Re: Infantile Eczema .... Is it curable by medicines?
Hello,
It's a good chance that both fluoride and chlorine are a part of your water system. To avoid the cost of having to use a whole house purification system. You can focus specific attention to the bathroom area. You can purchase water purification systems as a shower attachment or a purification system that would be attached to the bathtub. This specific focus on one area of water use can bring the cost of such a unit down from the several hundreds to $30, $60, or $100 for a shower/bath attachment.
Clean skin is imperative to eczema free skin. One of the doctor recommended treatment options for eczema sufferers is that they limit bathing to once or twice a week. We totally abandoned this type of treatment regarding my nieces, and made sure that their skin was cleaned daily. In addition, we made sure that the moisturizer was placed on clean skin, not dirty skin. We did this for the following reasons. Leaving the skin dirty for days at a time gives bacteria/fungus plenty of space to grow. Application of creams on dirty skin, simply adds to the problem of dirt buildup. [The purpose of replenishing moisture to the skin with moisturizers is to nourish the skin cells, not the skin dirt/dead skin cells.]
The skin is an external organ and the body's first line of defense against the elements; therefore, opting not to clean the skin from the daily accumulation of dirt, bacteria, and other external elements creates an environment of bacterial growth on the skin that would ensure eczema discomfort. One of the ways the skin rids the body of toxins is through exfoliation. Daily cleansing of the skin promotes healthy exfoliation of the dead skin cells. The reason doctors suggest the limited bathing is due to the irritation from harsh chemicals in soaps or the toxic chemicals found in treated water (like fluoride & chlorine). The problem with that solution, (leaving the skin dirty for days at a time), is that it creates even more of an atmosphere for bacterial growth on the skin. The smart solution is to find natural cleansing products (free of harsh/drying chemical ingredient); and to implement water purification systems where needed. Before every moisturizing application, we would make sure that the skin was clean. In some cases, that would simply mean patting the skin clean with a cool wash cloth (it was summertime). Keeping in mind the skin's function as an external organ and understanding that it is the body's first line of defense against external elements, brings clarity to the importance of daily cleansing of the skin (especially in the case of eczema sufferers).
Before answering your speficic question regarding, "not bathing for a couple of days to investigate the water (chemicals in the water) as the possible eczema irritant", I wanted to first establish the importance of daily cleansing of the skin. I do this because I am fully aware of the recommendations not to bathe for days at a time. I just wanted to make sure that you understood that issue before I gave you my suggestions as to how you could go about identifying the water supply as the culprit, without instigating more eczema suffering for your child. In other words, now that you know my stand on the water issue (daily cleansing of the skin), you will have a better understanding as to why I am offering this suggestion. My suggestion is that for the 2 or 3 days that you opt not to use the treated water supply for bathing, is that you purchase several jugs/gallons of water from your local grocery store (preferably natural spring water/organic). It doesn't take a huge water supply to clean a two year old's body. You would implement a stand up wash: meaning you would place the heated water in a small tub or wash basin and use a wash cloth and your natural cleanser to wash his skin.
Chemically treated water is a major issue with eczema sufferers. A past visit to my youngest sisters apartment reiterated this fact to me. I stayed with her for two weeks; and during that time my skin developed the first stages of eczema (drying skin). My hair and my skin showed the effects of the harsh water; due to its fluoride/chlorine makeup. My skin has since recovered (quickly and without medications). The reason I relayed this story is to demonstrate the effects of chemically treated water on the skin.
You've mentioned the food eliminations; but I haven't heard mention of what your son is actually eating. Green vegetables (like spinach, kale, collard, mustard & brocolli) , carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes are major sources of beta carotene. This is important to the strengthening of his immune system. Your dark green vegetables are also good sources of fiber, which promotes good digestion and bowel elimination: this would also equate to good immune health. Even more important than what is being eliminated from your son's diet is what he is consuming on a daily basis. To help you in this regard, you can check out the wholehealthmd.com website. Take a look at the "healing eczema with what you eat" section. I know that this will be of great benefit to you as well. I believe that one of the most important health practitioners that eczema sufferers could benefit from is a good nutritionist. The referenced website is a way of providing you with the knowledge of a nutritionist, without the cost. It is a reference guide that has proven beneficial to me; and for that reason, I share it with you.
aunty