Parents can use a natural infant eczema treatment to help heal their baby's skin. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is characterized by inflamed skin. According to Mayo Clinic, this condition typically occurs during infancy and childhood. However, some people develop eczema as adults. Eczema can occur any where on the body but it most commonly affects the arms and skin behind the knees.
Eczema causes the skin to become dry and flaky. Other eczema symptoms include itchiness, brown patches, and tiny bumps. The number of flare-ups of infant eczema can be reduced by being mindful of what substances come into contact with the baby's skin. Certain clothing, laundry detergents, lotions, and long baths can make eczema worse.
Treating Eczema with Petroleum Jelly
Parents can try treating eczema by rubbing petroleum jelly on the skin of their baby. Petroleum jelly can help relieve the flaking, itching and dryness associated with eczema because it locks moisture into the skin. This allows oil from petroleum jelly to penetrate the skin leaving it soft and smooth.
Rub petroleum jelly on the baby's skin right after a bath. Pat the baby's skin dry with a towel before moisturizing the skin. 1,801 Home Remedies by the editors of Reader's Digest (Reader's Digest, April 2004) recommends applying a thick layer of petroleum jelly to the skin and then covering the feet and hands for a more moisturizing effect.
Neem Bark Relieves Eczema in Infants
Bark from the neem tree is commonly used to treat eczema in infants. The neem is a tall evergreen tree and has long been used in India for healing purposes. Small white flowers and a smooth green fruit grow from this tree. Nearly every part of the neem tree is used as a natural medicine. It has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties that make it a popular treatment for skin ailments including eczema.
According A Treatise on Home Remedies by S. Suresh Babu, (Pustak Mahal Publishers, January 2000), neem bark is effective in preventing secondary infections and relieving itching . Put the neem bark in water and boil it. Let it cool down some. Use this mixture to cleanse the effected area, while still warm.
Evening Primrose Oil as a Treatment for Eczema
Evening primrose oil is another treatment for eczema that can be used on infants. This plant mainly grows in North America but is also found in regions of the Southern Hemisphere, and Europe. The oil, which is contained in the seeds of this wild flower, is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fat that is necessary for good health. Evening primrose oil is used as a treatment for many health conditions including eczema.
In her book Mother Food for Breastfeeding Mothers (Page Free Publishing, Incorporated, May 2004), Hilary Jacobson recommends alternating evening primrose oil with other oils that are high in essential fats, such as coconut oil and olive oil. This will allow the baby to get the healing effects from a variety of fatty acids. Cut open a 500 mg capsule of primrose oil and massage it onto the affected areas.
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