Weighing Risks and Benefits of Eczema Treatments for Children
A common theme in GPER’s free caregiver support program’s virtual groups is parents wanting to know the cause of their child’s eczema. They desire to find the trigger or food to avoid, and in the meantime, generally hope they can find an over-the-counter cream to heal eczema. But if that trigger never makes itself known, what then?
I had a similar experience. Surrounded by moms who swore it was dairy or vaccines or even breast milk, the mixed messages had my head spinning. Which essential oil mix would I try next? Coconut oil must surely be the best thing for my infant’s delicate skin, right? Oh wait, let me buy this from Etsy. I had already cut fragrances from the home and bath products and switched to cotton clothing. I searched for natural home remedies like apple cider vinegar and oatmeal baths.
We avoided everything that was even a faint positive on my son’s many allergy panels. That was in addition to the top food allergies and nightshades - who knew nightshades were a thing? I kept a journal to look for immediate reactions as well as delayed reactions but wondered about the science behind how long after ingestion a food had an adverse effect.
It is perfectly normal to hold off as long as possible before turning to western medicine. I hated the idea of steroids and antibiotics that were routinely prescribed. I was conservative every step of the way for two years. And in that time, my son’s eczema raged on, consuming more and more of our lives, our finances, and our joy.
This was 10+ years ago - when there weren’t many options for kids with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema). It’s admirable to see the determination in parents to see their children’s skin improve. I know they are doing their very best and a lot of it goes unseen by even their closest friends and family. The nights can be so long. Whether it’s a temperature change, bedding, or the body’s cortisol levels dropping, something seems to make the itch even more intense once night falls. Hearing the validation from a sleep specialist to get sleep however we could manage meant a lot as I was guilting myself some for not having better sleep hygiene.
The good news is, there are treatments now and more on the way! And while I personally know parents who have had success with all sorts of approaches, I want to encourage you that if what you are currently doing is falling short, consider what your next steps are with your child’s doctor. Joining our caregiver support program may help you find validation as well as offer a sounding board to talk about experiences with different treatment options. The Treatment Navigator is designed to provide a snapshot of all eczema treatments available to children worldwide. This tool can jumpstart shared decision making with your healthcare provider.
My experience is unique, just as yours is. We all find our own ways forward. If you are feeling the exhaustion and desperation so familiar to many of us experienced in parenting kids with chronic eczema, it may be time to take the leap and potentially change your future. Committing to a new plan can cause some apprehension or anxiety but if you are one of the success stories, getting the skin healed may also mean preventing lifelong effects such as allergies or progression on the atopic march, asthma. The sleep granted to your developing child’s brain may avoid learning differences or better focus. The improved family dynamics could help your marriage or relationships with siblings. These are the things I think about in hindsight of our experience. Of course I don’t know the future of your child and how eczema will impact your family but I do wish I had been a bit more proactive in our own experience with eczema early on and a bit less accepting that it was normal. Our “normal” was hard. I hope you hear me as a fellow parent who knows the struggle. I wish you the best in finding your next step toward healing and in the meantime, GPER is here to help push for better treatment options for children and families and to help light the way to an eczema-free future through research. We are here to help you find a path forward - whether that means joining our free support group, listening to our podcasts, attending our annual symposium, or reading our monthly newsletter and blogs. Wherever you are in your eczema experience, GPER wants you to know you’re not alone.
Written by Keri Kelley
Keri Kelley is a mother of two children with eczema. As GPER’s Senior Community Manager she creates safe spaces for caregivers of children with eczema to share and support each other as they navigate their children’s eczema journeys. Connecting caregivers with people and resources is part of what she enjoys most about her role at GPER.
