One of the biggest issues my son had with his eczema was taking a bath. When I finally understood that the chemicals, namely chlorine, in his bath water literally stung his broken, damaged skin I turned my focus to replacing our water softening system to a water filtration system.
The difference between the two is exactly what it says. The water softening system softens the hard water with salt. Some has the capability of filtering out some of the chlorine and other chemicals but they still allow enough by to affect a young child skin that can dectect it. The water filtration system filters out the chemicals. The water is still considered to be hard water but I prefer that over a screaming child.
Your living arrangements may not allow you to purchase a full whole house filtration system but there are filters that can be placed on the shower or used in a bath tub to neutralize the chlorine and some of the other chemicals.
The whole house filtration I use is sold by a company based in Houston, Texas called AMAC Water. They sell the best whole house filtration system I have found. The pros of their system is there is 4 filters so nothing enters the house. I change the filters myself and it is much more affordable when it comes maintainence. The con is the water pressure is affected by the amount of water being requested by multiple sources at the same time. The reason is the last filter is so smaller than the other filters so it slows down the flow of the water entering the house when multiple water sources are turned on. However, I prefer this system over all the others I researched. http://www.amacwater.com/Filtration.htm
This filter sold by Mercola.com is a shower version of one I have on my home. http://products.mercola.com/shower-filter-pure-clear/?source=nl
I would guess that some technical person can figure out a way to redesign this current model to fit the laundry washer hose to filter out the water used to wash clothes….Hmmm I wonder if there are people looking for a product like that?
There are also bath balls to filter out the water in the bath tub. Just swirled it around the water for about 2 to 3 minutes and it neutralized the chlorine which is most of the chemical that affects the skin and hair the most. I purchased one made by Rainshower and used it when I traveled with my son. It was especially helpful to keep his skin from being affected that the water in the hotel room.
I Hope this helps you find a product that fits your budget, lifestyle, and stops your child’s eczema. As always my newsletter does assist you with determining the best eczema treatment options to stop your child’s eczema. You can sign up at http://www.stopmychildseczema.com
Sandra Hurd, CNC
Health Educator and Nutrition Coach
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.
May 4th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
This is very interesting! I may have to check into this as our 4 yr old has dealt with severe Eczema most of his life. Nothing had worked. We tried meds, docs, specialists, steroids (yuck) dead sea salts, special creams etc. The list goes on. We finally started him on Vidazorb children’s chewable probiotics which have been the only thing to really make a difference. They have worked very well and he loves them like candy! I still try to eliminate things that could be a trigger and had never heard this before! Thank you! Caroline *mommy of two
May 5th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Hi Caroline,
I am happy to hear you are finding solutions for your son. Probiotics is a top solution for many children with eczema as well as essential fatty acid. Borage oil has been a really good one that showed a lot of promises for stopping the itch. It took me a while to find a probiotic and EFA that worked on my son but when I did, it really helped his eczema.
Filtering the bath water is an area to consider, especially if your son is highly chemically sensitive, like my son was. My son was reacting to a lot in our environment and chlorine topped the list. I learned this from a person who taught a class on chemical sensitivity. We removed our water treatment system to installing a water filtration system so it took the chlorine out of his clothes as well as the bath water. It was a huge difference.
Let me know how things turn out.
Sandra Hurd, CNC
http://www.stopmychildseczema.com
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I’m glad I came across your site. My child’s eczema isn’t horrible, but it’s sure bothering me. She has blotches on her shins that vary in size and inflamation. We just returned from the beach and lo and behold… the salty ocean water that should have made her skin worse from what docs told me, has actually made her so much better. I don’t know if it’s the sea salt or a combo of that and no chlorine (we camped). I’m going to purchase a chlorine remover for her baths right away. Maybe I will also add a little sea salt.
June 5th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Isha,
Thanks for the testimonial. I am grateful to be able to support other families by sharing all my son and I discovered.
It is so wonderful that you found a solution for your child to stop the eczema, and is now figuring a way to duplicate it at home.
I have heard several other testimonials from other parents that experienced similar results so the sea water definitely provides a solution for those who live near a beach or can visit one often.
When I started filtering the chlorine from the water I was introduced to dead sea salt and was told it would help but I declined because it contained fragrance. My son had such great results with the filtered water that I only added sulfur to the water which aided in healing his skin. But you are right on track to add some “unrefined” sea salt to the water. You can also use it in the meals you are preparing which is healing to the body and skin.
Keep in mind, the bath ball is the most inexpensive purchase to test your theory compared to all the others filters.
Good luck and thanks so much again for your support and your testimonial.
Sandra Hurd, CNC
Health Educator and Nutrition Coach
http://www.stopmychildseczema.com
June 5th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Isha,
You might also check out my blog for the Ocean Potion at
http://www.stopmychildseczema.com/blog/50/ocean-potion-for-eczema/
Sandra Hurd, CNC
http://www.stopmychildseczema.com