Nadine searched throughout Australia for baby skin care products tailored to the needs of children with allergies. Yet the only baby skin care products she noticed contained either essential oils or synthetic fragrances, or chemically derived ingredients, many of which can irritate a baby’s delicate skin.

“Paediatric research into eczema confirms that baby skin care shouldn’t contain any of these ingredients. In Australia alone 1 in 4 children now suffer from eczema” said Nadine Hall Director of Nature Within.

Nadine spent 3 years researching baby eczema whilst developing her signature eczema treatment product Soothing Moisturising Eczema Cream Aust L168199 in her kitchen and then went through the challenging task of applying to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for listing.

The feedback has been so positive she developed a full range of unscented baby skin care and bamboo rompers for babies with allergy prone skin and the Nature Within baby skin care brand was born. Nadine took her entrepreneurial and tough business skills learnt from working in the mainly male dominated construction industry and used them to build the Nature Within brand from a small start up into a national brand, selling across Australia and now into one of the largest pharmacy chains in Asia.

It hasn’t stopped there, Nadine was so determined to help other mothers going through what she has gone through that she regularly writes articles and updates her blog not only on the latest eczema treatment information but also on her own personal journey with her children’s allergies.

Prevention is better than cure and this determined mother won’t stop until that message is delivered worldwide.

Is it though? With one in four people suffering from allergies like Eczema, Asthma or Hay fever for many, especially babies and young children the change of season brings no relief and only a host of other issues to contend with.

Two of the most common allergens dust mite and mould still continue to thrive but with spring upon  us and the pollen count starting to rise for allergy sufferers this time of the year can be the worst for triggering outbreaks of eczema, hay fever and asthma.

While the flowers in bloom bring beauty and fragrance  the pollens bring sneezing, itching and a host of other symptoms.

Mould in particular is more prevalent in cooler and moist conditions commonly seen on walls, ceilings, certain types of  furniture, bathrooms and in the laundry.

Older style homes using weatherboard and fibro that were built without insulation or windows being closed all winter with no adequate ventilation tend to attract mould easier than a brick home.

Combine this with dust mites that breed in rugs, bedding and the extra blankets used throughout winter.  Turn on the air conditioning to further circulate the dust and just to finish off with pats and cuddles from our furry friends.

 Is it any wonder that young children in particular tend to spend more time at the doctor during the cooler seasons than at any other time of the year.

Another issue can be misdiagnosis, many children are placed on antibiotics for upper respiratory and chest infections and commonly attendance at childcare or school is blamed for this when in fact your child may very well have any allergy.

 If your child is constantly sniffling, has a runny nose, coughing a lot particularly at night or early morning and no amount of antibiotics seems to treat the issue question the doctor on whether your child could possibly have an allergy like hay fever or asthma and get a referral to a respiratory paediatrician or an allergist.

 There is no avoiding the change in season but there are steps you can take to reduce allergies taking over your household.

 Allergy Action Plan

1.  Wash pillows and sheets weekly in hot water  above 55 degrees with a few drops of tea tree oil to kill dust mites
2. If pollen triggers your allergies then consider drying your clothes in the clothes dryer or indoors, whilst energy conservation is paramount your health and wellbeing is more so
3. Try to avoid the outdoors during windy weather
4. Vacuum mattresses, rugs and curtains – spray with either a dust mite spray or mix some very hot water with tea tree oil and spray
5.  Dust more frequently
6.  If your house isn’t insulated strongly consider having this done, insulation batts rating R2.5 or higher in your ceiling and combining this with a whirlybird or 2 on the roof is great for ventilation of the house and assists in reducing mould. It will also increase warmth in winter and further cools the house in summer so reducing the need for heating and cooling which is a definite allergy trigger.
7.  Wash walls and furniture if mould is present. If mould is a real issue consider getting in a mould cleaning specialist.
8.  Place moisture absorbers under beds or in areas where dampness and moisture is a problem these can be found in your supermarket cleaning aisles and they will last for 2-3 months.
9.  Clean filters regularly on your air conditioners and spray with some tea tree and lemon oil mixed in hot water not only is this blend totally natural, it has antiseptic properties and leaves the room smelling fresh.
10.  As much as you love your furry friends, cats can be a child’s worst enemy when they have allergies.

 By being prepared and putting your allergy action plan in place your child’s spring season may pass with fewer trips to the doctor than you might think.

 Whilst the study had been undertaken more than 10 years ago I imagine those results would not have changed much.

 The results showed children who had moderate to severe eczema had higher costs financially and emotionally than those with diabetes. Children with mild eczema had the same costs as children with diabetes.

 What is so interesting about this is so much more money is injected into support and research for diabetes and far less for eczema research and support. Yet eczema is the most common skin disorder in children under 11 years of age and has more hospital admissions than any other paediatric dermatological disorder.

Lets not forget that Eczema, Asthma and Hayfever are all linked, this means that 25 – 50% of children with Eczema also develop Asthma and 30% develop Allergic Rhinitis. For many families this puts a huge financial strain on the household income which in turn on family relationships.

 Why was I thinking about all of this? well it was a case of chronic tiredness and looking into our medicine cupboard to find it was more like a chemist store of antihistamines, asthma preventers, asthma relievers, nasal sprays, chest rubs and a concoction of other treatments and remedies combined with a filing cabinet of pharmacy scripts for all of these items.

Ok, slight exageration on the filing cabinet but too bad if we were to get sick with anything other than allergies as we would have nowhere to put the medication.

The chronic tiredness came into it because every night for the past 5 and 1/2 years (the age of my oldest child) I have rarely had a full night of sleep usually the ritual is setting up both children with water and tissues and setting up my bedside table with ventolin, nasonex, chest rub and moisturiser.

 My 5 year old son has terrible allergic rhinitis which followed on from his eczema. From the age of 6 months he slept with a humidifier in his room every night because if he didn’t he would cough all night long. Constant trips to the doctor for yet another course of antibiotics which occured every 6 weeks and the usual talk of he attends childcare and because of family history he is likely to be asthmatic and this is why he is always sick.

 Well I felt like the worst mother on earth and every day was the same ritual of scrubbing and cleaning the humidifier and wiping down my son’s room from all the steam left by the humidifier combined with various well meaning advice about food allergies being the cause and do this and do that.

 Finally the humidifier packed it in which was actually a blessing in disguise. I started to notice that my son had the same symptoms as myself as I have had hayfever my whole life so I took him back to the doctor and suggested that he has hayfever . Well the doctor was very quick to slam down my idea and was actually very rude.

 I left the doctor in tears and rang the Asthma Association and asked about a new humidifier one that wouldn’t soak the room in condensation I told her the entire story of the past 18 months and she told me that many children were being misdiagnosed with Asthma when in fact they had Allergic Rhinitis she suggested I get a referral to a particular Respiratory Paediatrician who specialised in eczema, asthma and hayfever.

 Well now I was angry I went back to the doctor and told him to either he give me the referall or I would find someone who would. Well $300 and a few months later my son saw the specialist, and yes I was right. Needless to say I had great pleasure in letting the doctor know. No more humidifier, no more antibiotics and useless medication for a condition he didn’t have and money down the drain.

 Even though he has Hayfever and is reliant on antihistamines particurlay at night he is a much happier child and rarely has antibiotics.

 My daughter has asthma, eczema and hayfever so depending upon the weather is were we are at with what will happen with her day. As soon as the cold weather arrives the eczema returns. Yesterday when she  headed off to kindy her skin was lovely, not a mark on it.

She came home yesterday afternoon and the eczema patches had started on her legs, feet, face and back obviously from running around and becoming overheated. Her hayfever has also flared up but her asthma is under control from a new medication she is on which took months of trial and error to finally control.

 So this weeks tiredness is the result of Liam needing nasal spray in the middle of the night because he can’t breathe through his nose and Emily requiring more cream because her eczema is causing her to scratch combined with crying and cuddles in between.

 Who knows what next week will bring!

 I know I have an easy job compared to many parents who have children with severe eczema. The task of cream and wet wrapping applications can take up hours in the day.

 For families who can’t afford the ongoing myriad of creams and medications combined with long waiting lists on the public hospital system to see a specialist, the added financial strain can push the average family to the brink and research shows stress exacerbates eczema and asthma.

So the main point to this post is, “Why is Eczema one of the leading health issues amongst children and yet it is so poorly funded?”

 Furthermore, ”Wouldn’t it be better to provide information and education before a child develops eczema?”

 Pregnancy health screening should include a family history of allergies, so the unborn childs risk can be determined and information and education put in place to lower the incidence of a child developing eczema.

 Maternity hospitals also need to be educated on the risks associated with early introduction of skincare and the affect on a newborn baby’s skin. In particular a baby who has a family history of allergies.

 Eczema rates amongst children have jumped three fold in the past 30 years and according to medical research the one common factor in this has been the introduction of baby skincare products being used on a newborn babies skin and interfering with the epidermal barrier.

 I have watched numerous You Tube videos of maternity nurses bathing newborn babies in high foaming baby skincare products and endorsing the product.

 I personally think this is irresponsible. Eczema is a very painful and serious skin disorder which if not treated properly can result in life threatening infections and in some cases death.

 Many new mums look to the maternity nurse as a source of advice on caring for their baby, “So shouldn’t it be mandatory that one of the highest rating skin disorders to affect young children be first on the education list?”

 Why do I feel so strongly about this? because if I had of received the education before having my children then I would have had the tools to make better informed decisions for what is best for my children.

 Instead my education was being told my child has an 80% chance of developing eczema and here is a bottle of lovely smelling bubble bath to bathe your baby in.

Is it though? With one in five people suffering from allergies like Eczema, Asthma or Hayfever, for many especially babies and young children the change of season brings no relief and only a host of other issues to contend with.

The pollen count may decrease but the dust mite and mould population is thriving. Two of the most common allergens to trigger eczema, hayfever and asthma during these cooler months.

Mould in particular is far more prevalent in wet, moist conditions commonly seen on walls, ceilings, certain types of furniture, bathrooms and in the laundry.

Older style homes using weatherboard and fibro that were built without insulation or windows being closed all winter with no adequate ventilation tend to attract mould easier than a brick home.

Combine this with dust mites that breed in rugs, bedding and woollen clothing and wrap this around our skin to keep warm, turn on the reverse cycle air conditioning to further circulate the dust and just to finish off let our furry friends spend the cooler months indoors.

Is it any wonder that young children in particular tend to spend more time at the doctor during the cooler seasons than at any other time of the year.

Another issue can be misdiagnosis, many children are placed on antibiotics for upper respiratory and chest infections and commonly the childcare or school is blamed for this when in fact your child may very well have any allergy.

If your child is constantly sniffling, has a runny nose, coughing a lot particularly at night or early morning and no amount of antibiotics seems to treat the issue question the doctor on whether your child could possibly have hayfever or asthma or get a referral to a respiratory paediatrician.

There is no avoiding the change in season but there are steps you can take to reduce allergies taking over your household.

Allergy Action Plan

* Wash pillows and sheets weekly in hot water with a few drops of tea tree oil to kill dust mites
* Vacuum mattresses, rugs and curtains – spray with either a dust mite spray or mix some water with tea tree oil and spray
* Dust more frequently
* If your house isn’t insulated strongly consider having this done,  insulation batts rating R2.5 or higher in your ceiling and combining this with a whirlybird or 2 on  the roof is great for ventilation of the house and assists in reducing mould.

It will also increase warmth in winter and further cools the house in summer so reducing the need for heating and cooling which is a definate allergy trigger.
* Wash walls and furniture if mould is present. If mould is a real issue consider getting in a mould cleaning specialist.
* Place moisture absorbers under beds or in areas where dampness and moisture is a problem these can be found in your supermarket cleaning aisles and they will last for 2-3 months.
* Clean filters regularly on your airconditioners and spray with some tea tree and lemon oil mixed in water not only is this blend totally natural, it has antiseptic properties and leaves the room smelling fresh.
* As much as you love your furry friends, cats can be a child’s worst enemy when they have allergies.

By being prepared and putting your allergy action plan in place your child’s winter may pass with fewer trips to the doctor than you might think.

Made from the finest bamboo and organic cotton these beautiful romper suits are perfect for a baby’s sensitive skin and can used as complimentary eczema treatment.

 The new collection will be available in three beautiful styles to suit every season and keep your precious little bundle wrapped in softness in any climate.

“Having a child with eczema and watching them scratch their skin in their sleep is distressing for any parent. Watching my own child doing this made me realise that skincare is not only about the products we bathe and moisturise our children in, but also the fabrics that are pressed against their skin.

Our specially made organic baby clothes are silky soft on baby’s skin and are thermo regulating so draw moisture away from baby’s skin, whilst keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter,” said Nadine Hall Director of Nature Within.

Bamboo has a number of benefits for baby’s skin. It is thermo regulating and it can absorb and evaporate sweat almost instantly, so keeping your baby’s skin drier longer. Bamboo is a luxurious silky soft material like cashmere and is perfect for baby eczema. It contains natural antibacterial properties and is odour resistant even after multiple washes. Bamboo also contains a natural UV protectant.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth and can grow up to a metre in one day. Requiring no irrigation and improving soil quality while also being 100% biodegradable. Bamboo is grown without fertilizers, pesticides and as it spreads rapidly whilst absorbing greenhouse gases, so it is better for the environment. When Bamboo is made into fibre it requires no chemicals to process it. Organic cotton is grown and processed without any chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides so better for the environment and better for baby’s skin.

Nature Within Bamboo & Organic Cotton Rompers are made with 70% Bamboo and 30% organic cotton and only vegetable based dyes are used during processing. As babies spend around 16 hours a day sleeping, these garments have been designed to give your baby comfort whilst caring for their delicate skin. Nature Within Bamboo Baby Rompers are suitable for sensitive skin and baby eczema.

The range is available in sizes 0000 Newborn to 3 months, 000 – 3 to 6 months, 00 – 6 to 9 months and 0 – 9 to 12 months. In three styles:
Summer – Bamboo Baby Romper short sleeve snap-suit (no legs) – $10.99
Spring / Autumn – Bamboo Baby Romper long sleeved romper (no legs) – $11.99
Winter – Bamboo Baby Romper long sleeve with legs suit – $12.99

Nature Within Bamboo Baby Rompers, compliment the baby skincare products in the Nature Within range. These include, Baby Moisturiser (200ml $11.99), Baby Bottom Balm (50gm $9.99), Baby Body & Hair Cleanser (250ml $11.99), Baby Massage & Bath Blend (125ml $11.99), or a Beautiful Baby Gift Pack ($40.00) containing the complete baby skincare range.

The Nature Within Soothing Moisturising Eczema Cream Aust L168199 compliments the entire baby skincare range as an eczema treatment for baby eczema.

All Nature Within products are available online.

Nature Within follows your baby’s skincare routine from bath to bed.

Nature Within bamboo rompers and baby skincare range is available online at www.naturewithin.com.au, call 1300 229 488, email enquiries@naturewithin.com.au

While the infection itself is far milder in immunised children and most will have less than 30 spots children with eczema can be severely infected with over 1500 spots.

Thankfully my daughter Emily wasn’t too bad and to look at her you wouldn’t know she had chicken pox but my son Liam, well that’s another story his little body was covered head to toe in spots with no where to spare even his eyelids and in his ears were covered.

Children on steroid medications commonly used in Asthma and Eczema can have lowered immune systems which puts them at a higher risk of contracting illnesses.

The Chicken Pox virus is part of the herpes family of viruses and as children with eczema already have extremely sensitive skin combine this with chicken pox and it can be a recipe for disaster.

If your child is an eczema sufferer and develops chicken pox ensure you speak to your healthcare professional about the best course of action for your child and help reduce their chance of a serious infection.

Aqueous cream which has been prescribed by GPs for years as a leave on emollient to soothe eczema is actually breaking down healthy skin and increasing water loss which in turn causes stinging, itching and worsening of the eczema.

Aqueous Cream was never intended as a moisturiser and was orignally used as an alternative to soap. The culprit appears to Sodium Laurel Sulphate which is an ingredient used in detergent and many bath products.

After 4 weeks of continually using Aqueous Cream skin thickness had reduced by 10 percent and in a study on children it was found 56% had reported a stinging sensation after use.

A newborn baby’s skin is 5 times thinner than an adult yet a large number of baby skin care products on the market contain Sodium Laurel Sulphate, furthermore many of the maternity hospitals unwittingly supply these products to new mums.

Is it any wonder that Eczema is the largest skin problem in the world when there is so much conflicting information and full and complete labelling on products is not mandatory.

Hospitals should ban all baby skin care products being donated and better educate mums on baby skincare. By accepting these products it is seen by new mums that hospitals are endorsing particular brands when in fact a newborn baby’s skin should be left alone and only water used for the first 6 weeks.

Unfortunately Eczema is a frustrating disease not just for the person enduring it but also for caretakers like parents of children with Eczema. Maybe if education on baby skincare and eczema were improved then we may stand a fighting chance of reducing the number of people with it.

With summer just around the corner it’s off with the hat and scarves and on with the togs. A favourite past time in Australia during the warm summer months is the beach and swimming. For those people lucky enough to not have eczema nothing is more fun and enjoyable than the sun, sand and surf.

Unfortunately for people with eczema summer is a dreaded time of year.

Some people find that their eczema actually improves in the warmer months with exposure to sunlight. Others find the sun, sand, surf or chlorine a recipe for disaster.

Chlorine is extremely drying and even the healthiest of skin can suffer the effects of dry, irritated skin after a long cool dip in the swimming pool.

What about the beach?

While salt water solutions (saline) is commonly used to clean wounds and assist with healing it is also very drying and for some especially baby eczema, the sting of the salt water in skin cracks and the abrasiveness of sand can be particularly painful.

This doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun of sun, sand and surf.

With a few simple tips you too can enjoy summer without eczema making it impossible:

Ten tips to enjoy summer:

1. Are you taking antihistamines or medications that may cause sun sensitivities? Always check with your pharmacist or Doctor before going out into the sun.

2. Always patch test your sunscreen twice before going in the sun. Sometimes a reaction may not occur initially from the first application of sunscreen so when a reaction does occur on the second application then usually the surf or pool water is blamed.

3. The sun is always strongest between the hours of 10am – 2pm so keep out of the sun during these times and ensure you slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat.

4. Dress in UV clothing before going in the sun these garments have been specifically designed with SPF protection factors, the higher the number, the stronger the protection. If possible choose light colours over dark e.g.: white instead of black as white doesn’t absorb heat as much as black clothing.

5. Before swimming apply a thick layer of emollient cream all over your body paying special attention to areas affected by eczema. Try to allow 30 minutes between applying emollient and sunscreen.

6. Apply sunscreen, 30+ is a must (Cancer Council Classic Sun Cream is a very rich heavy cream) suitable for eczema prone skin or Sunsense Toddler Milk is recommended by the National Eczema Society these particular products contain Titanium Dioxide which can sit on the skin and act as a barrier. The only downfall is because they have a heavy base it can leave a white residue on the skin.

Ensure you apply your cream in downward, gentle strokes to avoid irritating the skin and triggering the itch that is so common with eczema.

7. After swimming ensure you rinse yourself with plain water and a small amount of gentle bath wash or oil to remove any chlorine or salt water residue then pat your skin dry.

Remember to choose products that do not contain fragrances.

8. Reapply emollient moisturiser to your skin and do this at least 4 times a day or more if your skin needs it.

9. Even if your eczema is currently under control continue to apply emollient cream frequently to keep your skin barrier intact and lower the incidence of an eczema flare up.

10. Always seek medical advice if skin is bleeding or weeping to ensure you don’t develop an infection.

By following the above tips you too can enjoy the summer months without the sting.

The Nature Within Soothing Moisturising Eczema Cream was created by Gold Coast mother, Nadine Hall, a qualified Aromatherapist and Certified Infant Massage Instructor. Nadine spent three years of intensive research and product development in conjunction with a cosmetic chemist to develop her eczema treatment product.

“Nothing is more distressing for a mother than watching your child suffer with this painful skin condition. I developed the Soothing Moisturising Eczema Cream as an eczema treatment for my husband and children who both suffer with eczema.” said Nadine Hall, Creator and Director of Nature Within Baby Skin Care.

Paediatric research has confirmed that a new born baby’s skin is five times thinner than that of an adult. This means their skin is not yet fully developed, so very sensitive and able to absorb potential irritants easily. A baby’s skin also loses water faster than an adult so dry skin can occur very quickly which can lead to skin irritations and baby eczema. Eczema (atopic dermatitis), is a recurring, non-infectious, inflammatory skin condition that causes the skin to become red, dry, itchy and scaly causing the sufferer much discomfort.

Nature Within Soothing Moisturising Eczema Cream contains a nourishing blend of Shea Butter, extracted from the African Karite tree; it has tremendous skin softening properties and cell regeneration activity. Aloe Vera containing vitamin B complex, folic acid, vitamin C and carotene, is cooling, soothing and moisturising, ideal for sunburn, insect bites and other skin irritations. Vitamin B5 for its hydrating and reputed, wound healing properties and Gota Kola herbal extract, used in the treatment of burns, skin ulcers, eczema, scars and dry itchy skin. Calendula is used to promote skin healing and repair. It has anti-inflammatory properties which is excellent for wounds, chapped, cracked skin, eczema and burns.

Nature Within Soothing Moisturising Eczema Cream is suitable for sensitive, dry and itchy skin. It can be used for the treatment of minor skin disorders such as wounds, eczema, dermatitis and it may assist in the formation of scar tissue. It is anti-inflammatory which helps to reduce itch and irritation. The cream also helps to moisturise and reduce the inflammation of sunburn. 

 Nature Within Soothing Moisturising Eczema Cream is a natural alternative in eczema treatment.

The Nature Within Soothing Moisturising Eczema Cream can be complemented with other products in the range including, Baby Bath & Hair Cleanser, Baby Moisturiser, Baby Bottom Balm and Baby Massage & Bath Blend.  All Nature Within natural, organic baby skincare is Ph balanced and contains hypoallergenic ingredients, rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals to soften soothe and protect, whilst being completely unscented. All Nature Within natural, organic baby products are free from, artificial colours, fragrances and essential oils. They contain no petrochemicals, mineral oils, sulphate surfactants, paraben preservatives, pesticides or fertilizers. The products are not tested on animals and use recyclable packaging. This natural, organic baby skin care range is made in Australia in a TGA manufacturing laboratory following strict, sterile procedures under stringent quality control practices.

Nature Within Soothing Moisturising Eczema Cream Aust L:168199 75g – RRP: $10.99

The only fragrance a mother and baby need is each other.

Nature Within, natural and organic baby skincare.

Nature Within baby skincare products are available to purchase on-line and can be shipped internationally. Nature Within baby skin care is available online at www.naturewithin.com.au, call 1300 229 488, email enquiries@naturewithin.com.au