| Eczema in babies is a growing concern. Eczema | | | | can lead you to very high quality organic products that |
| Relief is very possible so do not become discouraged. | | | | truly are what they profess to be! |
| The more you understand about allergies & skin | | | | Eczema Skin Care - What to do Now? |
| disease the more successfully you will manage the | | | | Avoiding problematic chemicals where possible is one |
| problem. This skin condition is distressing for both the | | | | major factor in successfully managing this condition. It is |
| sufferer & the observer - rest assured there | | | | crucial that dry skin retains as much natural skin |
| practical ways to minimize its impact. So please | | | | moisture as possible. These two things will go a long |
| maintain your hope & we will look into this | | | | way to improving the situation. |
| together. | | | | Research indicates that bath time can improve the |
| How to Tell if you or your Baby are Allergic to | | | | situation if a few factors are taken into consideration.o |
| Something? Eczema is a type of dermatitis or | | | | Be alert to noticing skin changes & act quickly to |
| inflammation of the skin tissue. The skin becomes dry | | | | prevent severity & spreado Luke warm bath |
| & rashes continue to re-occur. The normal | | | | water will hydrate the skin & lessen the itcho A |
| symptoms include skin redness & extreme | | | | natural bath oil added to the water is one of the |
| dryness perhaps even a crusting on the surface of | | | | easiest ways to maintain skin moistureo Allow time to |
| the skin. The skin will be itching & tender to touch. | | | | enjoy the soak & the oil prior to using cleanserso |
| In more severe Eczema cases the skin may actually | | | | Do not use cleansers until the final minutes of bath time |
| bleed. | | | | (so not to be laying in soapy water unnecessarily)o pH |
| The Eczema Symptoms appear may be around the | | | | neutral shampoo & conditioner will prevent excess |
| mouth, cheeks, neck & scalp area. The chest, | | | | drying of the scalp if that area is affectedo Bath soak |
| behind the knees, the inside of the elbows & the | | | | prior to bed may aid relaxation & sleep - soak |
| groin. This may affect just one localised area of skin or | | | | time approx. 10minutes. |
| sadly a large portion of the body. This skin condition | | | | After Bathingo Do not rub skin dry just gently pat skin |
| involves the immune system or overly sensitive skin. It | | | | leaving it slightly moisto Applying safe chemical free |
| affects both genders equally & recent evidence | | | | moisturizer, preferably fragrance free directly on to the |
| suggests that it is influenced by genetics. Families that | | | | damp skino Using a barrier cream over particularly |
| have a history of hay fever, eczema & asthma | | | | sensitive areas & allowing these areas to be |
| (which involve the immune system) have an increased | | | | exposed to air if possible.o Mittens may necessary to |
| susceptibility. In the case of a small baby, they may | | | | reduce scratching in babies & childreno Keeping |
| begin showing signs that eczema may be developing | | | | finger nails well trimmed to prevent accidental |
| around 1 - 4 months of age. | | | | scratching |
| Common Types of Eczema | | | | #Beware of so called "natural products" that do not |
| Atopic Eczema: is the most likely form that affects | | | | disclose all of the ingredients. |
| children. This is a result of the immune system | | | | Healing Eczema - Helpful Suggestionso Dust mite |
| overreacting to a substance or substances. An irritant | | | | excrement can be a problem.o Using a damp cloth |
| of some kind becomes the trigger setting off the skin | | | | wipe over furniture regularlyo Vacuuming removes |
| reaction. Avoid the trigger & minimize the problem! | | | | more dust than sweepingo Try a simple patch test |
| A simple strategy that is not necessarily easy to | | | | when trying new bath productso For Babies -Wash |
| identify. | | | | toys regularly & an easy way to kill dust mites is |
| Contact Dermatitis: may be a reaction to the frequent | | | | to place cloth toys in the freezero Wash & air |
| use of a product or situation. Once the substance is | | | | bedding regularly |
| identified & avoided where possible the skin | | | | Eczema Skin Care - Daily Diary |
| irritation disappears. Xerotic Eczema: may also be | | | | You may want to take brief notes in a Daily Diary. This |
| known as winter itch. Dry skin becomes even dryer | | | | can help you identify particular allergens that may be |
| than usual as a result of the dry air of winter & | | | | minimized or controlled. |
| develops into a form of eczema. Increasing use of | | | | For example: Visit to the park on this lovely spring day. |
| moisturisers through the winter period may reduce this | | | | Later that day or a few days after the visit to the |
| from occurring. | | | | park you notice the eczema has flared up. Recording |
| Infantile Seborrheic Eczema: In more familiar terms | | | | the flare up in the diary may alert you to the possibility |
| Cradle Cap. This may affect babies under the age of 1 | | | | that this flare up could be an indication that pollens |
| year. The problem may begin on the scalp & | | | | from grasses & trees may have caused the |
| spread to areas where skin rubs against skin. Including | | | | allergic reaction. Try to recall what sections of skin |
| the nappy region, the under arms & the elbows. | | | | were exposed. (legs & arms exposed) (Flair up |
| The rash is a yellowish type crust & red scaly | | | | occurred on arms) |
| patches. Fortunately the baby does not tend to | | | | You are now in a position to try different options. Long |
| experience too much irritation or itch with this form of | | | | sleeves/long pants may be an option. Avoiding the |
| Eczema. | | | | park in spring time when plants, trees & grasses |
| The redness associated with various forms of the | | | | are most active in pollen production etc. may be |
| rash is caused by an increase of blood vessels that | | | | necessary. |
| flow to the region to aid healing. Dry skin increases the | | | | Example 2: Visit to friends' house with an indoor pet |
| severity & itching of the rash. Such factors | | | | dog, |
| aggravate the inflammation & may open the | | | | You may notice the rash a few days later. Recording |
| wound; increasing the vulnerability of infection. Each | | | | the flare up in the diary could again alert you to the |
| case is rather unique. There are varying degrees of | | | | possibility of animal dander or the saliva from licking |
| severity & the particular irritants differ from | | | | which may be the source of aggravation. What was |
| individual to individual. | | | | the sufferer wearing on the day. Recording anything |
| Allergic Eczema - Why Me or My Baby? | | | | else you may think or may not think - could actually be |
| The immune system is actually over-reacting to some | | | | important. |
| type of substance. A major source of irritants can be | | | | It is easy to forget things that do not appear to be all |
| found in soaps, lotions, house-hold cleaning products, | | | | that important days later. If you do brief notes it is |
| dust mite, pets & even heat, sweat and stress | | | | surprising how quickly you may identify certain patterns |
| can cause the reaction. | | | | that provide you an element of control. The reaction |
| The majority of babies that suffer tend to grow out of | | | | time may not be evident instantly & may take a |
| this problem by 5 or 6 years of age. Researchers are | | | | number of days. Foods too may be a problem to |
| concerned by the increase in the number of babies | | | | some. Parents, it is often advised to introduce one new |
| & young children being affected during the last | | | | food at a time. Doing so for a few days & be |
| 10-30 years. | | | | alert in observing any type of negative reaction. If a |
| Combining the hereditary factor & the potentially | | | | reaction does occur stop that product & allow |
| hazardous substances contained even in many | | | | time for the irritation to settle, before trying another fruit |
| products be the answer for the increase. Sad to say | | | | or vegetable. Try again with that food a couple of |
| that even well known & trusted brands of bathing | | | | months later. |
| products - specifically designed for babies bath time | | | | While breast feeding, bear in mind that your intake of |
| contain numerous potentially hazardous substances | | | | food & drink may also affect your baby. Hopefully |
| are raising concerns. These house-hold products | | | | you are able to see the importance of a daily diary. |
| containing these questionable chemicals may have | | | | Your diary will contain data that may reveal crucial |
| contributed to the increase in sufferers. | | | | information that has the potential to spare you & |
| Keeping the dry sensitive skin moist & as healthy | | | | the sufferer years of distress. |
| as possible is one of the most important strategies | | | | Natural Remedies for Eczema - Survival Strategy |
| that need to be implemented. Being aware & alert | | | | An unsettled & distressed person suffering an |
| will aid in the prevention of outbreaks & minimize | | | | skin outbreak may affect the entire house hold. In the |
| the severity of the attack. | | | | case of a baby or small child that may wake through |
| What House Hold Products cause Harm | | | | the night. Bathing may reduce the itch & irritation |
| In Many Eczema cases the trigger can be found in | | | | or additional lotions may be required etc. |
| common household cleaners & detergents that | | | | Parents when possible share the load. This may help |
| contain petrochemicals. These chemical substances | | | | ease the extent of your tiredness. Relish any rest |
| can be more easily absorbed by the skin of a | | | | periods that may come your way. Asking for |
| newborn which is much thinner & far more | | | | assistance from other family members or friends may |
| sensitive than adult skin thereby becoming a potential | | | | provide you the opportunity to relax & preserve |
| irritant. Age is know barrier to these type chemicals. If | | | | your sanity!! |
| the products are used frequently you become | | | | If there are other young children in the family try to |
| increasingly vulnerable. | | | | involve them too. Including them in caring for the baby |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is a common chemical found in | | | | with you (depending on the ages) will provide each |
| many detergents & is known to amplify the | | | | member the opportunity to spend time together, |
| allergic potential of other substances. In effect it raises | | | | communicating, reassuring & enjoying each others |
| the probability that other substances may become | | | | company. |
| potential irritants when combined. Dermatologists | | | | Severe Eczema & Medical Attention |
| recommend using far less of the soaps & | | | | At any time should you notice any pus filled blisters. |
| detergents as they are not only the possible cause of | | | | Seek medical attention as soon as possible to confirm |
| the eczema but they also tend to remove the skins | | | | whether a bacterial infection may be the problem. If so |
| natural oils which has an intensifying effect on the skins | | | | it will require the use of antibiotics. Minimize the |
| dryness. | | | | exposure to anyone suffering from the herpes virus |
| Success depends on your ability to reduce or avoid | | | | when a flare up is happening. Evident partially by cold |
| contact with as many chemicals as possible & by | | | | sores around the mouth area as the virus may gain |
| regularly applying a safe lotion, fragrance-free | | | | easy access into the body via the areas of skin |
| (preferable) will improve the situation. The links below | | | | inflammation etc. |