My own battle with chronic urticaria in my twenties led me to create Pai Skincare. But when my son Jack developed eczema at two and a half, and again at nearly six, watching him struggle made my own skin challenges feel manageable by comparison.
Seeing your child in physical and emotional discomfort is heart-wrenching. As parents, we want to fix everything immediately. But anyone who knows eczema knows that applying a cream and clearing it up in three days simply doesn't happen. It's a process.
Both times took about six months to clear from onset to finish. The eczema appeared differently each time, on different parts of his body, and responded to different treatments. What I'm saying is: eczema is unpredictable. My advice? Take a deep breath, stay calm, and approach it methodically. Keep detailed notes of everything you try.
First flare-up: stress and washing powders
His first episode began shortly after his baby brother arrived. Children feel stress just like adults do, and it shows on their skin. I tried multiple approaches, but cutting out washing powders made the biggest difference.
Detergents leave residue that can take five water-only washes to remove from clothes. I eliminated all washing powder completely. After a few months, we saw real improvement. For some families, that single change is enough.
The daily routine that helped
Bathing became crucial. While eating oats can be problematic for some skin conditions, using them topically worked brilliantly. I'd fill a sock with oats, tie it up, and let it soak in warm (never hot) bath water until it looked like milk. His rashes covered the backs of his legs, from ankles to bottom. The redness visibly reduced after each soak.
I resisted exclusion diets. Our experienced childminder warned against removing entire food groups from young children without proper supervision, especially if you don't reintroduce foods quickly and correctly. Instead, I consulted our naturopath about supplements. Omega-3 drops on toast (so he couldn't taste them) really helped clear his legs.
Second episode: breaking the scratch cycle
When Jack was nearly six and at school, the eczema returned on his arms. This time he felt self-conscious. Despite my reassurances that many children experience eczema, he felt alone. His skin was cracked and very sore along the full length of both arms.
I repeated some strategies from before. Some worked, others didn't. The breakthrough came with cotton gloves. Even though Jack tried not to scratch, he did it in his sleep. Wearing cotton gloves every night made a huge difference.
One counterintuitive lesson: when skin is really dry and sore, daily baths are essential. Five to ten minutes in water properly hydrates the skin. Time it carefully. Too long isn't helpful either.
The post-bath routine
After bathing, pat skin dry gently without rubbing. Apply moisturiser within 30 seconds, before air removes the hydration. We used our children's cream immediately, then once Jack had his short pyjamas on (they let skin breathe and prevent sweat in creases), I'd apply Rosehip Bioregenerate on top to lock in moisture.
Combining cotton gloves, daily oat baths, no washing powders, and supplements made the difference second time around.
Remember: patience and persistence
We managed both episodes in six months, but it can take longer. Try not to lose faith. Keep working at it methodically.
If you need support, perhaps help starting a skin journal or a refresher on managing flare-ups, we offer free consultations with our Sensitive Skin Experts. They're ready to help.
