Natural Oils For Eczema: Which Ones Are Safe And Effective
Natural oil has been used in skin care for centuries. A good number of natural oils have beneficial fatty acids that help to repair the skins natural barrier, which is defective in patients with eczema.
But not all natural oils are good for our skin. Some can be irritating and may even worsen eczema. The plant source, composition and the ways that natural oils are extracted determine their benefit and harm.
Cold-pressed fixed oils are made by extracting oil from seeds or nuts without adding chemicals or heat, and therefore tend to be safer for skin use.
On the other hand, essential oils are extracted through steam-distillation of aromatic flowers or leaves. Heat and chemicals added during essential oil extraction can produce irritating compounds, and therefore should be avoided for skin use.
Several natural oils have been found to be safe and beneficial alternative moisturizers. Virgin coconut oil contains monolaurin, a fatty acid that mitigates Staphylococcus aureus colonization that can typically develop in eczema patients.
Virgin coconut oil is also superior in improving eczema compared to mineral oil . Virgin sunflower seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe itchy and inflamed eczema skin, and can improve skin hydration and preserve the integrity of the skins natural barrier.
Introducing Allergens To Babies With Eczema
Introducing common allergenic foods to eczema babies early and often may be especially beneficial.
New dietary guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend the early, frequent introduction of peanut, particularly for babies who have eczema.
According to the USDAs new Dietary Guidelines, if an infant has severe eczemaage-appropriate, peanut containing foods should be introduced into the diet as early as age 4 to 6 months. This introduction is especially important for babies with eczema, because of their increased food allergy risk.
Also, as other international medical guidelines state, early introduction of other common food allergens may be beneficial for eczema babies as well.
For instance, guidelines from the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommend that babies with eczema be introduced to allergenic foods, such as egg and peanut, as early as 4 months of age.
All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
See the FDA Peanut Allergy Qualified Health Claim at the bottom of our homepage.
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Minimize Contact With Irritants
Aside from natural remedies, some preventive care can also help ease eczema. For instance, many commonly found irritants can make things worse for your baby. Here are a few tips on how you can keep them at arms length:
- An allergic reaction to dust mites can worsen eczema. Since these organisms and their feces can accumulate on soft toys, youll need to make sure that theyre clean. Wash your childs toys at 60°C or place them in the freezer for 24 hours in a plastic bag weekly to get rid of mites. Bed linen should also be washed at 60°C to clear out mites.
- Certain fabrics may irritate your babys skin. Keep to breathable and friendly fabrics like cotton and avoid nylon or wool. If your baby has started crawling, dress them in cotton trousers so that they dont rub against the carpet.
- Avoid bubble baths and soaps as they can irritate and dry out the skin. Choose a mild, fragrance-free cleanser instead.
- Identify other irritants that could be troubling your baby and limit contact with them. Common irritants include animal dander, cigarette smoke, and chemical sprays.15
References
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Cure : Natural Remedies
Oatmeal
Oatmeal serves to be one of the best baby eczema natural remedies. Its soothing properties help alleviate the symptoms of eczema. Your child is going to love the oatmeal bath. Prepare the oatmeal bath for your kid as mentioned below
How to use:
- Add lukewarm water to the tub
- To it, add a cup of the oatmeal powder
- The water would feel soft
- Soak your baby in the bath for ten to fifteen minutes
- After that pat him dry
- Apply a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer on his skin
- Oatmeal cleanses the skin and eases inflammation
Benefits of oatmeal
Oatmeal helps in binding the surface and forms a protective layer called the skin barrier that keeps the bodys moisture intact and does not let the skin dry. It will help to soothe his body and provides effective relief from itching.
Wet Ordry Wrap Therapy
Let emollients sink in deeper and find fastrelief with wet or drywrap therapy. This organic eczema treatment for babies allows skincare to work longer and more efficiently. In fact, many eczema sufferershave found relief after one night!
Although wet wrapping can be hard for some children to adapt to and should never be used as a long-term solution, dry wrap therapy can be mucheasier and less messy and can be used for as long as needed with the right clothing.
Remedywear, clothing for eczema, isdesigned to wear dry and can be combined with your favorite emollient forfurther relief. Remedywear is made from TENCEL with zinc embeddedfibers to soothe itchy, dry skin. Styles available for babies up to adults. Perfect for wearing during the day undereveryday clothing or for wrapping overnight for a great night’s sleep.
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How Often Should I Bathe My Baby
If your baby has eczema, a daily bath with an emollient will help soothe the eczema and reduce dry skin and itching, while cleansing the skin, removing dirt and repairing the skin barrier. Use leave-on emollients instead of soaps, baby washes or bubble bath, or alternatively use emollient wash products or bath additives. Avoid any perfumed products and keep the water tepid, as heat can aggravate eczema.
When To Talk To Your Doctor About Baby Eczema
Always talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your babys skin. Thanks to telemedicine, a video visit or quick photo is often all thats needed to check for eczema.
Occasionally, infections develop on top of an eczema rash. If you see any yellow-colored crusting and scabbing, oozy skin, blisters or pus bumps, be sure to call your doctor right away. Always call if your baby has a fever. Your baby may need an antibiotic and to be evaluated in person.
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Final Thoughts On Natural Eczema Remedies For Babies
There are a few key things to always remember when youre trying to cure your babys eczema:
- Make sure there are no toxins, allergens, or fragrances in any of the products you use that your child can come into contact with.
- Keep the affected areas well hydrated and moist, using the recommended moisturizers in this post! Make sure to moisturize when your babys skin is still slightly damp.
- Use mild, unscented body and laundry soaps, sticking to only natural products for babies.
I know how worrisome it can be to have to watch your baby suffer through something like eczema, and the stress associated with finding something that works. I hope this post helped you to find a natural solution to your babys eczema!
If you have any questions about any of the solutions in this post, dont hesitate to leave a comment or contact me here! I respond to every question I get!
Note: I am not a dermatologist and these are not medical solutions. These are simply my recommendations for natural ways to alleviate eczema. As with any medical condition, please consult your doctor or your childs pediatrician before trying anything new.
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy in 2017:
For most infants with severe eczema and/or egg allergy who are already eating solid foods, introducing foods containing ground peanuts between 4 and 10 months of age and continuing consumption may reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy by 5 years of age. FDA has determined, however, that the evidence supporting this claim is limited to one study.
If your infant has severe eczema and/or egg allergy, check with your infants healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.
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Natural Remedies To Tackle Eczema In Babies
An irritated baby with itchy skin can make you feel quite helpless. Eczema or atopic dermatitis is common in babies, often making an appearance within a few months of birth. Babies with this condition have less body oils and their skins barrier function is compromised. Moisture, therefore, evaporates easily from the skin, causing cells to shrink and cracks to develop. Irritants and allergens then have easy access and cause inflammation. Red, crusty patches of skin, scaling, and itching follow classic signs of eczema that you may have come to dread.
Various factors such as viral infections, dust mites, and even teething can trigger eczema. This condition is more common in children with a family history of allergies. Food allergies may also have a role in around 10% of babies, foods such as eggs, milk, chocolate, or peanuts work as a trigger.12
Eczema is a chronic condition though some children do outgrow it. While there is no cure for eczema yet, there are plenty of measures that can ease symptoms and reduce chances of another flare-up. Lets take a look at what you can do to help ease this condition in your baby.
Eczema In Babies With Black And Brown Skin
According to the National Eczema Foundation, eczema affects more African American babies than any other racial background. About 1 in every 5 thats about 20% African American babies has some form of eczema. This compares to 10.7% of Hispanic babies, 12.1% of white babies, and 13% for Asian and Native American, respectively.
Eczema doesnt appear red like it does on white skin. Instead of red patches, eczema may cause gray, darker brown, or even purple patches. These discolored patches may still be dry, warm, swollen, itchy, and/or scaly.
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Kinder Gentler Bleach Baths
We love to recommend bleach baths but know these dont work for everyone. Bleach baths can be painful because theyre often called for at the time when the skin is flaring and has a lot of open wounds.
One tip I like to suggest is to get into the bath with dressings still on. This will allow the skin to re-equilibrate and help alleviate some of that initial discomfort of getting into the bath, before you start pulling the wraps off.
Another way to help tolerate getting into bleach baths is to put a little antibacterial ointment or petroleum jelly in the cracks of the skin.
For children, you can distract the child with toys or an activity during the first couple of minutes of a bleach bath, so theyre focused on something other than the changing skin sensation that takes place in the first few minutes after getting in the tub.
How To Use Coconut Oil For Your Babys Eczema
Look for the best quality virgin coconut oil you can find to use on your baby. Youll likely be able to find the kind used for cooking and as a food supplement at health food stores. Double-check the ingredients to make sure its pure coconut oil without any added chemicals or dyes.
Give your baby their daily bath using warm water and a gentle baby shampoo. Pat your baby dry and wrap them in a soft, fluffy towel.
Warm a small amount of coconut oil in a bowl. Coconut oil melts at about 78°F, so if its a warm day, you can just leave it on your kitchen counter. Alternatively, zap it in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
Wash your hands carefully with warm water and soap. Its always important to wash your hands before touching your baby, but its even more important if your baby has eczema. This rash can break the skin, letting germs get in more easily.
Test the warm coconut oil on the inside of your wrist just like you test a babys bottle to make sure its a comfortable temperature. If its too cold or hard, rub some between your palms to melt it. If its too warm, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.
Scoop up some coconut oil and rub it between your fingers or the palms of your hands. Gently use your fingers or whole hand to massage the coconut oil into your babys skin. Start with the areas that have eczema and continue all over for a relaxing massage that also helps you bond!
Heres how its done:
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Does Breastfeeding Prevent Baby Eczema
There is some evidence that breastfed babies may be less likely to develop eczema. Although unproven, the antimicrobial properties in breast milk have also been studied as a type of treatment when directly applied to an eczema rash. To try this, rub a few drops of your liquid gold onto the rash regularly for a few days and watch for any reduction in symptoms.
Our Top Tips For Babies And Children With Eczema
1. Baby eczema can be traumatic for parents because no parent wants to see their child suffering. The baby cant tell you what is wrong all he or she knows is that they are feeling pain and irritation.
2. Scratching at eczema skin will only enhance the symptoms of eczema, but a baby will not know this. The best way to prevent a baby scratching itself is to ensure that he or she wears cotton mittens on their hands. This significantly reduces skin damage from scratching.
3. Often a baby who has eczema will grow out of the condition, but this is not always the case. Many parents often assume that if their child has grown out of an eczema condition, it is because of the medications that were used.
4. This is completely false because any doctor will tell you that you cannot cure baby eczema or any other type of eczema for that matter. If your childs eczema has disappeared as they have got older, it is more to healthy internal factors and a more developed immune system, rather than a medication.
Eczema in babies should be treated naturally as possible to avoid other health issues in the future. The biggest piece of advice that we can give on the topic of how treat baby eczema is to use medications cautiously, and the safest and best treatment for baby eczema will be a natural one.
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Benefits Of Turmeric Oil
Turmeric oil is safe for use on kids and has moderate anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to fight any infection and also imparts a soothing texture to the skin after healing eczema.
Precautions
Never use any essential oil without diluting it properly on children. Do a little patch test a day before using turmeric oil.
Massage With Sunflower Seed Oil
Another natural oil that can help with eczema is sunflower oil. Research shows that sunflower oil improves the barrier function of the skin. In one study of babies at high risk of developing eczema, parents were advised to apply sunflower seed oil on their babys entire body at least once daily. This was done as soon as possible after birth but within a maximum of 3 weeks and was to be continued till the baby hit the 6-month milestone. It was found that sunflower seed oil had a protective effect and reduced the incidence of this condition at the 6-month mark.5 In the study, parents were also told not to use potential irritants like fragrant soap, bubble baths, or even bath oils and were to stick to a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.
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Which Are The Good Essential Oils For Baby Eczema
Essential oils are known for their healing properties. These are a wonderful baby eczema natural remedies for their soothing nature. Some of the essential oils that you can use for treating eczema in babies are:
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Turmeric Essential Oil
- Citrus Oils
Use these essential oils in the bath or blend them with a base oil and gently massage on the affected region. These are quite potent hence should be used in minimal amount.
Is Cradle Cap A Form Of Eczema
Technically, cradle cap , is a form of eczema that affects nearly 70% of all infants by the time they are three months old. Cradle cap is characterized by crusty, flaky patches on your babys scalp.
Unlike classic baby eczema, cradle cap is typically not itchy and does not cause any discomfort to your little one. Usually, cradle cap clears up on its own, but there are some homemade treatments to try if youd like to try to get rid of it sooner.
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Sven’s Island Remedy For ‘eczema Nappy Rash And Cradle Cap’
Unfortunately, there is no cure for baby or early childhood eczema, but the condition usually becomes less severe over time. There are a number of different treatments available and most often, one solution may not be suitable for everyone so we recommend trying a combination approach for optimal effectiveness. Moisture loss is a major contributing factor in children’s eczema so we recommend you choose moisturisers that have a high oil content over water content since this will draw more water into the skin and reduce water loss. Ointments usually have the highest oil content so they don’t generally burn when they’re applied to sensitive skin and are very good at sealing in moisture.
Our Bubba Calm soothing baby cream and Miracle Manuka skin repair ointment combination treatment focuses on managing skin dryness to prevent flare-ups and reducing skin inflammation symptoms often associated with eczema, cradle cap, and nappy rash.