I was reminded of my teenage years when I decided to wash my face multiple times a day to improve my skin. My complection was clear and I got many compliments on it but decided I wanted it even better. My skin broke out! and so I went back to my routine of soap and water morning and night -- if I remembered. My grandmother had given me cod liver oil to take for my skin --- she knew. I have never used a lot of cremes and makeup and didn't blow dry my hair. My younger sister who did looks older than me. I always wondered about that.
I am also reminded of another natural way that we mamas have for washing our baby's faces, especially in a pinch when nothing is available -- our saliva. My older daughter absolutely hated that as she got older. She will be thirty in November and so this was waaaaaaaay before the days of "wet ones".
By the way, I know a brilliant, mother Earth mama who used old receiving blankets and made her own "wet ones" with natural indredients. I scratch my head and say, "Wow, and a wet washcloth used to do the job just fine, and it was Earth friendly too." We just keep evolving into such "civilized" beings -- and, but, what is the cost to the planet?
I suppose that for eons now, since women have been giving birth, that they knew all of the ways that they could use their body to care for their babes. I wonder what women did when water was not immediately available? Don't we all still do that sometimes? Babies were rescusitated by mouth. Women today can't even imagine it -- we're so evolved. It seems so gross to me now, but did women clean up burps by mouth and what about the other end? Sorry ... but, I do think about such things. How did women do it? Is there a reason that breast milk poop is not offensive?
So ... here's the letter.
LJMM
Babykeeper
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The Good Life Letter
9th September 2007
Dear janel,
Did you know that WE may be increasing the cases of eczema in British society…
…because we wash our babies too often?
Bless poor Mums and Dads these days. Terrified by scary ‘EVIL GERMS’ adverts into scrubbing their tots to oblivion in boiling water every night.
But it could be true….
The number of kids suffering from skin conditions like eczema has doubled in a generation. A scary 35% of babies suffer from sore, flaking and itchy skin.
Around 25 ago this figure was 17%.
This is not as widely reported as it should be. But it’s a growing theory. Even the bloke off This Morning – Dr Chris Steele – claims that these sorts of stats could owe much to the over-washing of babies.The reason?
Well, a child’s skin is delicate, and the skin needs time to strengthen of its own volition. So it’s no surprise that over-cleaning is going to cause damage.
Especially with modern soaps and lotions.And it’s not only children….Over 5% of adults in the UK now have eczema, which involves red, dry, itchy skin… lumps, blisters and weeping sores.
Many experts believe a lot of it is down to our crazed dependence on the artificial cleaning agents, solvents, detergents, oils and other gunk.
Again, this wouldn’t surprise me at all.
But before you run screaming for cover at another Collins outburst…. I don’t want to get into a rant about the perils and pitfalls of modern living… not today at least.
I want to offer your a few specific, NATURAL ways to help avoid – and ease – skin problems like eczema.
Because as sufferers will already know, the side-effects of conventional drugs can be worse than eczema itself.Steroids can cause muscle wasting, weight gain, osteoporosis, poor immune system, ulcers, high blood pressure and glaucoma.
And while antihistamine drugs can reduce inflammation, they can also make you drowsy.They key for a long term solution is to find natural ways to correct your body’s metabolism so that it tackles the root of the problem.
In short, let’s see if you can help give your body the tools it needs to clear up the problem for itself.
3 supplements to help fight the symptoms of eczema
First up. Try out supplements of essential fatty acids. They are said to bring you relief of eczema symptoms.
For instance, a study in Denmark showed a 58% success rate in treating patients with fish oil supplements over a 4 month period.
Even better, eat oily fish like mackerel as part of your diet. They’re packed with Omega-3 and also vitamin D, which is good for the skin.
Upping your weekly fish quota is not such a struggle to do either… (unless the slightest whiff of mackerel causes you to erupt into the nearest wheelie bin.)
I recommend smoked mackerel and scrambled eggs for breakfast 3 times a week. Absolutely delicious.
Fish oils can also reduce levels of leukotriene B4, an inflammatory substance that has been linked to eczema.
In one trial I’ve seen reported, the results were amazing. In the test group, 73% of eczema sufferers who were given fish oil saw improvement after just 12 weeks.
There’s also Zinc….
It helps make the enzymes involved in your fatty acid metabolism. And it helps your stomach produce hydrochloric acid.
Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food, but red meat and poultry are good sources too.
Or, if you’re vegetarian, pumpkin seeds are the most concentrated source of zinc outside meat products.
Also try dairy products, beans and lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals.
A useful FREE resource for you
If you have a serious skin problem here’s a non-profit organisation for you to turn to.
They’re called the Skin Care Campaign, an umbrella organisation for British people with skin diseases. It’s a subsidiary of the National Eczema Society, a registered charity.
Write to this address:
Hill HouseHighgate HillLondon N19 5NA
Or check out their FREE website:
http://www.skincarecampaign.org/
In my opinion, the only problem with sites like these is that they tend to offer only conventional medicinal treatments. I’d much prefer to see a whole range of treatments offered..
For people who’ve been failed by the treatments they’ve tried already, where’s the lifeline?
That said they do give you support, champion your cause and a network to rely on, which is a good thing in my opinion.
And offering you information on alternatives, so you can be empowered to make you own choices is what services like The Good Life Letter are here for.
Or, you can try great handbooks like this… which I love.
No, this isn’t for eczema, but another skin condition I’ve had a tonne of email about recently…
Hope for psoraisis sufferers
If you or your loved ones have psoriasis, here’s a great handbook. It shows you all the conventional treatments… AND the alternative options, too. What causes psoriasis and a range of tips to help treat the symptoms Revealed!
- The factors that increase your risk, including stress and worry
- Lifestyle changes that can help including food and drink you should avoid.
- Possible serious complications that could put your at risk
- The low-down on new medicines your doctor may prescribe
- Natural homeopathic remedies that really work
- The key ingredient in the Eskimo diet that keeps them psoriasis-free
- An effective, little known treatment that has helped thousands
- Helpful addresses for psoriasis sufferers
You’ll also learn from actual case histories of psoriasis sufferers and how they treated their agonisingsymptoms and now successfully keep psoriasis at bay.
Go and take a look at it here:
www.psoriasisbook.co.uk/index.php?pac=GLL97
I hope some of this helps you. I’ll keep looking out for more resources, research and natural remedies
The Good Life Letter