Does your child have eczema? Did your medical doctor prescribe steroid creams and other immune suppressors for him/her?  Do you want to address the condition holistically instead?  I’m happy to share what worked for my son.  Read on to learn how to get to the root of the condition as you treat eczema naturally.

I believe you have strong parental instincts if you’re concerned.  Eczema’s so common here in the United States that many doctors & parents assume that it’s normal and just a symptom of “sensitive skin”.  They blame harsh detergents, soaps, or other things in the external environment.  Any natural health practitioner will tell you eczema is a symptom of a deeper disharmony in your child’s body.

When my son developed eczema as a baby, I knew that it meant his immune system was challenged. I treated him appropriately with alternative medicine to resolve it quickly. I’m eager to share what I’ve learned with you so that your child can be comfortable in their skin once again!

Standard Medical Cause & Treatment of Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an immune-mediated inflammation of the skin. It’s red, itchy, uncomfortable, sometimes oozy, and can be easily infected if scratched with dirty nails.

Merck Manual, 18th edition states that like asthma, eczema may be linked to an allergic T-cell immune response.  It says that it’s becoming more common in developed countries because of “trends toward smaller families, cleaner indoor environments, and early use of vaccinations and antibiotics deprive children of the early exposure to infections and allergens that suppress pro-allergic T cells and induce tolerance.”

Food intolerance, wool intolerance, conjunctivitis, and other features accompany eczema quite often.  Most medical doctors tell you to keep your child’s skin moist, but to decrease bathing & hand washing. They prescribe a corticosteroid creams to suppress the immune system, even though it’s already faulty.

In many cases,  mainstay steroid treatments can have harmful side effects. There’s also a strong association with eczema and developing childhood asthma later.  Therefore, it’s wise to explore holistic treatments that work with the original disharmony.

What Caused My Son’s Eczema?

My son developed eczema after his first round of vaccinations at 4 months old.  (I wanted to delay them until he was 2 years old, but was pressured into getting them by my son’s Pediatrician.) Most doctors refuse to admit that vaccines could have anything to do with it.  Just because they’re authority figures doesn’t mean they’re correct.   

It was pretty clear that after his second dose of Pediarix at 8 months old, it was most definitely the vaccines.  For both shots were done on different thighs.  The eczema rash, both times, originated at the injection site on the different thighs.

The first outbreak was delayed, so I didn’t make the connection to the shot. I gave him some Chinese herbs and it disappeared in a few weeks. But the second time the eczema appeared within a few days and spread quickly up to his torso and remained there.

How I Treated My Son’s Eczema Naturally

This was a huge awakening for me. I knew this was serious and vowed to treat the eczema naturally. I resumed the Chinese herbal therapy I gave him the first time.  It helped initially, but then the rash came back. Next, I did an elimination diet, removing the most inflammatory foods.  We quickly learned  he was intolerant to the dairy that he was consuming through my breastmilk.

When we went back for the next well-visit, he still had eczema on his thigh though most of his torso was now clear. I explained everything to his doctor.  I was prepared for her to become defensive and deny that the vaccines were the cause. Instead, she sincerely apologized. Still, I could not see her anymore.

We started seeing a new Pediatrician who respected my views and profession. She said that eczema & a dairy intolerance often arise after the DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, & Persussis) vaccine in her practice. She supported me fully with the treatment I had already started. By the time he was 2 years old, he was completely healed of eczema and his dairy intolerance.

How You Can Treat Your Child’s Eczema Naturally Too

(1) Eliminate the source of inflammation 

This is likely the most challenging part of healing your child because we’re forced to take a hard, honest look at what our child has been exposed to.  We need to question whether something we’ve been doing  “normally” (according to social norms) is contributing to the disease.  This step is important for treating eczema naturally.  Since it’s an allergic reaction, your child’s immune system needs a break.

Vaccines

Perhaps you’re not willing to stop or delay vaccinations though, even if it looks like they were the cause. If you continue vaccinating, try to implement the next few treatment options I have listed below.  Just realize that you maybe fighting an uphill battle throughout their childhood, though. If this is the strategy that works best for your family and your core beliefs, then I wish you the best of luck!

Food Intolerances

At the very least, it’s wise to place your child on an elimination diet to determine of they have a food intolerance.  Skin & blood tests for food allergies are notoriously faulty, so an elimination diet is your best bet for an accurate assessment.

This is a great post describing how to start a simple elimination diet that is great for the whole family.

I recommend the book The Elimination Diet by Alissa Segersten (of Nourishing Meals) & her husband Tom Malterre M.S., C.N.  They remove more inflammatory foods, but it’s manageable since the recipes included in the book are easy & super delicious!

If your child has a food intolerance, you’ll need to avoid that food for at least 90 days.  Then, gradually bring the food back into their diet to see if there’s an improvement. The intolerance should resolve within several months to a year if you’re diligent about the elimination diet.

(2) Improve their gut health to treat eczema naturally

People with eczema (& food intolerances) have compromised immune systems.  They also have low populations of “good” gut flora.  It’s vital to focus on improving gut health to heal the eczema & food intolerance.

I wrote about this extensively in the post Improve Your Family’s Gut Health to Increase General Health, part 1.  Please read this 2-part series to learn how to build up a good supply of beneficial microorganisms.  These organisms digest important vitamins & nutrients.  They also protect the lymphoid tissue in the gut lining that makes lymphocytes & immunoglobulins (important members of the immune system).  

(3) Include supplements to soothe inflammation

The following supplements have been shown to reduce inflammation (Read more about most of them here):

• Fish oil (Omega-3 oils EPA & DHA – Omega-3s should be twice the amount of Omega-6 in your diet)
• Vitamin D
• Vitamins A, C, and selenium (antioxidants)
• Quercetin
• Curcumin
• Bromelain
• Reservatol
• Flax seed oil
• Inositol

(4) Traditional Chinese Medicine to Treat Eczema Naturally

From the perspective of Chinese medicine, eczema is an accumulation of “damp heat and toxins” in the body that is venting out to the skin. The Lungs, Large Intestine, and Kidney organs & channels are all involved. Basically, you need to clear the heat & toxins and strengthen these organs/channels.  This is done with herbal remedies and acupuncture/acupressure.

It’s best to work with a Chinese medicine practitioner, even if you’re eager to do it alone. I just happened to be a newly licensed and enthusiastic Acupuncturist when I was dealing with my son’s issue. I still sought advice from my son’s second pediatrician (who also does acupuncture) to validate my diagnosis & treatment plan.

Chinese medicine practitioners see the root disharmony.  They can develop a treatment plan that will heal your child from the inside. Most of them embrace whole food nutrition and help you manage your family’s diet too.

(5) Sensible sun exposure

Alternative medicine recognizes the healing power of the sun. It’s is vital for vitamin D absorption, improving mood, boosting immunity, and maintaining a balanced circadian rhythm. Your child needs to experience short periods of unprotected (that’s right, no sunscreen) time in the sun to reap these benefits.  

Even mainstream medical doctors recommend sun exposure for treating eczema naturally. Also, you can use artificial UVA & UVB treatments too, so you can ask your doctor about that.

YOU CAN help your child because YOU KNOW them better than anyone else. Trust your gut Mamma or Papa! Please ask any questions in the comments.  If you have other advice that’s worked for you to treat eczema naturally, let’s hear about that too!

Well wishes to you all…

Download my helpful list: 10 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Health & Maintain Your Sanity!

That’s my guy in the picture above, about 6 years ago. He looks so happy and vibrant!  Just looking at the picture, you’d never guess we were in the middle of restoring his gut flora to heal from eczema and a dairy intolerance.

It took a little over a year, but with persistent care, I was able to heal him from the inside out.  I want to share what I’ve learned with you because many families are unaware that gut health is the foundation of general health!

You may already know that we live symbiotically with the beneficial bacteria that populate the length of our GI tract.  Did you know that they also live on the surface of our skin?  They protect our gut lining and skin, increase our immunity by supporting white blood cells, and allow us to digest & absorb nutrients efficiently.

In Part 1 we discussed how gut flora is established, how it can be damaged, and what gut dysbiosis looks like. Avoiding or reducing the triggers we listed in that post is the first step toward healing the gut. Now, we’ll focus on rebuilding the gut lining and increasing beneficial bacteria to boost your family’s general health.

How to Improve Your Family’s Gut Health

Fermented foods & drinks

Everyone can benefit from including fermented foods and beverages in their diet. This is because lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, and grains supply our bodies with a good dose of beneficial bacteria.

Here’s an informative video from Sarah Pope, The Healthy Home Economist, on the value of fermentation. (The ginger-ale recipe she introduces at the end is awesome!)

Probiotics

People who just had a round of antibiotics/vaccinations, are on a high sugar diet, or under severe stress, can benefit greatly from a probiotic supplement.  All of these experiences diminish gut health drastically, so probiotics are needed for repopulation.

A good probiotic:

• Contains a large variety of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces (beneficial yeast) species
• Contains a large concentration of species, measured in Colony Forming Units (CFUs)
• Includes prebiotics or oligosaccharides, necessary for probiotic propagation
• Is well tested by the manufacturer and the results are published

For infants, giving them a powder form with at least Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis and at least 3 million CFU per day is best. Simply place 1/4 teaspoon on a wet finger and into baby’s mouth.

Toddlers and children can take powder form or tablets, with a higher dose of 10-20 million CFU, and a larger variety of species.

There are specific products for men and women too that you may want to check out. Good quality brands include Klaire Labs, Douglas Laboratories, Orthomolecular Products, and my favorite dōTERRA’s PB Assist & PB Assist Jr..

Some people will need a therapeutic dose that is much higher than the more conservative “maintenance” suggestions listed here. You can work with a qualified professional who can advise you on this and help you with the “die-off” reaction that may occur.

Bone broth

When the body seriously needs nutrients, bone broth is one of the best foods to supply them. The simmered bones and cartilage release easy-to-absorb forms of:

• calcium
• magnesium
• phosphorus
• silicon
• sulfur
• trace minerals
• gelatin
• collagen
• proline
• glycine
• glutamine
• chondroitin sulphate 
• glucosamine

All of these nutrients can help seal the intestinal lining and therefore improve immune system function. This article describes it’s benefits beautifully and includes recipes for chicken, beef, and fish broth.

Redwood City’s own Food Foundation guru Jessica Campbell has a great article and quick video on how to prepare bone broth as well.

GAPS and SCD diets

GAPS is an acronym for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, a diet developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. This diet focuses on restoring health in children diagnosed with neurological issues such as autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, A.D.D/A.D.H.D., depression, and schizophrenia.

Dr. Campbell-McBride’s diet is based on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) developed by Dr. Sydney Valentine Haas. It was popularized by Elaine Gottschall in her book Breaking in the Viscous Cycle which focuses on healing Chrohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and chronic diarrhea.

Both women have successfully treated a large population of children and adults with severe psychological and bowel disorders. However, the indications for this diet extend beyond what’s addressed in the books.  People experiencing autoimmune disorders, allergies, food intolerances, chronic respiratory infections, ear infections, and skin disorders can also benefit.

I’ve tried both diets to deal with my autoimmune illness and gut dysbiosis, but have had the most success with GAPS. It is the newer book of the two, with a more modern approach. Campbell-McBride discusses the triggers of gut imbalance in great detail and what to avoid in our increasingly toxic environment. She emphasizes the importance of having fermented foods in every meal.  I also appreciate her sharing detoxification methods like epsom salt/baking soda baths and probiotic enemas for stubborn cases.

Campbell-McBride has a thorough chapter on supplements, but says…

“I cannot emphasize enough that an appropriate diet has to be the number one intervention in successful nutritional management of the GAPS child or adult. No pill in the world is going to come close to the effect of the diet on your patient’s condition.”

It’s wise to work with a qualified professional to determine if this diet is appropriate for you.  They can also help you with the supplement protocol and detoxification methods.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Herbs

Acute and chronic stress negatively impact gut microorganism populations. Therefore, any method of relaxation has a positive effect on the healing process.

The Chinese Medicine methods of acupuncture, acupressure, and tuina massage can help you manage stress and treat the emotional and energetic roots. 

Chinese herbs affect physical imbalances directly.  There are certain herbs that help rid the GI tract of opportunistic, pathogenic bacteria and some that can help rebuild the gut lining too.

Chinese medicine practitioners are studying leaky gut and gut dysbiosis more and more. In fact, I’m taking a course on TCM and Leaky Gut Syndrome from a very experienced Herbalist this weekend. I’ll be filled to the brim with more information on this come Sunday!

Why the Need for Alternative Health Care?

Every engaged parent wants to do what is best for their children to help them grow and thrive.   However, many parents are finding that their children are not as well as they could be, despite following their Doctor’s advice faithfully. In fact, there’s been dramatic increase in chronic childhood diseases in the United States, with no signs of it slowing.

Parents are searching for safe, natural, and effective alternatives to current treatments for chronic illnesses such as eczema, asthma, attention disorders, autism spectrum disorders, digestive issues, persistent coughs, food/seasonal allergies, and more.

Why should you consider Chinese Medicine for kids?

1. It treats the root cause of disease

With standard biomedicine, most treatments manage symptoms only, or just mask them.

Chinese medicine practitioners can hone in on the root cause of illness.  This could be harmful environmental influences affect one’s health. They can also determine if it’s a deeper physical, energetic, or emotional disharmony that is causing the disease symptoms.

The focus of treatment is to remove harmful influences, balance any internal disharmonies that then resolve disease symptoms, and actively work to maintain wellness. It makes sense that once the root cause is dealt with, complete healing is possible!

2. It can effectively treat chronic conditions

Managing chronic illness is where Chinese Medicine practitioners shine. Many Medical Doctors are starting to refer patients to Acupuncturists for conditions that are not responsive to conventional treatments.

Parents who have successfully treated their own chronic illness with Chinese Medicine know that it’s a great option for their children as well and are getting wonderful results for the whole family.

3. Side effects are minimal

Mild bruising is really the only side effect a child might experience with acupuncture from experienced practitioners. The smallest needles are used and quite often there is absolutely no pain.

With regard to herbal formulas, they are extremely safe and effective  compared to antibiotics, steroids, immune system inhibitors, petroleum products, and behavior-altering drugs that maybe relied upon with standard medical care.

4. Kids respond quickly to treatment

It’s so satisfying to treat children because they respond so quickly. Since children are so new (and don’t have the longterm effects of a poor diet and harmful environmental influences that many of us adults have), they often bounce back to wellness fast.

5. There are many treatment options

Many people assume that acupuncture is the only Chinese Medicine treatment and that it’s not possible for children. They assume most kids are afraid of needles.  They also assume the needles need to be in for a long time, and can’t image their energetic child would participate.

Acupuncture basically stimulates points along mapped channels in the body that balance vital energy (Qi) & blood flow and initiate a healing response. However, these channels are not clearly mapped in babies and it takes a few years for them to fully develop. So simple massage is all that’s really needed to stimulate Qi & Blood flow in babies.

As the child gets older, stronger stimulation is needed and acupuncture will be suggested. Young children are often quite receptive to acupuncture. It usually doesn’t hurt and young ones are so sensitive that retention of needles is not needed. The needles go in, and they come right out. No big deal, and it works!

Around 4 to 8 years of age, kids may become needle shy. But a skilled Pediatric practitioner who values building relationships with the kids and respects their body autonomy, will not force the issue or try to trick them. Acupressure, cold lasers, micro-current probes, and stronger massage are effective alternatives to acupuncture too.

Herbal remedies prescribed are usually tolerated well. There are several brands made specifically for children (with just a little added sweetness to help it go down easier).

6. It’s relaxing

Once older kids become accustomed to TCM treatments, they will find that it actually feels good! Kids these days are more stressed out than ever, with social & academic pressures at school, rushed meals, and numerous after-school commitments. A TCM treatment gives them a much needed opportunity to rest and restore. They learn that self care is a priority.

7. Kids learn about the importance of a balanced lifestyle

When treated with Chinese Medicine, kids learn about their body’s amazing potential to heal. How empowering is that?! They’re also set up with great education on how to eat well and live in harmony with nature. It takes adults decades to figure this out, if at all!  It’s such a gift for a child to receive these messages early on.

Hopefully you see how wonderfully supportive Chinese Medicine can be for kids.  I hope you’ll consider it for your young one.  Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments!  I can also help connect you with a pediatric Chinese Medicine practitioner in your area.

Well wishes to you all…

A few yoga teacher colleagues encouraged me to check out Sarah Powers around the year 2003, feeling that I would resonate with her style & message. In this first workshop with her I was introduced to Yin Yoga. I loved her deep, philosophical approach.  Sarah was the teacher I had long been seeking, so I continued to study with her as often as possible. I also had the pleasure of studying with Paul Grilley in a week-long Yin Yoga teacher training they did together in Winter of 2005.

Sarah & Paul both talked about Taoist philosophy & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Meridian Theory in our Yin sessions together. I was very intrigued by this brief education in TCM and felt inspired to look into it further. I credit this training for helping me take the plunge in obtaining my Masters Degree in TCM the following year.

Through Yin Yoga, I was able to achieve a depth in my practice I had never experienced before. It also had a profound affect on my teaching style. Once it became a part of my personal practice, teaching became almost effortless. A few regular students commented that my teaching “turned a corner” and my classes began to steadily build. Yin Yoga helped me find authenticity and confidence as a practitioner and a teacher.

Obviously, I think Yin Yoga is pretty awesome. And even though we may have different experiences with the practice, I think it can really help you too.

Here Are 10 Reasons Why You Should Try Yin Yoga!

1. It increases your flexibility and keeps you juicy

Most styles of Yoga are considered “Yang” because the focus is on movement, strength, engagement, and using a lot of muscle to produce heat. Yin Yoga is called such because it is the opposite. It is a slow practice (postures are held for 2-5 minutes each), it requires us to let go of muscular effort, we yield to gravity’s pull, become quiet & inquisitive, and it’s very cooling.

When we let go of the muscles in the stretch (which is safe to do if we approach it slowly, mindfully, and close to the ground) we’re able to access the deeper tissues. It’s the fascia, the tendons, and ligaments where tension likes to accumulate throughout the years.

Yin Yoga increases flexibility not only because deep-held tension is being released, but also because blood is able to circulate better in areas that were previously deprived.

2. It’s an effective way to relieve stress

Naturally, when we’re able to consciously let go of tension, the body relaxes it’s stressful approach to what’s happening around us. The parasympathetic nervous system, our “rest & digest” mode, is activated and we experience more ease in the body and mind.

3. It helps you let go of negative mind patterns

When you’re this still for this long, you’re going to hear the mind speak. And what you hear may not serve you well.

We start to notice how we talk down to ourselves, how harshly we judge our experience and other people, how we like to reduce the things we experience into ways that fit our current belief systems. We gravitate to those who accept our own ideas and beliefs and our perspectives on life become very small.

With a sustained Yin practice, we are able to shift our perspective and include more in our experience. Just like the layers of tension we’re peeling off gradually, these unhelpful patterns of the mind can release too and we can replace them with a more positive, inclusive outlook on life.

4. It’s a great introduction to meditation

After a few Yin sessions when you’ve adjusted to the approach and have witnessed the mind habits mentioned in #3, we can use this time to tame the mind.

In meditation we often use an anchor to help keep the mind present. It could be watching the breath, focusing on a certain place in the body, concentrating on sound, etc. With Yin Yoga, we also have the strong sensations from the stretch to focus on.

Many people who have a hard time sitting with their thoughts in simple meditation find Yin Yoga more approachable. They are more in touch with their bodies, less so with their minds. By first focusing on the sensations of the stretch and opening up & strengthening the mind gradually with Yin, it can be more interesting for them. As they value it more, they are able to sit longer with less sensation.

5. It help you process strong emotions

Yin Yoga gives you the time to vent strong emotions. Many times I’ve watched my worry & anger (my main go-to emotions when I’m out of balance) shift and have moved into a state of equanimity by the end of the practice. I’ve helped students deal with fear and grief as well. Contentment is possible, but only after we’ve accepted what is present in the heart.

6. It prepares the body for sleep

Stress, tension, and obsessive thinking are some of the biggest triggers for insomnia. Yoga is a great way to relieve stress and tension. But some form of meditation is necessary to help with an occupied mind. Yin Yoga addresses it all.

7. It helps you develop tolerance and grow

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~ Neale Donald Walsch

Holding the Yin shapes for 2-5 minutes is not easy. The sensations you’re feeling, especially in the hips, can be quite intense. It’s necessary to move through the discomfort to experience freedom and ease in the body once again.

Isn’t this true for anything in life? If you want to experience something different from what you’re used to, it can be a bit scary and uncomfortable. Let your Yin practice help you build your capacity for tolerance and push your limits of what’s comfortable. What you’re working on in the practice will permeate into your life to help you create new and exciting things.

8. It helps you appreciate simple moments

The biggest complaint I’ve heard about Yin Yoga is that it’s boring.

Have you seen what a bored child can do? When given the space to sit with themselves a bored child can tap into their imagination and do amazingly creative things. And they will play by themselves for hours once they really get going.

Why are we adults any different? Because of all that stuff mentioned in #3. Somehow, long ago, we decided that we didn’t like hanging out with ourselves and that there are more important things to do. That is very sad.

As we engage in Yin Yoga, we are able to watch our experience breath by breath. By shifting our perspective we can appreciate each new breath as another moment of our precious lives. Even the boring and dull moments have value.

9. It’s like an acupuncture session you can do by yourself

The TCM meridians that we stimulate with needles in acupuncture to direct the flow of vital energy (qi) and blood, run along the deeper connective tissues of the body that we’re focusing on with Yin Yoga.

Taoists and Yogis know that energy/qi flow where the mind goes. We place ourselves in shapes that help access these deeper tissues and direct the mind and breath into those areas, and can thereby dilate the meridians and mobilize the qi & blood. When the qi & blood are abundant and free, we experience health and well-being.

10. It helps you stay grounded amidst chaos

Yin Yoga is very grounding in nature. We are able to observe all that is happening within us and around us with a calm, clear mind.

We live in a culture that is fast-paced, values work over rest, values financial gain over personal growth, etc. Our yoga practice can be a way to bring balance to our lives and those people we share it with.

What does the world need more of? Peace, tolerance, acceptance? You can answer that question for yourself and perhaps cultivate that in your practice.

I can’t wait to hear about your experience with Yin Yoga! Are any of these 10 reasons to try it resonating with you? Please let me know in the comments!  If you enjoyed this post, please share with your friends!   Well wishes to all…

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