- in Health & Beauty by Alexis Rodrigo
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How to Care For Baby’s Eczema Naturally
There are various treatments for baby eczema, but some parents prefer more natural methods. There are, in fact, several ways you can care for your baby’s eczema naturally. Here are some ideas.
Not Just an External Problem
Eczema is not just a problem with the skin and its external environment. Many natural health practitioners emphasize the importance of diet and nutrition in the development and management of eczema. In fact, some sources say that eczema is a manifestation of food allergies.
This turned out to be the case with my DS. A few months ago, we found out he has sensitivities to wheat, gluten, eggs, dairy, and peanuts. After we cut these foods out (as much as we could) from his diet, his skin cleared. When we get lax and allow him to eat some of these foods, then his eczema flares up again.
Here is a partial list of those common food allergens that you might want to avoid if your baby suffers from eczema. If you are nursing, you can leave these foods out of your diet; if your baby is eating solid food, you can leave these out of his or her diet.
- Dairy products, particularly cow’s milk (if you are feeding formula to your baby, choose dairy and soy-free formula)
- Citrus fruits
- Soybean and soy products
- Wheat
- Strawberries and other berries
- Chocolate
- Peanuts
- Fish
- Eggs
- Pork
- Tomatoes
In addition, some foods are said to be good for the management and relief of eczema symptoms. Nursing moms can eat more of these foods and/or feed them to baby. Usually, these are foods high in essential fatty acids, which are said to be anti-inflammatory.
- Flax oil
- Avocado
- Seeds (sunflower, chia, etc.)
- Olive oil
- Safflower oil
- Tahini (sesame seed butter)
- Breastmilk itself
- Oily fish like salmon and sardines (as long as allergies to fish are not present)
Topical Treatments
Treating the skin itself is also important. Skin with eczema needs fresh air, so loose clothing or no clothing over the affected areas may help. In addition, you can try some of these natural, topical treatments.
- Calendula cream (calendula is a type of marigold that is said to be beneficial to skin when infused into creams, lotions and ointments – choose calendula products with all-natural ingredients)
- Oatmeal baths (grind rolled oats into a flour in a blender and mix into baby’s bath water, or tie ground oats into a cheesecloth bag and steep in baby’s bath water)
- Aloe vera gel (fresh from the leaf is recommended)
- Unrefined olive oil in baby’s bath or applied right after
- Calendula-infused olive oil (heat olive oil very gently and stir in dried calendula flowers; steep overnight and strain)
- Apricot oil
Sources point out some potential environmental allergens to avoid as well:
- Heavily-scented or artificially-scented cleansers, soaps, creams, and lotions
- Synthetic clothing fiber (100% cotton clothing is usually recommended)
- Clothing that is dyed with synthetic dyes
Allergens in the Home
Household allergens may play a role in baby eczema. Dust mites, mold, pollen, and other common household allergens should be removed from the home as much as possible. To do this, try the following:
- Keep furnace and air conditioner filters clean – change them frequently, and use the type of filters that remove airborne allergens.
- Vacuum daily if possible.
- Wash bedding in hot water regularly.
- Pillows and stuffed animals can be put in the freezer for 24 hours to kill dust mites.
- Air purifiers can be stationed throughout the home.
To manage your child’s eczema the natural way, the best thing to do is to consult a naturopathic doctor. He or she will guide you on the right tests to diagnose food sensitivities and allergies, and the use of topical as well as herbal, homeopathic or other alternative treatments.
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