Healing Eczema Naturally - The Best Eczema Treatments For Kids
Written by Madeline Spawton- 21st October 2024
As a parent, you probably know there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing your little one struggle with itchy, irritated skin. Eczema is a common condition in kids that can be stubborn, uncomfortable, and affect your child's confidence. While steroid creams and quick-fix solutions can provide relief, they often don't address the underlying causes of eczema or offer a long-term solution.
In this article, we’re diving into the natural, holistic approach to healing eczema—one that not only soothes the skin but also targets the causes to prevent flare-ups in the future. We’ll look at how we focus on healing eczema naturally in the clinic by identifying triggers, supporting the immune system and balancing the gut and skin microbiome. We also recommend some gentle natural remedies to support your child’s skin from the inside out. Because every parent wants their child to feel happy, comfortable, and confident in their skin—and we’re here to help you get there naturally.
What is Eczema?
First of all - what is eczema? Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes dry, itchy, and red patches on the skin. It’s most common in children, though it can occur at any age. There are several types of eczema, with atopic dermatitis being the most common in children. Other types include contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Eczema affects the skin's ability to retain moisture, leading to dryness and irritation. In children, it often appears on the face, behind the knees, inside the elbows, and on the hands and feet. It can be extremely uncomfortable, interfering with sleep and daily activities and also having a psychological impact on the child in moderate to severe cases, affecting self-esteem and confidence.
Eczema is often associated with asthma and hay fever under the umbrella of ‘atopic’ conditions. Commonly, children with eczema may also be prone to asthma, allergies and hay fever as they get older. Although the exact cause of eczema is different for every child, it will always involve a combination of genetic, environmental and immune system factors (1, 2).
Signs and Symptoms of Eczema
Eczema can show up in many different ways, but one thing’s for sure—it’s hard to miss! Here are some common signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for in your little one:
Dry, scaly skin: One of the earliest and most common signs of eczema is dry, flaky patches of skin. These can pop up anywhere but are often seen on the cheeks, arms, legs, and around the joints.
Red or inflamed areas: Eczema patches often appear red or inflamed, especially during a flare-up. In kids with lighter skin, the patches may look pink or red, while in darker skin tones, they might look darker or more purple.
Itchiness: If your child is constantly scratching or feeling irritated by their skin, it could be eczema. The itchiness can range from mild to intense, and scratching can make the condition worse by leading to infections.
Blisters or oozing: In more severe cases, eczema can cause small blisters that ooze or form crusts. This can be a sign of an infection and may need extra care.
Rough, thickened skin: Over time, areas affected by eczema can become thicker or rougher due to repeated scratching and irritation. This is called lichenification and can make the skin feel tougher.
The affected areas may look different depending on whether it is an acute flare or chronic. It is also important for parents to be able to recognise, and seek appropriate treatment if there is an active infection - often due to relentless scratching!
Differentiating eczema from other skin conditions like psoriasis or fungal infections is key in managing appropriately, so it is important to get a diagnosis from a GP or skin specialist.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Eczema can be a bit of a puzzle—there’s no one-size-fits-all cause. Instead, it’s usually the result of a combination of factors working together. Understanding these factors is key to addressing the root cause of your child’s eczema and finding long-term relief. Let’s break down some of the main contributors that we see in the clinic:
Genetic predisposition: Eczema often runs in families, and genetics can play a big role (3). If you or your child’s other parent have a history of eczema, asthma, or allergies, there’s a higher chance your child might develop eczema. This progression of symptoms is known as atopic march, where conditions like eczema, hay fever, and asthma tend to cluster together. (4, 5) While we can’t change our genetics, understanding your child’s predisposition can help guide treatment and prevention strategies, and also equips us with the opportunity to work on reducing the likelihood of eczema for any future children.
Immune system abnormalities: Eczema is closely tied to an overactive immune system (6). In children with eczema, the immune system tends to overreact to triggers like allergens, irritants, or even stress, leading to inflammation in the skin. This inflammation causes the red, itchy patches we associate with eczema. Addressing immune dysfunction is essential in calming the body's response and reducing flare-ups.
Gut Health: The gut plays a huge role in both immune regulation and skin health - two key elements of eczema! Many kids with eczema have imbalances in their gut microbiome (7), which can contribute to inflammation and skin issues. Conditions like leaky gut or food sensitivities can also trigger or worsen eczema. Supporting gut health through probiotics, a healthy diet, and addressing food triggers is a key part of healing eczema from the inside out.
Skin integrity: Children with eczema often have a compromised skin barrier, meaning their skin doesn’t hold moisture as well and is more prone to letting irritants and allergens in (8). This weak skin barrier leads to dryness and makes it easier for infections to occur. Strengthening the skin barrier with key nutrients and nourishing, topical support can help restore integrity, protect your child’s skin and reduce the risk of flare-ups.
Healing Eczema Naturally
Within the clinic, we take a holistic, root-cause approach to healing eczema in children. Rather than looking for a band-aid approach in the form of creams or supplements, we focus on identifying and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to eczema. By getting to the root of the issue, we aim to bring about lasting relief and healthier skin for your child. This process involves taking a thorough case history and being methodical in our approach to ensure we’re supporting your child in the most comprehensive way possible.
Here’s a look at some of the main approaches we use in our clinic to support kids with eczema:
Understanding Personal Triggers
Each child’s eczema is unique, and the first step to relief is understanding any specific triggers that lead to flare-ups for your little one. This could be anything from environmental allergens (like dust, cleaning products or pollen), to specific foods, or even stress. We work closely with parents to identify and manage these triggers, which can involve keeping a symptom diary, running allergy or food sensitivity tests, and making gentle changes to your child’s diet and environment.
Balancing the Immune Response
Since eczema is linked to immune dysfunction, one of our main goals is to help bring the immune system back into balance. By addressing the TH1/TH2 imbalance that causes excessive inflammation, we can reduce flare-ups and prevent chronic eczema. We can use herbal medicines, such as liquid extracts, and targeted supplements to gently balance the immune system and reduce the inflammation that damages the skin.
Supporting Gut Health
As we know, the gut plays a huge role in immune function, and many children with eczema have underlying gut imbalances. Through the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and gut-healing protocols, we work to restore balance to your child’s gut microbiome. Identifying and addressing food sensitivities or intolerances is also key, as certain foods can exacerbate gut and skin inflammation. Supporting digestive health not only reduces eczema symptoms but also helps improve overall immunity and well-being.
Restoring Skin Integrity
Eczema compromises the skin’s barrier function, making it more vulnerable to dryness, irritants, and infections. Strengthening the skin’s natural barrier is an essential part of healing. We recommend gentle, nourishing topical treatments—free from harsh chemicals—that support the skin’s ability to retain moisture and heal itself. Natural emollients and soothing herbs can help protect the skin and promote repair.
Addressing Other Individual Factors
Eczema is multifaceted, and often there are other contributing factors to consider, such as stress, nutritional deficiencies, or an imbalanced diet. Chronic stress can impact the immune system, while deficiencies in key nutrients like zinc, essential fatty acids, and vitamin D can weaken both the skin and immune health. We work with families to ensure children have a nutrient-rich diet, identify any deficiencies, and recommend supplements or lifestyle changes to support the body’s natural healing processes.
The Best Eczema Treatments
While a holistic, root-cause approach is the key to long-term healing, we understand that when your child is struggling with itchy, irritated skin, you need something to get you started right away. Thankfully, there are natural treatments that can help soothe symptoms, calm inflammation, and support healing from the outside in, while working on deeper issues like immune balance and gut health. Here are some of the best natural products and supplements that we often recommend to get your child’s eczema under control and support their skin health long-term:
Activated Probiotics - Biome Eczema
Research has shown that gut health plays an important role in managing eczema, as our immune function is closely tied to the gut. Specific probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 can help regulate the immune system. This strain, found in Activated Probiotics Biome Eczema, has been shown to reduce the severity of eczema by rebalancing the immune response. In clinical trials, children taking L. salivarius LS01 experienced a 53% reduction in eczema symptoms after 16 weeks (9).
Fish Oils
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, making them supportive for kids with eczema by reducing skin inflammation, soothing irritation, and supporting overall skin integrity. A high-quality fish oil supplement, such as Nordic Naturals Cod Liver Oil, rich in EPA and DHA, can be a powerful addition to your child’s eczema treatment plan. Omega-3s also benefit the immune system and support the body’s natural ability to regulate inflammation (10), making it a great long-term solution.
Vitamin D
Many children with eczema have been found to have low levels of vitamin D (11), a nutrient that plays a key role in both immune regulation and skin health. Supplementing with vitamin D can help support the immune system and improve the skin’s ability to heal and repair itself. Ensuring your child gets an adequate dose of vitamin D, especially during the winter months or if they spend less time outdoors, is a simple yet effective way to support eczema management (12).
However, vitamin D is one of those nutrients that can accumulate in the body if taken in excess. Too much vitamin D can be just as problematic as too little, so having a balance is key. Ideally, you should check your child’s vitamin D levels, and work with a healthcare practitioner to determine if supplementation is needed and what the right dose is for your child.
MooGoo Eczema & Psoriasis Cream
For topical relief, MooGoo Eczema & Psoriasis Cream is a fantastic option for mild eczema. This natural cream is packed with soothing ingredients like Chamomile and Centella, which help calm inflamed, irritated skin. Chamomile reduces redness and itching, while Centella, also known as Gotu Kola, supports skin healing and regeneration. This cream is gentle enough for daily use on sensitive skin and works to hydrate and restore the skin’s barrier, helping to prevent future flare-ups.
Manuka Honey
For kids dealing with infected or more severe eczema, Manuka honey can be a game changer. This powerful honey has natural antibacterial properties, making it especially helpful for kids prone to staph infections—common in eczema-affected skin. Manuka honey can be applied topically to help reduce infection, soothe irritation, and speed up healing.
When choosing Manuka honey, it’s important to look for one with a high Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating, typically 10+ or higher. The UMF number reflects the honey’s concentration of beneficial compounds that provide its antimicrobial effects. A higher UMF means stronger antibacterial activity, which can be particularly useful for preventing infections in broken or weepy eczema-affected skin.
Managing eczema in children can be challenging, but using a methodical, holistic approach aimed at identifying and treating the root cause can provide long-term relief and support overall health. By focusing on diet, lifestyle, gut health, improving the skin barrier and identifying the triggers, you can help to heal and improve your child’s eczema.
Remember, every child is unique, and finding the right combination of treatments may take time and patience. Utilising the comprehensive naturopathic approach ensures all aspects of your child’s health are considered, leading to positive, long-term outcomes.
Always consult with a paediatric naturopath or healthcare provider to ensure the treatments are safe and effective for your child.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute individual health advice. It is important to seek the advice of your primary health practitioner to assess what is right for you and your child. If you have questions of an individual nature, you are welcome to book a free chat here.
More about Children’s Naturopath Maddie Spawton:
Maddie is a dedicated naturopath and certified postpartum doula with a focus on supporting infants, children, and families. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science from Torrens University and brings additional expertise in maternal and infant health. She is passionate about preventative care during pregnancy and preconception, helping families lay the foundation for lifelong wellness.
Practising via telehealth, Maddie’s clinical work covers a range of conditions, including eczema, asthma, digestive issues, anxiety, autism and ADHD.
If you want to get in touch or have any more questions about the above, you are welcome to get in touch here or make an time for a free chat here.
If you want to keep learning, you can keep reading the research here:
Chong, A. C., Visitsunthorn, K., & Ong, P. Y. (2022). Genetic/environmental contributions and immune dysregulation in children with atopic dermatitis. Journal of Asthma and Allergy, 1681-1700. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2147/JAA.S293900
Traidl, S., Werfel, T. and Traidl-Hoffmann, C. (2021) ‘Atopic eczema: Pathophysiological findings as the beginning of a new era of therapeutic options’, Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, pp. 101–115. doi:10.1007/164_2021_492
Elmose, C., & Thomsen, S. F. (2015). Twin Studies of Atopic Dermatitis: Interpretations and Applications in the Filaggrin Era. Journal of Allergy, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/902359
Bantz, S. K., Zhu, Z., & Zheng, T. (2014). The Atopic March: Progression from Atopic Dermatitis to Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma. Journal of Clinical & Cellular Immunology, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9899.1000202
Tsuge, M., Ikeda, M., Matsumoto, N., Yorifuji, T., & Tsukahara, H. (2021). Current Insights into Atopic March. Children, 8(11), 1067. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8111067
Krupka-Olek M, Bożek A, Aebisher D, Bartusik-Aebisher D, Cieślar G, Kawczyk-Krupka A. Potential Aspects of the Use of Cytokines in Atopic Dermatitis. Biomedicines. 2024; 12(4):867. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12040867
Leo, S., Cetiner, O. F., Pittet, L. F., Messina, N. L., Jakob, W., Falquet, L., Curtis, N., & Zimmermann, P. (2023). The association between the composition of the early-life intestinal microbiome and eczema in the first year of life. Frontiers in Microbiomes, 2, 1147082. https://doi.org/10.3389/frmbi.2023.1147082
Janssens, M., van Smeden, J., Gooris, G. S., Bras, W., Portale, G., Caspers, P. J., Vreeken, R. J., Hankemeier, T., Kezic, S., Wolterbeek, R., Lavrijsen, A. P., & Bouwstra, J. A. (2012). Increase in short-chain ceramides correlates with an altered lipid organization and decreased barrier function in atopic eczema patients. Journal of lipid research, 53(12), 2755–2766. https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.P030338
Niccoli, A. A., Artesi, A. L., Candio, F., Ceccarelli, S., Cozzali, R., Ferraro, L., Fiumana, D., Mencacci, M., Morlupo, M., Pazzelli, P., Rossi, L., Toscano, M., & Drago, L. (2014). Preliminary results on clinical effects of probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 in children affected by atopic dermatitis. Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 48 Suppl 1, S34–S36. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0000000000000233
Koch, C., Dölle, S., Metzger, M., Rasche, C., Jungclas, H., Rühl, R., Renz, H., & Worm, M. (2008). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. The British journal of dermatology, 158(4), 786–792. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.08430.x
Zeng, R., Li, Y., Shen, S., Qiu, X., Chang, L., Koplin, J. J., Perrett, K. P., Dharmage, S. C., Lodge, C. J., & Lowe, A. J. (2023). Is antenatal or early-life vitamin D associated with eczema or food allergy in childhood? A systematic review. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 53(5), 511-525. https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.14281
R, S., A, S., Wong, W. H., Ho, M. H., & Darling, A. L. (2019). Vitamin D Deficiency and Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Disease Severity in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Adults and Children. Nutrients, 11(8), 1854. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081854