i need help..my 2 yr old. has severe ecsema, and i have tried just about anything i could think of..it's so bad that his feet are just sores!! any suggestions would be great :)

Julie - posted on 06/05/2009

Poor baby! My 4 year old has struggled with this for over 2 years, where it has been really bad. She screams because everything burns, we can not use ANYTHING with any kind of perfume or scent. The only thing we can use all the time is plain unscented vasoline. It is gross, but it helps. She also has a Rx we got from a dermatologist to help her sleep at night and help stop the itching. She still itches at night, but not as bad, and she is sleeping better than she was. She also scratches until she bleeds. Not on the feet though, that has to be hard! My daughter gets it on her cheeks, neck, inside of elbows and knees, her wrists and her back. Sometimes we can use the Eucerin, but not when she is red and irritated. We also have a Rx cream, but she says that hurts sometimes too. Try plain UNSCENTED vasoline. I hope you find something that works.

Kim - posted on 06/05/2009

Cortaid...cortaid...cortaid! But ask your dr. 1st. We had the same issue w/ our youngest. It was horrible. Our dr. said to use cortaid, and it cleared up w/in a couple days.

Helen - posted on 06/05/2009

Hi - my son is now 6 years old and still has it!



At two we had the bleeding open wounds and it was just awful as I had tried everything.



Basically at the end , I came to a blended solution -



1. Definately used Elecon - but only until skin was healed.

2. Always made him bath for at least 15 mins in a warmish bath each day with Ego QV oil in it - we just do not have soap in the bath at all with him, they all are bad (forget the advertising).

3. When out of the bath - let him air dry for a few minutes and made sure he had moisturiser (and heaps of it) that was for people with Ecsema (we tend to change this pretty regularly as it seems like he builds up an immunity and suddenly it would 'burn'. Recently I have been using Paw Paw lotion and seems to be just as good!



4. Kept the airconditioner on pretty coolish for him through the night as it kept him more comfortable.



At this time we put on any medication if required (this is really irregular now it is under control - it has been over a year since I have had a subscription for Elecon - oh and he now "gets it too", so he knows the bath and moisturiser routine.



Milk products, which he loves, are kept to a minimum - and, we also worked out grass, and the sand at his childcare centre was terrible and really made him flare - so I had (and still have) antihestimine ready if I know he has been without his shoes. I made a decision that I would not cotton wool my boy as we are in the country and to play with others he just had to be in the grass etc - we just make sure that we cope with the results.



At the end of it i just remember feeling really helpless and can remember reading all the product labels and most just hurt - keep it simple and most importantly routine! Nothing is same from one to the other, but if what i have written doesn't help with your boy, I hope it helps you to know you are not alone in your frustation and feelings.



Hel

Cheryl - posted on 06/05/2009

My son has mild ecsema. My doc told me to cover him with baby lotion after every bath, don't bathe him too frequently & we use hidrocortazone cream ($1.00 at dollar tree) on bad areas. This has worked perfectly. I also always use spf 50+ even on cloudy days

Rebecca - posted on 06/05/2009

Hi, have you tried Diprobase? I get it prescribed from my doctor, it is especially for eczema sufferers x

Sarah - posted on 06/05/2009

my son has it too, mostly on his face and in all his creases, he really fat lol, and i didnt like the idea of the meds his doctor first talked about because they have side effects, like irritating the skin lol so i looked online for something i could buy that is more safe and i found a lot of moms saying they use A&D ointment so i called and asked his doc and she said its safe to use even on his face and it worked wonders now when ever he breaks out i lather him up in a&d ointment, and in a day or two its pretty much gone, sometimes it takes a few days if its really bad but if you have to put it on the face just make sure to rub it in good, my son never cries when i put it on either, and he is always scratching and has open scratches and it doesnt seem to hurt him at all, after the first time i put it on, he doesnt seem to scratch anymore either, good luck i hope this helps.

Elizabeth - posted on 06/05/2009

Try putting corn starch in his socks it helps prevent breaking out and around his neck and armpits if he has them their too... go

Joleen - posted on 06/05/2009

My son has it too. I took him to the dr. and he gave me a "sample" of a steroidal cream that is perscribed for eczema. He told me that pharm. reps bring the stuff in by the gallons to give out as samples. I got enough to last till my sons like 18! Just a dab twice a day for two weeks and he was completely cleared up. If over the counter don't work, dont be afraid to ask for samples at the dr. office.

Jeannette - posted on 06/05/2009

I have tried all different types of creams and lotions for my 2 year old and she still has a rough time especially now that the weather is getting warmer. Have you ever trie Mangosteen juice. They sell it at Costco. A dermatologist friend of mine suggested it and I have seen it work wonders on my child. It comes in a big bottle and it has to be refrigerated once it is opened. It is given orally so it will not sting opened wounds. I usually give her 1/2 a fluid oz. a day. The daily recommended dose is 1 oz a day for adults. The worst side-effect that I have noticed that if I give her it every day for a week her bowels start to be very loose, but i just skip a day here and there and usually don't have to worry about that problem. Hope this helps.

Jenn - posted on 06/05/2009

where is that cream at? where do you get it?

thanks,

jenn

ALETHEA - posted on 06/05/2009

Have you tried a bath with ebson salt or taking them out into the sun for like 10 to 15 minutes a day? Put about a cup and a half of ebson salt in their bath and have them stay in water for 20 to 30 minutes.

Megan - posted on 06/05/2009

my 10 week old daughter has eczema and she always has abit of dry skin on her face and the doctors gave me oilatum but it didnt seem to do anything so i bought some creams called organic babys and it has no sls, parabins or anything like that in it and it works a treat, her eczema has almost cleared up in just a couple of days.. i really do recomend it!!

Tiffany - posted on 06/05/2009

My brother had the same exact thing when he was little. His feet would get so bad that they would bleed! My mom tried everything, including what the pediatrican gave him, and they made it worse. She ended up taking him to a dermatologist. The cream he gave her worked wonders. I would make an appointment.

Kristine - posted on 06/05/2009

I definitely recommend Renew lotion by Melaleuca like Angela said. You can't shop for it online though unless you are a member. If you don't know anyone in your area that is a member then you should either contact Angela or myself and one of us can set you up with a temporary account so you can try it out. There are several members of my team that have had severe exzema with the sores and that is the only thing that has taken care of it. They have also switched there home over with the rest of their line of products that has no chemicals. Changing the laundry line especially has helped. There can be a lot of things that trigger it like other people have mentioned food allergies or environmental allergies are the main ones. The products also have Melaleuca oil (more commonly known as Tea Tree Oil) in them which is a natural anticeptic, antifungal and is more soothing than aloe and also very penetrating so it gets deep in to the skin where the infection starts. I can also tell you that it won't burn like many other lotions out there. I get very dry skin in winter months and my hands would crack and the only thing that wouldn't burn and worked the best was the Renew. It is also very cost effective.



Like I mentioned, if you don't know anyone in your area that is a member definitely get in touch with Angela or myself so you can give it a try. I know you will be so glad you did.

Kristine - posted on 06/05/2009

I definitely recommend Renew lotion by Melaleuca like Angela said. You can't shop for it online though unless you are a member. If you don't know anyone in your area that is a member then you should either contact Angela or myself and one of us can set you up with a temporary account so you can try it out. There are several members of my team that have had severe exzema with the sores and that is the only thing that has taken care of it. They have also switched there home over with the rest of their line of products that has no chemicals. Changing the laundry line especially has helped. There can be a lot of things that trigger it like other people have mentioned food allergies or environmental allergies are the main ones. The products also have Melaleuca oil (more commonly known as Tea Tree Oil) in them which is a natural anticeptic, antifungal and is more soothing than aloe and also very penetrating so it gets deep in to the skin where the infection starts. I can also tell you that it won't burn like many other lotions out there. I get very dry skin in winter months and my hands would crack and the only thing that wouldn't burn and worked the best was the Renew. It is also very cost effective.



Like I mentioned, if you don't know anyone in your area that is a member definitely get in touch with Angela or myself so you can give it a try. I know you will be so glad you did.

Elizabeth - posted on 06/05/2009

my son has the same thing has had it since he was born he is 8 now and we use eucerin and mix it with prescription elicon cream it seems to work better at night get them out of the bathtub and lather them up after doing so put socks on their feet boudreaux also makes a dry skin bath i can only find it at winn dixie and its pricey but it goes a long way

Leanne - posted on 06/05/2009

I have a son who is nearly 6 who has had severe ecsema since he was born! First of all it did seem 2 get a bit better after about 3 yrs. Have you tried changing washing powders and fabric softners etc? I have tried every prescription doctors could give me and nothing worked. However i have found vaseline! Its very effective on him especially around his mouth, put it on as much as needed and especially after a bath! Hope this helps

Jaime - posted on 06/05/2009

Ask your doctor about an oil called Dermasmoothe. It is not payed for by many insurance companies and is prescription only, but it costs bout $40 a jar and lasts FOREVER! I t works wonders

Karin - posted on 06/05/2009

I use eucerin also and Aquaphor products made by eucerin for eczema. My daughter uses a steroid cream called triamcynolone and that is what we use 90% of the time but sparingly because it causes vericose veins but thats how bad the eczema is.

Elaine - posted on 06/05/2009

Try amantle, expensive but great.

Angela - posted on 06/05/2009

There is also a cream called ReNew. It works really well. I got a couple sample size tubes and shard it with my old boss and my son's teacher, both have excema. ReNew is sold through a store called Melaleuca. It's an online grocery store.

Gwen - posted on 06/05/2009

My daughter's eczema was closely related to her food allergy. You may want to research that association. Hydrocortizone as well as slathering her patches with A&D ointment worked really well!

Shirlyn - posted on 06/05/2009

hi. excema can get really bad. i had and stil have it since i was little..don't use anything that has a fragrance. even laundry detergent with fragrance is a no no a long with fabric softener.....do quick showers with luke warm water./ pat dry and apply ointment.. i use prescription betamethosone cream or ointment.. just a little to the affected area.. once dry.. then apply aveeno babr fragrance free lotion or aquaphor... all my life i have tried everything as your are doing now and the only thing that has kept it under control has ben the betamethosone.. my 4 yr old neice uses it as well.. n it works wonders... once you get it under control you can stop using it n just lotion 5 to 8 times a day..only use the betamethasone with flare ups... hope this helps you.. bc i noticed no one has mentioned this yet... also try seeing an allergic specialists... he could be eating or touching something that triggers it like cotton, certain founds, even house fragrances...

Nicole - posted on 06/05/2009

Poor baby! It breaks out this bad on my toes/feet and I'm an adult and it drives me crazy! I'll tell you what I do - maybe it'll help, hope it does!

For me, since I can feel a flare-up coming on, I start to apply a prescription-strength hydrocortisone in the morning and at night as well as lotion to keep my feet moist. I try, try, try not to scratch. If I must I try to just rub, not scratch, with a cloth in between (like through my socks). Usually if I can get over the first few bad days, it'll clear up fast - I'll keep applying hydrocortisone until the rash/itchiness is completely gone and then I keep up with the lotion only. Before I had gone to the doctor with this, it would get really bad and have open sores like your sons. I would put anything and everything on it to stop the burning/itching but nothing really works for me except the above routine.

Both my sons had infant eczema. My youngest at 2 still has flare-ups but it doesn't get as bad as your sons. Since I can't tell if he starts feeling itchy, I look for the rash. As soon as I see it I apply his prescription-strength hydrocortisone cream in the morning and at night followed up with lotion (Cetaphil). It takes awhile but the rash will calm down and go away. I'll stop the cream and just do lotion. I've also gotten into the habit of giving them infrequent baths. Most days I scrub them down with a wet washcloth and about every 3 days do a full bath, no soap until end and where necessary, unless a bath is needed sooner.

Another thing that some have mentioned is that if your son is getting it this bad, something is triggering it. And it could be anything - environmental, food, etc. I'd talk to the doc and see about doing something to root out the cause. It'll help in controlling it.

Vicky - posted on 06/05/2009

Hi Jenn,





Dependant on how long your son has had it, it could be something to do with his food, I have or did have a type of eczema (blisters) and I have a dairy intolerance (not lactose, all types of dairy). Most docs tend to say you do not get it this way but lots of people who have taken certain food items out of there diet would disagree. Hope this helps.



Just a thought as I have seen others mention it and yourself, when applying steriods mine got worse not better.

Melissa - posted on 06/05/2009

California Baby products helped my sons, the Calendula Cream and Super Sensitive Everyday Lotion. Also Hydrocortisone Ointment not the cream. The ointment won't burn like the cream might. Hope this helps and good luck!

Joycelyn - posted on 06/05/2009

It doesn't really go away. it always come and goes but u have to avoid things that will trigger it. All light color cotton clothes to be worn is the best bet. Avoid synthetic fibres. Wash clothes separately all the time with either Tide or Sunlight liquid and no bounce just a touch or fabric softener. Watch out for other allergens too especially where his eating is concern. Lots of water and for juice (apple) and diluted a bit. Walmart sell a soap called Allenbury that works for me cause my son started using it since he was baby and he is now 19. Take him to the doctor for antibiotics for the sores but stay on top of his cream cause sometimes it has to change due to the fact the skin gets immune to one cream after a period of time. Aveeno is good and there is a new Spectro Eszema Care for kids now on the market but remember to watch what agrees with his skin when u try it. Benadyrl is good for the itching. carpet can be a trigger. I had to remove mines. good luck! I know the pain and the sleepless nites. hopefully it gets better as your kid gets older.

Maria - posted on 06/05/2009

When my son was 8 months old he had eczema. The Dr. prescribed Traimcinolone in a small dose twice a day and it worked very well.

Sarah - posted on 06/05/2009

If it's to the point where he's bleeding and getting staph infections, then it's time to get to a dermatologist (one who has experience with children) ASAP because that is almost certainly beyond what you are going to be able to treat on your own. The longer it stays so inflamed, the greater the risk of scaring and other permanent (or at least difficult to correct) damage. You want somebody with the expertise to verify that it's eczema (and not some other condition) and to treat it and whatever else is going on. (I've had eczema myself since I was a baby, though not to the extent you are describing, and also worked for a dermatologist for two years.)

Jen - posted on 06/05/2009

My son also has this problem I tried everything! I took him to a dermatologist who believe it or not said luke warm baths only when needed, only use soap on necessary body parts Then he said when he gets out of the bath BEFORE I dried him off rub his body down with vasaline. Yes it's messy but wow it works! Avoid any lotions and creams that have scent They just aggraivate sensitive raw skin. We have also used hydrocortizone. But believe it or not the vasaline worked the best out of anything I tried and I have been dealing with this for 12 years with my son. It is something we do on a regular basis with him especially during the colder months. (though now that he is 12 he does it himself)

Claire - posted on 06/05/2009

My friend is an aromatherapist and makes natural remedies. Her website is http://www.stinky-pinky.co.uk. she makes a lavender and calendular cream which works a miricle for skin conditions particularly ecsema. i hope that you don't think this is just advertising. i am only telling you because it really does work!!!

e-mail or call her to see her expertese for yourself. her name is jola and she is lovely and happy to advise!

Shannon Cassidy- - posted on 06/05/2009

Try Gold Balm Anti Itch Cream, I had and itchy patch of something on my leg for about two years maybe longer tried every kind of itch cream there is nothing ever worked it would start to clear up then come back again. I finaly tried the Gold Balm cream now its gone and been gone for about two summers now I swear by it. It won't hurt to try on him. It could be the answer for him , it was for me.

Phoebe - posted on 06/05/2009

I've heard nettle tea works wonders.

Shannon - posted on 06/05/2009

Try Eucerine creme did wonders for my child as well as myself!!But the walmart Equate version is BETTER as well as cheaper also STOP using any body wash detergents and soaps with perfumes and alcohol in them e.g Johnson Lavender nite time baby wash is the worst for any one suffering with ecsema...and add olive oil to his diet or cod liver oil helps as well

Kate - posted on 06/05/2009

I have dealt with this for over three years with both my babies...after bath, upon drying, lay them down on towel and put hydrocortizone cream (over the counter) on the affected areas. Rub it in. Then, seal it with Aquaphor. Do this until it heals. Then, simply seal skin post bath with Aquaphor, no hydrocortizone. If the over the counter doesn't work, get a dr. to give the baby a higher percentage of hydrocortizone. Good luck!

Rosina - posted on 06/05/2009

My brother had severe eczema when he was small. The doctor had my mom bath him in mineral oil (mix some in the bath water) and just pat him dry. As far as his sores, I think it was you or someone else mentioned staph infections. I would try putting antibiotic ointment on his feet with a clean pair of white cotton socks, maybe when he goes to bed.

Jenny - posted on 06/05/2009

I had tried everything with my little boy too in the end found that putting him on a soya diet and no tomates helped as the dairy and acid in tomatoes mad it worse also found keep him cool and am now using dermol 500 on him its the best thing yet good luck jenny

Julie - posted on 06/05/2009

My three year old has it all over her body. I have been using shea butter on her skin and shea butter to wash her with. It really worked. Another thing to try is Salcura spray. It comes in a small bottle which you spray on the skin 3times a day. That worked after 5 days. Epaderm is another cream you may want to try. You can get that on prescription. If all else fails you may want to try askin the hospital about cold dream bandages. As you can see I have tried quite a few things. Good luck!!

Heather - posted on 06/05/2009

hydrolatum, and not a lot of tubbies, the more tubs the more the skin will dry out form soap and ect.. my daughter had it and now it is gona by using that, and if it is really really bad, get a gauze wrap, and put a lot of hydrolatum on the sores and wrap them.

Holley - posted on 06/05/2009

My nephew's was that bad. They found that he has numerous food allergies. I would have the doctor do a simple blood test just to check for allergies. With diet restriction, my nephew's is about 85% better. He still scratches, but there are no scabs and open wounds any more.

Lacey - posted on 06/05/2009

my daughter and i both have ecsema and i have found that hydrocortisone creme works the best! it stops the itching as well as clears everything up within only a few times of using i t you will noticew a huge improvement

Jenn - posted on 06/05/2009

i has a script for that too, and actually had an MD tell me that was the worst thing i could put on him. due to the fact that is a steriod and it lowers his immunity!!! crazy huh?!?

Jenn - posted on 06/05/2009

thank you to all..as far as the eucerin, and aquafor, i tried both. but he cries and screams cuz it burns. his feet are literally open wounds!! when he is tired, mad, sad, ect. he digs at his skin!! i do use the oatmeal bath and lotion, but just like the others it burns when his skin is raw. it is sooo frustrating and sad, i feel so helpless. it just seems to get worse!! i am going to take him to a specialist, due to the ecsema he keeps getting Staph infections as well. it is a true nightmare!!

Samantha - posted on 06/05/2009

Hydrocortisone cream! My 2 year old has eczema really bad too. She scratches until she's bleeding. Her pediatrician gave her a script for it the first time, and I'd put it on her before she went to bed and the next morning it would be clear!!! Now before she goes to bed she wants "lotion".

Jennifer - posted on 06/05/2009

try essential oils- lavender. it works awesome. my daughter had a rash on top of baby acne and ecsema and only a month old at the time and it took it 95 % away. my mom gave it to me, and i didnt want to try it but she made me and im thankful i did. not to diss the eucerin cream cause different things for different babies but i put that on her like the doc said to and it just made it worse but try both and see what happens. good luck

Susan - posted on 06/05/2009

Prior to prescription you could try when your child gets out of the tub, to pat them dry and slather up with aquafore, they put on PJs/socks. Yes they will be greasy and slimey but once the majority of it is gone, you can just spot do this. If that does not help I would seek out some help from a doctor. My youngest is on prescription meds for hers, the aquafore helped my middle child though.

Jill - posted on 06/05/2009

My son was born with it too and it got worse on his shins from crawling and now he is four and he gets it where is underwear is and his armpits where the shirt rubs. There is lotion for excema I got at walgreens and it works almost over night I swear. Other then that try aveeno oatmeal baths they have that specificaly for bathing for dry skin. Just got to remember to put on the lotion, that sucks I know hope your boy feels better soon.

Stacie - posted on 06/05/2009

Have you tried Eucerin cream? It's sold in Walmart, and my child used to have it all over her legs. Boudreaux Butt makes a dry skin ointment. If you're looking for prescription strength, Elidel, is for eczema. Hope this helps.