Naturopathic care for eczema in babies and children
Common signs of eczema in children
Dry, rough, or scaly patches that come and go
Intense itch, especially at night
Red cheeks and scalp in babies; elbow and knee creases in older kids
Broken sleep from scratching
Flares with weather changes, heat, sweat, or certain fabrics
Flares after certain foods, soaps, or illnesses
Eczema alongside food allergies, hay fever, or asthma
Skin that clears with steroid cream, then comes back
Dr. Sonya Arrigo, ND is a registered naturopathic doctor in Ontario who sees babies and children with eczema in person in Leaside, Toronto, and by video anywhere in Ontario. Care looks at skin-barrier support, gut health, nutrition, sleep, and food or environmental triggers, always alongside your child's pediatrician, family doctor, or dermatologist. Pediatric eczema care usually involves 3–6 months of focused work, because eczema naturally flares and settles. A free 15-minute discovery call for parents is the first step.
What is pediatric eczema?
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is the most common chronic skin condition in children, affecting up to one in five Canadian kids, and most cases begin before age five. It's a relapsing-remitting condition: the skin barrier doesn't hold moisture well and the immune system in the skin overreacts, so irritants and allergens get in more easily and trigger itch and inflammation. Many children outgrow it, but for some it's the first step in the "atopic march" toward food allergies, hay fever, or asthma.
What care might include
Depending on your child, care may include: a simplified skin-care and moisturizing routine, identifying likely triggers at home, nutrition support for skin and immune health, assessing vitamin D, iron, zinc, and omega-3 status, gut and microbiome support where the evidence fits, sleep strategies for itchy nights, and guidance on introducing common allergens safely in babies. Treatment is always personalised and adjusted for age.
A note on steroid creams
Topical steroids are safe and effective when used as prescribed, and stopping them suddenly can cause a bad flare. My goal isn't to replace them. It's to strengthen your child's skin and reduce the triggers, so flares happen less often and your child needs less medication over time. Any changes to prescribed treatment should be made with your child's doctor. However, I do know that many parents come to be because they do not feel comfortable using steroids on their child, if that is the case we can work alongside your Medical Doctor to find an alternative.
When to consider naturopathic ADHD support
Consider booking if your child's eczema keeps returning despite a good skin-care routine, if you're worried about how often you're using steroid creams, if it's affecting your child's sleep or mood, or if eczema came with food allergies and you want a fuller plan. Naturopathic care works best alongside your child's medical team.
What might be driving it
There's rarely a single cause. The main contributors are skin-barrier function (partly genetic), immune balance, the gut and skin microbiome, and triggers such as dry air, heat, sweat, harsh soaps, fragrances, dust mites, pet dander, and, for some children, specific foods. Illness, teething, stress, and poor sleep can all set off flares. This is why steroid creams help during flares but the eczema often keeps coming back: they calm the inflammation without changing what's underneath.
Frequently asked questions
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I see babies, children, and teens. Care is always adjusted to your child's age, and for babies most of the work happens through feeding, skin care, and the home environment.
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Food allergy testing and diagnosis belong with your child's doctor or an allergist. I don't use unvalidated food sensitivity tests to remove foods from a growing child's diet. If a food seems to be involved, we'll discuss a careful plan with your child's medical team.
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Eczema naturally flares and settles, so we look at the pattern over months rather than days. Most families work with me for 3–6 months, with fewer or milder flares and better sleep often coming first.
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See a doctor the same day if the eczema is oozing, crusting with yellow or honey-coloured scabs, or your child has a fever. Go to the emergency department for painful clusters of blisters or punched-out sores, which can be a sign of a serious infection called eczema herpeticum.
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Yes. I see children, adults and families virtually throughout Ontario and also see patients in person in Toronto.
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Most extended health insurance plans in Ontario cover naturopathic visits. I'll provide receipts you can submit directly.
Related Care
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This page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.