My baby girl has a cluster of bumps that appear in only one spot on her left cheek and often get very red and inflamed. Early on she had dry arms and legs as well, but that continues to get better and never has any flare-ups. Only her face does and only in that one spot. I asked the pediatrician about it and she said she was too young to officially say it was eczema and to use hydrocortizone on it. The hydrocortizone worked after a couple of applications so I stopped using it. Then within a couple of days the rash was back in full force. At its worse it really appears to bother her. Other times, not so much.
After a couple more weeks of just trying to keep it moisterized with Aveeno eczema cream and Aquafor I called the office back and spoke with a nurse who said I didn't use the hydrocortizone long enough and that I should use it for 1 week even if the rash clears up right a way. I did this and my baby girls face looked great. After one week I stopped the hydrocortizone and again in a couple of days, the rash was back ---only in that one spot on her left cheek. So far nothing I have tried besides the hydrocortizone works. Is this eczema or something else? I am nursing her exclusively. Should I get her tested for allergies or just start eliminating something from my diet? I have read similar questions from years ago, but because most are at least several years old and my baby's rash seems to be so isolated I wanted to ask to see if there was any new thinking out there or any new products or things that worked for others.
Also, I have not done the research on what foods contain dairy which I understand is usually a main culprit. I know I have milk or eggs every single day. What other popular things not so obviously contain dairy that I would have to cut out? And what are some good breakfast replacements if I have to do this? Thank in advance for your responses.
Make an appointment with a pediatric dermatologist. It will probably take months to get in, but if you don't need the appointment by then, you could always cancel.
I think she's too young to test for allergies, but you could talk to an allergist about it.
Good luck!
Dawn
Sometimes, using the cortisone for a week will completely clear up the rash and give the skin a chance to rest so it doesn't continue to react. You might also try stopping the cortisone more gradually because there can be a rebound effect. But if the rash keeps coming back in that one spot, I would suspect contact dermatitis. Does she sleep on that side of her face? Or have a snuggly she rubs there? You might try using "free and clear" laundry soap and absolutely no fabric softeners, dryer sheets or bleach. The dryer sheets are particularly allergenic because the oils from the sheets leave a residue on the dryer drum and are re-released on subsequent loads.
Since you mention the dry arms and legs, it sounds like your baby may have sensitive skin in general. She may be allergic to a number of items, both in foods and in her environment. You will have to be the detective to try to pinpoint the cause of the rash. This is easier said than done so good luck.
I have the same problem with my daughter but we put on cetiphil cream. It helps alot. We also have special medicine for her. But one of them is Cordizone. It helped alot. My daughter has it on her face too. But if your using hydrocortizone, or any other medicine if you drop it, it always comes back. Hope this helps!
Hi. We went through something similar. Some things to consider:
1. wash with only water and no soap. if needed, tad bit of cetaphil.
2. moisturize. i live abroad. what is wonderful is a product by bayer called "bepantene". it is otc here. see if they have it stateside.
http://www.bepanthen.co.uk/
it is a miracle cream and can do no harm.
best of luck, jilly
