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Managing and understanding Bodie’s eczema has definitely been a journey.
We have been on this eczema journey with our baby since he was about 6 months old.
Based on our (first) 9-month microbiome gut test results and action plan from Tiny Health, we have made some dietary changes and have given Bodie a probiotic with the specific bacteria he needs.
We have also done a food & environmental allergy test.
At this point, we have sought help from our pediatrician, a holistic practitioner, a dermatologist and a gut microbiome expert to understand the root cause and to drive specific recommendations.
Here’s a quick run down of what each recommended:
Pediatrician
- Aveeno Eczema Therapy lotion, 1% hydrocortisone (both temporarily worked to clear up flare-ups)
- Said if it got worse to come back to get a prescription antibiotic (we never came back for this)
Holistic Practitioner
- Said the eczema could be due to a “leaky gut”
- Prescribed L-Glutamine Powder, IgGI Shield™, NDF Calm to to promote a healthy inflammatory response in the cells of the (GI) tract (currently still give this everyday)
- In the meantime, use HyperOxy Ozonated Olive Oil (this did not work for us)
- Did a food and environmental allergy test through a blood draw (very helpful, but was such a heart breaking process)
- Told us to avoid allergens and watch his diet, like aiming for organic food and grass fed meats (which we already have been doing since day 1 of solid food)
Dermatologist
- Said every eczema case is different, kids may or may not outgrow it, the healing process looks different for everyone
- Prescribed Desonide Ointment 0.05% for flare ups, Mupirocin Ointment 2% for blisters/open wounds, Vanicream twice a day (this is the most recent step we took, seems to be working at the moment)
Microbiome Experts through Tiny Health
- Gut tests (Use Coupon Code MIKKA20 for $20 OFF, I suggest investing in 3 kits or the membership)
- Comprehensive action plan including diet (avoiding high histamine food), environment (not using cleaners, detergent etc with chemicals, exposing him to animals and soil / outdoors) and supplements like probiotics with the specific bacteria our baby needs
Bodie is now ONE and still has flare ups, but none as bad as they were. I am so grateful that we did the gut test and allergy test to shed light on the possible causes of Bodie’s eczema, and to understand his condition.
After our first gut test, we started Evivo, a probiotic with 8 billion CFU bifidobaterium infantis which our baby was lacking. However, after a month of using it, we did not find any dramatic improvements.
During this period we saw our holistic practitioner and Bodie was tested for any food or environmental allergies. We found that he is allergic to dogs, peanuts, egg white and soy.
The probiotic we had been using contained soy. We have now switched to using Smidge Infant Probiotics and have been using this for 2 weeks.
While we wait for the probiotic to do its thing, we are temporarily using the ointment and cream from our dermatologist to control the skin flare-ups, just so Bodie can be more comfortable while we find ways to heal him from the inside.
We are doing our second gut microbiome testing through Tiny Health, to check for any changes in his microbiome flora.
With this 12 month test, we will be able to find any biomarkers for asthma. I am hoping that ALL we’ve done since our first test has driven the risk down.
I am so excited to see Bodie’s results in about 4 weeks!
Use Coupon Code MIKKA20 for $20 OFF your first Tiny Health Kit!
DISCLAIMERS. This blog is solely an expression and documentation of MY journey as a new mom.
Cliché as it may be: our baby is different from your baby— all babies are different. My journey as a woman, wife & mother is different from yours— we are all different. My partnership with my baby looks different from your partnership— because surprise surprise, things are just different. I do not claim to be an expert in motherhood or being a wife. These are all my opinions, my own research and my own journey.
It is my hope that this blog helps you navigate yours a little bit easier.
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