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Home > Children's Health & Parenting > Eczema

Treating Children's Eczema Naturally
by Stacelynn Caughlan

To do more than simply treat the symptoms of eczema, some detective work is called for. Before eczema can be properly addressed, two important questions must be asked: “what does the child need taken out of her diet” and “what needs to be added to her diet”.

Allergies to both foods and environmental irritants are often linked to skin conditions like eczema. Common allergens include dairy, wheat, soy, corn, egg, oranges, mold, dust, cigarette smoke, and animal dander. Often the easiest way to identify a food allergen is to eliminate it from your child’s diet for a period of 1-2 weeks, and note any changes. Be sure to watch that his diet is balanced enough to compensate for the food you are removing i.e. high calcium foods to replace dairy.
Environmental allergens can often be tricky to avoid, but elimination and observation is worth trying.

The next step is to see what may need to be added to your child’s diet. Essential fatty acids like those found in nuts, seeds, and fish contribute to healthy skin cells. Often the addition of supplements such as flax seed oil, evening primrose, or borage can bring about quick changes in skin conditions. These oils can also be used externally to alleviate pain and itching.

The addition of vitamin C and zinc to your child’s diet helps support their immune system and reduce inflammation and infection. Probiotics, often referred to as acidophilus, may also improve eczema if it is related to immune dysfunction or yeast (Candida) overgrowth. Occasionally yeast can be found growing on the patches of affected skin. Herbs too can bring effective relief. Eczema that is related to stress (such as a new sibling, change of address, or new school) can benefit greatly from nervine herbs that are safe for children. Used topically in the form of a cream or salve, some herbs can help relieve itching and infection.

Eliminating eczema can be a lot more time consuming than simply alleviating the symptoms, but allowing our children’s small bodies to function normally is the greatest reward.

Stacelynn Caughlan is a Clinical Nutritionist and Certified Herbalist who specializes in Prenatal and Pediatric Health.

Related Links
Childhood Skin Conditions - more detail than the above article
Treating Ear Infections Naturally