As a parent of a child with eczema can you identify with these statements?
“I can’t bear it when she scratches.”
“He seems like he is almost in a daze. You can’t get him to stop, you can’t reason with him. If I try to hold him to stop him he will get frantic. It scares me seeing him like that.”
For most children the immediate sense of relief they get from scratching far outweighs any attempt to persuade them to stop. So here are a few tips in managing that itch-scratch cycle:
1.) Comfort your child during that time in a very loving and soothing way.
2.) Use alternatives to scratching as much as your child will allow. Some ideas are rubbing or drawing your child’s attention to something else.
3.) Teach older children relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or imagining the itch being dissolved away, be creative.
4.) Take your child outside and expose him/her to the fresh air and nature.
5.) During bath time, add a few drops of calming herbal oils or oatmeal to the bath water.
6.) Apply a cool compress or use a spray bottle filled with water with a pH below 7.0, and to the inflamed area.
7.) Use a dry brush, made for the face, and lightly brush your child’s skin to help increase blood and lymphatic circulation as well as exfoliate the skin.
8.) Apply one or a mixture of the following to the affected area: Balsam of Peru, neem oil, comfrey, licorice, chamomile, coconut oil, or calendula, Bach’s rescue remedy, olive oil, sesame oil, or almond oil.
9.) Buy natural cloths for clothing (i.e. cotton, linen, silk) and use mild, chemical free detergents to wash them in, rinse at least two times.
Some environmental control ideas :
1.) Add an air purifier to the home.
2.) Use a HEPA filter vacuum.
3.) Add indoor plants to help prevent allergen producing substances from circulating in the air.
4.) Clean the home with chemical free products.
5.) Use natural cloth covering for bedding (i.e. cotton, linen, silk).
6.) Use silk pillow cases if your child is old enough to sleep on a pillow. It will help to prevent drying associated with cradle cap or dry scalp. If your child is too young then consider using silk bedding.
7.) Use protective coverings for pillows to seal in gases and dust mites.
8.) Use chemical free lawn care and pest control products.
9.) Create a carpet free room. Carpet tends to traps dust and dander of all kind.
Exercise – helps relieve stress, circulate the blood, detoxify the skin and allows the lymphatic system remove toxins from the blood.
Adequate amount of rest allows the body to rebuild and rejuvenate. Ensure your child is comfortable during the settling and sleep periods will enable him/her to get a better quality of sleep. Check to make sure the temperature of the room is not too warm or cold. Comfortable clothing (preferably natural cotton, linen, or silk). is soft on and non-irritating to the skin.
Reduce distractions, noise, and radio wave frequencies by removing or unplugging electrical devices in the room.
Establish a bedtime routine and ensure that the child’s skin is moisturized before settling. Some comforting will be required at first but a continuous routine will allow the child to eventually settle on his/her own.
yours for the health of you and your child,
Sandra Hurd, MS
Certified Nutrition Consultant
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Disclosure: The information presesented in this blog posts is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent diseases, illnesses, or imbalances related to eczema. It should also not be used in place of medical advice from your health care professional. Sandra Hurd is not responsible for any misuse or abuse of this information.
