Safe & Natural: 3 Home Remedies To Treat Your Baby’s Eczema

September 25, 2015

Eczema is a common skin condition. It is found in most newborns and babies at some time or another. This common condition can be quite uncomfortable for your little one to manage on their own. In this article, we’ll explore three natural home remedies for easing up the symptoms of eczema in your baby and provide some handy tips for preventing this bothersome skin condition in the first place.

Eczema: 3 Must-Try Natural Remedies

Eczema is characterized by red, itchy, and inflamed skin. When left untreated, this condition can lead to oozing blisters and scaly patches of skin. In its advanced state, eczema can become dangerous to your baby as dry, open skin can increase their risk of infection. This is especially true if your baby’s grimy fingers start to poke or scratch at the rash.

While eczema is usually harmless, researchers have found that babies who develop eczema at an early age and also suffer from sleep difficulties are at a higher risk of various hyperactivity disorders by the age of ten. ^[1]

Here are three natural remedies you can use to better manage your baby’s eczema at home:

1. Coconut oil for eczema relief

Coconut oil contains saturated fats that keep the skin smooth and hydrated. Additionally, the fatty acids found in coconut oil contain various antimicrobial and disinfectant properties that prevent infection and heal wounds faster. Vitamin E, also found in coconut oil, works to keep skin healthy by repairing damaged skin cells. ^[2]

How To Do It:

Use coconut oil to massage your baby before or after a bath. You can also try using it at bedtime to ensure your baby’s skin stays soft and hydrated throughout the night.

2. Manuka honey for eczema relief

Manuka honey contains various enzymes, minerals, and vitamins that keep the skin soft and supple. This type of honey is known for preventing skin dryness, which often the primary cause of eczema. The natural antioxidants found in Manuka honey are effective in keeping skin cells healthy, too. ^[3]

How to Do It:

Use a small amount of Manuka honey to massage your baby before his or her bath. Following the treatment, rinse your babe with regular water. You can also mix Manuka honey with a little coconut oil and massage your baby with this beneficial mixture.

3. Mild sunlight for eczema relief

Although it may sound counterintuitive, exposing your baby to mild sunlight on a daily basis can help reduce the effects of eczema or prevent its onset. ^[4]

How to Do It:

Take your baby outdoors at a time of day when there is natural sunlight but not when it is at its peak. For instance, you might want to go out with your baby during the morning or the late afternoon. Bask in the soft sunlight with your babe for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

To be on the safe side, talk with your doctor before using any of these treatments on your baby. Your baby’s pediatrician might have some other recommendations for your little one’s skin care regimen.

Try These Tips to Help Prevent Eczema in Your Baby

There are some simple things you can do to prevent eczema from occurring at all. Follow these tips to better care for your baby’s sensitive skin:

Do not use soap for your baby on a daily basis. Regular water is enough to clean your baby in the first few months of life. You may use a mild, hypoallergenic baby soap on your little one once every week or two, however.
Keep the house clean and free of dust. Eczema can be triggered by irritants in your baby’s environment, including dust, sand, detergents, perfume, and cigarette smoke.
Change your baby’s clothing each day and try to change their bedding once every two to three days, using only hypoallergenic products for washing.

Although these treatments might not be the silver bullet for all babies, they have been shown to aid in symptom relief. So be sure to use mild soap on your baby, keep your house dust-free, and change your baby’s clothing and bedding often to increase their likelihood of having supple, flawless skin.

For more interesting stories, visit our Health page. Read more about Pregnancy & Babycare here.

References

1. Schmitt J, Chen CM, Apfelbacher C, Romanos M, Lehmann I, Herbarth O, Schaaf B, Kraemer U, von Berg A, Wichmann HE, Heinrich J; LISA-plus Study Group. Infant eczema, infant sleeping problems, and mental health at 10 years of age: the prospective birth cohort study LISAplus. Allergy. 2011;66(3):404-411. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2010.02487.x.

2. Evangelista MT, Abad-Casintahan F, Lopez-Villafuerte L. The effect of topical virgin coconut oil on SCORAD index, transepidermal water loss, and skin capacitance in mild to moderate pediatric atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(1):100-108. doi:10.1111/ijd.12339.

3. Eteraf-Oskouei T, Najafi M. Traditional and modern uses of natural honey in human diseases: A review. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2013;16(6):731–742.

4. Patrizi A, Savoia F, Giacomini F, Tabanelli M, Gurioli C. The effect of summer holidays and sun exposure on atopic dermatitis. G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2009;144(4):463-466.