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15 Tips to Ease Baby Allergies
When my son, Liam, was born, he had the creamiest and most delicious skin. No baby acne or cradle cap marred my newborn's face. But by the time he was 6 months, it was a different story. That's when a particularly harsh Midwestern winter settled in, and he developed bright-red bumpy cheeks. I didn't think too much of it until similar red patches erupted on his back. When I took Liam to see his pediatrician, she announced that it was eczema.
What Is Eczema?Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin rash associated with an irregularity in the body's immune system. It affects 20 percent of children in the United States, but more than half of us will have a bout of it at some point in our lifetime, says Kari C. Nadeau, MD, a pediatric allergist and immunologist at Stanford University's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, in California.
Sometimes eczema is caused by an allergic reaction. This occurs when the immune system inappropriately responds to a harmless substance, such as pollen or pet dander, as if it were an invading germ. Your body first reacts by making histamines and other chemicals, explains Dr. Nadeau. This leads to typical symptoms -- itchiness, redness and eruptions on the skin, and inflammation in the respiratory system. In babies and young kids, allergies to foods or to something in the environment present themselves first via the skin rather than the lungs or nose. But these skin reactions, such as eczema and hives, can progress to allergic rhinitis (commonly referred to as "hay fever") -- characterized by an itchy, runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing -- and asthma. "About 75 percent of children with atopic dermatitis develop allergic rhinitis, and more than 50 percent of them develop asthma," says Dr. Nadeau.
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Seriously, what about the 15 ways to ease baby allergies?
10/5/2011 12:47:04 PM Report AbuseCoconut oil works amazing for baby skin. I put it on everything- cradle cap, rashes, in her bath tub...even use it all over me. It's natural with no warnings about leaving it out of reach of children. My hands, skin, hair have never felt better. Plus I cook with it all the time so everyone reaps the benefits...even the hubby who hates lotion. I have used it in my nostrils for sinus issues and it helps...wish my little girl was old enough because I'd be packing her nose too.
5/5/2011 05:31:31 PM Report AbuseMy baby had an eczema reaction to a mango at 9 months and ever since then, it never came back. Hopefully she won't get it anymore!
10/12/2010 01:14:47 PM Report AbuseThe immune system often comes under stress from the chemicals in our environment (what we use in our homes, put on our skin and eat). Many of the baby products on the market are not really that natural. A good place to start when wanting to clear up any skin issue is to learn about what ingredients should be avoided. David Suzuki has compiled such a list: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/index.php
6/30/2010 02:18:16 PM Report Abuseclick NEXT top right corner of article referring to the next pages...
5/18/2010 12:15:26 PM Report AbuseDid I miss them? The 15 ways to ease the allergies???? Can't seem to navigate to that page.
5/12/2010 12:03:38 PM Report Abusemy 6 month does that too. I just lightly brush his face with my the palm of my hand and massage around eyes for few seconds and he stops. or he likes to hold on to his blankie and that helps to stop scratching his face. Also if that doesn't help, use warm wash cloth cloth to wipe off any dust or lint that bugs your baby, maybe some moisturizer. You can try switching your detergent and use less or two rinses instead of regular wash, and see if that helps. Also dry clothes without fabric softeners
5/5/2010 10:42:03 PM Report Abusefo real.... my baby is always scratching her face and occasionally has a runny nose... I would like to know how to make her feel better.... the doctor said there isn't much i can do
4/21/2010 09:33:44 PM Report AbuseSo where were the 15 ways to ease a baby's allergies? There are other allergies than eczema.
4/21/2010 11:47:24 AM Report Abusemy baby girl has runing nose sneezing and coughing ,
10/6/2009 04:11:41 AM Report Abuse