My son has eczema really badly. He has been tested and turned up positive for a number of food and environmental things, which I have been avoiding (in my diet) and trying to keep out of the house (like scented anything). It has helped a tad, but it still gets bad some days, like as if I missed something he's allergic to, and it really never gets better past a certain point. I've tried a LOT of things, but nothing really helps much. I don't want to do steroids, though I will use .5% hydrocortisone to keep things from getting too bad (not to clear it up).
Well, I recently heard about NAET, and found someone who does it and went for the first session. I don't really understand how it will all work, but I'm desperate. It's wearing on me emotionally to watch my baby scratch and suffer...
My friend that told me about NAET told me that her doctor (way back in VA) is the only one who knows how to make the treatments permanent. The acupuncturist that I'm seeing says that if the treatment is done right and we avoid the item for the prescribed amount of time (25 hours) after treatment, that it should be permanent, especially at his age.
So my question is, if any of you have used NAET to treat allergies of any kind (especially those that manifest themselves as eczema), how did it go for you? Was it permanent? Was it really all it claimed to be?
I guess I'm seeking a little reassurance here. My mom will not be happy to hear we're going to an acupuncturist (she doesn't believe in any of that stuff), so being able to tell her that it really works from people who actually have tried it would be really great! Thank you!
ETA: My son's pediatrician IS a naturopath. I know a lot have suggested one, but I've already tried a number of homeopathic remedies (he's allergic to the inactive ingredients), and we're still trying some different things. Thanks for the idea, though!
Is he on solid foods now? I just recently was reading about gluten allergies and how it can also effect the skin and many children and adults are wrongly diagnosed with skin conditions rather than looking at this as a trigger. something to think about....
If NAET isn't what you decide to go with, I highly suggest a naturopath who works with kids. Many work with insurance.
Also, and I'm sure you already do this, but using a laundry detergent that completely rinses is important. The "Free and Clear" stuff that is mass produced is NOT genuinely free & clear of irritants. I used a soap for cloth diapering that rinses completely and we liked it so much for that, we started using it for all our laundry. We noticed the little dry spots on the back of our toddler's knees went away after a week. The soap we use is Charlie's Soap, but there are others out there like Country Save.
A friend of mine has a little girl who had terrible eczema and was allergic to a lot of foods, but by the time she was two, a great deal of it had subsided. She saw a naturopath for nutritional advice and supplement advice. Her little girl was pretty much a vegan until about age 3, which was a bit challenging for the (very Meat & Potatoes type) family!
As for your mom, sorry but your kids are your kids. You don't need to tell her what you are doing if you don't want to. If she doesn't believe in non-Western medicine, that's her problem. Western medicine is not perfect, and you have every RIGHT as a parent to seek out what ever treatments you can for your son! I opted for a midwife with my second pregnancy, and my mom was "very concerned". When she went with me to an appointment and realized she was extremely professional and knowledgeable and the office was just like an OB's office--she backed off... Meanwhile she suffers from pre-diabetes issues and just pops all the different pills her doc prescribes and then complains to me about the side effects. I think it's just a generatonal thing, our parents are from the "Doctors are Gods" era. phooey.
Hi L.,
I haven't done NAET personally but I have had very good results with regular acupuncture for allergies and tension. So it's probably worth a try if the financial end isn't too draining for you.
One thing I would like to add that may help a lot in the meantime is getting a hazelwood necklace for him to wear. The hazelwood naturally absorbs acidity in the boday because it is an alkaline wood and apparently, many types of eczema are rooted in an over acidic blood Ph level (though they are often triggered by other seemingly unrelated things like food allergies and perfumes). We discovered them for our youngest daughter who has been covered in eczema since she was 3 months old. We had a recommendation from a friend to look into them (her son had bad reflux and she was able to take him off his medicine because the necklace worked so well for him). Within 2 weeks of her wearing the necklace, her eczema was 90% gone! I was so astonished I put together a website to spread the word about these little marvels. My site is www.hazelaid.com
It explains a bit more about how it works. I've received so many emails from parents who don't know how to explain it (neither do I!) but are grateful that it works. It's not a permanent healing because the wood can only absorb so much acidity until it is saturated so unfortunately, we have to change our daughter's necklace when it's full (in her case every 3 months or so, although it lasts longer for most people but she a very acidic) otherwise the eczema returns. But until you find something that heals his eczema completely, it may help relieve it dramatically in the meantime.
Hope the NAET works for him long term!
Good luck!
I went through the NAET process maybe 10 years ago in an attempt to reduce asthma and a whole list of sensitivities/allergies. I wish I could say I noticed a beneficial result, but since then I have good and bad days, weeks and months. There is no noticable connection to the expensive treatments or stringent protocol I had to follow.
I suppose it's possible that only one person knows how to do the process correctly, but I am really skeptical about such claims. I mean, how could that possibly be true, and why would that one person somehow capture the magic but not be able to teach others? I have tremendous respect for alternative medicine and most of the healers I have met, but some are snake oil salesmen, and claims like "I'm the only one with the real cure" are often the tip off.
(Interestingly, some who sell snake oil do seem to believe that's it's the real deal. And sometimes enough belief results in a temporary or permanent cure. This may be faith healing or the placebo effect. Whatever it is, if it works, I say go for it!)
Like your son, I can't have scented anything in my surroundings, and am frequently driven out of public places by people wearing toiletries and perfume. I have adjusted to the rather extreme restrictions in my life, but I sure wouldn't wish it on a child.
Since you are desperate, you might want to consider a naturopath, who will employ a gentle and sensible approach, probably much more doable and less expensive than NAET. I would imagine there are some who specialize in working with children. The results may not be instantaneous, but may lead to a healthier and more comfortable child.
I've also had some remarkable results from homeopathy for specific complaints. And I have loved how much better acupuncture makes me feel after each treatment. It doesn't claim to be a permanent fix, but can help put us in better balance and able to handle the normal assaults on our bodies more effectively.
Another thing I've learned about skin, lung, and stomach sensitivities is that they can be made worse by, or even caused by, stress. It might help to keep a brief "emotional diary" of the kind of day your son has had, what sort of social contact or other stimulation, whether his sleep was good – anything notable. (Note whether YOU have had an unsually stressful day, too, since that can affect your children.)
Rate his symptoms each day. Watch for patterns. You may learn that you have ways to smooth out his emotional highs and lows, and even his itching, by avoiding stressors.
Good luck. I'm so glad you care about your son's experience.
I suggest you check out the website The Peoples Pharmacy: www.peoplespharmacy.com and search for eczema. You will get a number of results from others who have tried other alternatives to treating it.
Hi L.!
I worked in an alternative medicine clinic for a few years and helped do the NAET treatment. I've seen it do incredible things for people. Unfortunatley when my daughter and I both did them it did not work. My daughter is almost five and has eczema. She has had it since she was four months old. The best thing that helped me was taking her to a specialist for allergy testing. It was sad with the needles but in the end I finally figured out what she was allergic to. I just keep her away from what she is allergic to and her skin clears up. When doing NAETS they usually do your top five things you're allergic to. If you don't see results by then,you might want to stop. I did 20 or more treatments and my daughter did the same over a six month period. There are some people NAETS just don't work for. Just try the five and evaluate with your NAET provider where your son is at and if you have seen any results. I once saw a man who would go into anaphylatic shock eating crab. He did a few NAET treatments and finally did the one for crab. After his 25 hours were up he came in the office and ate a whole basket of crab. I was shocked.
I pray your sons eczema gets better and that the NAETS work for him. I know how frustrating it can be trying to figure out what the allergies are and how to clear up their skin.
Take care!
L.
NOt sure what that is but Im a mom to a son who suffers from terrible exzema, and he is not allergic to anything. Sometimes they are linked others not. The only things that help besides the steroid oitments are Using baby aquaphor baby wash, and aquaphor lotion 4x a day, and only bathing 1x week unless really needed. But heat,Dry,Change in weather all effect exzema.
I don't know anything about NAET but have a few more suggestions for the exzema. Our son gets it really badly too and a few things have REALLY helped...(maybe you already know these things) Before he gets into the bath/pool/any body of water I put vaseline on the spots he is especially prone to breakouts. This keeps the water out and really helps. It also moisturizes so it is a double bonus. The other thing you can use is vitamin E oil it is just a bit messier. Don't leave any wet clothes on him - keep him as dry as possible all the time. We use Cetaphil lotion and it has also seemed to help a ton. I do have to say that when it gets really bad the only thing that seems to bring relief is the stong hydrocortizone. I know you said you don't want to use it but it was the only thing that really keeps him from scratching until he bleeds. and after a day or 2 we can go back to milder remedies with a happier boy. Hope you have success with the Naet.
L.:
I can tell you that you are doing the right thing. You may also want to go to New Seasons or Whole foods for some topical things for the eczema, but cover that with the acupunturist first. As for your Mom, I know Grandparents can be overbearing, but you are the MOM and as long as you feel you are doing the right thing, then dont even tell her if need be. If nothing else, this is not going to hurt your little one. Good Luck to you and yours.
D.
Hi L.,
I, too, have eczema, and it's ranged from not that bad (right now) to absolutely horrible (both as a baby and in recent years). First of all, I sympathize so much and appreciate all the work you're doing to help your little boy. I don't know anything about NAET, but I can tell you that my work both with acupuncturists and a naturopath have helped tremendously. All I can say is: keep up the good work and stay on the path you're following. My poor parents didn't know about all the alternative treatments when I was a baby, so I got cortisone shots and creams etc. and was still miserable. I'm sure your acupuncturist has told you about the lungs-skin connection and how stuffing the eczema down can lead to lung problems. True for me, as I developed asthma. Both are in really good control now, but what I would give to have started with so-called alternative treatments back when I was small! Hang in there, and know that you have the support of strangers out here. Good luck!
Hi L. I am not that familiar with Naet...I do know that if you go to as you have cleaning up the environment ie: Water filters for bath and water, air and laundry it should help tremendously....if you are interested please let me know...the products have helped my husband with his allergies and asthma...also you can explore the technology for yourself...google Ecoquest...they have Nasa Technologies that really work.
Bless you and yours and I send you light and healing...Caite
I'm not sure what NAET is; however with these problems in my family first with my daughter and now with a grandson we have found a solution. We go to Dr. Kevin Meisenheimer at Therapy in Lake Oswego. He tests the whole body and finds the underlying causes for any allergy or physical weakness. It's all done with nutritional response testing and the treatments are all natural. Nothing scary and the results have been that once treated, at least in our family, we don't have the allergies, viral infections or funguses that were causing the problems with the skin in the first place. That's a wonderful A+ for us!
K. F in Lake Oswego
Check him out at http://therapy-lakeoswego.com/nrt.php
L., my sisters and brother have eczema. My sisters grew out of most of it by the time they were in high school. However, my brother has yet to grow out of it. I have never heard of NAET, but defiantly let us know if it works. I just wanted to let you know what my sisters and brother use to keep the itching down. They use Curel, because they are allergic to lanolin. Lanolin is found in most lotions. I know it isn't homeopathic, but it really helps my siblings with the itching and the dry skin.
I have been through the naet process for allergies and eczema, and followed the whole program like I was supposed tond to be honest, it did me absolutey no good. I still have my allergies and eczema. I was very disappointed and upset to have spent a great deal of time and money on a program that didn't work.
It's been my experience that programs like this are a waste of time, and don't live up to their claims. I am very leary of many many programs like this because they lack scientific proof that they actually work, and are not supported by most physicians.
I know it's hard to see your little guy suffer, but I would encourage you to keep working with his pediatrician.
Hi L.. Several years ago I was suffering from horrible headaches and I did some NAET with a chiropractor for several allergies. I didn't think I had any allergies but he picked up on a bunch. It was difficult to avoid those foods for the 24 hour period while I did each treatment and I wish I could say that it made a huge difference. I also did some NAET with an acupuncturist and I don't think it was as effective and it sure did cost a lot of money. I know the technique is slightly different if you do it w/ a chiropractor than with an acupuncturist. The chiro would say that he could clear an allergy in one treatment (if it was a deep allergy) and the acupuncturist would have to do several treatments for 1 allergy if it was a bad one. My chiro also treated some auto-immune problems using NAET and one that was a super deep problem was an auto-immune problem that I was having w/ my uterus and HCG (human growth hormone). I was having trouble with fertility and after he treated me for that problem w/ NAET, I ended up eventually getting pregnant on my own with identical twins. It was a couple of years after the treatment, but he said it was a really, deep problem for me so maybe it really helped? so hard to really know. I would second the recommendation to go see a naturapath. Allergies and eczema are so closely related and it is super important to treat the reason for the eczema and not just try to suppress the rashes. If you suppress the eczema, it will drive the allergy further into the body and that will manifest itself in other ways like asthma, etc. I still have "food sensitivities" that I deal with and probably always will. I try to stay away from all grains completely (even rice) and I feel much better and my skin is better when I do. I drink raw dairy and so do my boys (now 3.5). The hard work of eczema is to adjust the diet. It can be really tough at first, but you will get used to it pretty quickly and find that it's not as bad as you thought.
I do not know anything about NAET or acupuncture in general, for that matter, so I am in no position to say whether or not it works. BUT... my husband is a chiropractor and he has had a lot of success treating allergies through a technique called A/SERT which I believe stands for Allergy and Sensitivity Elimination (not sure what the R&T stand for:) It sounds similar in the fact that you stay away from the allergens for 25 hours after being treated, but I have no idea if any other part of it is the same. It is very gentle, non-invasive, and works! I could tell you story after story of people who have had great results with it though. It works for everything from enviromental to food allergies and even other sensitivities that you may not even think to test for. As for eczema, even if it's not related to allergies, he treats it with a Cold Laser, which is just a modality that shines light of specific frequencies on the skin to facilitate healing. I do want to address a couple of points that other people made on here...first that eczema and allergies aren't related. It's true that you can have eczema without having allergies, but MANY allergies manifest themselves with skin reactions, and if you have eczema that could be the way that your allergy is manifesting it's symptoms. Second of all is the underlying message in some of the responses that anything not commonly prescribed by a medical doctor is a fraud and has no scientific backing. It's simply not true. My husband owns a Chiropractic Wellness Center. They focus on wellness in the aspect of treating causes, not symptoms. He is very careful not to use any methods that have not undergone extensive testing and research. Are they methods that our family practice doctor (whom we have a great relationship with) uses in his practice? Not necessarily. Does that mean that either method is not legit? Of course not. They are different kinds of doctors with different specialties, and that's ok:) I actually have a strong science, and medical background for that matter with both the way I was raised and my education. In my career I worked side by side with medical doctors treating the same patients all of the time. Yet I fully believe in everything my husband does. It doesn't have to be "one or the other", and I'm a firm believer that different things work for different people! Good luck finding what works for your son! Oh- and this was not in any way meant to be an advertisment for my husband's practice. We are up closer to Seattle, which is obviously too far for you. But, if you are interested in more information or finding someone closer to you who is certified to do the same things my husband does with allergy elimination and laser, send me a message. I'm pretty sure my husband has a way of accessing that information. Good luck!
I know you are looking for reassurance and info on NAET. I don't really have those to offer. And I apologize. But I really want to tel you that I suffer from eczema and so do both of my sons. So I do have some experience with eczema, and everything in my experience tells me that eczema is not caused by allergies. Best of luck to you.
Hello L.,
Yes, I have heard of NAETs. It is pretty good. I haven't heard problems about not holding the "clearing". The hardest part about NAETs, is staying away from the item that was "cleared" for the 25 hours. However, there is an easier way. Not knowing where you live, I can just give you contact info unless you live here in Alaska. I have been dealing with "allergy issues" on my husband and youngest son for over five years now. The ONLY relief we have found is one that Nic Lomothe taught me. He actually teaches a class. I livein Anchorage, Alaska. He lives in Eatonville, Washington. The name of his clinic is Allergies Lifestyle and Health. P.O. Box 1710 or 205 Center St. E. Suite B Eatonville, WA 98328 Phone ###-###-####. Email address: ____@____.com technique is similar to the NAETs idea but different. lol He teaches to "tap" the meridian in a sorta pattern. This "rebuts" your operating system. Just like if you have to reinstall software in your computer.
Anyway, I could totally explain it to you if you would like. I won't go into it now. I need to explain the whole allergy thing to you first before you can understand how and why it works.
If you you would like me to explain it in more detail let me know. You could also contact his office. He actually teaches the classes all over. So, depending on where you live and how serious you are about "clearing out" the allergies. Just let me know.
Good luck and take care,
Lauri
It does work.....i have been allergic to eggs my whole life and after NAET, I can eat eggs now!!! its quite amazing! It might be tough with little ones, because you need to avoid certain foods/ things for 25 hours after...but its definitely worth a try. Good luck!
Yes, it really does work! I did it with my kids- they were allergic to wheat, milk, chlorine, & vitamin c. My husband was allergic to cats. NO more allergies in our house! My oldest had eczema,too, but not any more. Good luck!
