Eczema is a catch-all term for skin eruption and inflammation. It’s very common, and it can range from mild to severe. At one end of the spectrum, it is barely noticeable. At the other, it’s debilitating.
In recent years, a growing number of people have turned to natural remedies, in hopes of decreasing their reliance upon pharmaceuticals.
Natural Remedies for Eczema in Children
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There are a number of potential holistic approaches that might be able to help with chronic skin conditions. These can include homeopathy, as well as herbs and essential oils for children’s eczema.
However, more research is needed before anyone can claim these are proven to be effective.
Essential Oils for Children’s Eczema
Conventional treatments for moderate to severe eczema may include steroids, both topical and applied. These drugs, however, do not usually solve the problem. Instead, they simply mask it and suppress the immune system. Many natural practitioners don’t like these drugs for another reason. They believe that treating a skin eruption this way has the potential to drive the problem inward, where it can affect another part of the body.
Please understand that I’m not a doctor, so I can’t give medical advice. Nor can I claim that any natural remedy will cure eczema or any other condition. Everything in this article is written for information and discussion purposes only. I urge you to work very closely with your own healthcare provider.
If my own child had a chronic skin condition, I’d first visit a homeopath. These professionals can prescribe various safe and effective remedies that can potentially support the body, as it heals itself. If I didn’t know of a good homeopath, I’d ask around. Health food store workers can often point you in the right direction, in terms of finding a good professional to work with.
Homeopathy is mentioned as a possible alternative treatment for eczema on the University of Maryland Medical Center website.
If I couldn’t find a homeopath, or was unable to afford one, I’d use an essential oil blend designed for skin problems. Essential oils do not suppress the immune response. Aromatic oils are safe, provided they’re used properly, which means they must be diluted in a carrier, such as pure jojoba oil, before being applied to the skin.
Alternative Treatment for Eczema
Essential oils have become enormously popular in recent years. People use them for a wide range of conditions. They contain natural analgesics, to possibly calm the itching. They have natural anti-inflammatory compounds, to tame redness and irritation. If infection is a worry, it’s also believed these time-tested aromatics also fight germs.
Aromatic oils are safe when used as directed. But you shouldn’t use them on children under two, or on anyone who suffers from asthma. Otherwise, talk to your doctor about using them as a possible alternative to steroids.
On this site, I write about a number of excellent brands that I’ve used myself, which aren’t sold through MLM distributors. One of my favorites is Plant Therapy. Part of the company’s mission is to sell excellent oils that everyone can easily own. I love the fact that it makes a special line of aromatics for children, including the KidSafe Eczema Helper Blend. The company is in the process of changing the name of this product to Skin Soother Synergy Blend.
The Plant Therapy blend shown below is designed for children ages 2 through 10. It contains a blend of eight essential oils known to be safe choices for little ones. In general aromatherapists prefer blends because of the synergy created when various plant extracts are mixed together.
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Essential Oils for Eczema in Children
Some people wonder whether it’s alright to use essential oils on children. Most aromatherapy experts agree that it is, but recommend waiting until a child is two. That’s because these plant extracts are highly concentrated, so they’re much too strong for babies.
Plant Therapy KidSafe Eczema Helper is bottled full strength. This means it must be diluted before you put it on your child’s skin. The company recommends a 2 percent dilution, in a carrier oil, such as olive or grapeseed oil. One carrier that’s considered good for skin conditions is jojoba oil (available here), because it has a chemical composition that resembles human skin oil.
The company also recommends another way to use its eczema blend for children. It suggests putting 5 drops of oil, along with a half cup of oatmeal, into a warm bath. This is best done at bedtime, as some of the oils contain natural tranquilizers and can make your child mildly drowsy and ready for bed. (This is also something to keep in mind, for safety reasons, if you use essential oils in the tub.)
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
