Any Advice for Toddlers with Eczema?

My daughter has eczema and I kept a prescription of elidel for her. It worked!! You have to be consistent though with putting it on. Putting too many clothes on will dry her out and make it worse.

Hi, I have a son who is now 61/2 Months who has what the doctors call baby eczema he has it in all his little cracks of his arms and lege but the worst part is he has it on his cheeks it is bad his cheeks have peeled and he scratches it so bad it bleeds. I'v taken him to the docter and haven't realy got anything that help his face. I'v used washes, creams,soaps I to am at my wits end with this mess call baby eczema. My older son had it but not this bad and I use to get a cream for him call ELECON but when i asked the doctor if i could get that cream because it realy worked well for my oldest son, he said it was black boxed and he would not prescribe it for my baby. All I can say is keep her skin clean & mosterized that seems to work best also cortizon onintment works better than the cream if that helps. But were still going through a process of seeing what works but i just wanted to let you know that it is somthing that is common but there are different typ of cases of it from mild to very bad cases.
Hope everything works out for you.

My oldest daughter had eczema and the doctor told us not to use soaps on her. Ice packs help with the itching but you also might want to try using mild detergents on her clothing like Dreft(I believe that is the name of it). Sometimes children out grow it, mine did.

C.,

I can totally relate to you. My daughter was 6mo. when she started with her skin - eczema and food allergies (dairy etc). She is now 4 1/2 and we still struggle with this on a daily basis. The best cream I have found is called VaniCream...you get it at the pharmacy as an over the counter (no prescription req) VaniCream also has a sunscreen that is great. Also, for Shampoo and Conditioner, you can also get (over the counter) Free & Clear. When she is two, you may be able to get her tested for food allergies as that aggrivates eczema and causes flare ups. I have alot more info for you if you would like it. Just send me a private message and let me know if you would like more info. I am really experienced in this due to the years of research I have done, Dr.'s I've seen as well as working with FAAN (food allergy & anaphylasis network). I also have some great Dr.s too if you need any referrals.

When my son broke out with a few patches in infancy, I created my own salve from a recipe I found in the book "Kids, Herbs and Health" and it worked BEAUTIFULLY!! Don't be afraid of trying it, it's actually very easy. All the ingredients are listed, and the steps are easy to follow. The book is one of my first go-to sources for health information, I highly recommend it!!

Eczema is really common among babies. My baby had some eczema on his stomach and legs and his pedi suggested I use some prescription to help him, but I am not really into using prescriptions unless absolute necessary. I found something that is called Renew lotion. I used it and after one day it was almost completely gone. Another friend of mine used it, and she is hooked on it because it completely cured her baby's eczema, and her baby had full body eczema. It is a natural lotion that you can only get through a website called Melaleuca. You actually have to have a membership to order. I am going to get some samples, and I would be happy to send you a free sample so you can try it out. If you like it then I can get you signed on through the site. I will give you my email so I can get the sample out to you along with some info. That lotion is the only thing that has truly helped my son. Here is my email: ____@____.com

I would get in contact with her doctor or get a referral to a dermatologist. I've had several infants in my class with eczema and I've seen a few prescription meds such as elalell, or however you spell it!! But I also know it is common with children with asthma...my son has a very mild case that really gets to him in winter, and we use a lotion called hylira. I hope these suggetions help!!

C.~

My little boy started breaking out with Eczema around 4 months old. It was so bad it covered about 25% of his left arm and behind his left knee. The doctor prescribed a topical steriod cream and after only a couple of uses it was completely gone, and has not returned.

When I was pregnant, I developed eczema on my left hand. After just ignoring it for a couple of years, I discovered Eucerin. It's a healing lotion you can find in the health and beauty area at Walmart. After just one use I see a great improvement. I have to use it every couple of days, but the results are tremendous.

Good luck!

C.... I'm right there with the Melaluca suggestion by Michelle! It's all natural and has many success stories supporting it's effectiveness against eczema. It's non-steroidal!! BIG PLUS! It's certainly a very inexpensive and safe thing to try. They also have many environmentally safe products to use in the home - laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, etc. I have a boy - almost 3 now, and their pre-spot laundry treatment gets out almost ANYTHING!

Hope you try the Renew lotion - best of luck!

My niece and nephew had eczema REALLY bad to where their skin would bleed from their scratching! My mom took my nephew to the doctor and he gave him some steroid cream...I wouldn't reccomend that. My sister took my niece to the doctor and she also got steroid cream...but her's eventually cleared up. When I had my son, it looked like he was going to have eczema also, but I was about to put steroid cream on my month old baby! I have really dry skin, so I mix creamy vasoline and baby lotion together and it works GREAT!!! I also put that on my son and his skin and SO smooth! At night, I wash him, and while he's still wet, I rub im down in baby oil. That also helps keep his skin smooth and stops itching.

Actually, this is very common. It is smart to get her to an allergy doctor and find out her allergies. I know you hate it but rub her down all the time with oils to keep her skin from drying. My daughter has it too. It isn't the itchy kind she is only 2 months =( My sister's girl had it bad and it itched. She found out her daughter was allergic to peanut butter, peanuts in general and other types of food. You will probably need to put her on a special type of diet to get it to go away.

I also have an 18 month old little girl with eczema. My ped told me to use Hydrocordone cream for her legs, arms and face and Hydrocordone LOTION on her face for the dry skin. My daughter thankfully doesn't scratch or itch hers, it does look painful though.
Also the ped said to coat her with lotion right after her baths and to not give her a hot or really warm batch because that dries out the skin.

If you learn of any more helpful things that help your daughter please share, I'm definitely open for ideas for my lil 18 month old also.

My niece had it bad. The cortisone creams will thin out the skin if used daily. So only use it when need to be. She even went to texas childrens for this. She was seen by the top drs there. She was already on steroids for her asthma so you think it would help clear her up. But it didnt. I got tired of it and said I am going to put Crisco cooking grease the one you buy in the can and put it on you ankles to see if it works. That night I apply a lot on her ankels. Wrap it in a plastic bag then put a sock on her foot. The next morning we were amazed it looked better than ever. We wiped the Crisco off as best as we could. That was 8 years ago she still uses Crisco when she had a flare up. She watches what she eats, milk, dairy products. No soap with perfume and takes a cold bath instead of warm. And she takes them every other day.Some of her clothes would make her break out too.
S.

Dear C.,
I am a 39-year old mom with a 2 year old son. I had excema / psoriosis all my life and remember getting shots (back in the days) as a young child. Creams and topical lotions are great but let me explain something if you don't already know.

Excema, like most everything, is an allergic reaction. It is our body's reaction of something it doesn't like or cannot live with. If I have too much "cow's milk", get too stressed out or get around too much dust, mold, etc. I will most likely have a flare-up. I have been going to a "natural Doctor" because they explain how everything in the body works together and they focus on the CAUSE not just treating the symptom. Staying away from certain foods and chemicals doesn't get rid of it but it sure makes it minimal. Use gentle soaps, no perfumes and oatmeal baths to relieve her of the itching.

I think you will be pleasantly suprised by speaking to a doctor that specializes in both "natuaral" remedies and non-natural. Or go to a Wellness Center.

God Bless you and your precious 18 month old!

My son had really bad excema as a toddler. His feet were by far the worst, but he got it on his legs, arms & hands, too. His Dr. prescribed 2 prescription creams (a really strong one for his feet, and another for everywhere else). He told us it was highly related to his hay-fever type allergies and also prescibed Zyrtec. He's now 4 1/2 and it's diminished tremendously but we still give him Zyrtec every night.

My 15 month old struggles with eczema also. I have a prescription from the doctor that I use when it gets too bad. When it is mild I use Eucerin cream (the cream is better than the lotion). It is really thick but it really does work. I just pat him dry after a bath, and while his skin is still a little damp I put the cream on under his pajamas. It really does seem to help. My sons is also worse on his legs. I heard that giving them a lot of baths can make it worse. I try to only bathe him every other day, just to keep the heat off of him. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I have read that extra virgin coconut oil is wonderful to put on those with eczema. I would suggest that you research it and see if this is helpful for your daughter.

I have two things that worked mircales on my boys. Eucerin lotion and Aquafor - the Aquafor it like an antibiotic ointment, but it works wonders. I know that I got free samples from my pediatrician for both, but you should be able to buy them over the counter. If you need something stronger, my mother swears by Elidel, it's a prescription ointment.

As a side note, just something for you to keep in mind - not trying to worry you, but my pediatrician also told me that Eczema, Allergies (the seasonal kind), and Asthma all go hand in hand, once you have one, you are more likely to get the other two. I know with my middle two boys - they are 7 and 8 and they both started with just eczema - they now have the triple play, if you will.

I have a nine year old that has suffered with eczema since she was months after her birth. There are over the counter creams that can help with the iching and dry skin. Also any products that you bath your child with has to be for sentive skin with out purfumes or added sents. The same goes for the laundry powder you may use can also flair up the eczema. If you are lucky he may out grow it or will not have flair ups as often. These little things can help keep it under control.

My son has eczema as well. His doc suggested 1% hydrocortizone cream 3xday until it clears and then a good lotion for daily treatment. Also, Aveeno makes a body wash for dry skin and eczema. The other thing the pediatrician suggested was to only bathe him 2-3 x per week because hard water can dry out the skin. I followed all his advice and my son's skin has been doing great ever since. He has the occaisonal "spot" of eczema but nothing like the outbreak he had when he was diagnosed! Good luck!

I too have a four year old with eczema. She has had it since she was a newborn. What we do to prevent breakout is only wash her clothes in soaps that are dye and fragrance free, All makes a great one. Certain foods and clothing materials can also make it break out. Just watch items that shes wears to see if it makes it worse and avoid them. As for sunscreen, because it is getting warmer avoid those that are over 30spf and just apply more often.Aveeno makes a oatmeal bath that also works great and relieves itching. There are over the counter eczema creams in the baby isle at most pharmacies these help alot. But you shoulld talk to your doctor about prescribing a topical cream they are expensive but work wonders on the skin. I hope this helps. K.

Grandpa's pine tar soap helps with all kinds of skin issues including eczema.

It can be purchased at health food stores.

M.

Dear C.:
Have you tried coal tar baths? They also have coal tar shampoo for the scalp. Check in the pharmacy for it, and of course check with a dermatologist. I would try the lowest impact (no prescription) alternatives first.

Regards,
W.

My baby (and now toddler) did too - it was worse when he was younger. The miracle cure for us was hitting the "hot spots" at arrival with 1% hydrocortisone and then applying this wonderful lotion to him several times a day, and after every bath. Each time I did his diaper, I felt his skin and if it didn't feel moist and comfortable, I put on some lotion. It is called "Eucerin Calming Lotion". Wonderful stuff! Even got to the point where he'd say "need lotion?" on the changing table. He loved it too!
Hope this helps!!

Both of my sons have eczema. They have had it since they were just a few months old. You just have to watch what you wash their clothes in and also don't use any soaps that are perfumed. My six year old can use bar soap as long as it isn't perfumed. My three year old can only use baby wash for newborns. Whenever I would use a bar soap then he would have a break out. So he still uses baby wash. My six year old still has alittle bit that you can feel when you touch his arms or legs but it isn't noticeable. My three year old has it all over his legs and he has bad breakouts when he goes into newly cut grass or it is hot outside. He seems to be fine when it is cold weather. But I just call his doctor and he calls me in a prescription every year so that I can rub it onto his legs twice to three times a day. Just talk to the doctor and see if they can get you some cream or what you could use. And also make sure that you keep her skin moisturized with nonperfumed lotions. Some baby lotions aren't perfumed so look into those.

My daughter had this when she was younger and still gets it behind her knees and inside her elbows. We found that Aquaphor lotion (you can buy it over the counter) works very good for the itching. You can also get a prescription from your pediatrician if it is too bad.

Hi C.
If she has eczema. She needs to probably be put on a mild steroid creme by her pediatrician. My 2 year old has it.. and though is not as bad as what you describe..the steroid creme for a few days definitely clears it up.
Always use baby detergent on her clothing and bedding. Always use fragrant free and dye-free shampoos and soaps.
The best two things my son's dermatalogist recommended besides the above and in addition to using the steroid creme when the eczema acts up is use 1.) CeraVe moisturizing lotion after his bath. The need to be moisturized right after their baths. You can get the lotion at Walgreen's and CVS Pharmacy might also carry it. (No...Walmart and Target do not). I've checked. It is a little more expensive than the Jergens stuff,etc...but well worth it!! 2.) Use Dove Sensitive Skin soap (fragrance free, dermatology tested)..It's the one in the white with green box.
From my personal experience with exczema as a child and now as an adult... I really recommend that you get her seen by a pediatrician or really best by a dermatologist. The eczema does get better as you age but she will usually always have outbreaks. The cremes help control the outbreaks really well and you only have to use them for a few days and then often you're fine for a few months. Also, just fyi...eczema is often associated with children/adults that also have other allergies. The itching is really miserable and the steroid cremes are a Godsend.

You need to get your daughter to derm./skin doctor, there is no way around that, my son has it and he has severe rashes, now since we have been to the skin dr. They have prescribed medicine by mount and a prescription lotion, almost like a grease lotion, and a dramatic difference has happened, no itching/scratching, etc., you cannot buy creams and try to mend it yourself, you will have to get doctor care on this.
My dr. Told me my son will eventually out grow it, but for now, medicine by mouth and a greasy lotion every day !
Good luck and get to the dr. ! ~

Hi C.,

I am SO surprised that no one has mentioned Renew lotion from Melaleuca. I love this lotion and it is been proven better than Eucerin for Excema in a double blind study. It was actually tested in the most demanding of conditions ~ a harsh Canadian winter...(I have their brochure).

It is safe for everyone including babies, it goes on smooth, not greasy, you can apply as often as you like and it is not medicated. It smells great and has helped me so much with my excessive dryness. I found a brochure online that is in .pdf format and I attached it below, but just in case it doesn't work for you, feel free to let me know and I can email it to you.

http://www.melaleuca.com/PS/pdf_info/us_pib/US_RenewPIB08...

Melaleuca has over 400 other products that are safer for the home and family as well. I highly recommend them for all your home care and health care products! I would love to get you more info on my FAVORITE lotion!! You can reply to me for more info! :)

Blessings,
M. L.
____@____.com