OT: Any mothers have toddlers with eczema? I've got a solution that works!

[GIGI&MIMI]

We've struggled with eczema since DD6 was 6months. We've recently discovered Vanicream and her skin has never looked better. She too has many food allergies and lanolin/dye sensitivity. All kids are different and it's just finding the right mix for your child. She is so much happier now that she can get ready for bed without having to put on 4 different presciption creams and ointments. Also Vanicream makes a great sunscreen, which is hard for a kid with really sensitive skin. We all used on our WDW trip in Sept. with no irritation or burn and only one application per day. It's over the counter and we pay $12 for a 1lb. tub.

 

[ilovepooh]

DS had such horrible eczema, he stopped sleeping through the night. It was at its worst when he turned 1. We saw an allergist who took him off milk, and put him on Nutramigen. He's now 15 months old.

We ended up in Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia for a lump that became infected. They admitted him (not only to give him antibiotics for the lump) but because they were intriqued by his rash-like eczema. The hospital gave him Benadryl, which I thought he couldn't have it yet.

He was treated with a steroid cream, and we give him daily warm baths. We were told not to use soap every time we bathe him. We use aquaphor, but have the steroid for flare-ups. We were also given Protopic to use.

I will try the sea salt, but DS likes to splash a lot in the tub. Won't it burn his eyes?

Also, he was diagnosed with a GI problem that is possibly the cause of the eczema. The GI problem is called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. It is caused by allergies. Many children who have this are treated for reflux, as the symptoms are the same. If your child has reflux and the treatments aren't working, ask if he/she could have this.

Thank you for the Renew cream advice. I have tried everything, and I hate to use steroids/benadryl, but I also can't stand to watch him scratching himself all over! It literally makes him so frustrated he cries!

 

[aes74]

Just a word to the wise for anyone that thinks it may be milk related or part of it. We saw an allergist and he point blank told me that my son didn't have a milk allergy. He was almost rude about it. But since I had already taken my son off and saw that it worked like a charm, I kept asking questions. Some people have milk "allergies" while others have "intollerances" or "reactions". You need a histamine reaction in order for it to be considered an "allergy". But there are many types of reactions, so don't give up if an allergist doesn't offer you answers. Your instincts may be correct.

Also, someone noted that Eczema can not be cured. I would agree with this, except it seems that in many patients, a change in something clears it up. But sometimes it is hard to remove the irritent completely from your life. Just makes me wonder is all... but i am no expert by any means. Just a mom, who thru a fluke, found her son completely "cured" of his eczema. But by no means do I believe this is possible for everyone. Just trust your instincts.

Very informative...is there a way to do allergy testing on your kids without the painful pricks? How do you tell the difference between intolerances, allergies, etc.?
I hear you about eczema not being cured, but it has gone away in both my daughters when they turned about 3. My oldest daughter had it terribly, on the insides of her elbows, and her inner thighs. I used to be terrified someone would see her thighs and think we had done something terrible to her! My second child did not have it as badly as the first. I am sure it must be a reaction to something in their environment...if only you could figure out what!!

 

[Dragonfly0521]

My son had to go through the painful (irritating) pricks for testing. Kids with eczema have such sensitive skin and my son cried throught the whole thing. He was only about 4 at the time and didn't quite understand.

Also, while I mentioned that Eczema can't be cured. That is only what "they" say. I wonder very much if that is true. When I took my son off of milk (not even thinking about his eczema...just his constipation), I had my pediatrician tell me not to. That I was a terrible mom for this and that my son should just continue taking laxatives! Well, I listened to my gut, took him off milk and miraculously (and I mean that!!) My son was regular... and no eczema to be found! We found that we could manage his symptoms by removing milk and only some milk based products. We switched Dr's right away and my new Dr. was so impressed that she started recommending to other parents to try different things to cure both constipation and eczema. She had great success with many other kids.

So, while I am sure that there are certain irritants that are much more difficult to remove from a childs life, I am so glad we took the rode of discovery vs. trying to keep ahead of his symptoms. Quality of life for my son dramatically increased!

 

[aes74]

Also, while I mentioned that Eczema can't be cured. That is only what "they" say. I wonder very much if that is true. When I took my son off of milk (not even thinking about his eczema...just his constipation), I had my pediatrician tell me not to. That I was a terrible mom for this and that my son should just continue taking laxatives! Well, I listened to my gut, took him off milk and miraculously (and I mean that!!) My son was regular... and no eczema to be found! We found that we could manage his symptoms by removing milk and only some milk based products. We switched Dr's right away and my new Dr. was so impressed that she started recommending to other parents to try different things to cure both constipation and eczema. She had great success with many other kids.

So, while I am sure that there are certain irritants that are much more difficult to remove from a childs life, I am so glad we took the rode of discovery vs. trying to keep ahead of his symptoms. Quality of life for my son dramatically increased!

Wow!! Good for you for following your gut and not being afraid to try something. You know, with my first daughter I probably wouldn't have dont that, but now that I am a wee bit older and wiser, I am much more open to trying other things. It seems like their little bodies are trying to tell us things; if only it were easier to figure things out!!

 

[toesmom]

When I give my ds baths with the sea salt, it's diluted in the water so even if it gets on his skin it doesn't burn. So I wouldn't worry about little ones splashing it in their eyes.

It's a completely natural remedy. In fact, my parents always told me if I have a sore throat to gargle with salt water. Tastes terrible, but works every time.

I posted about the Renew cream/sea salt bath because it seems to be the only thing that has helped his skin. All these ideas are great, I only wish when my little guy was scratching his skin off, that I had access to some of these ideas.

Hope these ideas help some other moms who are struggling with kids whose skin is so itchy it keeps them from sleeping properly at night. Tired baby = tired mom = no one is happy in the house!!!

 

[bookgirl]

Just FYI: prolonged use of steroid skin creams will cause the skin to thin and lose elasticity. It's not usually much of a problem for kids, but in adults it can get painful, and it makes wrinkles worse.

Not all supermarkets have sea salt; usually just those who cater to a more gourmet population; it can be hard to get if you live in the boonies. Trader Joe's always has it, and so does Penzey's Spices.

Walmart carries sea salt, it's with the regular table salt, also they have bath salts which are sea salts but like op said look and make sure it is pure sea salt.

 

[RALIKA]

where can you get this renew cream?

 

[drag n' fly]

Is this cream available in Canada?

 

[mdsouth]

My son has eczema all his life. He is ten now and it is typically under control. In the winter months he does have some flare-ups. We took him to several doctors when he was younger, including a leading pediatric dermatologist. The specialist, said the same thing many of you have already mentioned. It is important to limit the baths and to use warm water not hot water. But the main thing he told us to do was to put Crisco Solid Shortening (vegetable lard) on his outbreaks.
He said that for his hands we should lather them up and then have him wear gloves to bed.

We also have had to use Elidel (non steroid cream) from time to time or
1% Hydrocortisone cream to control the flare-ups.

 

[Daydreamer64]

How much sea salt do you add to the bath water?

And- my little guy is not circ'd- he's intact so... - does the salt water irritate that area it when it's under the skin? Sorry but I don't have anyone else to ask- all of my friend's boys are circ'd. Do I rinse that area after the bath with tap water? This is probably a dumb question but I just want to make sure that he doesn't end up itching there too !
Thanks!