How to Cure Infant Eczema Naturally

With over 10% of children suffering from eczema, or atopic dermatitis, parents are extremely invested in their efforts to heal infant eczema, and many would prefer to cure baby’s eczema naturally.

If that’s you, read on to find out:

Why steroids and other powerful creams are not true solutions…
Why eczema, allergies, asthma, digestive issues, and the other common co-morbidities are actually related under the surface…
And how you can discover the underlying cause of your child’s eczema to heal it from the inside-out, for good.

As you probably have been told, childhood eczema often recedes on its own. However, it may rear its head again in different forms, and that is why it’s vitally important to understand where it came from.

In this article, I will try to explain what is known about WHY eczema flares in the first place, so that you can address the underlying issues. Rather than just being reactive, and applying lotions or other external methods to try to calm the skin, implementing an inside-out approach allows you to heal your infant’s eczema naturally and fully.

What We Know About Childhood Eczema: Risk Factors, Related Symptoms

What is infant eczema? Eczema is characterized by dry, flaking, itchy skin. The discomfort and itching can be so severe as to impact everyday activities, disrupt sleep, and may sometimes bleed. The broken skin can also sometimes lead to infection.

Many children with eczema also experience other health challenges. Some Risk Factors and Common Co-Morbidities for infant eczema (and eczema in general) include:

Family History of eczema
Parents with history of hay fever/asthma/allergies
Dry Skin
Autism
Asthma
Seasonal allergies and Food Allergies
Food Intolerances
Constipation
Gas, bloating, other digestive issues

As many parents of babies with eczema are well aware, eczema is one prong of “the allergic march.” The allergic march refers to eczema, allergies, and asthma. As the phrase suggests, each one of these diagnoses is associated with a greater likelihood of later receiving the other two diagnoses.

As we’ll get into in the next section and also in the “root-causes” section, this overlap is not by chance. These conditions are related to one another.

Childhood Eczema from a Parent’s Perspective

As a parent who has been in your position, I realize you may be conducting your own research due to an internal, nagging, “Why?”

Why did this happen to my child? Why did it develop when it did? Why is my baby’s eczema worse than my friend’s baby’s? If it’s genetic, then why do some of my children have eczema and some don’t? Why does it seem to get better/worse in different seasons? Why does the weather affect its severity? Why do certain foods seem to trigger flare-ups? Why does it get better/worse throughout the day? Why is eczema associated with other things like digestive problems? Why does this increase my child’s risk for so many other things? Why is my doctor telling me it’s chronic and can’t be healed, only “managed”?

Not to mention, if it’s largely genetic then how come the rates are rising so rapidly? Our genetic didn’t change to include almost 1 in 5 children suffering from this…

In short, what are the causes of eczema- and can I control it?

All of these questions are ones I have heard frustrated parents ask, and they are ones I asked myself.

Unfortunately, it’s not much addressed in general clinical settings, because we are always being pushed towards ways to “manage.” We are told that eczema is pretty much a chronic condition.

No parent wants to be told that their 2-month old baby has a chronic condition they may be simply “managing” for life.

Hopefully, as you read on, this article will help you understand this condition better, and open your eyes to all of the options you have to healing your child.

Think About This…

Think about how eczema often leads to allergies, and often leads to asthma, and these things are also associated with constipation, GI symptoms, disrupted sleep.

Think about how in a standard medical model, your child will be prescribed a different cocktail of medications to “manage” each of these, separately. Most likely, it’ll be steroid creams for topical rashes, anti-histamines for seasonal allergies, Benadryl or other immune suppressants for food allergies, EpiPen for severe allergies, inhalers and more steroid for asthma, laxatives or harsh fiber powders for constipation…The list goes on, depending on your exact situation.

Whether or not you were informed of it, each of these medications comes with its own side effects. (don’t just take it from me- literally, spend a few minutes on google and it’s all there!).

Not to mention the shocking expense of all of these supposedly “normal” medical needs. Each prescription will cost you, each visit to a specialist will cost you, and so on.

Sometimes, there is a much simpler route. Instead of continuously putting out “little fires,” take the extra effort to go deeper and address what “turned on the gas” in the first place.

Let’s get into it some of the common “root causes” that atopic dermatitis is a symptom of.

Causes vs Triggers of Baby Eczema

Oftentimes, what you see cited in the big medical platforms as “causes of eczema” are lists including: genetics, dry air, cold weather, hot weather, friction in clothing, dry skin, and so on.

Yes, these things can often be associated with the onset of eczema. But think for a second- most children occasionally have these risk factors, yet don’t develop eczema. What else is coming into play?

While these external factors may be ASSOCIATED with the onset of a dermatological disease like eczema, there is usually a larger internal factor that set the stage for its development. This is why you’ve probably noticed that all the lotions, potions, and medications can only keep symptoms in check to a certain extent. Sometimes they suddenly cease working, or a flare appears for some unknown reason, or you just end up switching from prescription to prescription because nothing truly works.

This is because like most illness, eczema is rooted internally, not externally. The domino-effect that eventually causes a skin rash to appear is an internal process. Eczema, and most other skin conditions, are not contained precisely to the patch of skin on which they appear. Rather, eczema is a visible symptom of the problem going on “under the hood”, or the smoke that reveals an internal fire.

This is why treating it as a condition of the skin’s surface is misguided and can’t fully heal the issue.

With that foundational understanding, let’s back up for one moment to those external triggers.

While external factors aren’t the primary driver of eczema, it still is advisable to take precautions against these commonly associated symptoms:

Dry Skin– Especially in winter months, and if you’ve noticed some irritation or dryness, you want to keep baby’s skin moisturized. I do not recommend over-the-counter drugstore baby lotions, which, despite their clever marketing, tend to contain harsh chemical ingredients. The same options listed below in the “topical treatments” section will work.
Heat and Perspiration– Many find that their eczema gets worse in the summer or with sweating. To avoid this, try to keep your house cool, and dress baby in cool, non-clingy fabrics. Organic cotton, or at least natural fibers like cotton, help, linen, and wool, will always be less irritating to sensitive skin than synthetic fibers will.
Irritation from Products– This one is too-often overlooked, especially if you’re working with a doctor who doesn’t focus on lifestyle and environmental factors. It’s best to use unscented, chemical-free products around your house and on baby regardless, but also to avoid triggering baby’s eczema. These are all tried-and-true gentle baby shampoos, gentle unscented laundry detergents, floor cleaner, dish soap, and so on. EWG’s Skin Deep and Cleaning databases are also a wonderful resource.
Don’t Over-wash– Sometimes we are told that baths can be calming to the skin, but know that baths can also be drying. Many parents find great value in reducing washing to just once per week unless baby gets dirty in-between. Your baby’s skin wants to keep its natural oil barrier intact, and that barrier is exactly what’s been compromised with eczema. So letting it just be, without constantly stripping it, can be an easy change with big payoff. P.S. My recommendations for diaper rash are very similar.
The above is not a comprehensive list. But you’ll notice the individual triggers in your own child. Topical approaches should not be disregarded- it’s just important to realize that they’re only one piece in this large picture.

A “Root-Cause” Perspective on the Causes of Infant Eczema

Many risk factors have been outlined above, and those might help you understand why your child was prone to eczema, or what may have tipped her little body over the line to developing atopic dermatitis.

But, finally getting into the meat and potatoes, here are some of the most common underlying issues that can be associated with eczema:

Food Allergies or Intolerances– Overwhelmingly often, removing grains and sugar from the diet (advisable anyway!) can help improve eczema symptoms. Many eczema cases show improvement when gluten and dairy are removed from the diet. You can also test for other common allergens.
Gut Dysbiosis– We need the “good bugs” that live all over us and especially in the digestive tract, to help us digest the fiber in our food, modulate our immune system, produce brain neurotransmitters, and keep up residence so that harmful bacteria species cannot do so. It has been found that a wonky relationship between “good” and “bad” bacteria, or bugs, in the body, contributes to the inflammation associated with many health conditions, including atopic dermatitis. For example, babies with eczema have been found to have less Bifidobacterium, a helpful bacteria, and more staph and general imbalance of good and bad bugs.
Histamine Overload/Intolerance- Histamine is naturally occurring in the body’s mast cells, and is produced as part of the immune reaction to stress or allergies. Histamines are also present in many common foods, and if your baby is dealing with an “overflow” of histamines, reacting to seemingly everything, you’ll likely see benefit from limiting histamine in the diet for a short period. This can be confusing, but Megan Garcia is a wonderful resource.
Deficiency in vitamins A, D, and omega-3 fatty acids– These fat-soluble vitamins are necessary for an innumerable number of functions in the body, so you really want to ensure that baby has sufficient levels of each regardless. Additionally, they’re also partially what protects the skin barrier, and help your skin resist breakage and dryness.
Underlying yeast or fungal infection– These types of infection often exist in tandem with eczema, and there’s no coincidence in that. Research shows that fungal infections or just the presence of yeast bacteria on the skin can activate and contribute to eczema (dandruff, too, by the way). If you are aware of the presence of both yeast and eczema, sometimes dealing fully with the yeast can resolve both, and possibly some other pesky symptoms. Excess yeast is a pesky, undesirable party guest anyway.

Addressing the Root-Causes of Infant Eczema

Any condition is highly individual, and what improves one person’s symptoms might not improve the next person’s. Therefore, keep in mind that not every one of the items in this list will apply to everyone. It’s a starting point, to help you consider what might be going on in your baby’s situation.

It’s always best to work with a practitioner who can help tailor a treatment plan to your needs.

Here are some suggestions that can be used in tandem with topical treatments, addressing possible root causes so that eczema can fully heal:

Address Food Allergies– If baby has tested positive for a food allergy, you’ve likely been told to avoid it anyway. Even if not, be aware that keeping this food in the diet likely has multifaceted effects because of the constant immune assault. This can be one major contributor to eczema. If you suspect a food allergy, you may want to schedule a consult with an allergist experienced in root-cause medicine.
Address Food Intolerances with an Elimination Diet– Sensitivities to gluten and dairy are super-duper common when it comes to eczema. You can mention this to your doctor, many of whom are well aware that this can be helpful for eczema. You can try an elimination diet for gluten and dairy for a short period, and note whether baby’s eczema improves. You can also try a fuller elimination diet with all the 7 common allergens, in order to rule those out as a trigger. Remember, these are short-term- you never want to restrict nutritious foods from a child’s diet for an extended period. This book guides you through the phases of an eczema-focused elimination diet.
Vitamin D supplementation– This study and others showed that vitamin D supplementation was beneficial to eczema sufferers. Deficiency is extremely common, so supplementation is generally a good idea, however if you can get a quick blood test to see the blood levels, that will help guide you with how aggressively to supplement. If breastfeeding, you can supplement with 6400 IU/day so that enough passes through the breastmilk to your baby. If baby is formula-fed, try to find vitamin D drops that you can add to food/milk for him.
Supporting Healthy Gut Flora– Gut flora disruption can happen a number of ways, and the subject is still emerging in research, without yet a full understanding of which strains have a role in what. For example, taking antibiotics (during your pregnancy or baby’s own lifetime, or even while breastfeeding, associated with increased risk of infant eczema) will wipe out all strains present, and you’ll need help rebuilding them again to support your immune function, digestive function, etc. Rebuilding your baby’s gut will mean taking out food triggers (touched on below), incorporating probiotic-rich foods and probiotic supplements, and avoiding things that disrupt the gut flora, like unnecessary oral antibiotics, antibiotic soaps and cleaners, avoiding pesticides and herbicides when possible, etc.
Take Probiotics– Research suggests that prenatal and post-natal supplementation with probiotics, especially Bifidobacterium, can be important in primary prevention of eczema and allergic diseases. I have heard glowing reviews on this small-batch infant probiotic, designed particularly for babies with eczema and allergies. (It’s formulated without any histamine-causing strains)
Trying a Low-Histamine Diet for a Short Time– If histamine overload is what’s going on for your baby, you have several options. It sounds complicated, but isn’t really so bad! Usually a period of about 2 weeks off high-histamine foods will be enough to determine if this is helping baby. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding and baby hasn’t started solids yet, you can put yourself on a 2-week low-histamine protocol. If baby has started solids, include him as well. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed positive effects of lower-histamine intake in some cases of eczema.
Try to Clean Up the Diet– Refined Carbohydrates and Processed foods will be a common trigger for many different reasons, and they offer zero nutritional benefit to your child’s development compared to real, whole foods. The most basic issue with processed foods is that you don’t know the ingredients or preparation method, so you don’t have control over the foods that can be harmful to you or baby. Additionally, eating a whole-foods diet rich in vegetables, fruit, high-quality protein, and healthy fiber will all set your body to be LESS PRONE to nutrient deficiencies, gut flora disruption, constipation, yeast overgrowth, and much more. This single factor- a healthy diet- is the one that is most likely to have benefits across the board. (One of my favorite books explaining food’s effect on the body is Lily Nichols’ “Real Food for Pregnancy.”)
Again, please know that any condition, eczema included, is highly individual, so everyone will benefit from slightly different adjustments than someone else, depending what’s going on internally, genetics, and so on.

Natural Topical Treatments for Healing Infant Eczema

Okay, so the main thing your doctor will present you for infant eczema is probably: steroid creams. And they really can help clear up eczema symptoms at times. But sometimes, we can get similar benefits without the undesirable side effects of thinning/discolored skin, withdrawal symptoms, growing “tolerance,” and so on.

Here are some natural, topical treatments with a great reputation for all eczema, including infant eczema. These will not be harmful to baby’s skin or systemically. Try rubbing them on twice a day, or as needed.

It’s recommended to circulate through a few different oils, so that the skin doesn’t stop responding. This way you can also observe which oil has the most benefit to your child’s skin.

Food-grade oils that are high-quality and anti-inflammatory can be rubbed on your child’s skin without any concern. I like jojoba oil, but you can also try hemp seed oil, avocado oil, argan oil, olive oil.
Coconut oil is one oil that some people swear by. You can try it, but it’s especially helpful for its anti-fungal properties, which is why it’s amazing for treating cradle cap. If there isn’t a fungal element to your baby’s skin concerns, I wouldn’t go for coconut oil first, since its effectiveness on fungus raises the possibility for disruption of the skin microbiota.
Oatmeal bath– There are many recommendations online for how to do this to soothe an eczema flare. It’s worth a try! See what works for you!
Breastmilk– If you’re nursing, rubbing breastmilk on dry skin, irritated skin, or eczema is a no-brainer. Once you try it, you’ll see the powerful moisturizing qualities, and it’ll be soothing for baby as well.
Foderma– This is a non-steroidal based cream that I’ve heard good reviews on, but haven’t tried personally.

Well, this was certainly a marathon post! Eczema is something I had to learn about from extended experience, and I wanted to be as comprehensive as possible for your sake, so you could understand the beast and vanquish it.

Best of luck to you, mama! Feel free to email me at sarah@yourwholesomechild.com with specific questions, and I can answer from my own experience working through eczema for myself and my family. However, for medical advice you’ll need to find a doctor.

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References:

Huang, F.Q., Lu, C.Y., Shi-Ping, W., Gong, S.Z. “Maternal exposure to antibiotics increases the risk of infant eczema before one year of life: a meta-analysis of observational studies“. World J Pediatr. 2020 Apr;16(2):143-151.

Johansson, H., Vallhov, H., Holm, T., et al. “Extracellular nanovesicles released from the commensal yeast Malassezia sympodialis are enriched in allergens and interact with cells in human skin.” Scientific reports, 2018-06-15, Vol.8 (1), p.9182-11

Kobayashi, T., Glatz, M., Horiuchi, K., et al. “Dysbiosis and Staphylococcus aureus Colonization Drives Inflammation in Atopic Dermatitis.” Immunity (Cambridge, Mass.), 2015-04-21, Vol.42 (4), p.756-766

Lee, L.H., Letchumanan, V., Khan, T.M., et al. “Role of human microbiota in skin dermatitis and eczema: a systematic review.” 2018-06, Vol.67 (Suppl 2), p.A19

Worm, M., Fiedler, E.M., Dolle, S., et al. “Exogenous Histamine Aggravates Eczema in a Subgroup of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis.” Acta dermato-venereologica, 2009-01, Vol.89 (1), p.52-56