best over the counter cream for Eczema?

[bcvdreamer]

Another vote for Melaleuca. It's the only thing that works for my ds (8).

 

[seeking pixie dust]

LSU - here is a link (there are many). Yes, that was a typo - OTC. It is a prescription medicine.

http://www.elidel-cancer.com/

 

[Mickeyorbust]

DD6's Dr told us to use dye and perfume free lotions and at night use vaseline then cover the area, if appropriate, with 100% cotton clothing. IMHO the vaseline helped the most. Hope it helps, eczema can be so frustrating.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Aquaphor. It works great. Something else you should know- eczema is not a condition. It is a symptom of something else. Usually a dairy sensitivity. A really good allergist should be able to find that out for you.

 

[HelenePA]

I use a combo of eucerin lotion and 1% hydrocortisone mixed in equal parts apply to RED area's only! You can also do a combo of vaseline / eucerin lotion right after a shower/bath to keep the moisture in.

 

[RyJMom]

I recently came across a product new to me called Skin Food. It is made by Weleda and it is now at our Target and Walgreens. Target sells it in a mini trial size for $1.99. It has become my must have moisturizer. Granted I know nothing about Ecezma but it might be worth a try. I go to a site called Makeup Alley to get product reviews and this is where I found out about it. It gets rave reviews.

 

[wendithepooh]

I have what I thought(because the dr. said it was) was eczema.It turns out I have a-topic dermatitis.Everything the dr.'s were prescribing,I was allergic to.Especially Eucerin.Every single dr told me to use it.My dermatologist finally did an allergy test on my back.We found I was allergic to 7 different common things.Like lanolin,nickel,products found in shampoo and hair color,etc.This was especially hard since I am a hairstylist.Now that I know what I am allergic to,I just try to stay away from them.He said it will NEVER get better only worse as I get older.Scary.

The reason why I am telling my story is because if the eczema does not clear up,there might be an allergy lurking.Good luck,my heart goes out to you.It is a horrible thing to have to be "blessed" with.

 

[left210]

I recently came across a product new to me called Skin Food. It is made by Weleda and it is now at our Target and Walgreens. Target sells it in a mini trial size for $1.99. It has become my must have moisturizer. Granted I know nothing about Ecezma but it might be worth a try. I go to a site called Makeup Alley to get product reviews and this is where I found out about it. It gets rave reviews.

Where is this located at in the store?

 

[Minniemouse07]

Avalon Organics Lavender Moisturizing Cream. I know a ton of people who use this successfully when all the other stuff won't.

We used it for years w/ dd for her eczema before she outgrew it.

 

[Adi12982]

Vitamin E oil, either from the capsules or Target sells a little bottle with it. For me it has been a miracle, but i have atopic dermatitis, though for years was being treated for psoriasis and eczema. It is inexpensive and will likely help, it has greatly helped my aunt with eczema.

 

[Cibahwewah]

Some above suggested OTC elidel. PLEASE DO NOT USE IT!!! It is linked to child leukemia. One of our neighbors passed away with it at 3, parents are now part of the class-action lawsuit. We were prescribed that too for my daughter's eczema, but thankfully another doctor told us to stop.

No, it's not linked to childhood leukemia. Elidel is approved for age 2 and up. There have been some cases of adult skin cancer, but researchers are unsure if it was from the Elidel or something they would have had regardless. The safety profile for Elidel and Protopic use in children is favorable. Talk to your pediatrician about it.

As far as an OTC moisturizer, Eucerin, Aquaphor, Cetaphil, and Lubriderm are all good. Vaseline works well too (but is greasy and uncomfortable in summer d/t sweating). The key though, is to apply immediately after a quick bath, and reapply during the day, multiple times if necessary. Often (not always) the eczema can improve by simply keeping the skin moisturized. Eczema is a defect of the outer layer of skin (the stratum corneum) and it's inability to hold moisture. So, in effect, you have to create a moisture barrier with a topical emollient (moisturizer). Also, you have to control the itching--as this leads to the red rashy open skin--and most people use varying strengths of antihistamines for this, such as Benadryl, Atarax (rx), Zyrtec, and Claritin. If you are really vigilant about the moisturizing and not scratching, you may not need a prescription cream. But, if you do, there are varying strengths of steroid creams/ointments/oils (OTC and rx), and topical immunomodulators (Elidel and Protopic).

Hope this helps.

 

[4forMe]

Our family uses aquaphor which works great on the kids. Two of my four have eczema which is always worse for them in the winter months. This reminds me that I need to go out today to pick up some more!

 

[Soulsearching]

Can anyone share their opinions on the best over the counter cream for Eczema? My 8yr old son suffers from it and we have tried Eucerin, Cetaphil, Aveeno, Cortaid....anyone have opinions on what works best. We also have a prescription cream for flareups....but what do you think works best? He especially suffers on his right hand and elbow...thanks!

Ask your doctor, but my son has eczema and he is 21. The doctor told him to use Head and Shoulders. Step into the shower, put some on the area, let sit for a few and shower off. My son also uses Nizoral Dandruff shampoo around his nose. Works like a charm. He does this only when the eczema is making him crazy. Swears it works great.

Aquaphore in between.

 

[thumperjr9]

My DS had mild eczema when he was a baby. My mom gave me 100% shea butter and that worked wonders. As it was several years ago I can't remember the brand name or where she got it. However it came in a tin, kinda like the container that shoe polish comes in. Luckily he has outgrown the problem.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My son used to have severe eczema. We finally got it under control with a combination of:
Zyrtec,

hydrocortisone creme (generic works fine) for flare-ups,

short baths every other day or every two days unless he's been playing outside or whatever with ALCOHOL FREE soap

keeping the house more humid by hanging laundry up to dry on a drying rack over the heat vent, hanging a damp towel in his room at night, and when it's really dry leaving water simmering on the stove.

Keeping on top of it has really almost eliminated it, for example, it's going to be really cold tonight so I know the heat will be running so I'll need to put a towel in his room. If he gets one "itchy spot" usually on the inside of his elbow I give him Zyrtec that night. Benadryl can work, too, but not with my DS, it does help my 4yo though.

It also helps to know what they're reacting to, for example, my 4yo seems to have a bad reaction when he comes into direct contact with grass. My 9yo reacts to the dry air. Another poster mentioned dyes. I've also heard of dust being an issue.

Also it's important to read labels, alcohol is very drying so you need to make sure whatever lotion and soaps you use don't have alcohol in them or they won't help.

 

[albertamommyof4]

I have lhad eczema since i was a baby and now i am almost 33. I have it from top to bottom, i hae honestl used everything. I have seen specialists and there recommendations have made thinning of the skin and made it worse lol. I have been on steroids orally and they have worked wonders, of course you can not stay on them. I have heard that every 7 years your skin changes so sometimes my skin is awsome for like a year and then it starts over again. They won't do actual allergy testing on my other then blood tests and i know i am allergic to pet dander, and mold and dust. Through many trial and errors i know i am allergic, to dove soap , i know that i am allergic to any form of mint( deathly allergic) i know i am allergic to hydrocsazine and one over the counter antihistmine.
Right now i am on a cream called tropicort and so far it works wonders, in between i use aveeno but honsestly doesn't do anything for flair ups.
It is interesting to know about yogurt, even though a lot of people with eczema are allergic to milk. Taking it orally by pills, vitamins would probably be better.
I have been told to go see a natrualpath as there is testing they can do , but they are hard to come by here.
Good luck everyone, i know what you are all going through

 

[ExoAngel]

My daughter is 5 and has severe eczema. She often bleeds from it and was practically living on steroid creams and oral steroids. We've swapped dermatologists several times and the last one told us to go to Walgreens or CVS and get CeraVe Moisturizing Cream in the 16oz tub. No other OTC creams have ever helped so I was skeptical since its 15.00 a tub. This stuff is AMAZING!!!!!!!!! She has NEVER felt smooth a day in her life and has NEVER been "clear". Within two days of using this (we apply 3 times a day) she is as smooth as can be and only has flareups a few times a month now instead of daily. We haven't had to use her steroid creams/oral's for two months now and I'm thrilled!!!! It also doesnt burn like a lot of creams do on eczema. I can't say enough good stuff about CeraVe Cream!

 

[SGMCO]

I have given my DS fish oil tabs for several years,
you get at the Vitamen store. I buy the tabs that
are quality oil--no mercury. Plus, it benifits his
brain and mood. Works great--just start with one
tab with food until your child gets used the oil.
These Fish tab have a strawberry or lemon flavoring in the oil
and they can pop the gel tab in there mouth if they can't
swallow tabs. I used to add the old to juice when he was
real small.
We also can't use strong Laundry detergent
like TIDE (it's the worst) when it come to allergies.
I started making my own Laundry Detergent (learned the
REcipe from Dis on the Budget boards) it works great
and no allergy problems.

 

[FLmomof2]

I swear by the vegetable soap from Pier 1. On sale you can get it for $1.

That have some pretty good scents to like orange, grape, and honey almond. We started using this on our daughter and then Lubriderm for sensitive skin after a short bath and her skin is great.

 

[BABY_EINSTEIN'S_MOM]

I haven't read all of the other responses, but I'll give my story. My ds started with the eczema around age 2 as very red dry patchy cheeks , later the elbows and knees. I tried every otc cream. I distinctly remember eucerin made his cheeks even redder and burn. So, the only thing that really helped was the regular old neutrogena fragrance free hand cream!!

Fast forward a few years, he got progressively worse. The doctor prescribed elidel. I used it for some time with success until I heard of the cancer link. Then I stopped. The rest of this may not pertain to you, but my son's problem began spreading to his scalp! I knew these were symptoms of psoriasis. A doctor had previously ruled it out even though I told him all the signs were starting to appear.

We ended up taking him to a dermatologist who confirmed that he now had psoriasis. This was a very difficult thing for a preteen to have scaly skin and scalp, so I began all of the steroid creams and shampoos. I really didn't want to use them because of safety reasons, but he needed help.
I just knew there had to be a cause for this. I began researching and thinking. The only thing I could come up with was milk..which of course is a huge allergen for some. When he was a baby they put him on soy and not long after he began real milk the eczema started..hmm. He was now drinking huge amounts of milk every day. So I had him to cut it out for 1 week. He got progressively better and we stopped all steroids and never went back to the derm!!

He now only has very tiny dry patches sometimes on one elbow or one knee. Just depends because he obviously gets a bit of milk in other foods. He knows if he started drinking tons of milk again it would probably start all over, so he very occasionlly has a glass with oreos! Thank god he loves his tea!

Sometimes I think I should go and tell the derm because they used to almost make him cry at every visit telling him "this is just something you have to accept, you will be dealing with this for the rest of your life". I wonder if they would believe this difference taking the milk away has had?

Good luck to you and sorry for the novel!!!! LOL