Chronic Constipation, a Stubborn Rash and Milk
A 12-year-old girl came with a rash on the back of her hand. It was a small, coin-shaped, dark patch of eczema that had itched on and off for more than six years. She also had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, diagnosed around the time the rash began.
Looking beyond the skin
As a nutritionist, I start with diet and digestion, because the gut often holds clues to problems that show up elsewhere. Two things stood out in her history:
- She had suffered from chronic constipation since early childhood.
- She got stomach pain whenever she drank skimmed milk.
Nobody had connected these to her rash before. Constipation, a food that consistently upsets the stomach, an autoimmune thyroid condition and a long-standing skin problem may seem unrelated, but they can overlap.
What she was given
Based on her lifelong constipation and her reaction to skimmed milk, she was given Lac defloratum 30C, three times a day along with dietary advise. Lac defloratum is a homeopathic remedy made from skimmed milk.
The result
Within few days, the rash that had been there for over six years had completely cleared. This is a single case, so I can’t say what caused it, and I will keep following her constipation, milk tolerance and thyroid health.
Dietary tips for chronic constipation in children
- Increase fiber gradually. Include fruits with skin (apple, pear, guava), vegetables, lentils, oats and whole grains. Adding too much too fast can cause bloating.
- Drink enough water. Fiber needs fluid to work. Without it, extra fiber can make constipation worse.
- Try natural helpers. Soaked prunes or raisins, papaya, and a spoonful of soaked chia or flaxseed can ease stools.
- Include healthy fats. Ghee, nuts, seeds and olive oil help keep stools soft.
- Watch for trigger foods. If a child gets stomach pain after milk, note it. Lactose intolerance is common, and lactose-free milk, curd or yogurt, or fortified non-dairy alternatives, may be better tolerated. Keep calcium intake up if dairy is reduced.
- Build a toilet routine. Sitting on the toilet for 5 to 10 minutes, trains the bowel. A small footstool helps with posture.
- Keep her moving. Daily physical activity supports regular bowel movements.
- Limit refined foods. Too many biscuits, white bread, chips and packaged snacks can make constipation worse.
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If your child has long-standing constipation, recurring skin problems or discomfort after certain foods, a detailed diet and symptom history can help uncover the cause.
