There are few things that make you feel more helpless as a parent than watching your child suffer from pain or discomfort. If your baby is struggling with eczema, then you know this feeling well. If you’re ready to take control of your little one’s eczema - and say good-bye to trying cream after cream - then it’s time to explore natural remedies for baby eczema.
When it comes to natural treatments for baby eczema that actually work, the key is to get to the root cause of the problem. And that starts by understanding what eczema really is..
What is Eczema?
Eczema is not a whole lot of fun. It typically presents as a red, scaly itchy rash that likes to appear on the creases of the elbows, the backs of the knees, behind the ears, on the face and on the hands. Eczema is quite common in babies and can be found anywhere on the body. It is a form of chronic inflammation of the skin.
Eczema - especially severe cases - are often treated with steroid creams and other topical solutions. But there are many natural remedies for baby eczema, too.
The key to knowing which remedies are right for your child starts with understanding baby eczema triggers.
5 Foods That Can Make Eczema Worse
When you’re managing baby eczema, foods to avoid can feel never-ending. But there are five foods that are the most common triggers.
1) Dairy- The proteins found in dairy (casein and whey) are the triggers for eczema. It is not an issue with lactose (as in a lactose intolerance) and eating lactose free dairy does not help. Elimination of all dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter) for 3 weeks should lead to improvement.
2) Eggs- The second most common food sensitivity in children under 4 and associated with eczema. Eliminate egg whites and yolks for 3 weeks. Eggs are often hidden in a lot of foods. For a handout on hidden sources of eggs, please send me an email to alexis@ecochicmovement.com.
3) Gluten- Also present in many foods in hidden forms. Eliminate for 3 weeks.
4) Tomatoes- Can be very inflammatory to young children’s skin, especially if eaten frequently.
5) Citrus- Has similar effects as tomatoes in young children and can be irritating to the skin.
It’s important to eliminate these trigger foods completely for at least 3 weeks to determine how they’re affecting your child’s eczema. If you wish to have Food Sensitivity Testing done, instead of doing trial eliminations, book an appointment with Dr Alexis.
Natural Remedies for Baby Eczema To Calm The Itch
While you’re probably tired of trying eczema cream after eczema cream to soothe your child’s skin, there are many topical, natural remedies that can truly help.
1) Oatmeal- Take 1 cup of NON quick cook oats and place in the foot of a pantyhose. Steep in approximately 1 L of boiling water for 5-10 min. Allow to cool, and add to the bath. Bathing should be as infrequent as possible, and definitely not daily.
2) Oil- Add a few drops of our non-toxic Baby Oil to bath water to help keep their skin hydrated.
3) Quality Moisturizer- A natural moisturizer (petroleum free) is one of the best natural remedies for baby eczema, and should be applied to the affected areas regularly. Ingredients to look for in a natural baby eczema cream are: Shea Butter, Calendula and Aloe. Keeping the barrier of your child’s skin intact is very important.
If the skin is raw and broken with eczema, proteins can pass into the bloodstream making the child more likely to develop food allergies. This phenomenon is known as “leaky skin.”
It is a good idea to use a good barrier cream all over the body, like a Body Butter with Shea Butter, and to use our Skin Conditioning Cream to help strengthen the skin and repair dryness.
5 Natural Strategies To Reduce Eczema Flares
1) Food- Eliminate foods that can make eczema worse. Use the list of baby eczema foods to avoid from above, and increase intake of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.
2) Vitamin D- Can be directly supplemented for the child.
3) Bacteria!- Pre and Probiotics! Research indicates that fructooligosaccharide is the most effective prebiotic while Lactobacillus rhamnosus is the most effective probiotic for baby eczema. If mom is still breastfeeding, she can supplement with pre and probiotics.
4) Nature- Exposure to different bacteria in nature is one of the best natural remedies for baby eczema, and has been shown to reduce the severity of eczema. Exposure to farm animals and forest has been shown to be most beneficial.
5) Chemical Reduction- Chemical exposures from pesticides, conventional skincare products and cleaning products can interact with proteins in the body, initiating an allergic response which can result in eczema.
Navigating Natural Remedies for Baby Eczema
Eczema can cause quite a bit of stress for parents. If you are suffering from eczema or having to watch your child suffer it is a good idea to see a naturopathic doctor and get a treatment plan tailored to you.
Eczema is something that can be overcome usually with some fairly simple interventions. But the key to managing eczema - and especially treating baby eczema naturally - is to understand your child’s unique triggers. Please speak to your health care provider before starting any new medication or supplements.
Want more guidance on finding the eczema solutions that are right for your child? Explore our Eczema Eraser Workshop - a 2.5-hour workshop designed to help you understand common eczema triggers and develop a personalized plan for managing your child’s eczema without steroids.
Like what you learned here? Grab our FREE GUIDE- 5 Things That are Causing Your Baby's Eczema
Dr Alexis
Dr Alexis practicesvia telemedicine, and is currently accepting new patients.
Naturopathic medicine is covered by most extended insurance benefits.
