Re: Eczema questions

[Guest guest]

there won't be any single underlying cause but you will find that by

addressing metals transport, essential fatty acids, yeast and

digestive efficency that acceptable progress can be made.

my own exeprience of excema is that omega 6's and zinc are important.

it would help if you described your child a little more.if he has

amalgams that is another problem area. digestive issues really

require looking at stools ........

> Hi - this is my first day on this board, and I'll state up front my

> 17 mo son is not autistic. I was referred to Karyn Seroussi's book

> because of it's information about finding out the " why " behind the

> problem, and for me it has shed a ray of hope in finding out the

> underlying cause for my son's chronic ezcema. It appears that his

> problem may be related to much of what I read in Karyn's book. It

> just makes sense. I've struggled with food intolerances and

> ezcema/migraines for so long that I'm ready to find an answer for

> myself as well.

>

> I ache for all of you as I read about what you go through in your

> search for help for your autistic children. I too have gone to bed

> in tears of frustration not knowing how to help my little guy who

is

> scratching himself bloody in his crib. We've tried steriod creams,

> cortisone, and Elidel, but nothing helps consistently. I don't want

> to keep treating the symptoms - I want to know what's causing this!

>

> Would someone have suggestions of where we should start? My

thoughts

> were to go a CFGF diet, but I'm also wondering about the role of

> yeast and the use of enzymes - which ones - and when. I'd really

> like to learn from your experiences so I won't waste a lot of time.

>

> We have no insurance so I don't have resources to go have lots of

> test run or consult with health professionals (although from what

> I've read to date you all are much more knowledgeable about this

than

> most of them are!). I just want to help my son - and would greatly

> appreciate any advice you can offer.

>

> Thanks in advance,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Everyday I watch a show that has a Dr. giving advice.He states that eczema is

caused by yeast.Oil of oregano should help. Also,I have had migraines for over

20 years(cyclic). I just had a doozy of a headache recently and actually went to

the hospital because I felt like I had a brain tumor.Nothing they did helped.

The neurologist was useless. I went to the alternative pharmacy I frequent and

bought myself a bottle of feverfew tincture. In 20 minutes,I was headache free!

R

[Guest guest]

Well, let's see how to describe him...

I breastfed him for about 6 months, then he went to raw goats milk

until about 12 mo, then switched to cows milk. He is currently 17

months old and drinks cows milk occasionally, preferring apple or

grape juice. He does eat cottage cheese and plain yogurt. And he

eats crackers, cereals, oatmeal, breads, etc. along with fruits and

veggies. Not much in the way of junk food and almost no sweets.

He has had some vaccinations (hep B x2, DTaP x3, HIB x3, and IPV x3

all done by age 7 months) but I've not had any more done since then

(no MMR). No amalgams (I assume you mean fillings).

His skin problems began at about 2-3 months of age with wet patches

in arm and knee pits or behind ears. I would treat that type with

bactriban or OTC neosporin type of ointment with some success.

Gradually more rash would appear, not consistenly responsive to other

types of medications. It comes and goes - sometimes it is unbearable

over most of his body, but when it subsides it still lingers around

his hands and ankles, a source of intense itching. Rash varies -

sometimes it's bumpy with fluid, other times it's a single spot with

pus, on trunk mostly a fine rash. I can't use soaps on him, so I

bathe him in Keri oil or something similar and use Vaseline,

Aquaphor, or Cetaphil cream for moisturizing. There was a time

before 1 year of age that I was rubbing Evening Primrose oil on his

feet (I read about EFAs) but again didn't see much change so I

discontinued it. I don't think I tried it orally. He's only had one

course of antibiotics and that was a couple of months ago - his dr

suggested we try it for skin infections to see if it would help

rash. Some slight improvement but not enough to warrant more. I did

supplement with acidopholis during the course.

We discovered through trial and error that he his skin is extremely

sensitive to polyester and acrylic fabrics so we have practically

eradicated our home of these items, but he still comes into contact

occasionally outside the home. I think that's why his hands are

usually a mess - that and touching foods that irritate his skin.

Again, I know this is just a symptom we're treating here.

As far as bowels go, he usually has several dirty diapers a day, most

are very soft, occasionally like diarrhea (I think when he has too

much applesauce or fresh apple and would smell like vinegar). We do

notice occasional undigested food such as grapes, blueberries, sweet

potatoes or green beans but I previously just accredited it to poor

chewing. Any time I feed him steamed spinach his bowels turn very

dark and sometimes has a somewhat grainy texture. There was a time I

think around a year old when the bowels were fairly firm. I wasn't

keeping good notes back then to notice what I was doing differently.

(I don't recall there being much change in bowels when we switched

from goat to cow milk). I did try pancreatic enzymes for a short

time a few months ago when I first began reading about the possible

connection between undigested food and allergic reactions. I think

his bowels did firm up somewhat at that time.

I know my efforts in the past have been sloppy and inconsistent

(sigh), mostly out of ignorance on what to do. I am familiar with

food sensitivities (I am sensitive to corn, peanuts, and citrus and

have been so since early childhood) and I have tried to keep an eye

on what he eats in regard to those types of foods. But I also

suspect I have a yeast problem (long term antibiotic usage as a teen

for acne)that was perhaps passed on to him?

Sorry this is so jumbled - it's hard to put down in a few sentences

all we've gone through in the past year. If there is specific info

you still need let me know. Thanks again for your time,

(PS in regard to your comments below, is there a particular order

that I attack the different areas - EFAs, yeast, digestion. What

form of zinc is used - topical or oral? This is probably where I

need the most help right now - where do I start?

> there won't be any single underlying cause but you will find that

by

> addressing metals transport, essential fatty acids, yeast and

> digestive efficency that acceptable progress can be made.

>

> my own exeprience of excema is that omega 6's and zinc are

important.

>

> it would help if you described your child a little more.if he has

> amalgams that is another problem area. digestive issues really

> require looking at stools ........

>

[Guest guest]

Reading your last posting, I think houston enzymes would be a good

start.

then introduce probiotics. Maybe Culturelle and a more broad spectrum

one like Kirkman ProBio gold. Also put a little sheep or goat yoghurt

in with his milk. You could also try making kefir and mixing that

with his milk.

If the diarrhoea is still bad, try yeast control measures. other

people on the list know much more about this than I do.

Once he's okay with them, put some evening primrose in his milk, 1

cap per bottle. But DON'T give it before you want him to sleep. Don't

worry about other omega 6s until his diarrhoea is resolved.

Next, you should probably also get some cod liver oil from Kirkman.

Get the lemon flavoured stuff and put 0.25 tsp into each bottle. Once

it runs out replace it with an EPA-rich oil, but for now its

important he gets plenty of DHA.

That's plenty to go on with.

> Well, let's see how to describe him...

> I breastfed him for about 6 months, then he went to raw goats milk

> until about 12 mo, then switched to cows milk. He is currently 17

> months old and drinks cows milk occasionally, preferring apple or

> grape juice. He does eat cottage cheese and plain yogurt. And he

> eats crackers, cereals, oatmeal, breads, etc. along with fruits and

> veggies. Not much in the way of junk food and almost no sweets.

>

> He has had some vaccinations (hep B x2, DTaP x3, HIB x3, and IPV x3

> all done by age 7 months) but I've not had any more done since then

> (no MMR). No amalgams (I assume you mean fillings).

>

> His skin problems began at about 2-3 months of age with wet patches

> in arm and knee pits or behind ears. I would treat that type with

> bactriban or OTC neosporin type of ointment with some success.

> Gradually more rash would appear, not consistenly responsive to

other

> types of medications. It comes and goes - sometimes it is

unbearable

> over most of his body, but when it subsides it still lingers around

> his hands and ankles, a source of intense itching. Rash varies -

> sometimes it's bumpy with fluid, other times it's a single spot

with

> pus, on trunk mostly a fine rash. I can't use soaps on him, so I

> bathe him in Keri oil or something similar and use Vaseline,

> Aquaphor, or Cetaphil cream for moisturizing. There was a time

> before 1 year of age that I was rubbing Evening Primrose oil on his

> feet (I read about EFAs) but again didn't see much change so I

> discontinued it. I don't think I tried it orally. He's only had

one

> course of antibiotics and that was a couple of months ago - his dr

> suggested we try it for skin infections to see if it would help

> rash. Some slight improvement but not enough to warrant more. I

did

> supplement with acidopholis during the course.

>

> We discovered through trial and error that he his skin is extremely

> sensitive to polyester and acrylic fabrics so we have practically

> eradicated our home of these items, but he still comes into contact

> occasionally outside the home. I think that's why his hands are

> usually a mess - that and touching foods that irritate his skin.

> Again, I know this is just a symptom we're treating here.

>

> As far as bowels go, he usually has several dirty diapers a day,

most

> are very soft, occasionally like diarrhea (I think when he has too

> much applesauce or fresh apple and would smell like vinegar). We

do

> notice occasional undigested food such as grapes, blueberries,

sweet

> potatoes or green beans but I previously just accredited it to poor

> chewing. Any time I feed him steamed spinach his bowels turn very

> dark and sometimes has a somewhat grainy texture. There was a time

I

> think around a year old when the bowels were fairly firm. I wasn't

> keeping good notes back then to notice what I was doing

differently.

> (I don't recall there being much change in bowels when we switched

> from goat to cow milk). I did try pancreatic enzymes for a short

> time a few months ago when I first began reading about the possible

> connection between undigested food and allergic reactions. I think

> his bowels did firm up somewhat at that time.

>

> I know my efforts in the past have been sloppy and inconsistent

> (sigh), mostly out of ignorance on what to do. I am familiar with

> food sensitivities (I am sensitive to corn, peanuts, and citrus and

> have been so since early childhood) and I have tried to keep an eye

> on what he eats in regard to those types of foods. But I also

> suspect I have a yeast problem (long term antibiotic usage as a

teen

> for acne)that was perhaps passed on to him?

>

> Sorry this is so jumbled - it's hard to put down in a few sentences

> all we've gone through in the past year. If there is specific info

> you still need let me know. Thanks again for your time,

>

>

>

> (PS in regard to your comments below, is there a particular order

> that I attack the different areas - EFAs, yeast, digestion. What

> form of zinc is used - topical or oral? This is probably where I

> need the most help right now - where do I start?

>

>

> > there won't be any single underlying cause but you will find that

> by

> > addressing metals transport, essential fatty acids, yeast and

> > digestive efficency that acceptable progress can be made.

> >

> > my own exeprience of excema is that omega 6's and zinc are

> important.

> >

> > it would help if you described your child a little more.if he has

> > amalgams that is another problem area. digestive issues really

> > require looking at stools ........

> >

[Guest guest]

Epsom salt baths. We had to alter our son's diet, now we use enzymes. I still

only use Dreft for all our laundry and we changed our soap and lotions to Aubrey

Organics the vegederm line. We drink our Ojibwa tea at night and use probiotics.

My son had eczema from the day he was born ( it was ugly red and raised) until

about age 2 when he'd been on the diet (no infractions) for a month or so. Now

his cheeks are my first indicator that something is amiss. He has a beautiful

complexion for the most part now. His father who was prescribed every medication

under the sun for his chronic acne problem, for the first time also has a

beautiful complexion (at the age of 30). He is fair skinned with red hair and

blue eyes. Some of the prescriptions the dermatologist tried on my husband

caused nausea, dizziness, etc. No prescriptions for him now, just eating what

ph eats, using enzymes and the vegederm shampoos and soap and drinking the

Ojibwa tea. Good luck, I know it's painful to watch your child suffer, and I

know it's expensive to do all these things. Luckily all the things we do don't

require insurance. But it does get expensive.

Eczema questions

Hi - this is my first day on this board, and I'll state up front my

17 mo son is not autistic. I was referred to Karyn Seroussi's book

because of it's information about finding out the " why " behind the

problem, and for me it has shed a ray of hope in finding out the

underlying cause for my son's chronic ezcema. It appears that his

problem may be related to much of what I read in Karyn's book. It

just makes sense. I've struggled with food intolerances and

ezcema/migraines for so long that I'm ready to find an answer for

myself as well.

I ache for all of you as I read about what you go through in your

search for help for your autistic children. I too have gone to bed

in tears of frustration not knowing how to help my little guy who is

scratching himself bloody in his crib. We've tried steriod creams,

cortisone, and Elidel, but nothing helps consistently. I don't want

to keep treating the symptoms - I want to know what's causing this!

Would someone have suggestions of where we should start? My thoughts

were to go a CFGF diet, but I'm also wondering about the role of

yeast and the use of enzymes - which ones - and when. I'd really

like to learn from your experiences so I won't waste a lot of time.

We have no insurance so I don't have resources to go have lots of

test run or consult with health professionals (although from what

I've read to date you all are much more knowledgeable about this than

most of them are!). I just want to help my son - and would greatly

appreciate any advice you can offer.

Thanks in advance,

[Guest guest]

did you have amalgams in pregnacy or during nursing?

the issues are systemic and at least partly immune related by the

look of it.

is the diet vegetarian?

you had a response in the right direction with pancreatic enzymes.

you can also get enzymes that work in the stomach rather than the

intestine http://216.114.78.114/webcenter/sites/hni/

they can help with yeast and digestion.

a ddi hair elements test http://www.doctorsdata.com

gives a profile of minerals and toxic elements, your son may have

problems with a disordered minerals transport system and low zinc

copper ratio, zinc is an important anti fungal and can be displaced

by too much copper and vice versa.

theres no instant answers but by looking around the message boards

http://members.tripod.com/mueller_ranges/links/as_links.html

you can get a fair idea. most supplement doses are way to high so

things like selenium as per that link can work out not costing a lot

by opening a capsule and only using a portion.

zinc chelate or zinc methionine, .1mg/lb? twice or three times a

day? zinc and selenium are synergistic.

vitamin a, d helps some kids, iodine, magnesium, keffir........

[Guest guest]

> Hi - this is my first day on this board, and I'll state up front my

> 17 mo son is not autistic. I was referred to Karyn Seroussi's book

> because of it's information about finding out the " why " behind the

> problem, and for me it has shed a ray of hope in finding out the

> underlying cause for my son's chronic ezcema.

For one of my kids, it would mean he was eating a food or supplement

he did not tolerate, or he had yeast.

http://www.danasview.net/yeast.htm

> I ache for all of you as I read about what you go through in your

> search for help for your autistic children. I too have gone to bed

> in tears of frustration not knowing how to help my little guy who is

> scratching himself bloody in his crib. We've tried steriod creams,

> cortisone, and Elidel, but nothing helps consistently. I don't want

> to keep treating the symptoms - I want to know what's causing this!

For an itchy rash, consider celiac DH as a possibility

http://www.celiac.com/index.html

Dana

[Guest guest]

> He has had some vaccinations (hep B x2, DTaP x3, HIB x3, and IPV x3

> all done by age 7 months) but I've not had any more done since then

> (no MMR). No amalgams (I assume you mean fillings).

My son is autistic from a single HepB vax, at two days old. Your

child had two of these?

You can consider testing him for metals

http://www.danasview.net/chelate.htm

> It comes and goes - sometimes it is unbearable

> over most of his body, but when it subsides it still lingers around

> his hands and ankles, a source of intense itching.

This sounds quite a lot like celiac DH

http://www.celiac.com/index.html

> (I don't recall there being much change in bowels when we switched

> from goat to cow milk). I did try pancreatic enzymes for a short

> time a few months ago when I first began reading about the possible

> connection between undigested food and allergic reactions. I think

> his bowels did firm up somewhat at that time.

Then you might want to try enzymes again. Two main suppliers

http://www.houstonni.com/

http://www.kirkmanlabs.com/

> on what he eats in regard to those types of foods. But I also

> suspect I have a yeast problem (long term antibiotic usage as a teen

> for acne)that was perhaps passed on to him?

For one of my kids, rash is caused by food/supplement he does not

tolerate, or yeast. For the foods you have indicated, consider

phenols

http://www.danasview.net/phenol.htm

http://www.danasview.net/yeast.htm

Dana

[Guest guest]

I have looked into celiac

> disease, but I can't find a picture of the rash

> anywhere to compare it to the one my son has.

You can look here

http://www.celiac.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html?p_catid=10

Dana

[Guest guest]

omega sixes(efa) and zinc can help. most likely there are other

issues, a ddi hair test would help. does he have any digestive

issues?

skin is built from the inside out so applying things externally is

not going to solve much.

neither are meds.

[Guest guest]

My daughter had HORRIBLE eczema (shoulda been a sign that she

shouldn't have gotten a vaccine, but I was stoopid at the time)...

The pediatric allergist scratch tested her for milk, wheat and eggs.

SHE IS ALLERGIC TO EGGS. We removed eggs. (I was researching the

GFCF diet at the time, and I told the allergist that testing positive

to wheat and milk would have made my decision for me, but I knew then

that the reason for the GFCF diet isn't food allergy, not in autism,

anyway)

We removed eggs. Saw some improvement.

Approximately 3 months later, I made the move to go GFCF. The

HORRIBLE eczema actually WORSENED. Alyssa had bloody spots on the

tops of her hands and feet from scratching (like raw meat), and her

FACE was red and blotchy and the skin around her eyes was pitiful.

I've had problems w/ eczema all my life (I'll be 40 next month) and

all my dermatologists told my parents it was not food related.

POPPYCOCK!

We went BACK to the pediatric allergist, who said she was too young

to test further. Alyssa was 24 months old.

So, I spent the summer of 2001 eliminating foods. In addition to

going GFCF and removing eggs, I removed apples, oranges, corn and

tomatoes.

Late in the summer, I kept noticing some odd places of eczema, like

her shoulder blades and thighs, and I took a look at her clothing.

Decided to remove any polyester. Odd places cleared up, TOTALLY.

One Sunday, I grabbed an outfit for church that I thought was 100%

cotton. WRONG. WE got home and Alyssa had " burned " places on her

shoulderblades and thighs. I looked at the tag on the outfit. It

was 60% cotton/ 40% poly. NO MORE BLENDS, we go 100% cotton on

everything now.

My daughter's skin is BEAUTIFUL now.

I believe that because Alyssa's gut is leaky, when we removed the

opiate effect of gluten and casein proteins/peptides from her diet,

foods that she is allergic to were dumping out of her gut into her

bloodstream and reacting onto her skin.

> : My nephew has a patch of eczema on his head, and has had

it for

> almost 2 years, he is 6 yrs old. My sister in law, has had him to

two

> derminalogists, and her family dr. He has been given oral meds and

different

> shampoo ideas such as T-gel by Neutragena, and others, but it wont

go away.

> Not to sound too gross, but it is flaky and really thick, and its

just in one

> spot. Any ideas about this, what she could use on him, I had no

idea that

> this could be caused by a food allergy.

>

> Any thoughts from anyone would be great.

>

> Thanks, Rhonda

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn!

Are you breastfeeding? If so, try putting breastmilk on the eczema. I have

an article that says it is good for pinkeye and ear infections, so maybe it

would help eczema. Breastmilk contains live antibodies.

I also have a book that recommends oil of oregano (rub on lesions twice

daily) and also apply pure extra virgin olive oil. It states that MDs regularly

recommend cortisone, which depresses immunity and increases the risk of fungal

and bacterial infection. (The Cure is in the Cupboard: Oregano)

Another book, Miracle Cures from the Bible, says eliminating food such as

cow's milk, eggs, tomatoes, artificial colors, and food preservatives would help

up to 3/4 of children with moderate to severe eczema. Flaxseed oil is

recommended (consumed). With an infant, one would want to limit the quantity of

each

of these, and even limit use to topical application.

My daughter had a terrible struggle with Candida two years ago. She

successfully used a regimen which included coconut oil (caprylic acid).

Hope you find something that works.

Elaine