Motherhood and Eczema: From Pregnancy to Parenting with Skin Health in Mind

By Diane Angela Fong, ND The Eczema Doc | Cleanbody Founder | Mom of (Almost) Two

This Mother’s Day, I’ve been reflecting on the deep connection between motherhood and eczema — the emotional weight it carries, and the opportunity it brings to heal across generations.

And today, I have something personal to share: I’m pregnant with my second child!

As someone who struggled with severe eczema for over 30 years, this pregnancy is more than just a miracle — it’s a mission. My goal is to give this baby the best possible start in life, especially when it comes to skin health. Because as moms, we don’t just pass on our genetics — we pass on our habits, our microbiome, and even our stress.

In this blog, I’m sharing exactly how I’m supporting my body and my baby to prevent eczema from the very beginning — including what I’m doing for my gut, immune system, and birth preparation. I’ll also reflect on my journey with my first daughter, what happened when she developed eczema as a teen, and how our own emotional state as moms can impact our children’s skin. Whether you’re pregnant, parenting a child with eczema, or managing your own symptoms — I hope this blog gives you practical tools, emotional support, and the reminder that you’re not alone.

My Mission: Raising a Healthy-Skin Baby

Eczema is not just a skin condition — it’s a reflection of the gut, immune system, detox pathways, and more. And many of these systems are influenced before a child is even born. That’s why I’m being intentional in these key areas:

Gut & Microbiome Support: I’m focusing on fermented foods, fiber, and prebiotics to nourish my gut and support my baby’s developing microbiome. I’m also taking oral and vaginal probiotics to help prevent Group B Strep (GBS) so I can reduce the need for antibiotics during birth and protect my baby’s microbial foundation.

Optimizing for Natural Vaginal Delivery: Because babies born via C-section have a higher risk of developing an altered microbiome — and, in turn, eczema — I’m preparing for a natural vaginal delivery at home. I’ve chosen homebirth to support a calm environment, reduce unnecessary interventions, and give my baby the best chance at a healthy skin and immune foundation.

That said, if you had a C-section or needed antibiotics during delivery, please don’t worry. There are still so many ways to support your baby’s microbiome and immune system after birth. What matters most is that you’re here now, looking for ways to give your child the best chance to heal and thrive — and that’s powerful.

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition:I’m eating a whole-food, nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3s, minerals like zinc, and skin-supportive vitamins like A, D, and E. I’m also supporting my body with high-quality prenatal supplements tailored to my unique needs.

Stress Regulation: Pregnancy is emotional — especially while running a business and caring for a teen. But I’m using breathwork, gentle movement, and daily mindfulness to stay grounded. Because stress affects both the baby and their future immune balance.

Toxin Avoidance: I’m being mindful of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in skincare, cleaning products, and food packaging, while supporting safe detox with nutrients like glutathione and glycine.

Daily Movement & Rest: I’m staying active with daily exercise to support circulation, detox, and mental clarity — and prioritizing deep rest to support hormone balance, tissue repair, and cortisol regulation. Both movement and rest are essential to building resilience in myself and my baby.

Am I perfect? Definitely not. But I’m aware, and I’m choosing progress over perfection — and that’s what I encourage for every mom on this journey.

My First Child: A Lesson in Letting Go and Trusting the Process

When I had my first daughter 16 years ago, I was so relieved to see that she didn’t have eczema. I thought I had dodged a bullet.

But as she got older and started exploring food outside our home — processed snacks, sugary treats, fast food with friends — she began to develop mild eczema on her neck.

It triggered a lot in me. Fear. Frustration. The urge to control.

But I realized my role wasn’t to fix her choices — it was to teach her, guide her, and most importantly, stay emotionally steady so she could learn for herself.

I taught her how food and lifestyle can affect the skin. I helped her understand what triggers might be impacting her body. And then I stepped back.

Over time, she began to notice the connection between her choices and her skin. Now, she makes healthy decisions from a place of self-awareness, not guilt or pressure. And that’s a win I’m proud of.

Parenting with Eczema: A Mind-Body Approach

If you’re raising a child with eczema, here’s something I want you to hear loud and clear: It’s not your fault.

Eczema is multifactorial — driven by gut health, toxins, immune function, stress, and more. It’s not caused by one missed supplement or one imperfect meal.

What does make a difference?

• Your calm presence when your child is struggling

• Your emotional regulation when things feel out of control

• Your willingness to guide, not force

• Your commitment to healing the root, not just the rash

I’ve seen time and time again that when a parent learns how to regulate their own nervous system, the child’s skin — and entire well-being — often improves.

And if you notice that your child’s eczema is triggering anxiety, fear, or overwhelm in you, you are not alone. These feelings are common — and they are a signal too. I invite you to work through them with the support you need, whether that’s a trusted therapist, breathwork, journaling, or meditation. Your healing is part of your child’s healing.

What You Can Do: A Mom’s Guide to Eczema Prevention and Support

Whether you're expecting or raising a child with eczema, here are some practical ways to support your child’s skin from the inside out:

If you're pregnant (like me!):

• Take a high-quality probiotic with strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which has been shown to reduce eczema risk in babies.

• Eat fermented foods and fiber-rich plants to nourish your microbiome.

• Reduce sugar and processed foods to lower inflammation.

• Work with us to supplement with the key nutrients for immune and skin health, including omega-3s, vitamin D, and zinc.

• If you have eczema during your pregnancy, work with us to address the root causes of your eczema naturally and safely during pregnancy.

• Use fragrance-free, non-toxic products for skincare, home, and laundry.

• Support stress management with breathing techniques, movement, and open conversations.

If you have a baby or toddler with eczema:

• Avoid scented or harsh soaps — stick with gentle, eczema-safe formulas.

• Promote skin-to-skin contact and avoid unnecessary antibiotic exposure.

• Track skin reactions, diet, and digestion to catch early patterns.

• Work with us to uncover the root causes of your child's eczema and optimize healing through food, lifestyle, and natural supplements.

If you’re raising an older child with eczema:

• Teach them to notice how food and lifestyle affect their skin.

• Use a journal or app to track symptoms, food, mood, and bowel movements.

• Help them discover healthy choices without pressure or guilt.

• Support stress management with breathing techniques, movement, and open conversations.

• Work with us to uncover the root causes of your child's eczema and optimize healing through food, lifestyle, and natural supplements.

• Encourage eating a CleanFOOD plate (see the picture below!) — a simple visual tool that shows how to balance meals to lower inflammation and nourish the skin.

And for any stage, I highly recommend taking my free Eczema Root Cause Assessment — it’s a simple way to understand which root causes may be driving eczema for you or your child, and what steps you can take to address them.

You're Not Alone, Mama

Whether you’re trying to prevent eczema during pregnancy, or you’re knee-deep in flare-ups and sleepless nights, I want you to know:

• You’re doing better than you think.

• Your love is powerful medicine.

• And you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

If you're ready for support, here’s how I can help:

• Take the free Eczema Root Cause Assessment to discover what’s driving your or your child’s eczema.

• Mark your calendar and join my Live Session Thursday at 12:45 PM PST — I’m going live on Instagram and YouTube to talk more about this topic — including how I’m supporting my pregnancy to prevent eczema and what you can do at every stage of motherhood. Bring your questions — I’d love to connect with you live!

• Book a Root Cause Consultation to uncover the root causes and create a custom plan for your family. 👉 Book your Root Cause Consultation here to get started. Use the code MOMSKIN to get $20 off until Sunday, May 18, 2025!

With love and gratitude,

Dr. Diane Fong

The Eczema Doc

Questions?

We are going live to discuss this topic on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 12:45 PM PST! Watch the live or check out the replay here:

About the Author:

Dr. Diane Angela Fong, ND, is the CEO and founder of Cleanbody, a wellness company dedicated to treating and preventing chronic disease. She is the creator of the Cleanbody Method, which follows a three-step process: Evaluate (digging into the root causes of chronic disease using lab testing and other evaluation tools), Optimize (enhancing health foundations by addressing nutrition, lifestyle, and toxic exposures), and Support (optimizing organ functions through healing protocols).

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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