Many babies and children develop rashes or eczema at some point during childhood.
Eczema can itch, become sore and cause pain. Most doctors want to prescribe cortisone cream, but parents prefer to avoid this for their children since cortisone thins the skin.
Fortunately, there are many natural ways to soothe eczema on children's and baby's skin. Here are some tips from us at Glimja.
7 natural tips that soothe eczema on baby & children's skin
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is rich in the omega-6 fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and is used with good results to counteract skin irritations.
The fatty acids help the skin with its elasticity and ability to bind moisture. When you apply evening primrose oil to eczema on the skin, it helps repair the skin barrier structure and reduce inflammation.
Evening primrose oil is not greasy or sticky like other oils can feel, but is quickly absorbed by the skin. Apply it to your child when the skin is slightly damp.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is good both in cooking and on the skin in general, but also excellent for eczema since it naturally moisturizes the skin. Coconut oil can also reduce redness and prevent bacterial growth on the skin.
Choose a good brand of coconut oil that is organic and cold-pressed. Avoid coconut oils that are fragrance-free and refined.
Coconut oil's form changes according to the room temperature and becomes liquid when it's warm. If the coconut oil is solid, warm it in your hand before applying it to damp skin.
3. Aloe Vera
You've probably heard that Aloe Vera is good for sunburned skin, but it's also an excellent home remedy for eczema.
Aloe Vera provides the skin with moisture and protection against infections while soothing and promoting healing.
Apply a small amount of Aloe Vera to the eczema as needed.
4. Calendula
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) has long been used for its healing properties for skin conditions such as eczema and dry skin.
A calendula cream or calendula salve can be beneficial for eczema as it can reduce inflammation, eliminate bacteria and help the skin heal.
Ekendahls Organic Calendula Salve for Baby & Children is specially developed for sensitive children's skin and provides excellent protection for eczema, cracks, dry skin and wounds. Apply to slightly damp skin.
Organic Calendula Balm from Odylique is an organic calendula salve that is very beneficial. It contains a highly concentrated blend of repairing calendula and soothing chamomile together with coconut oil, olive oil, beeswax and shea butter. Apply this also to slightly damp skin.
5. Wet Wraps
If your child has severe eczema, it can help and provide relief with a wet wrap as it adds moisture to the skin.
Apply a good skin cream to the eczema/skin after bathing or showering when the skin is still damp. Then wrap a warm damp towel around to lock in the moisture. Let the towel stay on for as long as it feels comfortable or up to 2-4 hours.
6. Humidifier
Dry air can worsen eczema in infants and young children. The dry air is usually worse during the winter months but can become a problem at any time.
To add moisture to the air, you can use a humidifier in your child's room. Humio Luftfuktare has both a lamp and fragrance dispenser and runs quietly, making it perfect for a child's room.
![A baby lies on their stomach on a soft mat and looks upward. The baby is wearing a light brown romper and playing with a white stuffed animal.]
7. Avoid Triggers
Avoid irritating the eczema unnecessarily. You can do this by patting the skin dry with a clean towel after bathing and showering instead of drying the skin with an already used towel.
Dress your child in thin cotton clothes that breathe and are free from unnecessary chemicals. GOTS is a good organic certification to look for when buying children's clothes.
Remember to wash all new garments, bedding, blankets and towels before your child uses them. Use a natural detergent without fragrance and avoid fabric softener.
Also remember to keep the skin moisturized by applying cream regularly. A cool (not cold) bedroom is also beneficial for eczema.
8. Bonus Tip: Ready-Made Cream/Lotion
If you want a ready-made cream/salve, we recommend Odylique Organic Ultra Rich which has been developed as a moisturizer for eczema and psoriasis. It has an organic base of olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax and sea buckthorn extract and is very suitable for skin with eczema.
Odylique Baby Repair Lotion is an organic lotion developed to soothe dry skin and relieve skin with eczema in children and babies. It contains organic aloe vera juice, organic olive oil, raw organic shea butter, soothing chamomile and calendula, St. John's wort and biodynamic meadowsweet that soothes itchy skin.
We hope these tips can help soothe your child's eczema. Feel free to leave a comment if you have questions or if you have more great tips for naturally relieving eczema!
