Baby/Toddler Eczema HELP!!!!!

Jennifer - posted on 01/11/2012

Finding a great cream is essential, but even more important is determining the triggers. If you don't find the triggers, you're just treating the symptoms and no the cause. The eczema will never 100% go away.

We did a food elimination diet with my son and found many foods that made his eczema flare-up terribly. We cut out dairy, gluten, and soy. A few tree nuts also made him really itchy, like almonds. We had my son allergy tested via the skin prick and blood tests and all were negative. The elimination diet was the only way to be sure foods were giving him trouble. Make sure to do this with a doctor's supervision.

Wet wraps are great treatment for emergencies, but not for long term. Nothing will help cure eczema faster during a crisis.

If scratching is an issue, try ScratchMeNots or Kumfy Cotton who make protective clothing to cover little hands to prevent scratching.

Kay - posted on 01/07/2012

my son has eczema to like his dad,his was really sore on his face and itcy, i got some hydramol off the doctors which u can use as soap and put on directly on dry skin anytime and it is not a steroid,since i have used it his eczema has vanished

Amy - posted on 01/03/2012

The best Eczema treatment is finding out what the cause is. Most baby eczema is caused by undiagnosed food allergies and sensitivities. The best thing you can do is see an allergist and get some allergy testing. My son is highly allergic to most food groups, and once we controlled his diet, it took a while, but his body slowly healed. From covered head to toe in open oozing sores to not a spot of eczema left on his body. It took us a couple of years to figure it all out.

Ann-Marie - posted on 09/22/2011

I used the childrens spectro gel body wash and cream by and it worked like a charm, I only used the body wash or any other soap every other day worked better as well. But used the cream nightly. Also I found using the non baby laundry soap too worked better as they use alot of chemicals to remove the " fragrance" that it is harsher than regular stuff, I also had on hand a mild like 1 % steriod cream but only used it for severe outbreaks, I found my son was worse when he was teething he is now alomst free of all eczema, since about 15 mon when he got his last set of molars his 2 year. also load up on zinc b, fish oil & grape juice works great.

Tara - posted on 09/12/2011

Hi there! My son had this when he was a year old and I tried a ton of different creams and even took him off milk and switch to soy milk as I thought maybe he had an allergy, that wasn't the case. I took him to the doctor and got the steroid cream but really didn't want to use it if I didn't need to. I finally found the perfect cream for him. George's cream works amazing!! I put it on him after every bath and it kept it away. He seemed to flare up if he got too warm (so especially in the summer) and only during the bad flare up would I use the steroid cream for the first day and then back to the georges cream. He is 3 now and he barely breaks out anymore. Georges cream is about $13 and lasts a long time. He would also get a bad dry scalp (not craddle cap) and I would use head and shoulders shampoo on him (just make sure not to get in the eyes of course) and it work amazingly. I did a ton of research as I was desperate to be as natural as possible and find fast relief. Hope you find a way that works well soon!

Rebecca - posted on 09/10/2011

Hi Trisha, just a thought and may not be the case but I have coeliac disease and one of the manifestations (not for me but for others) is eczema and more severely Dermatitis herpetiformis (which can look like ecxema actually and I have had this)...perhaps you can talk to your paediatrition about it and he/she can advise you whether it could be the cause of the skin rash in your daughter...like I said just a thought...

Martha - posted on 08/22/2011

Part of the contributor to Eczema is your environment. What you put on your body, what you wear, what you breathe, what you clean with etc. Many of the products you are using in your homes are not healthy for us. The best solution I have seen for many families is to change their environment to help with Eczema. I have helped many families do just that and they have seen the Eczema not return. Do your research and be aware many of the prescription creams you are given have long term affects on your little ones. If you want to know more about changing your environment message me.

Vicki - posted on 08/15/2011

haven't dealt with excema but did deal with what appeared to be on the verge of it. the only thing that helped was pure shea butter mixed with coconut oil. as in the cooking oil. can get both at a health food store and mix it yourself. lasts forever and is affordable.

Marang - posted on 08/15/2011

Hello all
My daughter is almost 4months old now and has had eczema restricted to her face and legs for a month.i used Johnson's baby Aqueous cream, it got better but didn't completely go away, her face was still dry and she still itched. i took to the net and discovered a few sites saying Aqueous cream isn't good for eczema, can actually make it worse despite many doctors often prescribing it. A few people i know recommended Epi-max after it worked for their babies, i got hold of a tub and on the side it reads "not for use on for babies and people with sensitive skin"... it seems my friends have chosen to ignore this little note because Epimax has worked wonders for their kids, even on this forum i noticed a few mums are using it.
I live in Botswana and i'm pretty sure we use the same products as in SA.
does anybody know anything about this, why it shouldn't be used for babies?

Isis - posted on 07/22/2011

Aquaphor works for my toddler and Aveeno soothing bath treatment, packets of powder you pour over bathwater and i don't use soap after the powder is cleansing and soothing. Also I don't bathe her as often as I used to I use warm towels to clean her legs and arms and neck and I only bathe her every 2 to 3 days. Im going to try the allergy test like the mom suggested on one of the above comments what's to loose, Good Luck mommies!

Farhana - posted on 08/10/2010

HI DEAR.
PLS STOP taking steroid cream.. i dont know if u ever hear this... 4life product.. transfactor... my cousin bro baby when through the same.. can i ahve ur enmail address. so send u more detail on this.

Tracy - posted on 08/10/2010

I was taught that the outside of our body is a reflection on what is going on inside. Usually there is some imbalances that are going on inside. There are also external things (soap, shampoos,lotions, creams, laundry detergent, cleaning products, ect.) that can cause it to worsen. The creams are only a band aid to the real problem. I have a few articles on this if you would like a copy let me know.

Ann-Marie - posted on 08/10/2010

Hi my son started the eczema when he got his first tooth he now gets a flare up with every tooth but he is working on his last tooth now he is 15 months old and got his first when he was 4 months. I would steer clear of the sterios creams, the skin gets used to it and eventually you need to up the steriod % for it to work,, my Doctor said he would not put our son on anything and he still won't we used- Spectro Gel for Eczema Care for Kids works great and has no steriod in it,, you can get it at any drustore or superstore. I have a friend who was put on steriod cream as well and by the time he was 19 he was on such a high dose he had to stop there was no stronger medication so he ended up weening himself off using the cream and he ended up doing it but he found the skin was so used to it it alomst had to have time to respond to other creams non medicated and he cracked and bled some days thats why doctors do not want to use steriod cream on young kids

Nathley - posted on 07/23/2010

My baby also had it even in his face I use Epi-max and i never looked back i even use it for myself.no harsh ingredients whatsoever.

Amy - posted on 07/23/2010

My son had eczema as a baby and early toddler. His was on his back (mild form) and on his bottom, creases of knees and elbows (in the creases it was always cracked and would bleed). He also would have patches here and there. My doctor really didn't have much to say claiming it would just go away on its on. Well, we found out when I tried him on table food (started at 10 months with vanilla yougurt, and he was breastfeed exclusively) that he might have food allergies as he swelled up and vomitted a lot from just a few bits of yogurt. When he just wasn't responding well at all to any of the basic 'first' foods one gives a baby (all had dairy in them) I finially took him to a pediatric allergist at the age of 13 months. They did the skin prick test on him and found out he was serverely allergic to dairy, eggs, cats (we had one) and a mild allergy to peanuts. I am lactose intolerant and was drinking tons of Lactose free milk. I immediately stopped all diary in my diet, continued to breastfeed him exclusively for the next month and his eczema cleared up almost within the week. His eczema was a symptom all along from birth that he was allergic to dairy but I and the family doctor just never thought of that. He is now 3 1/2 and has no eczema issues but has very sensitive skin. I was instructed by his allergist to use a cream called VitaCream and it is wonderful. I use California Baby Sensitive Skin body wash on him and these two products really helped heal his sores up fast.
I would check to see if your child has allergies. =)

Anne - posted on 07/21/2010

my son also has eczema and the only thing that works for him is Aveeno Baby's Soothing Relief Moisture Wash and Cream, he used to have patches all over his back and stomach ,but now were just down to in the creases of his knees and elbows and also at the base of his neck

his doctor recommend Aquaphor from Eucerin but i found it be to expensive on just my husband salary

Aveeno also has a soothing baby soak. here is there webpage for children http://www.aveeno.com/baby-care

Hope this help it has sure helped my son.

Sheri - posted on 07/02/2010

There is this awesome cream from California baby called Calendula cream....It is recommended for eczema. It is a natural cream. It is kinda pricey but works well. go to californiababy.com. also Eucrin cream works well to.....

Amanda - posted on 07/02/2010

My son suffers from eczema too, until we found this cream and now he only gets the odd spots in his leg creases and elbow creases. It is the Aveeno Baby Eczema Care Cream. It is steroid free & fragrance free and we put it on every morning and every night. I works wonders! I live in Canada so I am not sure if it is available to you but I buy it at Walmart! It is accepted from the Ezcema Society of Canada. There is a website www.eczemahelp.ca to get more info. I love this cream and will not use anything but on my son's sensitive skin. Hope this helps!

Sarah - posted on 07/01/2010

Have you heard of Halo's Technical Comfort clothing? I think this clothing would really help her eczema. Below I coped the bullet points from their website:
# Made with CoolMax® fabric, wicks moisture to keep skin dry. Great for sensitive skin conditions.
# The National Eczema Association (NEA) has awarded the Seal of Acceptance to HALO Technical Comfort System. The NEA Seal of Acceptance is awarded to products intended for children and adults with eczema or sensitive skin.
# Soft, silky feel is friction free and helps reduce irritation and itching
# Fast drying. Helps regulate body temperature for greater comfort
# Helps prevent skin rashes by wicking moisture from delicate skin
# Smooth seams prevent irritation at pressure points
# SPF 30
# Parents of children with sensitive skin conditions report marked improvements with regular wear

Lora - posted on 06/30/2010

My dermatologist suggested two things that have really worked for my son. The first is something called Aquaphor from Eucerin and I put it on after each bath (pretty thick from head to toe). The cheapest (by the ounce) I can find is the 14 oz container at Babies 'R Us. The second is CeraVe moisturizing creme (NEVER use lotions on eczema just cremes) that I had to use a couple times a day, but now it's less frequent. I also use a CeraVe moisturizing wash at bath time. It took a month to completely clear up, but knock on wood, we haven't had a break out in almost 3 months!!!

And I'm sure you know, but have her take VERY short baths with as cool of water as possible so as not to make it worse.

Good luck!!! I know how frustrating it is - I hope it works for your daughter!!!

Grace - posted on 06/30/2010

We took Emma to a dermatologiest. I know they recommended bathing her Cetaphil (I don't know if you have that where you are). They also recommended only bathing her once a week if we can help it (she's 3 and gets into everything so sometimes it's more often). We also keep the water cool and keep her dressed in fairly light clothes, sometimes only going out in the evening if it's been really hot out. Also I know Emma has a had a bacterial infection before that the doctor's have recommened Bactobin (not sure on the spelling) and it has helped. The doctor also recommended putting unscented moisterizer on every night and morning. It sounds like your little one's exema is very severe. Emma only has "boughts" of it every now and again, usuall on her legs. I would ask to see a dermatologist and/or a second opinion (maybe see if there's a pediatric dermatologist at a children's hospital? ) if you have already gone that route. Wishing you the best of luck!

Thx

Gracie