Stop My Child’s Eczema

Wheat is an ingredient used in most products that are marketed to children. Bread, cakes, candy, cookies, pies, donuts, hamburger, hotdogs, cereal, mac & cheese, spaghetti, pizza, etc. Wheat can also be found in skin and hair products. It can also be found in medication and vitamins that are specific for children. Just look at the ingredients list of any products you use on your child.

Unfortunately more and more children are starting to have allergenic responses to this ingredient, which ranges from poor concentration to digestive issues to learning disabilities to outbreaks (such as eczema).

There are people who believe many of this it is due to the hybridization of the wheat which is increasing the gluten content thus causing the immune system to react against the products listed above. Other believe it is due to an overload of wheat on the body.

No one truly knows the real cause because we all have unique bodies and can have various factors that can lead to the immune response of products containing wheat.

Many parents like myself have sought out alternatives to this reaction in our children. It is not an easy task as the experimentation process takes time, money, and lots of patients to perfect just one recipe.

Companies such as Tinkyada, Bob’s Red Mill, Pamela’s Products, Sammy’s Bakery, and others have put some great gluten free products out on the market to help us parents still allow our families to enjoy their favorite foods without sacrificing taste and texture.

There are also many parents who took the time and money to find the right combination of ingredients to perfect their recipes so that even those who eat wheat cannot tell the difference plus the food tastes great and keeps family members and guests coming back for more.

I was fortunate to met Sandra Kaiser of Gluten Free for Life recently. She is a wife and mom, whose daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease. Mrs Kaiser tried the commercial brands of gluten free products and disliked the flavor and texture. She then went on to created some very tasty gluten free meals for her family and discovered that other people who ate wheat/gluten enjoyed them also. Mrs. Kaiser captured her recipe in her first cookbook which you can order from her website.

Note: Many of the recipes in the book use dairy (milk, butter, and yogurt) and also eggs. You maybe able to substitute some of these ingredients with ones your child can tolerate and still maintain the great taste and texture.

Another great recipe book with great recipe ideas for those the most common food allergies (wheat, dairy, eggs) is “Special Diet Celebrations” by Carol Fenster

Also one of the main issues many families face today is time. We all only have 24 hours in a day and it is usually filled with activities; therefore, finding additional time to make your own breads and meals can be challenging. So here are a few tips:

1) There are many people (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, etc) who would be grateful for the opportunity to assist you if you only ask. You can then pay them or work out some arrangement with them in return.

2) You can also host a party with other families who are facing similar issues so you have support.

The only way we will stop the eczema is to work together so I am doing my part in sharing what I know with you. If you would like more information sign up for my free newsletter at http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

Sandra Hurd, CNC
Mother, Health Educator and Nutrition Coach
http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

The summer months bring so many fun activities for the family. Going to the beach is an activity that has added benefits for your child with eczema.

Many parents have reported that their child’s eczema got better after their family visited the beach as long as the child was open to swimming in the ocean water. Just sitting on the beach did not help as much as swimming in the ocean water. The improvement was so distinct that the parents were able to notice the difference not only on the child’s skin but the how often their child scratched.

The ocean water contains many minerals that interacts with our body which allows the skin to heal literally overnight.

The first time my son and I visited the beach he was very intimidated to get into the water. The second time we were among other families with children his age and when he saw how much fun all the other kids were having in the water he became like a fish who discovered water. The next day not only did he have the most beautiful color, from being in the sun, but he had the most beautiful itch free skin.

If you have not tried the beach as part of your child’s eczema treatment you might give it a try. Planned just right you and your child will definitely enjoy this treatment.

By the way, if you need a safe option for sunscreen try Kabana Skin Care. The ingredients in their sunscreen is safe and effective in protecting your child’s sensitive skin as well as made from products you can find in your local grocery store. My only caution is this product is tinted for light skinned people. If your child is darker skinned and don’t mind the pink look then I would say it is one of the most safest product I have come across.

Enjoy the summer,
Sandra Hurd, CNC
Health Educator and Nutrition Coach

To sign up for my free eczema treatment newsletter at http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

One of the most difficult challenges parents face is making a decision for which treatment to try for their child with eczema. There are several factors that causes this indecision which are all based on fears. We all want the best for our child but what if it makes things worst, so the indecision settles in and confusion follows.

Here are some guidelines to help you make better decisions for whatever treatment you want for your child:

1. Decide what you are looking for in a treatment option? products, explanation, answers, a physician, etc.

2. Write down as many details as you can think of that associate with the treatment. Who can you ask for help? Where can you find the product? What additional information you need to locate the product? Etc.

3. Figure out the amount of money you can afford to spend on this treatment. This will prevent you from over spending or wildly spending money on treatments.

4. Decide on the length of time you plan on devoting to the treatment. . You must decide on the length of time you will implement a treatment and see some sign of healing in your child. Specify this time.

5. Ask others about the treatment you are considering before you make a decision. Use the internet, ask other parents or physicians, read books, join eczema support groups, etc. The more you know about a treatment option the better prepared you are to recognize if it is working or not.

Sign up for my free eczema treatment newsletter at http://www.stopmychildseczema.com
The newsletter is dedicated to introducing you to treatments that you have never thought of or heard of and can stop your child’s eczema.

Sandra Hurd, CNC
Health Educator and Nutrition Coach
http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

As long as I have dealt with my son’s eczema I have heard many myths about this disorder that it was time to help you learn the truth.

The first myth is children outgrow eczema. We are made up of energy and one thing I know for sure is that energy cannot be destroyed it can only change form. So when someone says to me their child just outgrew the eczema I then ask if their child have seasonal allergies. Most often they say hayfever or severe allergies to the environment. Some even say that their child went from eczema to asthma. Makes you wonder if the parents did nothing to help their child’s eczema and their child outgrew the eczema then maybe the energy form changed from eczema into something worst (i.e. hayfever, severe allergies, asthma). Maybe you should do something more about it before it does. Your child does not have to suffer in this way.

The second myth is if your child still have eczema beyond age 2 then he/she will have it all his/her life. My son had eczema until he was 4 years of age. He is currently eczema free. When  you understand what eczema is and what your child’s body is communicating via his/her skin you can stop the eczema no matter what age your child is.

The third myth is focusing only on the skin can stop the eczema. This is probably the biggest myth I have come across. Our skin is a double sided organ that reflects what our body is experiencing from the inside. It makes sense to figure out what is going on inside the body to stop the eczema yet support the damaged skin with the proper skin care products.

As a parent you are the sole care giver of your child and the only person that knows your child better then you is your child him/herself. Find support from those who truly wants to team up with you to stop your child’s eczema.

Sign up for my free newsletter at http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

Sandra Hurd, CNC
Health Educator and Nutrition Coach

Disclosure: The advice in this blog is to give you advice on ways to stop your child’s eczema it not intended to be used in place of advice or recommendation by your child’s professional physician.

I came across this natural solution remedy and based on the resource it came from I thought there are parents who just might be interested in trying this. Since is does contain essential oils I would caution you on using it for babies 2 years or younger.

Keep in mind: The higher quality essential oil the better the results.

If the eczema is weeping, oozing, or crusting this treatment helps to soothe and cleanse the affected areas, drain any infected sites, and aid in the healing.This is due to the ingredients in this recipe which softens and conditions the skin.

Ocean Potion

1 cup (250 ml) sea salt
5 drops carrot seed essential oil
5 drops calendula essential oil
2 teaspoons (10 ml) almond oil
1 tablespoon (15 ml) vodka, rum, or gin

To make: Dissolve the sea salt in a bath tub of warm water, never hot as hot water will dehydrate the skin more.

Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl and blend well.

To Use: Soak your child in the tub for about 5 minutes to allow his/her skin to absorb moisture, then add the essential oil mixture to “the water” swishing it around with your hands. Allow your child to soak for another 5 to 10 minutes longer. When the time is up, “Pat” the skin dry and apply either the lotion/cream or oil moisturizer to seal in vital moisture.

Yields: 1 treatment

Skin healing treatment to use throughout the day:

2 teaspoon (20 ml) dried licorice root
2 cups (375 ml) water
1 spritzer bottle
100% cotton cloth

To make: Place the licorice and water in a sauce pan, cover and bring to a slow boil, reduce the heat and gently simmer, still covered, for 30 minutes, strain.

Add the liquid to a spritzer bottle and spray the area then dab it with a clean 100% cotton cloth, then moisturize. This treatment can also be added to bath water soaking for at least 10 minutes.

Place the spritzer bottle in the refrigerator or keep it cool if traveling.

Resource: Naturally Healthy Skin by Stephanie Tourless

Sandra Hurd, CNC
Health Educator and Nutrition Coach

Sign up for my free eczema newsletter at http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

Disclosure: The advice in this blog is not intended to diagnose or cure eczema nor is it intended to be used in place of advice or recommendation by your child’s professional physician.