Response from a naturopathic doctor.

Dear Mark,

As you know, kids respond to a persistent itch like they would to a persistent pain. This is a trying problem to deal with for the whole family. I will suggest a few things to do. Do them all at once and you may see some relief pretty soon. Give it one to four days to take effect. First, keep a salve with calendula on the affected area at night. It won't rub off easily. During the day, break open Vitamin A capsules and rub the oil on the area. If either one works better to stop itching, use it exclusively. Next, since eczema is usually allergy related, obtain the supplement Quercetin, and give him one or two caps two times a day between meals. It will do no harm. It is the "yellow" in yellow onions. If he has no sensitivity to onions, he will be fine with this. In addition, let's stop a few possible allergic foods for a couple of weeks to reduce the allergic load. Stop all dairy products, peanuts, wheat, and chocolate. Natural methods work very well with eczema, so consult a trusted health practitioner to help you solve the underlying problem.

Dr. John Davis is a Naturopathic Physician treating patients in Asheville, NC and Atlanta GA. Contact him at [e-mail]