CHILDHOOD AND ECZEMA: –DO NOT MASK IT - CURE IT! Eczema is a very common and recurring skin condition which can affect different parts of the body. It can affect adults and kids alike. But this disease in children calls for special attention. Eczema can be a very unpleasant condition for both the suffering child and its parents. Parents are distressed to find they can do little to remove the pain and irritation of their young ones. They feel guilty to use a prescription cream (usually a cortisone/ steroid) as now parents are aware that they may temporarily suppress the symptoms but not without side effects. Eczema in children generally falls into 2 categories: 1.) dry easily irritated skin causing the eczema and 2.) Allergies or any other suppressed or inert disease or ailment manifesting as Eczema. Childhood eczema affects approximately 10 percent of infants and children in the western world. It can start as early as two months of age. Eczema is not contagious. SYMPTOMS OF ECZEMA: Eczema is characterized by a dry, flaky, itchy, red skin which can sometimes become cracked, weepy and then scab over. The appearance can vary depending on the severity and location. Children often get the Eczema rash in the skin creases around the knees, wrists, elbows and ankles. Sometimes, the child's skin is well controlled and at other times it gets worse. CAUSES OF ECZEMA: Exact cause of eczema is not known. It is also known to pass down families (genetic). It is a typical characteristic that children suffering with eczema and left untreated or suppressed with creams etc will develop asthma or other allergy related disease in the future. Overheating, skin dryness, Irritation from soaps, detergents, fabrics, chemicals etc, food allergies, allergies to dust mites, pollen, animal dander, viruses, other infections etc can all trigger Eczema. WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A PARENT? Give the child luke warm (not hot and soapy) baths. Avoid soaps if you can. Pat dry instead of wipe dry. Then apply a natural moisturiser. Wash laundry with mild detergent. Hand wash if possible. Only use soft, natural fabrics. Avoid possible allergic foods like milk, egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and wheat. Avoid using antihistamines, hydrocortisones etc as much as possible as you may be compromising the health of your child. They are known for causinglocal side effects related to the skin such as thinning, stretch marks and infections, as well as internal side effects such as a reduced growth rate. Seek the help of natural therapies like Homeopathy to ensure steady but sure recovery without side effects. HOMEOPATHIC HELP: Homeopathically-treated children fare better than those treated by conventional medicine. Specially with a track record of successfully treating and removing the condition for good, why would parents risk varied side effects using any other medicines. Homeopathy looks at this problem as more than skin deep. If the body cannot express its discomfort on the skin, the problem moves deeper inside, often affecting the more vital internal organ lungs. The skin is an organ of less importance to the body than the lungs, so the body tries to protect the lungs by expressing the "disease or imbalance" on the skin. So Homeopathic remedies will treat the whole child as a person with a particular set of symptoms, not merely try to treat the skin problem. Thus your child is not only cured of eczema but also has developed a strong footing to prevent any further skin and respiratory ailments and develops a strong immune system. Homeopathic children are well balanced and healthy, happy children.
