My daughter is now 9 months old. She's had eczema since she was 2 month. I tried almost everything on her, prescribed drugs too. Nothing has worked so far. I read from this website that ACV seems to help a lot of people with eczema, so I tried it on her as well. Apply directly to skin after bath (diluted with 2/3 water), followed by moisturizer and Vaseline. It did help with the itchiness for the first two days. However, starting on the third day, her skin became extremely dry and flaky, so she started scratching again. We did not try anything new in between, so I assumed it must be ACV. I have stopped using ACV on her since, and her skin is getting better (dryness) but still covered with eczema. Am I using it right? If this is working for many others... It really breaks my heart seeing my daughter suffering from it on daily basis. I would try anything given the situation. Please help!
Replied By Selena (Chula, Ga, Usa) on 04/19/2010
To El from Toronto. Eczema can be caused be an essential fatty acid deficiency. You can try massaging evening primose oil, borage oil, etc. directly on the areas. Zinc also helps with eczema. If you are breastfeeding you can apply breastmilk to the area as well as adding the zinc and EFA's (Essen. fatty acids) to your diet. Hope this helps.Replied By Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 04/19/2010
Hi El, I just wanted to recommend using Irish moss as it is known to relieve eczema and help soothe it. If you don't know much about it, do a google search to find out more. I'm sure it is heartbreaking for you to see your baby suffer with this. I would ask that you look into her diet as well and see if she is eating foods that may be contributing to this. Remember, alkalinizing foods can help clear it up and also remove dairy and see if that results in a positive effect. You can try eliminating foods and then adding them in to see what could be causing this. Wheat and gluten are other factors that could be wreaking havoc. Look to what is the cause internally as well as relief to the skin itself.
I wish you the best, Lisa
Replied By Amanda (Hot Springs, Ar, Usa) on 04/19/2010
my three year old daughter had it very bad (it was all over her face and it would ooze)when she was an infant and what got rid of it was a very high quality essential fatty acid blend, 1 teaspoon daily by mouth; i know i cannot mention the name but it has all unrefined: olive, flaxseed, sesame, and english borage oils. my second daughter also started to get it and i started giving her the same thing and she is also eczema-free. i also only use a homemade oatmeal soap i get online for them.Replied By El (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 04/19/2010
Thank you both for your suggestions. I have tried taking out and adding back foods in her diet. (dairy, fish, egg yolk) The change in her condition is minimal. I missed wheat cereal through the trial, so I will sure give that a try and see if her condition improves. I was told dust mite might also be causing it. So I try my best keeping the house dust free, and now am considering replacing her bedroom carpet to hardwood floor. Thank you again for the tip on primrose oil and Irish moss. I will give them a try and report back! Thanks again. This really means a lot!!Replied By Connie (Escondido, California) on 04/21/2010
I have had eczema all my life (I'm 61) and I've been on the quest of causes and solutions through natural methods and have avoided going through doctors. For soothing baths for your baby try Epsom salt baths and get in the bath with your baby and you'll find it soothing for YOU and your child. Try and spend about 30 minutes every night in the bath and if you like use some Lavendar Essential Oil which helps calm both you and the baby. Eliminate wheat, dairy, soy and sugar. People with eczema need good oils (Lemon flavored cod liver oil is wonderful, Evening Primrose Oil and Borage Oil is good as well. I have eliminated grains and eat a lot of fats vegetables and protein (avocado, butter, and coconut oil). I hope this helps!Replied By Maya (Shohola, Pa) on 04/24/2010
When my son was about 4 months old he had red and dry skin almost everywhere. Then I cooked old fashioned oatmeal, strained and I kept washing him in that (diluted with water). Do not use soap, unless it is necessary. After a week or little longer it disappeared.Replied By Adad (Colombo, Sri Lanka) on 05/19/2010
to El from Toronto, Canada.
Aloe vera gel applied directly on the rash will have immediate effect on your child. U also can use some form of mild eczema cream.
good luck.
adad
Replied By Wendypape (Blah, Canada) on 02/20/2011
I have listened to hundreds of mothers over the last 9 years in regards to their childrens eczema.
it is either milk or gluten. Almost always the dairy but might be a combination. Remove them completely and the eczema will go away.
I was covered in it as a kid at 9. My parents took me to a naturopath (thank God) and then a homeopath... Who 'cured it'... However it would flare up once in awhile as an adult. Until I read about the connection between parasites and eczema (as well as the dairy and wheat). I have been completely free for 12 years but I am dairy, wheat, yeast, corn and gluten free 99% of the time ;-) and all my other ailments including low back pain, chronic migrains, shoulder pain abdominal pain, leg cramps, moodiness, anger, brain fog - is ALL GONE ;-) I see the same symtpoms in my kids. If I did not feed them a healthy diet free of dairy and wheat and do regular parasite cleanses... I am sure they would have eczema! It is not tht hard - there is so much available now for allergy free living and you know, we just go back to the 'basics' of eating like grandma would have... Brown rice, meat, potatoes, veggies, salads, whole cereals like millet, quinoa, oats, buckwheat, fruits, smoothies, almond milk and other nut milks, veggie juices, nothing from a can, leftovers, etc. It is much cheaper in the long run and crockpots are awesome for those with time issues ;-)
Replied By Karen (Keswick, Ontario) on 03/13/2011
Hello I have a 2 1/2 year old son and he has had severe eczema since 2 months old. and it ended up being causes by food he was allergic too. It still has never gone away but we can now get it under control. I would stop breastfeeding and get your baby tested for allergies at 1 year old!
good luck! :)Replied By Mellyg (S Jordan, Ut) on 03/14/2011
I have triplets and am always excited to share my eczema story! I had one of my 3 covered in eczema at 4 months. My pediatrician suggested I see a specialist. Well my MD who uses natural medicine suggested probiotics. I used 3 pills a day of a 16 strain probiotic and within a month and a half he was cleared up! I wish my mother had known about that as I suffered greatly from it as a child. Had lots of food allergies. I now take probiotics everyday!Replied By Blomma (Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand) on 03/25/2012
I have twin adopted infants, one of them developed severe allergies to soy, cow, goat, rice, almond... I tried every hypoallergenic milk formula available too, but his severe excema persisted. Upon a friends suggestion I gave him probiotics and within a couple of days he was able to tolerate soy formula... He had been on antibiotics as a newborn... I have not introduced him to other milk products yet.Replied By Lanos (So California, Usa) on 03/27/2012
Blomma, Please research very carefully the outcome of feeding an infant or child a soy formula.. From personal experience, I've known a male infant who was fed a soy formula due to allergies and then later in life developed feminine hormones.. And I do not mean he had homosexual tendencies... His orientation was completely male. However he actually became somewhat of an eunich. This is too serious to take lightly. Do some more research.Replied By Lanos (So Calif, Usa) on 03/27/2012
Blomma.. Sorry forgot to mention The infant I mentioned, was on antibotics at birth also, and developed eczema, and then asthma at a very young age. God bless you.Replied By Heidi (Sierra Nevada Foothills, Ca) on 04/03/2012
To all of you that used probiotics for their children's eczema, you are absolutely correct. However if your child is having an allergic reaction to a food such as soy then that probably means that they should not be eating it or tolerating it. The body is reacting for a reason. Soy formula is bad for babies on many levels. To learn why, you should go to WestonAPrice.org and research soy and why babies should not eat soy. http://www.westonaprice.org/soy-alert/why-babies-should-not-be-fed-soy
More importantly regarding your child's allergies and digestion I would recommend watching Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride's "Gut and Psychology Syndrome" conference and reading her book. I think that this very good information for all people even if they are healthy.
Good luck to all and if you research this now you will be happy that you did not put it off and it will mean many more healthy years for your family.
Heidi
