Problems during a baby's first six months are usually skin rashes or teething. Diaper rash afflicts nearly all babies and can easily become very painful unless dealt with. Eczema is usually caused by an allergy. The discomfort of teething can be soothed with various gentle herbal or homeopathic remedies.
Causes of Common Rashes
Causes of common rashes are as varied as the rashes themselves and can often be determined from the visible characteristics and other symptoms of the rash.
Eczema
If a baby shows signs of eczema before starting solids it is likely to be caused by an allergy to cows' milk - even breastfed babies can suffer if the mother has a cows' milk allergy. Allergies play an important part in eczema: foods such as eggs, wheat, cows' milk, oranges, and apples can be the cause of eczema, or even make it worse.
Treatment
Try to identify any allergies. Avoid petroleum-based products, baby oils, and scented talcum powder. Never wash the affected areas with soap of any kind. Avoid detergent washing powders and fabric softeners.
Homeopathy Apis, Graphites, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox., and Sulfur may be helpful. Herbal Medicine Marigold tea, calendula ointment, or aloe vera gel are all helpful. Aromatherapy Add 12 drops of fennel, geranium, or sandalwood to 2fl oz/60ml of carrier oil.
Aloe: used as an antiseptic, taken internally as laxative and as a treatment for liver inflammation and intestinal parasites; aloe gel is best known for its use in healing burns, skin rashes, insect bites, acne, herpes and wounds. The powder of aloe is a very strong purgative and it stimulates strong blood circulation.
Dandelion: leaves and roots are used for infections, inflammations, boils, abscesses, swellings, red, swollen and painful eyes, fever, and other heat-related conditions. Externally, its juice is applied to snake bites. It has a diuretic effect - cleansing the kidneys and lowering blood pressure; it reduces cysts in the breasts, stimulates the production of breast milk, and is used in treating tumors and clots in the lungs.
Teething
Most babies begin cutting their teeth at around six months of age. It is a painful process and causes irritability, dribbling, and chewing, and sometimes a flushed cheek.
Treatment
Offer your baby something hard to chew on, or massage the gums with a clean finger. Homeopathy Infant remedies such as Chamomilla or Pulsatilla can be purchased as powders. Aromatherapy Add 1 to 2 drops of camomile or lavender oil to a vaporizer and place in baby's room.
