The Essential Connection For Managing Eczema
Gut health and eczema go together. If you want to tackle eczema effectively, you have to understand where it stems from. Think about a diagnosis—it’s not just a label; it’s a map. It points to why things are happening so we can take meaningful action. When it comes to eczema, the gut-skin connection is the key piece of that map.
Your gut is often called the second brain, and for good reason. Around 70-80% of your immune system resides there, making it incredibly powerful in regulating overall health. If the gut becomes imbalanced, that imbalance doesn’t just stay in the gut—it manifests on the skin. For kids with eczema, this gut imbalance leads to inflammation, and that inflammation shows up as rashes, itchiness, and all those frustrating eczema symptoms.
So, if we want to heal eczema at the root, we have to start with the gut.
Listen Below For The Entire Episode on The Eczema Kids Podcast
Understanding Gut Imbalance: The Root of Eczema
Many kids are born with imbalanced guts or develop issues shortly after birth. In my case, my third baby was born with gut dysbiosis, while my second child developed severe eczema at around 18 months.
Several factors contribute to gut imbalance, including:
- Poor diet
- Antibiotics (during birth or early life)
- Environmental toxins
- Stress (yes, even in little ones!)
These factors disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, creating inflammation. In kids with eczema, that inflammation triggers the immune system to overreact, and the skin becomes the outlet for toxins that the body can’t process properly.
“Your child’s eczema isn’t just a skin issue—it’s a signal. It’s their body telling you something’s off, and when you focus on healing their gut, you’re not just clearing rashes; you’re laying the foundation for their lifelong health.” -Andra McHugh
Signs of Gut Imbalance in Kids
Ideally, you want to catch gut imbalance before eczema becomes a problem. Pay close attention to these telltale signs:
- Constipation or irregular bowel movements
- Bloating or stomach pain
- Eczema flare-ups (of course!)
These symptoms are your child’s way of waving a flag and telling you that their digestive system needs support. If you can address these issues early, you can stop eczema from worsening and support their body’s natural healing.
Start in the Kitchen: Gut Healing Foods
As a parent, you’re not a doctor or a nutritionist. You’re a mere mortal, just like me. But one place where you do have power is in the kitchen.
The food you put into your child’s body makes a world of difference. Start with gut-healing foods that help soothe inflammation and restore balance:
1. Bone Broth
Bone broth is a powerhouse for gut health. It’s rich in collagen and gelatin, which help heal and seal the gut lining, reducing inflammation. However, bone broth is most effective when it’s consumed the day it’s made.
2. Ghee
Ghee (clarified butter) is another gut-healing superstar. It’s lactose-free and contains butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that nourishes the gut lining and reduces inflammation. Ghee is incredibly soothing, anti-inflammatory, and well-tolerated by kids with eczema.
I recommend buying ghee from a reputable source—grass-fed and in a glass jar—until you’re comfortable making it yourself. I teach this in my Natural Eczema Solutions Course because it’s something I do weekly for my family.
3. Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
Rotating fruits and vegetables is essential for promoting a diverse and thriving microbiome. Eating seasonally helps inoculate the gut with the right microbes at the right time, which brings the body back into balance.
Simple, Healing Meals For Kids
Healing meals don’t have to be complicated. Something as simple as salmon and Brussels sprouts can support gut health. Aim for variety and keep it simple but nutrient-dense.
For example, tonight’s dinner could be baked salmon paired with roasted seasonal veggies. It doesn’t need to be Pinterest-worthy—just nourishing.
Gut-Healing Tea: A Soothing Tool
Another powerful tool for supporting the gut is herbal tea. I know it might sound too simple to work, but herbs can make a huge difference.
One of my favorite blends, which we offer in the Eczema Shop, combines:
- Marshmallow root
- Licorice root
- Slippery elm bark
These herbs are known for soothing the digestive tract, reducing inflammation, and supporting the gut lining. If your child isn’t a tea fan yet, try:
- Mixing the tea into smoothies
- Using it as a base for soups
- Adding a few tablespoons to other teas
With a little creativity, you can make it part of their routine.
Supplements To Restore Balance in Kids
When eczema is present, there’s been a break in the chain—nutrients haven’t been absorbed properly for a long time. Supplements play a key role in supporting the healing process and restoring gut balance.
1. Probiotics
High-quality, child-friendly probiotics are a must. Look for probiotics with a variety of strains and rotate them regularly—finish one bottle, then try a different brand next time. This helps ensure diversity in the gut microbiome.
2. Detoxification Support
To heal eczema, we need to stop toxins from coming out through the skin. Supplements can support proper detoxification, so the body uses its natural elimination pathways instead.
I include a carefully curated supplement list in the Eczema Elimination Method to make this process as simple and impactful as possible.
Small Steps for Picky Eaters
If you’re thinking, “But my child is so picky!” – I get it. My nine-year-old is picky, too. Feeding picky kids gut-healing foods can feel overwhelming, but the key is to start small.
Tips for Introducing New Foods:
- Blend gut-healing ingredients into familiar foods like smoothies, soups, or baked goods.
- Introduce one new food at a time. You don’t have to overhaul their entire diet overnight.
- Aim for progress, not perfection. Just adding one new food or supplement each week can make a difference.
When you go grocery shopping, choose one gut-supporting food to focus on for the week. Maybe it’s ghee, bone broth, or a new vegetable. Over time, these small steps will add up to big progress.
Skincare and Gut Health
Your skin is your largest organ, and it absorbs everything you put on it. If you’re using products with toxins or synthetic ingredients, that can contribute to inflammation.
To support gut health and healing, choose 100% organic, bioavailable products for your child’s skin. Everything we use on the outside should support the work we’re doing on the inside.
Gut Health: The Foundation of Eczema Healing
Gut health is absolutely essential for skin health. When you focus on healing your child’s gut, you’re not just addressing eczema—you’re laying a foundation for their overall health and immune system.
Small Steps, Big Impact
- Add gut-healing foods like bone broth and ghee.
- Incorporate soothing teas.
- Support digestion with probiotics.
- Focus on organic, bioavailable skincare products.
Each step matters. Each choice you make helps heal your child from the inside out and the outside in. It’s a loop—and every small step forward is a victory.
Remember, this journey isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Start with one new food, one small habit, or one healing supplement. Over time, these small efforts will transform your child’s health.
You’re doing an incredible job by showing up and taking action. Your child’s skin condition is telling you something, and you’re listening. That’s where healing begins.
FAQ
How does gut health relate to eczema?
Gut health is essential for regulating the immune system, and around 70-80% of the immune system resides in the gut. When there’s an imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis), it can trigger inflammation throughout the body, which often shows up as eczema on the skin.
My child is a picky eater. How can I introduce gut-healing foods?
Start small! Blend gut-healing ingredients like bone broth or ghee into familiar meals such as soups, smoothies, or baked goods. Focus on progress, not perfection—one new food or habit per week makes a big difference.
