best over the counter cream for Eczema?

[photo_chick]

My kids both have eczema problems. The main cause of my kids eczema is the fragrance in the laundry detergent. My son also has a really bad reaction to strong detergents for other things, especially the stuff I used to use on my carpets. I ditched the carpet, changed detergents and that ended most of our problems. Dreft makes both my kids flare up. I use Tide Free. No fabric softener and unscented dryer sheets.

Both kids still have occasional reactions to things they come in contact with. When it's not bad, I use the Gentle Naturals stuff for eczema. I get it in the baby section at my local Target. If it gets bad the only thing I've found that works is prescription medication.

 

[left210]

We have been using the CeraVe for 6 days now and we are seeing some major improvements. I slather it on and put it on every time I change his diaper. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We too have struggled with eczema...I have to say that the only thing that cleared up my dd's eczema was all natural goat's milk soap. All the other products on the market contain chemicals and detergents that are bad for your skin in general, let alone if you have eczema. Our journey began 6 years ago with my dd. We tried everything that was recommended by our Dr.'s and none of it worked, plus I was tired of all the chemicals and worried about their side effects and impacts in the long run. I did alot of online research before trying the handmade goat's milk soap. It worked so well that I started making it myself. Here are some links about switching to all natural soap. http://www.squidoo.com/smgsoap http://www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=221 http://lighterfootstep.com/2007/07/switch-from-detergents-to-natural-soap/
I also make body butter that's made with shea butter, sweet almond oil, apricaot kernal oil , jojoba oil and beeswax...if dd gets a fllare-up due to using soap at someone elses' house we apply the body butter 2X a day...she does get tiny patches here and there in the winter due to our frced air heat but the body butter takes care of it and it is all natural so I know it's not hurting her-It's a fact! Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs everything that we put on it like a sponge. That's why many medications are now given in a "patch form", so the body absorbs them throught your skin. We also use all natural shampoo bars for her long hair as any other type of shampoo or conditioner makes her eczema erupt. We also use Country Save and Bio-Kleen laundry detergents...I buy them in bulk at a huge discount from Amazon...free of dyes, perfumes and phosphates. Needless to say our whole family uses the all natural products that I make but you can find many reputable soap and body product makes online, just be sure to read the ingredients!

 

[JulieNMM]

I had terrible eczema all around my face, mostly on my eyelids and brow areas and inside my ears, and also my cheeks were always red. I have been to dermatologists and allergists. Did the prick tests and I am allergic to nothing!

A few weeks ago, I heard about the Activia Challenge and thought, why not? I started eating a cup of yogurt a day and within a few days, my eczema totally cleared up and my cheeks are no longer bright red! My skin is no longer itching like crazy. People have mentioned how good I look and asked if I'm doing anything different or wearing makeup? I tell them, I did the Activia Challenge and it works!

I originally started to regulate my digestion and am overjoyed at this side effect!!!!

JULIE

 

[MrsPete]

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!

I have problems with eczema and mild rosecea. My dermatologist told me to use VaniCream products, and they are WONDERFUL. They're more expensive than regular brands, but not so much that it's a burden. They're a little hard to find; my Target pharmacy keeps them behind the counter, but you just ask for them -- no prescription needed.

One thing he emphasized to me is that all products that claim to be pure, natural, and gentle . . . aren't always. Those words aren't really legally binding, and they can be thrown out at will. Hypoallergenic also has no real legal definition, so advertisers can throw it out there on any product too.

 

[malibuconlee]

Cetaphil lotion works best on my daughter (need to get better about applying it again, her skin was doing so well I've slack off.) The "Magic Goo" around our house is 1% Hydrocortizone. Generic store brand as the Cortaid I've bought has the aloe in it and it didn't work nearly as well on my daughter. She gets this contact rash around her mouth from her binkie (I swear she only has it at night, during naps and if she needs it in the car). It clears it right up!! Two different peds have said it's OK to keep using it on her, one was the first to tell me to use it. She had this terribly dry spot on her cheek that NOTHING would get rid of. A couple of days using that and it was gone!!

 

[AshleyW]

My brother had a lot of problems with eczema. It was bad enough on his hands and feet that they would crack and bleed fairly often. We always had a big tub of Aquaphilic cream in the house - he would slather it on before bed, put on some gloves and socks and it worked like a charm.

 

[Serena]

I had it on my hands and then on my feet. I was miserable. Mine had blisters that would form deep in the skin and work it's way out making me itch as it came to the surface. I tried all kinds of things but no one knew what to do 24 years ago. They told me I was allergic to doing dishes, that I have to wear gloves each and every time. I am allergic to a lot of things and I never really know until my skin breaks out in hives.
I ended up at a doctors office and when I took off my shoes and socks they were all in shock on how I managed to walk on those feet. They gave me a shot of K(somethingorother) in my behind. Each time I got that shot it killed some tissue. They sent me to a dermatologist and he gave me methotrexate. It slowly worked. He said it might be something I would have to do forever, but so far I just have a few flare ups and nothing like it was.

My neices have it, one more than the other. Their doctor have them taking coloidial? silver and it seems to be working.


It's amazing how many people have it these days and the different things that help some and not others.



May I request that the people who have homemade recipes to please post it.

 

[HelenePA]

My dd has eczema which has progressed into psoriasis. We were at the derm and he gave her 2 scripts.. one was 145$ 3 times a month and the other was a 92$ prescription shampoo no you didn't read that wrong.. 92$ shampoo.. AFTER our insurance they are new drugs no generics or anything. While there he gave us a OTC sample of Cu-Tar HOLY COW! Its a lotion type thing.. it worked WONDERFUL!!! I would suggest trying that if hydrcortizone/eucerin isn't working! We are currently searching for a new dermatologist! He was all about these new drugs didn't want to try anything else that was cheaper first.. Seriously try cu-tar!! WONDERFUL STUFF!

 

[dis-happy]

We have been using the CeraVe for 6 days now and we are seeing some major improvements. I slather it on and put it on every time I change his diaper. Thanks for the suggestion.

Glad it worked for you too! We started using it last spring and within a few days I too saw major improvements on my baby's skin.....way better than any other OTC cream we tried.

 

[figment52]

My mom (66) has had it all her life. For her it NEVER heals. Horrible. She is allergic to primarily wool and potato starch but her skin is irritated by almost any fabric fiber. She has also found that something in Snuggle fabric softener makes her eczema much worse. To help the itch she uses Eucerin, with Vitamin E caplets that she breaks open and spreads on the skin. For my son who has sub dermal eczema we use oatmeal baths when he gets itchy - you can buy it at almost any drug store, walmart or target.

I have suffered with skin sensativity over 50 years. Once I replaced the fabric softner with a 1/4-1/2 cup of white vinegar in my laundry, same benefit as fabric softner but none of the skin irratation.

 

[2bearsmom]

I love the California Baby skincare line. My ds is 4 and has terrible eczema, wrists, knees and behind his knees, ankles, inside elbows and elbows, earlobes. It's now in more places than before. The CA Baby is basically everything free; dairy, egg, nut, gluten etc. They also make a wonderful cream made with calendula that has helped him and me as it's quite soothing for burns and cuts/scrapes too. It's pricey at $12 for the calendula cream and $9.99 for the other lotion. They also make sunscreens, bubble baths, bath body wash etc. I normally buy it at Target but I saw it at TRU recently too.

I started both my boys on a probiotic powder in July but I haven't seen any improvements in my 4yr olds eczema at all. Although he could be allergic to something that we haven't discovered yet, it's a work in progress trying to figure out his allergies.

 

[golfgal]

Head and Shoulders shampoo works the best for my boys. It is amazing (it does sting a little at first). I know it sounds crazy but it WORKS and it is cheep.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I love the California Baby skincare line. My ds is 4 and has terrible eczema, wrists, knees and behind his knees, ankles, inside elbows and elbows, earlobes. It's now in more places than before. The CA Baby is basically everything free; dairy, egg, nut, gluten etc. They also make a wonderful cream made with calendula that has helped him and me as it's quite soothing for burns and cuts/scrapes too. It's pricey at $12 for the calendula cream and $9.99 for the other lotion. They also make sunscreens, bubble baths, bath body wash etc. I normally buy it at Target but I saw it at TRU recently too.

I started both my boys on a probiotic powder in July but I haven't seen any improvements in my 4yr olds eczema at all. Although he could be allergic to something that we haven't discovered yet, it's a work in progress trying to figure out his allergies.

I was sure my 5yo was allergic to pollen or grass because of where and when he broke out, but they did allergy testing when he was getting tubes in his ears and it came back that he wasn't allergic to anything, I don't get it.

My 10yo gets "cradle cap" when his allergies are starting to flare up and the Fantastic Sam's where I got his last haircut suggested this special shampoo that they sold in individual packets and it worked great, but it was $4.50 I think for one packet. They did sell it in bigger bottles, but I wanted to try it before buying that. It stung, but his scalp looks great.

 

[ac225]

It sounds like you have a very difficult issue on your hands. As many have alluded to already there seems to be an abundance of methods to tackle eczema with some more fruitful than others.

You may have heard of a few natural methods which are starting to become increasingly popular of late, one of which was tried by a family member. We were all really pleased to see very favourable results over a long term and so it’s something I thought I would mention in the hope that you may find it beneficial.

After a lot of internet trawling I came across one site that appears to be a very safe source of reliable information as it provides a comparison and review of natural eczema treatments (doctorzreview) . I really hope this is somewhat useful!

Best of luck!

 

[disfan07]

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.

It depends on what TYPE of eczema. I have been thorugh every allergy testing and we have eliminated everything that I am allergic to and mine still gets worse. So for many, it is a connection to an allergy but mine is very much an immune system issue that is unrelated to my allergies (we know this thorugh extensive testing).

So saying a blanket statement that it is not a condition is incorrect.

Vanicream.

I have severe atopic dermatitis that I take methotrexate for (an immunosuppresent) and I am allergic to parabens and lanolin and vanicream is the ONLY thing that works. My dermatologist swears by it.

I use vanicream 2x day (morning and night) along with 2 steroid creams (desonide and clobetasol)

If you or or child is sensitive to wool, I would advise to stay away form products with lanolin in them and see if it improves. Lanolin is obtained naturally from wool so if you are sensitive to wool, you are probably sensitive to lanolin.

 

[Tinkh]

Hydrocortisone cream.

 

[Cat0727]

The Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream that comes in a tub works really well for me.

 

[Later_Mater2009]

My son has developed what I believe is Eczema under his chin in the nape of his neck area. He has it but this flare up is bad, and the Aveeno isnt helping seems to make it worse, more red in fact. If I put nothing on it, it gets real dry, but the creams arent working in making it go away.... I am going to try a couple different creams (suggested here) and see, I thank you all for the suggestions, I will let you know what works best. I have already washed all his clothes sheets and animals in Dreft and so far nothing has changed. THanks again

 

[DipsyDoodles]

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!

I highly recommend Hydrolatum. I put it on my daughter before she goes to bed as it can be a bit greasy but rubs into the skin well. I tried all the prescriptions and nothing helped. This stuff has been great and it's all natural, no harmful chemicals, etc.