[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by erzebet

I make kefir by using two ingredients only: quality raw milk and a cup of store-bought kefir for the bacteria themselves. If you use such cultures, check the list of ingredients: you want the store kefir to include pasteurized milk, not UHT/ultra high temperature pasteurized milk which will spoil everything in a couple of days.

If you have eczema, there is no easy way around it but to find out what causes it. The easiest way is to get tested by an allergologist. Another easy way is to start with a basic diet(rice and some fruit) and start adding a new ingredient per week to see what you're allergic to.
I had eczema because of nickel allergy. I removed all metal accessories from my clothes and shoes. I replaced my glasses. The eczema didn't stop until I found out nickel is found in margarine (butter replacements) and did something about it. I quit all processed food. I still have allergies, but none on my skin.

Long story short, you need to see a good allergologist. They are worth their weight in gold.

I've seen two doctors; one was a dermatologist. He helped some and suggested the trial diet. So far, oats have appeared to be causing some of the problem.

The kefir did help the eczema when applied directly on the eczema. Eliminating oats helped too, but there is something still in my diet that is bothering. Just not as badly as before. So I'm working on it and it is better. The shampoos (tried 4) I was using was definitely making it worse so I'm now making my own shampoo. That has also helped with the healing.

I have also used ultra-past milk with the kefir. It works fine. It has a slightly different taste and kefir's at a different rate, but it works. I go back and forth and have even used goat's milk. Just depends what I have on hand.

Thanks for your input. This thing has been bedeviling me for two years. I'm finally making progress, but since it appears to have been more than one thing, I'm having trouble tracking down the last few triggers. It definitely flares during allergy season (now--the oak pollen is flying about fiercely). Since I make my own lotion as well, I'm tweaking that recipe to see if I can get some additional relief.

Thanks again.