Any ideas about an elimination diet for breastfeeding my baby who has eczema?
Hi. My dear 5 month old has bad eczema on the 'creases', in the diaper region, the thighs and chest region. I breastfeed exclusively. Has anyone ever tried a diet while breastfeeding that helped eliminate or at least improve the eczema of her child? I have tried to eliminate dairy, but so far not much has changed. Thank you.
If you are really desperate there is this elimination diet, it is pretty much the most extreme. However if you follow it for awhile and the eczema doesn't go away you know it isn't your diet, and if the eczema does go away you can slowly start adding foods back in.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t041200.asp
Or you could start by eliminating only the top 9 allergens which are said to account for 90% of all allergens:
Cow Dairy (don't forget casein and whey)
Soy (tonnes of names, look it up)
Wheat
Peanuts
Tree Nuts
Sesame Seeds
Fish (including shellfish)
Eggs (particularly the whites)
Sulphite
Toddler Educational Toys: Learning For Life
The development of a toddler depends on continuous learning. That’s why it’s very important to provide them with learning toys. Your toddler will learn many useful things that will put him ahead when he starts school in a year or two.
There are many excellent educational toddler toys available on the market today such as video games, large floor puzzles, and toys that teach colors, numbers, the alphabet, and shapes. But just purchasing a toy for your toddler isn’t sufficient. As well, you need to figure out how to maximize the benefits of these interesting, engaging toys.
The Best Use of Educational Toys
You can’t expect your toddler to learn anything just by handing him an educational toy and walking away. It’s important that you spend some time playing with the new toy along with your toddler. Show her what to push or pull to make things happen. If not, your child will just poke and prod the toy with no direction. When you play along with your child, you get the best benefits from the toy.
While you’re playing with your son or daughter, you should keep your little one’s attention span in mind. Therefore, rotate your toddler’s selection of toys occasionally. Show interest in all of the toys. If you show interest in the toy, the toddler will be more likely to show interest in it as well.
Take It Outside
Inside the home isn’t the only place that learning can occur. To help toddlers learn about the wonderful world that surrounds them, there are numerous outdoor toddler toys that will delight them. One example is an inflatable easel on which toddlers can draw their interpretation of nature using sidewalk chalk. Toddlers can learn motor skills from things like swimming pools, sporting equipment and riding toys. Toddlers can learn a lot by playing with learning toys outside.
Educational toys for toddlers are among the best toys you can buy because of the benefits they provide. It’s never too early for your child to begin learning. If you provide him with the right toys, you will help him to learn skills that will be needed in kindergarten and for the rest of his life.
New Genuine Treatment for Eczema
Nowadays every time a new drug is launched on the market, the reporters rush to announce on the evening news that a breakthrough has been realized in the health field, without considering if this is a real thing or not and so creating an unnecessary mass agitation.
These breakthroughs are not as often as they are presented to be and only from time to time scientists can say that they have really discovered something exceptionally for out health. For example in 2001, tacrolimus was approved to be used on the marked, under the brand name of Protopic. This medicine is used for treating atopic dermatitis, is the first nonsteroid treatment and seems to be quite effective. Nowadays another resembling drug has been launched on the market, known as pimecrolimus with the brand name of Elidel.
At first these drugs were used as immune modulators and they were meant to suppress the immune systemâs activity in patients who suffered an organ transplant to avoid a rejection of that organ by the body. When used as creams on the skin they do not interfere with the immune system of the body and they do their job without causing atrophy or thinning of the skin like cortisone creams do.
The bad thing about this new medication is that they give the sensation of burning skin and people have complained about this fact. This sensation generally disappears as skin heals but scientists need to work more on correcting the disadvantage this creams bring. In children aged less than two years these new creams are prohibited but it is more likely that after a few years of intense researching they will be improved and parents could use them on small children too.
The good thing about these new creams is that they are highly effective and they work even in those patients in which the topical steroids are worthless. This does not mean that the steroid based on creams will not be used any more, this means that people will have more solutions to their problems. The old creams are still useful but they need do be well prescribed considering the age of the patient and the affected area.
Unfortunately these new drugs, like the steroid creams will not cure the eczema for good because this affection seems to be inherited and will probably reappear after a few years or so. By monitoring the skin condition continuously the doctor will prescribe the needed treatment at time and the patient will resolve his problem more easily than before especially if he has more treatment options to pick from, due to the continuous progress of science.
For more resources about cause of eczema or even about nummular eczema please review http://www.eczema-info-guide.com
Groshan Fabiola
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/new-genuine-treatment-for-eczema-118412.html
All The Secrets About Herbal Eczema Treatments
Before expanding on herbal eczema treatments it would be best to fully explain what it is that eczema is and whom it preys. Eczema can prey on any person, at any age and is often associated with an allergic reaction to some allergen that is introduced into the system. The body then makes an over abundance of histamine and hence causes an allergic reaction that is sometimes seen in the form of eczema.
It is not definitely known as a genetic disorder and is sometimes associated with asthma and hay fever. Eczema can cause scarring and is known to be a source of exterior infections and discomfort of the skin. These treatments are known to alleviate a lot of these ill wanted symptoms and help prevent further attacks in the future.
The Treatment Options
There are many different kinds of treatments in today’s markets mostly in the forms of creams that help soothe the skin and provide relief. They are often assisted by a nutrient therapy to help boost immune system function as well, which is seen to improve the overall condition and aid in the effectiveness of eczema treatments. Those who have been treated with these treatments have known to have improved moods as eczema sufferers, especially children, are very unhappy due to the uncomfortable condition that affects the skin.
Too few people realize that the skin is the largest organ in the body and is just as essential than the heart if not more essential. People are able to receive heart transplants by the dozens in today’s society, getting a heart is no big deal however getting a skin transplant of any large proportions is generally unheard of.
Dosage and Ingredients of Herbal Eczema Treatments
One of the most important ingredients to herbal eczema treatments is not to scratch! Scratching can worsen your condition and cause a new level of severity in the patient. The usual ingredients in these eczema treatments are vitamin E, which has a great affect for the skin in any human but is especially effective in healing skin disorders.
Also included in the herbal eczema treatments is hydrocotyle tr, cucuma tr, vinca tr, and a cream base. Some of these ingredients vary from supplier to supplier however, the healing properties remain the same. Most of these creams suggest applying to the affected area at least three times a day but it is largely left at the discrimination of the patient.
Dane Stanton
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/all-the-secrets-about-herbal-eczema-treatments-112879.html
How To Treat Common Ailments In Newborns
When your baby arrives, the days will be so much happier. However, you must also be prepared for bad situations.
Your newborn baby is very likely to face some of the common health problems in her early days. Moms usually get overly worried and panic finding their precious newborns sick.
Below are some of extremely frequent problems your newborn baby may face, with some easy, simple and effectual solutions to them.
1. Problem: Sticky Eyes
Most of the babies suffer from this problem, wherein a thick, sticky, yellowish mucous is secreted from baby’s eyes.
Solution:
Sticky eyes are generally the outcome of blockage of lacrimal ducts (the tear ducts) in the eyes. Babies have fine lacrimal ducts so they are blocked easily.
All you need to do is dab some cotton wool in slightly warm, sterilized water (water boiled for 20 minutes and then cooled) and massage the corners of your baby’s eyes. Use different cotton wool for each eye to prevent cross infection. You may even consider applying cool tea. Place a tea bag in boiling water and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. Let the water cool down and then wipe the corners of the eyes using cotton wool. You can also gently massage around the eyes with your finger to help free the tear ducts.
2. Problem: Spitting up and Vomiting
Solution:
First, it is important for the parents to understand the difference between the two. Spitting up generally occurs soon after feeding or sometimes up to an hour after they are fed, while real vomiting means throwing up of a large amount of the feeding and it is often forceful.
Spitting up is a normal phenomenon and goes on its own as your baby’s diet changes, i.e., with the introduction of solid foods in her 5th month.
Vomiting generally occurs due to inability to burp, when your baby is full, or when there is excess of mucous in stomach. Try burping your baby more often and feed her smaller amounts. Also, avoid playing with her vigorously. Another thing you can do in such a situation is to put the baby to sleep or give her few drops of gripe water. Even if she has vomited most of the feed, you do not need to feed her again immediately after she has vomited. Try to put your baby to sleep as sleep alone do wonders in making her well. You may wake her up a little sooner than usual for the next feed. However, if your baby is repeatedly vomiting, has green-tinged bile or blood in the vomit or is running a high temperature, take her to the pediatrician.
3. Problem: Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is a common problem in newborns, caused because of inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The symptoms of gastroenteritis include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, and aches. It is a contagious disease caused by bacteria and spreads through oral-fecal route. It usually occurs in babies suffering from immuno-suppression. The symptoms generally appear within four to 48 hours of exposure to bacteria and usually last for a day or two but in severe cases can persist for up to seven days.
Solution:
The major critical consequence of this problem is dehydration due to excessive fluid loss by vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration can be fetal. You, therefore, need to administer adequate amount of fluids to your baby. You can give your baby an electrolyte solution created for children (ask your pediatrician for a recommendation). Various unflavored/flavored oral dehydration solutions, commonly known under the brand names Pedialyte, Infalyte or Kaoelectolyte are available. However, consult with your pediatrician before you administer these fluids to your baby.
Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding, as that too would help preventing dehydration, and often alone are enough to keep your baby hydrated.
Warning! Never give your baby any anti-diarrhea medication because it can have potentially serious side effects and generally is no good treating gastroenteritis.
4. Problem: Baby Jaundice or Neonatal Jaundice
Baby Jaundice or Neonatal Jaundice refers to yellowing of baby’s skin and white of the eyes on second or third day of birth. It is a very common problem in newborns, affecting about 80-90 % of babies during their first week of life.
Solution:
Baby jaundice is caused because soon after birth, baby’s liver is not efficient enough to dispose off a yellow pigment called bilirubin, formed by normal metabolic breakdown of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. As a result, bilirubin accumulates in the blood giving yellowish appearance to baby’s skin and eyes. Most of the babies do not require a treatment of jaundice, as it tends to clear up on its own when baby’s liver starts functioning efficiently.
You may fasten the recovery of your baby by the following:
⢠Give your baby a little exposure to sunlight in the early morning or late afternoon. Never expose your baby to the strong rays of the midday sun as it may cause sunburn.
⢠Feed your baby as often as possible as it would help excretion of excess bilirubin via urine.
You should always call your healthcare profession as sometimes bilirubin levels may be very high and your baby might have a specific treatment, Phototherapy. In this treatment, a baby is placed naked (with her eyes covered) in a special crib and is exposed to controlled amounts of ultra violet light. Ultra violet breaks down the pigment levels in the skin and helps recover jaundice. In another version of treatment, the baby is wrapped in a fiber-optic blanket called a bili-blanket or bili-pad. You may hire a bili-blanket with your doctor’s prescription and treat your baby at home.
5. Problem: Common Cold
Almost every baby suffers from runny nose very now and then. This is a mild viral infection that occurs very frequently in babies because their immune system is not very well developed yet.
Solution:
There is no medicine, which can kill the virus causing common cold and cure cold. However, you can comfort your baby and prevent infection go worse by ensuring that she gets plenty of rest and by giving a plenty of fluid (frequently feeding the baby).
You can ease her congestion by:
⢠Administer a few saline drops in baby’s nostrils to loosen up the mucous and after a few minutes suck the saline using a rubber bulb saline.
⢠Washing baby’s nose with warm water containing menthol or eucalyptus oil may also help unclog her nose. You can even make her inhale steam, either plane or containing eucalyptus oil vapors.
⢠You can make her sleep with head slightly elevated by placing a towel under crib’s mattress. This will help prevent postnasal drip.
⢠You can apply petroleum jelly outside her nostrils to lessen irritation.
⢠In case your baby is running temperature as well, you can give her infant’s acetaminophen. Never give your baby aspirin because it makes babies susceptible to Reye’s syndrome.
Warning! Never use nasal spays on babies unless prescribed by your healthcare professional.
6. Problem: Colic
Many babies have crying attacks in the evening, usually between 6 pm and 9 pm. They cry loudly, stretch their legs up and turn bright red. These attacks are termed as âcolic’ and can last for hours.
Solution:
Colic or crying attacks are generally caused when the babies have excess of gas in their tummies. In this case, you can consider doing the following:
⢠Ensure that your baby is not swallowing air from a bottle.
⢠Burp your baby frequently even while breastfeeding.
⢠Try giving your baby gripe water, other herbal remedies including as weak teas brewed from fennel, chamomile, or carom (ajovan) seeds.
⢠Some babies also get gas due to inability to digest lactose, a constituent of milk (lactose intolerance). Changing baby’s milk can make the baby do better.
⢠If you breastfeed, try changing your diet since it has an influence on milk you produce. Try eliminating spicy foods, beans, potatoes, high-fiber grains and caffeine and see if your baby does better.
⢠If your baby is on formula, you can try Soy based formula as it is hypoallergenic.
You can make your baby calm by making her suck a pacifier, gently massaging, talking outside for a walk. You can also try feeding your baby since many babies cry and fuss from hunger.
7. Problem: Twitching, Acne and Dry Skin
Solution:
Most babies tend to jerk while asleep. This kind of twitching arises because their nervous system is still developing and does not require any treatment; it tends to disappear once baby’s nervous system is fully developed.
Many babies get acne, usually towards the end of the first month. This is particularly distressing to many new parents. The acne is most probably caused due to exposure of baby to her mom’s hormones when inside mom’s womb. Treatment normally requires cleansing baby’s skin by clean, wet washcloth. If required gently wash your baby’s face with mild baby soap once a day and avoid laundering the crib sheets in harsh detergents.
Some babies have a very dry skin that usually peels off especially on the hands and feet. You can massage/apply baby lotion. Put some baby lotion on cotton and gently apply on baby’s skin. However, since in some cases, it may be a severe condition called eczema, it is advisable to seek your doctor’s advice.
Hope you get these tips helpful!
Adwina Jackson
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/how-to-treat-common-ailments-in-newborns-60546.html