Rashes are no fun for anyone, whether you are a child or an adult?especially not when you’re the mom of a child with an uncomfortable rash. Rashes can be tricky to treat, because the cause might not always be clear. Sometimes it?s as simple as an allergic or irritant reaction to a certain ingredient in a skincare, personal care, or even household cleaning product. Other times the rash is an expression of something happening internally, such as is often the case with eczema, psoriasis, and other types of rashes that might look like one thing but in fact really be something else.
That something else is often yeast.
Specifically, the Candida albicans strain of yeast. When this type of yeast overgrows (which is the case with many unsuspecting people), skin rashes are common. Though certain fungal rashes like athlete?s foot can be contracted by external contact, a person is more likely to exhibit those symptoms if they have a systemic yeast overgrowth. Babies and small children often get yeast-related rashes as well. Sometimes it can appear as a regular diaper rash, or can be a bit more widespread in that area on older children during or following a course of antibiotics. Other rashes such as thrush, cradle cap, and infant eczema/acne can also be related to yeast, and is passed from the mother to the baby during childbirth and/or breastfeeding. Formula-fed babies who have these symptoms often have undiagnosed sensitivities to the milk or soy in the formulas and also very high in sugar. Sugar and undigested dairy are two of the substances that feed the yeast and cause it to overgrow.
These rashes will continue to flare up, despite pharmaceutical interventions like corticosteroid, antibiotic, and antifungal medications, unless the cause?the yeast overgrowth is addressed. This can be done for children as well as adults through diet and lifestyle changes; and it is important to address it as early on as possible, because the longer the yeast is allowed to overgrow, the more symptoms will arise over time and the harder it will be to resolve.
In the meantime?
While making the necessary changes to bring the yeast back under control (and this can be done under the supervision of a holistic provider with specific training in this area like myself), it is also necessary to treat the rash topically using soothing, natural, and safe ingredients. This simple recipe is easy to make, requires no added preservatives, and is very helpful to soothe and help heal all kinds of rashes from slight irritant reactions all the way to eczema, to childhood yeast infections, even to adult vaginal yeast infections and jock itch (which are no fun for anyone?I even made a face just now when I typed the words).
For more information on how to address these rashes from the inside out, sign up for a one-on-one HH Hash it Out session with me.?
Ingredients for a 2 oz jar or bottle:
- 3.5 tbs organic coconut oil (if you have tree nut allergies, try using jojoba, olive, or unrefined sesame oil instead)
- 7 drops of Lavender essential oil
- 7 drops of Melaleuca essential oil
- 6 drops of Geranium essential oil
Oils and jars are available at Mountain Rose Herbs.
Instructions:
Melt coconut oil over a low temperature in a small saucepan (preferably with a spout for easy pouring). Remove from heat and add essential oils. Mix well and pour into a 2 oz glass jar (I prefer amber or cobalt glass). Keep in mind the coconut oil will remain solid under 76 degrees and will liquefy above 76 degrees. Either is fine?the therapeutic properties are not affected by this physical change. Just be aware of the consistency before you open the jar in the summertime even if you keep your house at cooler temperatures.
If you are using jojoba, olive, or sesame oils, you do not need to heat the oil before adding the essential oils. Just fill up a 2 oz glass bottle until it is about ? full, then add your essential oils and gently shake to mix. I recommend using either an amber or cobalt blue glass bottle with a dropper top.Store either mixture in a cool, dry place and keep the jar or bottle tightly closed when not in use. Wash hands prior to handling and use a spatula of some sort (could be a popsicle stick, clean butter knife, cotton swab?anything like that) to dispense the coconut oil from the jar. If using a dropper with a liquid oil, be careful not to touch the glass dropper itself?only handle it from the rubber top to prevent contamination.
By the way?
This post was inspired by a thread that started on my Holistically Haute Facebook page when I shared a graphic showing the cosmetic benefits of coconut oil. My readers are so awesome?they ask great questions and add wonderful contributions to the discussions! If you haven’t stopped by yet or in a long time, come on over and join the fun (and please click ?Like?, post comments, and share the posts too!).
*Image 1 from Fox News.
