Learn To Psoriasis Free For Life!!!
Click Here
Baby Eczema Baking Soda
My baby has eczema, and scratches like crazy.?
We finally learned what he is allergic to, but he's still so itchy that he'll scratch till he draws blood. Does anyone know what I can do to relieve his itchiness. I've tried baking soda baths, oatmeal baths, steroid creams... caked him with lotion... benedryl... (but that just knocks him out...) Any advice would be appreicated. Thank you.
We do put socks on him, ( I don't care that it looks weird, hehe ) we use hydrocortisone....I just want something like poison ivy cream, to stop the itch immediately. But there's nothing like that out there for eczema, I guess.
What is he allergic to? Is it milk? My cousin has really bad eczema her newest dermatoligist told her to eliminate all milk and dairy and it went away completely. She thought she was better so went back to milk and dairy and her eczema came back rather quickly. So, she has gone back to no dairy and it has cleared up again.
I did alot of reasearch on it just because...I found most causes of eczema are from Casein a milk protein allergy. Gluten from wheat, barley, rye and oats. Or yeast overgrowth...probiotics really help clear up yeast. He may not be allergic to something but may have sensitivites or reactions to certain foods which cause his eczema.
i'm sure you have but if not, google..."can dairy cause eczema" you may learn alot.
Eczema from what I found comes from within the body so treating it on the outside(with creams and lotions, and steroids...yuck!) is like a bandaid, it may go away or get better for a while but always comes back.
3 Steps to Managing Skin Allergies
An effective approach to managing skin allergies has three components. Firstly you must understand the condition, then you must discover if anything is triggering your skin reaction, and thirdly you must look after your skin.
Many people think that allergies only affect the respiratory or digestive systems, but they can also affect your largest organ- your skin. As with other allergies the immune system overreacts to the presence of certain substances and releases inflammation-producing chemicals. Do some research and talk to your doctor. You can be confident of controlling your skin condition better if you are sure you understand what causes it.
The second component in managing a skin allergy is identifying then eliminating the allergens and irritants that start the itching/scratching cycle. There are over three thousand known triggers for skin allergies. Many are natural, but there are plenty of man-made ones too.
A common man-made trigger is latex, which comes from the sap of the Brazilian rubber tree. The natural proteins and those added in the manufacturing process can trigger an allergic reaction. Most people are aware that this can lead to reactions if you wear latex gloves. However latex is also present in baby pacifiers, balloons, pencil erasers and elastic bands in undergarments. There can also be problems when latex particles become airborne and are inhaled. If you have a latex allergy try to avoid the material and use vinyl or plastic where possible.
Nickel is another trigger. In addition to the obvious nickel-containing metallic objects like coins and jewelry, nickel is also present in everyday objects like scissors, bathroom and kitchen cabinet handles, and zippers. Mascara, eye shadow and eye pencils also contain nickel. Experts estimate that the number of people suffering from a nickel allergy has risen about 40% in the last decade. Much of this is believed to be due to the popularity of body piercing. Some foods also have natural nickel content and people who suffer severe symptoms may need to restrict their diet under medical supervision. At present there is no way to desensitize a person with a nickel allergy. Avoidance is the best strategy.
The third component of effective management is looking after your skin. The easiest thing to do is to keep your fingernails short to reduce the damage caused by scratching.
Managing your skin's condition means firstly moisturizing and softening the skin to ensure it does not dry out. Your doctor may recommend you use topical corticosteroid preparations to control the inflammation.
When you take a bath soak in lukewarm water for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not have hot baths or showers, as the heat will increase skin dryness and itching. You can add oatmeal or baking soda to the bath for a soothing effect, though it does not help moisturize the skin.
Use a mild soap or a non-soap cleanser with neutral pH (pH7). If you wish to add bath oils do so after you have been in the water so that it can seal in the moisture. Do not use bubble baths as they can form a barrier that stops the bathwater moisturizing your skin.
After the bath dry yourself by patting your skin with a soft towel. This helps retain moisture. Immediately after drying your skin apply a lotion or emollient cream to help your skin retain the moisture.
To look after your skin you will also need to avoid situations where you will experience extreme physical contact, heavy perspiration, or heavy clothing. This may mean avoiding some sports. Swimming is permissible if you rinse the chlorine from your skin as soon as you leave the pool, and use a moisturizer after drying yourself.
Follow these three steps and you will be able to control your skin allergy and minimize its impact on your everyday life.
About the Author
David Kane is the author of ‘Stop Asthma Now' and is giving away copies of his ‘Guide to Allergy and Asthma Relief'. For more information on skin allergies visit the Stop Asthma Now - Asthma Relief eBook site while the offer lasts.
