Q&A: Nummular Eczema- What Products Are Best?

Answer

• Since we’re dealing with large areas, I think the following routine, might be a good start. It might need some tweaking. It depends on how your daughter’s skin responds and what stage the affected areas are in. You didn’t mention your daughter’s age so I’m guessing she’s younger than a pre-teen.

Start with an oatmeal + oil bath.

This could be a full bath on bath days or making a small bowl/bucket of this on non-bath days.

• The easiest way I’ve found to make an oatmeal + oil bath is to put fresh oatmeal into clean, new nylon (pantyhose). DIY tea bags also work well for this.
• Be sure not to use the instant oatmeal with sugars and other things added. Just plain rolled oat.
• Tie a knot at the end of the nylon and add that to the bathwater or bucket/bowl of water.
• Let the oatmeal soak for a few minutes.
• Next, add a small amount of oil to the water.
• For a full soaker size tub, I would use half a cap full to a full cap full. Scale down from this for smaller tubs, etc.
• The type of oil to use is up to you, but most of the time coconut, sea buckthorn, sweet almond, calendula, chamomile, wheatgrass, and jojoba are recommended.
• Coconut oil can usually be found at the grocery store. Some natural health food stores will carry the other oils.
• If you get stuck, any oil (olive for example), is better than nothing.
• If having a full bath, have your daughter soak for 20-25 min (but no longer than 30min).
• If just doing a quick clean up (after playing outside, before supper, etc), use a face cloth to wipe the mixture over the affected areas. (My suggestion for a cleanser would be something super gentle like this cleanser or this soap bar).

For weeping areas

We want to make sure we’re applying something that has antibacterial properties. You likely already have something at home in your first aid kit like an antibacterial gel or spray that can be used. As a high likelihood of fungal infection comes with weepy areas, please consult a health care professional for further treatment.

For other areas

I would suggest spritzing on Hydration Mist (for a dose of topical B vitamins), followed by the Hydra Healing Skin Rescue Gel. Rub in the gel in and wait for it to be almost fully dry/absorbed before moving on to the next step. Apply Patchouli Facial Moisturizer.

For areas that are extremely dry and/or cracked, but not weeping…

Apply the Lip Rescue Jelly if there’s no worry of it rubbing off right away – this is the best product to create a protective yet breathable seal. If there is some concern of the jelly rubbing off quickly, opt for the Lip balm+ instead.  For the large areas you mentioned, it might be beneficial to coat them in the jelly and do what you can to keep it from rubbing off right away. This will be easier in the summer when your daughter won’t need to worry about wearing long sleeves, but if you can coat her elbow with the jelly without her rubbing it off right away (you don’t want it rubbed off on your furniture or bedding), I really think it would be beneficial.

For times when the jelly isn’t an option, do an extra coating of the Patchouli Moisturizer before the Lip Balm+. Continue applying the moisturizer, balm, or jelly (whichever is the easiest) throughout the day. As a side note, a little bit of the jelly goes a long way.