Healing Childhood Eczema Naturally
Our skin is an amazing thing. The largest detoxifying organ of our body, our skin functions as a protective barrier from the outside world while providing a route of elimination for waste products within.
As kids, our skin takes a beating.
Learning to walk results in tumbles and bruises. Bike riding spills end up with scratches and scrapes. But yet, no matter how many bumps and scabs our kiddos get, in three or so days, the evidence is gone.
The skin can handle external trauma with outstanding resilience. However, repetitive insult from within and our skin will let us know.
Eczema or atopic dermatitis is no stranger to many children.
It presents as an itchy, red, inflamed, oozing rash commonly around the ears, knee pits, elbows, and forearms. The rash is often aggravated by heat, sweat, wool clothing, water, chlorinated water, soaps, detergents, perfumes, scratching and cold weather.
For kids, it’s an uncomfortable, embarrassing disease.
It is often treated with corticosteroid creams, to which the rash may regress, but will commonly reappear once the cream is discontinued. When pharmaceuticals temporarily relieve the symptom, we know it’s not treating the root cause of the problem. Prolonged corticosteroid use can result in loss of muscle and bone, poor wound healing, impaired immune function, insomnia, fatigue and high blood sugar.
Eczema responds quite well to naturopathic treatments as a result of finding the underlying cause of the imbalance.
Eczema is an inflammatory condition that is frequently caused by a digestive dysfunction. In a healthy gut, the small intestine cells form a tight junction with adjacent cells. This results in a strict control of what can pass through the gut for absorption into the blood. Small proteins, sugars, fats, vitamins and minerals from our food have no trouble gaining access, but larger proteins and waste products have no entry and therefore pass into the large intestine and bowel for excretion.
When the cells of the small intestine have been insulted by poor diet, allergens, pharmaceuticals, environmental toxins, yeast and bacteria overgrowth, this tight junction begins to loosen and the space resulting between the cells allows for passage of everything. The burden of the toxin load in the bloodstream results in dumping it in the skin cells (and joints and lungs). Rashes (painful joints/arthritis and asthma) are a consequence of this.
Therefore, naturopathic treatment often begins with a ‘healing the gut’ protocol. Using Vega testing or other food allergy testing is often useful to determine food allergies or yeast imbalances that can contribute to eczema. Common food offenders include baby formula (dairy or soy), dairy, wheat, eggs, corn, soy and citrus.
Omega 3 fatty acids with adequate doses of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are important for increasing circulation, decreasing pain sensitivity and decreasing inflammation in the digestive tract and skin.
Probiotics, including acidophilius and bifidus, help reestablish healthy gut flora, inhibit the growth of yeast and enhance immune function.
Glutamine is an amino acid that provides energy specifically for intestinal cells and encourages healing of these cells. It is often used in treating intestinal absorption diseases. Glutamine also has immune boosting properties.
General skin healing supplements include Vitamin A and zinc. Vitamin A, found in fish oils, milk products, egg yolks and carrots, is a fat soluble vitamin responsible for building strong bones, teeth, hair, skin and mucus membranes. Beta carotene, which can be converted to Vitamin A in the body, is found in yams, carrots, squash, red pepper, broccoli, dark leafy vegetables, pink grapefruit, mangoes, apricots and grapes.
Zinc is one of the most important nutrients for immune function, hormonal function, and bone, skin and joint health. It is vital for wound healing which is especially important when treating eczema. Dietary sources of zinc include shellfish, oysters, poultry, nuts, seeds, pumpkin seeds, egg yolks, ginger, split peas, fruits, asparagus and spinach.
Botanical medicine is a great adjunct to diet and supplementation when treating eczema. Herbs that support liver and lymphatic detoxification can be chosen, but used with caution. While a gentle cleansing program can produce great healing effects for eczema, an aggressive detox can result in an aggravation of symptoms like rash, and when dealing with skin conditions and children, we don’t want to cause major discomfort.
If stress and anxiety play a role in the child’s eczema, nervine and relaxant herbs, such as chamomile, linden flowers, oats and skullcap added to a bath or skin ointment can be beneficial.
For itching or pain relief, herbal washes, creams, oils and salves can be helpful in decreasing inflammation and promoting healing of the skin. Chickweed, chamomile, calendula, yarrow, comfrey, plantain leaf and lavender flowers are valuable for these functions.
Acupuncture in older children and adults can play a role in healing eczema, by addressing underlying digestive disorders, promoting liver function and stabilizing mental and emotional imbalances.
Skin diseases, such as eczema generally take some time to resolve completely, especially when there are other imbalances to deal with. When following a healthy skin protocol, it’s worth the wait.
Healthy skin equals happy child.
© Dr. Amy Wells, Naturopathic Family Physician 250.871.2600
Category: The Doctor Is In, THINK GREEN, Your Healthy Nature
About the Author (Author Profile)
Dr. Amy Wells was born and raised in Newfoundland where she had an active childhood participating in gymnastics, cross country & downhill skiing and piano. After completing her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Biochemistry, she headed to Toronto to study four years of Naturopathic Medicine. Yearning for the ocean and outdoor adventures, she headed West and started a clinic in the Comox Valley. Amy’s latest journey is mothering a preschooler and keeping up!Subscribe
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I have a lot of trouble with eczema and all 3 of my children have had bouts with it as well. One of the things I used that was such a savior when they were little was milk and oatmeal infused baths. Thankfully it always did the trick to soothe and stop the itching
Great article.
What about a topical cream to relieve the itching? I have heard that Shea Butter is great, is there anything else you would recommend Amy?
Oatmeal poultice works great for itch relief and is easy. Placing oatmeal in a cheese cloth, old nylon or the like. Boil in water for a few minutes, cool and place on the itchy area.
Poultices or compresses of chickweed, calendula, plantain and comfrey relieve itching and helps heal the skin.
You can make your own salve of 1 2/3 oz of coconut oil + 2/3 oz Almond oil + 1 oz Rose water + 10 drops each of chamomile and yarrow essential oil. Heat the oils together in a double boiler and separately warm the rose water. Add the warmed rose water to the melted oils drops at a time until combined. Cool and store in a jar.
Homeopathy works great for itchy eczema too. Commonly used remedies include Sulphur and Silica.
Boy do I need alot of help. My son not only has a tree nut alergy ( almonds the worse ) , but is also alergic to fragrances. He got eczema at 4 months and still has it at 20 months. He seems to also have a nervous habbit of scratching whenever. I agree that I started babyingh him at a very young age, just so he wouldn’t scratch himself to oblivia, No he has an attachment to mommy like no other. Any detoxification reciepes with no almonds please or Any other ideas I surely welcome any help more than you know. Thanks
My 8 month old son was just diagnosed with a second round of MRSA that has stemmed from his eczema on the back of his knees. I have always had him on organic foods only, I use all Green cleaning agents, and I only use organic creams, lotions, shampoos, etc. I don’t understand what is going on! His pediatrician has prescribed Bactrim for a week along with steroid creams. I am so hesitant about using these. Do you think these are a must? I have been giving him Culturelle probiotics for the past 2 months every day. Is there anything else I can be doing to relieve his eczema and prevent MRSA? Any advice you could offer me would be much appreciated!
Thank you so much!
i suffer from Eczema and what i do is just take as much vitamins A, C and E supplements plus some topical corticosteroid to remedy the itch.
My daughter is now 2 1/2. She’s had eczema since she was born. It started at the creases in her ankles. Once I stopped breastfeeding, it became rampant all over. We saw an allergist and got rid of the cat. It’s been a long time since then and she still has seriously itchy flare ups. We’ve tried so many organic and non organic over the counter and prescribed medications, lotions, and soaps. I just read about bleach baths and I’m seriously thinking about trying it. I never thought I would consider such a thing…but she can’t sleep. No matter how short her nails are, she’ll rip her clothes off and scratch till she bleeds. The dermatologist, allergist and pediatrician are no help. I’m so tired of hearing this is common eczema. But the bleach thing…I’ve noticed that after swimming in a chloronated pool, her legs and lower back (the parts mostly in the pool) are cleared up and soft…like a baby should be. It doesn’t seem right. And it may seem like it’s worsening the whole we’re too clean and too antiobioticed…but I think I’ll try a tablespoon of bleach in her bath so she can get some relief.
my daughter also has eczema, which started when she was one, and flared up again as soon as we weaned her from breastmilk at 2. she has responded really well to a topical Emu oil from edible island. it smells weird but it relieves the itch and even makes the rash disappear.
Hi, I’ve got eczema round my eyes. The steroid cream gets rid of it, but when i stop using it the eczema comes back.
can anyone recommend anything natural to put on my eyes to help sooth and hopefully get rid of the problem? I don’t want to use the steroid cream for too long, i’m too young for wrinkles!
thanks
To Stacia, My sons also suffer from severe eczema. Our Pediatrician has recommended bleach baths a couple of times a week. This seems to help some.
I have also just started trying Rose Salve recommended by Bath and Body Works, we will see how that works. Has any one else used this?
My 8 month old son also suffers from terrible eczema and food allergies and our immunologist recommended 1/4 cup of standard household bleach in the bath (if using a baby bath, only add 1/4 of a CAP of bleach).
It has worked wonders! I try not to let him soak in a bath too often because the water tends to dry him out so I usually give him a quick bleach bath twice a week and just pop him in the shower with my husband or myself the other days. This seems to work well for him. Since using the bleach baths his eczema on his legs and arms has gone and he only suffers from it on his cheeks and hands where he seems to dribble constantly. Hopefully once he stops teething, it will all clear up!
Hi there. My daughter has suffered from eczema since she was 2 years old – she is almost three now. We have tried everything, seen 4 different Dr.s, tried elmimination diet, etc…we are now trying NAET and seem to be getting somewhere with it.Allergies to outside pollens seem to flare her eczema as well as cold weather. I tried the bleach bath out of desperation (like so many of you, my daughter does not sleep at night very well and wakes 5-6 times a night crying and scratching until she bleeds). It is absolutely heart breaking and the whole household is sleep deprived to say the very least.
The bleach bath was a disaster – just dried her skin more – irritated her skin more and made things worse. I would not do this unless your child has open secondary infections on their skin. I wish I wouldn’t have followed the Dr.’s recommendations! My daughter’s skin was red and flared, but did not have any open wounds – so I shouldn’t have given her a bleach bath hindsight. We have also tried cortisone creams but teh eczema comes back right after and I have found that she is starting to get yeast infections, I am sure related to teh cortisone creams – absorbing it into her system even though the Dr. says this is unlikely. Have done a lot of research on my won, exhausting Interent resources. I have found that I have been more successful with only using cetaphil to clean her body, oatmeal in the bath water, and shea butter or aquaphor right after her bath. ANYTHINg else burns her skin. At one point, her eczema was so bad, she couldn’t even get into the tub/water without crying. Please do not try the bleach treatment. It smells awful and can’t be good for the kids to breathe in while bathing. I know desperate times call for desperate measures, but Dr.’s only speculate as to what works, they don’t know themselves and every child’s skin is different. Good luck to everyone out there with a child with eczema. It is an emotional roller coaster and a very expensive journey to trying to find a ‘cure’.
Also, if you are looking for pajamas to prevent your kids from scratching, I ordered special pajamas for children with eczema from a Britich website (they seem to be more advanced in their research effirts) – SO worth the money, we no lnger have to tape duct her pajamas, just put tape on the backs of her hands where she scrathes and put socks over them if not the pajama mittens (I ahve to cut a hole in one because my daughter sucks her thumb). website is this….http://www.eczemaclothing.com/
It is for cotton comfort pajamas – they are great! look up comfytoe leggings- it is like a jump suit with buttons that your child will not be abelt o scratch in. We love it!
http://www.talkeczema.com/webdocs/links.php
good luck everyone. I am so happy for websites like this one! feel free to email me if you have any questions or ideas to share. Dealing with eczema is a nightmare! I would tkae it from my daughter ina heartbeat if I could.
kristina ([email protected])
There is no “how” in this article that is of any use. Glutamine helps but how do I give this to my child? What foods have glutamine in them (I don’t want to give her any pills). Oatmeal, lavender flowers, etc also help but how do I apply them? Chamomile and Oats added to a bath help, but how do I add them? Brew chamomile tea and then add that to the bath? Cook rolled oats and then add them to the bath, or add them whole? I just don’t find this article helpful at all.
My daughter has had exzema starting at age 2 months and continues at age 10 now. We have tried everything to keep it under control. I have found that thin layer of triamcinalone (topical steroid) with thick layer of auquphor along with dressing in all cotten clothing has helped in managing her condition. Although i have used the topical steroid as a last resort, it has helped alot.