This is a question I often get asked and unfortunately there is no straightforward answer.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease causing an overproduction of skin cells.  This results in thickened patches of skin, which are red and scaly and often itchy and painful.  The patches most commonly appear on the knees, elbows, scalp, hands, feet, back, fingernails and toenails.  The condition may also lead to arthritis.

Treatment options range from topical emollients and vitamin D therapy through to powerful systemic medications.  The treatment of psoriasis is very individualised meaning that what works well for one person may have a negative or no effect on another person. Similarly the effect of various foods will have varying effects on each individual’s psoriasis.

Diet does help

Whilst many psoriasis sufferers have long claimed that certain foods affect their psoriasis it is only recently that doctors and specialists have come to consider the diet when treating psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a condition affecting the immune system.  A diet that focuses on a healthy immune system is therefore desirable, as it will help to reduce inflammation.  While there are no set rules that will guarantee to improve your psoriasis there are some guidelines now available that will help.

Psoriasis may be helped by a diet high in antioxidants, which are nutrients that play a vital role in cellular health.  Natural antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables are better than supplements.

A gluten free diet has also been found to help some people with psoriasis.  This involves excluding all foods containing wheat, barley, rye and oats.

A diet high in probiotics may also improve the immune system and in turn reduce psoriasis symptoms.  Probiotics are foods high in good bacteria.  We all have bacteria in our intestines and for most the good out number the bad.  Ensuring you have more good bacteria than bad bacteria will improve the immune system and decrease the symptoms of psoriasis.  Yogurts and some milks with added live cultures will do this.

A healthy diet can also help to maintain a balance of bacteria in the intestines.  A diet high in fruit and vegetables, whole grains and beans and low in simple sugars will help to maintain this balance and a healthy immune system.

Omega 3 has amazing effects on psoriasis

Modifying your fat intake is one of the best dietary ways to control your psoriasis.  Increasing the essential fatty acid Omega 3 in your diet may help.  Omega 3 is responsible for the inflammatory process in the body and today’s modern diet has many of us consuming very small amounts  (if any at all ) of Omega 3.

Increasing the amount of fish oils, flaxseed oil and nuts in our diets will help but in reality a dietary supplement will probably be needed for the omega 3 to have a positive effect on psoriasis.

There are many supplements available in health stores that are high in omega 3.  The Grahams Mega Oil is a dietary oil supplement designed specifically for this purpose.  Not only is it high in omega 3 but it has a calculated ration of omegas 3, 6 and 9 that will enhance the immune system and decrease inflammation even more than omega 3 on its own.

Adopt a healthy diet and control your psoriasis

In summary adopting a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and omega 3 supplements is what we should all be doing.  It will not only help to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis but may also help to reduce the risk of other medical problems like heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney problems, Attention Deficit Disorder and many others.

Eczema is one of the most common conditions affecting children in the western world yet it is rarely associated with adults.

This belief leads to many cases of eczema in adults going undiagnosed.  Whilst the eczema often presents in different forms in adults it is still eczema with many of the same symptoms seen in childhood eczema – dry skin, itching, red scaly rash.

The most common forms of eczema seen in adults include Atopic eczema, Dyshidrotic eczema, Nummular eczema, Varicose eczema and Contact Dermatitis.

Atopic Eczema

Atopic eczema is most commonly seen in adults who as a child suffered from the same condition.  Whilst most Atopic eczema resolves in childhood some continues on into adulthood.

In these cases a rash appears anywhere on the body and is accompanied by dry skin and an unbearable itch.  The flare-ups are triggered by allergy and the condition has a familial tendency.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema appears as clear fluid filled blisters (vesicles) on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. This recurrent skin condition runs in families and is usually the result of an allergy.

Common allergens causing an outbreak of Dyshidrotic eczema include prolonged contact with water, deodorant soaps, strong detergents, solvents, stressful situations and rubber / latex gloves.

Although there is no known quick cure, Dyshidrotic eczema usually resolves without problems. Excessive scratching can however result in thickening of the skin, which is easily irritated.

Nummular Eczema

Nummular eczema also known as Discoid eczema has no known cause or cure.  It most frequently occurs in adults with extremely dry skin.  Occurrence is increased during times of cold weather, low humidity, stressful situations and overly frequent bathing.

It appears as coin shaped, inflamed, scaly lesions, which are very itchy.  As the condition clears the lesions heal from the inside out creating a red ring similar in appearance to ring worm.  This appearance frequently results in misdiagnosis.  Accurate diagnosis requires a doctor consultation.

Varicose Eczema

Also known as Gravitational Eczema or Stasis Eczema, Varicose Eczema affects the lower legs and is more common in middle aged to older people with poor circulation in the lower legs. The skin in this area becomes blotchy, inflamed, swollen, itchy and discolored.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis usually occurs on the hands and is very common in adulthood.  As in Atopic eczema contact dermatitis is often the result of an allergy (allergic contact dermatitis) but more commonly it will be the result of the skin coming in contact with an irritant (Irritant contact dermatitis).

Contact dermatitis causes the skin on the hands to become dry, red and inflamed.  As avoidance of the irritant is often difficult the hands frequently become cracked and painful.

Treatment Of Adult Eczema

Regardless of the type of eczema the treatment is the same.  As the skin is always excessively dry regular moisturizers are essential.  A topical cream to reduce the rash and itch is also required.

Traditionally steroid creams were used however today the preferred treatment are natural over the counter creams. Avoiding known allergens or irritating substances will also reduce flare-ups.

If over the counter treatments do not clear the eczema professional advice should be obtained.  It is also important to have any rash diagnosed by a doctor to ensure the correct treatment is being used. Varicose eczema will always require medical treatment as the poor circulation will need treating for the condition to be brought under control and to prevent serious complications.

Allergies Eczema.  Eczema Allergies

The two go hand in hand.  If we could cut out allergies we could significantly reduce the amount of eczema.

At last there is hope of a solution

An immunization that is being hailed as the “Holy Grail” of vaccine research that would ward off allergy is nearing completion of the developmental stage.

An Allergy Conference in London has heard that scientists from Cytos Biotechnology, a firm based in Zurich, have developed a vaccine that could largely eradicate multiple allergies with a single jab.

The jab at this stage is only known as CYT003-QbG10 but initial human trials indicate that it will have the power to protect against asthma, eczema, hay fever, dust, and cat and peanut allergies.

A Single Jab

The beauty of the jab is that it is believed that a single jab will have the ability to protect against multiple allergies making it more cost effective and easier to manufacture and administer.

Dr Wolfgang Renner, from the jab’s inventors Cytos Biotechnology, said: ‘We think it is a one-size-fits-all mechanism. We are very excited about it.’

Small scale human trials have commenced and Dr Renner hopes for the first large scale trials to commence next year and the immunization on sale in four to five years.

Atopic eczema, the most common form of eczema, is an allergy based condition treated by topical creams, steroids and anti-histamine pills.  All of these treatments are short acting and only control the symptoms.  None are getting at the root of the cause of the allergies.

Reprogramming The Immune System

It is believed that the new jab is reprogramming the immune system.  At the heart of the jab is synthetic DNA that fools the body into thinking it is under attack from a dangerous bug.  This causes the immune system to start a multi-pronged immune response.

Immunotherapy, where patients are repeatedly injected with small doses of the compound they are allergic to is already available, although not widely used because of fears over its safety and the extended period of time (years) required for the course to be given.

New Jab Has Few Side Effects

Leanne Metcalf, director of Research at Asthma UK, said: ‘We are, excited about the potential of this vaccine to make a real difference to people with asthma and allergies, especially as it has been shown in clinical trials to have relatively few side effects.’

It is not clear how often the new vaccine would have to be given.

But the Cytos scientists envisage an initial short course of jabs, followed up by a booster session two or three years later.

Psoriasis, the chronic inflammatory skin condition, affecting 2 – 3% of adults worldwide may also be a risk factor for heart attack.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition – a fact we have known for generations.  But it is so much more than that.  Psoriasis is also a systemic inflammatory condition and autoimmune disease and has similarities to other inflammatory immune disorders.

For unknown reasons the immune system of the psoriasis sufferer does not function properly.  However evidence suggests a complex interaction between genes, environment and lifestyle influences being the cause.  Approximately 40% of all people with psoriasis have a close relative with the condition, this coupled with obesity, smoking, heavy drinking, stress, strep infection or some medications may cause the immune system to overreact resulting in psoriasis.

Higher incidence of atherosclerosis and heart attack

Studies show that people with psoriasis have a higher incidence of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), peripheral vascular disease, heart attacks and strokes than people with out the condition, regardless of what initially triggers it.

It is important to note that psoriasis does not cause any of these conditions but rather all the conditions share similar features – inflammation and the activity of cytokine proteins (small secreted proteins which mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation).

Study comparing heart attack risks

A recent study led by Dr Joel Gelfand, assistant professor of dermatology of the University Of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia, compared heart attack risks in approximately 131 000 psoriasis sufferers (almost 4000 of those had severe psoriasis) and a control group of over 500 000 matched people who did not have psoriasis.

The important factor here is that the control group was matched for age, gender, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and other risk factors. This had not been done in previous studies.

“The study showed that psoriasis was associated with an elevated risk of heart attack in all groups, but especially in younger patients with severe disease. “ (www.healthjockey.com)

For example the results found that a 40 year old person with mild psoriasis has a 20% greater risk of having a heart attack than a 40 year old with out psoriasis.  This risk will double for a 40 year old with severe psoriasis.

“The absolute risk is still low, even for someone who has severe disease,” Gelfand says.  “If you’re in your 40s or 50s, your risk of having a heart attack each year due to psoriasis is about one in 400 to one in 600.  Over 10 years, that adds up to about one in 40-60.  So it does become a significant risk factor over time.”

“Only in the last 15 years have we come to understand that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease,” Gelfand says.  “Only in the past 10 years have we learned that psoriasis is promoted by the same immune pathways that are active in atherosclerosis.”

Learning that psoriasis increases the risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis is important as patients and doctors alike need to discuss these risk factors and take actions to minimize the risks.

Is an itchy scalp driving you crazy?

You may have Psoriasis of the scalp.

Conditions affecting the scalp are often given the prefix of seborrheic to classify their location.  Hence Psoriasis of the scalp is often referred to as seborrheic psoriasis. This term refers to the location of the psoriasis rather than the type of psoriasis.

90% of psoriasis sufferers will have Plaque Psoriasis and it will usually affect the scalp.  Unlike eczema, psoriasis is rare in young children and usually strikes in the teen or early adult years.

Plaque psoriasis appears as a well defined rash with very thick white scales that are often very firmly attached to the hair. The borders of each patch are well defined and small points of bleeding will occur if the scales are picked off.  Each individual patch may come and go but it is more common for them to be present for years.

Rarely affects the face

The psoriasis may cover a small area at the back of the head or upper neck or it may involve the whole scalp. This type of psoriasis may spread onto the forehead and into the ears however the face is rarely affected.

Although hair loss is not generally caused by seborrheic psoriasis the hair is usually thinner in the affected areas.

The typical appearance of plaque psoriasis is the basis for diagnosis however seborrheic psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) are often confused and even with biopsy may be difficult to tell apart. Doctors may refer to the rash as “seborrhiasis” if they are unable to separate the two conditions.

What to do

Although not the cause of psoriasis, hair care treatments will often exacerbate the condition.  It is therefore important to use shampoos and conditioners that are designed for sensitive skin and are free from Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Propolene Glycol – the two main ingredients that people are sensitive to and may trigger a flare up.

It is reasonable also to expect that the use of any harsh chemicals on the scalp will worsen the psoriasis.  Perms and dyes are therefore best avoided.

One of the most natural treatments for psoriasis is vitamin D.  Exposure to sunlight will also help to control psoriasis of the scalp – remembering of course to protect from the dangers of sunlight that we know so well.

The severity of your eczema can often be a result of the environment in which you live.  Although we know the tendency to develop eczema is hereditary, many factors that trigger eczema are in fact environmental.  Our diet is only one aspect of our lives that may trigger an eczema flare up.  We are surrounded by potential triggers in every aspect of our lives.

Although anything can trigger eczema it simply depends on what each individual is sensitive to.  There are however some things that more commonly cause eczema flare ups:

Dust Mites
Pets and Dander
Cleaning Products
Pollen

Dust Mite

Dust mites live off organic debris and their preferred diet is skin cells.  Dust mites can therefore be found everywhere humans are.  They are most abundant where dead human skin cells are most plentiful – bedding, rugs, upholstered furniture. They thrive in warm moist environments.

Dust mite are also very resilient.  They can survive in warm soapy water and can withstand freezing temperatures for up to 5 hours.  Bedding and furnishings should therefore be laundered regularly in the hottest water possible and then put through the hottest cycle of the clothes dryer (that the product can withstand).

The most effective way to keep your environment as dust mite free as possible is to vacuum regularly, launder clothes and soft toys in hot water regularly and replace what ever can’t be laundered with that which can be laundered easily in hot water.

Also damp dust regularly and replace carpet with tiles or floor boards that will not harbor dust mite and use mats that can be taken outside and shaken.

Pets and Dander

For the eczema sufferer there may be good points and bad points about having a pet.  Pets often trigger eczema flare ups.  The aspects most commonly triggering allergy are pet fur, dander (dried skin), urine and saliva.

However the benefits of owning a pet are well documented.  They provide company, decrease stress, provide hours of endless pleasure and distract from worries.  These benefits are important for your eczema.

Allergic to Pet or Product?

Of course if you are actually allergic to your pet the disadvantages may outweigh the advantages.  But before you send your beloved pet off to a new home check that it is your pet you are allergic to and not the products you are using to care for him.  It is not uncommon for pet shampoo or flea care products to cause an allergic reaction and not the fur or the pet himself.

If you choose to have a pet select your pet carefully.  Perhaps a goldfish would be a better alternative.  If it is a cat or dog that you are wanting select one that does not malt, keep him clean and well groomed.  Don’t allow him to sleep on your bed or chairs and wash your hands after contact.  Try to keep your pet outside or buy one that can be kept in a cage.

Cleaning Products

Chemicals and detergents are found everywhere in modern society.  Our lives are filled with artificial cleaning agents designed to clean our homes, our clothes, our bodies.

The problem is they dry the skin, stripping it of its natural oils and they are commonly the cause of allergic reactions especially in contact dermatitis and the cause of many a flare up in atopic eczema.

House cleaning

Wear gloves when washing the dishes or cleaning using any chemicals.  Cotton liners under rubber gloves will help to prevent irritation from the rubber.

Wash your hands after using chemicals and always remoisturize after having your hands in water. Try to select cleaning agents that are less harsh on your hands and our environment.

Cleaning Clothes

Use a mild detergent to wash your clothes in.  Don’t chop and change your detergent.  It is usually the detergent residue left in the clothes after washing rather than the detergent itself that irritates the skin so wash your clothes, towels and bedding twice – Once in detergent and once in plain water as an extra rinse.

Body Cleaning

We have become a society with obsessive personal hygiene.  Over washing or prolonged exposure to water strips the skin of its natural oils resulting in dry, cracked skin.  This is a problem for anyone but for the eczema sufferer it is a major problem.  Dry skin coupled with a sensitivity to many of the additives found in our personal cleaning agents often triggers an eczema flare up.

There are many soap substitutes available that make using soaps unnecessary.  Try using a cleansing bar, body wash, skin cream or emulsifying ointment.  These non soap cleansing lotions have a neutral pH and are unperfumed.

Avoid using perfumes or after shave lotions that are scented.  Choose deodorants that are natural or manufactured for sensitive skin.  It may take some trial and error but it is worth shopping around to find the products that best suit your skin.

Outdoors and Pollen

Pollen is commonly associated with allergic reactions, especially those involving asthma and hay fever, but it can be a problem for eczema sufferers as well.  It is from mid spring until the end of summer that pollen is a major problem.

The idea then is to minimize your exposure to pollen.  This can be done by:

* Change clothes when coming inside and shower to remove any specks of pollen.

* Keep windows shut during the summer months.

* Consider replacing lawns with pebbles or paving.

* If you must keep a lawn have some one else mow if for you and avoid mowing on windy days.

* Avoid having plants in your garden that are known allergen-producing plants.

Care for your feet – they are the only ones you have.

Can you imagine life without your feet?

Our feet are the most used part of our body but few of us take proper care of them as we should.  The feet are prone to many problems – not the least of these are skin conditions such as athletes foot, corns and eczema.

“Feet are often neglected but are extremely good indicators to what is going on in the rest of the body,” says podiatric surgeon Michael O’Neill.  Ailments such as circulatory problems, diabetes and skin problems can all be determined by just looking at the feet.

Care For Your Feet And Avoid Problems

Not looking after our feet can cause both short and long-term problems.  Not drying our feet properly after washing, wearing synthetic socks and closed shoes on a hot day and allowing our feet to remain sweaty will all potentially lead to the skin becoming fragile and unhealthy with eczema and dermatitis often the end result.

Psoriasis can also be evident in the feet as the toenails may often become ridged or pitted.   Joint pain or distortion, or collapse of the foot arch may also be an early indication that psoriatic arthritis is developing especially if the person already suffers from psoriasis.

Extra Care For Eczema Sufferers

We need to care for our feet especially if we are allergy prone or suffer from a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis.

•    Wear shoes that will allow the skin to breathe.  Open shoes are best.
•    Wear cotton socks in preference to wool or synthetic, as they are less likely to irritate the skin.
•    Wash sweat off as soon as possible and ensure the feet are dried thoroughly.
•    Apply a moisturizer regularly to prevent the skin from drying out and becoming rough.
•    Try alternating shoes each day so that wet or moist shoes do not need to be worn.

Treating Foot Eczema and Psoriasis – Mel’s Recommendations

If you suffer from eczema or psoriasis of the feet it is very uncomfortable and often restricts your daily activities.  Regular and effective treatment is therefore important.

I recommend that the feet be soaked in a tub of warm water (not hot) at the end of each day.  Add a few drops of Grahams Bath Oil to the water and allow the feet to soak for 10 -15 minutes.  Gently pat the feet dry and then apply Calendulis Plus Cream to the feet.  Applying the cream after the soaking is the most effective as this is when the skin is at its softest and is most receptive to the effects of the cream.

If possible apply a moisturizer during the day and if the itching or irritation persists during the day apply the Calendulis Plus Cream up to 4 times a day.

There is still a lot to learn about food sensitivities.  Scientists have come to understand a great deal about this complicated area, and further research will enable us to know more about the interaction between diet and eczema. Broadly speaking there are two main areas of potential food reactions.

1.    Immediate Food Hypersensitivity

This is a true food allergy where the reaction is almost immediate (or may occur within 2 hours).  The food is ingested or sometimes simply coming in contact with the food, will set off the reaction.

The body wrongly identifies the food as a foreign body and responds by releasing specific antibodies to fight the invader.  This causes an allergic response characterized by an itchy rash, swelling, redness, wheezing, itchy eyes or sneezing.

People with eczema generally show their food sensitivities through their skin in the form of a rash, itchiness and inflammation.  If you have asthma the sensitivity will show itself as a wheeze and other respiratory symptoms.

This form of food allergy is common in babies and small children with a sensitivity to eggs and cows milk and usually disappears by the time the child is five.

2.    Delayed Food Hypersensitivity

This form of food allergy is also known as food intolerance or masked food allergy. It is a more complicated allergy with researchers still not fully understanding it.

As the name implies the reaction is delayed, usually occurring 6 – 24 hours after ingestion.  The reaction is usually in response to a food that is commonly eaten.  A sensitivity may develop to a food which previously caused no problems. A reaction may occur one day, when the next day the same food can be eaten without a problem.

As with the condition, the symptoms are fairly broad rather than being clear-cut.  They may include itching, headaches, fatigue, fluid retention, irritability, aching muscles, sweats, diarrhoea, constipation or indigestion.

So What Should You Do?

The sensitivities that people experience are many and varied.  Avoidance of foods that commonly cause a problem is advisable to avoid the symptoms.  However if there are multiple food sensitivities (which is common) then the avoidance of all foods may be difficult as the avoidance of major food groups may lead to an inadequate diet and other health issues.

A severe exclusion diet, where all foods causing a reaction are excluded from the diet, should only be undertaken under medical guidance. It is usually not recommended for young children, except in extreme cases, and then is only implemented under the strictest of medical guidance.

Keeping a food diary is a reliable way of noting what foods are consumed and what symptoms are experienced. By observing what you consume, a pattern of reaction to a particular food or foods can be established.

Almost any food can trigger a reaction however experts believe that 90% of all food sensitivities result from six foods.  These foods are nuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, soya and wheat. The most common culprits in eczema are cows milk and eggs.

Other common foods responsible for food sensitivities include:

Grains – wheat, rye, oats, corn

Dairy Products – milk, cheese, eggs

Meat – beef, pork, poultry

Fish – white fish, shellfish

Caffeine – tea, coffee, chocolate

Food additives

Yeast – bread, pizza

Nuts – peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans

Citrus fruits – oranges, tomato

Bananas

Soya beans

Alcohol

These are the most common foods responsible for food sensitivities however it is important to remember that everyone is different.  Not everyone will be sensitive to the same foods.  It is therefore pointless to randomly eliminate foods from the diet unless you believe you may be sensitive to them.  Eliminating food groups can be damaging to overall health.

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory skin condition that affects millions of adults and teenagers worldwide.  Of the five types of psoriasis (plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic) plaque is the most common affecting about 80% of sufferers.

Most commonly found on the scalp, knees, back and elbows psoriasis is an overproduction of skin cells and appears as raised, inflamed, red lesions with a covering of silvery scales.

Although a skin condition psoriasis can affect other areas of our health as well.  Psoriasis is commonly accompanied by a joint condition similar to rheumatoid arthritis known as psoriatic arthritis.

Emotional problems are also a common factor associated with the condition as the highly visible symptoms lead to self consciousness and embarrassment. Social isolation and depression may follow as the consistent symptoms take their toll.

More than skin deep

Psoriasis is more than skin deep.  It is well documented that people suffering from psoriasis are at a greater risk of developing heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cancer.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects approximately 50% of all patients with psoriasis and having psoriasis can double the risk of having a heart attack.  Additionally up to 4.3% of psoriasis sufferers will have celiac disease and about .05% will have Crohn’s disease.

The reason for these associated conditions occurring in conjunction with psoriasis may be due to some common genetic traits, as well as common inflammatory pathways.  Their presence may offer vital information in developing effective treatments for psoriasis.

More recent studies linking miscarriage and psoriasis

A recent study at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital carried out by Dr. Zinaida Lima shows that pregnant women with psoriasis have a greater risk of pregnancy complications including preterm birth, spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, placenta previa and ectopic pregnancy.

Dr Trevor Erikson (Doctor of Chinese Medicine at Acubalance Wellness Centre) is not surprised by these findings stating :-

“I see the connection between skin, reproductive health and pregnancy all the time in my practice. Skin conditions like psoriasis — a systemic inflammatory auto immune disease — affect the whole body, including reproductive hormones,” Dr Erikson is one of the only Chinese medicine practitioners in Canada who focuses exclusively on skin conditions, fertility and reproductive health.

“Many of my patients have noted that their menstrual cycle fluctuates according to the activity level of their psoriasis — indicating the connection between inflammation and reproductive health.” he continued.

What can you do about it?

Treating your body as a whole rather than individual parts or conditions is the ultimate in preventing the risk of any condition.  The aim is to improve the physical and emotional well-being of people who have psoriasis in an attempt to reduce the risk of developing secondary conditions.

Paul Yamauchi, MD, who is a dermatologist in private practice at the Dermatology Institute and Skin Care Center of Santa Monica notes that along with proper treatment, people with psoriasis need to “stay active, eat well and keep a positive emotional outlook”.

The incidence of eczema is on the rise, with more and more children developing the condition every day.  The rise can almost certainty be attributed to aspects of our modern way of life, such as more pollution, processed foods and more chemicals and irritants all around us.

Most children who have eczema inherit it from their parents.  It is however not eczema itself that they inherit, but the tendency for their body to over react to certain substances in their environment such as dust, pollen, foods and chemicals.

While the exact underlying mechanism as to why this happens is not known, research has shown that babies who are exposed to allergens at an early age (even in the womb) are more likely to develop eczema than others who are not exposed as much.

Finding out that your baby has eczema is devastating for any parent.  Thankfully most children will grow out of their eczema by the time they reach school age, but some won’t, and a parents life can be consumed by the endless task of trying to manage their baby and child’s eczema.

Tips To Help Baby Eczema

Although nothing can be done to change your baby’s genetic predisposition to eczema, there are a lot of things you can do to help manage their condition:

•    Avoiding various trigger factors will play a significant role in helping to prevent  flare ups.  Work out what seems to irritate your child.  Whether it is dust mites, pollen, certain chemicals or maybe even foods, it will help to keep a diary of your child’s experiences and thus help identify and avoid irritants.

•    Keep your baby’s skin well moisturized.  Apply a moisturizer several times a day.

•    Bathe your baby in lukewarm water, using a few drops of bath oil to soften the water and moisturize the skin.  Allow them to soak in the water for 10 – 15 minutes.  Avoid using soaps.  Use a soap substitute if necessary or just plain water is often sufficient as baby’s skin rarely becomes dirty.

•    After the bath, pat the skin dry and apply an emollient (Calendulis Plus Cream is my preferred option).

•    Dress your baby in loose fitting, 100% cotton clothes if possible.  Avoid wool and other course materials as they will irritate the skin and avoid synthetics as they do not breathe and will cause the skin to sweat.   If you are wearing wool or synthetic, put a cotton cloth over your shoulder when you hold your baby so they do not come in contact with your clothing.

•    Keep your baby’s fingernails short to help keep the scratching from breaking the skin.  Cotton mits over their hands especially at night will help to prevent damage from scratching.

•    Keep pets off beds and other furniture as pet dander is a common allergen.  Vacuum and damp dust regularly to keep dustmite at bay and keep windows closed and your baby indoors when lawns are being mowed to avoid excess exposure to pollens.

•    In dry or heated rooms, use a humidifier to keep the air moist.  If you do not have a humidifier a bowl of water near heaters will help to prevent the air from drying.

•    Diet Matters – introduce foods slowly and one at a time so that any sensitivities can be identified.  Avoid foods that cause your baby’s skin to develop eczema.  Once they are eating most foods keeping a food diary will help to determine if any foods cause an eczema flare up.

•    If your baby is still in nappies, at every change ensure the skin is thoroughly cleaned and apply a thick layer of protective moisturizer under the new nappy.  Zinc cream is a fantastic barrier cream as is Vaseline or Grahams Sooth-It Balm.  It is also a good idea to leave the nappy off and let the skin breath at every chance.  Nappy change and bath time are good opportunities for this.

The various complications associated with eczema can be daunting for any parent.  Arming yourself with as much information as possible will be one of your most important allies in your fight to control your baby’s eczema.

Although there is no cure for eczema, a helpful doctor or medical professional, plus a sensible program of skin care, lifestyle and diet will help you control your baby’s eczema and improve their quality of life.