If you have not read my blog post on hydration then here are the links.
Hydration for eczema
Types of Hydrating Liquids to Help Your Child’s Eczema Outbreaks
I know that hydration is an issue with many eczema suffers and that is why I enjoy reading Dr. Batmanghelidj’s series of books on hydrating the body. It explains in detail why so many imbalances and diseases of the body starts with dehydration, and when the body gets hydrated then you are able to find effective solutions that work.
One of the points Dr Batman brings up in his book “The Body’s Many Cries For Water,” is the importance of salt in the diet. He explains that salt is necessary for maintaining hydration because 27% of its content are stored in the bones as crystals, which makes the bones naturally hard.
Who would guess that salt might be an issue in your child’s eczema outbreak? Well here is a quick explanation of what Dr Batman says about salt and hydration.
If the body has low salt and water levels then there will be a buildup of acidity in some cells. Therefore, by natural design, the body will collect additional salt out of the bones and release it into the blood in order to help maintain normal blood levels. This then causes the blood to become salty, which in turn signals the hypothalamus, in the brain, to stimulate the pituitary gland (also in the brain) to release an anti-diuretic hormone. This hormone then stimulates the kidneys to reabsorb as much water as it can to be re-circulated, rather than excreted. When this happens the thirst signal decreases. When the thirst signal decreases people drink less, which in turn leads to dehydration. Another health related issue that surfaces with this process is as water intake increases and the excess salt is excreted from the body, this sometimes leads to symptomology such as cramping, dizziness, and feeling faint. If the body continues to excrete salt it can lead to bone problems or edema (fluid retention).
Therefore, Dr. Batmanghelidj’s formula for salt intake is to increase your water intake over a few days and then add 1/2 teaspoon of unrefined sea salt (i.e. celtic sea salt, himalayan, real salt, etc.) for every 10 glasses of water in the diet. But keep in mind that it is important that the kidneys are producing urine regularly, otherwise the body could swell up.
Now you might be thinking that 10 glasses of water is a lot for a child and it is. That measurement was based on the average adult. However, you can still follow the guideline except decrease the amount of salt based on the quantity of water your child is drinking. For example, your child may be drinking 5 cups of water so that will be 1/4 teaspoon or if your child is drinking 2 cups of water then it will be 1/8 teaspoon.
Remember this is an overview of Dr Batman’s guidelines and if your personal doctor thinks otherwise,in the best interest, for your health or that of your child, then it is best to follow his/her advice.
Let’s stop childhood eczema together,
Sandra Hurd, MS
Certified Nutrition Consultant
http://www.stopmychildseczema.com
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Disclosure: The information presented in this blog post are 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
