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, 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.

5 Foods That Can Make Eczema Worse

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- Are the second most common food sensitivity in children under 4 and is 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 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

If you wish to have Food Sensitivity Testing done, instead of doing trial eliminations, book an appointment with Dr Alexis 

Tips To Calm The Itch

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 bath. Bathing should be a infrequent as possible, and definitely not daily.

2) Oil- Add a few drops of our Baby Oil to bath water to help keep their skin hydrated

3) Quality Moisturizer- A natural moisturizer (petroleum free) should be applied to the affected areas. Ingredients to look for 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 Condition Cream for spot treating the eczema

5 Strategies To Reduce Eczema Flares

1) Food- Eliminate foods that can make eczema worse. Increase intake fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.

2) Vitamin D- Can be directly supplemented by the child.

3) Bacteria!- Pre and Probiotics! Research indicates that fructooligosaccharide is the most effective probiotic while Lactobacillus rhamnosus is the most effective probiotic. If mom is still breastfeeding, she will supplement.

4) Nature- Exposure to different bacteria in nature 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, skincare products, cleaning products can interact with proteins in the body, initiating an allergic response which can result in 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. Please speak to your health care provider before starting any new medication or supplements

Any questions or comments, post below and I will be happy to address them

Dr Alexis

Dr Alexis practices in Kanata, and is currently accepting new patients.

Naturopathic medicine is covered by most extended insurance benefits