Can homeopathic medicines treat childhood eczema?
Therapy helps body heal
The purpose of homeopathy is to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.
It’s always best to check with your child’s dermatologist before you:
Add a homeopathic treatment to your child’s eczema treatment plan. This may affect your child’s overall treatment plan.
Stop a prescription medicine in favor of a homeopathic treatment. Side effects can occur when some medicines are stopped suddenly.
FDA also recommends checking with your doctor
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that “consumers talk with their doctor or health care professional about safe and effective treatments for their disease or condition.” The FDA does not review homeopathic products for safety and effectiveness.
The FDA adds that “products that have not been evaluated for safety and effectiveness may harm consumers who choose to treat serious diseases or conditions with such products, and consumers may be foregoing treatment with a medical product that has been scientifically proven to be safe and effective.”
If you’re considering a homeopathic treatment to treat your child’s eczema, talk with your dermatologist first.
Related AAD resources
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References Chase, SM. “What is homeopathic medicine?” American Institute of Homeopathy. Roll S, Reinhold T, et. al. “Comparative effectiveness of homoeopathic vs. conventional therapy in usual care of atopic eczema in children: Long-term medical and economic outcomes.” PLOS One. 2013; 8(1): e54973.
Sidbury R, Tom WL et al. “Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis. Section 4: Prevention of disease flares and use of adjunctive therapies and approaches.” J Am Acad Dermatol 2014; 71:1218-33.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Homeopathic products.” Content last updated 10.24.2019. Last accessed 12.4.2019.