Important Information about Baby Eczema and Kopec Naturals Baby Eczema Relief

What is eczema and baby eczema?

Eczema is a non-infectious skin condition that can be caused by an allergic reaction to a skin irritant (such as sodium lauryl sulfate or mineral oil/petroleum jelly) or can be an immune system response to an internal irritant (such as dairy) or an external irritant (such as dust mites). Eczema can be related to a deficiency in essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and 6 and GLA. The skin responds by changing on the dermis and epidermis resulting in dry, itchy, scaly patches of skin that can crack and blister resulting in further infection and breakdown of the skin. These patches most often occur on the joints, but are especially irritating when they occur in the folds of the skin. When an episode of eczema is present on the skin a bacterial infection can exist both on the skin and inside the body.

What are the symptoms and possible related symptoms of baby eczema?

The most common symptoms of eczema in babies can be dry, flaky, crusty skin over patches of red and inflamed skin. These areas of irritated skin can be itchy and cause a burning sensation and the skin in these areas can thicken over time as a protective response from the body. The itchy skin causes a need to scratch which can then form blisters from a further breakdown in the skin. Because “itch” is a nervous system response, the pain caused by scratching can redirect the nervous system to experience pain thus relieving the itch temporarily. The skin infected with eczema is extremely sensitive and is often irritated by soaps, shampoos and ordinary moisturizers.

Why is baby eczema so difficult to clear?

Eczema is so difficult to clear because health professionals cannot agree on what causes the condition to begin with. As long as there is no definitive cause then the skin may be continually infected without evening realizing it. The skin is an organ, and needs to be treated as such. In order for eczema to clear, the skin needs to be treated as an ingestible organ and the entire system should be treated for the bacterial infection. Often children with eczema live in house where other family members suffer from other atopic conditions such as asthmatic bronchitis, asthma, hay fever or allergies. The child who suffers from eczema may be at increased risk for these conditions as well. This is why improving skin function and immune system function can eliminate eczema.

How should I use Baby Eczema Relief?

Baby Eczema Relief is a combination product of a salve and body oil. The body oil should be used after a bath on all dry and irritated patches of skin, paying close attention to the dry and crusty patches. The salve should be used on the dry and crusty patches after the oil has been applied. Baby Eczema Relief can also be used every 2-4 hours during an outbreak to keep skin properly hydrated, and to help skin function properly so the skin begins to filter and release necessary bacteria on its own (known as “proper release of sebum”), and to suffocate the bacteria before it multiplies on the skin. Baby Eczema Relief can not only reduce and eliminate infantile eczema, but can also improve the working function of the skin to keep future outbreaks away. It is necessary to use Baby Eczema Relief for several weeks. Often we expect an instant cure, but in order to address a chronic condition correctly without damage to other organs, a longer investment is necessary.

What else should I do to eliminate eczema?

1. It is important to completely eliminate certain foods that contribute to or may have caused the bacterial infection while treating an outbreak and for two weeks following the last indication of an outbreak. The most common food allergen in children with eczema is dairy made from cow’s milk (milk, cheeses and yogurts made from cow’s milk). Typically the ability to breakdown dairy does not occur until the age of 4 and in some cases when dairy is introduced before the age of four the body can have difficult time breaking it down. Dairy is often an unknown cause in eczema because 1. Eczema is not a typical food allergy symptom, 2. Children are not tested for allergies usually before the age of 5, and 3. Because eczema is a histamine response an allergy to dairy may or may not show on a standard test. Suggestions for eliminating eczema quickly would be to abstain from cow’s milk products during an outbreak and for two weeks following an outbreak. You can judge for yourself how your child’s skin responds to abstaining from diary and what happens when dairy is reintroduced back into their diet.
2. If you would like to determine if there exists another hidden food allergen, two other food sources are a consideration. A common food source that spreads bacterial overgrowth in other skin conditions such as Rosacea and dermatitis are sugar in all forms, this includes the following: sugar, sucrose, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, fructose, glucose, honey, maltodextrin, maple syrup, aspartame, splenda, stevia, dextrose, equal, NutraSweet, saccharin, manitol, sorbitol and xylose. This is a huge consideration since most foods especially children’s foods are contaminated with an incredible amount of sugars. Other foods to consider eliminate during an outbreak are all products made with white flour. While these food sources are in most foods, and can be difficult to eliminate they can be unknowingly the culprit in your child’s misery.
3. Acidophilus can increase the level of good bacteria in the body improving the overall immune system response. (Continued on back side)
4. Keeping your child free of dust mites (a common cause) can help reduce eczema. Dust mites linger in the air and fall onto pillows and blankets. Making the bed in the morning greatly reduces the amount of dust mites that fall on the pillow and sheets throughout the day. During a severe outbreak, fresh linens washed in borax only should be changed at least every three days. For severe reaction to dust mites a HEPA air filter may be necessary for the bedroom.
5. During an outbreak, bathing once to twice a day is important. Bath water should be lukewarm (between 82-84 degrees) and should not exceed 85 degrees. Hot water can further inflame the outbreak. Do not use soap or other irritating body washes which can further keep the skin from functioning properly. Do not rub the skin with a washcloth. If your child finds the water “burns” the skin this may be a reaction from the chlorine and other chemicals in our water supply. Remember how sensitive the skin is during an outbreak. Suggestions for eliminating the “burn” of bath water are: 1. Purchase a water filter for the bath tub, or 2. to fill a small baby bathtub/sink with distilled water, or 3. Add a half cup of sea salt into the bath water. (When using a salt bath, please test the water on a section of the skin before entering the bath).
6. Avoid using any products, soaps, baby washes, shampoos containing Lauryl sulfates, especially Sodium Lauryl sulfate, also known as Sodium Laureth sulfate. During an outbreak the use of soaps and washes can be altogether eliminated. If necessary consider Dr. Bonner’s castile soap for babies.
7. Avoid the use of mineral oil (either straight or as an ingredient in baby oils) and avoid petroleum jelly. The harm of these ingredients on the skin are too numerous to list but are a very real toxin to the skin.
8. Avoid the use of diaper wipes on baby while infected. Wipes often encourage bacterial overgrowth. Use a damp paper towel or cotton wash cloth instead.
9. Keeping baby from scratching is very important to clearing eczema. Infants that cannot keep from scratching should wear cotton socks over their hands to keep from further infecting her eczema. Children that can keep from scratching during the day should still wear cotton socks over the hands at night. Scratching during sleep is often an involuntary response.
10. A night time wrap can help during a severe outbreak. The nighttime wrap consists of soaking a strip of cotton gauze in salt water mix (To make salt water mix for wrap: 1 cup distilled water with 1 tb sea salt), laying over the infected area and wrapping plastic food wrap over the top of the gauze to keep wrap from drying out. And cover with more dry gauze or socks to keep the plastic wrap from becoming a problem if necessary. Make sure the plastic wrap is not too tight, but is not too loose. Never place plastic on baby’s face or neck. Leave on for 30 minutes before sleep. Do not leave on baby while sleeping.
11. The body can further heal while sleeping, and so it is important to ensure a proper night’s sleep. If sleep patterns are interrupted by an outbreak of eczema, calming products such as Kopec Naturals Child Calm before bed can help give a restful night’s sleep.

Can I email you with additional questions?

I am so very happy to help you improve your health, share my thoughts and experiences, and provide you with relevant information. I am here to help, but I will also urge you to be very proactive in the solution. Often the solution may require extra work that is unpleasant for us to consider, but it can be the path to health and healing.

Laura Kopec, Nutritionist and Health Educator is studying for her Doctor of Naturopathy, and pursuing her PhD in Health Psychology. She has been creating health remedies since 1998, and in addition to her nutritional consulting and public speaking, she provides health information and support to customers as part of the exemplary customer service Kopec Naturals offers.

Information provided is solely for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not use this information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing of any medications or supplements. Only your healthcare provider should diagnose your healthcare problems and prescribe treatment. None of our statements or information, including health claims, articles, advertising or product information have been evaluated or approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products or ingredients referred to are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement, diet or exercise program, before taking any medications or receiving treatment, particularly if you are currently under medical care. Make sure you carefully read all product labeling and packaging prior to use. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, do not take any supplements without first consulting and obtaining the approval of your healthcare provider.