Eczema

Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis is characterized by an itchy, red, inflamed rash on the skin that can get weepy and ooze after scratching. It can also be very dry, scaly, cracked and pink. It is the most common of childhood complaints.

Eczema is a reaction most often related to an allergic response to food or something your child comes in contact with in their environment (detergent, chemical, soap or metal). Eczema usually develops in an infant from a food allergy in their mother’s breastmilk, formula allergy (to cow’s milk protein or soy), or later in your child’s life when introducing new foods. Eczema is a sign that the digestive tract is having problems digesting food. As a child grows up, learning to properly digest foods can be a challenge. Children with eczema may grow up to have further food allergies, asthma and/or hayfever. Breastfeeding a child exclusively for 6 months is strongly recommended for anyone with family history of allergies to try and prevent further allergies in your child.

Before giving birth to your baby you may also want to check with a Naturopathic Doctor to see how your flora count is in your digestive tract, this is to ensure you have a healthy amount of good bacteria. A healthy gut for mom results in a healthy gut for baby. When you deliver your child, the baby swallows a healthy supply of bacteria as it comes through your birth canal. This helps to coat your baby’s intestinal tract aiding your baby in having healthy digestion of new food proteins.

Conventional Treatment
Many doctors will inform you that this is not an allergy and it will probably go away on its own. They may prescribe an over the counter hydrocortisone cream or sometimes even a stronger steroid cream depending on the severity of the eczema. We caution you as to the effects of a steroid cream as this cream can thin out the skin and, in higher doses, being a steroid, can have serious side effects for your baby.

Nutrition and Recommendations
If the child suffering from eczema is a baby or toddler please referring to INFANT FEEDING, the first Tip of the Week provided by Baby Purity. Following this diet is a perfect start for a baby's healthy future.
The main focus should be to find out the cause of the problem, eliminate the allergic causing foods and build up the digestive tract to gain a healthy immune system.

The most common allergy causing foods are:
cow milk, wheat, eggs, citrus fruits, shellfish and chocolate.
Try eliminating these foods to see if you are able to find out the cause of the eczema. Once discovered you may have to eliminate the food for up to six months, to completely clear up the skin.

Include foods high in bioflavonoids such as berries, potassium and vitamin A (carrots and leafy greens). A vegetable soup made with vegetables, onions and garlic would be very beneficial to your child’s skin. Onions and garlic contain sulphur and amino acids, which are good for the skin.

Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc are also very useful in the healing of skin tissue. Selenium helps the body absorb Vitamin E.

Finally, flax seed oil for anti-inflammatory properties and Lactobacillus acidophilus for fostering friendly bacteria in the bowel and aiding the body in healthy digestion.

It may be tough waiting on all the internal changes to take place as it takes time and you may begin feeling like a quick topical fix would be great. Finding a resolution to help your child more immediately is something we are very accustomed to with conventional medicine. While you wait for their bodies to get healthy on the inside, you can try some of these natural topical remedies. You can apply Vitamin E oil from a capsule (not topical Vitamin E) or try a cream mixture of chamomile, lavender or yarrow oils which would be beneficial for the skin.