Eczema Relief Without Steroids or Harmful Medications with Ana-Maria Temple MD

We interviewed Ana-Maria Temple MD, a functional-medicine pediatrician, about eczema relief without steroids or harmful medications. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema is an itchy, inflammatory, red skin condition that is also known as atopic dermatitis. It is most commonly seen in young children, particularly in the folds of the elbows and knees. It is characterized by scaly patches and blisters that last for weeks, months or years. Eczema typically develops during drier, cooler months of the year.

Eczema is often a precursor to asthma, and this may be because the steroid creams often used for eczema can drive the disease process deeper. Skin is the body’s largest organ of detoxification. If the body can’t use skin to detoxify, then it will use another route, which is often the lungs. It is common that children who are constipated develop eczema because blockage of the gastrointestinal tract eliminates another route of detoxification.

Eczema is often triggered by root causes such as food sensitivities, chronic inflammation, gut dysbiosis and immune dysregulation. Eczema can usually be cleared by eliminating certain foods and healing the gut.

In This Webinar

In this webinar, Dr. Ana-Maria helped us answer the following questions:

What is eczema?
Why do children develop eczema?
Do antibiotics play a part in the development of eczema? If so, why?
Why should steroid creams not be used for eczema relief?
Why do so many kids with asthma often also have eczema?
Are constipation, cradle cap, colic, allergies and/or ear infections soft signs that are often seen in children with eczema?
Is it common that children who have eczema as young children to later develop neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD or SPD?
What are ways to give relief to a child with eczema without using steroids or harmful medications?

Key Concepts

Root Causes of Eczema and Chronic Illness

Eczema is a visible sign of deeper systemic inflammation, not just a skin problem. Healing must focus on the underlying causes such as diet, gut health, stress, and toxicity, rather than just treating symptoms on the skin.

The Central Role of Diet and Nutrition

Dietary changes—primarily reducing processed foods, added sugars, and artificial ingredients—have a profound impact on eczema and related chronic conditions. Moving toward a whole-foods diet and increasing plant diversity is foundational to support healing from within.

The Dangers of Over-Reliance on Medications and Topical Treatments

Corticosteroid creams and other conventional medications provide quick but temporary relief, and do not address root causes. Long-term reliance can have negative side effects and mask deeper problems, delaying true healing.

Gut Health, Antibiotics, and Microbiome Imbalance

Gut dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria) caused by antibiotics, diet, and environmental toxins plays a significant role in eczema. Healing the gut—by reducing insult (antibiotics, processed foods), restoring microbial diversity (fermented foods, probiotics), and addressing leaky gut—is important for lasting eczema improvement.

Psychological and Environmental Factors

Stress (both parental and child), environmental toxins, and family dynamics all impact inflammation and eczema. Addressing family stress, practicing patience, and looking at the big picture are important steps to sustainable healing, beyond just dietary and topical changes.

Timestamped Overview

07:46 Alternative healing journey
11:36 Buyer beware: Evidence vs. regulation
16:30 Skin pH and bacterial growth
24:01 Cortisol and stubborn belly fat
32:29 Eczema’s link to childhood asthma
35:49 Cost-free bath-time remedy
41:33 Maternal diet’s impact on infant eczema
43:34 Tomato intolerance resolved temporarily
52:58 Simplified family nutrition approach
57:16 Six-month eczema program success
01:04:04 Oral steroids vs. inhaled Flovent

About Ana-Maria Temple MD

Dr. Ana-Maria is a holistic functional pediatrician practicing in Charlotte, NC. She is also the mother of three children. She and her family immigrated from Romania in 1984.

Through the immigration process and the steps needed to adjust to a whole new culture and a new way of life, she has learned that change happens, change can be great, though hard, change can lead to amazing things. This mentality is prevalent everyday in her integrative pediatric practice.

She is not satisfied with just medications to address a problem. She believes that the cause of illness is intriguing and that disease prevention is paramount to a healthy and long life. Through the basics of nutrition, sleep, and exercise, she plans to reach children and prepare them to help us change for the better.

She is the author of Healthy Kids In An Unhealthy World: Practical Parenting Tips for Picky Eating, Toxin Reduction, and Stronger Immune Systems. You can find out more about her at her website dranamaria.com

Disclaimer

This expert interview is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Documenting Hope has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this expert interview.

Still Looking for Answers?

Visit the Documenting Hope Practitioner Directory to find a practitioner near you.

Join us inside our online membership community for parents, Healing Together, where you’ll find even more healing resources, expert guidance, and a community to support you every step of your child’s healing journey.