Had Success in Treating Ezcema Without Steroids?

Definitely get a consult with an allergist, but also know that keeping the skin moist with a low-allergenic cream (I like Eucerin; it is really thick but I used to slather it on the "bumpy spots" as soon as my kids got them and it REALLY helped), all-cotton clothing, and minimizing soap and water cleansing can all help. We ended up using a low dose of hydrocortisone cream when it was really bad, but the cotton (try Hanna Andersson for sleepwear, as most of the flame-retardant sleepwear for children made my kids' skin go nuts!) on top of thick gobs of Eucerin usually kept it in check and kept the steroid cream at a minimal level. You may need to go that route just to get it under control, but as soon as it subsides you can go to the milder, long-term "management" strategy. Instead of daily baths, I used Cetaphil cleansing lotion and wiped it off with a washcloth, only immersing my daughter every 2 or 3 days. Summer was the worst--the chlorine in pools really dried her out and we were very conscientious about rinsing in plain cool water after every swim, followed by Eucerin cream or lotion (they now make a "calming cream" which she still uses as a teenager when her skin is acting up).

Good luck!

Hi Marija
I heard good things about Calendula cream for which you can buy in a health food store.. or go to California baby.Com

I saw a show on view from the bay, whereby they showed a baby who had bad ezcema and the parents tried everything, then came upon this calendula cream and WOW.. in a week's time, they had MAJOR improvement. so you may want to try that..
best of luck. oh and many creams have additives. I would make sure you get pure stuff.. that's why I like California baby products, they specialize in keeping things simple and fragrance free. they use all natural ingredients

good luck!

Our son has had relatively mild eczema, fortunately, but in my search for some solutions I found this link -- it's the site of a family who discovered detergents were the (and they believe common) culprit. No idea if it will help you out but I thought I'd pass it along in case it does. We've also liked California Baby's calendula cream, as another poster here mentioned. Good luck. I hope you and your baby find relief soon!

http://www.solveeczema.org/

Hi Marija,
My 10 month old son has suffered from severe eczema since he was about four months old also. I too tried to manage with diet, but it still got progressively worse. We were very hesitant on the use of steroids, but had to resort to them when he had such a bad episode that he ended up with impetigo (a staff infection.) We have been using a combination of prescription steroid (desonide) and a prescription antihistamine. Our son wakes up from his eczema itching him in the middle of the night, unless we use his antihistamine.
Good luck, I know how concerning this can be, especially wanting to avoid steroids. Our dermatologist has assured me that the short term use of the steroids is much safer than the weeping oozing eczema that he used to have.

I'm pretty sure the eczema needs to be treated first and then your diet should keep the skin healthy. Since you've said he is oozing, I don't think any over the counter meds will help. I wouldn't let it persist much longer though without being medically treated because eczema can leave scarring and discoloration if not treated. Once the skin returns to its healthy state though, you can continue with your diet and stay away from citrus foods, and perfumed products, i.e. detergents, lotions, bubble baths. Use aquafor or good old vaseline for his skin and wash with warm water and dove unscented soap, no bubble baths or washes. wash his clothes with fragrance free products and possibly even your lounge wear or pajamas and sheets since he may be spending alot of time on you or in your bed. Always lay him on his own stuff (a burp cloth or blanket washed in fragrance free detergent) for sleeping, naps and burping or even for something as simple as passing him around amongst family and friends. Good luck! It's a hassle and boring (the fragrence free part) but once you know what effects your child and remove those elements from his lifestyle, you'll be okay.

Hello Marija,
As an Arbonne Consultant, I can tell you we have experienced a huge amount of success with our ABC Baby line of produsts. I will be more than happy to send you a free sample of these great Herbal Botanical-based products. Also, a fellow co-worker of mine has horrible hand eczema & our Skin Conditioning oil has worked wonders for him-well and beyond what his dermatologist has recommended (his fingers were splitting open constantly before). Feel free to contact me at www.sharonfoot.myarbonne.com.

Hi Marija,

I know it can be frustrating trying to find a solution to keep our children healthy. We are at war with our environment today and our children are stuck in it. I live in the bay area also. I am a wellness consultant. I saw a little girl that had ezcema so bad it was all over her face. They tried to treat it with steroids and did not help. The family looked at putting her into a wellness home. Better water, air, filtered the shower water with piwater,magnetic sleep system, hydrating lotion and far infrared technologies.
If you would like to see what a wellness home is check out www.nikken.com/ninamarie. If you would like to see a picture of Annie when she first started fghting this condition and was on 8 different medicines to stop the itching and what she looks like today in a wellness home feel free to call me.
My number is ###-###-####
God Bless you.

N. Marie

Hi Marija,
I am an eczema sufferer myself and while topical steroids tend to work best here are some other options I have found effective.

Hands down the best lotion is Cerave, people will tell you to use Cetaphil, but I have had much more success with this. It is a little harder to find, the always have it at walgreens and cvs.

Have you talked to your dr about non-steroid treatments like Elidel? Combining that with lotion on effected areas is very soothing. Also make sure all your baby's baths are luke warm, hot will add to the discomfort. Also, soft cotton clothes that breadth well.

Another thing that works well to reduce the inflamation is omega 3s or flaxseed oil, not sure at what age you can give that to your baby, but it is very effective.

Good luck!