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Eczema is a very uncomfortable, disfiguring skin condition that affects children of all ethnicities. Eczema is the result of an overactive immune system attacking healthy tissue. Some scientists believe there may be a link between food sensitivities and eczema, but further research is needed to understand this relationship fully. Eczema is treated with topical steroids, emollients, and antihistamines. In most cases, eczema can be successfully managed with over-the-counter medications and careful skincare. Let’s know about eczema and how we can reduce eczema.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition that results in dry, itchy, inflamed skin. Eczema is caused by an overactive immune system that attacks healthy tissue. The most common areas affected by eczema are the face, neck, inside of the elbows, and behind the knees. Eczema can also affect the skin around the eyes, hands, feet, groin area, and buttocks.
What are the types of eczema?
There are several different types of eczema. The most common type is called atopic dermatitis or AD. AD usually begins in infancy or early childhood and worsens with age. It affects up to 20 percent of children in industrialized countries. AD has three main subtypes:
Infantile (ages 6 months-2 years):
This subtype presents a red, scaly rash around the eyes, mouth, neck, wrists, and ankles.
Childhood (ages 3-10 years):
This subtype usually affects children’s hands, feet, elbows, or knees. The skin may crack or bleed, leading to infection.
Adult (15 years – 40+ years):
This subtype usually affects adults’ hands, feet, or arms. It most often appears in the elbow creases and is a more chronic condition with periods of remission and flare-ups.
Other types of eczema include:
Nummular dermatitis (small coin-shaped patches of inflamed skin):
This type usually affects older adults and is often mistaken for psoriasis.
Dyshidrotic dermatitis (a skin condition that causes blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet):
This type is more common in young adults and affects women more often than men.
Seborrheic dermatitis (a skin condition that causes a red, oily, scaly rash on the scalp, face, and chest):
This type is more common in adults and usually affects people with a poor immune system.
How do I know if my child has eczema?
The most common symptoms of eczema include:
- Dry, itchy skin
- Red, inflamed skin
- Scaly patches of skin
- Swollen skin
What causes eczema in children?
The cause of eczema is unknown, but scientists believe it may be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Eczema is more common in children who have a family history of asthma, hay fever, or eczema. It is also more common in children exposed to environmental allergens, such as pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. Some scientists believe there may be a link between food sensitivities and eczema, but further research is needed to understand this relationship fully.
What are the risk factors of eczema?
Anyone can get eczema; however, certain things may make a person more likely to develop this condition, including:
- Having a family history or personal history of allergies (such as hay fever and asthma).
- Living in an area with high levels of air pollution.
- Having a job that requires contact with harsh chemicals or solvents.
- Exposure to extreme weather conditions, such as dry and cold climates or hot and humid climates.
If your child’s severe eczema, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications or treatments. This article will discuss some tips for reducing your son’s eczema in a little over seven weeks.
These are the things I did to reduce my Son’s eczema:
- Avocado Oil:Â We started using avocado oil as a moisturizer. Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which help heal the skin. It is also non-irritating and gentle enough for sensitive skin.
- Wet Wrap Therapy:Â We started doing wet wrap therapy every day. Moist wrap therapy involves wrapping the child in wet towels and plastic wrap. The skin is left wet for at least 30 minutes and then carefully dried off. This provides moisture for the skin and helps to reduce inflammation.
- Vitamin D Supplement: Lastly, we started supplementing with vitamin D. Eczema has been linked with a vitamin D deficiency. Research studies show that children who have eczema and take vitamin D supplements significantly improve their symptoms.
- Use gentle cleanser:Â When choosing a gentle cleanser, nothing is more important than the pH of the product. The skin’s surface has an acidic pH of 5.5; therefore, it is best to use products with a slightly acidic pH (between 5 and 6.5).
- Apply a moisturizer:Â After cleansing, apply a moisturizer to the child’s skin. Moisturizers should be used immediately after bathing while the skin is still damp to help seal in moisture.
- Avoid irritants:Be sure to avoid any products or ingredients that may irritate the skin, such as soap, perfume, bubble bath, and harsh chemicals.
- Use a gentle cleanser on bedding and clothing:Â Be sure to use a mild detergent on bedding and clothing. Harsh detergents can irritate the skin and make eczema worse.
- Reduce environmental triggers:Â Reduce environmental triggers, such as dust, pollen, and pet dander.
- Keep a diary:Â It can be helpful to keep a journal of the child’s eczema symptoms. This will help you to identify any potential triggers.
- Make sure your son drinks plenty of water:Â Drinking water is essential for healthy skin. Be sure to keep your son well hydrated.
- Apply coconut Oil:Â Coconut oil contains capric acid, lauric acid, and caprylic acid, all of which have antimicrobial (anti-bacterial) properties. I also use Coconut Oil for my son’s face as a moisturizer, and it works wonders on his skin. If your child is suffering from eczema, apply coconut oil 4 to 5 times a day directly on the skin or mix with avocado oil and rub it all over it.
- Try to reduce your stress levels:Stress can aggravate eczema symptoms. Practice some relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation to help calm your mind and body.
- Wash all bedding and stuffed toys:Dust mites are a common cause of eczema flare-ups. Be sure to wash all bedding and stuffed toys in hot water to eliminate any dust mites.
- Remove all carpets from your house:Carpets can often harbor dust mites and other allergens that aggravate eczema symptoms. Consider replacing carpets with hardwood floors or tile.
- Take supplements:After research, I found out that Vitamin D deficiency can cause Eczema. So I started supplementing with Vitamin D for my son.
- Reducing Flare-Ups:Â When he has a flare-up, I made sure to moisturize every 2 hours! And apply coconut oil to the affected area at night before bedtime. It helps reduce flare-ups fast! These are some of the things that have worked for me. I hope they help you reduce your son’s eczema symptoms. It is also very important to consider medical treatment for eczema treatment.
Here are the ways skin doctors treat eczema in children:
- Topical corticosteroids:Â Topical corticosteroids are the most common treatment for eczema. They are applied directly to the skin and help to reduce inflammation.
- Oral corticosteroids:Â If the child’s eczema is severe, the doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids. These medications help to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
- Immunosuppressants:Â If the child’s eczema is not responding to other treatments, the doctor may prescribe immunosuppressants. These medications help to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation.
- Phototherapy:Â Phototherapy is a treatment that involves exposing the child to ultraviolet light. This helps to reduce inflammation and itchiness.
- Biologic therapy:Â Biologic therapy is a newer treatment for eczema that involves targeting specific proteins in the immune system. This helps to reduce inflammation and itchiness.
- Topical calcineurin inhibitors:Topical calcineurin inhibitors are a newer type of topical corticosteroid that helps to reduce inflammation and itchiness.
- Wet wrap therapy:Â Wet wrap therapy is a treatment that involves wrapping the child’s skin in wet bandages after applying a topical corticosteroid. This helps increase the absorption of the medication and reduces inflammation and itchiness.
- Dietary changes:Â Some children with eczema may benefit from dietary changes, such as eliminating dairy or gluten from their diet.
- Use of emollients:Â Emollients are moisturizing products that help to keep the skin hydrated. They can be applied directly to the skin or used as a bath additive.
There are many ways to reduce your son’s eczema symptoms. By using a combination of these methods, you should be able to get your child’s eczema under control in under 7 weeks. Consult with your child’s doctor if you have any questions or concerns. You can also consider homeopathic treatment for eczema. Homeopathic medicine is one of the most natural ways to treat eczema, and it has worked well for my son.
Why did I choose homeopathic treatment for eczema for my child?
1)It is natural and does not have any harmful side effects. It helps to build up the immune system.
2)There are no known cases of addiction to homeopathic treatment as it is made from all-natural ingredients which are highly safe to use even on newborns, infants, and children.
3)Homeopathic remedies can be used alongside other treatments.
4)It has no chemicals, preservatives, or artificial colors that may irritate a child’s sensitive skin.
5)The doctor will provide a personalized homeopathic remedy suitable for your child’s individual needs, which means there is no risk of allergies or side effects from using the same product as someone else with different circumstances.
6)It is easy to administrate the treatment and can be done by either the parents or the child themself.
7)Homeopathic remedies are very affordable and sourced from most good pharmacies.
8)There is a high success rate in treating eczema with homeopathy.
9)The treatment does not require any laboratory tests, so it is convenient for both the parents and the child.
10) It is a long-term treatment that will help to keep the child’s eczema under control.
11)Homeopathic remedies are suitable for all ages, from newborns to adults.
13)There is no need for the child to restrict any activities or diet while on the treatment.
14)It is suitable for all types of eczema, including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. It also prevents the flare-up of pre-existing eczema.
15)The treatment is based on regular doses of natural ingredients, so it can be taken for as long as needed without causing any adverse reaction, unlike corticosteroids, which may cause dependency with extended usage.
16)Homeopathic remedies help to strengthen the child’s immune system and prevent potential future outbreaks from occurring due to a weakened condition caused by extended usage of corticosteroid creams.
17)It treats the root cause of my son’s eczema rather than just relieving his symptoms. We have been homoeopathically treating my son’s eczema now, and my son has not had a flare-up since he began treatment. His skin has normalized, and he does not have to worry about going out in public without covering his skin.
- The best thing that I like about homeopathic treatment for my son is that it helps build up the immune system rather than just relieving the symptoms of eczema. It is a long-term treatment that has been very beneficial for us as we do not have to keep on buying corticosteroid creams from the pharmacy, which are expensive and can be easily abused, leading to side effects.
- Homeopathy has dramatically improved my son’s quality of life because he doesn’t have to feel self-conscious about going outdoors anymore. This is why I strongly recommend homeopathic eczema treatment for your child if you are looking for a natural way to treat eczema.
- Eczema can be a complex condition to manage, but by using a combination of these methods, you should be able to get your child’s eczema under control in under 7 weeks. If you consider homeopathic treatment for your child’s eczema, I would highly recommend consulting with a registered homeopath. They will provide you with a personalized remedy that is tailored to your child’s specific needs. You can book an appointment through OHO Homeopathy!