Coping with ezcema

According to the National Eczema Society, as many as one in four children under eight suffer from eczema. Eczema is more common in families with a history of allergies and it is most likely to appear in the transition period of breast to bottle or during the introduction of solid food.

Here are some guidelines for preventing and treating this distressing condition.

Breastfeed for as long as possible and avoid weaning your baby until 5-6 months of age. Early exposure to foods will increase the likelihood of allergic reactions due to the baby's undeveloped digestive system. Start with fresh fruit and vegetable purees progressing on to rice, millet, beans and pulses, seeds, fish and poultry and other grains.

Avoid cow's milk, eggs, wheat, tomatoes, and citrus fruits until after the age of one.

Essential fatty acids are vital components of your child's diet, as every cell in their body requires them. They are also anti-inflammatory so can be successfully used in treating eczema. Mother's milk is a rich source of EFA's whereas an infant diet of dairy and commercial baby foods contains very little. When weaning your baby from breast to bottle check the EFA content of the formula. From six months start adding a teaspoon of flaxseed oil to your baby's food once a day. Other good food sources of EFA's are safflower oil, sunflower seeds and their oils as well as evening primrose oil and borage oil. Pumpkin seeds and walnuts as well as oily fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, fresh tuna and pilchards and other great sources of these important essential fatty acids.

If your child develops eczema, rub the contents of a 500mg capsule of evening primrose oil into his/her tummy or thighs (wherever there is no eczema) up to six times a day.

Whilst weaning make sure your baby is getting enough zinc, magnesium, B vitamins and vitamin C which are all required for essential fatty acid metabolism. If your child develops eczema it may be worthwhile to carry out a sweat test or hair mineral analysis test (both non-invasive) to establish mineral levels. Food supplements are best given to young children in liquid form, which are easy to administer in food and drinks and better absorbed.

An excellent remedy for relieving itching is to bathe your child adding half a cup of apple cider vinegar and a third of a cup of cold pressed oil (sunflower or safflower) to the bath just before bedtime. Pat your child dry to retain some of the oil on the skin.

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