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Your Child's Rash Flares And Bacteria Life Cycles Go Hand-In-Hand

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In my last post I answered a question I get asked A LOT!

WHY DOES MY CHILD FLARE, HAVE PERIODS OF CLEARING, THEN FLARE AGAIN?!

It's maddening, right?

A primary reason I see for this in my practice is microbe life cycles.

There are 4 phases in the bacteria life cycle.

  • Lag Phase: Bacteria aren't growing yet. They're getting acquainted with their new environment (i.e. your child the host), and they make nutrients so they can grow and start dividing.

  • Log Phase: Bacteria are growing and replicating. FAST. This continues until they run out of nutrients or toxic metabolites build up, slowing cell growth rates and causing some to start dying.

  • Stationary Phase: The size of a population of bacteria stays the same, even though some continue to divide and grow, and others die. Growth and death rates are about the same in this phase.

  • Death Phase: Just like it sounds! Now there are more bacteria dying then there are replicating.

When the microbes die, toxins are released. Those toxins can trigger flares.

More toxins = more flares, so at certain phases of bacterial life cycles, your child is more likely to flare.

This is why chasing external triggers (like food, environmental, etc.) isn't solving the problem, and why your child can have periods of clear skin, and then flare again with what seems like no rhyme or reason.

When the gut is leaky those toxins get into the bloodstream, trigger immune responses, and your child flares.

This is why in my practice I focus on rebalancing dysbiotic bacteria (and other microbes, they have life cycles too) in your child's gut, and work on decreasing gut permeability.

Think this is happening with your child? LMK!

https://www.britannica.com/science/bacteria/Growth-of-bacterial-populations

https://easyscienceforkids.com/life-cycle-of-bacteria/

WHY DOES MY CHILD FLARE AND THEN HAVE PERIODS OF CLEAR SKIN, THEN FLARE AGAIN?!

I get asked this question so often, and it's a great one.

"WHY DOES MY CHILD FLARE AND THEN HAVE PERIODS OF CLEAR SKIN, THEN FLARE AGAIN?!”

It's soooo frustrating.

Your child's skin clears up, looks great, then boom, back to square 1.

And nothing has changed. Diet is the same, no environmental triggers you can pinpoint, it just doesn't make sense, and comes out of nowhere.

AMIRITE?

Here's the deal, aside from coming into contact with external triggers, there are internal [normal] biochemical/hormonal changes that can happen and trigger flares.

Also, in my experience the primary reason especially when you can't ID a trigger, are changes in the skin and gut microbiomes.

  • Microbes, especially dysbiotic ones, on the skin and in the gut have life cycles.

  • When they die they release toxins.

  • Those toxins trigger flares.

Does this help? LMK what you think!

Histamine: is it a problem for your child? Here’s what you should know!

Olive oil for dry, rashy skin? Hard pass.

Have you used olive oil on your skin?

Hi, I'm Jennifer and I USED to use olive oil on my skin.

It's a healthy fat, right? Yep!

It's in a ton of products we use on our skin, right? Yep!

So, olive oil is made up mostly of oleic acid, which is a fatty acid. And, topical use of olive oil does have some beneficial effects on wound healing.

But long-term use of oleic acid has negative effects on the integrity of the skin’s outermost layer (the stratum corneum), and on skin barrier function.

It also increased moisture loss from the skin in people with and without eczema.

If you’re struggling with rashes, you may want to steer clear of olive oil and products that contain it.

PS. this is not the same as eating it, it’s a healthy fat and absolutely can be included in a whole, real foods diet for people with rashes.

And now you know!

This was mindblowing for me when I learned it.

What do you think?

Resources

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22995032/ 

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12113324/ 

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/

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What it's like working with me

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Wondering what it's like teaming up with me on this journey to help your kiddo? 🌈

❤️ You've got backup: We totally get the struggle of seeing your little one dealing with their chronic skin rashes. It's like a constant battle, right? We know the drill – the frustration, the worry, and the endless cycle of trying everything under the sun. It's a maze, and you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed. But here, you've got support. No more guessing games with your kid's skin – we're here to guide you through.

❤️ Keep the hope alive: After what feels like forever in the trenches, it's kind of hard to believe relief is on the horizon. We'll dig deep, find the root causes, and set you on a path to real healing. A day when your family isn't all about your kiddo's skin is just around the corner.

❤️ This is your safe space: Watching your kiddo go through chronic skin struggles is tough. It's an emotional rollercoaster, and sometimes you might feel like you've lost control. But guess what? You've stumbled upon a safe haven right here. Ask away and share your worries – we're here to genuinely listen.

❤️ You're not flying solo: We're a bunch of parents, caregivers, and families all on similar healing journeys with our little ones. We get it. We're committed to helping your kiddo not just get by but thrive. You're not alone – we've got your back, and we're holding your hand every step of the way.

Ready to kickstart this journey?

For private support and guidance, BOOK NOW! Let’s talk about the best next steps for your child to heal their skin! 

If you’re more of a DIY enthusiast, join Conquer Your Child’s Rashesᵀᴹ (CYCRᵀᴹ) Online:⁠

👉Ongoing access to my full step-by-step process to heal your child’s skin

👉The option to access a private community membership for ongoing support and to take advantage of Live Monthly Q&A coaching events

👉The ability to get a personalized plan for your child based on their comprehensive digestive stool test results and unique health history, and a private session to walk you through it all!

With CYCRᵀᴹ Online, you can start your child’s journey to healthy skin literally right now!

Environmental factors influencing the development of eczema

A study conducted in China found that a number of environmental factors could influence the development of eczema in children. On that list are:

  • New furniture and furnishings

  • Mold or dampness in mom's home before and during pregnancy, and during baby’s first year of life

  • Air conditioning

  • Keeping windows open while sleeping

  • Pest exposure (cockroaches, flies, mosquitoes) in the home and during baby’s first year of life

  • Pets and flowering plants in the home

  • Passive smoking in the home currently, during baby's first year of life, and during mom's pregnancy

  • Frequency of cleaning

I find that while we are working on addressing internal imbalances at the root of the problem, environmental triggers continue to throw fuel on the fire.

It makes it really hard to put it out.

The good news is that we can make changes to prevent or limit exposures. What do you think? Could any of these be triggers for your child's rash flares?

Reference

  • https://bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12887-021-02819-5

Vitamin D For eczema and allergies

Here's what you need to know about vitamin D, the immune system, skin rashes like eczema, and allergies.

  • Low vitamin D is linked to increased severity of eczema.

  • Vitamin D helps inhibit Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. A problem bug for many with eczema.

  • Vitamin D can speed up healing of the skin barrier, and stabilize the immune function of the gut and skin.

  • Vitamin D regulates the immune system by encouraging the production of anti-inflammatory chemical messengers, and by blocking the release of inflammatory ones.

  • Vitamin D cuts down the release of IgE (immunoglobulins present with food and environmental allergies).

And get this, supplementing mom with vitamin D can help colonize the infant gut with important, healthful microbes.

Because gut flora influences the development of eczema and other allergic conditions, supplementing vitamin D in pregnant women and in babies may help reduce these risks in kids!

Get vitamin D levels checked BEFORE supplementing, and work with a knowledgeable practitioner to determine the right dose (for you and your child).

Conventional medicine notes that a level of 30ng/mL is sufficient. From a functional perspective, that is LOW. Optimal levels to shoot for are more likely between 50-75ng/mL.

References

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6518061/

  • https://athenaeumpub.com/vitamin-d-deficiency-and-its-relation-to-allergic-diseases-a-cross-sectional-study-among-allergic-patients-from-jeddah-city-saudi-arabia/

“If I could survive without eating, it would be a huge relief”

Has this thought ever crossed your mind?

If you're struggling with rashes, food allergies, food sensitivities, gut problems, or any other health problem that seems to be triggered when you eat, it may have.

This is the title of a research article I came across (reference below), and it stopped me in my tracks.

I've had this thought.

Not because I don't like food, or because I don't like to eat.

Because I've struggled with health issues that seem to be triggered when I eat.

No matter what I eat.

I spent years chasing my food triggers, struggling with fear of food, and disordered eating because of this.

You know what?

Food isn't the problem.

Internal imbalances are.

This isn't just my story, it's the story of so many of my clients.

If you're reading this, it might be yours too. And your child's.

I'm passionate about helping your child AVOID having this thought, and addressing the root cause of the problem NOW. Before they are even old enough to think it.

In case you missed that line above... FOOD ISN'T THE PROBLEM.

It might be a trigger, but there are internal imbalances causing your child's body to react to foods. That's why we need to ID and address those imbalances. Not just to help with the symptoms now, but to help your child grow up and have a healthy relationship with food in the future. 💕💕💕💕

Reference

  • Doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105808

Nutrition vs Diet

There's a big difference between nutrition and diet!

Here are 3 ways nutrition is different:

  • Nutrition is what we need, think nourishment.

  • Nutrition does not restrict unnecessary foods or food groups. Food is the fuel for our engines. Literally.

  • Nutrition fosters healthy relationships with food. Diet is how we get nourishment.

Limited diets = less nutrition and less nourishment.

The kind of diet you decide to follow can dictate your child's health and relationship with food... For a lifetime.

I share this so that if you are in a situation where you're struggling to decide if your child should be on a special diet, remember to always think "NUTRITION" first💕

Colic

Does your baby have colic?

  • Colic is often associated with eczema.

  • Colic is an indication of gut inflammation and dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria and other gut problems).

  • Colicky little ones may have fewer Bifidobacilli (a strain of good gut bugs) in their guts.

This isn't a coincidence if your little one is colicky and has skin rashes. Gut health is intimately tied to skin health. If your little one is colicky and doesn't have skin rashes, they may be at greater risk for developing them.

  • Colic is also a sign of possible food allergies and sensitivities.

  • Colic can be associated with reflux.

Here's what you need to know about reflux: ⁠

  • Reflux (and colic) can be a sign of pre-existing gut problems.

  • Reflux medications (acid reducers and acid blockers) aren’t an ideal solution.

    • They are associated with nutrient depletion and the development of osteoporosis, depression, and deficiencies of vitamin B12, and a variety of minerals.

    • Acid suppressors can cause SIBO, IBS, an increased risk of gut pathogens, and other gut problems.⁠

    • Reflux can be due to low stomach, not high. Lowering acid levels further with meds makes the problem worse.⁠

    • These medications do not resolve the root cause of the problem.

Step #1 to addressing colic or reflux in your baby shouldn't be meds. While I do not recommend elimination diets, if there is reflux, it makes sense to explore commonly triggering foods and try removing them from baby's diet, and yours if breastfeeding⁠ to see if it helps:

  • Gluten⁠

  • Dairy⁠

  • Caffeine⁠

  • Alcohol⁠

  • Chocolate⁠

  • Garlic⁠

  • Onions⁠

  • Mint⁠

  • Spicy foods⁠

  • Fried foods⁠

  • Fatty foods⁠

  • Citrus⁠

  • Tomato-based products⁠

  • Highly processed foods⁠

  • Junk food⁠

  • Carbonated beverages, including fizzy water⁠ ⁠

A diet of whole, real foods, rich in plant foods and high in fiber, often can resolve the problem. ⁠ ⁠

Stop the eliminations if you’ve removed foods for 2-3 weeks and there’s no real improvement. Food isn’t the problem.

If that’s the case… Step #2 is exploring what's happening INSIDE the gut (GI Map comprehensive digestive stool testing is my go-to for this) and resolving those microbiome imbalances! ⁠

References

  • https://adc.bmj.com/content/archdischild/84/4/349.full.pdf

  • https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/1175207

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30177353

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30177353

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4377897/