Are you having to constantly tell your little ones to stop itching their skin? And no matter how much you moisturize their arms, legs, and cute little cheeks, the dry skin always seems to return? If this sounds familiar, your kiddo may be experiencing eczema.
Eczema might sound scary, but with the help of a few natural remedies, you can be sure to get a grasp on relieving your child’s eczema flare-ups.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a common, but not-so-fun inflammatory skin condition. It causes areas of the skin to become irritated, dry, itchy, red, and bumpy. And while there are many different types of eczema, the most common types seen in children are:
- Atopic dermatitis
- Contact dermatitis
- Dyshidrotic eczema
- Seborrheic dermatitis (also known as “cradle cap” in infants)
Eczema, especially atopic dermatitis, commonly presents itself at 6 months to 5 years of age.
Causes of eczema
While we don’t know the exact cause of eczema, we do know that genetic history and surrounding environment are major contributing factors. If your family has a known history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever, research shows that your child is more likely to develop atopic dermatitis.
Specific cleansers, soaps and shampoos, certain ointments, and dry air are all possible environmental factors that can cause an eczema flare-up. When your little one comes into contact with one of these allergens, their body’s immune system is triggered. This prevents skin cells from behaving as they should, ultimately resulting in a flare-up.
In addition to topical allergens, some kids may find that certain foods they eat can trigger an eczema flare-up as well. This is because our gut and skin health go hand in hand, meaning that foods we are allergic to can show up in the form of a flare-up on our skin.
Is it eczema?
Now that you’ve got an idea of what eczema is, let’s dive into how to spot if your child may be showing early signs of this condition.
So, how do you know if it’s eczema? Keep an eye on your child and watch out for these common symptoms:
- Dry, itchy skin (Note: Because this condition is known to be very itchy, it’s generally referred to as “the itch that rashes”)
- Redness, scales, and bumps on the skin that can leak fluid and then crust over
- Symptoms that tend to be irregular or come and go (flare-ups are when the symptoms are at their peak)
- May be more noticeable during bedtime
While these symptoms vary in each child, infants younger than 1 year old tend to have eczema rashes on their cheeks, forehead, or scalp. And this can later spread to their knees, elbows, and torso. On the other hand, you can usually spot rashes in the bends of the elbows, behind the knees, on the neck, and the inner wrists and ankles, in older kids and teens. These rashes can be thicker, darker, or scarred from scratching (known as lichenification).
Natural remedies to manage and relieve eczema
Managing flare-ups really comes down to understanding your kiddo’s specific triggers and altering treatments according to their needs. Once you get an understanding of their triggers, it will be easier to know how to change their daily routine for the better!
Lifestyle habits
Some common eczema allergens include pet dander, pollen or dust. And factors that can trigger a flare-up are dry skin, heat and sweating, and saliva from drooling. Incorporating a daily bathing and moisturizing routine can help protect your child’s skin from these allergens and lock in the moisture.
This means using gentle, non-toxic moisturizers,
shampoos, and soaps to avoid any irritation to the skin. Try to look for fragrance-free creams, such as Orange Natural’s Eczema Relief Cream. This gentle moisturizing cream is formulated with homeopathic ingredients like calendula to help soothe the itchiness, redness, and irritation that accompanies an eczema flare-up. The nourishing cream base forms a protective barrier to lock in the skin’s natural moisture.
Here are some more tips to help alleviate your child’s eczema symptoms:
- Make sure to keep baths and showers short and use warm water. Using too cold or too hot water can dry the skin and make flare-ups more frequent.
- Oatmeal-based products can be a great tool to control eczema and soothe dry skin. This is because oatmeal acts as an emollient, meaning it retains moisture well. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces itching.
- Soft clothes, such as those made from cotton, will allow their skin to breathe. On the other hand, many people with eczema have found that clothes made of wool and synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, cause overheating, sweating and irritation.
- Keep your little one’s fingernails short. This can help limit scarring and damage to the skin when they get an urge to scratch.
- Give them plenty of water to drink! This helps hydrate the skin and keeps it well-moisturized, too.
Diet
What we eat can play a significant role in our skin health. So, that means foods your little one is allergic to, can also contribute to their eczema flare-ups. Not every child will have the same allergies, but some common food allergies linked to eczema include:
- Cow’s milk
- Soy products
- Eggs
- Gluten
- Fish and shellfish
- Nuts
Monitoring your kids for specific food allergens that may aggravate the condition can help you understand what foods to avoid. And incorporating more foods their body enjoys into their diet can help reduce flare-ups.
To take it one step further, you can also try adding a supplement designed for eczema relief, such as
Orange Natural’s Eczema for Kids tincture. This homeopathic formula contains soothing ingredients like calendula and is taken under the tongue or mixed with a little bit of water. A liquid format is simple to administer and absorbs quickly to help alleviate any itchiness or irritation. Since eczema often responds nicely to homeopathy and dietary changes, this homeopathic tincture acts as a safe and gentle way to ease itchiness and irritation of the skin.
It can be hard to see your child struggle with the symptoms that come with eczema. But learning more about the condition and how to spot its signs can keep you well-informed on what to look for and help with identifying your little one’s personal allergens and triggers.
Sources
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Baby eczema: Causes, symptoms, treatment and more
Managing Eczema in Winter and Year Round: A Parents Guide
How to Create an Eczema-Friendly Diet
Can an oatmeal bath help treat eczema?
About clothing and eczema
