Infant Cough

How do you guys know about all this stuff! Guess Ive been out of the loop for too long.

I can only speak for myself, but I have been into herbal remedies for years. I have also taken a couple of medicinal herbology courses as well as Homeopathy courses. 

I can only speak for myself, but I have been into herbal remedies for years. I have also taken a couple of medicinal herbology courses as well as Homeopathy courses. 

Saucy, did you need any formal qualifications for these courses?  Everything I know I've learned from my grandmother or self-taught.  I'd like to learn more, but don't have any 'qualifications'.

No, They were just one off courses at my Adult Education Colleges. Look into the Wellness section of the Adult Ed colleges near you. I had to take these courses on saturdays. As for my earlier training, it was all handed down to me from Grandma, and my friend's "Flower Child" Mother. That is where I got the nappy rash ointment recipe. Working with her and basically improving on the recipe she was doing, with a few pieces here and there. ]

The Homeopathy course was called Homeopathic First Aid no qualifications are required.

Does anyone know if Asthma and Eczema go hand in hand. I thought I read that somewhere?
Also what's a good homeopathic remedy for baby eczema? My 7 month old has a few bad spots on his legs. Regular childrens eczema lotion isnt helping at all.

Niall has a few patches on his face every so often.  We use Aqueous Cream BP on the patches three times per day.  Also, we use no soap on or around the effected area.  We simply use the Aqueous Cream BP as a cleanser as well. 

You can get a tub of it from your local chemist.  It's a pretty big tub and darn cheap.

Yes the GP perscribed it but it doesnt seem to be doing the trick. She told me we could also use it as a cleanser. How do we do that? Does it lather? Is it greasy?

Well, yes, it will be greasier than using normal soap.  I keep a separate wash cloth for the cream and another for normal soap.  Just put a bit on the wash cloth, rub over the area, then rinse the cloth and use it to wipe away the excess.  It will leave the area lightly greasy, but nothing major.

If you can't control it with Aqueous Cream, you may want to return to your doctor.  Unless of course the herb ladies have other suggestions.

From what I have read, asthma and Eczema go hand in hand.

Dry, itchy skin can be soothed by adding a couple of large handfuls of finely milled porridge oats to your bath (make sure you put a strainer over the plug when you let the water out). Oats are a traditional remedy for eczema, inflammation and sun damage. Camomille can be very soothing too - add two or three tea bags to your bath.

Oatmeal Bath
Put instant oatmeal in a muslin bag; let it soak in the water for a few minutes. Rub the bag on your skin.

Baby Powder
1 ounce powdered chamomile
1 ounce powdered marigold flowers
1 ounce oat or oatmeal powder
1/2 ounce comfrey root powder
1/2 ounce cornstarch (optional)

Sift through a very fine sifter, then bottle. If heat rash is a problem, add cornstarch.

Does anyone know if Asthma and Eczema go hand in hand. I thought I read that somewhere?
Also what's a good homeopathic remedy for baby eczema? My 7 month old has a few bad spots on his legs. Regular childrens eczema lotion isnt helping at all.

Also, the thing to remember with excema is that you need to be very careful with his clothing.  Stick to cotton only.  Avoid any kind of flame retardency or nylon and other man made fibers.  Also wool is something to avoid.  Fabric softener is one of the worst things for excema.  And only use a non-bio washing detergent.  Boots used to do a super excema laundry detergent, but I had good luck with Fairy.  Look for a baby bath with oil-I used Johnson's and avoid soaps and anything perfumey. 

As a side note, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed.  I developed hayfever at the ripe old age of 30, and along with it came itchy, itchy hives anytime I used anything with chamomile in it.  I'm becoming an expert at reading ingredient lists!  Just thought I'd throw that in on the chance that your baby is allergy prone.

http://herbalmusings.com/Chamomile.htm

Aillidh also had it in spots, particularly on her arms.  I had the best results with a creme and soap suggested by a herbalist.  The one I get it from Napier's Herbalists - made just down the road.  Here's the small size creme to try out:
http://shop.napiers.net/product_info.php?products_id=170

And soap:
http://shop.napiers.net/product_info.php?cPath=24_40&products_id=146

I use Fairy non-bio liquid and that seems to work well.  And only vingar for a fabric softener.