My son has infantile eczema (atopic dermatitis). I was wondering what alternative medicines can help relieve the itchiness?

A.

The most common cause of infantile eczema is food allergies. In the breast fed infant, it may be due to allergic antigens in the breast milk. If you are breast feeding, you may want to eliminate common food allergens like milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat and citrus from your diet. If your son is formula fed, consult with your pediatrician about using a hypoallergenic formula. If you have started solid foods with him, you may want to eliminate the common allergens listed above.

Infants should not have solids until at least 6 months of age. Prior to that time, the gastrointestinal tract has not matured enough to properly digest solids and they are more likely to cause allergic reactions. At six months, I recommend the introduction of some fruits and vegetables- apples, pears, carrots and squash are all good initial choices. Introduction of cereals should be postponed until at least 9-12 months and even later in an allergic child. If milk or soy based formula is the problem, you will want to avoid soy and dairy products in the diet at all. Fish, especially salmon, is high in essential fatty acids and can be started at 12 months.

Essential fatty acids can be very helpful with eczema. Flax seed oil is a good source of the omega-3 fatty acids. Try 1/2 teaspoon per day. The oil should be kept refrigerated and can be mixed into formula or foods.

Gently washing the affected areas several times a day with warm water can help. You will also want to try a chamomile cream or ointment. Chamomile is a gentle, natural anti-inflammatory which has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing the itching and redness of eczema.

For more help with eliminating food allergies and using alternative treatments for eczema, check www.naturopathic.org or www.acam. org for a referral to a naturopathic physician or a medical doctor near you.

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* The information presented in this web site is intended to inform and educate. It is not intended replace a qualified medical practitioner to diagnose or treat medical conditions.