Eczema Problems???

If he has a food allergy you need to find out what it is before the eczema will clear up totally. Try oatmeal or aveno baths, aquaphor soothes and keeps the skin from drying out. It could be an allergy to lotion or detergent too.
Try a few different things to see if you can find out what it is bothering him. Newborns are very prone to eczema.

Hi C.,

My older son, now 5 had eczema for most of his infant and toddler years, my doctor prescibed "Elidel" and it really kept in under control. The cream is in a small tube, but spreads on very well and goes along way. My son grew out of his eczema by the time he was 1 1/2 or 2. I still have a tube that I use now and then on my sensitive skin and it works great! GOOD LUCK!

S. of Thornton

start w/ your soaps and cleansers. Go to All Baby (my son had problems w/Dreft - and, bonus, its cheaper!)or All free and clear and do a double rinse in the laundry. Tide is absolutely horrible for those w/skin issues. You'll probably have to use dryer sheets because its so dry in CO - but try w/out for a while and/or switch to a "free and clear" - we use bounce free. Switch to Aveeno baby - or at least something w/out soap, perfume, dye, etc. Most baby products are actually not that mild and cause skin reactions. Limit bathing so you're not stripping the natural oils off the skin. Be careful w/diaper wipes - or just quit using them and use wet washcloths. Eucerin creme (not the lotion) is typically very effective - it's like putting paste on, but it works. I think you're probably getting the picture - get rid of all things touching the baby that have perfumes, dyes, true soap, etc. - even the "naturals" can be horrible becuase of allergy issues w/the flowers, etc that are used. It might also be helpful to switch household cleaners to baking soda and vinegar or at least the environmentally friendly ones - again, limit exposure to chemicals. apparently when I was a baby, I had to have at least 4 sheets between me and the plastic/rubber coated crib mattress or I'd break out, so that'd be something else to try. I'd be very, very concerned at using even over-the-counter hydrocortisone for that long on an infant - push your doctor for a different answer or a referral to a pediatric dermatologist. Adults are not to use the over-the-counter hydrocortisone for more than 10-14 days in a row or it will cause a permanent thinning of the skin.

Hi,

Try this. She is in Denver, near Sloan's Lake if you want to pick up. It is expensive, but a little drop goes a long way.

http://www.nativewisdombeauty.com/index.cfm/fa/pages.main...

I would try chiropractic care, both my son and I have eczema. I have since I was a kid. We started getting adjusted and it is gone. Our chiropractor explained that when certain nerves are impinged by the spinal bones, they have decreased function and can cause an array of problems. He has also ceased having ear infections since I started getting him adjusted, and he had ten his first year. Look up more info on the internet if you are curious.

As another mom mentioned, start with laundry detergent. We use Seventh Generation, because it has no phosphates, fragrances, etc (dreft does have--even though it's targeted at babies). It's still possible he's allergic to the formula as well. Also make sure not to use fabric softener on baby clothes, sheets, blankets, etc. In terms of reflux, keep him upright after meals and if you can, slant his crib to keep his head a bit raised. It has been a very dry winter in Colorado so make sure you are keeping lotion on him--one that is as pure as possible (it's amazing how many fragrances are in baby lotion!) Winter's almost over, so hopefully the eczema will improve soon. Even though it's based on allergies, the dry weather worsens it. Best of luck!

My son is now 5 and has always had eczema. It flares up during certain seasons. I have always put hydrocortisone cream on and added eucerin lotion on top of it and it really seems to work. For us, it never seems to work if I just do one...I have to have both.
Hope that helps!

My son developed eczema at about the same age. I have found a few things that have helped tremendously, in fact his skin is almost totally smooth.

First of all, if you are bathing everyday then try not to use soap all over the body ( I just do hands and diaper at teh very end of the bath) and make sure to slather the whole body with a thick lotion like Eucerin right away. Then I put Wedela Baby Calendula Cream on the actual patches of eczema, its amazing stuff (you can get it at Whole Foods or any natural grocer) and I also reapply that in the morning when I get him dressed. I have also cut out milk from my diet. I did not cut out all dairy because it does not seem to bother him but he does seems to get patches of eczema and reflux when I drink milk. Finally I was using dreft detergent because I loved how it smells like baby and I have switched to Tide Free. Oh and make sure to only dress you baby in 100% cotton. I hope this helps you!

Oh mama, you're telling my story. I went through this with my son. I ended up taking him the THIRTEEN different doctors and alternative health care workers. I DID find relief and ultimately he was cured (something all the Mds told me was NEVER going to happen). There's not a speck of eczema on him or trace of allergies in him today.

I do have a few tips for you.

First, NEVER put anything on your son - or give him any drug - that you have not already researched in the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) yourself. Do not assume your Md has done the reading. When I read about hydrocortizone (after I was given exactly the same advice from my pediatrician) I just about had a heart attack! Hydrocortizone is specifically contraindicated in children under 3yrs old - that means you should NOT USE IT under any circumstances! Even in children of 3 yrs and older, it should be used only a day a time and EVEN THEN, it specifically says that it very well may exacerbate the problem in the long run!!!

Second; I discovered that conventional doctors know very little about skin issues which are all grouped haphazardly under 'eczema & psoriesis'. They will give you topical treatments (that you must be very careful of) and lectures about allergies and pat you on the back as they usher you out the door (after you've paid a hefty bill). And they will certainly tell you it is "incurable".

That is simply NOT TRUE!!

There are loads and LOADS of alternative treatments out there that work. You just have to find the one that works for your son.

My son's eczema was SO bad, I was honestly afraid someone was going to call social services - because he looked like he'd been burned. It circled his neck in an awful, angry band that peeled of in large sheets of skin. He also had a huge patch that stretched from hip to hip through his groin area and another on the back of his left hip.

Third; you must also be wary of "natural" topical treatments. They are more often than not full of parabens, phfalates, petrochemicals, hidden steroids (and my personal favorite) alcohols. All of those additives are, in the least, agrivating to the problem, and worst, extremely dangerous in the long run.

Ultimately I developed my own topical treatment that worked so well I have been forced into business selling it and all of the products it spawned. You're welcome to contact me and I'd be happy to send you a sample.

Fourth; take matters into your own hands. You can do the basics yourself. Change your laundry detergent to one that is unscented and designed for babies and/or people with allergies. Throw away your dryer sheets, if you use them. Take all obvious allergens out of your son's diet (corn, soy, wheat, dairy, nightshade vegetables [tomatoes, potatoes, peppers & eggplant], and anything else you are suspect of). Go as organic and unprocessed as possible.

Do all the research you can on alternative treatments for skin issues and follow your instincts on what might fit with your son and your family. Try everything.

There is relief and healing out there, don't let anyone tell you there isn't. My website will be up in a few days and you'll be able to see the hair-raising pictures of my son. And now that little boy perfectly eczema free!

Don't give up!

Blessings,

M.

Have you tried a "wet wrap"? My son had HORRIBLE head-to-toe eczema as an infant and his pediatrician suggested this to me (along with triamcinolone, a GREAT prescription ointment). I had to bathe him, and put on his moisturizer, ointment, whatever you're using, while he's still damp. This is the best time for the medication to absorb. Then put on warm, damp clothing with dry clothing over the top. I did this before bedtime and in the mornings his skin was SO much softer and less dry. As he grew older, I really only had to do it with his socks. A pediatric dermatologist at Children's Hospital also put him on Zyrtec for whatever his allergy was and gave me this advice- "If it smells good, it's bad for him!" I also used Eucerine lotion and Cetaphil (expensive, but worth it.) Good news? My son is now 3 1/2 and has COMPLETELY outgrown his eczema! Oh! And if you want to ask your pediatrician about Triamcinolone, it's non-steroid, and completely safe should it end up in his mouth, eyes, etc. It was a miracle ointment for my son!

C.,

Hi, my name is K.. I have a daughter who also has eczema. I used the Aveeno products. There is a good oatmeal soap, and baby products that help with the irritation. On their website they have some helpful tips on eczema.
Maybe the change in weather/climate has something to do with it. We also moved to Colorado from California and it was within that year my daughter started with it. This was about 7yrs. ago.
Hope your son feels better!

I use something called Kerol for my palmar and plantar lupus which is very similar to eczema problem. It is a topical cream and is very nice and soothing. It is Rx only and it is cheap. I also use Clobex I am not sure if a little one could use that. but hey it work for me.

My daughter had eczema as a newborn and still gets occasional breakouts today. Triggers seem to be chlorine (in pools) or other lotions/products with fragrances.
This treatment has ALWAYS worked for us....after a warm bath, we lube her up like a butterball turkey with Aquaphor. Then dress her in a long sleeved onsie. It's a tad greasy but after 2-3 days, the eczema is gone. Vanicream is also a great product for maintenance. We use that daily after baths. You can find it at the drugstore, sometimes behind the pharmacy counter but there's no prescription needed.
We've tried to stay away from the cortizone creams too. Anything on your skin will make its way into the body to some degree. Good luck.

My son has the same problem with Eczema. My doctor told me that same thing about the hydrocortizone. I can't use anything on him but a eczema Moisturizing Cream and Cleanser. Called Mustela Stelatopia. I got it at babies R Us. It seemed to help him.

My 2 year old daughter also has always had eczema. I have been told to put on the hydro cortizone cream as well. The problem with that is it may clear up the problem but it would come back when I didn't use it and I didn't want to have to put it on her everyday. My friend does Arbonne and had me try their baby products and I think they are great. It has been wonderful for my daughter's skin. Their baby line is very gentle. They have a gentle cleanser and an oil that I use after bath followed by a lotion. I was williing to try anything as recently she was crying when I put lotion on saying it was burning. I can get you in touch with her if you want to try it. ____@____.com

I will keep this brief. Carefull with the diagnosis of 'eczema'. Many people use that word loosely. I have eczema, so does my mom. Some people are helped by adding moisture (ie woman's advice to bathe and cover with lotion, wet clothes.) Mine, that would exasterbate the probem. When I get too much moisture, my skin breaks out with eczema. I get little bumps under the skin sometimes (fyi, I'm native coloradan). Hate to say it...but it's a lot of trial and error!
Side note: many forms of eczema are an autoammune problem. Meaning simply that the skin thinks there's something to fight, and there's really not. Keep that in mind as you decide what to put on or not put on your baby's skin. =)
First try to go free of dyes and fragrances; as natural as possible, from there, trial and error.
Good luck!

I echo the advice about finding a pediatric chiropractor. My son had acid reflux and was on all sorts of prescriptions for that as a new born. My daughter had bad allergies, was on steroid inhalers, and both children have had eczema. I don't like hydrocortisone cream, because it is a steroid and steroids can have many bad side effects. Chiropractic care has resolved the reflux, allergies and eczema in my children.

As for lotions for the immediate concern, Mannatech has a couple of very good ones that we used for my daughter -- worked better than hydrocortisone and without the dangers. Eucerin is also good.

M.

I have eczema and use Cetaphil. It is an over-the-counter product and comes in lotion or cream (I would suggest cream while it is bad). You use it as a regular lotion or cream, but it is really good to use after baths. Just towel dry him off and put the cream on while the skin is still damp. It is not a substitute for the medication (especially while the outbreak is so bad), but it can help bring it under control. And, at least for me, it seems to decrease how often I need to use medicine. I was on medicated creams continually, but now I can go sometimes for months without medication. Plus, my skin is in such better shape now. Cetaphil also has a liquid skin cleanser that is GREAT for babies AND for eczema. I used cetaphil cleanser and lotions on all my children and they all have great skin!