What can be done to relieve eczema?

Question

My baby has it, just diagnosed today. He has a prescription, but just wondering if there's anything we can do to help ease the itching, or to make it flare up less. I know it's worse in cold weather. The air is dry in the house from the heat but we use a vaporizor.
Thanks.

Answer 1

atropic dermatitis (eczema is one type) at govt. website
http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/dermatitis/ffdermatitis.htm

National eczema Association
http://www.nationaleczema.org/lwe/aboutad.html

government clinical trials
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/action/FindCondition?ui=D004485&recruiting=true

eczema topics on medline plus (national library of medicine)
http://search.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/query?FUNCTION=search&PARAMETER=eczema&DISAMBIGUATION=true&SERVER1=server1&SERVER2=server2&START=0&END=25&MAX=500&ASPECT=0

some possible vaccine problems with smallpox vaccine and people with atropic dermatitis (eczema is one type) (link above says people with eczema should NOT take the smallpox vaccine)
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2006/eczema_spox.htm

they say sometimes food allergies are involved..here are some links...
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsConditions/Eczemacc.html
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_eczema_hhg.htm
http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/allergies_immune/eczema.html

a general discussion of food allergies (govt website)
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/food.htm

an eczema diet
http://kroniknya-duniaku.blogspot.com/2006/11/eczema-diet.html

one woman's journey
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/eczema.htm
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/eczema2.htm
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/eczema2.htm#cause

another person's journey
http://www.eczemavoice.com/forum/messages/271/48.html

here is questions about eczema on yahoo answers
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061201032215AAtOUyG
http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061210040314AA20M0e

In Japan and turkey they have a treatment for it where you get into a sauna and let little fish eat off the eczema flesh.
http://www.realself.com/blog/psoriasis_treatment_doctor_fish.html

here is the hygiene hypothesis
http://www.theopenpress.com/index.php?a=press&id=13747

Answer 2

Hi SOuthern lady

Here is a herb remedy that will work.

1. Take 1-3 droppersful of Echinacea Plus Tincture (at herbdoc.com or another qualified site) to strengthen the immune system.

2. Rub Garlic oil ALL over the affected area (Garlic will kill anything if you use enough of it)

3. Give 1-3 glasses of Activated Charcoal Slurry per day (to absorb the toxins out of the blood)

4. Mix equal parts of Aloe Vera Gel, Slippery Elm Powder and Activated Charcoal Powder together (absorbs the toxins externally)

5. Apply a thin layer of this mixture over the AFFECTED area(s).

6. Continue this treatment, until the desired Results are achieved.

This is healing at it's highest point.

Cause
Eczema is often called Dermatitis, and may be a symptom of an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency. Eczema can be due to allergies, allergies secondary to digestive disorders such as hydrochloric acid deficiency, rashes secondary to immune diseases, genetic metabolic disorders, and/or nutritional deficiencies, especially of niacin (vitamin B3) and B6, as well as other B vitamins.

To minimize your risk of developing eczema, avoid irritating substances, wear natural nonirritating materials, use soothing ointments, and check to see if dietary, nutritional, and/or and allergy-causing factors need to be considered.

Other ideas that will help:

Juice Therapy: The following juice combinations can help speed healing: black currant and red grapes; carrot, beet, spinach, cucumber, and parsley; and wheat grass juice.

Nutritional Supplementation: Vitamin A and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), an omega-6 essential fatty acid found in high quantities in evening primrose oil, have both been shown to improve the symptoms of eczema. Vitamin E. Other useful supplements for preventing and reversing eczema include vitamin B complex, vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc.

Topical Treatment: Apply evening primrose oil directly to cracked and sore areas of the skin. A topical paste made from ginkgo and licorice root extract has also been shown to improve eczema symptoms.

Best of health to you

Answer 3

Anything cold will help with itching - cold water, ice packs, etc on the itchy areas. Sometimes i will soak my hands in ice water to calm them down, as recommended by my dermatologist. I personally have not found any relief in the OTC hydrocortisone creams, but you may also want to try that. His skin will also be sensitive to many irritants that will make it worse - like animal hair, fragrances in shampoos, lotions, etc. Eczema goes hand-in-hand with allergies and asthma, so be wary of that. I have suffered with all of the above since childhood, and have severe food allergies that can cause my throat to swell closed, not to mention flare up my skin problems, so be very carefull when introducing new foods to him, especially peanut butter and fish. Dont mean to scare you - just trying to pass on the info that i have learned over the years. The good news is that eczema is usually outgrown in time. My best recommendation is to have him allergy tested - that will help him most in the long run.

Answer 4

My son and I have eczema. Mine are tiny spots but his come in severely large patches. Once the patches/ spots are there use the medication. When you have rid your child of this, start using soaps like "Pure Nature", "Dove", or "Caress". Don't get the ones that contain fragrance because it can irritate the skin.. Since I started using those soaps (which I switch up with every other bar), I have had no spots and he has had maybe one outbreak in 4 years. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Neem oil is the best! It smells a bit like burnt garlic, but it will clear it up right away.
Internally take 2 neem leaf or bark capsules, 1 milk thistle and 1 turmeric. Or if he can't take pills, you can mix it up in his food.
babies love the oil because it is so good feeling on your skin. they love coconut oil also.

Answer 6

My son also has it. We tried the most popular creams, but the last one I got for him works great. It is a compound mixture of, Hydro-court, coal/tar. You should ask your doctor. Its a bit of a mess and it is a ugly green color, but it really helps my son espically in the winter. Also, you can use it as much as you want. Good luck!