is an hour away from my home. My mother taught me to appreciate natural remedies, but we could not always afford them, and we never found anything natural that brought relief until now.

About 3 1/2 years ago, I was able to take my dream trip to Italy. However, right before my trip, I had a horrible outbreak of eczema on my arms (I'd never had it there before), due to some stress involved with making the trip. Nothing helped. When I returned home, I started researching "Home Remedies for Eczema" on the internet (Oh! I LOVE THE INTERNET SO MUCH!! ) and discovered Earth Clinic (I love you, too! ). Many people reported being relieved of Eczema through the ingestion of Coconut Oil. I was afraid it wouldn't help me (yeah, I'm a bit of a skeptic). After about 4 months of misery, I was desperate enough to check my local health food store. I chose one of the several (pricey) brands available and immediately starting taking 2-3 tablespoons per day. I began on Monday. On Wednesday of that week, it occurred to me that I would see greater benefits by putting it on the affected areas, as well. By Saturday, all of my Eczema was gone! ALL OF IT!

I work with the public, and every time I see Eczema, I get personal and tell the person about how it helped me (yeah, they think I'm weird, but I hope it helps someone, especially the poor babies. I see so many babies who have it.).

I'm pretty inconsistent in my use of it, so I do get flare-ups from time to time. And it doesn't seem to keep Eczema from my face, which is accustomed to years of Hydrocortisone. However, whenever I remember that the reason my arms are broken out again is lack of Coconut Oil, I get the same rapid results.

I am 41 years old, on the short slide to 42, and people are regularly shocked to learn my age, thinking that I am 10 or more years younger. This is in spite of several health problems, which cause me to be overweight, wheezy and to limp and creak at times. Thanks again, Earth Clinic, for useful information, provided freely. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Replied by Gretchen
(Bothell, Wa / Usa)
03/08/2012

Trying to find products to help with eczema for folks allergic to Coconut in any form is a nightmare! Would like to see companies list coconut on ingredient labels as simply "coconut" the 40 chemical names it's listed under is a real pain! Help for fellow sufferers your pharmacist can help decode labels if you ask them.

Coconut oil is in most every soap (cleaning product) on the market including laundry soap! I encourage folks with eczema to try a very small spot test before commiting to large quantities of it.

I recently spent time in an ER for having had my bedding laundried in Seventh Generation laundry soap. I woke looking like a cabbage patch doll!

Coconut Oil

Posted by Kelly (Denver, Co, Usa) on 08/30/2010
★★★★★

I used virgin coconut oil on my face where I had eczema patches. In 2 days the eczema was completely gone. I tried everything, steroid cream, aloe vera, ACV, vaseline. Nothing seemed to really help, but the coconut oil worked within hours. Amazing.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Agnes (Seattle, Wa) on 06/22/2010
★☆☆☆☆

I'm in my forties and have had eczema for about 10 years. I am in the midst of a bad flare up on my arms and face. I tried using virgin, organic coconut oil on my skin but it didn't help at all. I put on liberal amounts to the affected areas @five times a day for 2 straight days. I had to abandon it as the skin was getting worse and the flare up out of control. The coconut oil was just not enough moisture for my severely dried out, itchy skin. I would have liked to try it longer but could not let the flare up get any worse or I might lose my mind completely. I resorted back to more traditional treatments. I have concerns about these products but the flare up is getting better now.So nay for me on coconut oil as a treatment for eczema. (A small silver lining is that I did try using the coconut oil in my hair, leaving it in overnight and washing it out the next day, and it worked well as a deep conditioner.)

Replied by Sara
(Mesa, Az)
12/30/2009

A few years ago I was diagnosed with eczema on my face. It would appear in patches or on my eyelids. When I finally got the proper diagnosis, the doc gave me some topical steroids (which I barely used cause it seemed a bit harsh) and told me to buy a bar of soap. I think it has zinc and some other ingredients in it. The bar saved my face!

The coconut oil might not be working because my doc explained the type of eczema like this: your face might be oily or dry, but either way there will be some oil on your skin. Your body might start producing more oil based on hormone changes. The excess oil clogs the pores and the cycle begins. It seems kind of counter intuitive, cause my face never seemed oily, just dry. The coconut oil might just be adding more oil to the problem.

One the other hand, coconut oil has saved my feet. I actually have another kind of eczema on my feet. Cocount oil is the only thing I've found so far that will keep it at bay.

Replied by Alinzer
(Port Matilda, Pa)
12/28/2009

Emma from New Zealand - The rash you are describing on your face could be a sign of Lupus - please see your doctor and take that into account if necessary. Best Wishes. Alinzer, a veterinary science writer

Replied by Tracy
(Phoenix, Arizona)
10/28/2009
★★★★★

I developed eczema (atopic dermatitis) as a result of intense exposure to allergens roughly 2.5 years ago. Several dermatologists and allergists were unable to offer anything beyond antihistimines and steroids. At one point I was taking 5 different antihistamines a day. I was so itchy and miserable I could barely function. But since I was awake for hours at night, I used the time to search the internet for possible answers/cures. Here is what ultimately worked for me: topical use of coconut oil several times a day (I actually make my own blend of coconut and olive oils now as well as a body butter by adding beeswax) and oral use of 1 evening primrose oil capsule per day (EPO contains GLA, which is good for eczema). I also try to cook with coconut oil and use it whenever possible instead of butter or olive oil. (Makes great popcorn.) It took over two years to figure this all out, but my eczema has been gone for two months now and I feel like a new/normal person without taking a bunch of drugs.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Bill (Cedar Hills, UT) on 06/20/2009
★★★★★

Coconut Oil healed daughter's mild excema

Since moving from Houston to Utah, my 7 yr old daughter has had a few bouts of mild excema, where the skin on her hands turned red, then purple, and got very dry, then grainy and started to look like what we called "mummy skin." It was frightful to my touch.

When it first appeared, we tried some Coconut oil on it. We would apply usually once every evening before she went to bed. Her hands showed noticeable improvement after several days. There was no trace of her condition after two weeks.

Since then, to make sure it wasn't a fluke, we tried other lotions and petroleum jelly when it reappears about every 6 months. They did not work. So we've gone back to using coconut oil the last two times her hands started showing that now-familiar appearance. We now apply it twice a day when we remember, and as before, there is no trace within 2 weeks.

Eczema
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Coconut Oil for Eczema

What Is Eczema?