Eczema

[DisneyMom70]

To the poster asking about a product for the scalp. My DS uses Loreal Nature's Therapy Scalp Relief (I get it at Sally's) and it has helped hugely. I also recommended it to another mom who said it helped her son too. It might be worth a try - it comes in a green bottle. There is also a leave in scalp gel-like stuff that works too (same name).

Thanks so muuch for the info. I will try to get some ASAP. I feel so bad as he scratches so hard. Hopefully this will supply some relief.

 

[Button]

My 19 month old has started getting bad flare ups on legs and arms. The GP gave us a steroid cream which worked but as soon as we stopped it's creeping back in. Back to nurse today and have been prescribed Oliatum thankfully as it cost £7.80 a pot.

The other one she recommended and others have too is Aveeno. It's oatbased and apparently REALLY good. Some people even recommend using oats in the bath.Tie some in a tight under the running tap. We bought a tube in June when looking for cream to use on holiday in Walmart. hmm maybe that's why we didn't have any flare ups on holiday!

 

[carebee21]

My son used to get bad ezcema as well. We have to wash his clothes in a scent and dye free detergent (we like all free and clear.) Limit his baths to about 15 minutes (he would bathe for hours if you let him, but it's so drying to his skin) and only use a gentle soap (we use dove.) We also limit bubble bathes and use Mr. Bubble dye and scent free(it's in a white bottle) when he has bubble baths. And, when his skin starts to feel dry or we start to see patches, we rub on lots of cetaphil lotion.

The other thing that triggers his is milk. However, when he was little the dermatologist told us that it's actually the hormone in the milk that triggers it, not necesarily the milk. So at home, we use natural, hormone-free dairy products and soy milk. And since we did that, it's helped tremendously. We do however start to see a flare up when we go on vacation and don't stick to hormone free products so I'm fairly certain that really is his trigger.

 

[d1sneyf4n]

My son used to get bad ezcema as well. We have to wash his clothes in a scent and dye free detergent (we like all free and clear.) Limit his baths to about 15 minutes (he would bathe for hours if you let him, but it's so drying to his skin) and only use a gentle soap (we use dove.) We also limit bubble bathes and use Mr. Bubble dye and scent free(it's in a white bottle) when he has bubble baths. And, when his skin starts to feel dry or we start to see patches, we rub on lots of cetaphil lotion.

The other thing that triggers his is milk. However, when he was little the dermatologist told us that it's actually the hormone in the milk that triggers it, not necesarily the milk. So at home, we use natural, hormone-free dairy products and soy milk. And since we did that, it's helped tremendously. We do however start to see a flare up when we go on vacation and don't stick to hormone free products so I'm fairly certain that really is his trigger.

How did you figure out it was milk?

 

[disfan07]

Vanicream, vanicream, vanicream...I can't recommend it enough.

I have severe eczema. We know that my allergies cause flares but we have no idea why it got so bad so quickly.

I am on Methotrexate (immunosuppresent), use vanicream 2x day, have 3 steroid creams (ranging in potency) that I use depending on need that day and I also take allegra 1x day and zyrtec 2x day for allergies. I also have atarax and doxepin for itching at night as needed.

As my allergist always tells me, I am basically sensitive to everything in the environment. My body just overreacts to everything. No matter what we eliminate, for me, it will still never get 100% better.

I am allergic to peanuts, eggs and shellfish. I am also extremely allergic to lanolin and parabens as well as sodium benzoate. We also know I am sensitive to other chemicals but we can't do the testing until I go off methotrexate.

Free and clear detergent makes me break out. The ONLY detergent that I can use is arm and hammer dye free/fragrence free detergent. Everything else will make me break out in a massive rash. I have to travel with my on sheets because of that.

Also, with the gluten free, if it is gluten that triggers it, it might possibly NOT be eczema. It might be DH (dermatitis herpetiformis) which is basically caused by a gluten sensitivity (related to celiac)...you can have DH without actually having any intestinal issues from gluten. My derm. at hopkins thought that it could be possible with me but a skin biopsy ruled that out.

I would take him to a ped. derm and an allergist if it's that bad. My derm. and allergist work together constantly to find teh best treatment for me. My treatments are extremely potent and very aggressive but it's all that works.

Everyones eczema is different adn it really is a trial and error for treatments and triggers.

 

[karlacorley]

My 3 yr olds trigger is red dye, he was to the point of bleeding so we took him to a pedi-dermatologist. She prescribed creams and a scalp treatment. She also told us that once we got it cleared up limit them because after years of use it can thin the skin. That scared me so I had a friend who told me about LUSH Dream Cream, all natural, we didnt even use them prescribed stuff but twice. Dream Cream is the best stuff EVER! Once we took out ALL red dye it has been great. Its a bit pricey 24.95 each but so worth it, We also use Honey I washed the kids soap from Lush. Jake has Epilepsy so he cant have any antihistimanes so it was really rough on him.

 

[neodisneyfan]

My DD10 has it and it was very bad but here is how I deal with it.

DO NOT give them a bath every day. I know it doesnt sound good but it dries out their skin terribly and it makes things much worse. Also when they do take a bath or shower try not to use really hot water that also dries out the skin.

My DD is lactose intolerant but loves cheese so it does flare up when she eats a lot of cheese but then I just moisturize extra.

I use eucerine or Keri lotion. It is very greasy but it keeps her skin very moist.

When she has a flare up my dermatologist gave her ellidel. It cures it almost overnight! She has had this since she was a baby and it is the only med she has needed and it works every time.

She also has asthma. These have a tendency to go hand in hand.

If you dont shower every day and moisturize every day it should be more managable. Sometimes keeping flare up areas too moist will make them itch more and take longer to go away.

Ask the pediatrician about Ellidel it was a god send since my DD had it all over her beautiful face and I needed something to clear it up quick and it worked!

 

[Meshell2002]

My DD10 has it and it was very bad but here is how I deal with it.

DO NOT give them a bath every day. I know it doesnt sound good but it dries out their skin terribly and it makes things much worse. Also when they do take a bath or shower try not to use really hot water that also dries out the skin.

My DD is lactose intolerant but loves cheese so it does flare up when she eats a lot of cheese but then I just moisturize extra.

I use eucerine or Keri lotion. It is very greasy but it keeps her skin very moist.

When she has a flare up my dermatologist gave her ellidel. It cures it almost overnight! She has had this since she was a baby and it is the only med she has needed and it works every time.

She also has asthma. These have a tendency to go hand in hand.

If you dont shower every day and moisturize every day it should be more managable. Sometimes keeping flare up areas too moist will make them itch more and take longer to go away.

Ask the pediatrician about Ellidel it was a god send since my DD had it all over her beautiful face and I needed something to clear it up quick and it worked!

Be warned there is a black box warining against long term use of Elidil, and if the child is under 2 they do not recommend using it all, due to the increase risk of cancer (lymphoma)

 

[chris31997]

OP, DS has eczema. Change in seasons, pool water, moving, lack of and too much humidity all triggered him. It will be trial and error to find his triggers. Once you find those you will know how to treat him

When you put him in the long pj's: make him wear the same ones until they stand up by themselves. It sounds gross and they will never look clean again but it helps. The lotion cakes the pj's and it just helps the legs.

During the day: Pants, jeans anything long to cover up his legs so that he can't get to them to scratch.

Keep him hydrated. When DS does not drink enough water, he gets dry and breaks out.

Another thing that finally help DS, was claritin. Everyone in the family has allergies, but the allergies did not show up in the typical fashion. We theorized that DS was showing allergies atypical. He still breaks out but they are not as severe.

Good luck. I feel your pain and your child's pain. I have spent many a sleepless night "rubbing" DS legs so he would not and he could sleep.

 

[ToddyLu]

OK just reviewed my handouts from the National Conference of Skin Nurses that I attended in New Orleans in June. There was a nurse speaking with 25 years of experience in eczema, atopic dermatitis, etc. She stated several times in the presentation to "Soak and Seal". You soak for 15 minutes in a warm bath, then immediately PAT the skin dry, then immediately (within 3 minutes) apply the moisturizer.

Keri also makes a wonderful oil. It is of course called Keri Oil and is hard to find. It is a blue color and has a wonderful scent. It can be used on a washcloth instead of soap. We used to use it to bathe one of our patients with rheumatoid psoriasis, then would coat him down with Eucerin Cream. You could probably find it online or ask a pharmacy to order it for you. It is NOT greasy like baby oil and very soothing.

My SIL's dermatologist recommended Promise soap. It comes in a bar and can be found at Walmart. She swore by it.

But what ever you use the main thing is to "Soak and Seal".

There is something called the Atopic Triad--it includes Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis. They all go hand in hand usually.

Best of luck to you and your little one.

 

[disfan07]

Be warned there is a black box warining against long term use of Elidil, and if the child is under 2 they do not recommend using it all, due to the increase risk of cancer (lymphoma)

Yeah that elidel black box warning for long term use is nothing to mess with according to my dermatologist. She has me on methotrexate (an immunosuppresent) as well as 3 steroid creams of different potency depending on needs (desonide, triamcinolone, and clobetasol) and she STILL refuses to prescribe elidel to me. My allergist/immunologist agrees.

That told me something that they would put me on immunosuppresents but not on elidel.

From what I have learned from my doctors about the different topical lotions and creams, I would leave elidel as a last resort because there are many much less potent topical options out there.

Also, if your child seems to be sensitive to wool, you might want to try eliminating any products with lanolin. That could solve some problems. Especially since many eczema treatments (lotions and creams) have lanolin.

 

[bekkiz]

Most of this has been mentioned, but my twins were diagnosed with eczema at 3 months old and we see a pediatric dermatologist and an allergist. This is our routine:

1) Daily baths (or near daily) with warmish water. Soap up with Aveeno Cleansing Therapy Moisturizing Wash and wash hair with California Baby Calendula Shampoo. We use soap 2-3 times a week. I wash their face with the Cetaphil gentle cleanser.
2) Cutivate Lotion (a RX steroid lotion) on any bad spots
3) Immediate (within 2-3 minutes) COATING in CeraVe. I have a whole drawerful of "lotion clothes" because I get covered too When it's bad, I lotion them up 2 times a day.
4) When is gets really bad, especially on their legs and trunk, 1/4 cup of bleach in the bath and a good 15 minute soak.

I know it works because their skin is in GREAT shape when I follow the steps. When a wrench gets thrown into our schedule and we skip too many baths (and by extension lotion), their skin gets awful.

We've never been able to figure out a trigger at home. It gets worse when we travel, so I know they react to the new sheets/air etc.

 

[Jdougherty]

I agree with the soak and seal as we do almost daily baths too. Also I noticed when traveling if I forget thier Dove we get flare ups. The missed bath/lotion sessions will also cause mine to flare up. The steroid I used wa mention on page 2 Tri-something or other.


I also COMPLETELY agree with the triad comment too,
(There is something called the Atopic Triad--it includes Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis. They all go hand in hand usually.)

BOTH of my kiddo's have mild asthma, allergies i.e heyfever and skin issues.

good luck and son't forget to update us!

 

[disfan07]

I agree with the soak and seal as we do almost daily baths too. Also I noticed when traveling if I forget thier Dove we get flare ups. The missed bath/lotion sessions will also cause mine to flare up. The steroid I used wa mention on page 2 Tri-something or other.


I also COMPLETELY agree with the triad comment too,
(There is something called the Atopic Triad--it includes Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis and Allergic Rhinitis. They all go hand in hand usually.)

BOTH of my kiddo's have mild asthma, allergies i.e heyfever and skin issues.

good luck and son't forget to update us!

Yup. The allergic triad.

I have severe asthma, severe eczema and severe allergies.

If your child has one or more of the allergic triad (or even just one if it is severe) I would suggest getting their IgE level checked if you haven't.

My allergist and dermatologist run IgE levels as a standard test when they fist see patients with allergies or atopic dermatitis.

ETA: forgot about this before. If your child has a nut allergy, make sure you check with the allergist about using cetaphil. The creams and lotions use nut oils in them. My allergist has that on the list of what not to use for those with nut allergies

 

[brekin67]

The pediatrician has given us a steroid cream after steroid cream after steroid cream. I hate to put all that steroid on his skin daily. Thanks for the reply.

Be careful about steroid cream use. Google Cushings Syndrome and see what it says about steroid cream.

 

[mom2val]

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[d1sneyf4n]

OP, DS has eczema. Change in seasons, pool water, moving, lack of and too much humidity all triggered him. It will be trial and error to find his triggers. Once you find those you will know how to treat him

When you put him in the long pj's: make him wear the same ones until they stand up by themselves. It sounds gross and they will never look clean again but it helps. The lotion cakes the pj's and it just helps the legs.

During the day: Pants, jeans anything long to cover up his legs so that he can't get to them to scratch.

Keep him hydrated. When DS does not drink enough water, he gets dry and breaks out.

Another thing that finally help DS, was claritin. Everyone in the family has allergies, but the allergies did not show up in the typical fashion. We theorized that DS was showing allergies atypical. He still breaks out but they are not as severe.

Good luck. I feel your pain and your child's pain. I have spent many a sleepless night "rubbing" DS legs so he would not and he could sleep.

OP here, I hear ya on the rubbing of the legs. I have spent many nights myself doing that for DS. I have put him to bed in long pants and it has helped as far as him not breaking the skin with his nails. So that is a plus.

 

[d1sneyf4n]

Yup. The allergic triad.

I have severe asthma, severe eczema and severe allergies.

If your child has one or more of the allergic triad (or even just one if it is severe) I would suggest getting their IgE level checked if you haven't.

My allergist and dermatologist run IgE levels as a standard test when they fist see patients with allergies or atopic dermatitis.

ETA: forgot about this before. If your child has a nut allergy, make sure you check with the allergist about using cetaphil. The creams and lotions use nut oils in them. My allergist has that on the list of what not to use for those with nut allergies

OP here, DS did just have a CBC and every thing was good. Not sure id a IgE level was checked when that was taken.

 

[awoogala]

Dairy is a huge one. Cats. Anything outdoors..lol well, mold and pollen. but dairy is the biggest one.

 

[awoogala]

Thanks for the replies. I do put a lotion on him after the bath, Cetaphil, but he says it burns. It wakes him up in the middle of the night from the itching which makes him not get a good night sleep. I end up putting A&D on it at night bc that does not burn it. My pedi told me to give him benadryl at night to help ease the itching but I think I have given it to him so much that it does nothing for him now. It is all over the back of his legs, up his arm, on parts of his stomach, on the back of his neck. The kid is a mess.

After seeing many derms and specialists, one told me that honestly, slathering the kid with vaseline would work better than anything- he was right! ( the expensive aquaphor is mostly vaseline anyway!)Especially right after the bath. Oh, and when it got bad in the winter, we used only pure goat's milk soap. (funny thing, cow dairy sets off their eczema if they ingest it, but goat's milk soap on their outside heals it!)
I refused to use steroids on my kid.