7 effective protocols for eczema treatment as recommended by a medical doctor to avoid the use of steroids and other medications.
Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions in the world with at least 31.6 million sufferers in the United States alone. Ironically, despite the high prevalence of this disease, there is a persistent lack of effective eczema treatment for moderate to severe cases.
Among children, the prevalence of eczema is roughly 11% and as high as 18.1% in individual states. Approximately one out of every three children with eczema suffers from moderate to severe disease.
What’s more, these children do not tend to outgrow the condition. Research suggests that the prevalence of eczema in adults is only slightly lower than cases of childhood eczema.
The standard conventional treatment for eczema is topical steroids such as hydrocortisone. While this eczema treatment magically clears up the skin within a matter of days, it can drive the disease deeper into the body with more serious negative health repercussions over the long term. In addition, steroid creams have serious side effects such as blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, uneven heartbeat, sleep problems, and weight gain or puffiness.
As a result, resolution of eczema via holistic, nontoxic therapies is of paramount importance so as not to cause additional health woes through a drug-based approach to illness. With this in mind, here are 7 nontoxic suggestions for eczema treatment that have worked effectively in my practice over the years.
In addition to the therapies below, Sally Fallon Morell, co-author of The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care, suggests the application of organic raw apple cider vinegar to help dry up and heal eczema lesions by restoring proper pH balance to the skin.
She also suggests the elimination of pasteurized dairy even if organic and switching to whole, unpasteurized grass-fed milk which oftentimes produces miraculous results as a food-based eczema treatment!
Healthy Fat and Probiotic Supplementation
For eczema and atopic dermatitis, the GAPS Diet along with a cod liver oil and probiotic supplement can prove extremely helpful.
In addition, an oil mixture containing multiple seed oils such as evening primrose oil (for gamma-linolenic acid), coconut oil and flaxseed oil can prove effective for eczema treatment. The brand I recommend is YES Essential Fatty Acid Blend. The dosage is 2 capsules, 2 times per day.
Dermrash Cream
An effective, holistic alternative to drug-based steroid cream like hydrocortisone is Dermrash by Dr. Kang. The primary ingredient of Dermrash is Sophora, an herb commonly used in Chinese medicine to counteract allergies. This is accomplished by stabilizing the mast cells, which produce histamine in the body. I have seen severe cases of eczema clear up with this sole remedy when this cream is applied to affected skin.
Consumption of Sea Vegetables
Detoxification is important for the resolution of eczema problems. Sea vegetables are helpful to this end. They easily bind with heavy metals and other toxins metabolically. This facilitates more rapid excretion through bowel movements.
A good strategy is to use a quality brand, tested for purity that is available in capsule form. A safe and effective dosage for treatment of eczema from mild to severe is 1-2 capsules, 2 times per day.
Seaweed Baths
Seaweed baths soothe and nourish the skin and provide another avenue for detoxification via the body’s largest organ.
They are particularly helpful for treating eczema by gently exfoliating the skin. This allows it to breathe and regenerate healthy skin tissue more quickly.
Thymus Extract
If the eczema flare-up seems to be related to shots, Thuja Thymus Complex from Uriel pharmacy can be used. The dosage is 3 pellets under the tongue first thing in the morning for treatment of eczema and atopic dermatitis. Thuja is the homeopathic remedy for reactions.
The thymus extract helps to stimulate the thymus gland to normalize the immune response to the shots. The thymus gland makes T cells, which are an important player in the immune system.
Note that research suggests that the use of sucralose or “Splenda” in the diet can shrink the thymus gland. So be sure to avoid this alternative sweetener.
Protomorphogen of the Skin
A protomorphogen is an extract from the same tissue type as that involved in the underlying illness. For issues with atopic dermatitis, the eczema treatment suggested is Dermatrophin from Standard Process which is a protomorphogen of the skin.
This remedy binds the antibodies produced and facilitates excretion through the bowels instead of eruptions and inflammation of the skin. The dosage for eczema treatment is 1 tablet, 3 times per day, ideally between meals.
Eczema Treatment for Skin Infections
Sometimes eczema lesions can result in infections. This is something to watch out for and be very careful to discourage. If, despite your best efforts, skin infections are a problem, I recommend Andographis Complex to help them clear and heal quickly. The dosage for eczema treatment is 1-2 tablets per day. Continue until the infection is resolved.
Learn More About Holistic Baby and Child Care
If you found this information on holistic eczema treatment encouraging and would like to learn more about how to care for your child in a non-toxic manner, my 300+ page book The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care could be a helpful resource for you! It provides suggestions and alternatives to conventional medical advice from pre-pregnancy right through to the adolescent years.
References
The National Eczema Association, Eczema Prevalence
More Information
The Top 8 Eczema Food Triggers
Eczema Treatment: Avoiding the Drug Based Domino Effect
Tips for Eczema Relief NOW While You are Healing from Within
What is the GAPS Diet?
Speed Gut Healing and Shorten Time on the GAPS Diet
Seaweed Wrap: Nourishes and Detoxifies
The Five Most Common GAPS Diet Mistakes
Can anyone recommend a WAPF/ traditional foods nutritionist who can help ensure I am getting all the necessary nutrients while having to manage multiple food restrictions for my nursling? Baby is low weight and I’m struggling to manage both his food-sensitivity induced eczema and low weight gain. THANK YOU!!
I would recommend Dr. Janice Joneja. I don’t know if she’s “WAPF-approved”, but she’s a 30-year expert on food intolerances, including histamine intolerance, which may explain your baby’s eczema and low weight.
There is some concern that dermrash actually contains some hydrocortisone, along with the chinese herbs. Someone called the company to verify the ingredients, and they refused to tell her. Does anyone know for sure one way or the other? I would LOVE to use this cream, but not it it contains any steroids. Thanks!
I had Eczema for most of my life, I am now 50, about 6 months ago I had an Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio test done, I was very high in Omega 6’s as apparently most of the population is. Since then I have cut out all foods that are high in Omega 6’s and also have been supplementing with Omega 3’s. I first tried to supplement with Omega 3’s and keep eating the few Organic potato chips cooked in Canola oil (which is high in mega 6’s), Chocolate, etc that I have always enjoyed. Just taking Omega 3’s and still eating foods high in Omega 6’s did not work for getting rid of the eczema. I am now on a very low Omega 6 diet and just supplement with Omega 3’s occasionally. My eczema is completely gone! FYI don’t cheat and start eating that little piece of chocolate again because the eczema will come back!
If interested you can check out the Omega 3’s and 6’s in the foods you consuming at http://www.nutritiondata.self.com after entering the food in the search menu and clicking on the appropriate one scroll down to the fats and fatty acids section on the left this will tell you aprox how many 3’s and 6’s are in that food. Cutting out Omega 6’s worked for me, my skin is clear and I am itch free!
Hi Karen,
I am trying to unpack the eczema mystery that has plagued me for 50 years also. I am interested in your results. As you cut out those foods high in Omega 6, how extreme did you get. I’m seeing that bacon, sausage, sauteed onions, red peppers are all in the 4,000 range. Did you cut back that far? Any advice you can give will really help.
thanks,
Cathy
I wanted to ask, my almost 3 year old son has cuts under his toes, where the creases are. Would this also be eczema?
It is my understanding, that yes, these would be skin fissures that are eczema related.
Sounds like athletes foot.
My youngest daughter is 14 months old. About a month or so ago I noticed her hands and wrists drying up. The pediatrician said it is Atopic Dermatitis. Even though it is mild, I don’t understand why she has developed this. She is not vaccinated, and all I have given her up to this point is homemade baby formula and a grain free diet. Very frustrating. I will certainly look into these remedies! Thank you so much for this post, Sarah!
This is a timely post for me! My 16mo never had any problems with eczema, face was always clear, but after giving him duck yolks for several days, his cheeks got very very read and now he is constantly having a rash on his face, looking like eczema. He is on gaps intro and taking cod liver oil, but I’m not seeing any improvment! I don’t really understand how this came about all of a sudden and has not gotten any better even after removing the yolks. Any suggestions?
I enjoyed your post here, my little sister has eczema I will tell her about this website and your post. Thanks for sharing your informative information here.
A specialist recommended bleach baths weekly for our 18mth old. Does anyone know the purpose of these & if they help?
Thanks.
I would not be soaking your child in a bath with bleach added. Very toxic as the chlorine absorbs through the skin into the blood and chlorine is toxic to beneficial gut bacteria. Not to mention breathing the chlorine fumes coming off the water.
My pediatrician recommended this as well, he told me that Eczema can be bacterial based and the bleach will kill the bacteria. I did not want to do it so he told me to take my son to the swimming pool at least two times a week, not rinsing him off and just patting him dry in this worked great for us
It’s amazing how many adults and children suffer from eczema and don’t know that food problems can be be a major culprit. I wish more doctors would forgo the steriod creams and talk to folks about the root cause of the issue! Thanks for posting.
You are so right Dawn, we have to treat the root cause. In our daughter’s case it was potatoes.
What are your suggestions for a great baby probiotic? I am looking to start GAPS soon with my 14 mo old because of her eczema, but haven’t found one yet.
I have been using Klaire Labs Infant Formula, but since you’re starting GAPS you should look into Bio Kult which was developed by the founder of GAPS.