FAQ’s on Childhood Eczema

Posted December 7th, 2007 by Karen Fischer

Answered by nutritionist Karen Fischer

FAQ: Dear Karen, I am breastfeeding. Can my diet trigger my baby's eczema?

A: There are certain foods that can pass through the breast milk and contribute to flare ups and avoiding certain foods can help to clear up your child's eczema. However, once your child is eating solids, dietary changes for your child can be more effective. A probiotic can also help improve bub's digestion, which you and your child can take. Refer to The Healthy Skin Diet for more information about supplements and dietary changes for eczema.

FAQ: My daughter gets a rash around her mouth whenever she eats tomatoes or strawberries. It goes very red and then ends up dry and scaly for a few days after that. It wouldn't be such a problem except that she eats so little fruit and veg and she absolutely loves both of these items. Is this something that she will grow out of?

A: Tomato is rich in natural MSG and salicylates, and strawberries also contain salicylates which can cause irritation in sensitive children. The classic sensitivity signs are red dots or a rash around the mouth. She may grow out of this sensitivity reaction but it's best to listen to her body's negative symptoms now and avoid the problematic foods for a couple of months (then get her to try them again). People often love the foods they are allergic or sensitive to. You may need to point out to her that these foods are causing her discomfort and convince her to eat other fruits and vegetables. Good luck, I know this can be difficult.

FAQ: I'd love to learn more about how our environment affects my toddler's eczema. He gets it really badly on his legs and arms in the creases and I have no idea what triggers it. We're treating the eczema with conventional medicines that our doctor has prescribed but I'd love to learn about alternative medicines available. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.

A: People who are prone to getting eczema are more likely to experience flare ups from weather changes and dust mites. Some get flare ups when the weather becomes colder and some are triggered by hot, dry weather. However, the weather and dust mites are not the problem: it's the skin's poor barrier function that causes increased sensitivity to normal environmental factors. Dietary changes can improve the skin's barrier function by altering hormone-like prostaglandins in the body, so eczema is much less likely to occur. See The Healthy Skin Diet for dietary information.

FAQ: The doctor said my 9 month old son has eczema and has provided a cream. He advised that it's something my son will grow out of at around 4-5 years old but my research on the internet tells me otherwise. Is there any special diet or cream I should be providing to my son? At this time it's on his cheeks and his upper arms. Thanks for your help.

A: I prefer not to wait until a child grows out of their eczema as this could take ten years to occur (and the child suffers in the mean time). Your child is very young so there is only a couple of things you can try before the age of one. You can use a probiotic that is specific for eczema (see Probiotics for Eczema). You can also add 'moisturising' foods such as flaxseed oil to his bottle. However, speak to your doctor or a nutritionist about the correct dosage and suitability for your child as flaxseed allergy is possible, although rare.

FAQ: Last week my 9 month old son had an ear infection and his eczema erupted. His eczema is triggered by dairy and egg allergies so I was wondering if this flare up would be associated with the antibiotics he was prescribed or if it is common for eczema to get worse when a baby is ill? Also, I have read that a baby can be weaned from formula when they are 1 year old. My son is currently on Neocate formula and I would probably look to wean him onto rice milk but I worry about whether he will get enough calcium and wonder if he would need to take a calcium supplement or can he get sufficient amounts through a balanced diet?

A: Antibiotics are often necessary for serious infections. However, they also kill the good gastrointestinal tract bacteria that helps a child digest food properly. This beneficial gut flora is also necessary for the body to make B vitamins, some of which are needed to keep the skin eczema-free. Anyone who needs antibiotics should take a suitable probiotic afterwards. Not all probiotics are suitable for eczema (see Probiotics for Eczema). Regarding rice milk: it's low in protein so it doesn't fill up a child's tummy as well as cows or soy milk and it's not a great milk supplement (but fine as a sweet drink). Even without a dairy allergy, dairy increases eczema flare ups so it's worth speaking to a nutritionist about taking dairy out of the diet for two months (then retest for reactions). You will need a calcium substitute when your child turns one and goes off the formula. If your child is not allergic to soy, try good quality organic soy milk that contains 'whole' soybean (not isolate) and added calcium and speak to a nutritionist or a doctor about other calcium alternatives or supplements.

FAQ: My daughter has eczema and because of how much it stings when she swims (both in the pool and the beach), and how much worse it seems to get afterwards, we've been avoiding the water altogether. But with summer approaching I was hoping to get some advice about swimming. Do you know of any ways we can reduce (or remove) the pain for her when she swims, and also avoid the flare-up afterwards? Are there special creams that we could apply?

A: It's best to avoid chlorinated pools as the chemicals can irritate sensitive skin. However, salt water is beneficial for healing the skin so favour the beach during summer. Sand can cause some problems and salt water does increase stinging so keep a big bottle of tap water handy and wash your child's skin when necessary. You can also apply a thick barrier cream (such as Grahams Natural Alternatives Sooth-it Balm or Paw Paw Ointment) on your child's eczema-prone areas before going swimming to help protect your daughter's skin from stinging. Alternatively you can ask for a suitable barrier cream at your local chemist or health food shop. Always do a small patch test to see if your child reacts to a cream before applying it to large areas.

FAQ: Our doctor recently prescribed antihistamine tablets for my daughter who suffers with eczema. Although I want to help her, I don't really like the idea of her having these tablets. Are you able to tell me a bit more about antihistamines? Are they okay for children (4 y/o), and are there any natural alternatives that provide a similar effect?

A: Antihistamines basically reduce the histamine (allergic) reaction to foods and environmental factors so I presume your child has diagnosed allergies. Natural alternatives may not work as effectively if your child has true allergies. You can concurrently try the dietary advice on the Eczema page and see if this also helps. If you are worried about using antihistamines, it's best to tell your concerns to your doctor or speak to another doctor about the alternatives.

FAQ: My son is seven and he has had eczema since he was a baby. We avoid foods that cause flare-ups (that's lots of stuff), and while this is fairly easy for him at home, it seems like torture at birthday parties, and at Christmas time. Are there any real "treat" foods I could make him for these events? Something that the other children will all want too?

A: Parties need not be a dilemma but you do have to plan ahead. The plainer treats are usually fine such as plain salted potato chips, white lollies such as white jelly beans and marshmallows, plain corn chips, lemonade ice blocks, plain rice crackers, hummus dip (not preserved) and home-made banana cake or sponge cake with natural icing (not artificially coloured). Years ago, when my daughter had eczema and was invited to someone else's party I would offer to make some cup cakes or I'd bring fun foods that were free of additives. You can make cake icing a fun-looking green colour by adding a few drops of natural low strength liquid chlorophyll (ask at a health food shop, brands such as Grant's are low strength). Or make cake icing pink by mashing some raspberries into the icing mix (frozen/thawed raspberries work the best).

FAQ: I've had advice to reduce certain food in my daughter's diet to help alleviate her eczema. Will she need to avoid these foods for the rest of her life? Or is it just a childhood thing?

A: The inflammation seen with eczema is caused by genetics but when the inflammation is reduced through dietary changes then the body becomes stronger and your child should grow out her eczema faster. So the dietary changes should only be temporary. On the rare occasion, children need to continue to avoid flare up foods and children with severe allergies may have to avoid these foods for life. It's also important to continue to limit or avoid artificial colours, flavour enhancers and preservatives as they contribute to flare ups.

FAQ: My 7 month old son has eczema and we have found that he seems to do better on the soy milk formulas rather than normal milk. However, I have heard some negative things about Soy milk and eczema and I am concerned that we may not be doing the right thing with this. What is your opinion on Soy milk and eczema? Thanks and kind regards.

A: As a nutritionist I've treated lots of children with eczema and in each case, the parents have reported that taking dairy out of the diet reduced their child's flare ups. If your child doesn't have a soy milk allergy then a good soy baby formula is okay (don't give plain soy milk to children under the age of one). Sometimes lactose-free (dairy) formulas can also be better than the normal dairy ones when it comes to improving eczema. Choose a formula that also contains added omega-3 (EPA/DHA), biotin and glycine. When trying a new formula, not only look for reduced eczema but also see if they are vomiting up milk on a regular basis. If symptoms of reflux increase or occur after every feed (and are not caused by a mechanical problem) then the formula may not be suitable for your child.

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