During the winter season eczema can be at its worst. There are many reasons for this. In nature the winter season represents sleep. Many of the plants die and most animals go into hibernation. The air is dryer. The nights are longer and the days are shorter. During this time of year we are suppose to slow down yet it is probably the busiest time of the year. The holiday preparation has just begun and we must shop for the things to make the season just right. We are offered all kinds of yummy food including sweets. We spend a lot of time entertaining and being entertained. All the holiday programs, giving, and sharing. After the holiday season we now focus on new year’s resolutions and all the other thoughts behind how much money we spent and getting the kids back into school. It is just a busy time.

This time of year we see a lot of the eczema outbreaks reach maximum. The skin gets really dry and itchy. The outbreaks seem endless. However, winter eczema can be managed if you focus on a few things:

1. Make sure your child is focused on hydration. Instead of juice and hot chocolate give your child water to drink for school lunches and after play time. The more hydrated the less outbreaks.

2. Moisturize with an oil base product such as coconut oil or Australian Scent’s Balm of Gilead. The oil base products will prevent the skin from drying out by penetrating the 7 layers of the skin.

3. Control the stress as much as possible by pacing yourself and resting when you have the opportunity. You children are watching you and as long as you display stress they will also. Exercises that includes contact such as boxing, baseball, tennis, golf, kick ball, volleyball, table tennis, air hockey, and such is a great way to release stress quickly. You can use a child’s baseball bat and balls in your own back yard or purchase an inexpensive punching bag. The contact does not have to be forceful just as long as you can tap away the stress.

4. Take healthy snacks with you when you are out shopping or on the go. Many mood swings that we see during the holiday season can be contributed to low blood sugar. Low blood sugar is often associated with hypoglycemia which can trigger an outbreak.

5. Although the holiday season is full of yummy sweet treats do your best to cut back on these sugary foods. Eczema is already challenging your child’s immune system and just a teaspoon of sugar can slow your child’s immune system down for hours. So instead give your child the fruits in place of the sugary foods. Seasonal fruits include apples, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, cranberries, star fruit, tangelos, tangerines, and oranges. You can also use the sweet flavor of the winter squashes to make yummy muffins in place of cookies and donuts.

Finally be sure that keep your child away from all foods that may be triggering an outbreak. This time of year we want to join in the festivities and allow our children to eat, drink, and be merry but in order to control the outbreaks we must keep them away from those foods. There are many sites dedicated to sharing alternative recipes. There are also products that can be purchased that are safer alternatives that your children can enjoy. A couple of hours a week can provide you with many alternatives. Also ask ahead what is being served at your child’s school or gathering and inquire about bringing your child’s replacement so he/she does not feel left out.

These few tips can help you combat your child’s winter outbreaks. If you would like more tips on how to control your child’s eczema sign up for my free newsletter at http://www.stopmychildseczema.com

To your family’s health and wellness,

Sandra Hurd, CNC
Health Educator and Nutrition Coach

I have read on several sites where parents share their child’s eczema experience that if their child get sick and has a fever the eczema goes away. When the fever goes away the eczema returns but not necessary worst. It returns either the same or better. Have your child had this experience? If yes then it might be a clue to finding an eczema treatment that will stop your child from scratching.

My son has experienced this when he had eczema. I searched several places and could not find a single study on this issue. My guess is because there are too many variables involved. Researchers would have to have plan to know exactly what test to run, what to look for, and then make it comfortable for the sick child with fever. No parent would want that for his or her child. Therefore, we are left to just knowing that a fever stops the itch for a short time.

So here is my theory base on my observation of my own son.

A fever is an increase in the body’s internal temperature in order to burn up invading microbes that is harmful to the host body. It typically affects the entire body not just parts of the body. Therefore, it slows down the host body so that all the energy is focused on the task.

In Feng Shui theory of 5 elements the heart is the symbol of fire. Is it possible that our children who have experienced this could have issues with matters relating to the heart? Here is what I mean. Again this is my observation of my own son.

After my son was born, his father never really bonded with him. He was with us during the delivery and after we came home he was joyous but then he just started leading his own lifestyle that excluded both myself and my son. It was like he was overwhelm with having to take care of a family so he went back to his own single life. He would rarely pay attention to his son. Within a month my son’s eczema started. Now four years (2008) later, my son is more independent, potty trained, can eat on his own, can dress himself, is able to play by himself, watches spongebob mostly, and can walk, talk, run, sing, dance and do all the fun stuff, his dad is now back in his life and the eczema is gone. They spend as much time as my son can squeeze out of his dad together playing games.

When I think back over the 4 years my son hardly had an eczema episode when his dad took the time to play with him. Two years ago when we first visited to our current homeopathic doctor I learned that my son’s eczema was linked to his relationship with his dad.

Therefore, I strongly suggest that if your child has had any type of relief from eczema when he/she has a fever then look to matters of the heart. You may find that either something special or someone special is missing from their life and the eczema may be a result of it.

Sandra Hurd, CNC
Health Educator and Nutrition Coach

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