Natural skin care, natural parenting, cloth diapering and baby wearing

It is a slippery slope. When you  begin your path down the natural skin care route it tends to take you in directions you never knew you might go down. When I began looking into skin care I had no idea I would end up cloth diapering, wearing my baby and going down the path to trying to be as kind to the Earth as I was being to my children. Now, granted this doesn’t happen to everyone, but I am glad it happened to me!

Taking care of your skin naturally is only one step in the direction you might want to take your family. When I first got rosacea, after having eczema, it caused me to begin to look at what items I was applying to my face. It brought me to the Homestead Company’s eczema oil and that actually began to give me some relief. Thank you sweet relief! This search, also, caused me to look at how I can clean my home without using tons of chemicals either. One thing I found is that shark steam floor cleaner. No chemicals and just a good old fashioned cleaning makes me feel good about cleaning for my family and my home.  Checking off another awesome step on the natural living pathway.

This path of continued learning lead me to choose cloth diapers for my baby. I loved not running to the store to pick up diapers when I ran out. My diaper supply was only as far away as my laundry room. Time to do the laundry! 🙂 Since I had found the Homestead Company’s skin care I also checked out their diaper rash treatments. Their baby wipe companion is a dream for baby’s hurting bottoms! As a loyal customer pointed out, ” and I can pronounce all their ingredients in their products which is something I can not do with items bought at the local drug store. ” Once I was cloth diapering I began to check out the baby wearing scene. I absolutely loved wearing my baby. It freed up my hands to make dinner and he stayed content because he was on me, smelling me, feeling my heart beat and looking at everything I was doing. Baby wearing as a mom most definitely makes your life so much easier.

I would never tell you how to live your life. As a mom, this is the path my life ended up taking. That, in no way, means a path someone else is taking is wrong. It just means that we all live the life we are supposed to live. Educating yourself is a constant ongoing process. For me, now I am educating myself on how to eat less meat and more fruits and vegetables. I love that as a mom we can constantly strive to do just a little bit better than the day before. What are you currently educating yourself on?

Dina, mom of 3 children, 2 dogs and wife to one husband for the last 17 years. I am a writer for The Homestead Company and love learning about and experiencing new things!

Questions about Eczema?

What is eczema? Eczema is a chronically reoccurring inflammatory skin disease. You are usually predisposed to it genetically. It appears as dry, itchy, scratchy, scaly areas of  skin. I get it yearly and it appears as a small, red, scaly spot on my arm. Other adults can get it on their hands, legs, arms,  and neck areas. These are the most common areas. But it can occur anywhere. Babies tend to get it on their face, elbows and knees. It appears in older children on the back of the knees, inside the elbows, on the sides of the neck, and on the wrists, ankles and hands. Remember, just because it says this is where it normally occurs, it can occur anywhere.

 

If I get it once will it come back? Just because you have it once doesn’t necessarily mean it will reoccur. In most cases though it will flare up and then go in remission and can flare up again. Many children who have it will go into remission but continue to have dry, sensitive skin as an adult. This is certainly true of my personal experience with eczema.

 

Is it contagious? No, it is not contagious. It is something that is inherited. Not something that will rub off on your child’s friend.

 

What are the signs of eczema? Characteristics of eczema are: scratchy, scaly, red patches of skin. It can sometimes get to the point of weeping or bleeding and crusting over. But it is usually caught before then.

 

How do I treat it? If you catch it early simply moisturizing is a great way to go. Our eczema oil is a great way to get your eczema treated quickly. Another natural way to treat your eczema is through nutrient dense foods. By simply improving your diet and eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains can be a great way to try to stave off another outbreak or improve the outbreak you are having. Nutritional medicine can be a very effective way to treat many disorders.

 

How can I avoid another eczema outbreak?

1. Make sure you stay away from the triggers (pollen, mold, allergens,  animal dander etc).  2.Wear loose clothing and try to reduce incidents when you will be heavily sweating or overheated (if possible). 3. Reduce your stress. 4. Try to stay away from scratch fabrics against your skin. 5. Moisturize regularly (our Eczema oil is one way!)

Remember you never know who to trust when you are asking questions on the internet.  Always consult with your doctor if you think that you or your child might have eczema.

Eczema on Feet

Eczema is a skin condition that causes your skin to become very dry, irritated, and inflamed. It is very uncomfortable and can cause annoyance in your life. The dry skin condition can appear anywhere on your body, and there are different types of eczema. One place where it can occur often and be hard to manage is on your feet. There are many reasons that it appears on your feet such as being on your feet all day at work or wearing shoes made from material that may trigger a flare up. Here is some information about causes, symptoms, treatment, and shoe solutions for eczema on feet.

There are different factors that can cause a flare up on your feet. The most common cause is from the shoes you wear. A lot of shoes are made with dyes, different materials, and closed toe. It can be hard for your feet to breathe when you are wearing closed toe shoes all day or while you are working out for example. Leather shoes and sneaks are triggers for foot eczema. If there is not a lot of moisture in the air that can also dry out your feet which can make them dry and crack. The winter is a common season for flare ups to occur on the feet.

How can you tell the difference between dry feet or eczema? There are characteristic symptoms of feet eczema that will help you determine if you have the condition. Your skin will become very dry and itchy. It is usually very red and may have puss filled bumps on it. Your feet can become swollen or inflamed. It will often appear on the soles of your feet. If the skin is not cracked it may look somewhat glazed over.

Treating eczema on your feet can be difficult because you have to wear shoes throughout the day. When a flare up occurs it is best to keep your feet moisturized with eczema oil and lotions. The lotion should be chemical free and not heavily scented. You can also rotate your shoes because it is not good to wear the same pair every day. If you are wearing closed toe shoes wear cotton socks because your feet will be able to breathe in the material. It is also helpful to find shoes that are breathable. If the symptoms of your flare up go away, keep treating the area to prevent future flare ups.

When possible, wear open toe shoes or something that your feet can breathe in. When you do have to wear closed toe ones, wear cotton socks with them. Leather shoes are triggers for eczema, so weather other materials. A lot of shoes are made from leather so buy a few pairs to rotate throughout the week. Sandals are great because your feet will not rub against the material and cause irritation.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Skin Care and Sunscreen

Winter is coming to an end, and families are gearing up for spring break, outdoor activities, and summer vacation. The best part of winter coming to an end is that the sun shines brightly and our days last longer. It is just as important to take care of your skin in the winter and keep it moisturized as it is to protect your skin from the sun during the spring and summer if you are outside for long periods of time. Applying sunscreen should be a part of your routine during any season of the year when you may be exposed to the sun for a long time. Sun light is good for you and provides vitamin D so you don’t need sunscreen unless you are in the light for long periods of time. Protecting our skin from over exposure to the sun will prevent sun damage, skin cancer, and wrinkles.

Finding the right sunscreen to use can be hard because there are so many different brands, SPFs, scents, and types such as oil, lotion, or gel. Some can cause allergic reactions, may not protect well, feel too greasy or sticky, and some may cause a person’s eczema to become very irritated. Other types may be waterproof while some are not. Sunscreen can be made with chemicals that can leave your skin feeling dry or cause a skin rash. It is also common for sunscreen to be mixed in with a woman’s foundation or cover up.

Sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 should be applied on your arms and face both in the winter and summer if you are exposed to the sun for hours on end. If you are in the sun for a long period of time, it is important to reapply every three to four hours if you have fair skin. One application in the morning may not be enough to protect you throughout the day, depending on your skin type, if you are in direct sunlight at a sporting event or on the beach for example.

If you are prone to getting rashes from lotions or creams, you should use hypoallergenic sunscreen that is natural and chemical free. There are natural sunblocks that are made for people who have eczema or very sensitive skin. If you do have a flare up after applying, you can treat the irritation with eczema oil or lotion. It is especially important to use hypoallergenic lotions on babies because their skin is so sensitive. You may need to try out different organic hypoallergenic brands before you get the right one. Unfortunately, you may experience an eczema flare up or skin rash if the brand you use doesn’t agree with your skin type.

If you are having problems finding a sun block that won’t irritate your skin, be sure to have some protection from the UV rays such as a hat. The sun can be good for eczema, but you shouldn’t overexpose yourself or stay out in the direct light for long periods of time. Wearing sunscreen and protecting your skin will keep it healthy and looking great. Sun light provides vitamin D that isn’t naturally made in our bodies. Sun light is good for you and healthy, but it should also be balanced in your life. Over exposure can damage your skin. However, being responsible and spending some time in the summer light will make you healthy and provide vitamin D.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Makeup for Eczema

Wearing makeup can enhance your best features and make you feel glamorous and beautiful. It can boost your confidence and cover up any skin imperfections or blemishes. For those of us who have eczema or severe dry skin, makeup can be a burden. It can dry the skin out more or cause annoying flare ups and other irritations. Searching for the right products for your skin, whether you have eczema or not, can be time consuming and is often a trial and error process. When searching for cosmetics, you should look for makeup that is noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic. You can still have eczema and wear makeup when you use the right type of cosmetics.

If your eczema is mostly on your face and around your eyes, you may not be able to wear eye shadow. You can still curl your lashes to make your eyes more open and your eye lashes more noticeable. Curling your eye lashes can even make them look longer. If mascara isn’t too irritating, you may just want to put on some mascara and leave off the eye shadow. However if you experience a lot of irritation, you can enhance another part of your face where there isn’t eczema such as your lips. If you are only wearing lipstick, wear bright colors that draw the attention to that area of your face and away from your dry skin condition.

Foundation can be made in many different ways and come in forms such as powder, wet powder, and liquid. A lot of foundations are now made with moisturizers, and that is recommended for people with dry skin. If the liquid cover up doesn’t worsen your eczema symptoms, then you can comfortably and beautifully wear it. Other makeup brands create their powders and cover ups with minerals. Mineral makeup is healthy for your skin and does a great job covering up imperfections. A great tip for looking at cover up is to look for products that are talc free. Some eye shadows can also be found talc free that you can wear that may not cause your skin any harm.

If you apply makeup and experience a flare up or it dries your skin out more, then wash off the product immediately. You can treat flare ups and really dry skin with eczema oil or lotions. If you are having problems removing eye makeup or foundation, try using organic olive oil because it works great for removing it. Finding products that are hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic should reduce any flare ups or other skin irritations. The difference between these two products is that hypoallergenic is made specifically to reduce allergies. It is made with natural ingredients that aren’t harsh or irritating. Noncomedogenic makeup means that it won’t clog your pores which makeup can often do. You can find other skin care products such as lotion or sunscreen that is also noncomedogenic.

When you are looking for makeup to wear every day and you have eczema on your face, keep in mind to look for natural products that are labeled hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, and talc free. These should be fine for your skin, but you won’t know until you try them. If you notice irritation, stop using the product. Most people also say that mineral based organic makeup is less troublesome for their skin. If a flare up does occur, be sure to treat it properly and keep your skin moisturized.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Differences between Rosacea and Eczema

Two skin conditions that share some of the same symptoms are rosacea and eczema. The conditions can cause irritation, low self esteem, and embarrassment at times. However, if you have either one you shouldn’t feel embarrassed and you should remain confident. To determine if you have rosacea or eczema, there are differences that will let you determine which condition you may or may not have. Here is a look at some of the similarities and differences between the two conditions and some ways in which to treat them.

One difference between the two conditions is where the rash or flare up is occurring. Eczema can flare up on all parts of the body ranging from the hands, feet, face, and other locations. Rosacea on the other hand only appears on the face near the nose, forehead, cheeks, and eyes. If you are experiencing dry skin and irritating flare ups on other parts of your body and not on your face, you most likely have eczema and not rosacea.

The skin conditions when they are flaring up can look similar in appearance. The skin will turn red for both, but eczema is typically more dry and scaly. Eczema will have an intense itching sensation that can produce fluids, blood, inflammation, and flaky skin. Rosacea will also cause inflammation but will also show dilated blood vessels, red flushing on the face, pimples, dry eyes, styes, and increased sensitivity around the eyes.

Both skin conditions are common yet treatable. Eczema occurs when people have very dry skin and anyone can suffer from it. Rosacea is usually found with people who are fair skinned and only affects a certain part of your body unlike eczema. There are similarities and differences with the skin conditions, yet they can be treated very similarly. One of the best ways to treat both conditions is to keep your skin moisturized. For people with rosacea, it is more important to moisturize the face unlike eczema where you need to moisture most of your body that has dry skin.

Treating both should be done with organic products that don’t have harsh chemicals and maintaining a healthy diet. Eating the right foods with natural moisturizers and vitamins can make a difference in the amount of flare ups you will have. Eczema can be treated with moisturizers such as lotion or eczema oil. Rosacea can be treated with facial moisturizers and topical creams. You shouldn’t use the same moisturizers to treat both conditions. Rosacea needs to be a salt mineral base and eczema needs to be more vitamin based.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

The Correlation between Eczema and Asthma

There are some similarities from a common dry skin condition and asthma. Both are allergy related and show some correlation. There has been scientific studies conducted that have found the genes for asthma and eczema. Studies concluded that asthma is a form of the gene that causes eczema, a dry skin condition. Both conditions are similar because they are caused by some type of allergic reaction. You may notice that your child has both eczema and asthma, or you may have suffered from both at one time or another. Because they are both genetic conditions, it is likely that if you had one or both conditions, your children will have one or both as well.

Allergic reactions can take on multiple forms including external and internal reactions. Eczema is caused by a number of different factors, and allergies are one of those factors. Asthma is also an allergic reaction that takes place in the lungs. Most children usually develop eczema first, and then years later can show asthmatic symptoms. The transition from having eczema and then asthma is called the atopic march. Having a dry skin condition is more common than having asthma, and if you treat eczema as it occurs you lessen the chance of having the atopic march.

Recent studies have found the reason for a correlation between the two conditions and an explanation for the atopic march. The dry skin condition can cause a rash, flaky skin, itching, and secretion from the skin. As this happens, the brain relays a message to your body that your skin is ineffective. Your skin is the protective layer and having this condition doesn’t fully protect as it should. The secretion, called TSLP, is passed through your blood system and your skin. As it passes through your blood stream, it gets to your lungs which cause asthma. Having an asthma attack is your body’s immune system trying to kick into gear.

Treating eczema properly and while you are experiencing irritating skin reactions could prevent you or your child from developing asthma. The skin condition is best treated with organic products that don’t use harsh chemicals or synthetic ingredients that medial prescriptions could have in them. The best defense against severely dry skin is eating properly, drinking lots of water, and keeping your skin moisturized with eczema oil, lotions, or other types or eczema moisturizers. Organic ingredients such as kukui nut oil, premium emu oil, and jojoba oil are rich in vitamin E. This vitamin acts as a moisturizing agent for your skin and is great for your health. Using moisturizers could help to prevent the development of asthma if someone already didn’t have it.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Why Eczema is Worse in Winter

If you have suffered from dry irritating skin rashes, you may have noticed an external factor that triggered this irritating condition. You may or may not be suffering from a skin condition called eczema. For those of you who have it, you may know that there are certain triggers that can result in annoying flare ups. Some factors that can worsen your condition are water, certain types of food, humidity, weather conditions, clothing, and soap. Weather is one of the biggest factors that can worsen your eczema, and it is known to be at its worst in the winter.

Most areas of the world have cold winters, excluding places such as the Caribbean or other tropical location. Winter weather conditions can include harsh northerly winds, snow, low humidity, dry air and cold weather. These factors can cause your skin to become very dry. It is so important to stay moisturized and wear protective clothing when you have to face winter conditions. Even if you don’t have eczema, you have probably noticed that your skin is dry in the winter and you are constantly applying lotion or other types of moisturizers.

Cold air and low humidity can dry your skin and it removes the moisture your skin needs. Because these are common winter conditions, it tends to make your eczema worse during this season. It can be hard to stay moisturized when the weather doesn’t change and continues to stay cold. Also, central heating inside your home will also dry your skin. To combat these factors you can humidify your home with a humidifier and wear gloves when you go outside.

A lot of people wear wool in the winter because the material keeps you so warm. However, this can cause a lot of itching which can worsen an eczema flare up. It is hard to dress warm when the weather is so cold without irritating your skin. Adding on extra layers to your outfit can also cause you to sweat which will induce a flare up. When dressing for the winter, you have to find a happy medium.

Unfortunately, the weather conditions cannot be changed in the winter and typically eczema is worse during this season. During the spring is when most people with eczema notice that they have less flare ups. If you are living in a location with a cold climate and harsh winter conditions, be sure to moisturize your skin with an organic eczema oil or lotion. This can manage a flare up if you happen to have one. The winter months will bring on more flare ups because of the cold air so staying moisturized becomes a necessity for the health of your skin.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Eczema Tip: Allergy Proof Your Home

Outdoor allergy seasons come and go depending on weather patterns and time of year. During high allergy seasons we get refuge in our homes or load up on Vitamin C and allergy medicine. Unfortunately, you are not safe from allergies in your home. There is dust and dander, among other things, that can cause an allergy outbreak. You may have a runny nose, constant sneezing, itchy skin, or rashes as a result from coming in contact with something you are allergic to in your home. You may even start to see a dry rash that flares up which is called eczema. If you have eczema, the flare ups can become worse from allergic reactions. To keep your flare ups under control, here are some ways to allergy proof your home.

An easy way to control allergens is to have a weekly cleaning routine. If you suffer from allergies that are pretty severe or have asthma and eczema flare ups, you may need a daily cleaning routine. You don’t need a floor to ceiling scrub down of your home every day, but you may need to dust or vacuum more often than others. Every week you should vacuum your carpets and sweep tile or wood floors. If you are highly allergic to dust mites, you may want to consider investing in a dust free vacuum. To clear dust off of other surfaces like table tops or windows you can use a damp cloth to wipe them down instead of using a feather duster that spreads the dirt around. There can be a lot of dust mites on your bed, so it is important to wash and change your sheets weekly. When you have clean sheets, you’ll start to notice your eczema improve.

The temperature and humidity in your home should be controlled at all times. High temperatures can cause infestations and mold. The humidity in your home should always be around 50%, and keep the temperature comfortable. You don’t want the temperature too hot or cold, so a good degree to maintain is 70, give or take a few degrees. You may need to use humidifiers to control the humidity, but you can control the temperature with your thermostat. To get the most effectiveness out of your central heating system, clean or replace air filters once a month. This will also help to keep the dust at a minimum. It is important to keep surfaces in your home clean and dry. Make sure there aren’t any leaks under any countertops.

Another great tip for controlling the allergens is to make your home easy to clean. For example, replace carpeting and rugs with wood, tile, or linoleum. Curtains can carry a lot of dust, so buy window treatment that can be dusted easily. If you have curtains, buy them in a material that is easy to wash. Leather furniture is preferable over upholstered sofas and chairs. Because we spend so much time in our bedrooms, you want to make sure that your mattress and flooring is easy to clean too. It is important to use pillow mattress covers to avoid dust mites or other dander. Wool blankets and new foam pillows attract dust mites, so you should have other materials instead. If you have a lot of furniture in your bedroom, keep it as far from the bed as you can.

Using these simple tips can keep your home as allergy free as it can be. If you notice that your allergies or eczema still flare up, you can use eczema oil to control the uncomfortable feeling on your skin.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.

Chlorine’s Effect on Eczema

Our skin is our body’s number one defense against germs or getting sick. It is a protective layer that keeps us healthy and protects our organs. There are so many factors that affect the health and condition of our skin. Having eczema can make this a little more challenging because the moisture that we need isn’t produced as it should be.

There are a lot of external factors that affect an eczema flare up such as weather, lotions, makeup, soap, and laundry detergent. One factor that you may not realize that is so harmful to your skin condition is water. Most, if not all, city water is treated with chlorine. Chlorine however is hurting us and not helping our water. Here are some of the effects of chlorine on our skin and eczema.

First and foremost, chlorine dries out your skin. This is bad for people who have eczema because their skin already is naturally dry and has hard time maintaining moisture. It can also dry out your hair as well. Swimming pools have a lot of chlorine in them to ward off bacteria, and everyone has probably had that dry feeling after a day of swimming.

There isn’t as much concentrated chlorine in your bathing water, however over time the chlorine’s effects really add up against your skin because the levels of chlorine are still pretty high. After showering you can feel itchy, dry, and notice a rash. This is an uncomfortable feeling to have every day.

Showering is more harmful than swimming in a chlorine treated pool. The hot water from your shower opens your pores, to cleanse, but the toxic gases caused from the steam and heat are easily absorbed by your skin. In addition to drying you out, you can prematurely develop wrinkles. To ease the itching feeling after your shower, you can use lotions or eczema oil to alleviate the irritation and bring some moisture back. There is also an option to install chlorine free showerheads. Chlorine free water is the best defense against atopic dermatitis and wrinkles.

There are other harmful effects of chlorine in the water you bathe in and the water you drink. Chlorine is used to fight off bacteria in our water, yet it causes so many other detrimental health problems. In addition to causing atopic dermatitis or making it worse, it has also been known to cause cancer. If you drink tap water that has been treated with chlorine you run the risk of hurting your bladder, stomach, and breasts. It can also really flare up asthma attacks which are commonly associated with eczema. Chlorine, over time, can damage cell tissues.

About the Author: Melanie Nader is the founder of the Homestead Company which makes premium quality natural skin care products including eczema oil and diaper ointment made with the finest 100% natural ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.homesteadcompany.com/.