I Have Eczema
After my daughter was born with eczema, I was strongly motivated to help her avoid harsh medicines if at all possible. I know eczema and other skin conditions can be extremely difficult to deal with and experience and I did not want her to suffer. As an acupuncturist and herbalist, I already knew much about the condition, but I read everything available when my own infant was diagnosed.
There are many simple, self-care recommendations that can help quiet symptoms considerably. I apologize if you already know this or it is obvious. But, I am often surprised when long-term eczema sufferers tell me that noone ever told them these basic things, so I am sharing them here just in case any of you might benefit from them. It is not medical advice, just common-sense suggestions.
1) Do not wash too often or with very hot water. This strips your natural, protective oils and makes your skin more dry.
2) If your eczema is due to allergies and exposure, change your clothes when you get home and wash off.
3) Avoid harsh soaps and body care products. Everything that you put on your skin goes into your body. One explanation of eczema is that the skin is too porous and is not providing a sufficient barrier, so people with eczema are more sensitive. Try to use simple, natural products. Avoid things that have lots of ingredients, chemicals, fragrances.
4)Figure out your triggers. Sometimes the body gets sensitized and then stays overly-reactive. Things that once were fine and did not bother you may now cause irritation. You may have to change your soap, your laundry detergent, your diet.
5) Eat as clean as possible. Same reason as above. The simpler the intake, the easier it is for your body. Your skin can be a reflection of what is going on inside, so your diet can be a major factor.
If even one person benefits from these simple suggestions I will be happy. My own daughter is almost 2 now and we do all of the above. We are very careful of body care products. The whole family washes clothes in natural laundry detergent. We bathe her ever other day. Thankfully, she has not needed to ever use any medicines and only uses the remedy which I made for her to moderate her symptoms. I wish all eczema sufferers similar results.
If you found any of these ideas helpful I am glad---I have recently posted a whole website full of the insights I have gained caring for my daughter. There are pages on diet, environment, products, the mind, etc. It is free information and my way of giving back....nothing commercial. It is: http://www.myskinbetter.com If you like it leave a note and let me know it helped. That makes me happy.
