Eczema [Archive] - Raw Food Talk

twinyoga

08-06-2005, 08:25 PM

Anyone have any advice? My daughter (17 months old) has eczema. It got better when I removed dairy, but all of a sudden it's starting again. I've tried every lotion and oil I know of. She's also very sensitive in the diaper area. She seems to always have a little diaper rash.

The eczema looks like a red area and actually has a couple white pimple like spots in them. It comes and goes very quickly. So quickly that a couple times I took her to the doctor but by the time the appointment came around, the areas on her skin that broke out has already faded. The docs tell me to use hydrocortisone, I do once in a while, but I don't want to make it a daily application.

Thanks

Rawkinlocs

08-06-2005, 08:50 PM

Hi Debbie,

Just keep in mind that cortizone creams weaken the immune system.

My daughter had very bad eczema until we changed her diet. Not only removing dairy, but grains, sugar...everything except raw foods.

Once it cleared completely up, she can now "sometimes" eat things that aren't raw without any flare-ups, but I don't allow that too often.

Revvell

08-06-2005, 08:53 PM

As skin serves as a third lung and as a third kidney, your probably realize it's a sign of detox. If she's been drinking dairy I'm assuming you're giving her something in exchange since her doctor is thinking she's not getting enough protein? Have you finished breast-feeding?

Without knowing what you are feeding her, it's hard to get to the core of the problem although, it's possible she's detoxing from the dairy.

Topicals are "treating" the symptoms. If you feel you must use something topical to ease the discomfort until she can clean her lil system (and yes, I know it's not raw and I know it's not vegan) many have found relief with pure emu oil. Just be aware this is a temporary and not long-term "solution".

As the skin absorbs whatever one puts on it, eventually she will have to detox the hydrocortisone.

How clean can you make her food program? Fresh/pureed fruits and veggies, especially greens? Raw juices? Fruits are mostly cleansing why veggies are mostly health-buidling.

:cool:

Mommax4

08-06-2005, 08:56 PM

My 15 month old daughter has the same problem. I went so far as to take her for allergy testing because from what my doc said things that trigger eczema are peanuts, eggs, milk, and something else I can't think of. She didn't have any allergies to anything, so the doc said it was due to sensitivities from the foods.

Have you tried the new Eucerin Calming Creme? It seems to help my daughter.

My daughter is very senstive to wheat and oatmeal and will break out with the eczema after eating that. She also can't tolerate eggs or peanutbutter or milk.

The nice thing was when we (my daughter and I) went high raw, she completely cleared up, no outbreaks. Her dad ended up feeding her some eggs not remembering the experiment I was trying and she immediately has broken out again.

So back to raw we are going....it works if you let it.

Hope you find what works for you.

Ohhh, another thing the doc said was not to let her take a bubble bath, or a long bath. She also said no baths everyday, just wash the normal sweaty places daily and then every other day take a quick bath using unscented dove soap.

twinyoga

08-07-2005, 11:31 AM

Yes, dove soap is good for this (me to, I had eczema as a kid). And yes, I know that cortisones weaken the immune system. And I know I'm treating it topically. But I do that to ease the discomfort. By the way, her twin brother has no skin problems.

She has been without dairy for about 4 weeks now. This is her typical diet:

Beverages are either rice milk, almond milk, or water

Breakfast: either fruit salad (fresh), organic eggs, ezikiel toast or sometimes some cereal (fruit sweetened). the toast usually has some honey or almond butter on it. sometimes a little butter (i know that's dairy)

Lunch: almond butter sandwiches on ezikiel bread, organic tukey meat, pretzels (she loves pretzels), veggies (carrots, peas, broccoli), pasta (usually whole wheat), and sometimes a leftover dinner

snacks: brown rice cakes, fruit, bananas, pretzels, sometimes a cookie, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers

Dinner: usually a variation on what I eat, whole wheat pasta, organic chicken, always a vegetable, some sort of whole wheat bread (ezikiel), some tofu, legumes (chickpeas, lentils).

She rarely has dessert. Maybe one or two little cookies (like once a week)

Thanks for all the advice. Any other thoughts now that you see her diet?

Revvell

08-07-2005, 11:35 AM

Hmmm. Two things I would examine first ~ wheat and eggs. See if eliminating those for a couple of weeks helps.

:cool:

rawmom

08-07-2005, 01:30 PM

We have found corn starch to bring relief especially in the diaper area. We would just put it on like powder whenever changing the diaper. We found that my son's eczema was directly related to his dairy allergy and it cleared once we removed that from his diet. Just my 2 cents.

Rawmom

swiddweas

08-07-2005, 02:03 PM

Aloe vera is good for this and so is liquid Vitamin E, and Vitamin A. I have mixed these three together with a little tea tree oil and applied it to the affected skin. Maybe not in that order, but you get the drift. Usually, just the Vit.E and A I have used regularily with great results.
The over the counter cream for yeast infections also works in a pinch. Usually takes the itching and redness immediately away, but for a baby , I would try the naturals, first.

Swid

rawpriestess

08-07-2005, 02:11 PM

Oh the poor darling.

My son had it so severely, that behind his knees, and inside his elbows, his clothes would stick to the sticky scabbs, my granddaughter had it so bad, they hospitalized her, thinking she had the worst case of scabbies, until they did the lab work.

They said they had never seen anything so bad. Until I told them about my son.

Guess what cured it?

Taking her off dairy, yep, my son too, they were both tiny babies, so NO cow mild, my son drank goats milk, and I think that's what they put my granddaughter on too.

Once they were old enough to try solids, I warned my son about wheat, as he has this allergy to it, and so does all 5 of his kids.

Personally I think most people can't tollerate wheat as it is so hybredized, but try to tell them that their challenges are food related.

All I can say, is it cleared up my son's eczema almost over night, and my granddaughter too.

twinyoga

08-07-2005, 04:11 PM

I just tried the cornstarch, let's see if that helps the diaper area. I love the idea of mixing vitamin a, e, and tea tree oil (wasn't there aloe in that too). I need to buy the a and e. I've tried almond oil, shea butter, jojoba oil...didn't work.

I can't imagine stopping wheat. It's the majority of her diet. She's already off of dairy. I'll think about this some more.

Thanks!
Deb

rawpriestess

08-07-2005, 07:16 PM

Hi twinyoga,

trust me on this giving up wheat can be tricky but it can be done, even with kids.

the most important thing to remember is no packaged foods, no canned or boxed or frozen foods at all.

And since this is a raw food board, I would also say no cooked food.

But just to tell you how I did it with my son, since you say your daughter is eating alot of wheat, you can use spelt bread, and spelt or corn noodles, if you feel a need to feed her that stuff.

But raw vegan would be so much better for her, and while you're going raw, she can too.

Now, let's just say you are 100% yet. toss out all of the wheat you have, like waffles, bread, noodles, etc.

and replace with spelt or corn or quinoa noodles, they are very good and you can buy many things like this.

But I bet your daughter will love the raw food just as much as you do, so why not just go the whole way, and do that?

I support you in any decision you make, just trying to help out a mom in distress with her little one, as I went through this, and had no clue about raw, so we struggled for a long time, every time my son went to a friends house, they would give him bread or soup or crackerjacks or just about anything, if you read labels you will see wheat, whey(dairy) salt and sugar(usually disguised by another name) in everything, even frozen french fries, has wheat and whey in it, and for what purpose, because it is highly addictive, that's why. No other reason to put it in there.

Good luck.

twinyoga

08-07-2005, 08:10 PM

Thanks. It's a big change but I know enough on how to do it now. I'm going to start it slowly and begin the transition. I'm also going to up their raw, not 100% but more.

Thanks, again.

meganthevegan

08-07-2005, 11:24 PM

My son, age two ,also has eczema. I recently took him to the allergest for another problem and the dr said at least he doesn't have eczema. I laughed because he does. I keep it under wraps by lubricating him with vaseline every single night. It's messy but I swear by it. I used to use hydrocortisone and have found I don't need to with this treatment.

Finding what is causing allergies can be difficult. I've tried everything and now I'm starting to think it may be environmental.

I also have eczema and the vaseline also helps me (one of many things I'm hoping to clear up by being raw).

ilaria

08-10-2005, 03:47 PM

The eczema I suffered from is not the one your kid has, but I thought to post my experience anyway.
Dyshidrotic Eczema (or Pompholyx) is a bit different from other kinds of eczema. It plagues your hands and feet only, making it almost impossible to do even the easiest tasks without bleeding (at a cronic level). Eczema and severe depression are the reasons why I moved first to a macrobiotic diet and then after a water fast moved to 100% raw food. After 12 years of discomfort it is gone and I'm so happy to be free. Before changing my diet I've been to many doctors and dermatologists and, aside from the first 4 or 5 wrong diagnosis, I was eventually diagnosed with cronic dyshidrotic eczema.
It only affects palms of hands and soles of feet.
Steroids, cortisone creams only help to relieve the symptoms a bit when it itches like crazy, especially at night. (Good alternative to the thought of wanting to chop my hands off in order to stop the pain).

When I was suffering from it I found that putting vaseline at all other times to trap moisture in would help and wouln't burn, otherwise they would crack and bleed in the PHASE 2. Other moisturizers (even the expensive dermatologist recommended) contained some irritant stuff or chemicals that I couldn't apply when there were open wounds. So, I stuck to a lil' bit of vaseline at all time (wiping excess with soft cloth) even when my hands looked better and didn't seem to need it.
Keeping my hands clean, minimizing contact with water and soaps helps (I used to have to wear double rubber gloves secured with rubberbands when I had showers!)
At the moment there's no cure for that kind of eczema I had, they don't even know the cause, but thu error and trial I recovered from it not by dealing with the symptoms, but going to the rooth of the cause. I tried many healthy diets/lifestyles to solve this problem because nobody seemed to be able to help me and after some improvements with the vegan, then macrobiotic (very complicated) diets I moved to eating 100% ORGANIC raw food.
In my researches I came across many articles in the past that said how eczema like other stuff in the body is simply its desperate attempt to remove excess toxins. When our body is overloaded with toxins it will try to isolate and eliminate them as much as it can starting with skin problems to the extremes of cysts and worse..

Hope it helps..

Ila

Punky

08-10-2005, 04:13 PM

I agree with the wheat comments.
Removing wheat from the diet can be hard but worthwhile...
My oldest son has been dairy and gluten free (wheat, oats, rye, & barley).
He never has had skin issues ,but his younger brother has had
eczema since a baby --now 5.
When I switched his diet more like older brothers it stays pretty clear
for the most part now. Sometimes it flairs up but sometimes i am not as strict
with his diet as his older brothers.
We eat gluten free/wheat free pastas, waffles, breads etc...
Whole Foods carries a lot of it in my area. They are more expensive
than the whole wheat products though.
Of course raw is best, but these are good alternatives to her current diet.
We eat mostly Quinia (sp?) and Rice products, and buckwheat waffles.
Spelt is a good alternative to wheat too although we don't use it
because we are avoiding gluten and it has some.
Lots of kids are sensitive to eggs to; but I'd start with the wheat.
More and more people are finding they are sensitive to wheat.

Punky

08-10-2005, 04:19 PM

A fantastic rice pasta is TINKYADA brand (hope I spelled that right, I am at work);
it's the best.
I have served this to guests and they did not know the difference
that it wasn't wheat...
I love it.
Some of the other rice pastas are ok, but get mushy easily if you overcook.

Helen Of Tennessee

08-10-2005, 04:23 PM

My grandson had ezema when he was only nursing. My daughter cut out grains and rice from her diet and his ezema went away, never to return except for one very mild case (he had gotten a hold of some grains). He'll be 2 in a couple of weeks and he does not get any diary products. As for grains, he might get a bite or 2 about once every 2 weeks (he'll get some of his mom's bread when he sees she's eating it).

I would really consider finding a substitute for your daughter's Pretzels and other foods with grain in them and see what happens.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

Punky

08-10-2005, 04:37 PM

My grandson had ezema when he was only nursing. My daughter cut out grains and rice from her diet and his ezema went away, never to return except for one very mild case (he had gotten a hold of some grains). <>< Helen of Tennessee

My youngest started getting eczema when I was exclusively nursing too.
I wish I had known to cut dairy and grains out of my diet..
his pediatrician never mentioned anything about it and just prescribed
steroid creames that she said were safe...I never felt right using it though and
only used it when it was really bad.
Wish I knew than what I know now...
;)

truthseeker

08-10-2005, 07:19 PM

twinyoga

08-10-2005, 08:09 PM

Hmmmm, coconut oil. I'll try that. I tried some fish oils, but that didn't do it. But she did like it!

Oh, and the cornstarch is working great on her diaper rash! Thanks!

Rawadventures

08-10-2005, 08:53 PM

The use of this might be controversial to some people, so sorry if it is.... but, I have had issues with an eczema type rash on my fingers and have had wonderful results when using Noni juice topically! I pat it on and let it dry and repeat as often as I think about it!

rawmom

08-12-2005, 07:53 AM

Twinyoga: Glad to hear the cornstarch is working! I swore by it when mine were in diapers!!

Rawmom

twinyoga

08-14-2005, 07:52 PM

Just had to post an update. I've cut back (not completely, though) on wheat and wow...her eczema is really clearing up. Thanks!

Helen Of Tennessee

08-14-2005, 08:04 PM

Hi Debbie,

So wonderful to hear the results your daughter is getting with her Eczema by cutting back on her wheat :D

<>< Helen of Tennessee

rawpriestess

08-14-2005, 10:01 PM

Oh,

I am so glad cutting back on the wheat is working for her, it sure helped my son.

He still gets eczema when he eats wheat and he is almost 40.

WOW, I can't believe he is that age, when I'm only 23, or it that 24? WELL, I act about 12, so there you have it.

Rawkinlocs

08-14-2005, 11:13 PM

Wonderful Debbie! I know it does your heart so good to see her clearing up and I know she's glad too! I used to cry for my daughter seeing her suffer and scratch and itch.

Punky

08-15-2005, 09:05 AM

My little girl has candida and with it came the "eczema". Mostly on her trunk and arms and a bit on her legs.

Doctors didn't believe me about the candida or the eczema being related.

1 or 2 teaspoons of Coconut oil and/or Udo's Oil Blend cleared it ALL up.

Omega 3's , 6's and 9's.....CAN NOT say enought!!!!

I assume you use these internally?
or externally?
Last time my son broke out I applied the coconut butter/oil
to his skin externally and it helped clear it up too.
I need to feed it to him regularly though in smoothies and stuff.
Where can I buy Udo's Oil blend? I've heard so many on this board mention they use it...does Whole Foods carry it or do I have to order it online?
I wouldn't be surprised if candida and eczema were related...
his eczema is really clear right now...we have been really good about no wheat and dairy lately, but also he started taking probiotics again...

Punky

08-15-2005, 09:11 AM

Just had to post an update. I've cut back (not completely, though) on wheat and wow...her eczema is really clearing up. Thanks!

So glad to hear that Debbie!
If your health food store doesn't carry many wheat free alternatives I
can PM you some websites that sell/specialize in it.
Also you might be able to request products your interested in
for your health food store/Whole Foods to carry.
When we 1st went wheat free/gluten free Whole Foods had a very
limited selection but now they carry so much! Also a bakery just opened up
nearby that I can order specially baked cakes, bread, cupcakes, etc...
from...it's getting easier to live with food sensitivities!
Also Kroger's by my house has many gluten free items in their *natural*
food section. Times are changing!
When we 1st started 4 years ago I wanted to pull my hair out at times...
now it is much easier for me to be gluten free...
I live in a big city though (DAllas)

twinyoga

08-19-2005, 01:29 PM

Ok, I cut out the basic bread/pasta for a few days and my daughter's skin looked great. But then I kind of lost the drive (became lazy) because I wanted to cook whole wheat pastas and use sprouted breads for their meals (my son doesn't have any skin issues).

So, can anyone share meals, ideas, replacements, or any other ideas you can think of to make this transition easy (for me and the family)? Thanks so much!

You can also PM me!

truthseeker

08-23-2005, 12:32 AM

I assume you use these internally?
or externally?
Last time my son broke out I applied the coconut butter/oil
to his skin externally and it helped clear it up too.
I need to feed it to him regularly though in smoothies and stuff.
Where can I buy Udo's Oil blend? I've heard so many on this board mention they use it...does Whole Foods carry it or do I have to order it online?
I wouldn't be surprised if candida and eczema were related...
his eczema is really clear right now...we have been really good about no wheat and dairy lately, but also he started taking probiotics again..."

So sorry I've been SSSSOOOO busy with life I haven't been able to get to my computer at ALL.

Ok, yes I do use in both externally and internally in smoothies (or even by the spoonful if I've not had time to make a smoothie that day).

Yes you can get Udo's Oil at Whole Foods. They keep it in the freezer.

YES...YES...YES...candida and eczema are very much related.

And probiotics...what a great thing to be doing, for children and for everybody. Be sure that they are enteric coated.

truthseeker

08-23-2005, 08:30 PM

Went to my naturopath today who just happened to mention that most eczema is a cellular issue and that MSM allows nutrients and hydration into the cell eliminating eczema and most other skin problems.

Just thought I'd share.

twinyoga

08-24-2005, 01:24 PM

What is MSM?

Thanks for sharing.

truthseeker

08-24-2005, 02:17 PM

MSM - MethylSulfonyMethane - a naturally occurring biological active sulfur and serves many functions in the body. It is one of the third most abundant elements in nature and within all living organisms. Its chemical formula is (CH3)2SO2 and is formed when microscopic plants called plankton from the ocean release sulfur compounds called dimethylsulfonium salts. In the ocean these salts are converted into dimethylsulfide or DMS, and then rise into the upper atmosphere to meet ozone and very high energy ultraviolet light. This is where the magic of mother nature takes place.

When DMS collides with ozone and high energy ultraviolet light, the DMS is converted into MSM and DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and returns to earth in the rain and enters into all living plants. This is one of the reasons why we all should be eating raw uncooked fruits and vegetables, because cooking and heating destroys MSM beneficial properties in all plants.

Without enough dietary sulfur our cell walls become inflexible, they harden and can't breathe. Increasing loss of cell wall permeability means low oxygen transport into and low waste removal out of the cells! You put the oxygen in the body but less happens because you can't absorb enough of it through the hardening cell walls.

MSM is so important in maintaining flexibility in the tendons, mussels, ligaments, skin and nerves and serves so many other vital functions in the body. Just to name a few:

Oxygenates the blood so that red blood cells can deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the cells.

Improves the lung and all cell permeability to increase lung capacity and increase oxygen intake to the body.

Helps neutralize allergenic reaction to pollen, different types of foods, animals and fat allergies.

Increases bile-function and has a cleansing effect in the digestive treact

Protects against the harmful effects of toxins, radiation, and pollution.

Disinfects the blood, resists bacteria and protects the protoplasm of the cells.

Helps to normalize, allergic reactions, stress, drug hypersensitivity, inflammation of mucous membranes, and inflammatory disorders including all forms of arthritis, muscle cramps and infectious parasites of all kinds.

Is excellent in maintaining flexibility in arteries, improving oxygen flow and keeping the arteries clean and clear of arterial plaque from forming.

Ok all of the above was from the book "Flood Your Body With Oxygen" by Ed McCabe. IMHO no home should be without a copy on their book shelf.

truthseeker

08-24-2005, 02:23 PM

If you do chose to supplament with it , just make sure it's natural. The book does mention that the manufacturer "Lignisul" has an all-natural MSM product from pine trees. And it mentions that it's sold under different brands but to look for the big "boomerang wing" on the packaging.

But I would say that when VERY raw that a person would be getting plenty....IMO

VeryBerry

10-11-2005, 10:53 PM

marigold

10-12-2005, 09:22 AM

wanted to share that i have always had eczema on my hands..at the time i went raw i hadnt had it for ages..once raw it flared up and spread.at first i thought detox but its continued ever since...no creams seemed to help until about 2 months ago i started to put on msm mint cream and eversince it has healed up ..hardly any itching ..the skin is not dry and cracked and looking altogether better..am puttin it on several times a day..thankyou for this mail i may try msm powder as well..

would of course be good to find out whats causign it.i read bananas can be a prob which when i went raw i started to eat in huge doses so i do wonder..but finding that a bit hard to give up lol

Rawkinlocs

10-12-2005, 09:48 AM

I had eczema on my hands and feet as a child. The foods that caused it were citrus fruit, straberries, eggs and chocolate. It stopped by itself when I was about 10.

I could eat anything I wanted for a while, but now I have sensitivity to exacly some of the same foods.

That's similar to what happened to my younger daughter. She was practically born with severe eczema. After a few years I noticed that citrus fruits and nuts (amongst sugar and other things) were main triggers for her flair-ups. When we started raw, I eliminated citrus and nuts from her diet but after a while, I noticed her skin had healed and I slowly introduced those foods back into her diet the cleaner she became...now she can eat them freely with no flair-ups!