"Mommy, Why Am I So Itchy?" 12 Tips For Babies & Kids With Eczema
Garden Acupuncture's Juliette Aiyana LAc, Herbalist & Mom
" Every night at bedtime my little son would ask me that heart breaking question while I helplessly watched him scratch at his legs through his cotton pajamas. My son was born with atopic allergies; seasonal allergies, life threatening food allergies and eczema. I was desperate to alleviate his discomfort and tried every non-steroidal eczema cream on the market with moderate results at best. I discovered Emily Skin Soothers which helped him more than any other topical product I tried. As an herbalist in the traditional Chinese method, I knew that I also had to address the root cause of my son’s skin problem. Through diet change and by administering Chinese herbs to him internally on a daily basis for at least six months, I felt confident that it would work. I have helped adults with severe, chronic eczema that they’d had for years or for a lifetime. My time studying with one the the foremost Chinese herbal dermatologists in the world, Mazin Al-Kafaji, has increased my clinical success rate with dermatologic disorders so much that it continuously blows my mind. I feel so blessed that I have had the opportunity to study with him. My son no longer suffers from chronic, unremitting eczema. He occasionally flares up if the spring hay fever or winter season is particularly intense or if he eats too much dairy, but we are able to get it under control very quickly now with Chinese medicine."
12 Tips For Babies & Kids With Eczema
Find a qualified acupuncturist and herbalist who specializes in childhood disease, dermatology and allergic autoimmune diseases.
Bath and shower water should be tepid to warm. Avoid hot water because it dries out the skin and causes irritation.
Bathe in fragrance-free colloidal oatmeal when itching is severe.
After a bath or shower apply an oil such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil then apply the appropriate variety of Emily Skin Soother on top. Blot dry. Do not rub the skin with a towel which might irritate the skin and remove the oils and salve.
Do not avoid baths and showers. A quick bath or shower daily can actually help heal skin by sealing the water moisture into the pores with an oily barrier as described in #4.
Dress in breathable natural fiber fabrics such as cotton. Avoid polyester, nylon and most fleece. Do not over swaddle infants and babies as they might get over-heated which will intensify itching and discomfort.
Use fragrance-free, dye-free laundry detergent. Avoid fabric softeners and bleach.
Do not use baby or “Gold Bond” type medicated powders on the skin as they are too drying and tend to irritate the skin.
If your baby has diaper rash, Emily Skin Soother Diaper Rash Ointment is incredibly healing. It is not too thick like zinc ointments which do not allow the skin to breath and can worsen the problem.
For extremely bad eczema visit the National Jewish Health website for instructions on how to wet wrap. Emily Skin Soother can be used as the seal ointment.
Feed your child an anti-inflammatory diet high in vegetables and fresh unprocessed foods. Avoid soy, corn, dairy, wheat, and oils of canola and soy. Be sure your child gets the nutrients they need when avoiding wheat by discussing this with a qualified healthcare practitioner and self-education. There is much more that can be included in the diet which we will discuss with you during your first visit at Garden Acupuncture.
Be patient with your child when they are flared-up. Think about how they feel. They might be cranky and moody because they are in pain due to severe itchy, cracked skin. They may need you to comfort them at night when itching tends to worsen. Stay with them at night to soothe them to sleep. They need your support and love. Read this article by allergist Dr. Paul Ehrlich about why people with eczema itch more at night.
stick figure kids
To Learn More about How We Treat Children At Garden Acupuncture Click Here.
To Learn More about How We Treat Dermatological Problems Click Here.