Eczema,
aka Atopic Dermatitis, is an inflammatory condition
starting in the bowels manifesting on the skin.
Once again, we have poor food choices that lead
to an allergic inflammatory reaction that leads
to increased permeability of the intestinal wall
allowing large food particles to enter lymphatic
circulation and then the blood stream (aka leaky
gut) where they do not belong. Once these toxins
circulate through the blood, the inflammation
manifests on the skin as a dry, red, thickened
and itchy rash that can be weepy and oozy with
pus. Persistent scratching brings the risk of
a secondary bacterial infection. Though there
is no known “cause,” it is thought
to be in part inherited from the parents (Atopic)
but triggered by allergens.
It is not uncommon for a child
to have not just eczema but also asthma and allergies.
The link is digestion and respiratory function.
Treatment
Conventional Western treatment
includes topical corticosteroids and oral ones
if needed. These are strongly anti-inflammatory,
but long-term oral use can lead to marked immune
suppression.
Home remedies
Keep bathing to no more than 10 minutes so as
to not dry out the skin
Use only hypo-allergenic soaps and detergents
Wash only genitals, hands and feet with soap while
rinsing off the rest of the body; pat the skin
dry, don’t rub
Colloidal Oatmeal baths and lotions like Aveeno
to decrease itching
Moisturize when wet
Sea Salt water compresses to stop itching
Identify and decrease
irritants
Laundry detergents
Soaps
Household chemicals: use baking soda and white
vinegar to clean
Perfumes
Animal dander
Metals like nickel in jewelry
Workplace exposure for adults
Water damage at home lead to mold!!
Healthy diet and lifestyle
changes as described on my Treating Kids page
to support a strong immune system. Most importantly,
ZERO DAIRY! And by ZERO, I actually mean ZERO.
Followed by a close second in minimal to zero
sugar.
Acupressure:
Gently rub these points in order with focus for
5 minutes each 2x/day for good preventive care;
strengthens digestion to promote healthy immunity
Miriam Lee Tune-Up:
Spleen 6: inside lower leg just above the ankle
Stomach 36: just below the knee, in the depression
lateral to the tibial crest
Large Intestine 11: in the depression at the lateral
elbow
Lung 7: just proximal to the wrist behind the
thumb
Large Intestine 4: in the webbing between the
index finger and the thumb.
Add: Stomach 43: in the webbing between the 2nd
and 3rd toes. Powerful 911 Stomach point for indigestion,
pain and inflammation in the GI tract
When you come to see my in my
office, I will prescribe Chinese Medicinal
Herbs to regulate digestion, clear heat
and inflammation, clear the skin, and strengthen
digestion and immunity. I will also use acupuncture
as needed for acute and symptomatic relief.
~~~~
With eczema as is true for allergies
and asthma, the root cause lies in poor digestion.
Clean up the gut to clean up the skin. So start
with making healthier and cleaner food choices
which will benefit not just your child but the
family as a whole. And since kids are so resilient,
you should notice results quickly.
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