Eczema is a skin ailment involving superficial inflammation of the skin mainly affecting the epidermis. It is characterised by itching with a red rash that weeps and becomes blistered. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a skin condition where the skin is aggravated by inflammation and sensitivities. Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, occurs when the skin is abnormally sensitive to allergens, causing the skin to become red, flaky and itchy where the joints are mostly affected. This disease is chronic and recurrent. Atopic dermatitis often affects individuals who have other atopic diseases like hay fever, asthma, or conjunctivitis (pinkeye).
Common causes of eczema are:
- allergies
- emotional stress
- a history of asthma or allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
- inhaled allergens (like dust mites, pollens, grasses, fungal spores or animal dander)
- bacterial, fungal or viral infection
- nutritional deficiencies or metabolic disorders
- food allergies (gluten, dairy, citrus, eggs, wheat, colours, flavours and preservatives).
Your four year old son would do well with taking the Fusion Health Allergy formulation; the suggested dose for children is 1-2 tablets/ day; however your son should take ½ tablet twice a day. These tablets dissolve if placed in a small amount of warm water or alternatively you can easily crumble it onto his food or add it to a little honey. Fusion Health Allergy has a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory effect to help reduce these symptoms by reducing the amount of histamine produced by the mast cells (immune system cells) when aggravated by airborne allergens such as pollens, dust, pollution and chemicals. This over sensitivity of immune cells contributes to skin inflammation.
Natural treatments for ezcema:
- Check Zinc levels; you can do this by performing a Zinc tasting test using the Ethical Nutrients Zinc Tally. Eat more zinc rich foods such as nuts, seeds, grains, oysters, red meats, parsley and pepitas (pumpkin seeds).
- You may use a topical cream to ease the irritation and help to promote healing. Hopes Relief Cream is an effective topical cream which may alleviate the irritating itch associated with eczema.
- Add some cod liver oil to his food which contains high amounts of Vitamin A and D as these are beneficial for healing of the skin and wound repair. Many people with skin sensitivities are also more likely to be deficient in these vitamins. Foods which contain high levels of these are: fish, dairy products, nuts and seeds, cod liver oil.
- If you suspect that the skin irritation may be caused by Candida and your son is exhibiting other symptoms such as digestive bloating taking a supplement which contains probiotics will ensure that you have adequate amounts of healthy bacteria thriving through the digestive tract and bowels.
- Ensure that your son is properly hydrated. Water is the solution to pollution in the body as it allows more metabolic wastes to be removed from the body and filtered by the kidneys.
- Take a soothing bath. Put some chamomile and oats in a muslin cloth or stocking and tie it over the bath tap and let the warm bath water run through it. Chamomile is very calming to the skin and oats contain mucopolysaccharides which help to soothe and heal the skin and reduce the itch.
- Increase oily foods in the diet to provide better moisture to the skin and a barrier to help soothe irritations – raw unheated olive oil, flaxseed oil, nuts, fish and avocados.
- Take a fish oil capsule to provide more essential fatty acids to the skin and reduce inflammation.
- Reduce inflammation within the body by alkalising the blood. Foods which are alkaline are sprouts, fish, miso soup, millet, vegetable broths and juices, water, lemon juice and green barley powder.
- Reduce inflammation causing/ heating foods such as wheat, sugar, dairy, alcohol, soft drinks, preservatives, processed and refined foods and red meat.
- Use fragrance free and chemical free moisturisers, shampoos, creams, soaps and deodorants (especially because the rash is present under the arms). The common irritants to the skin contained in most body and face care products are sodium lauryl sulphate or any of its derivatives, benzenes, petroleum based products, aluminium, chlorhexidine, dioxins, Ethylenediamide tetraacetic acid (EDTA), parabens and hydrazines.
- See a dermatologist to determine the cause of what he may be reacting to or have a blood and/ or allergy test.
- Some herbs may help reduce inflammation and the body’s resistance to the irritants, such as licorice, marshmallow, euphorbia, bupleurum, ginger, chickweed, pinellia, skullcap, albizzia, siberian ginseng, golden seal and chamomile. A naturopath can tailor-make a herbal supplement and give you the guidance and assistance this condition requires. Considering your son is an infant it is difficult for me to suggest any remedies as many formulations are not ideal for children.
- The Brauer Children’s Recovery Tonic is available in liquid form and may be beneficial for your child by supporting his immune system and general vitality.
- People with inflammatory skin conditions are usually deficient in anti-oxidants such as Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Selenium.
- A food challenge can also determine whether a specific food is triggering a dermatitis reaction. The suspected food is removed from the diet and then gradually added back into the diet and skin changes noted.
- Avoid exposure to the allergen as much as possible; avoid chemicals and extreme temperatures which can worsen symptoms.
- Manage stress which can trigger or worsen flare-ups.