one day, we took her to the doctor because she had scratched herself until she was bleeding. it was absolutely heartbreaking. her little eyes had red circles around them, and i hated how everyone stared at her, wondering what was wrong. i pleaded with the doctor in tears, telling her i couldn't keep watching my little girl suffer like this. we were referred to a wonderful pediatric dermatologist and began to learn about how to manage her eczema flares and help keep her skin under control.
thankfully, we have learned several different ways to help our itchy girl. robathol oil in her bath water... sometimes, when her skin is really bad, even some bleach (i know, totally freaked me out too... turns out, a quarter of a cup in a bathtub contains less bleach than they would get in a swimming pool and it really really works and helps protect against infection). wet wraps at night, which means warmed, wet pj's with dry ones ontop to lock in moisture for her skin. and a stringent post-bath routine of applying steroid cream and vaseline to her problem spots. i still hate using steroid cream and petroleum jelly, but when her skin is flaring, it's the only thing that will work consistently and quickly to give her relief. so we still do it at times. when the eczema is worst. and i remind myself that life is all about balance.
we've cut out a ton of processed foods, put her on all natural, organic vitamins, gotten her tested for food allergies and celiac disease and only use free and clear laundry detergent and body wash. we've also learned her patterns; for some reason, every fall is her worst season. her skin tends to flare when she's eating junk; vacations and holidays are the hardest. too much sugar, processed crackers and bread, things that trigger her seasonal allergies cause her eczema to flare.
every end of summer, beginning of fall i struggle. i fight back tears as she itches endlessly and cries that her skin hurts. i worry about her friends at school wondering what is wrong with her scratchy and sometimes scabbed skin. i feel like i'm failing as a mom because she's in pain. i pray endlessly that she will be one of the ones that outgrow it.
my sister has gotten me into essential oils. she is obsessed, i mean we're talking homemade dishwasher detergent, shampoo and deoderant. i'm not as motivated, so i lean on her to give me recipes and inspire me. but i have been amazed at the difference my dabbling in essential oils has made. i used to have allergy induced migraines close to once a month. they would completely knock me out and force me to my bed to lie in the dark, with a pillow over my face. horrible. in june, i started using essential oils and i haven't had a migraine since. life changing, people. seriously! i'm so grateful. so... i began researching essential oils for my daughter's eczema. and today... i made homemade eczema butter! i followed this recipe but tweaked it a bit. and doubled the recipe so i have a nice, big batch in a couple of jars for my girl. excited to give it a try, and hopeful that it will work!
homemade eczema butter
* 1/4 c. coconut oil
* 1/4 c. shea butter
* 10 drops of lavender essential oils
* 5-10 drops of cedarwood essential oils
* 5 drops of melaluca essential oils
- using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, whip together coconut oil and shea butter until smooth.
- add oils and blend. store in a jar with a tight lid.
- use immediately after a bath or shower, and as needed.
note: i buy my coconut oil at sam's. it comes in a HUGE container and is organic and unrefined. i bought my shea butter at a local healthfood store, but i think in the future i'll purchase from amazon. my essential oils i get from my doterra obsessed sister :)
hoping this homemade blend will be helpful for my sweet girl's itchiness. if you have any eczema tips for your little ones, i'd love to hear them!
mamas of itchy children unite.
