Help Baby Gabriel Heal from Severe Eczema

Dear friends, family, and kind supporters,

We are reaching out to share the story of our beloved grandson, Gabriel, an 8-month-old baby who has been courageously battling severe infant eczema since October of 2024. Gabriel's eczema covers his entire body, with the most affected areas being his face, neck and torso. His condition has caused him immense discomfort and distress, with relentless itching leading to open wounds and scabbing that frequently reopens, leaving us fearful of long-term scarring.

Despite their tireless efforts, Gabriel's parents have struggled to find a treatment that works. Steroid creams not only failed to heal him but also caused harmful side effects and additional flare-ups. His mother, dedicated to breastfeeding, tried food-related elimination diets to no avail. His parents have resorted to taking turns sitting up in a rocking chair to sleep with him at night, so that they can hold his hands still, and also keep his face from rubbing off the scabs as he sleeps. They are sleep deprived, as is Gabriel. They have to keep breathable mittens on Gabriel's hands, and swaddle him to keep his arms still. This is frustrating to Gabriel, as he wants to move his hands freely, crawl about and sit up, but he constantly scratches, opening up wounds, causing him to bleed. Whenever his hands are freed, he has to be closely monitored to keep his hands from scratching. Watching Gabriel suffer has been heartbreaking for our entire family!

After months of frustration with traditional medicine having no positive effect, his parents found hope in an out-of-state homeopathic and functional medicine physician who has successfully treated cases like Gabriel's for the past 30 years. Rather than relieving the symptoms on the surface, they are treating the underlying issues with the whole body. Gabriel's specialist has laid out a path forward, but this healing path is long. The treatment is slow, steady, and gentle as to not overrun his system. It takes roughly 5 months to run its course.

The treatment has already shown promising improvement, but it comes with significant financial challenges. Unfortunately, this specialized care is not covered by medical insurance, and the cost of the treatment program—running through April 2025—has become an overwhelming burden.

Gabriel’s parents are a devoted family of faith, rooted in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. They are active in their parish community and have received tremendous spiritual and moral support. However, the expenses far exceed what their community can provide.

Gabriel’s father is the sole provider for his wife and six children. His mother homeschools their children while devoting nearly all her time to caring for Gabriel, ensuring his safety and comfort as he battles this debilitating condition. While their four sons have experienced mild eczema in the past, Gabriel’s case is severe and unlike anything the family has faced before.

We humbly ask for your help to alleviate the financial strain on this loving family and ensure that Gabriel can complete the treatments he desperately needs. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to helping him heal and thrive.

Your prayers, generosity, and kindness mean the world to us and to Gabriel’s family. Thank you for being a part of his journey toward health and comfort.

On behalf of Joshua, Rachael, Gabriel and their entire family, we offer our gratitude,

Christa Conrad - Grandmother to Gabriel