Eczema in babies can be difficult as it’s uncomfortable for them and often you can’t pinpoint the cause. Here are some amazing Indian Home Remedies for Eczema in Babies to soothe and heal your baby’s skin. These eczema treatments are all natural and don’t involve medicine.
If you struggle with eczema, you know just how frustrating it can be. Itchy, dry, and irritated skin, sometimes accompanied by painful flare-ups, can be a real downer. But before heading to the drugstore for ointments and creams, why not try some natural remedies? Give home remedies for eczema a try and you may be pleasantly surprised!
Eczema is the term for a group of inflammatory conditions of the skin. This is caused by various environmental factors and irritants. These conditions can be hereditary. Most commonly it is caused by detergents, soaps, pollen, heat, allergens, etc.
The most common type is atopic eczema. Infants are most prone to have this condition. Children can repeatedly have eczema flares. This is hard to treat with modern medicine even with long courses of high dose medication.
What are the Symptoms of Eczema?
- Itchy dry skin
- Rash on face, scalp, arms, legs, chest and back
- The chronic state may cause cracks
- Oozing
- Vesicles
- Discoloration of skin
Infant eczema usually appears as patches of flaky, red skin in very visible places, including baby’s chubby cheeks, behind the ears and on the scalp. If left untreated, it typically spreads south to the elbow creases, behind the knees, and sometimes even the diaper area. Eczema can look different from baby to baby, but in general, the flaky skin gets redder, while the small pimples pop up, fill with fluid and burst.
Can Eczema be Cured by Ayurveda?
When digestive fire (Agni) gets vitiated with various Doshas (three basic energies of body), the digestion is impaired. This causes the formation of Ama that is toxins and undigested food. These toxins spread to various systems through the circulatory system and cause diseases which cause kandu(itching), srava( oozing), pidaka (vesicles), etc.
In young age kapha dosha (the energy of nourishment) is prominent. The consumption of milk, sweet substances and dairy products makes it more prominent. When factors like seasonal changes, incomplete sleep, etc vitiate doshas, kapha produces symptoms like itching and swelling.
How Can I Treat My Baby’s Eczema Naturally?
This condition is known for its recurrent nature. The modern medications are potentially harmful to your child if used repeatedly. Even though it is fast-acting and recommended the adverse effects are serious and long-lasting. Natural Ayurvedic herbs have phytoconstituents that reduces inflammation and also prevents reoccurrence if used daily. The key benefit is the herbs are not harmful and completely side-effect free. It is particularly difficult to control this condition in breastfeeding babies. Here’s what you can do:
Things to be avoided by breastfeeding mothers:
- Processed foods
- Alcohol and smoking
- Fermented food
- Heavy, fried, salty, spicy food
- Sour fruits
It’s important you follow these guidelines:
- Keep the child away from heat sources
- Keep your child covered in low temperatures
- Use gentle detergents
- Avoid fabric softeners
- Avoid anti-bacterial soaps and soaps with added fragrances
- Prefer loose clothes for your baby
- Keep your baby for 10 to 20 minutes in mild sunlight early in the morning. Avoid being exposed to sunlight for more than 20 minutes. Make sure to apply good sunscreen before the exposure.
Eczema Remedies for Babies
Here are some remedies you can use daily to treat and prevent eczema:
Baths
Lukewarm water bath helps reduce itching and avoids dehydration. You can use gentle soaps.
- Tea tree oil is extremely potent thus it can be harmful to your child’s skin if used in excess amount. Dilute a few drops in lukewarm water and you can use this water for the bath. Tea tree oil has anti-microbial properties and healing properties. It also prevents recurrence if used daily.
- Use neem tree leaves by boiling 50 fresh neem leaves in 2 litres of water and reduce the liquid to half. Store in a glass container. You can add a few drops of this every day into your child’s bathing lukewarm water. If fresh leaves are not accessible you can collect and store dry leaves and make tea bags of it. This tea bag should be dropped in bathing lukewarm water 5-10 minutes before bath. Neem tree has exceptional anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Skincare
- Virgin coconut oil soothes the skin and helps avoid bacterial infection. It is also a natural moisturizer that avoids dryness and rashes of the skin. It should be applied 2-3 times/day and overnight for a moisturizing effect.
- Aloe vera should be applied on the rashes for soothing and cooling effects. The gel also hydrates the skin and it doesn’t have any side effects. Make sure to remove the greenish-yellow part from gel if you are using a fresh gel.
- Honey is a treatment for skin diseases since centuries. Honey when applied to skin rashes, prevents infection and speeds healing.
Dietary changes that breastfeeding mothers can follow:
- Turmeric – consider taking turmeric powder in your daily diet. This herb has phytoconstituents like curcumin which is proven immunity boosting agent. If you are allergic to ginger, take caution before using this herb.
- Consider taking fish oil as a supplement of omega-3
The key to treatment of this is dietary changes and natural remedies that should be followed daily. It is the natural Ayurvedic healing and prevention that will create a better and secure future for your baby.