Over the past several weeks, I have shared tips with you about how I cleared up Tyler's eczema over the summer. These have been very practical, natural ways to treat this infuriating skin condition that we have dealt with since Tyler was 6 weeks old.
I was in the process of winding this series down this month since I had shared nearly everything I had done. Plus, eczema had become such a none issue in our home that I was taking Tyler's clear skin for granted.
Then, it flared up again last week. Bad. Really bad.
Unlike other times where we had extreme flare ups and I had no clue what triggered it, this time I did. I knew exactly what did it.
Immunizations.
It might seem odd that Tyler is getting immunizations at four and a half. But, an egg allergy he outgrew last year made him delayed on many shots. (Yes, egg allergies make some immunizations impossible...it sounds weird, I know). Then, a surgery earlier in the year delayed some immunizations even more.
So, once school started and they discovered he was behind (for legitimate reasons, but behind nonetheless), they insisted I get him caught up. He was due for 6 different types of immunizations.
Call it mother's intuition but I worried about his eczema and his immune system as a whole. I knew eczema is an overreaction of the immune system. I also knew cold and flu season is starting and this little body is already fighting things off. So I wondered how that many shots would stress his little body. So I only allowed two of them this month.
Within two days of the shot (two vaccines were in one shot), his eczema flared up. I got even more vigilant about his diet. I put him on the "not a trace of high fructose corn syrup" diet in addition to my other tips I have shared.
Yet, by the end of the week, he looked like a teenager with bad acne!
I did what I hate to do, but I did 5 days of Zyrtec and 3 days of topical steroids. It appears, for now, to be under control. Today, however, I will take him off of medications and attempt to control it completely through diet and supplements.
So, here is why I need your help, dear readers. Is there anything in my tips (see them here) that I have not mentioned that has worked for your family? I am interested in natural ways to treat eczema (i.e. not a Rx). Please share in the comment section.
Tyler's skin thanks you!
(My Halloween posts will continue tomorrow!)
I was in the process of winding this series down this month since I had shared nearly everything I had done. Plus, eczema had become such a none issue in our home that I was taking Tyler's clear skin for granted.
Then, it flared up again last week. Bad. Really bad.
Unlike other times where we had extreme flare ups and I had no clue what triggered it, this time I did. I knew exactly what did it.
Immunizations.
It might seem odd that Tyler is getting immunizations at four and a half. But, an egg allergy he outgrew last year made him delayed on many shots. (Yes, egg allergies make some immunizations impossible...it sounds weird, I know). Then, a surgery earlier in the year delayed some immunizations even more.
So, once school started and they discovered he was behind (for legitimate reasons, but behind nonetheless), they insisted I get him caught up. He was due for 6 different types of immunizations.
Call it mother's intuition but I worried about his eczema and his immune system as a whole. I knew eczema is an overreaction of the immune system. I also knew cold and flu season is starting and this little body is already fighting things off. So I wondered how that many shots would stress his little body. So I only allowed two of them this month.
Within two days of the shot (two vaccines were in one shot), his eczema flared up. I got even more vigilant about his diet. I put him on the "not a trace of high fructose corn syrup" diet in addition to my other tips I have shared.
Yet, by the end of the week, he looked like a teenager with bad acne!
I did what I hate to do, but I did 5 days of Zyrtec and 3 days of topical steroids. It appears, for now, to be under control. Today, however, I will take him off of medications and attempt to control it completely through diet and supplements.
So, here is why I need your help, dear readers. Is there anything in my tips (see them here) that I have not mentioned that has worked for your family? I am interested in natural ways to treat eczema (i.e. not a Rx). Please share in the comment section.
Tyler's skin thanks you!
(My Halloween posts will continue tomorrow!)
14 comments:
I don't have any other advice beyond what you are currently doing, but I DO know that we struggle with the eczema much more once the weather starts to turn colder.
You have to read this.
http://www.fraserhorne.com/fraserhorne_series1_v2.pdf
Monia
My son is also on a HFC free diet (totally corn free diet in fact, I don't even allow any corn derivatives like maltodextrin etc) because he's ana to corn. His skin has been amazing, till the cold snap.
We've had to turn the heat on in the house, and zap, immediate eczema. I get it on my hands too the MOMENT that the weather turns. I'm saving up for a air purifier for his room, and I'm moisturizing as much as possible.
You'll need to moisturize FAR more than you did in *regular* weather....eczema is always much worse around here till March, at least... Best wishes.
The following has been advertised in our local paper. I have not tried this, but the site was interesting, I'll post it here as an fyi: http://eczemacure.org/index.htm
Linda
Arbonne skin care products worked for my son. The "ABC" body wash and lotion. www.arbonne.com
I hear you on the vaccines. Kids today get them so young, and so many at once. I'm not against them, just feel they could start a little later, single dose and spread out atleast a month apart. Every state allows for a medical exemption/waiver for vaccines. You school nurse should have the forms. If either your allergist or pediatrician feels this is an adverse effect, then maybe they can sign the exemption, atleast give medical reason as to why you need more time to complete the series. I would hope the school would be accomodating.
The following have information regarding each state.
http://www.vaclib.org/exemption.htm
http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/cc-exem.htm
Good luck with all of this.
Linda
I think I've mentioned this on a facebook discussion before, but here is what totally turned things around for us.
We saw someone who was knowledgable in natural health. What we did, one could research and find on the internet. The two main things that I feel really helped us were Milk Thistle supplements and cod liver oil. Of course, if your child is allergic to fish, the cod liver oil doesn't work so well. I know people substitute with flax oil, but I'm not completely comfortable with the hormone implications of it.
, and we do not have a fish allergy here, so I would rather use the cod liver oil.
The milk thistle is used to detox the liver. It makes sense that toxins would build up in the liver if someone is fighting to filter "bad" stuff out of their body constantly.
The cod liver oil has the essential fatty acids that most people with eczema are deficent in. I was told to use the liquid cod liver oil, and I did use that until it was cleared up (I mixed it with something to "hide" it), and then I switched over to chewables (gel chewables, not as potent, but still something). I personally use Carlson's brand, b/c I have read a few places, and it seems that is the one that can verify it's safe for kids (of course, I could be completely wrong, but it is the only one our natural health lady recommends and Dr. Mercola).
Maybe it's just luck of the draw, but we have not have an issue with eczema since we used this combo. We only did the milk thistle for a few weeks (one or two capsules a day, mixed with some other food), and we still keep up with some form of cod liver oil b/c it's helpful for so many different things.
We also used some homeopathics, but I'm not sold on them. A little net research shows that milk thistle and cod liver oil can be helpful.
And you have probably read up on this, but in case you haven't, high doses of Vit C. prior to vaccines is supposed to be very helpful as well.
We too have delayed shots, but for different reasons. I am slowly adding the ones in that I feel are essential.
I know I've already told you this, but maybe it can help others. We use Clorox Bleach in my son's bathwater. I put about 1/2 cup of bleach in the full tub of water. Yes, he smells like bleach after his bath, but it did wonders with clearing up his severe eczema. Our allergist told us to do this because it kills any infection in the eczema. It also helps moisturize the skin. Weird--I know, but it works!!
my son has to have his first immunisation after being diagnosed with an egg allergy (he is also allergic to nuts, milk, potato and bananas). He is 11 months and they want to do it under observation at the hospital but I am still very nervous, my most recent post on my blog has a picture of how bad his skin got and I am worried this will reoccur. Hope your sons skin is getting better x
My 2 year old son is a Peanut Allergy kid too long story short I did want to use the steroid cream so I started off with Allegra it aggravated his eczema so I switched to Zyrtec (this is the best for him no aggravation at all) and I only use the following products on his skin Dr. Bronners unscented bath bar and Borage Dry Skin Therapy Natural Formula Children's Lotion Fragrance Free I purchased both products at Whole Foods and for a while I would separate his laundry and wash with Seven Generation laundry detergent
First, thank you SO much for your website! It has been so incredibly helpful and given me a little peace of mind. My 3rd child, 9 month old boy first flared up right around 6 weeks too and especially after his 2 month shots. He's at least allegic to peanuts and eggs (they will do full allergy testing at a year). Right now we use Eucerin Cream with diaper changes, Zyrtec nightly and his allergiest has me use the prescription (but non steriod or medicated) cream Atopiclair 2x a day. It's been really, really helpful. He still has he trouble spots but the whole body, especially face is fairly clear. It's an expensive cream but it's helped. Thank you SO, SO much for all your advice!!!
I know this may sound weird, but drinking Apple Juice seems to make my 14 month son's eczema flare up. Food allergies seem to cause eczema flare up quite often, even if they are just mildly sensitive to a certain food.
I had horrible eczema as a young child. For years my parents took me to doctor after doctor and they suggested all the things you would expect - creams, steroids, change in diet, fragrance free soaps etc. Eventually (and I mean after years) we found out the eczema was the result of a cat allergy. We had a cat but the allergies never presented themselves the "normal" way (i.e. sneezing, itchy eyes, etc) so no doctor ever asked us if we even had pets! (Unfortunately) the cat died, and then magically - no more eczema. The same thing happened to me in college when I lived in a house with a cat. So even though it may sound silly, often people just don't associate eczema with pet allergies so it's worth a mention!
I left this comment in another post but wanted to make sure you saw it. Food allergy testing showed us that our son is allergic to oats (in addition to other things such as nuts, corn, sesame), and it was disheartening because the oatmeal bath was soothing for a time (until it his bloodstream). We've been using cottonseed oil instead and it's amazing. He soaks in a tub with a tablespoon or so of oil. This company: www.psico.com sells the oil among other things for sensitive skin. We buy the oil in the largest quantity since it's cheaper in the long run. We've had better success with their sunscreens and moisturizers as well. Some of their products are available at Walgreens. Hang in there!
~Sarah
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