ezcema and what works?

[allie1078]

My ds has been suffering since birth and nothing seemed to work. His was so bad it would bleed and his skin got very raw and almost infected. so a trip to the dermatologist was finally refered to by ped. he recommended cetephil or ceravue, creams or ointments not lotions, daily baths with a little bleach, room humidifier, dye and prefume free laundry soap and dryer sheets, and a strong steriod cream clomed that is by prescription.

Just using the cetaphil and the daily baths have helped. We already had the humidifier and the free laundry products.

And one other thing was not to use sunscreen on areas that are flared up and allow the sun to get to it for about 10- 15 minutes a day. haven't tried this yet as it has been to cold here.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I had suspected my 14month old son had exzema for the past couple months.. the doctor confirmed that today..
She said not to use any scented bath soaps...
and vaseline and hydrocortisone cream for when it gets real bad......

 

[disfan07]

Vanicream, vanicream and vanicream....it is the best thing ever
It is free of the 2 chemicals (lanolin adn parabens) that most other lotions contain
I have had eczmea for 19 yrs...it got excruciatingly bad 6 yrs ago to the point that i was constantly in pain. We tried everything including eucerin, cetaphil, aveeno, etc. and nothing worked. Turns out i am highly allergic to lanolin adn parabens. Vanicream is the only thing that works adn it is highly recommended by all of the dermatologists at johns hopkins (thast where my derm is)
I also have what is called the allergic triad....asthma, allergies adn eczema.
With eczaema that severe be careful to watch out for signs of allergies adn asthma

Also, i dont know how many people are aware of this but if your child is allergic to peanuts you SHOULD NOT use cetaphil or eucerin if there allergy is sever enough to be a cross contamination issue.

 

[tbandemommy]

DD4 has had eczema since about 4 mos. old. It started on her face and then moved to her outer arms and calves and it got really bad on her back. Dr. recommended that we try Eucerin. It really did not do a whole lot for her and was on the messy side. A friend whose DD has many allergies and eczema recommended Gentle Naturals cream. I gave it a try on DD's next flare up and within 24 hrs. her eczema disappeared. I have used it ever since. Just last week she had a minor flare up and GN did the trick. Hope your DD finds relief soon.

 

[Fintastic]

I have no suggestions on treatment, but I'd advise to check your water too - DD's skin is so much worse since we moved and we don't have a water softener. If you live somewhere with hard water, I'd recommend getting a water softener.

 

[Schmeck]

I have a prescription for Elidel - use as sparingly as possible, as it suppresses the immune system and can cause lymphoma. (Read the insert, scary stuff, scarier than the usual scary stuff on inserts)

What really works for me is shea nut lotion (The Body Shop) - but not good if you think there might be a nut allergy connected to the eczema.

Careful about the sun exposure - trading off the eczema for potential skin cancer later in life is a tricky choice. Since I am a melanoma survivor, the sun is not an option for me.

 

[allie1078]

I have a prescription for Elidel - use as sparingly as possible, as it suppresses the immune system and can cause lymphoma. (Read the insert, scary stuff, scarier than the usual scary stuff on inserts)

What really works for me is shea nut lotion (The Body Shop) - but not good if you think there might be a nut allergy connected to the eczema.

Careful about the sun exposure - trading off the eczema for potential skin cancer later in life is a tricky choice. Since I am a melanoma survivor, the sun is not an option for me.

We are leary about the sun exposure recommendation too. My dh father passed away from melanoma 6yrs ago. We did question the derma on this. He said the sunscreen would irtate it even more. Still have not tried this recommendation though.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

DdNow14 developed ezcema as a tween and we tried everything under the sun to control it. Turns out she also developed food allergies at the same time! Once soy was out of her diet her skin was beautifully clear again. OP, if you haven't already investigated allergy testing you might was to consult an allergist. If I had had ANY idea dd's ezcema was food-related, it would have saved her months of pain.

 

[timzagain]

When my DD was maybe about 5 months old, her skin flared up with a really bad bout of eczema. The pediatrician recommended that I stop using soap for a few days. In its place, she recommended that I wrap a little oatmeal in a piece of muslin/ cheesecloth, and bathe her with that instead! It worked beautifully, and since then, I have used that trick on my kids several times with good results.

A little olive oil in the bath water is also very good for the dryness.

 

[JenLanDisney]

At my last appt. the ped mentioned a "new" remedy that has made a comeback...a little bleach in the bath water.

Here's an article that the Pedi may have been referring to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/health/research/28regi.html?em

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Change her diet. Eczema is a reaction to something. Dairy is usually the culprit but it could be other things as well. Go see and allergist and not a dermatologist. You need someone who is going to treat the whole body and find out what is causing the breakouts. Good luck!

 

[dis-happy]

Here's an article that the Pedi may have been referring to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/health/research/28regi.html?em

Hey, thanks!!!!!

 

[karen624]

Try the cream called CeraVe (found at drug stores and at Target it is behind the counter.) My dd's allergist recommended it, and it has made a huge difference with her. Her skin is so smooth and soft with no eczema patches which is amazing for her! It is so much easier to spread than Eucerin, and absorbs pretty quickly. It has ceramides or something in it that is supposed to be good.

 

[dis-happy]

Try the cream called CeraVe (found at drug stores and at Target it is behind the counter.) My dd's allergist recommended it, and it has made a huge difference with her. Her skin is so smooth and soft with no eczema patches which is amazing for her! It is so much easier to spread than Eucerin, and absorbs pretty quickly. It has ceramides or something in it that is supposed to be good.

I saw this at the pharmacy counter of Costco today and will buy it next time. Nothing like adding to my large collection! Hope it works...

 

[dis-happy]

CeraVe update....

I THINK IT'S WORKING!!!!


I bought it yesterday and used it this morning after his bath. His eczema looks considerably better. Some areas on his wrist are just red dots now with good skin in between instead of a complete mass of red and crusty like before. I slathered on more tonight and can't wait to see how it is in the morning. So far, better results even than the Cortaid.

Costco price: $13.88 for the tub of cream.


Thank you DISers!!!

 

[left210]

Glad to hear the Cerave is working. It worked that quickly with my son too and is the only thing we have had results with. Also, it is great that it is not greasy like others. Also, I was able to get a pump to goes on the tub of cream at my dermatologists office which makes it so much easier to pump it out than stick your hand in tub of cream. You might check your local derm office to see if they have them.

Also, as an FYI my derm recommends the Blue Lizard suncreen for kids with eczema. We havent tried it yet but plan to do so once the weather warms up.