Try This Not That: Alternatives for Eczema Treaments, Help for Dry Skin Part 2

In my last post I reviewed some possible alternative treatments for Eczema and dry skin. We will continue to look at other options in this post.

With regard to topical ointments: it’s difficult to find things that work as fast, or as efficient as a steroid. What is great about steroids is their efficiency, they do an amazing job clearing up skin that is having an allergic reaction. What is not so great about them is the harmful side effects that can be immediate, or long term.

My girls like to feel as though I’m doing something to help them when they are struggling with the itchys. Most kids do. That is why band aids are the first thing a child wants when they have a boo-boo that isn’t visible. Children like the action of someone fixing a problem in a tangible or visible way. This is where our topical ointments come in, at least in my family. I’ve tried everything there is to try on the shelf at mass retailers and drugstores. While there are some that have been great, there are other creams, or ointments that I wouldn’t suggest anyone try.

Oddly enough two of my favorite "steroid ointment alternative" products can be found in your kitchen!

I absolutely LOVE olive oil for everyones skin: Something I’ve done for my girls since nearly a few weeks of age is to use olive oil rather than baby oil. It still calms the skin but also nourishes in a way that I think is a far better.

I try to (carefully) use it in the bath when possible with my girls. Two capfuls with a full tub of water will allow for softer more soothed skin. Obviously my suggestion is to make sure you clean the tub immediately after the bath to avoid accidents for the next in line at the shower!

The second product that I love is vitamin E. A capsule, or if you can find a health food store that sells variations, a cream that is pure does a wonderful job for healing eczema. The capsules are the best if you have small patches that need attention. Break a capsule with the end of a pin, or needle (sterilized) and squeeze the gel onto a cotton swab for easy application to the area.

The third product I love is something that I use for EVERYTHING! I am smitten with this product and I believe everyone should have at least one bottle in their homes. The company California Baby sells a product called Diaper Area Wash, this stuff is amazing. Its primary intended use is for diaper cleanings as an alternative to baby wipes. It works well for diaper changes, as well as bug bite itchys, burns, cuts, scrapes and eczema. The two things I love most about it are:

1. I don’t have to touch my daughters eczema to apply something that gives instant relief.
2. I use it for more than one thing, so if there are times that she doesn’t have eczema, it’s not sitting on my shelf unused, taking up space.

The smell is amazing, and it doesn’t take much for an effect. All of my girls swear by this product. Each of them love the fact that it is a fun spray and they like that it helps immediately! This is one of the things I suggest you get to take with you in the event of a road-trip, or day out. You’ll be glad you did!

Some other alternatives to steroids are aloe, and calendula. I know that for my middle daughter calendula is a wonderful thing. We use the California Baby calendula based creams, and their pure Calendula cream too. My oldest complains that the calendula cream doesn’t work so well for her. Since everyone is different I will mention the option. Hopefully it’s a product that will provide relief for you. You can find calendula creams on the internet (see the "My Favorites" box) and at your local health food store.

Aloe is a wonderful soothing alternative, but I will offer this caution: If you have allergies to trees/pollen/environmental allergies in general -- be careful with aloe. While research is not consistent, I have seen reports that state Aloe can cause, or worsen allergies. 


I understand very well the struggles with eczema. While the above mentioned alternatives may not work for everyone, I suggest you try them. Once you use them regularly they will likely provide some relief, and that will at bare minimum cut down on the need for steroid applications. Over the course of my natural alternative posts there will be other options that will address eczema. It's a battle that seems to never end in our home. On the days we have control over the eczema there is better sleep, better attitudes, and happier people in our home! I hope that the above suggestions allow for the same in your home!!

As always, check with your Dr. before trying any new treatment that they may not have prescribed!

Try This Not That: Alternatives for Eczema Treaments, Help for Dry Skin Part 1

One of the first signs my three daughters show of allergies is eczema. When my oldest started having trouble with eczema both the Pediatrician and I thought it was cradle cap. Once it “hung around” for a while, and her body's dry skin became more and more dry it was apparent that this was eczema. There are several reasons for eczema to occur. Please understand, I’m not suggesting that if you have a child, or you yourself suffer from eczema that you have an allergy issue.

However, this post isn’t allergy specific, so you can use the tips below to find some relief!

It’s common that the Dr. will send an eczema patient home with a topical cream, usually if not always they are steroid based ointments. While, as I’ve said in my previous post, I believe that there are some times that there is a need for a medicine; it’s not a belief of mine that eczema is always one of these cases. I have seen severe eczema with my oldest daughter, my middle daughter has a pretty strong case of it, where her skin cracks and my youngest has rough skin from time to time. I do realize there are cases where the only thing that will work is steroids. If you are in that boat, I extend my sympathy. If you are not, or even if you are you can hopefully find use of the alternatives I list here.

One thing I have noticed that helps my girls is changing the products that I use for bath time. The month after my daughter was diagnosed with allergies, I changed the products we use in our home for cleaning, bath time, and laundry. I cannot emphasize the difference it made in my children's allergies when I transferred to green products. I had an idea that it would help, but I never expected it to be such a dynamic part of their healing. I use products for bath and massage time by California Baby, they are in my recommendation box on the right of my blog homepage, under "My Favorites". Their products are amazing! They are slightly pricier than the mainstream products you’ll find in the mass retailers, but you use far less than other brands. I find their products last longer, make a big difference in the quality of my girls skin and most of all they are gentle, allergy friendly and comforting to my kids.

Method also makes a wonderful nearly all green bath line, they are not quite as gentle for my older daughter but they are remarkable for my younger girls. California Baby and Method are both gluten free product lines. California Baby steers clear of the Major 8, while Method generally keeps away from common irritants. Always read the label, yes, even on toiletries!

I have found a lot of times when my oldest has an allergic reaction, she has a severe outbreak with her eczema. During those times I try to throw her in a bath:

One bath time trick I use is an Epsom salt bath. A friend of mine suggested this a while back. I am amazed at the change that takes place in ten minutes of a bath with salts.  I purchase the store brand and mix according to the label -- do NOT use any other kind of salt! Epsom salt has special ingredients to treat the skin, healing it in a way that table, rock, or sea salt cannot. My girls absolutely adore a good “salt bath”. From a parents standpoint-- it’s easier to clean than the oats (see below) so you will likely fall in love with them too. The price on Epsom salts is hard to beat, therefore, I suggest you try this alternative first.

My second bath time trick is oats and warm water. It is an incredibly soothing experience. You’ll find that the oats take away the swelling, the itching, and the redness all at once. I always use the off brand at the store closest to me. They have several versions and there is generally a very clear label that it is for eczema. The oat baths are great, because the child can stay in it as long as they like.

A less expensive alternative to the store bought oat bath pack is making your own. If you purchase rolled, or steel cut oats just toss them in the blender and blend until they become fine and almost powder-like.

There are some reports that say you should not bathe your child nightly if they have eczema - the less time in the water the better. Other reports say that nightly baths with lots of cream is best. My experience is: it depends on the child! I have one who I think could live in the water and her skin be healthier because of it, my other daughter should really be in a tub no more than twice a week, because we begin to have severe problems with eczema. My girls that cannot bathe allot I have found love a shower just as much, and it is gentle enough to increase the amount of times a week they are bathed.

When bath time is complete I “cream them up”. Again, I use California baby products for this. Without completely drying their skin after bath time, I slather them in cream, then place long pants, long sleeve shirts and a good pair of socks on them. It makes everyone all cozy and ready for bed.

As always, check with your Dr. before trying any new treatment that they may not have prescribed!

Try This, Not That : A Cheat Sheet to Alternative Treatments for Allergies

Those that know me, will attest that I am notorious for not liking medicinal treatments. Period. Regardless of the reason, there are few things that I will "accept" a drug for, when I can use an Alternative Treatment instead.
My point is simple: I believe firmly that the less chemical enhanced, chemical based substances we put into our bodies and into the environment in which we live- the healthier we will be in the long run, and the better we will feel at the end of the day. This includes medicines, cosmetics, food, household cleaners, and even the containers we store our foods in.

 That isn't to say I haven't given my daughters more than enough anti-histamines that are over the counter, or prescription based drugs in their short lives. I feel that these medicines are useful, and can certainly help and save lives. I equally feel that there are other options, that if you can catch an allergic reaction in time, can be as effective without the side effects.

Throughout my blogging, I will be doing an assortment of pages that are "Try This Not That" - the goal being to introduce you to alternatives that are not medicine or chemical based. They are sometimes a product you may know well, and that most everyone has heard of. Other times it will be an item that you may not know you can use for allergies, or an alternative that you have never heard of.

 My ultimate goal is to glean from you, as you share your alternatives, and you to have a "tool box" to pull from when searching for the best help for your allergy experience. Feel free to bring your concerns to me, and see if I have an alternative I use. I want to make this part of my blog a discussion section. I hope you enjoy it! I am certainly looking forward to the upcoming posts I'll be writing and sharing!