Eczema is a medical skin condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that can cause itching and bleeding.
Sometimes you hear Eczema described as Atopic Dermatitis. These terms are often used interchangeably. This type of eczema is the most common and is often chronic with regular flare up periods.
Another type of common type of Eczema is Contact Dermatitis. This typically refers to direct contact with irritants. The typical red inflammation, burning and itchiness will occur but will go away when the irritant removed.
In children under 5 you will most often see Eczema flare ups in appear on cheeks, scalp, joints (behind the knees and inner elbows), neck and hands.
Is there a cure? Unfortunately not, but it usually can be controlled.The good news is that Eczema isn’t contagious and usually subsides with age.
How common is it? About 1 in ever 10 children will develop eczema, although the upside is that more than half will not have it by the time they become teenagers.
What causes it?
Nobody knows for sure. The common reasons are allergies and heredity.
A recent study conducted by Penn researcher Elizabeth Grice, Assistant Professor of Dermatology suggestedthat Eczema can be triggered by an imbalance between the ecosystem of the skin and immune system.
Other Eczema triggers are changes in temperature, emotional stress etc.
What does it look like? Raised, scaly rashes that can ooze and become very itchy. If you scratch the rash will become worse and evolve to thickened brownish areas on the skin.
Common Treatment: Most common way of treating Eczema is with drugs that suppress the immune system and control inflammation (Corticosteroids creams also referred to as Steroid or Cortisone cream). Some parents are worried about going this route especially for their young children, and prefer trying a more natural solution first before resorting to this option.
Alternative Recommendation: A good pure balm is often suggested as a first line of defense to treat Eczema and considered essential to a good skin care routine for preventing dry itchy skin. The upside is that unlike steroid creams, some emollients can be used all the time andbe effective to help to reduce redness, inflammation, itchiness and control flare-ups while giving skin a chance to heal.
In more severe cases your Doctor may recommend a Steroid cream for a short burst of time. It can still be beneficial to the healing process to apply a pure healing balm to be absorbed first to start the healing process, with the steroid applied on top.
It is always a better idea to avoid skin care products with any harsh synthetic chemicals that could damage good bacteria on the skin. As babies have thinner, more porous, and far more vulnerable skin than adults, the case for a pure organic product is even more pronounced.
It’s also recommended to replenish beneficial microbes in the body. Beneficial bacteria and yeast communicate with the immune system of the body and work together to thrive, soothe inflammation, seal a leaky gut and balance the immune system. These beneficial bacteria can be found in fermented foods and probiotic products.
In the case where the culprit is Contact Dermatitis, removing exposure to wool, house dust and pet dander is recommended along with switching to a pure gentle Laundry Soap.
Common Mistakes in using Medicated Creams:
A product is as good as its usage. Use too little, and you may not allow the skin to receive what it needs to help heal. Use too much, and risk negative side effects.
With Shoosha Baby Organic Healing Balm, there is no required maximum usage or age restriction. Its food grade USDA Certified Organic and safe.It’s so important to keep the inflamed area moisturized at all times to help minimize and reduce your little one’s skin from the redness, hot dryness, itchiness caused by Eczema.
The Organic Healing Balm for babies contains Organic Colloidal Oatmeal, and pure botanical essences made from the leaves of 8 gentle plant petals layered with other calming nourishing oils and butters. It’s approved by Health Canada and approved USDA food grade organic. The Adult version for the Organic Healing Balm contains essential oils, more appropriate for Adults, with the same rich goodness of pure botanical essences and plant extracts.
All people with eczema should use moisturizers every day. In addition to the Organic Healing Balm, we recommend using Organic Sensitive Skin Baby Wash and Shampoo and layer the whole body with Organic Sensitive Skin Face & Body Lotion in either Unscented or Lavender (useful for soothing upset babies). These products are all USDA Certified, and made with the gentlest ingredients possible for your little one’s eczema prone skin.