Posted by Lou (Tyler, TX) on 11/29/2021
★★★★★
Regarding Samuel's post above from 2011, where he wrote:
"The bottom line is that anything that is not organic or has artificial ingredients is poison. Citric acid is It is the reason you have eczema/acne. Even regular fruits and vegetables and meats, if not organic, are full of pesticides and other junk that can do nothing but harm you.
Just to let some of you know the real face of artificial ingredients, I finally researched what citric acid is. Unless the citric acid is coming from citrus fruit, artificial citric acid is derived from MOLD. You are eating or drinking a product that comes from MOLD. This alone should let people realize that artificial ingredients are poison."
The dermatologist here prescribed citric acid for a patch of psoriasis on the back of my neck. I did not know it was mold. That could explain the huge eczema flare. He should be fired.
Posted by Kate (Adelaide, SA, Australia) on 06/28/2009
★★★★★
I would say that Teri from Atlanta is on the right track regarding citrus. I had eczema all of my childhood. My family and I eventually came to the realization that acidic properties were to blame, in particular oranges. Every since that discovery I have stayed well clear of them. I also have to watch my intake of other acidic fruits such as tomatoes, lemons, limes and even grapes. Your little one is so young, but even now you can record what you feed her each day and in another column you can write her reaction to that food, if any. Eventually you will see a pattern form. There may be one or more culprits. As your daughter gets older, the key is to put a topical cream on before she feels the itch. That is if you want to use that on her skin. I used to apply it once I had already starting scratching and by that point it was useless because it would just make me want to scratch even more. When I learned to apply it religiously (about 2-3 times per day) it would be more controllable. Stay away from soap, there are plenty of soap free products today that will be gentler for your baby's sensitive skin. The worst thing one can do is scratch an eczema spot 'vigorously' as that will only spread it. Just digging a nail lightly in or even just pressing against the itchy point is usually enough to relieve the itch. Remember 'Knowledge Is Power' so explore this condition as much as you can and you will help your daughter no end.
Posted by Teri (Atlanta, GA) on 03/10/2007
★★★★★
I have been trying everything to help my 8 week old's facial eczema. Then I found that her eczema flared terribly every time I used a product containing citric acid. We once rinsed her pacifier out at a restaurant in one of our diet cokes. (full of citric acid) Her eczema flared TERRIBLY and on the spot. We took it out of my diet (she is breast fed) and stopped using all products containing citric acid. She is soooo much better. BUT is that considered an allergy or just an intollerance? I'd love some help.
Posted by Minni (NYC) on 04/24/2006
★★★★★
Re: Elimination of Citric Acid for Eczema - I agree 100%. Citric also causes me acne & headaches & sore throat. But I'll also add this: That Licorice is like the ANTITHESIS of Citric Acid. Why? Citrus speeds things up. Licorice calms things down.
