Skin allergies and eczema are all too real an issue for little ones today. If you are a parent that has been there or is still experiencing restless, scratchy nights with your little one, you are not alone. We caught up with Sanchita Daswani, Nutrition Consultant for babies and toddlers who focuses on guiding and empowering parents to confidently offer meals to their kids while helping parents balancing complex skin and other health issues.
Photo Credit: Sanchita and her twins cooking at home
First, lets break things down simply; There are two main causes for Eczema:
-Genetics
-Food sensitivities
When a child has eczema, it is an external sign that something is amiss internally. The intestinal wall is normally a barrier that keeps food particles and toxins inside your digestive tract. When this is compromised then tiny gaps begin to appear between the cells of the lining. Therefore, this allows food particles to escape (leak) from the intestine to the blood stream – which causes an allergic response resulting in eczema or other symptoms associated with food sensitivities. Healing the body internally through an elimination diet and strengthening of the gut can help create a harmonious balance internally.
Common triggers that exacerbate eczema:
-Dry environment
-Dust, pollen, pet dander
-Fragrances, chemicals
Therefore, it is advised for all kids and adults with eczema to dress in loose, comfortable clothing. Cotton or linen are the best fabric options compared to polyester, nylon, wool that can be harsh on the skin. Any chemicals in the typical laundry detergents, soaps and fabric softeners must be avoided. While the body is being healed internally and externally, it is important to not trigger the skin with any additional irritants.
Malabar Baby products are very popular with those who have sensitive skin as their clothing to bedding are made with natural Indian cotton that is chemical free, breathable and therefore is kind on sensitive skin. We are also big fans of Ecostore soap and laundry detergent.
How to help prevent eczema flareups internally?
The best thing we can do is to provide the gut with good bacteria and make the intestinal lining stronger. Here are some easy recipes from Sanchita to help you in your own kitchen!
Sanchita firmly believes that while managing any flare ups externally, the main thing we need to work on is what is going on inside the body. Contact Sanchita if you need help identifying what is triggering flare ups in you little ones body and if there are some home-remedies that can make your daily routine more comfortable. Also, watch this space for more recipes coming soon!
