Creams for Excema

Updated on May 10, 2008
L.H. asks from Cincinnati, OH
16 answers

I'm not even sure if I spelled that right, but my 3 year old has bad excema under her knees and on her arms. She scratches it all the time which makes it worse. We recently tried the cream called SARNA but it doesn't seem to be helping too much. What cream do you think or have you used to treat this skin condition?

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S.M.

answers from Casper on

I believe that herbs work best. Here are a couple of sites I found, I think either one would do the trick:

http://www.merryclinic.com/eczema/treatment.htm

http://grassfactor.com/index.htm

I just googled 'eczema herb'. I look for a short informative website that is not afraid to show prices. The super long ones with testimonials may work too, but I generally get annoyed and get out.

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M.S.

answers from Denver on

eucerin creme (the original, a thick paste) works great. see a dermatologist. when we did, he put my then 3 year old on zyrtec (antihistamine) and it cleared the eczema up in a couple of days! he's since outgrown it - thankfully! But, we still keep up the routine....no dyes or perfumes in laundry soap, dryer sheets, shampoos, soaps, etc. lotion up after every bath (we use Keri but Eucerin lotion is good too). Keep baths warm, not hot. If a spot starts to form, load on the eucerin creme. stick w/mild "baby" cleansers - Aveeno is good. Most Johnson or other name brands were horrible for my son. Oh, and no bubble bath - very drying and will exacerbate the eczema.

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S.W.

answers from Denver on

I have had excema...had it for a long time until I visited a dermatologist. I was told to avoid water contact as much as possible and to avoid hot water. I was advised to use Eucerin cream/lotion. I've done all this, kept it up and the excema is history. When I let up on these practices, it tends to start to return. Good luck!

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K.K.

answers from Provo on

HI L.,

Me and my two daughters both suffer with eczema. It is awful, it is very itchy and painful. I have suffered with it all of my life. I have tried it all from Dr to Dr cream to cream nothing seemed to work. Finally I have found the thing that does, I use the Aveeno Baby soothing relief creamy wash and lotion for my daughters. It is a cream bottle with a dark blue lid and wrighting. For everyday baths and I put the lotion on them two times a day. It has helped TONS. But for the areas we have breakouts I found the miracle cream it is called triminiclone my Dr. prescribed it. It's very cheap I think like 4 to 10 dollars, I use the lotion and cream as well it is a miracle. I can't believe it was this easy I am thankful to my childrens Dr. I have went to every dermatoligist 1 after the other they kept doing diffent things. (NEVER WORKED) and then my childrens Doc told me about this for my kids and it is AWESOME! My Friends daughter also has eczema and she started doing this and it was the only thing that worked as well. Plus it doesn't sting or burn like most of the other ones do. Anyways Good LUck hope this helps or you can find something that does.

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H.M.

answers from Denver on

My daughter has excema and we have finally taken her to a specialist to get it under control. The one thing I keep hearing from the specialist is not to use lotion - use a cream (they highly recommend cetaphil cream) Apparently lotion actually pulls moisture out of the skin on people that have excema and since excema is becasue the skin is "immature" and can't contain mosture, lotion doesn't help the problem. I would also recomend if it is really bad to take her to her dr and see if they might recommend an ointment to use when she has bad breakouts. They may also prescribe an oral med that helps with the itching. Good luck! I know how hard it is to see them scratching all the time!

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L.C.

answers from Denver on

Hi L. -
My name is L. - I have talked to so many women that have eczema that have tried every cream also and they don't work. It's an internal problem that is an inflammatory response. Here are some things to try:
1) Children's Omega Fish Oil - you can buy this at Vitamin Cottage in a little bottle and it's strawberry flavored. In the dry weather and in our diets today many lack the omegas we need for our skin.
2) Also try very mild "natural" bath soaps without any fragrances. Maybe Aveeno Oatmeal (??) bath products or some of the versions again at V.C.
3) If she continues to have allergic issues check out my website listed in the business section here too - it's:
www.myvemma.com/leahmcarson

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

For a few years we used Gentle Naturals Baby Eczema Cream and Wash. It was okay. Much better than Aquaphor and didn't sting.

We went to National Jewish last summer and it was life changing for our son. They recommend a bath one or two times a day for 10-15 minutes. Use Ivory or Dove soap at the very end. Put Vani-Cream all over while the skin is still wet. Since doing this, we are rarely using any kind of medicine. You can get Vani-Cream at any Target pharmacy. You have to ask for it, but it's OTC. The only time we have to use medicine now is if we are visiting family that have cats or dogs. Then we use a very low strenght Triaminolone Acetonide on the rough patches before a full outbreak starts.

Using NJH's method, our son went from having constant open, infected sores, to having beautiful skin. I haven't seen red skin in over a year now, let alone a break out. The best part is no meds! GL!

K.

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P.

answers from Denver on

After talking with my chiropractor about my son's eczema, he told me about this oil that really helps with the dry areas, as well as diaper rash. The oil is called calendula and can be found at Target online and at Vitamin Cottage and other health food stores. Get the oil, it works better then the cream. I have been putting this on my son for about 2 days and the rash is almost all gone!

There is a homeopathic remedy for the root cause of eczema that my chrio also told me about, it's like a virus and something triggers it, sometimes dairy and or wheat product. I tried the steroid cream route, but it does not treat the root case which is internal in the body, so it just masking the problem and keeps coming back. Plus the steroids are not real good for kids. This remedy for the dryness and the root cause of eczema can both be eliminated by a more natural means which is better for your kids. I don't have the info for you yet, but my chrio was going to give the me name of a holistic treatment to treat the root cause and once they take that for a while they say it never comes back again, even as an adult. I think I may have to visit this holistic specialist so she can give me a true diagnosis and specific treatment. I will let you know once I get that info.

Here's a little info for you......

Calendula oil is said to be anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, helps healing wounds. useful for bed sores, broken veins, bruises, inflamed gums, varicose veins. Effective on rashes, dry, chapped or cracked skin. Wonderful in salves for diaper rash. Especially useful for dry eczema.

Calendula is gentle, cooling & soothing. A helpful oil for all skin inflammations, Calendula oil is also a good remedy for dry and damaged skin, rashes, diaper irritations, etc. Calendula herbal oil makes a wonderful baby oil and is also helpful for those with sensitive skin.
Calendula Oil was considered an old tymey recipe for Eczema and other common itchy skin irritations. Calendula Oil may be used directly on the skin and as a base oil for Aromatherapy massage applications. Not only one of the most effective topical oils, it also makes an excellent base for salves, facial creams and many other natural cosmetics. Gentle, cooling, and soothing.
Calendula oil is the most successful oil for assisting us with dry and damaged skin, skin inflammations, rashes, diaper irritations, and other skin disorders.Makes a wonderful baby's oil and is exceptional for those with sensitive skin.

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J.S.

answers from Colorado Springs on

My son has eczema also. It runs on his dad's side of the family so they all have it too.

I use Renew Intensive SKin therapy and it works magically. I love it. I also have the bath oil and all the kids bath products and laundray products to keep his skin healthy and clear of chemicals and irritants. He has nice skin now...hardly ever has a breakout. As long as I'm good about putting it on after his baths, he stays smooth and scaly skin free! LOL

J.
http://www.saferisbetter.com/jmej7

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K.D.

answers from Salt Lake City on

We have a couple of prescription (Dermatop and Desonide) creams for eczema, but for OTC, try Aquaphor. Also, as a daily lotion, try Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream (they also have a body wash). Apply lotions/creams when the skin is still wet to help seal in moisture.

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M.N.

answers from Denver on

Before you try the desonide creams or any with cortizone the allergist had me try vanicream its about 15.00 at walmart pharmacy. you do not need a prescription but it worked for my daughter. I hope this helps and gl

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D.P.

answers from Denver on

You can try Aquaphor Healing Ointment by Eucerin. I found it in the baby aisle. Our one year old has excema also and this is the only thing that I have found that works. It is a real heavy cream so we put it on him at night after a bath. Hoope this helps as we know the agony that excema can cause for little ones.

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J.W.

answers from Provo on

my daughter has bad eczema on her arms and legs as well..the doc prescribed us a steroid cream but that just bleached her skin..got rid of the eczema but bleached it splotchy..I didn't really like that so I went back and asked what else I could do for her and she said that I really had to be on top of it. After lukewarm baths while still wet (not dripping but moist) to apply lotion..specifically something without any dyes or perfumes as those irritate the skin more. She reccomended Aveeno...dye free perfume free...nothin special about it..works wonders...when the eczema gets really bad though we do oatmeal baths to soothe the skin before working on healing it. Hope you get it figured out for what works for you!

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S.M.

answers from Denver on

Have you tried oatmeal baths. It really takes the sting out of the rash. As a child I had eczema, allergic to chocolate and citric fruit. Occationally, I still will have a minor breakout if I have too much orange juice and tomoatoes in one day. It really burns under the arms and behind the knees. Now my son also gets it the same and also the back of his neck. I give him 2-3 baths a day when it is really bothering him. Just pat dry and but cream on him while skin is damp.

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C.B.

answers from Denver on

A Dermotologist would be the person to help the best. They would have the up to date medication to help and be the one to help your little one.
C. B

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P.W.

answers from Denver on

My 14 year old daughter breaks out with ezcema on her elbows and knees when she's stressed out. We tried some of the Arbonne products on it and it goes away almost immediately. Arbonne's products can only be purchased through a consultant and I'm one. They are all botanically based, hypoallergenic and don't contain mineral oil, which is a carcinogen. If anyone's interested in trying them, let me know.

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