Why Do Flares Happen Even When I’m Following a Healing Protocol?
Eczema can be a frustrating and challenging condition to manage, especially when it seems like things are finally improving, only to take a sudden turn for the worse. If your child’s eczema is getting worse despite all the hard work you’ve put in, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and so have countless parents who reach out to me through the Eczema Elimination Method. Let’s dive into why eczema flare-ups happen even when progress is being made and what you can do to help your child through these tough times.
Listen Below For The Entire Episode on The Eczema Kids Podcast
The Frustration of Eczema Setbacks
I know how it feels to see your child’s skin improve, only to witness a sudden flare-up that comes out of nowhere. It’s disheartening, especially when you’re making all the right changes—eliminating triggers, nourishing their bodies with the right foods, and using natural skincare. Yet, despite these efforts, eczema gets worse.
When my own children were suffering from eczema, we experienced similar setbacks. After overhauling our entire lifestyle—from diet to skincare to cleaning products—we saw improvements, only for the eczema to come back. It made me want to throw in the towel, questioning whether what I was doing was working. But deep down, I knew we were on the right path.
“When eczema seems to be getting worse, it’s often a sign that the body is working hard to detox and heal. Those flare-ups, while frustrating, are part of the process. Stay the course, trust in your child’s body, and know that true healing is on the other side.”
-Andra McHugh
Why Eczema Gets Worse Before It Gets Better
The truth is, eczema getting worse is often a sign that the body is doing what it needs to do: detoxing. When we remove the triggers and improve our children’s diets, their bodies start to push out toxins that have built up over time. While it may seem like their time on this earth is too short to have accumulated toxins, they inherit much of what we’ve been exposed to, along with the exposures they face themselves.
For all kiddos with eczema, especially those who have been on steroids or other pharmaceuticals, detoxing is necessary before their bodies can heal. In fact, many of my clients come to me dealing with Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW). After years or months of their bodies being suppressed by these medications, the detox process can result in even more intense flare-ups. It’s tough to see, but it’s a crucial part of the healing journey.
The Dip: A Natural Part of Healing
The process of healing from eczema is like any big goal. Whether it’s in business, personal development, or healing your child’s skin, there’s always a point where it feels like you’re going backward instead of forward. This “dip,” as Seth Godin talks about in his book, is expected. The key to success is planning for it.
Just like in business, you need to plan for tough times in the healing process. Setbacks are going to happen, and you need to be prepared to handle them. When you complete the Eczema Elimination Method and follow the process fully for the recommended three months, the results are long-lasting. You’ll heal and seal your child’s gut, reboot their digestion, and restore their lymphatic and liver functions. However, setbacks during the healing process are inevitable.
Detoxing and Flare-Ups: Why They’re Connected
When your child’s eczema gets worse, it’s a sign that their body is detoxing. The immune system recognizes harmful substances in the body, and the skin becomes a secondary detox pathway when the liver, kidneys, and gut are overwhelmed. This is why flare-ups happen—it’s the body trying to rid itself of these toxins. It’s a process that many call a healing crisis, and it’s important to understand that the only way out is through it.
While it’s incredibly hard to witness your child suffer through intense flare-ups, it’s a necessary step toward long-term healing. The goal is to support their detox pathways—like the liver, kidneys, and gut—so that these toxins can be flushed out more efficiently, without burdening the skin.
Nutrient-Dense Foods: The First Step in Healing
The foundation of healing eczema starts with a healthy, whole-foods diet. Eliminating processed foods, sugars, and inflammatory ingredients is crucial to starving the harmful bacteria and pathogens that contribute to eczema. At the same time, nutrient-dense foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support the immune system and foster a balanced gut microbiome.
A balanced gut is essential for skin health, and without it, the eczema will continue. When harmful bacteria and pathogens thrive in the gut, they release toxins that burden the body’s detox systems. By removing the foods that feed these harmful bacteria and focusing on seasonal, whole foods, you’re helping your child’s body heal from the inside out.
I always recommend supporting this diet with teas like my prebiotic tea available in the Eczema Kids shop. It feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut, allowing them to out-compete the bad bacteria and restore balance.
Using Natural Skincare to Support the Healing Process
Pairing a healthy diet with organic, bioavailable skincare is another critical component of healing. Many conventional skincare products contain synthetic ingredients that burden the liver and immune system, further exacerbating eczema symptoms. It’s like trying to heal a bruise but constantly hitting it—it never gets a chance to improve.
By using organic, toxin-free skincare products—like those found in the Eczema Kids Shop—you support the body’s detox process rather than contributing to the problem. These products are infused with anti-inflammatory herbs and lymph movers that help the skin heal while reducing inflammation.
The right skincare can make a world of difference in managing the symptoms while supporting deeper healing. These products help soothe the skin without introducing more toxins into the body.
Reducing Environmental Toxins: The Next Step
Another critical part of healing eczema from the outside in is minimizing environmental toxins. Reducing your child’s exposure to common irritants like harsh cleaning chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and off-gassing materials can significantly reduce their inflammatory burden. Making your home a safe, non-toxic environment allows your child’s immune system to focus on healing rather than constantly reacting to environmental stressors.
Switching to non-toxic cleaners, natural bedding, and chemical-free personal care products helps lower the total toxin load on your child’s body. When you reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals and irritants, you’re helping create an environment that supports long-term healing.
Supplements to Support Detoxification From Eczema
In addition to diet and skincare, the right supplements are essential for helping your child through the detox process. Supplements like probiotics and liver support herbs can enhance the body’s natural detoxification processes, helping to clear out toxins more efficiently. These supplements help reduce the severity of flare-ups by ensuring the liver, kidneys, and gut are functioning optimally.
When the body’s primary detox organs are working as they should, toxins can be eliminated without burdening the skin, allowing eczema to heal from the inside out.
Long-Term Healing: The Road to Remission
Healing eczema is a process, and setbacks are a normal part of it. But with the right tools and support, you can help your child achieve lasting relief. When you follow the Eczema Elimination Method, make dietary changes, use organic skincare, and eliminate environmental toxins, you are giving your child the best chance at achieving remission.
I’ve seen it happen countless times with my clients. Parents come to me feeling hopeless, but after sticking with the plan, they start to see improvement. They go through the dip, and then things begin to get better and better. Eventually, their child’s eczema is gone—not just temporarily but for good.
Stay The Course To Heal Your Child’s Eczema
If you’re going through a tough flare-up right now, remember that it’s part of the process. Eczema getting worse is often a sign that your child’s body is doing exactly what it needs to do—detoxing and healing. It may be frustrating and disheartening, but by sticking with it and supporting their body through this phase, you’ll see lasting results.
You’re not alone in this journey. With the right plan, the right products, and the right mindset, you can help your child overcome eczema once and for all. Stay the course, and you’ll see the rewards of your hard work and dedication in your child’s healthy, eczema-free skin.
Looking for more eczema support? Can we ever get enough?!? Check out Eczema Not Healing? Here’s What You’re Missing, Why Your Child’s Eczema Isn’t Getting Better and The Link Between Constipation and Eczema.
FAQ
How long do eczema flares last?
The duration of an eczema flare varies, but can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. With proper care and management, they can be shortened.
Why do flares happen even when I’m following a healing protocol?
Flares are a normal part of the healing process. As the body detoxifies and the immune system rebalances, it may respond with heightened sensitivity before stabilizing. It’s essential to stay consistent with the protocol during this time. If you need a natural, eczema-healing protocol the Eczema Elimination Method is for you!
