Homeopathy

ECZEMA

Tamar Henryby
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ECZEMA

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions seen in babies and children, in fact research suggests that around 1 in 5 children experience eczema at some point during their early years. For many families it begins in infancy, sometimes appearing within the first few months of life, and can become a source of discomfort, disrupted sleep, and concern for parents. The good news is that with the right support, many children experience significant improvement.

Understanding what eczema is, why it occurs, and how we can support the body through homeopathy, nutrition and support practices can make a meaningful difference.

While some children grow out of eczema as their immune system and skin barrier mature, others may experience flare-ups throughout childhood. It is also commonly seen in families with a history of allergies, asthma, or hay fever – sometimes referred to as the “atopic tendency.

From a homeopathic perspective, eczema is not viewed simply as a skin condition, but rather as an outward expression of imbalance within the body. The skin often reflects what is happening internally, including immune responses, sensitivities, digestive health, and the body’s ability to process and eliminate irritants.

This is where working with a homeopath can be particularly helpful. Rather than prescribing the same remedy for every child with eczema, a homeopath carefully considers the individual child as a whole – their skin symptoms, triggers, temperament, sleep patterns, sensitivities, medical history, and family tendencies. Remedies are then selected based on this unique symptom picture, aiming to gently stimulate the body’s own healing response.

In practice, homeopathic care often involves:

  • Individualised remedy selection based on the child’s full symptom picture
  • Support for acute flare-ups when the skin becomes particularly inflamed or uncomfortable
  • Constitutional prescribing, works more deeply to address the child’s underlying susceptibility
  • Ongoing guidance to help support the child’s immune balance and skin health over time

Many families also benefit from combining homeopathic care with nutritional support and gentle lifestyle practices that help strengthen the skin barrier and reduce common triggers. This may include supporting gut health, identifying potential sensitivities, improving nutrient status, and establishing skin-friendly daily routines.

Because eczema can fluctuate as children grow, ongoing guidance from a homeopath can be valuable. As the child’s symptoms change or new layers emerge, remedies can be adjusted to continue supporting the body’s healing process.

For many families, this approach provides not only relief from current symptoms but also a long-term framework for supporting their child’s overall health and resilience.

TOP HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

BOWEL REMEDIES – for recurrent or persistent episodes

Bowel remedies are often used as a first step in supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways, particularly the gut, which plays a central role in immunity and overall skin health. In children with recurrent or persistent eczema, gently supporting the bowel can help the body eliminate more efficiently and help severity of symptoms.

CALCAREA CARBONICA

  • Moist eczema, especially on the scalp or behind the ears
  • Thick crusts or scaling can form
  • Skin symptoms may worsen from dampness or cold
  • Children who sweat easily on the head, especially during sleep
  • Tendency toward sensitivity to cold and fatigue
  • Often seen in children who are gentle, cautious, and easily overwhelmed

GRAPHITES

  • Cracked, rough skin with a tendency to thick, sticky, honey-like oozing
  • Eczema behind the ears, in skin folds, or around the mouth
  • Skin tends to become thickened and hardened over time
  • Intense itching, worse from warmth and at night
  • Tendency toward constipation and sluggish digestion
  • Children may be gentle, shy, and sensitive

MEZEREUM

  • Thick scabs or crusts with pus underneath
  • Intense itching, especially at night or in warmth
  • Scratching may produce burning pain afterward
  • Eruptions have a tendency to spread
  • Skin may become very sensitive to touch
  • Child may be sensitive, chilly, and easily upset

PETROLEUM

  • Extremely dry, rough skin that cracks and bleeds
  • Deep fissures, especially on the hands or behind the ears
  • Skin may look dirty, thickened, or leathery
  • Intense itching, worse at night
  • Symptoms worse in Winter and/or cold weather
  • Children may be sensitive and irritable when symptoms flare

RHUS TOX

  • Red, swollen eruptions with small fluid-filled blisters
  • Eruptions may spread quickly across the skin
  • Restless itching, child constantly wants to scratch
  • Skin will be intensely irritated
  • Symptoms improve with warmth and warm bathing
  • Children may be restless and unable to stay still

SULPHUR

  • Red, inflamed, burning skin with intense itching
  • Child may scratch the skin until it bleeds or becomes raw
  • Skin may appear dry, scaly, and unhealthy looking
  • Eruptions often worse at night or in bed
  • Symptoms worse from heat, warm rooms, and bathing
  • Children may be energetic, curious, messy, and strong-willed

WORKING WITH A HOMEOPATH

  • Ensures you receive a individualised remedy that matches your child’s presenting symptoms. Guides you in choosing the right potency/dosage. Offers you on-going support.
  • Monitors progress, adjusting remedies and or potency/dosage if needed. For complex or chronic conditions, a homeopath’s expertise helps uncover potentially more deep-rooted causes.
  • Personally, where appropriate and/or needed I offer nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle recommendations to compliment the homeopathic approach.

NUTRITION SUPPORT

  • Support gut health: include whole, fibre-rich foods and fermented foods to help support a healthy gut microbiome, which is closely linked to skin health.
  • Nutrient-dense diet: prioritise a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, quality proteins, and healthy fats to support skin repair and immune balance.
  • Food sensitivities/aggravations: some children react to foods such as dairy, eggs, gluten, wheat and sugars, so observing patterns between diet and flare-ups can be so helpful.

AT HOME CARE THERAPIES

  • Gentle bathing: use short, lukewarm baths and avoid harsh soaps to prevent drying and irritation of sensitive skin.
  • Temperature control: keep your child cool and avoid overheating or sweating, which can trigger itching and flare-ups.
  • Identify triggers: Pay attention to patterns such as heat, soaps, stress, or certain foods that may worsen symptoms.