Treating Skin problems and Eczema in Kids with Homeopathy

Different kinds of skin problems are quite common in kids. Some of the important ones include eczema (atopic dermatitis), diaper rash, and cradle cap. Certain viral infections can lead to skin rashes in children (like measles, chicken pox, molluscum contagiosum, HFMD – Hand, foot and mouth disease). It may also occur from fungal infections like ringworm and bacterial infections (like impetigo and scarlet fever). Other causes include scabies, urticaria (hives) and rash from an allergic reaction. Depending on the cause behind the skin infection, the signs and symptoms may include dry skin, rash or eruptions (bumps) on the skin, itching, burning, oozing fluid, scaling, skin peeling, ulcers, skin discoloration, excessive skin redness and fever.

Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathy offers a very safe and effective treatment for skin problems and eczema in kids. The homeopathic medicines work in the most natural way to treat these conditions with zero side effects making them very safe to use in kids. These work magnificently in healing skin rashes/eruptions and relieving any associated itching if present. The most suitable medicine is selected individually for every kid depending on the cause and signs and symptoms present. It is advised to use homeopathic medicine under supervision of a homeopathic physician.

Top Homeopathic Medicines

1. Graphites – Top Remedy

Graphites is a top recommended medicine for skin problems especially eczema in kids. It is very effective when skin is very rough and dry. Cracks on the skin may also be present. Next it is highly beneficial for skin eruptions or rash oozing sticky, gluey matter. Itching is felt on the affected skin area. It is also of great help when infection is in the skin folds, for example bends of elbow, bends of knee, neck fold, behind ears and groins. This medicine is well indicated for diaper rash in babies.

2. Sulphur – With Marked Itching

Sulphur is very useful in managing skin issues with marked itching. Skin eruptions may appear where it is required. There may be pimples or pus-filled eruptions (pustules) on the skin. The itching gets worse at night in most cases. The area of itching may keep changing from one part of the body to the other. One feels pain when skin is scratched due to itching. Bleeding may arise from scratching the affected skin.

3. Natrum Mur – For Eczema

This medicine is very useful to deal with cases of eczema. It is mainly indicated where there is watery discharge from eruptions. Eczema is most prominently present along the edges of hair. It is also well indicated to treat eruptions that occur in bends of joints, like elbow and knee. These eruptions also ooze fluid.

4. Petroleum – For Dry Skin With Cracks

Petroleum is of great help to manage cases of dry, rough skin along with cracks. Bleeding may occur from these cracks. When the skin problem gets worse in winter or cold weather then petroleum is the best choice of medicine.

5. Apis Mellifica – For Hives

It is a leading medicine for cases of hives. Bumps arise on the skin. It is accompanied with itching and stinging pain. The child needing this medicine rubs skin harshly due to itching. The skin is red and feels warm to touch. Skin may also be sensitive to touch.

6. Kali Sulph – For Cradle Cap

To manage cradle cap cases, Kali Sulph is an excellent choice of medicine. This medicine can be used when yellow scales are present on the scalp. The scales are abundant. These are sticky in nature.

7. Arsenic Album – For rash with scales

Arsenic Album is considered in cases of skin rash when covered with scales. It is used when skin becomes very rough and dry with flakes over it. There is marked itching in the rash. A child may also complain of burning.

8. Sepia – For Ringworm Infection

Sepia is the most important medicine to treat cases of ringworm. Its use is considered when ring-shaped patches appear on the skin. The different rings lie apart from each other. There is itching on these patches with an urge to scratch. A tendency to have ringworm infection may be present every year in spring season.

9. Psorinum – For Intense Itching And Scratching Leading To Bleeding

This medicine works well when there is intense itching on the skin with excessive scratching until the skin starts bleeding. Itching gets worse from warmth and at night. Eruptions may appear on the skin after scratching the skin. It is very effective for treating eczema, scabies and hives. It is a prominent medicine for managing itching occurring in the bend of elbow and back/ hollow of knee.

10. Mezereum – For Eruptions Covered With Crust And Pus Underneath

It is a suitable medicine when eruptions appear with crust over them and pus under the crust. The crusts are thick and eruptions ooze sticky gluey matter. It is accompanied with excessive itching. It gets worse from the warmth of bed.

What Are The Causes Of Skin Problems In Kids?

1. Eczema (atopic dermatitis): It is a very common skin problem occurring in kids. It causes dry, inflamed itchy rash on skin. It usually begins around the age of six months. The common location of skin rash is face, scalp, bend of elbows/knees.

2. Diaper rash: It is also a common rash occurring on the hips of a baby. Its chances are most high during the first year of the baby. It causes red rash on the buttocks that may spread to thighs and genitals. The affected area may feel warm and painful on touching. Eruptions either with or without fluid may occur on the rash.

3. Cradle cap: Scaly greasy crusty patches developing on baby’s scalp especially in the initial two months after the baby is born. The scales may be white, yellow or brown. The scalp may be red. Hair may come out in some cases. Cradle cap arises from increased oil production by oil glands on the scalp.

4. Measles: It is a viral infection caused by measles virus. Initially, symptoms like runny nose, fever, sore throat, cough are felt. After about two weeks, skin rash develops starting from the head and then spreading to other body parts.

5. Chicken pox: A viral infection caused by varicella zoster virus, it begins with headache, fever, tiredness. Afterwards skin rash appears. Eruptions occur on rash. Eruptions are fluid-filled (blisters) and in some cases contain pus.

 

6. Molluscum contagiosum: Occurring in children of age group 1-10 yrs, it is a viral infection marked by round, small flesh-colored bumps on skin. It is caused by pox virus known as molluscum contagiosum virus.

7. HFMD (Hand, foot and mouth disease): A contagious viral infection caused by coxsackievirus A16, it usually affects children less than 5 yrs of age. It causes painful blisters in the mouth, and a rash on hands and feet.

8. Fungal infections like ringworm: In ringworm, there occur ring-shaped patches on the skin from fungal infection caused by fungus named dermatophytes. This infection is also called tinea. It is contagious, which means it spreads via direct skin contact of infected persons to non-infected ones.

9. Impetigo: It is a bacterial infection arising mainly from bacteria staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pyogenes. It mainly causes red sores on the skin commonly on the area around mouth, lips, nose. The sores get filled with fluid followed by bursting and get covered with yellow brown or honey-colored crust.

10. Scarlet fever: Causing a red rash that covers the whole body, it is a bacterial illness that may develop in some children having strep throat infection. It most commonly occurs in children between the ages of 5-15 yrs.

11. Scabies: It is a very contagious skin complaint caused by female mite sarcoptes scabiei burrowing in skin. A rash appears mainly in the area between toes or fingers, armpits, waist, soles of feet. The rash is intensely itchy.

12. Urticaria (Hives):It refers to itchy wheals (raised bumps) on skin usually caused from an allergic reaction.