My 3Yr Old Has Severe Eczema...looking for Relief!

Updated on June 21, 2008
E.V. asks from Happy Valley, OR
45 answers

We have to us triamcynolone (topical steriod) every day to keep his skin from becoming raw, bloody and full of scabs. Plus he gets sores when there is a flare up. We then slather him with Eucerin Creme, Jojo Oil, Vitamin E Oil, anything to improve the moisture barrier to his skin. We are going to meet a new Dermatologist next month...does anyone have any experience with this? We have eliminated FOOD ALLERIGIES as a cause (but we do give him Zyrtec every night to stop itching), and have been told it's hereditary.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

No updates yet, but thank you everyone for all the great feedback! Just hearing everyone else's routines makes me feel better. Glad to know I'm not alone in this daily routine of trying to keep it under control. I will continue my vigilance in trying to find ways to ease his condition and let you know. Thank you again!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.H.

answers from Seattle on

I love my sons dermaloigist!
She got my sons exezema pretty clear in 2 weeks.
HEres what she told us to do...

Bathe daily~ no soap, then lube him while still moist with
his steroid creams and vasiline or creams.

we used the triamcynolone 3 times a day for 1 week.....then 2 times aday with 3rd time using aquaphor. Then onces a day at night with 2 times aquaphor or cream you use for him. Cleared him up, now i just have to treat the flare ups.

Also we were originally on zyrtec for itching and was told that benadryl is better.

Also gave us a antibotic cream to put on fire red spots or weeping areas.

Best of luck to you! It does get better.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Portland on

We use Aquaphor (has a Vaseline consistency) also made by Eucerin company (the Eucerin lotion did not work for us). The key for us is to apply regularly to those dry patches.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.A.

answers from Corvallis on

How did you eliminate food allergies as a cause? Some pediatricians to a Ige test (RACE test) that will only look for a certain type of reaction - very severe reaction, actually. I would totally recommend that you do a Igg test, for food sensitivities. I was told that my skin problem was genetic and I just needed to use lots of moisturizer. After 35 years, I took my son to a pediatrician that did an Igg test, put him on a restricted diet, taught us the need for eliminating irritants from the house, and his skin cleared up. I tried the diet and after three months (you must be patient) my skin started to clear. I would check for dust mite, mold, and pet dander too. I would eliminate "fragrance" from your house, and use only pure, natural laundry soap, not detergent.
Use the purest, gentlest creams, lotions and shampoos. Shop online or a local coop or natural foods store. It could be nitrates, sulfates, or dyes in foods that he is reacting to.
Good luck, you can overcome this.
N.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.G.

answers from Portland on

My fingers used to bleed because of Eczema. I had been thinking of getting rid of all the harsh chemicals I use to clean my house with and replacing them with "GREEN" cleaners. My husband said don't wait to use them up and replace them just give them to your friends who don't have skin problems, so I did and now my skin is almost like normal.

I use Kiss my face Olive lotion on my face and hands and canola oil on everything else. I also take vitamine E and Flaxseed oil orally every day.

I replaced eveything my skin comes into contact with, Hand soap, clothes detergent, fabric softner, no more clorine bleach either. Shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and make-up are all "GREEN" now and my skin problems have pretty much disappeared.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Eugene on

E.,
I have eczema myself, and have found great relief with a product called Tri-Ceram. It contains ingredients clinically proven to restore and rebuild the skin's natural moisture barrier. Regular use moisturizes, calms and soothes while promoting the healing of extremely dry, red, irritated skin. You can go online to www.triceram.com to read more about it. I try to avoid using steroids myself, and have found this to work great! Also, the sun will help calm the flare-ups.
I wish you the best!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from Portland on

My 8 yo granddaughter has had eczema since she was a baby. One of her preschool teachers asked her mother to bring vaseline to school and she slathered my granddaughter every day even after her eczema was under control. When she was out of preschool the eczema worsened. I didn't like the feel of vaseline on my hands and so I tried Vaseline Lotion and we both liked that better. At home her mother was using Eucerin Creme and then tried a couple of generic cremes that were similar but less expensive. The one she uses now is Equate Dry Skin Cream with added moisturizers and fragrance free. It is important that whatever you use is fragrance free. We buy it at Walgreens.

I have noticed that if someone immediately covers her skin with a Eucerin like cream immediately after her daily bath or after she swims she has many less breakouts. This has become difficult because she's older (8yo) and has her own ideas which do not include daily or twice daily creme application.

Perhaps you haven't thought in terms of keeping moisture in instead of out. I had thought that, because their skin is dry, someone with eczema should take fewer baths. That is not the case! Their skin is dry because it's not able to keep itself moisturized. The person with eczema actually has a different kind of skin. Now that my granddaughter is older I can feel the difference. Her skin is somewhat rough although it's also smooth. The skin on her torso doesn't look dry but it is. She needs water sealed into her skin. The best way to get the water in is to have a bath. For those of us who have dry skin, perhaps because it's chapped or we have genetically dry skin but not eczema, use lotion to add moisture. Ordinary lotion doesn't work very well for those with severe eczema.

Because the skin is made up differently than that of someone who does not have eczema we have to slather the skin with lotion every day after a shower or bath even when there are no breakouts. It took her mother and I awhile to realize this. We use triamcynoline at the first sign of a rash that's become scaly. At times we use Ellidel, also a prescription creme, which quickly clears up the rash when triamcynoline doesn't.

I've also noticed that stress increases the frequency of break outs. Prevention is much easier than treatment. I recommend increasing the number of times/day of applying the creme when anything is going on that may be stressful for your son.

Whoops! Is it your 3yo or your 10 month old with eczema? I don't know if that makes a difference except that it was much easier to keep my granddaughter slathered when she was a baby. And I didn't think of stress until she was a toddler.

We applied cream anytime her skin looked the least bit dry and this was sometime 2-3 times/day. She fought it more as a toddler and even more now that she's older. (An interesting side comment: Until she was 6 or 7 she sometimes lathered her stuffed animals. As a toddler she lathered the foot stool. :):))

Your post sounds like you slather him when he gets a rash. He needs to be slathered every day and sometimes 2 or more times/day even when he doesn't have symptoms.

My granddaughter sees an allergist. She does have food allergies which have been easier to control than her allergies to environmental things. She's allergic to dog dander, house dust, pollen and who knows what else. Allergies are difficult to pin down. She also takes Singulair which is similar to an antihistamine but works differently than the usual ones such as Benedryl, Clariton, Zyrtec. She also takes Zyrtec.

I had had no experience with eczema until my granddaughter. I now know the pain and frustration eczema can be especially in the very young who do not understand the importance of effective skin care. I also know it's difficult to keep up the regime. It gets very tiresome.

Addition: I forgot to say that scents in lotions, soaps, etc can aggravate eczema. And not to use the prescription steroid for too long. My doctor said that in long term use on the skin it thins the skin which is undesirable. The allergist said to use OTC hydrocortisone for minor eruptions because it usually clears it up right away. Use the Prescrition stuff for breakouts that didn't respond to the OTC cortisone.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.G.

answers from Seattle on

Hi Erica - certainly getting to the root source of the eczema is important, but in the meantime, to help alleviate the itchy and discomfort, and to avoid using topical steroids, give Arbonne Baby Care a try. The Arbonne Baby Wash, followed by the Arbonne Baby oil, (which is natural and non-synthetic, fragrance free), and then lasty, use the Arbonne Baby lotion). So many moms like yourself have been in this situation, when nothing else has worked.. until they tried Arbonne. Happy to send you a free sample of the products to try for a few days first and see if it makes a difference. Not any one thing effects everyone the same way, but it's worth giving it a try. Please give me a call or email me offline, and I'd be happy to help you personally.
www.pamelagreb.myarbonne.com
###-###-#### cell

Thanks,
Pam
Exec. Area Manager
Arbonne International

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.J.

answers from Portland on

Our son broke out with eczema at about 5 months and we tried EVERYTHING and went to every type of dr. (including Dr. Krol who we were not impressed with). We had him allergy tested at about 6 months with the skin test and found out that he was very allergic to eggs. Once I eliminated those from both of our diets, his skin is worlds better. In addition, we use CeraVe lotion (at Rite Aid) twice a day and found that to be more effective than Eucerin or Cetaphil. We put Vaseline on any small spots that pop up and use hydrocortisone for a day or two on any areas that need it before it gets bad.

The biggest help for our son, I think, was seeing an accupuncturist. She doesn't use needles with him, but treats him in other ways. He takes a probiotic daily and I take fish oil supplements to help him get the omega 3 oils. In addition to the eggs, he also doesn't eat any grains other than rice and no dairy other than kefir. He is now 10 months old and you would never know that he used to be covered in a rash! It seems to be very much under control. Good luck - I know how helpless you feel when your little one is miserable and you can't fix it!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.P.

answers from Seattle on

In addition to Triamcinalone (which mostly solved the problem for us), my doctor recommended using Aquafor twice a day. It's pretty greasy so we didn't do it in the morning, but did put it on before bed at night.

You mentioned eliminating food allergies which was going to be my first suggestion. What about environmental allergies?

Good luck! It's so hard to see your child suffering like that.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Seattle on

My little brother would get (and still does) what you described. We found out that he is allergic to dust mites and he keep it under some control with having plastic covers on his mattress and pillows, changing his sheets regularly and my parents also took out all of the carpets and put down a hard flooring instead. Just a thought -

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Seattle on

The best remedy to control eczema is homeopathy. I know it's hard to believe that a "natural' remedy can cure what modern science cannot, but my own daughter has received enormous relief and we are just about to start my son on it too.

My oldest had bleeding, oozing eczema as a baby. She scratched constantly and couldn't sleep without benadryl. After her homeopathic treatment, her eczema cleared so substantially and dramatically that even her skeptical pediatrician asked me for the practitioner's name and contact info so she could refer patients.

The most important thing is to find someone who is very skilled and intuitive because the range of talent in this field varies dramatically.

The practitioner we use now is Elizabeth Brandegee, and she is located on the Eastside, but I believe serves the metro Seattle area. Her number is ###-###-####. I actually learned about her by asking on Mamsource, and if you look up alternative therapies on the Mamasource listings, she is listed under classical homeopathy.

If you have questions you can email me privately and I will be happy to answer them.

I urge you to try homeopathy even if you think it won't work. If you add up all the creams you are buying, the price is less than what you are doing now, and instead of treating symptoms you will actually be curing your child. The remedies take about 3-4 weeks to really start to work, but then you will be amazed that you are able to make sure a big difference in your child's condition.

good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Medford on

Hello,
Food allergies could defenitly be a source. If you can have an allergy test done, I would. My kids have allergies that seem to be the cause of all sorts of things. As for the eczema my kids don't have it but, two of my friends have it. They have found that the sun helps. Their skin is always clearer in the summer. Also bleach helps. I know it sounds crazy but, eczema is a kind of fungus so to speak and the chlorine in a pool helps to clear it. My one friend also actually puts a little bit of bleach in the bath water once in awhile for her girls and it clears it right up for awhile. I know that sounds a little extream but, she doesn't use much and she doesn't do it that often but, it really helps when she does. So you may want to look into it. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from Louisville on

E., Hi, so sorry to hear y'all are dealing with this! I don't know that eczema is hereditary as my 4 yr old son has it and no one in my family has ever reported anything this bad. The only thing I have ever used on him besides regular baby lotions is the Arbonne ABC baby line. Although it will never cure him, it does keep the breakouts down and his skin clear. I did meet a lady at one of our in=home presentations that her son had severe psoriasis following eczema. It was so horrible I as a nurse almost couldn't stand to look at it. However, we tried the lotion and within one hour he was looking pink rather than bright red on his lesions. Now she has him using it all the time all over and says it's working to ease his itching and the lesions. If you would like more information you can call me anytime at ###-###-####. I never used steriod creams on my son due to him being a cardiac patient. Hope this helps! Arbonne also recommends their skin conditioning oil.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.T.

answers from Anchorage on

Eczema runs in my family too. Try rubbing a little vaseline into his skin really well just before bedtime. And if the breakout is particularly bad add a little hydro cortizone creme along with the vaseline. My hands get really bad and these things help me alot.
H. T.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.A.

answers from Seattle on

Hi E.,

I haven't seen this mentioned, but it works great for me: Bag Balm (originally for cow's udders). It helps heal wounds and calms the itching and moisturizes the dry skin.
BTW: My eczema seems to flare up when I have "too much" milk &/or sugar. Right now it's all down my right shin. (too much ice cream -- oops!)

Good luck!
C.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.D.

answers from Seattle on

My son has eczema as well. I'm not sure, but you could do what we do to help ease his serious flare-ups. We give him oatmeal baths. We avoid everything and anything that contains any perfume. If we do use something, it's Johnson & Johnson. After bath, we put the Triamcynolone on his eczema spots and then place Gold Bond Intensive Care lotion on him. I haven't had a serious flare up in months! Hope this helps! :D

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.S.

answers from Portland on

I have a 13 month old with severe eczema (have family history on both sides too) and finding the cause has been more helpful than any creams have been. I would try a naturpath rather than medical doctor, as they look harder for the cause, rather than prescribing a new medicine that masks the symptoms. (although using medicine while finding the cause is often helpful to keep them comfortable) We just are trying a new cream today, so I can't tell if it'll work for us or not, but is called Florasone (can get at Fred Meyer) and it mimicks hydrocortisone (without the steroids), so can be used long term without side effects. Another thing that really helps is making sure he stays regular, as if he gets at all constipated, the eczema gets worse. So, keep him hydrated and lots of fiber. Sunshine is also good, for whatever reason, I'm not sure. For us, eliminating dairy, wheat and sugar has also been helpful for the rash although not very fun as a breastfeeding mom who also has to eliminate it from my diet. (it took eliminating things for a month before any improvement was noted) Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Seattle on

I've found that eucerin does not work as well as Aveeno moisturizing cream/oil, though I think it's individually driven. I was frustrated with similar problems, but the Aveeno has done the trick. I would also caution you not to use the triamcinilone daily for prolonged periods......

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.K.

answers from Seattle on

try ordering some of My Mama's Love:
http://www.mymamaslove.com/

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Seattle on

Most laundry detergents trigger my father's eczema like you wouldn't believe. Since we know it is hereditary, I have always been really careful to use the exact same brand of laundry detergent just in case my boys develop this as well.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Seattle on

Hi E.,I have several clients who have the same skin contiditon and they use Precious Protien oil, comes from sesame seed and it does work.
please give me a call if you have further questions.
E.
###-###-####
www.myjafra.com/emerz

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.R.

answers from Portland on

I am an adult who grew up with severe Eczema - much of my childhood problems have calmed down almost completely after my teen years. I still have to deal with the severe dry skin, with a shower and slather top to bottom with lotion daily. I used a thicker cream or vaseline-like products on the extra rough places and my hands (for extra protection).
We are lucky to live now in a day with topical steroids -- they have literally saved me -- wish they would have been here when I was young -- the embarrassment from raw, bloody hands was so horrible. Other kids were very cruel to me.
I wish you the best with your child -- lots of lotion, get the right doctor -- hug him alot. (I went to OHSU Dermatology Dept for years, and now most dermatologist around know the same methods.)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Portland on

I was introduced to Kukui Nut Oil (or lotion), you can get it at most health food stores, Even Fred Myer's health section has shampoo and conditoner. It is a nut mostly found in Hawaii. It soaks into the skin almost compleatly. We use it for dry skin, sunburns to just about everything. When my daughter was born I used it on her scalp to cure her cradle cap. It worked wonders!!! I have friends with Eczema who have tried this and they love it. They only use the Kukui nut oil or lotion when they get out of the shower or when they lotion up and no other products and this has helped them completly. A lot less break outs and a ton of less itching. One of my friends has it so bad on her face that she even went in for perminant make up due to the break outs on her face before using Kukui nut. I wish you the best of luck, C. B

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Spokane on

I'm sure you have gotten a thousand responses but try the 'Renew' lotion on this website www.melaleuca.com - you can order even if you're not a preferred customer, that's ok. But this lotion has worked wonders with people I know, and I wouldn't live without it!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Bellingham on

My youngest one had this and we started using baby relief eczema cream (it's all natural organic stuff). It's got Winnie the Pooh and Tigger on it (I think). And it's in the baby isle. We purchased it at Walgreens. It's fairly pricey (10.00 for a tube) but it worked so good. Our son was getting like that. Peeling, and bloody. We thought for sure it had to itch like crazy!! This is all we could find that worked. We tried everything too. If you want the actual name of it let me know and I'll dig it out of his diaper bag and give it to you. Good luck!!

Oh, and I talked to my doctor about this when it first started happening and most of the stuff I tried was considered a moisture barrier. Like all your diaper rash creams and a lot of your other creams (A and D Ointment, Vaseline, Butt Paste, etc...) are used to hold moisture away from the skin. You need something that will suck it up and stay in. :o)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.A.

answers from Bellingham on

Hi Erica,

we have a daughter that does the same and in her case it is gluten that is the culprit. We have had her tested twice too and in both tests she came out clean but I know by trial and error that this is in deed the case. gluten allergies are really difficult to diagnose.

good luck,
h

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Portland on

Not all eczema is hereditary, though some is. Eczema is complex which is why not everything that works for some will work for others. That being said, there are a few thing you can do to try and help it. For laundry detergent, you might want to look into getting some soap nuts online. The nut has been used for centuries as a natural detergent and it is great for people with skin sensitivities. I got mine here: http://stores.hotterthanhealth.com/StoreFront.bok
but you can just google soap nuts to find various online stores that sell them. They work well and are quite cost effective too.

Also, something that might be worth a try is having your son wear a hazelwood necklace. The wood supposedly absorbs excess acidity from the skin and helps with eczema & other issues. Our 7 month old was covered in eczema for several months before we found out about these necklaces and within 2 weeks of her wearing it, she barely had any left. Now she is completely eczema free so we are thrilled! You can find them at www.hazelaid.com
Hope you are able to find something that works for your son. i know how awful it is!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Portland on

I think that I have heard that Tumeric helps. The spice. I think you can mix it with orange juice and it helps. But, I can't remember if that was for psoriasis or not.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Portland on

Dr. Krol at OHSU is an awesome pediatric dermatologist. He really explains things well, and gives good ideas for treatment. After seeing him, I felt much more hope for controlling my son's excema.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Seattle on

There are 3 products in the Aloette skin care line that many customers love for eczema and psoriasis.
Restorative Enzyme Peel -gently removes dead skin, so other treatments can get to the living skin.
Visible Aid -our version of first aid creme, great for all skin irritations (rashes, bug bites & stings, burns, cold sores, acne, and other boo boos).
Nutri-Hydrating Mist - aloe vera & vitamins in a spray, also great for same as Visible Aid, works really great for sun burns, and also frizzy or tangled hair and razor bumps.

e-mail: ____@____.com
website/on-line catalogue: myaloette.biz/jenistutz

Our huge summer sale is starting so if you are interested let me know, contact me, the sale is not listed on the websites.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.J.

answers from Seattle on

That does not sound fun. My friend Holly had extremely bad eczema too but she is now relieved from it. She took a lot of the same products that I work with from my home-based business. If you want me to help show you what she did, I would be happy too. Good luck!
D. J.
###-###-####

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.Z.

answers from Portland on

My husband has mild eczema and I have a friend who has severe eczema as do her 2 sons. These simple tricks work wonders:
Use a very mild or natural soap. www.thesoaplady.com, sells home made soap that is especially formulated for people with excema
Don't use fabric softeners of any kind. They are full of irritating chemicals. You'll soon get used to the stiffer towels.
Cut way back on the amount of detergent you use, for regular washers 1/3 cup is plenty! Less is also better for your washer.
Change detergent brands everytime you need a new box or use mild detergents like Dreft.
When my husband has a flair up he uses over the counter cortisone cream. A tiny dab works wonders.
B.

Here is an update posted by another mom who's son also has bad excema:
10 minute oatmeal baths (1 a day--usually right before bedtime) help to relieve the itching. Blend your own oatmeal--doesn't matter what kind--in a food processor and add one cup of the finely processed oatmeal to the bath. Aveeno oatmeal bath is great too--it's just finely ground oatmeal. I keep the temp around 85 F. No soap at all. If he's especially dirty I use a product from Kettle Care (www.kettlecare.com) called Sensitive Cleansing Gel. Gently pat dry and immediately apply an Unrefined Shea Butter Emu Oil Body Butter (sheressence.com) all over entire body. During the day for extra moisturizing and on his face I use Royal Jelly (also from Kettle Care, but there's lots of other brands out there). When any patches begin to appear I apply 100% Emu Oil (again, there's lots out there, but I found it reasonably priced on ebay & at www.myvillageboutique.com) until it goes away.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.L.

answers from Seattle on

My son has eczema too, the absolute best lotion for it that we found is in the baby section of the store and it's called Gentle Naturals! My nephew has it as well and they've used it on him and it works great. It also smells really good, so caking it on him is a good thing! Our dermatologist also said to only bathe him every other day not every day unless he's dirty and such. Let him run around in his diaper or underwear during the day so it can breathe a bit. My Sister in law is a pharmacist and she told us to not use the steroid creams for more than a week at a time due to a report that came out about the creams and skin cancer. I hope this helps and I hope your little guy gets some relief!
W.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.N.

answers from Seattle on

Hi E.,
The doctor recommended for my 6 months old dry skin - Dove bodywash. He is now 3 and we still use it. It works great!! (just keep it away from the eyes...)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.C.

answers from Portland on

We have this problem, too and I don't like using the steroidal creams any more than I absolutely have to. My daughter is almost 13 months old. Her worst area is at the nape of her neck and she will scratch it until it bleeds. While Vaseline may be designed as a moisture barrier, it will also lock moisture in. This is what her pediatrician told me and it works well.

Let your child play in the tub for a good amount of time so that the skin has absorbed the moisture. Use the wash right before taking your child out of the water (I use the Aveeno Baby, fragrance free, Soothing Relief Creamy Wash; it is designed for babies with dry skin and eczema). She also told me that it is not necessary to use a cleanser on my baby every time she bathes (of course, mine is much younger than yours). The cleansers are still drying to the skin, children this age really don't get that dirty and the warm water alone will be enough in between cleansings. Within about 2 mins of pulling your child out of the water, slather him/her from head to toe, with vaseline; this will LOCK IN the moisture. My baby doesn't have much hair yet so I can put it on her head as well; I'm not sure what I'll do for the scalp relief once her hair really grows in.

Also, I am considering switching her to a non soap cleanser from a nature store. I have been trying one on my own skin first (I have mild eczema) and it seems to be less drying than other cleansers.

Good Luck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.G.

answers from Seattle on

Hi E.,

What an annoying problem!

I don't know if this will work for you but it might be worth a try -

I have a soy based bath bar that many people have claimed helps with their eczema. If you are interested in giving it a try, contact me and I'll be happy to send you a free sample.

For more information go to:
http://www.bellamiacandle.scent-team.com/bellabars.php

You can also read the testamonials people have sent in the newsletters every month. (The January 2006 newsletter features a whole section.)
http://www.bellamiacandle.scent-team.com/newsletters.php

Hope you find something that will help.

V.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Portland on

My Mother in Law has severe Eczema as well. The BEST moisterizing cream she has found is Cetaphyl cream. She slathers it on every day and especially after a shower, etc. She has spent a lot of time on steroids, both oral and topical. But with this moisterizer her flare ups are greatly reduced. Hope this helps. Good luck.

K.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.I.

answers from Medford on

My 5 y.o. granddaughter would have very bad breakouts of eczema. Her legs would bleed they would get so bad. We have now found a safer laundry detergent. Also if she does get an outbreak we have a cream that we put on her and it has made 100% difference. For more information feel free to email me at ____@____.com call me at ###-###-####. D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Portland on

Hi E.,
I have had Eczema most of my life, and have bought every cream and product out there. About a year ago I decided to really research it, and try some natural remedies I found, instead of the prescription steroids which I had built up emunity toward. I know these two will sound strange, but they sure worked for me. First, one of those is plain old Vick's vapo-rub. It soothes, moisturizes and actually heals the eczema. The second, is the most wonderful feeling, and again it really heals. I went to New Seasons and bought a bottle of all Natural Emu Oil (the real thing). Between these two, my Eczema was gone. A few other notes....no soap with scent. I bought Soy soap (also at New Seasons) and use only lukewarm water to wash in, and try not to wash too often.
Hope this helps you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from Spokane on

I agree with Stacey, try Renew lotion, you will really be surprised. It's cheaper if you're a preferred customer, but any way you go about it, try some.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.A.

answers from Eugene on

My daughter also had Eczema, then we moved and she hasn't had any trouble since. It may be your water or just the climate... her doctor where we used to be found our water/climate combo to be causing my daughters skin irritations. Maybe ask your derm. about that.... Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.B.

answers from Eugene on

I was told by a skin expert that the skin's job is to exfoliate and rid the body of toxins, therefore lotions should not be used to cure a skin problem (whether dryness or rashes). What we take internally effects our skin as it exits the pores. Flax seed oil in capsule form or liquid in the bottle is very beneficial for dryness, exema, digestion, brain function and many more concerns. You may want to give it a try. T. B

M.A.

answers from Detroit on

Went through same thing and use the same item as mention, so far it has been clearing up, but what i start using was the oatmeal bath from aveeno ( a little pricey for th amount of packages (5)) but worth the use, and now i will be using the airbonne i am hearing really good result with that, but the oatmeal bathes did help heal his skin, he does have flare ups but not as much....

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Seattle on

try Emu oil. It is also good for sun burns and

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions