The only thing worse than seeing your child suffer the pain, itching, and discomfort of eczema is knowing that you may have been able to prevent it.
Eczema experts are learning more everyday that eczema has its roots in early childhood development. It now understood that the causes behind eczema may begin while the child is still in the womb.
Eczema is believed to be the result of a malfunctioning immune system. The body is exposed to a certain irritant, allergen, or other substances. Overtime, the body becomes increasingly sensitive to this exposure. The immune system begins to interpret this exposure as an attack on the body’s health.
The eventual result is a severe eczema flare up every time exposure occurs. While avoiding exposure is a reactive way to handle the problem, more effective treatments for eczema would focus on preventing the sensitization process that caused the immune reaction.
A Child’s immune systems begins functioning while they are still in the womb. Therefore, it is at this point that allergic reactions begin to be defined. The young immune system is much more easily sensitized than that of an older child’s or adult’s.
The longer an immune system can go without being exposed to an eczema trigger, the greater the chance of never having eczema. This is why it is important to start while the child is still in the womb.
Just as avoiding certain foods is effective for eczema treatment children, it is also a good policy for the mother. Milk, tomatoes, strawberries, and any foods that she or the father reacts to should be avoided. Highly processed foods or those rich in chemicals should also be avoided.
Talk with family members on both the mother’s and father’s sides. Check for any history of allergies. If there is something that has caused any type of reaction, not just eczema, in a family member then it should be avoided during pregnancy.
Finally, take plenty of prenatal vitamins and minerals. Give your baby the boost it needs so that the immune system can develop properly. The healthier your baby is when it is born, the better it will be able to fight off eczema.