Eczema Breakouts

Updated on August 26, 2008
L.S. asks from Claremont, NH
25 answers

My son is 9 months old and we are struggling with eczema breakouts on his head. I switched to all baby laundry soap and bounce dryer sheets which seemed to clear it up, but then the hubby bought snuggle dryer sheets and now it's back. He also breaks out when he eats bananas, has anyone ever heard of a baby allergic to banana's or has anyone had this problem with the laundry soap? I make sure I use aveeno wash on his head and aveeno lotion after, but it's hard to cure once he breaks out. Anybody know of any other methods to clear it up?

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So What Happened?

Ok, everyone. Thank you to everyone that responded and gave suggestions. I went out and got some Dove soap and the Disney Gentle Naturals for Eczema, I started the Dove on Friday night and by Sunday his head was looking 90% better. On Sunday, I purchased the Gentle Naturals and his head is almost cleared up. I bathe Brennan everyday, and am glad that I have found something that works for him. I have also come to the conclusion that the weather in NH, also contributes to his breakouts, we have had spells of extremely cold and dry weather lately. Thank you again to all!

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G.G.

answers from Boston on

Please try a product called "Renew"... it will clear up ALL eczema, psoriasis, cradle cap, diaper rash, etc. within a few days time! Has been tested in clinical trials against Eucerin... beat that product hands down! Plus it is non-toxic (does not contain any harsh or synthetic chemicals that can create other problems short and long term). It has been mentioned several times in recent posts.... give it a try! You won't believe it until you try it!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Boston on

My daughter is very sensitive to bananas too...I never thought bananas could upset her.
I bought this great product at Whole Foods, California baby. It can be used for diaper rash, cradle cap etc. It pricey but it works. Give it a try and I bet it will go away.

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T.R.

answers from Springfield on

HI, MY SON SEES A SPECIAL DOCTOR BECAUSE HIS ECZEMA IS VERY BAD....HE IS 4 MONTHS OLD SO HE IS TOO YOUNG FOR CREAMS. HERE IS WHAT THE SPECIALIST HAS US DOING......AND IT WORKS! OK SO WASH ALL YOUR BABIES CLOTHES BY THEMSELVES WITH EITHER ALL FREE AND CLEAR OR PUREX FREE AND CLEAR.....THE BABY SOAPS HAVE SCENTS THAT CAUSE IRRITATION... IT MAY SAY HYPOALLERGENIC BUT IT ISNT ALWAYS TRUE.....THEY USE INGREDIENTS THAT ARENT USUALLY KNOWN TO CAUSE REACTION BUT STILL MIGHT. OK WE USED AVENO THINKING IT WAS THE BEST BUT WE WERE TOLD IT CAN MAKE IT WORST! WE WERE TOLD TO SWITCH TO A SIMPLE BAR OF SOAP CALLED DOVE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN...THE BAR NOT THE CREAM SOAP. WE EVEN HAVE TO USE IT ON HIS HEAD. AND LAST BUT MOST IMPORTANT. ECZEMA IS REALLY LIKE YOUR BABY IS MISSING THE TOP LAYER OF SKIN. RUBBING ANY LOTIONS CAN CAUSE IRRITATION. INSTEAD USE A PRODUCT MADE ESPECIALLY FOR ECZEMA,SOMETHING LIKE GENTLE NATURALS, THEY HAVE A OINTMENT MADE JUST FOR THIS. FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS YOU SHOULD APPLY IT EVERY 3 HOURS, THEN TWICE A DAY FROM THEN ON. IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT IT ON RIGHT AFTER A BATH,THIS IS BECAUSE FOR SOME REASON IT CAN BECOME WORSE AFTER BATHS. AS FAR AS THE BANANAS GO, MY COUSIN IS ALLERGIC TO THEM. AND IT IS NOW BECOMING CLEAR ECZEMA ISNT ONLY CAUSED BY ASTHMA....WICH MY SON DOESNT HAVE, IT IS CAUSED BY FOOD ALLERGIES TOO....MY SON IS ALLERGIC TO PEARS MILK AND SOY! GOOD LUCK! EMAIL ME IF ANY OF MY SUGGESTIONS WORKED! ____@____.com

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H.H.

answers from Providence on

I have been struggling with Eczema with my daughter since she was a few months old. I also changed to Dreft and gentle soaps but none of that stuff worked for me. Last year someone mentioned the drier sheets (hadn't thought of that one) but changing didn't help either. My daughter also used to randomly break out in hives on her face when she ate something (never did figure it out.)

When she was younger, I was able to control her eczema with aquaphor and laster her doc gave her a prescription to Eladil. But last summer even that stopped working eczema got really bad. They finally put her on a steriod cream and said to use it twice a day for a 2 weeks then take 2 weeks off. That didn't really work for me so what I did was use it one a day when it was really bad and once it cleared up I would take a few days off until I noticed it coming back.

She's been doing much better but she seems to not have it as bad during the winter so summer shall tell. She seems to have outgrown the food triggered hives and eczema.

I will tell you that she has been to an allergiest and they pretty much don't diagnose much of anything until they are 2 or 3 since they seem to out-grow so much.

Good luck.

H.

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C.G.

answers from Boston on

we have to use perfume free laundry detergent and fabric softener: we usually use all free and clear, but purex free works too. Bounce free of dyes and perfumes works but so does the comparable target brand product

do talk to doc though about bananas, could be a potassium issue

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C.H.

answers from Providence on

I found out when my so was about 11 months old that he is allergic to fabric softener. I can't use the sheets or the Liquid. I figured this out after a few rash break outs. Now his clothes get washed with Tide and 1/2 of a fabric softener sheet b/c of the static cling.

My neice has eczema all over her body head to toe. My sister- in -law uses Sarner or Sarna lotion for her body. You can get it at any Pharm. over the counter (get the unscented b/c the other one stinks) for her head on bad break outs she uses mineral oil. She has found that once her hair grew in the breakouts stopped on her head. This time of year is brutal on her joints they dry up and crack so she get moisturizer 2-3 times a day. Good luck and I hope this helps.

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K.A.

answers from Boston on

My daughter is 2 now and was diagnosed with childhood eczema when she was about a year old. We had to use dove moisturizing body wash at bath time, and then nivea cream lotion afterwards (the kind for very dry skin). It's been over a year now and hers is pretty much cleared up. Our doctor recommended not to give her a bath everyday unless absolutely necessary, so we did every other day (unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY). Also, they recommended keeping her away from excessive smoke, like from a woodstove, and that she not go near smokers because that can be an irritant.

It could be the bananas. But I've never known anyone allergic to them. Have you talk to your doctor about it?

GL

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J.W.

answers from Boston on

my son had severe eczema his first year and stillhas it although not as severe.(hes 3 and a half.)He used to get cradle cap and we used to rub some vaseline into his scalp and comb throughit before we washed it. We also started using this bath oil called Balnetar. You can get it without a prescription behind the counter at cvs. It is expensive but worth every penny since he breaks out from even aveeno.We use it on his hair also. Good luck!

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A.C.

answers from Boston on

Hi L.-
I know they make special eczema washes/creams. You can find them at your local pharmacy (CVS, Brooks, Walgreens) in the baby aisle. I would also try not using any fabric softener. Sometimes the perfumes, etc. can be too harsh on a baby's skin. They make perfume/dye free fabric softeners and that may be the best choice. I have never heard of bananas causing an allergy, i would speak with his pediatrician about that. Good luck.

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H.M.

answers from Lewiston on

L.,
If your son is breaking out when he eats bananas, he could be allergic and I'd stop giving them to him until your doc checks it out. There is a strong relationship between banana allergy and latex allergy and they can be severe. It's not that uncommon these days.
As for the exzema, aloe straight from the leaf is a great cure, as is breast milk. (I know, old-fashioned, but it really works!) I would keep a daily log of what he's eating as well. From your other question, it sounds as though you've been feeding him foods a little earlier than recommended (today the AAP recommends waiting until 6 mo to even begin cereal bc of the huge rise in food allergies). So, with your baby's reaction to bananas, he may also be reacting to other foods which exacerbate the exzema. Foods high in sugar could also be making it worse- even natural sugars like juices. Take all the info, including the reactions he has to each food, and take it to your doc ASAP. Some food allergies are deadly, and if he also has a latex sensitivity, there are items that contain latex that you may not even think about (carpets, for instance). Good luck!

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M.

answers from Boston on

My daughter was 9 mos. old with terrible eczema on her face. It was so bad that it bled. As long as your peditrician says it is okay - bring him to an allergist and dermatologist. The dermatologist will give you something safe to put on his head - probably a mild steroid cream and the allergist will let you know if there are foods that you should stay away from. We used a great cream called Dermator (it is a prescription steroid cream) and she was allergic to some foods - which she did grow out of after she was 2.

also, try Tide Free. It has no perfumes and try to stay away from the dryer sheets all together until you find the culprit. If there are no food allergies then you know that it is the dryer sheets and detergents.

Good luck.

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L.C.

answers from Portland on

I would talk to your DR about it. You might want to think about allergy testing too. That would help you figure things out.

Best of luck.

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N.R.

answers from Providence on

My daughter randomnly get breakouts also, you have to use laundry soap with no frangrance even lotions and shampoos. but for the head and body afterward use cortizone cream 2-3 daily.

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J.L.

answers from Boston on

I know of a lotion that is non steroidal and clinically proven (and self proven on myself) to cure excema! I buy it through a wellness company that i buy all my household items through, none of which have any harsh or harmful chemicals like the ones you used on ur son to try to cure his excema last time!
email me ____@____.com
and/or check out the site www.createagreenhome.com
I am such a believer in this company and their products i have gotten involved with them and am starting an at home business. and NO i am NOT selling these products, i simply refer and educate.
Hope to her from you! i can share a lot!

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R.S.

answers from Providence on

Both of my children have eczema & super sensitive skin. I found that using Dreft laundry detergent & running the laundry throught the rinse cycle twice helps. I also avoid fabric softner. We use only unscented Dove soap & Eucerin lotion. It seems to work well with keeping the flare ups at bay. Their skin seems to get less sensitive as they get older, so it should get easier. Good luck to you.

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P.M.

answers from Providence on

my 5 year old Daughter has had eczema sense she was 3 months old, i have been showering her every other day with Dove UNSENTED i put Lubriderm for extra sensitive dry skin on her while shes still wet then pat dry after that i put Eucerin all over she has been fine sence, also i used Dermatop Emollient cream diercted by the physician, A&D Ointment is excellent too it has codliver oil in it i have used it for all three of my children for diaper rash in the past, rash is gone the next day ...never use dryer sheets you woulden't believe what's in them pretty scary

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S.V.

answers from Pittsfield on

hello L. i have had the same problem with my two year old since birth he also has eczema we now use purex or all free and clear laundry detergent but still use regular fabric softner and we use dove nutrium body wash with moisture beads and then eurcerin moisturizing cream, not lotion, right after bath when his body is still wet it rubs on easier then pat dry it works he still has breakouts but not as bad as he did before this you can give this a shot this is what my sons dermotologist had suggested we do so it comes right from a doctor so give it a shot and see if it works good luck

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L.W.

answers from Bangor on

L. and everyone else,
Hello! I am with a great company who manufactures and does research studies on each and every product before it gets put on the market to get. I have had other team members besides myself use this for skin problems. We also have other non- toxic products that are safer and healthier for your home. We do not do any selling, delivering, stocking. We are on the www.bbb.com ( Better Business Bureau website). There are product researches done on www.rmbarry.com. If you would like to learn more information and start saving money from home while earning a residual income give me, L. a call at ###-###-#### or email me at: ____@____.com. I also have my Free website with all free training. Go ahead and take a look doesn't hurt anyone to look and get back to me. http://www.livetotalwellness.com/LisaJ

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J.R.

answers from Providence on

One more opinion for you...
Both of my boys have eczema (since birth) and so have I in the past. We have been told to use Dove unscented soap, Aquaphor and Eucerin cream immediately after bathing, unscented liquid laundry degergent, NO dryer sheets of any kind, and we also have had various Hydrocortizone (sp?) prescription creams. We decided to bath our children daily and rehydrate their skin by applying moisturizer while they are still a little wet.
Do your best and know that sometimes these things do go away on their own... Best of luck!
-J.

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C.C.

answers from Boston on

i understand completely. My daughter has suffered from birth and still does and she is now 18 months old. food allergies are common. My doctor finally did allergy tests and found out she has many food allergies. her outbreaks are less and clear up a little easier now that i know what causes them , also my doc perscribed me a cortizone cream that seems to help.

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C.W.

answers from Portland on

HI L.,
Since he is so young already with eczema, I would suggest you contact anyone on the list who talked about all natural products or the RM BArry brochures...Their products are tremendous and will help you out so much over the course of you son's life. You really do want to change his laundry detergent, lotions shampoos and more... He is prone to it,,, allergies will develop soon, a depressed immune system...
C. W
www.MyHomeCottageBiz.com

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C.C.

answers from Providence on

Do not - I repeat Do not use Dryer fabric sheets - every dermatologist will tell you that is a no no..

Use Cetaphil and anything fragrance free.
Every time I change her diaper I use lotion/cream on her.

Call a dermatologist and an allergist - we use Atopilclair which is non steriod and it works great..

I have eczema for 36 years and my 2 year old had it very badly. we had her allery tested and you would not beleive what she is allergic too. Call an allergist asap...They can do a simple blood test to rule out basic foods..

Good luck I know how you feel.

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L.J.

answers from Boston on

Is it exzema or cradle cap?

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A.S.

answers from Providence on

eucerin cream is good for eczema. i have had to call the pedi to prescribe hydrocortizone cream when it's out of control. i used to use all free & clear for laundry detergent and that worked pretty good for washing clothes for kids with sensitive skin.

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A.K.

answers from Boston on

I have lived with Eczema most of my life. My skin is more sensitive than most babies skin. I know others in the same situation. We each have a certain laundry detergent that works. Mine is All Free & Clear. I would recommend not using any dryer sheets because it leaves a residue on the clothes. However, if you found a dryer sheet that works then it you may be able to use it. There's a chance your child could develop an allergy to it so I would monitor that.

It turns out that I had several skin sensitivities that turned into allergies because I exposed my skin to certain products repeatedly. With my daughter, I'm staying away from any products that are scented and trying to pick products that have as few ingredients as possible. I'm also staying away from "all-natural" products because they tend to have higher concentrations of certain ingredients like essential oils that can create allergies. For example, we use an unscented castile soap for her baths.

Most of my allergies developed when I turned 30. I can now only use basis soap, head & shoulders shampoo and a special toothpaste or baking soda to brush my teeth because I'm allergic to all other products. I can't use Neosporin or get the flu shot because I'm allergic to those. I could go on but I think you get the picture. It's a pain and I don't want my daughter to go through what I'm going through. That's why I'm being picky about products that touch her skin.

That being said, my daughter doesn't have eczema so she may not have any of my issues and your son may outgrow his eczema and not have the allergies I do. I just wanted to make you aware of my extreme situation and what I'm doing.

I have never heard of the banana issue you're having. My nephew has been diagnosed with some food allergies and my SIL needs to be careful with his diet. She's hoping he outgrows this when he turns one like his sister did.

Good luck!

=====

I wanted to add a few more comments based on what others have said. Vaseline is OK to use. There are lots of rumors about what it is made of and how bad it is but it's actually not bad.

Be careful about using anything with botanicals or essential oils because they can make sensitive skin break out even more. I practically break out thinking about the stuff ;-) A dear friend of mine made the mistake of buying an all natural eczema cure right before her twin daughters first birthday and they both broke out in a severe rash.

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