Advice and a plan of action for a friend who's child suffers from eczema.

It is so painful to watch your kids suffer and when the people we intrust with their care are clueless. I could tell you soooo many stories.

Keep in mind that everyone is different and this worked for Jax but it may not work for everyone with eczema.

I would defiantly have her food allergy tested to give you a base line to work from. You may be surprised at the allergies she might have that you never thought of before. Jax is allergic to dairy, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, strawberries, watermelon and on and on. Take her to a pediatric allergist that will do a scratch test AND a blood test. Most kids believe it or not are allergic to wheat and most of all dairy. Try to cut out as much of both as possible. It is hard but you can do it. READ food labels, many things that you would never suspect have both wheat and some kind of dairy in it. Stuff like gold fish crackers have both so really look into it. We have a store out here called "Sprouts" it is a health food grocery store which carries wheat free and dairy free food. Try to give her more fruits and veggies and meat and importantly less processed foods for example, hot dogs and lunch meat.It really isn't as hard as it sounds and once you start it gets easier. It is a lot easier if your family does it with her.

I would get her on Juice Plus (I have my entire family on it). They have a fruit, a veggie and a berry capsules that she can swallow or you can mix in food or a drink. This will boost her immunity like crazy and allow her body to fight the free radicals that are attacking her body. The FDA recommends that we eat 5 to 14 servings of fruits and veggies every day which no one can do so Juice Plus does this for you. It gives all the antioxidants your body needs to run properly. Juice plus also has a drink mix that you can give her with breakfast or an afternoon snack. I give it to Tanner in his bottle. You can read all about it at www.catrinasjuiceplus.com I signed up to be a distributer for my family. It is the best thing that I have found by far and I have done a ton of research on this. It is the ONLY whole food "supplement" that enters into the blood stream and doesn't pass through the body. There are a ton of real research studies that you can read on the site too.

I would also put her on an omega supplement (they have liquid fruit flavors at the store) as well as a probiotic supplement for children to help heal her intestines.

A few other things that you can do to help her on the outside is, DO NOT use soap of any kind on her except arm pits if she stinks and her private parts. Try to wash her hair as quickly as possible so the soap doesn't stay on her skin. I was once told not to give too many showers, then i was told it didn't make a difference. If you think about it water is hydrating and that is what her skin needs but not the chemicals and soap. She should also take a soak in an oatmeal bath. I use the AVENO baby oatmeal packets. I use to use 2 or 3 at a time. Do this every other night for a week. I also used the AVENO baby wash for Jaxon's hair (not sure that would work for her). When she gets out only put her dry, do not rub the water off.

I found this spray at my dermatologists office. It is from La-Roche-Posay. Thermal Spring Water... I know it sounds crazy and I thought to myself at the time I couldn't believe I just paid for spring water but I think it really works. So after you pat her dry spray it on her spots and let it soak in. Then (she might not like this) Get a big jar of AQUAPHOR healing ointment and COAT her in it. If she is having a really hard time put the steroid on her spots first then coat over it. Don't be afraid to coat it thick and let her sleep it in. Dress her super light. I hated putting steroids on Jax so I rarely did it unless he had a really bad break out.

Do not let her use lotions or perfumes, wash her clothes, sheets and towels in a "free" detergent, we used ALL Free and clear.

Keep her out of the pool and chlorine and sun for a while too. I also recommend purchasing La-Roche-Posay ANTHELIOS 15 sunscreen cream. It doesn't have any of the harsh chemicals that will irritate her.

I know it sounds like a lot but it would really help if you kept a food diary of literally everything she puts in her mouth, even if it is half of a cracker. At the end of the night or morning of the next day write down any symptoms that you saw, runny nose, scratching more, less, even behavior changes. You will be amazed.

I whole heartedly know that eczema is a condition that is on the inside and comes out through the skin. It is irritating and can be embarrassing for kids. It took me 2 years and literally 4 doctors until I finally did my own research, started bugging people and talking to homeopathic doctors in my community as much as I possibly could until ****I HEALED JAXON**** a "doctor" didn't do it, I did! It took effort, diligence, patience and love for my baby but it can be done! You can too!

Let me know if you want to order any juice plus and if there is anything else that I can help with. It has become my passion to help as many people as I can now what could help.