my little one has bad eczema. any ideas on how to help it? and has anyone tried exederm?

Christina - posted on 07/21/2009

I havent used that,but I do know sometimes you might have to try a steroid cream, from the Doc.Also things the child eats will flare it up.. and I also agree with laura Holt

Deseree - posted on 07/21/2009

I have not tired it but a friend told me that she just uses A&D ointment on her daughter and that it works

Julia - posted on 07/21/2009

I would suggest soaking in a bath with dead sea salt... The healing properties are amazing and I have had a lot of friends who have used this wiht their kids and it works great

Kathy - posted on 07/21/2009

OK you people this is exausting. I really think its what ever works for you. My daughter is 10 and still struggles with it. I've tried everything i can think of. I DO believe that each skin type is diffrent. Hers is very agrivated with grass and dirt. I'm still looking but life must go on. Don't fret the little stuff.

Lyndsay - posted on 07/21/2009

My son had eczema when he was first born and the doctor gave me HydroVal cream. It cleared it up pretty quickly. He hasn't had it since then but I continue to use it on any kind of skin irritations I get.

Tarah - posted on 07/21/2009

My friend used hydrocortizone 1/2 percent

Melissa - posted on 07/21/2009

Use "Head and Shoulder" shampoo one time a week on the areas and things should start to clear up.

Jo - posted on 07/21/2009

hey, all of my children suffer from eczema, i use this natural product called dermaveen

you can get the full range, bath products, shampoo and lotions it is made from oatmeal

so completely natural, i have never looked back, heaps of my friends are now using it too

Cookie - posted on 07/21/2009

try Aquaphor :)

Ashley - posted on 07/21/2009

I didn't read through all the responses, so this may have been posted already... but my kids have mild eczema and I was talking to a mom with 4 children, all with moderate to severe eczema... she also has it... She took her kids to a dermatologist and he told her buy each kid 2 pairs of cotton long john type pajamas... get the first pair damp and put them on the child(ren) then layer the second pair over that(dry) right before bed. She said they did that and the difference she saw in the morning was AMAZING! She said the PJ's are dry by morning and most of the eczema was gone that first time... She was also telling me that the dr told her to give a 10 min bath every day with 1/4 cup bleach added to the water, it kills any germs that may infect the area. And to use the soapless cleanser... like I said, my children don't have it all that bad... nothing that a little cream won't take care of... so I don't know how well this works from experience, but she had nothing but great things to say about it!!

Carrie - posted on 07/21/2009

I know your frustration. My oldest was barely walking when she started breaking out and by the time she was 2 my husband was up all night with her just rubbing her body because she itched so bad. We went to every kind of doctor around and finally after 2 1/2 years a doctor finally told us that she had eczema. She perscribed Trimilacon Ointment, and the use of mild soaps. My daughter is 10 years old now and she still uses Johnson's Baby soap (we buy the Johnson's Buddies sudzing bar). She rarely has breakouts now but when she does we rub on some of the ointment and it goes away. This same treatment has worked for my other 2 children, as well as all of my nieces and nephews and friends that have asked for advice. Hope you find relief for your little one.

Joelia - posted on 07/21/2009

Kay I was told by my dermatologist that Vaseline lotion is okay but Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is not because it clogs the pores and can make matters worse. With eczema you really don't want to apply anything that is going to clog the pores.



And I tried the Vaseline intensive care non-scented lotion on my son to no avail. It worked for the first week and then his eczema started to reappear and I lotion him up once to twice a day every day.

Joelia - posted on 07/21/2009

My youngest son who is 5 has had bad eczema that covered him from head to toe since he was 1 month old. As time went by it became less severe but he still has really bad flare ups on his stomach legs and arms sometimes.



Recently he had to have a school physical completed and since his pediatrician wasn't available my Primary care doctor saw him instead. He recommended Cerave cream and it has worked wonders on him. In three days time of me applying it twice a day on his eczema patches he was almost completely eczema free. And by the end of the week he had no signs of his previous patches. I was amazed.



They sell it over the counter at Walgreens for $14 for the tub. Expensive but so worth it. I even got a tub for my friends 5 year old daughter who had a huge patch of psoriasis on her leg and within 3 days time she only had a couple of little spots on her leg. I haven't checked back with her to see how she is doing, but she had tried everything with no success. This stuff really works.

Kay - posted on 07/21/2009

Vaseline is the best treatment. My daughter takes zyrtec everyday and I use walmart's equate brand of Vaseline lotion after every bath and she doesn't have the break outs. When she does have the spots, I top it with Auquaphor. That takes care of it, sometimes by morning. Definitely stay on top of it.

Elaine - posted on 07/21/2009

My "Baby" who is now 17 years old has eczema. I found that removing all fragance based products he has cleared up. He uses Aveeno body wash unscented. This just kills him because he wants to use AXE to smell good for the girls.

Public pools are also also bad for him because of the chlorine. Also he finds that when he eats eggs it brings it all back. Have your child tested for allergies you may find they have an allergy to fragrance or other things.

Sharon - posted on 07/21/2009

YOu can also try Eucerin. I have also and it works really well. It keeps the skin really mosturized, which is what the skin is lacking.

Sharon - posted on 07/21/2009

My doctor told me to use dove because it doesn't contain soap. Also try the Aveeno products. All three had eczma but one grew out of it, The other two still have it. But whatever you do, don't use the hydrocortosine on their faces or else it could leave blotchy skin because the face's skin is sensitive than the rest of the body and has more sun exposure. that's what my Doctor told me recently. Hope this helps

Michele - posted on 07/21/2009

My youngest had really bad eczema, I took him to a dermatologist and here is what he recommended and it really did help. Don't use any of those special creams, just use Vaseline (of course, you would just want to do this during the night or naptime, so it doesn't get all over), and don't use any soaps when giving baths, they usually don't need soap anyways - they just dry out the skin more. And make the bath minimal, as short as possible since the water dries out the skin too - this one was hard for me since he LOVED his baths, but it really did help!

Christine - posted on 07/20/2009

Helloo my daughter is 5 and has had it since birth. I do know when we lived on the east coast it was not to bad. But here on the west coast and being in the desert it was crazy. People would ask me what is wrong with her and all kinds of things. But I took her to a dermatolagist and what wonders it did. He gave her cream called Mimyx and Desonate(wonderful) use for a week twice a day gone. Hope this helps

Belinda - posted on 07/20/2009

Hi there, I used Hemp Body Butter that I got from a Health Shop called The Body Shop. It really really works and best of all it removes any scarring that is normally left behind from extreme cases of eczema. You can also try Rooibos Tea products and also put about 4 Rooibos Tea Bags into bath water.

Kember - posted on 07/20/2009

My niece had it pretty bad and my middle son would get it in colder months. My mother bought the Gentle Naturals brand Baby Eczema Cream which really worked for both kids. You can find it at Target or WalMart and various grocery and drugstores. It's made by Baby Orajel. It's not expensive & it smells pretty good. I would put it on the affected areas after bath time and it worked well for me. It's worth a try...

Anita - posted on 07/20/2009

Haven't tried it but I know what works for me. Try Eucerin or Aquaphor. Both are really greasey but they are what was prescribed for me and my son.

Mi'Chelle - posted on 07/20/2009

Medi Honey works a treat, I recommend it with success to everyone

Amanda - posted on 07/20/2009

In a nutshell, I have been to the children's dermatologist since my 2nd gets it so bad he scratches and bleeds. I can't keep up with it..so what works? Elodil works great but is about $50 a tube. They ended up prescribing a stronger steroid cream which works, but I still think elodil works the fastest. I also use aquaphor A LOT and eucerin lotion is good.

Michelle - posted on 07/20/2009

My doctor had me to mix Cetaphil lotion with Cortizone 10 in the palm of my hand and rub on my son. It worked really well!!

Shelley - posted on 07/20/2009

my daughter is 6, and has had eczema since she was 2 weeks old. We tried prescription creams (they did nothing) and hundreds of different creams and ointments. We have narrowed our use down to: Eucerin Cream and Johnsons Baby CREAM (NOT lotion!). We also tried several laundry detergents and now use Arm & Hammer. She bathes 3 -4 times a week (or shower) and we rarely use soap. Once in awhile I use some bath and body shower gel - but be careful of the different scents. the only one she doesn't react to is "sweet pea". When she has a really bad breakout (weather, high fever) we mix a little hydrocortisone cream in with the lotion and that usually clears it up fast. Just don't use that on the face. When she was little, I would put lotion (Eucerin) all over her body from head to toe and massage it in. I think she got a massage every day of her life until she was about 5, then things have settled down a little. she still has certain spots that appear regularly, and other areas with hot/humid weather. Other things that trigger her are: Swimming pools with chlorine, lake water, most soaps, most lotions. When she sleeps at grandma's or cousins, I always send her own pillow and blanket (she will break out from other laundry soaps touching her skin. Eucerin works great. Be careful of the generics though. The only one we could use was the wal-mart brand. much cheaper. Good luck. I know it's sooo hard to control. It will get easier for you once you find what works and what the triggers are. From a mom who's been there for 6 years and counting!

Jane - posted on 07/20/2009

My son had very bad eczema as an infant. We tried all kinds of creams and ointments...some prescription and some over the counter. After many doctor visits, I was finally sent to an allergist. We found out that my son has very severe allergies to egg, wheat, soy and peanuts. If you don't find any meds that work..I would head straight to an allergist for testing. My son was only 18 months old when the testing was done. His life is so much better now and the eczema is under control. He is now 8 and can help with his own diet. The egg allergy is now gone.

Cari - posted on 07/20/2009

There is a cream recommended by a pediatric dermatologist in Pittsburgh. The cream is called CeraVe. It can be hard to find but if you ask the pharmacist they should be able to locate it on the shelf. It is over the counter. The cream works better than the lotion.

Lilian - posted on 07/20/2009

Hi Nancy, my two girls have bad eczema too. I have been using EPIMAX CREAM and it's working wonders. Goodluck.

Lilian - posted on 07/20/2009

Hi Nancy, my two girls have bad eczema too. I have been using EPIMAX CREAM and it's working wonders. Goodluck.

Nicole - posted on 07/20/2009

My 3 year old son has eczema and the doctor told me to use Dove soap and gave me a persciption for Mometasone0.1% cream 15gm. I also use Johnson's Deep Hydrating Extra Dry Skin lotion. If he itches alot I also use Dermarest Eczema medicated lotion. After he goes swimming I give him a bath to get the cholrine off of him. It all seems to work.

Amber - posted on 07/20/2009

Try to use products that contain shea butter. Both of my sons aand myself have eczema badly. Huggies has a complete line of body washes and wipes that contain shea butter. I have been using their products since my oldest was born. If you can find pure shea butter that helps too can be used all over the body.

Jamie - posted on 07/20/2009

Nancy, one of my daughters has severe eczema flare ups during the summer. We just recently found out (by accident) that Oil of Olay Advanced Moisture body wash (or the Walmart brand version of this product) works better than any of the expensive lotions we have tried. We have tried exederm, eucerin, neutrogena and even a bodywash by phisoderm. Nothing helped until we tried the above mentioned bodywash. We started about 3 weeks ago using this product and at this time her skin is clear and smooth and she has not complained about the itching. Usually she has little festered places on her back but so far so good. Good Luck to you in your search for a remedy. Also, just a little FYI, you might talk to your doctor because according to our pediatrician eczema is usually connected to allergies or asthma (this is our case). A little blood draw can answer the allergies question for you.

Jamie - posted on 07/20/2009

Nancy, one of my daughters has severe eczema flare ups during the summer. We just recently found out (by accident) that Oil of Olay Advanced Moisture body wash (or the Walmart brand version of this product) works better than any of the expensive lotions we have tried. We have tried exederm, eucerin, neutrogena and even a bodywash by phisoderm. Nothing helped until we tried the above mentioned bodywash. We started about 3 weeks ago using this product and at this time her skin is clear and smooth and she has not complained about the itching. Usually she has little festered places on her back but so far so good. Good Luck to you in your search for a remedy. Also, just a little FYI, you might talk to your doctor because according to our pediatrician eczema is usually connected to allergies or asthma (this is our case). A little blood draw can answer the allergies question for you.

Joy - posted on 07/20/2009

both of my kids have eczema. pediatrician said to use aveeno products for bathing and to lotion them up every night. she said aveeno products are the best thing you can get without a prescription. good luck

Michelle - posted on 07/20/2009

My son had that when he was a baby and the doctors told us to use Cetaphil cleanser and Lotion. You can buy it over the counter at Walmart. Hope this helps

Melissa - posted on 07/20/2009

i use only aveeno products on my son. he has very dry skin in general, and a patch of eczema on his cheek. doc gave us a prescription for 2% hydrocortisone cream that helps almost instantly when he has a flare up.

M. Rose - posted on 07/20/2009

I'm confused about how BLEACH can help? It's eczema extremely dry skin? When would you want to put something drying and harmful in the baby's tub?



And these creams and lotions...do you put it right on the red spots?

Alexis - posted on 07/20/2009

The Aveeno brand products is probably the best to use because they are made up of oatmeal and are all natural. Oatmeal is one of the most hydrating substances you can use on your body, and since dry skin is what causes eczema its good news, also don't use anything foaming on the skin it drys out the skin more. Remember creamy=hydrating, foaming=drying.

Barbie - posted on 07/20/2009

My son is 6 & has had eczema since birth. I've never been able to use scented detergents &/or lotions. I use baby soap, dreft liquid detergent. I have to use hydrocortizone all over his body daily or he has bad break outs ALL over his body. I've tried every kind of eczema lotion out there and none of it has worked. The cortizone definately keeps it under control!!

Bryony - posted on 07/20/2009

hi, my son as excema but its not noticeable, wat i use is oilatium liquid in the bath which softhens the hard water and then cream him with E45 cream its really good u should try it, you can get ur doctor to subcribe it to u.

Lisa - posted on 07/20/2009

I have just seen a new dermatologist. I have been trying different prescription and non-prescription ointments, creams etc for over three years. I like the ceravee that Janica wrote about and the cetaphil, but this new doctor has me trying something VERY INEXPENSIVE along with my prescription ointment. All doctors say only Dove, and to only wash under the arms and "private areas" , along with no dryer sheets (like Bounce). But this gal has me using petroleum jelly (Vasoline) which she said is pure and doesn't allow for bacteria as well as can be put in cuts. I moisten my skin with water and than slather it on an rub in as much as possible. Although really greasy at first, within 1/2 hour it is fairly absorbed. My skin doesn't have that dry look all day and it feels better. I am outside a lot and have a base tan. I'm not suppose to even wear sunscreen.."stay pure" and try to stay in the shade. So far, it is helping. I put a little petroleum in a small sample jar to throw in my purse for use all day rather than spend the money on the tube since it is almost as expensive as a whole jar. A little goes a long way.

Michelle - posted on 07/20/2009

We used to put olive oil on it right after they got out of their baths....it natural, not greasy, and it rubs right in. We used Hydrocortisone also.

FYI: Eczema is usually caused by some type of allergy...mainly food. We took our childs food allergies out of his diet and it all disappeared!

Tiffany - posted on 07/20/2009

Eczema is sometimes a sign that there is an alergy to something. After a lot of experimenting we found that it was Milk with our oldest. as she got older she grew out of it.

Melanie - posted on 07/20/2009

Hya my son is 11 now and he suffered with terrible eczma after he had his MMR's at two. After diagnosis by the Dr. I was prescribed Aqueous cream...for all over nightly morning after bathing and cotton loose clothing(no man made fibres nylon is a no no). Eczma generally is inter linked with grass pollen (same as hay fever) as such during months April to Aug) Eczma itching, rash will occur on the skin and will need anti hystamin puriton for under 3 or age appropriate which will control seasonal itching and stop full on eczma occurring. Also, some cleaning products, pets etc. cause irritation to skin. Ofcourse, Chocolate and certain foods cause reactions and stressful situations. Follow topical cream application onto skin to keep it moist, if eczma goes beyond that and the child develops all over patches (scratch red) then ask for steroid cream to apply directly (takes a day or two only to) to completely clear up ....then carry on as normal using Aqueos Bp Cream to prevent it getting to itchy scratchy stage again. Certain things like Flu, Chicken Pox or Viruses can upset a child's immunity and cause all over eczma rash which may need steroid cream to stop itching and clear it up. Use only sensitive non perfumed products on hair and skin. As they get older the eczma becomes less severe and less often. In summertime, especially you will see a big change in the skin if the child has pyriton or similar, hayfever liqiud every day as it stops the skin reacting to all the pollen ....GOOD LUCK ! hope this helps I know what it is like...

Lisa - posted on 07/20/2009

My daughter has eczema too. I use only liquid detergents and fabric softeners that are dye and perfume free. Aveena oatmeal bath is wonderful. It makes a mess of the tub, but it relieves the itch. Also aveena soaps and lotions. If the spot is really bothering her, I use just a bit of hydrocortisone too. Good luck!

Bonnie - posted on 07/19/2009

You've gotten a lot of suggestions so I'll admit I have not read them all. I will simply tell what we use to treat and prevent eczema. Keep in mind that what works for us may not work for you and it is simply trial and error really until you find the right product.



We use All Free and Clear Laundry detergent (liquid) and Bounce Free dryer sheets. We use Aveeno Baby Hair and Body Wash as well as Aveeno lotion. My oldest has outgrown the eczema and my middle child has never had an outbreak. My youngest still has outbreaks in the creases on her arms. When she flares up we mix Aquaphor and Hydrocortisone cream 2-3 times a day. Depending on how bad the flare up is, it's usually gone by morning. Bath time is limited especially in the winter.



Hope you get this figured out!

Elena - posted on 07/19/2009

My son had it really bad on his face...I used aquaphor for awhile...Then the Dr. told me to use Gentle Naturals Baby Eczema cream...Get it at places like Target and Wakmart ect...Cortizone cream works too

Kelly - posted on 07/19/2009

My daughter has had the worst exzema since she was a baby...I have tried everything down to steroid creams the DRs would put her on which was so bad for her...after years of trying everything under the sun the best remedy I found was the basic Cetaphil cream lotion...I could not believe the difference...I also use Dove soap and shampoo and conditioner...I use the ALL free laundry detergent and the all work great...the dove body soap moisturizes her skin really well without irritation...and all of these things are pretty ceap too!! She has not had an outbreak in about a year now...hope it works for you it is so hard to watch your kiddo suffer...let me know!!

Alica - posted on 07/19/2009

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