If you’re a parent dealing with persistent eczema in your child, you know it’s more than just dry skin. You’ve tried the lotions, the creams, maybe even a prescription—and yet the red, itchy patches keep coming back.
At Pinnacle Chiropractic, we don’t just look at the surface—we dig deeper to uncover why your child’s skin is reacting in the first place.
Let’s explore the most common holistic causes of eczema in children and the steps you can take to support healing from the inside out.
What Is Eczema, Really?
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition. It’s often a visible signal of a deeper imbalance—typically in the immune system, gut, or nervous system. That’s why steroid creams might provide temporary relief but rarely create lasting change.
Eczema tends to show up when the body is overwhelmed, inflamed, or hypersensitive.
1. Gut Imbalance and Leaky Gut
A major driver of eczema is poor gut health. Many kids with eczema also experience:
- Chronic constipation
- Food intolerances (dairy, gluten, soy)
- History of reflux, colic, or antibiotic use
- Autoimmune or seasonal allergy tendencies
When the gut lining becomes inflamed or leaky, proteins and toxins escape into the bloodstream—triggering the immune system and inflaming the skin.
What Helps:
- A clean diet free from processed foods and inflammatory oils
- Reducing or eliminating dairy and gluten during healing
- Supporting the gut lining with a product like Earthley’s Gut Health Oil, made with ginger, chicory, dandelion, and fennel root to gently calm and restore the digestive tract
2. Immune System Overload
The immune system and the skin are directly connected. If your child’s immune system is constantly fighting off irritants—like allergens, toxins, or undigested food proteins—it can misfire and create chronic inflammation in the skin.
This may show up as:
- Frequent colds or runny noses
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Histamine intolerance or hives
- Flare-ups during illness or after vaccines
What Helps:
- Clean up common irritants in the home (fragranced laundry products, toxic cleaners, artificial dyes)
- Support immune modulation through nervous system regulation (more on that below)
- Avoid over-sanitizing; let your child build microbial resilience outdoors and through whole foods
3. Nervous System Stress
One of the most overlooked causes of eczema is nervous system dysregulation. When your child is stuck in a state of chronic stress—even low-level stress from birth trauma, sensory overload, or sleep disruptions—the body doesn’t prioritize skin repair.
Instead, it diverts resources toward survival mode, increasing cortisol and suppressing proper immune function. Many of our pediatric patients with eczema also show signs of:
- Anxiety
- Sensory processing challenges
- Sleep troubles
- Hyperactivity or irritability
What Helps:
- Pediatric chiropractic care: Gentle adjustments help shift the body out of “fight or flight” mode and into healing mode
- Calming tools like weighted blankets, nature time, and deep breathing
- Reducing screen time and overstimulation
When the nervous system relaxes, the skin often follows.
4. Topical Irritants and Environmental Toxins
The products we use every day can create an invisible storm on sensitive skin. Many eczema flares are triggered by:
- Soaps with sulfates or parabens
- Fragrance-filled lotions
- Dryer sheets and synthetic laundry detergents
- Over-washing with hot water
What Helps:
- Switch to truly clean skincare and laundry products
- Use gentle, healing topical products like:
- Earthley’s Soothing Skin Balm – a nourishing balm made with chamomile, calendula, and plantain
- Earthley’s Anti-Itch Soap – made with comfrey, lavender, and non-drying oils to cleanse without stripping moisture
Use lukewarm water for baths and pat skin dry before applying balm.
5. Food Sensitivities and Inflammatory Diets
Certain foods can act as immune system irritants—especially in kids with eczema. The most common triggers include:
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Soy
- Refined sugar
- Processed seed oils (canola, sunflower, soybean)
These foods can increase inflammation in the body and worsen the skin’s ability to heal.
What Helps:
- An elimination diet guided by a provider
- A nutrient-dense, whole-foods diet focused on gut-friendly foods like bone broth, grass-fed meats, veggies, and clean fats
- Consider working with a holistic nutritionist if dietary changes feel overwhelming
Final Thoughts
Eczema may show up on the skin—but it’s often a reflection of what’s happening inside the body. That’s why steroid creams are rarely a long-term solution.
At Pinnacle Chiropractic, we take a root-cause approach to pediatric eczema—addressing nervous system stress, gut health, immune function, and clean skincare together.
We’ve seen children go from constant flare-ups to completely clear skin—not because we treated the symptom, but because we helped their bodies regain balance.
Ready to explore natural, root-cause solutions for your child’s eczema?
Schedule a consultation with Pinnacle Chiropractic today to get started with a personalized plan for healing from the inside out.
Looking for a Pediatric or Prenatal Chiropractor near you?
Visit www.pdcnearme.com to find a trusted provider in your area.
