Do any of your children have Eczema and how are you dealing with it? Any product suggestions?

Tina - posted on 07/08/2010

2 of my 4 daughters have eczema and we have been told by our allergist that as a baby, eczema is a sign that the baby will have allergies..we have peanut, milk and butternut allergies in our 2 girls and have to use prescription lotion for the eczema issues. Talk to your pedi or find a pedi allergist who can help...your little one will thank you for it.

Abby - posted on 07/08/2010

My son has eczema in the crease of his elbows and on his tummy. We make sure to use non-scented lotion (we use Aveeno, but I'm noticing lots of mommies don't like it!) and we also put Aquaphor (like Vaseline, but we've seen better results with it) directly on the spots when he gets out of the bath and before he goes to sleep. Just make sure to keep him mosturized!

Erin - posted on 07/08/2010

A bath a day is good for prevention of eczema. You can use Cereve cleaser or a BAR of Dove soap. I use Cereve creme (not lotion-lotions have more alcohol in them). The key is to prevent it before you have a break out.

Aubrey - posted on 07/08/2010

I'd like to add that California Baby and Seventh Generation products are listed on the cosmeticsdatabase.com as some of the lowest for chemicals - we are a chemical-free and organic family!

Aubrey - posted on 07/08/2010

Our son has horrible, painful eczema. We have had great luck with doing the following:
Switching to Seventh Generation laundry detergent
Switching to all California Baby bath products, sunscreens, bug repellants and lotions
Every night, I give him a luke warm 10 minute bath and put the thick calendula California Baby cream on him within a few minutes of getting out of the tub. I pat him dry, and then put the cream on thick and let it soak in (without rubbing it in) before putting his clothes on.
When it gets scabby, we use the steroid cream that the doc gave us, but typically only use the calendula cream and other lifestyle switches.
I wish you guys luck!!!

Ursula - posted on 07/08/2010

i aswell have had eczema my whole life and over the years have tryed everythink but one thing ive notice is cow milk products cutting down on them made improvements to my skin and also dust mite im allegic too aswell as freashly cut grass and sand on beaches weris i know but it flares my skin up real bad

Katherine - posted on 07/08/2010

oh and one more thing! I always had dermatitis on my hands from exposure to household detergents and so on... Once I started bathing bubs in aromatherapist created bath wash my dermatitis slowly disappeared too. SO it was a win win for both of us.

Katherine - posted on 07/08/2010

Please please please find yourself a good aromatherapist! The more products you use the more chemicals that you expose your babies skin too - they have such sensitive skin that the more products you pile on there can really cause problems. Eczema creams, vaseline and the like are all mineral based meaning that all they do is go on the surface of the skin coat it rather than being absorbed and treating and then the next time you bathe the baby it just all comes off again.

An aromatherapist can mix you a lovely bath wash that you can use all over - as a shampoo, a bodywash and bubble bath with oils like essetial oil of lavender which we all know smells wonderful and is lovely on the skin (very relaxing too for bubby if you have established bath time at night). Hope this helps, my baby is now 1 and hasn't had any skin problems since she was six months old when I discovered a wonderful aromatherapist. My daughter had awful scaly patches, blotchy eczema and cradle cap from her forehead all the way through to her crown so it does work!

Vixi - posted on 07/08/2010

THANK GOD u asked this question lol!

Im 20 and am having nightmares because of Eczema! It's all over my hands and its a combination of itching, stinging, being dry yet weepy or bloody all at once!!

My heart goes out to any little mite putting up with it, I've only got it on my hands thank God but that's bad enough :( xx

Charlotte - posted on 07/08/2010

there isnt a cure for eczema but diprobase will help it settle hun, make it less irratated too. Ive suffered with it since i were born and at times its been that bad i cud hardly move....but now im 24 it seems to be going slowly my mum grew out of it when she was 18 im jus unlucky lol xcxcx and when my eczema got bad i used fucibet but u might have to get a milder one from doctors for your child

Charlotte - posted on 07/08/2010

have any of u tried diprobase and oilatum jus a little in a bath and wen they cum out put diprobase all over them, works wonders for my little boy which is suprising bcoz only the girls usually get it in our family coz i suffer realy bad and the biys hardly get it at all.

But my son is 17mnths and sometime you can see how dry n irratated it is but i jus bath him every other day in qilatum then cream him after. Hope this helped hun

Holly - posted on 07/08/2010

i am from australia and used this cream on my little man, it worked wonders! I also only dress him in cotton clothing...
The cream is all natural ingredients and i use the msn soothing cream on the eczema if it looks sore or seems to be irratating him and on his nappy rash too and it normally clears over night.
http://www.moogoo.com.au/specialty-cream...

Janelle - posted on 07/07/2010

U r right this works the best!!!! My daughter has exzema and this combination worked wonders. No need for steroids and junk!!

Janelle - posted on 07/07/2010

My doctor prescribed hydrocortixone cream presciption strength and it cleared my daughters exzema right up. I use it twice a day. After bath i put it on and eucerin cream an vasaline right on top of it for overnight use. I highly recommend it.

Carol - posted on 07/07/2010

Oh! We have suffered with this... it has gotten better but there is still a little left on/around the joints. We tried everything, even medicated creams and found that nothing has worked as well as these two products.
for the body we use Cetaphil Moisturizing cream (in a tub)
for the face we use Mustela Cold Cream.
The best of luck!!

Amy - posted on 07/07/2010

go out and buy aveeno baby body wash give bath in that for a couple days and trust me it will go away

Darlene - posted on 07/07/2010

My 2 1/2 yo daughter also has eczema too. In the winter after every bath i glob on the Aquaphor. I mean really glob it on and it keeps her skin soft. In the summer i use the steroid cream that the dtr prescribed. For bathing i tried everything and i am telling you all those chemical in the so called hypoallergenic stuff wreaks havoc on their skin. The best thing i found is California baby. Also Kiss my face obsessively natural for kids. Those dont have chemicals in it. Aquaphor also has a body wash that works great too. Also Dr. Bronners liquid soaps are really good. I used that when she was a baby when i was bathing her in the small baby tub. I just added a little to the water and that was the only thing i could use. Now that she is older i switched to the other stuff and hardly any outbreaks at all. For us the heat and the cold makes it come up. I would definitely look into the diet thing. We tested for allergies and nothing came up. I am pretty sure for us she just has sensitive skin and i really have to watch what i put on her. Cetaphil is great too btw.
Good luck. Trial and error is the only way you will get it right because every kid is different.

Kate - posted on 07/07/2010

A lot of eczema is due to dry skin and the products people are mentioning will help if that's the cause.

Diet can play a huge role too. My DS had awful eczema and hives from 1mo (his skin was beautifully soft and moist, not dry at all) until diagnosed with many food intolerances and allergies at 9mo. He also didn't sleep and was a very twitchy kid - kind of frantic and frenzied.

Following the RPAH elimination diet under the strict supervision of a dietitian has worked wonders. He now sleeps really well (wakes maybe 2ce a night which compared to the old 10-12 times a night is bliss), is a much calmer kid and his skin is almost blemish-free! We use a tiny amount of steroid to help soothe when he has an outbreak, but other than that only crushed antihistamine 2ce daily to keep the itches under control.

If creams and ointments aren't working for you, look into dietary intolerances and allergies.

Amanda - posted on 07/07/2010

Have you tried Aquaphor?

Reva - posted on 07/07/2010

Hey, my son had eczema a couple weeks after he was born behind all of his joints and his face and ears were the worst! His Dr. prescribed him a steriod cream also to be used with the eucerine. I'm pleased to say that he's almost 9 months now and he hasn't had any breakouts in the last couple of months. I was told it just comes and goes but for now he's complety cleared. I hope this helps somewhat. My best to you and your family.

Wendy - posted on 07/07/2010

give them a bath everyday, and use aveeno lotion after. It does not have any alcohol or acids in it. Its all natural. My first son has eczema and has since he was a tiny baby.Vasoline and other products will clog his poors.

Charlene - posted on 07/07/2010

i use oilatum in the bath and on occasions have to use hydrocortisone ointment or eumovate ointment on the really sore parts, ointment version works better than the cream!!

Jennifer - posted on 07/07/2010

Hi Maria,

Our son is now 21 months old and has been suffering from eczema since he was born. We have been prescribed a 1% cortisone cream, which we apply to the severely affected areas only. Then we use a cream called Glaxal Base all over his body. If the Glaxal Base doesn't work for you and you'd like to try something a little thicker, you could try Aquaphor. It has a Vasoline-like quality to it.

Good luck! I know how difficult this can be to deal with, but it can be managed with the right treatment plan.

Helena - posted on 07/07/2010

My daughers now 3 1/2 she got ezcema at 4 months. We brought her to a specialist in Crumlin Hospital who suggested the following. Change your washing powder we now use Ecover laundry liquid. We were told by the dermatologiest to wash her every 2nd day (1 day in a small amt of Milton, next with Aveeno body wash). We were also recommended to use fragrance free Aveeno. We also got her tested for food allergies and took her off her milk and onto Soya at 12 mthsHer skin has improved remarkably. Tried and tested everything else and didn't see these results. Good luck!

Ashley - posted on 07/07/2010

I use Aveeno wash with no fragrance (that is important). Also I use All Free and Clear detergent. He only really gets the Aveeno lotion (again, fragrance-free) when he gets a flare up. When that happens, we also put baking soda in the bath. His doctor also gave me a steroid cream for him, but using it a lot thins the skin, so unless it is a bad flare up, it isn't used.
Remember to not have bath water too warm, and pat dry. Keep your son's skin moisturized and change your detergent if it has a scent.
Good luck!

Chelsey - posted on 07/07/2010

There is also some stuff called utter butter. its in a green tin. It looks almost like vasaline but I use it on my daughter and it works wonders. Good luck. Also minimize bath time if you can to just 2 times a week. The less contact with water the better.

Sarah - posted on 07/07/2010

it might be genetic my daughter has server eczema and her foster mom was perscribed a cream for it

Megha - posted on 07/07/2010

Hi Maria, My boy also has very mild Eczema but had developed some pigmentation so we took him to a derm and he asked us to use cream called Cera V for moisturizing and aquanil bodywash. Its important to keep the skin moisturized. I have been using them for about 4 months now. and never saw any rash. Of course I have been using hydro cortisone 1% (as prescribed by derm). I know, It is steroidal, there are a lot of discussion against it, but after careful consideration, I decided to use it.

Krystle - posted on 07/07/2010

I use Cetaphil cleaner, only bath once a week, and put Eucerin cream on daily.

I haven't done this because my son's eczema is on his face, but bleach/water baths (sounds weird, I know) do work:

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-t...

Bethany - posted on 07/07/2010

I also use Ivory soap and i think that helps a lot - wearing cotton only clothing is important

Bethany - posted on 07/07/2010

Eucerin Cream really worked for Levi...

Vanessa - posted on 07/07/2010

Try bathing baby in Alpha Keri Oil it smells divine and works a treat without leaving baby all greasy.

Michelle - posted on 07/07/2010

My boys both suffer from it (my daughter was fine). We switched from using the J&J Head to Toe to Dove soap and also used Eucerin cream. We also have a Eucerin prescription with Hydracortisone 2.5% sol added in. That works really well with the flare ups and then I go back to just using the regular Eucerin cream. You should also know that sometimes eczyma can also be indicative of a food allergy (milk)--this is what I found out from our GI--had my older son tested but he was fine. Another thing you could consider is getting a water softener. I'm hoping to get one someday as I know this will make a big difference for everyone in my family.

We noticed an immediate difference once we changed from the baby soaps which smell so nice to the Dove bar.

Good luck!

Tiara - posted on 07/07/2010

I use cortizone 10 for my daughter's eczema and it works great. also if you use lotions or baby wash that has oatmeal in it, it helps

Amanda - posted on 07/07/2010

My son has the same. Eucerin 2 times a day and after baths and there is also this cream called triamcinolone (kenalog) that you can get from your doctor that works really well. talk to your doc about it. it clears it up but you can't use it for more than two weeks..worked for my son.

Cheryl - posted on 07/07/2010

Not only do two of my 3 have eczema but I grew up with it as well. Hydrocortizone cream can be helpful when it's enflamed (red and irritated) and when its not (ugly patch of dry skin) I lather up with whatever skin cream I have available. But the SECRET CURE for eczema is ocean water. The salt in the water is nature's natural skin healer. My mother used to bottle it and bring it home when I was a baby. Today, if I can, I try to do the same!

Brittany - posted on 07/07/2010

My son has had excema since he was born it was worse then and now he's almost 2 and still has it sometimes. Especially when he goes swimming. We use Aveenos excema lotion which does wonders if we just keep putting it on him every night and also we use body wash for excema too. Because all the johnson and johnson products have all those perfumes so it just kept drying him out worse.

IRIONNE - posted on 07/06/2010

YES crisco AFTER HE GETS OUT THE TUBE IT REALLY WORKS FOR MY DAUGHTER....SHE HAVE IT ON HER ARMS.....

Megan - posted on 07/06/2010

How old is he? My son also had some horrible eczema, i doctor recommended plain eucerin, said to put it on every time u change their diaper. At first i was only putting it on a few times a day so i didnt think it was working but then i listened and actually put it on at EVERY diaper change and it cleared right up.

And also don't use any baby lotions, they are actually way too basic (as in the opposite of acidic, but can be just as bad) and they irritate most babies skin

Sarah - posted on 07/06/2010

My husband had severe eczema until I bought Renew lotion from Melaleuca. They have a line that cures severely dry skin. They have the Renew Lotion, Renew body wash, Renew bath oil and Renew hand wash. When his hands are severely dry, he uses the MelaGel which has Melaleuca oil to help heal the cuts faster. It seems to be doing the trick.
You can become a customer up until June 20th for only $1.00 to try out the products and see if it works for you. They have a 60 empty bottle money back guarantee.
Renew Lotion for severely dry skin...it worked for my husband.

Sueann - posted on 07/06/2010

My son who is 8 had it since he was a baby... I tried many different things, but you have to make sure that you bathe them with non scented products, wash their clothes with non scented products and the lotion as well. I used baby Aveeno and it worked wonders on him. My baby girl who is now 4 months is also starting to show signs of having Excema and I will see what her doctor recommends tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

DesiLynn - posted on 07/06/2010

My 2 1/2 year old has Eczema. I didnt know what it was at first and it started freaking me out because every time we would change her clothes I would see it. She doesnt notice it unless im touching it. Her doctor gave me hydrocortisone cream and said to use Eucerin Calming Lotion on her to keep it down. NOTHING has worked so far! Ive tried countless things, switched EVERYTHING that touches our bodies from laundry soap to regular hand soap to unscented and hypoallergenic. Her shampoo and bodywash is from Suave and its called Suave Free and Gentle-it has no harsh chemicals in it and it has a scent but its not strong. The shampoo is in a white bottle and the bodywash is in a clear one. Since she started using those it hasnt been so evident that she has it. But I just completely stopped using creams all together, it looks better if I dont use anything on it at all! And she doesnt notice that its there.

Jeanny - posted on 07/06/2010

I used a combo of Mustela baby eczema cream and hydrocortisone cream and have all but gotten rid of my baby's eczema. It flares up on occasion but for the most part it is gone. I would slather both on him after each bath and on hot spots a couple times a day. Hope this helps.

Telma - posted on 07/06/2010

My son had it when he was about 4-5 months old and it turned out to be that he was allergic to milk products. Aveeno worked for us to soothe until the milk protein left his body.

Mandy - posted on 07/06/2010

I can really sympathise with you, my son has had it since birth. My 1st suggestion would be to get some allergy tests done 1st, my son is allergic to cows milk and it causes and makes his eczema worse, now that it's been cut out of his diet, I've seen a vast improvement. We also have a community nurse that specalises in eczema treatment visit us once a week, we have been prescribed an ointment called Epaderm which is basically a liquid parafin treatment, it looks like cooking lard and you put on loads at least 4 times a day and also in the bath - which is now everyday. You may need a very mild steroid for the very bad bits. The important thing is keeping him mositurised as much as possible. Can you see a different Dr, as we've been through loads to get the help we have now, most GPs don't take it seriously and tell the baby will grow out of it eventually. Keep his nails short and a small dose of piriton (liquid antihystamine) will help with the itching. You are better off with something thick, it's horrible to go on but stays and sinks into the skin better. I always put a layer on, don't rub in and put on his babygro (sleepsuit) on top, the heat of the clothes helps it sink in more and stops him wiping it off.
If you want anymore help then please don't hesitate to send me a message - I've been through everything on the market to help my son.

Annie - posted on 07/06/2010

I have been using Cetaphil lotion and it cleared up all my little girl's dry eczema skin. It seemed to work overnight! The one I get comes in a tub, and is thick..I get it at Costco for $10.

Krystal - posted on 07/06/2010

I found the putting a little bit of baby oil in his tub water, just before he gets out, and rub him down a bit, and i use the aveeno excema creem just on the spots that are irritated and it goes away. I stopped using the cream for a bit and it came back, so it may be something you have to keep doing. I hear the will grow out of it though.. hope it helps.

Rene - posted on 07/06/2010

My daughter has eczema bt we control her skin irriutations by watching her diet. Wheat and dairy set off her skin symptoms. It may not be your son's problem, but it might be something to watch out for.

Sheelah - posted on 07/06/2010

the pharmacists at my work told me to use theb Spectro Eczema Cream for infants works awsome....I wouldn't use anything else

Jessica - posted on 07/06/2010

My son has eczema really bad like his father and the Dr. told us to use Cetaphil and Hydrocortizone cream on his spots.