Eczema in Children
Is someone in your family experiencing itchy, uncomfortable and dry skin? It seems like no matter how hard you try, these irritated patches never seem to get moisturized? This may be caused by various factors like genetics, diet, and lifestyle. But, there is still something you can do to help! Read on to learn what changes you can make now to address this painful chronic issue…
What exactly is eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflammatory areas of skin. It can be quite painful and often sticks around long-term. Eczema usually appears in infancy or early childhood and can remain a problem for life, if the root cause is never properly addressed. Also, genetics has been proven to play a significant effect in the onset of eczema. Although, powerful changes can be made through diet and lifestyle as well.
FAQ about eczema
- What is the cause of eczema?
- Is there any food I should limit or avoid eating?
- What exactly are the signs and symptoms of eczema?
- What is the treatment and management of Eczema Rashes in Children?
What is the cause of eczema?
Eczema develops as a result of a breakdown in the skin’s barrier. Many children with eczema lack a protein called “filaggrin” in the outer layer of their skin. Filaggrin contributes to the creation of a strong barrier between the body and its surroundings. Skin that lacks this protein has a harder time holding water and keeping bacteria and environmental irritants at bay. This is why the skin can appear dry and irritated. People often struggle with this as a result of either their environment or some food allergy (which they typically aren’t aware they have). So, your little one is exposed to the environmental or dietary irritant, the skin cannot properly maintain its own barrier, irritation & inflammation is caused and eczema happens as a result.
Is there any food I should limit or avoid eating?
The following are examples of common foods a child with eczema should avoid:
- Milk
- Dairy Products
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Soy
- Preservatives and artificial additives in foods (including trans-fat-rich foods like margarine, processed foods, and fast food)
- Sugary foods (which boost insulin levels and lead to inflammation throughout the skin and body)
Items with high sugar content include:
- Desserts, like cakes, candy, cookies, and pastries
- Most bottled coffee, tea, juice, and energy drinks
- Sodas, milkshakes and some smoothies
- High carb foods like processed white bread
- Fast food products
What exactly are the signs and symptoms of eczema?
Eczema breakouts typically differ from child to child. Parents may find eczema rashes all over their child or only in a few spots. These rashes often worsen before improving and their location may change over time.
- Eczema in babies is most typically found on the scalp and face. Red and dry rashes may form on the cheeks, forehead, and around the mouth.
- In young school-aged children, the eczema rash is usually present on the neck, behind the knees, around the eyes, and in the elbow creases.
Treatment of Eczema in Children
I believe that treating eczema holistically allows for the most impactful, long-term healing by addressing the root cause first. This entails determining what is causing their illness as well as developing a complete management strategy that regulates food and environmental exposures.
Learn about your child’s ‘trigger foods’.
There is a well-established association between food allergies and eczema, with children who are allergic to certain foods being more likely to develop eczema. However, parents and caretakers may often be unaware of these particular foods as the root cause of their child’s allergies and eczema. When a youngster consumes an allergen, it is quite common for the skin barrier to become aggravated. To end this continual loop of irritation, the best practice is for all known allergens, or “trigger foods,” to be avoided.
Increase your child’s consumption of skin-feeding foods.
A child suffering from eczema needs all the help they can get in strengthening their skin barrier. Here are the top nutrients to include in your child’s diet to support healthy skin and, as a result, lessen the redness and irritation associated with eczema. Vitamins A, B and C, Zinc and essential fatty acids. Finally, remember to encourage your child to drink enough water in order to hydrate the skin and prevent dryness and irritation!
Create a Daily Skincare Routine.
Establishing a consistent skincare practice should be non-negotiable for all eczema patients. Be aware that many conventional skincare products contain chemicals that irritate eczema-prone children. But, they still need to keep the skin hydrated somehow. Moisturizing on a daily basis helps lock in that moisture and aid in skin restoration. To reduce discomfort, avoid soap-containing products that might remove natural oils from the skin barrier and increase skin dryness. Also, you should always opt for fragrance-free products, as the chemicals in added fragrances can cause further irritation. And contrary to what we may think, it’s best to avoid creams and lotions that contain food ingredients like nut oils, citrus, milk, or oats.
For example, Atoderm Intensive Gel-Crème has a lightweight gel composition that penetrates nearly instantaneously into the skin. Products like these are ideal for young children since they relieve irritation by stimulating lipid and protein formation for a healthy skin barrier. This skin barrier boost helps to prevent direct skin exposure to aggravating microorganisms. These types of products are our go-to in a comprehensive approach to managing eczema as they are carefully curated with the skin’s eco-biology in mind.
Consider your child’s surroundings.
Environmental factors are frequently disregarded or forgotten as a cause of eczema. Consider and start noticing if any of the following seem to worsen your child’s symptoms:
Temperature. Temperature extremes can undoubtedly aggravate eczema and send your youngster down that red and itchy route. Most children are triggered by cold, dry, or hot weather. This varies greatly depending on the individual, so learn which is better or worse for your youngster. Take note of the internal conditions as well, such as central heating.
Pollution. Dusty settings or spaces with a lot of pet fur can also aggravate eczema symptoms in children.
Choose to Make a Change Today
With genetics, environment or diet being the reason for your child’s discomfort, there are certain protocols to address these areas that can begin to alleviate symptoms in as little as 30 days. If we make the appropriate modifications, we may be able to reverse your child’s persistent symptoms and sickness today rather than waiting for our children to (hopefully) ‘outgrow them’. These root-cause solutions address the reasons behind eczema irritation and can create permanent changes that heal your child from the inside out.
For parents like yourself, Dr. Nelli Gluzman has created a highly-effective 30 Days to Rescue Your Child’s Health masterclass that walks you through the process of permanently reversing your child’s eczema symptoms. Check this out if you are looking to make immediate, all-natural changes to your child’s overall health while healing their chronic symptoms as well.
Dr. Gluzman, or Doctor Mom, is the founder of Blossom Pediatrics and the Rescue Program, and is a mom, yogi, and lifelong learner, much like many of you. Her life’s work is to empower parents to treat their children’s eczema, allergies, and asthma. Blossom Pediatrics achieves this by addressing the underlying causes of these recurrent childhood diseases through holistic therapy.
Blossom Pediatrics has clinics in New York and New Jersey, which both offer in-person as well as virtual consultations and visits. As a small private practice, Dr. Gluzman works with you and your child as a fully involved participant in his or her health objectives. You and your child will never confront double booked appointments, crowded waiting rooms, or delays in service. This is the result of her compassionate, patient-centered approach… and her mission to make sure you and your loved ones never experience the feeling of just being a number. Send an email to DrGluzman@blossompediatrics.com now to inquire about your first private appointment or head to the 30 Day Rescue Course for more information on her transformational masterclass!
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