Eczema Getting Worse on My 2 Boys

Only my daughter with food allergies had eczema. Have you tried seeing an allergist and eliminating foods to see if it gets better?

Have you ruled out food allergies? Wheat, soy, and dairy are big offenders that can cause reactions and eczema. Try redoing their diet and see if it helps. I know it worked wonders with my grandsons.

i second and third the suggestions to look to diet. my younger was an eczema monster, and we discovered as he got older that a lot of his issues (including allergies) were food related.
i'd lay off the petroleum, and really lay off the cortisone. bathe with cetaphil, and rub him down with olive oil, or coconut oil. i made a wonderful rub with these two plus beeswax and a touch of lavender essential oil. it's greasy but effective, especially for the bits that can be massaged then covered with pjs before bedtime. oatmeal baths are also helpful.
khairete
S.

It sounds odd but the thing I have found that works best for my sons eczema is coconut oil. I mix it with bees wax and vit E oil and make a bar our of it, but it can be used straight from the jar as well. We us it on all his scaly spots morning and night and it usually gets much better after just a few days.

I have eczema because of asthma and my son has it as well. coconut oil & hydrocortisone.. of course you can just use coconut oil.. buy vasoline by itself only seals in what little moisture the skin has- you need more than just that. use it after coconut oil or aquaphor...

Eczema starts on the INSIDE so topical treatments are of little use in most people. You are wise to avoid the steroid creams in excess - and besides, they are only treating something after it has occurred, not preventing it!

I have several friends who have had great results with an approved supplement that provides comprehensive cellular health - that means skin cells and all the other cells. One is a registered nurse who suffered with eczema since birth, and the other is a mom of 5 who had terrible bleeding eczema on her hands for years and whose kids had it as well. They are all symptom free as long as they are consistent. An extra bonus is the kids are so healthy they are just never sick.

You can buy it on line but you need a little education first - but a trained nutritional consultant works with you for free and then can refer you to the company. If that interests you, great. It's not an overnight fix because it takes a while to heal things from the inside out but if you're willing to make a 2-3 month commitment, you will most likely see fantastic results in that time.

We have struggled with my 7 yo son's eczema his entire life. He had food allergies and now environmental. We have used it all, and we have found that remedies change over time. The hydrocortisone no longer really works that well. We have found that the Cetaphil cream is really helping. It's the kind in the jar (not the body lotion). We apply it before bed time and in the morning, and we have noticed an improvement.
I completely agree on the allergies. My ped said that eczema is seen in 80% of allergy cases. If you can find out what is triggering the allergic responses, eliminating that cause is your best defense. It could be anything- dogs, cats, grass, foods. Until you find out, this could be a long battle.

Take your children to a dermatologist if you haven't already.

Eczema is best to be treated not from the outside, but from within (so to speak). It's typically the immune system reacting to something so I would think that your boys eczema is an allergic reaction.

If you haven't already talked to the pediatrician, you should. They always want to know about rashes. A dermatologist can also take skin samples of the eczema to tell you if it's it's due to a bacterial or viral infection. A dermatologist could help you narrow down if the cause is due to a food allergen, dust mites, bed bugs, pet dander.

Common food allergens that can cause eczema are milk, eggs, nuts, soy, and wheat. Then you would have artificial sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup, artificial food dyes, etc.

So you could try an Elimination Diet to see what food/s they might be allergic to before you give them anything like steroids or creams that could worsen the eczema or be a temporary fix.

What you do is you start by removing the biggest allergen triggers from the diet, but you do it one at a time. The first one is typically all milk and cream products. Milk/cream is notorious for causing eczema. It could be an allergy to milk proteins, so you would need to eliminate ANYTHING that has these milk protein ingredients:

Whey, Whey protein, hydrosolates, ghee, anything ending with -actose or -tose or -actylose or -ose at the end of it, and anything starting with Lact... don't even go for Lactaid or lactose free products because milk protein is still present in them. But it could also be related to lactose intolerance anyway.

Also avoid butter, artificial butter, artificial butter flavor, butter, butter extract, butter fat, butter flavored oil, butter solids, dairy butter, natural butter, natural butter flavor, whipped butter, casein & caseinates of any kind, cheese of ALL TYPES whether real or imitation, cheese flavor both artificial and natural cheese, cheese food product, cottage cheese, cream cheese, imitation cheese, vegetarian cheeses with casein, milk by-product, milk cream, whipped cream, curds, custard, milk solids

Then you also have to avoid ice cream, ice milk, sherbet, lactate or lactic anything. Anything at all with milk in the name such as buttermilk including blends and solids, cultured milk, dry milk solids, sweetened condensed milk, skim and fat free versions of any and all milk derived products and cream derived products, malted milk, milk protein, evaporated milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, frozen yogurt, pudding, pudding pops, milkfat, nisin, nougat, pudding, rennet, Simplesse, imitation versions of ANY type of milk or cheese or cream product, caramel, milk chocolate, dark chocolate unless there's absolutely NO TRACE of milk products, rice cheese, soy cheese, high protein flour, caramel flavor, and some products that are really vague and state "natural flavoring" or "natural coloring" and other non-specified ingredients. Also nothing that's been claimed to have been "de-lactosed." No "demineralized whey." No whey products, period.

No sheep's milk or goat's milk either.

I know it sounds complicated, but it's not. You just really read labels. Avoid those foods and drinks. Then you have to wait six weeks. It takes two weeks for the body to purge all dairy from its system. It takes two weeks for the body and digestive system and the immune system to learn how to work without the dairy. It takes two more weeks for the child to recognize what it feels like to be without dairy, and if they feel better without it. Then after those six weeks, you reintroduce a simple glass of milk. You will notice any problems anywhere from within an hour to within 24 hours and the reactions will be noticeable.

During those six weeks DO NOT introduce any new foods or drinks. No changes in laundry detergent or other new chemicals whether natural or not into the house.

If you do see a reaction then you have something definitive to bring to the doctor and keep it in a journal. Then you can go to a pediatric gastroenterologist and they can run a nitrogen breath test to see if there's lactose intolerance officially for school issues and they can also test/examination for allergies.

After you finish with milk/cream, then you move on to the next allergen to test with an elimination diet.

I've had to do this with my kids for other reasons, and for myself.

Rub cooked steel oatmeal on the areas. I saw that on "The Doctors" tonight.

My son had it and it was related to his allergy of dust mites. We got rid of the dust mites and his skin cleared right up.

I would try and allergist if you haven't already.

I am also not so sure that petroleum jelly is a good thing for exzema...our pediatrician said to use Cetaphil CREAM not the lotion the cream. And to apply it 5 to 6 times a day.

Good luck!!

It sounds a little weird but I put Desatin or I think its called Bert's Butt cream on my daughters eczema that she gets in her neck and behind her ears. It's gone in less than two days. Try it anything with zinc oxide works like a charm!

Simple and store bought, Gentle Naturals excema baby wash and excema cream. I have used them both on myself for years. Oddly enough too, soaking in cold tea. I'm not sure exactly what it does but it felt very soothing. Easiest to do this with specific body parts.

I completely understand your concern for your boys. I myself have and still am an eczema sufferer. As a little girl my mom had tried several remedies. I did used to take oatmeal baths in lukewarm water and used eucerin lotion. I have found as an adult the petroleum jelly irritates me. Try other small things like cutting their nails short and when a flair up happens try cold compresses. Try as much to prevent the flair up from happening as much a possible. Once the flair up happens it's hard to stop the itch. I have found the itch is more intense at night. It can be triggered by stress, diet and ingredients in daily items. The lotion should be perfume free as well as the laundry detergent. I wish I could provide more, but this is all I remember as a child and what helps me now.

ONLY use petroleum jelly when you are first applying something medicinal underneath. The skin cannot breathe with that on it. You're trapping whatever is coming out through the skin, and preventing healing.

I can so feel you on feeling terrible while watching them go through this. Mine is just about 3 years old, and I think that he's grown out of it. (We've got a better handle on his allergies, and he's growing out of some.) He had some pretty rough moments, though. Since he would play and sweat, he would have a bath every day. That was actually helpful for his skin, since we used lavender castile (bar) soap. It was really healing for him. We had a prescribed ointment--don't remember the name, sorry--white tube with red writing?--that we would use. We cleaned the areas and applied the medicine and then, maybe, some petroleum jelly. That was probably once a day. Once we got it under control, we started using mild lotions (Lubriderm), careful to just keep it moisturized.

If you haven't ruled out allergies, it's a good idea. My son has it bad, scratches himself bloody ect. We have tried everything. Aveeno, neosporin, they all make "eczema" creams and they don't work any better than anything else. Like you I hate using steroids, but we have to some degree since he was only months old. Here is what I have found (and we've seen a dermatologist and allergist)
Baths are good, just keep them luke warm, HOT water dries out skin, cooler water puts moisture back in
Lotion, cream, ointment, in that order. I'm not picky about lotion, anything for sensitive skin seems to be fine, eucerin is a good cream, and I make my own ointment. It's a combination of beeswax, coconut oil, vitamin E and shea butter. I only use all 3, 3 times a day, but I lotion him whenever I can pin him down (he's 3 now).

I have also found that when his skin is really dry even the most gentle creams burn. When this happens I use whatever oil (coconut, olive) that I have handy, it's easy to apply without rubbing and doesn't sting.

good luck,

Oh and a humidifier! I have one in his room to combat the dry heat from having the furnace on. and I keep the house cool, it's easier for the rest of us to wear layers than for him to have his skin any dryer.

my daughter has been using Aquaphor and AmLactin with some success on her sons-and my daughter who has eczema, also uses CeraVe . Maybe take them to a pediatric dermatologist, if you haven't already-you might need a prescription-best of luck-this is not easy to treat, but vital to the childrens' overall health.

What soap do you use? Aveeno soap was a terrible trigger for eczema. Johnson's baby hair and body wash doesn't seem to trigger it, so my 7 year old still uses it (why mess with what works).

Otherwise - I will agree with everyone else that you should look for dietary triggers. In addition to Aveeno soap, dairy was a trigger for us.

And of course I assume you are using All Free and Clear, not just regular All detergent, with no fabric softener - liquid or dryer sheets. And that you are using petroleum jelly without any fragrance added - I noticed there are some scented brands out there now, and I'd avoid those.

Try using Auqaphor it works better than the jelly, also use dove beauty soap or Cetaphil for sensitive skin. I found that if I apply the Auqaphor and them put my clothing on right away it helps. All cotton clothing seems to help. And the diet can play a very important part of the condition. I know it's very painful at certain times of the year. Neosporin now makes something for exzema I tried it and it seemed to work pretty well.

I advise you to look at the EWG website to find out what is in your detergents and personal care products. All Free and Clear has an 'F' rating. Make sure you are NOT using any fabric softeners and NO dryer sheets. You can use 1/2 C white distilled vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine. Also, get some dryer balls for your dryer. We have/had severe eczema and Psoriasis in our household. At one point, my doctor said my hands looked like "raw hamburger." We all switched to using the Norwex body pack cloths and NO soaps. We use just the cloth and water to wash with. We apply Norwex Shea Butter instead of petroleum, which caused more itching because it sits on the top layer of the skin and doesn't allow any breathing. Also, I switched to Norwex's Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent. It's biodegradable and phosphate, SLS, filler, & perfume free. It only costs 4 cents per load. I have an HE washing machine so only have to use 1/2 teaspoon per load. Within a week of switching to these products, I've seen drastic changes in my skin! I have before and after pictures of my son. I could cry looking at the before. Such a DRASTIC difference. To help the itching: soak in warm water and vinegar! The vinegar draws out infection and dries the blisters out a bit. It REALLY stinks but works! If you want more information, send me a pm. Good luck!!!
Here's a great link:
http://www.smartklean.com/html/the_truth.html

I've had eczema all mylife and nothing really worked until Aveeno came out with Eczema Therapy Cream - it's in a tube with blue lettering. They have baby strength and regular. If you get it at Walmart it's about $7 - $8 a tube. It's like $12 at the grocery store. It's truly a miracle. I would never put petroleum jelly on it - temporary - but it would make it worse long term.

Also consider waht your children may be allergic to - foro me anything with tomatoes make me itch like crazy - but I love Italian food. So I know when I tomato sauce I will itch the next day. Dairy does it for some - it affects me but not as much as tomatoes. I'm better when i drink alot (ALOT) of water - it seems to dilute things.

The Aveeno isn't cheap but it works wonderfully. If you're goign to get cortizone try to get the cream not the ointment - for me the cream is just a better option - less itchy and more breathable.

Read the posts here about bleach baths and I can say in response that when i used to swim daily in a chlorinated pool my eczema was much better. Clearly the chlorine bleach has some impact.

Good luck mamma!

I'm so sorry. It is awful to see them make their skin bleed like that. I have seen results from going gluten and dairy free. It is a life style change but I have seen it limit flare ups. Have you tried colloidal soaks like Aveeno in the tub? Sometimes that can offer small relief. If the older child can do it acupuncture can help boost the immune system. Limiting running the heat and a humidifier can help during winter months. Blessings and best wishes.

My son at about 4 months had horrible eczema and I was told by a family friend to use goat milk soap ... i thought eww gross but it did not stink and it worked great!!! His skin improved almost immediately after we started to use the goat milk soap. I also applied NIVEA lotion (Simply Soft) instead of regular baby lotion, etc. We have not had a problem with his skin since then....

I use a combination of vaseline, 40%zinc oxide cream (Desitin works fine) and benedryl anti itch cream...I also mix in a little 1% hydrocortisone cream, but you can leave that out. After bathing, put lotion on, then the cream. It works so well with my dd. I sometimes put the cream on before she bathes because it protects the skin from the hot water.
I mix this cream together in an old vaseline jar. I bring it everywhere...especially swimming pools and on vacation. Eczema get's worse in winter time with all the dry heat.

I see someone has already suggested the bleach baths. It sounds crazy but I really think there is something there. My daughter suffers with eczema and has been taking swim lessons for the last 2 years. I was really worried that the high chlorine in the pool was going to wreak havoc on her skin. Much to my surprise her skin has improved greatly! I have since come across info about bleach baths on http://www.nationaleczema.org.

Also, I found that vanicream works for my dd while cetaphil cream ( in a tub) works for me. Use gentle hand soap like kiss my face and body soap like dove. For the winter especially run a humidifier. I grew up using bag balm on my cracks. That works well for the areas that need intensive treatment.

Good luck!

My oldest had it when he was younger. It was all due to his allergies. If you haven't had your oldest allergy tested that is where I would start. It could be environmental or food allergies. My son's was environmental. Once we started treating his allergies - the eczema cleared up.