Help W/ Eczema on 6 Month

Updated on February 03, 2012
N.S. asks from Culver City, CA
101 answers

My 6 month old has had a rash in the creases of her arms and behind her knees for nearly 5 months now. The doctor said it's eczema and to just put lotion on it, but its really bothering her now. She tries to itch it with her hand and feet any chance she gets, and now shes starting to cry when she does itch it. Its bright red and super dry. Is she too young to use cortizone cream on it? Does any one have a simple remedy? Help, were desperate!

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So What Happened?

Thank you SO MUCH for all your advise, I truly appreciate it. I started using 1/2% coritzone on her yesterday and the rash is already gone. I've also been putting the Gentle Natures eczema lotion on her. Seems to be working. Now all I need to do is figure out how to get her to sleep through the night. She literally gets up every 2-3 hours.

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R.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son had eczema and we started putting 1 tsp. cold pressed flaxseed oil in his bottle once a day and then also massaged him with the contents of one evening primrose oil pill in the evenings. Eczema disappeared (we had previously been using Eucerin, he hated it and it didn't work). Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Go to Whole Foods - buy California Baby Calendula First Aid cream - - it heals the rash quickly. Then, cut out all dairy from diet. Worked for us with 2 babies with itchy scratchy "eczema".

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L.G.

answers from San Diego on

Melaleuca has the BEST lotion (RENMEW) in the world she'll love it will love it and so will you, its soothing and will relieve severely dry skin caused by .
1. Eczema
2. Rosacea
3. Psoriasis
4. Diebetes
this is clinically proven shown better than Eucerin

Contact me:
www.thewhycircle.com/lgil2009

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

My daughter had it too. We had good results with using Cetaphil for bodywash. (Don't use Johnson & Johnson - the perfumes can be irritating.) Cortaid for specific itchy areas and Aquaphor as a moisturizer. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Both of my boys had eczema, pretty bad. Here are the things we did that worked for us! 1. Use Dreft and double rinse your laundry (even YOUR clothes) and don't use any fabric softener or dryer sheets, even the non-allergenic brands are too harsh. 2. Eucerin cream - not the lotion, but the thick cream that comes in a tub. Use this EVERY night before bed. We also used to mix 50/50 Eucerin cream and hydrocortisone in a separate tub and apply that when the rash was worse. 3. Aveeno bath products, the oatmeal bar soap is the mildest. Also in a bottle: "Soothing relief creamy wash" is good. Their daily lotion is good for during the day when you don't want the greasy cream all over. They also make a "soothing bath treatment" a powder that comes in a box. Mix this in with her bath once in a while to relieve the symptoms. 4. Don't bathe her every day. Every other day is fine or even every third unless she's dirty/sweaty. And when you do bathe her she shouldn't soak very long, just in and out then lotion immediately after. 5. Cotton clothes/pjs/sheets. 6.This should've been #1 instead of #6 as it was probably the biggest problem...eczema is an immune system response. In an infant that usually mean allergy, often FOOD allergy. In my research I found that Dairy product is often the culprit. When we elliminated dairy from their diets, it really helped clear it up. But I still did all the skin care routines to make sure it stayed in check. If you are nursing, be aware that your diet may be affecting her as well, if a food allergy is her trigger. That was the case with one of my sons. I had to eliminate dairy from my diet as well. This post is getting WAY too long but if you want to get in touch with me, feel free!! I have been down this road and back so I'm here for you! Good luck! :-)Janet

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

So sorry to hear of your baby's skin plight.

Here are some links that might be helpful:
http://www.baby-medical-questions-and-answers.com/baby-ec...
http://www.askbaby.com/baby-eczema.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?Baby-Eczema---Eczema-Treatments...
http://www.undermyskin.co.uk/general/faqs.htm
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/skin/...

On itching:
http://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/eczema.htm?Source=Goo...
http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=...
http://www.colloidaloatmeal.com/index.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Eczema-Treatment-That-Preve...
http://www.epinions.com/review/Gentle_Naturals_Baby_Eczem...

it seems very informative and complete.

Perhaps, see a Dermatologist, versus a "Pediatrician" as an alternative.

The causes vary from baby to baby. Some just have sensitive skin.
I do know however, that eating Oatmeal, for my Mom, causes eczema flare ups in her, as well as anything citrus. And it takes a long time for it to go away. But each individual may vary.

I have also read somewhere recently, that Dreft laundry soap can cause skin problems.

You could try antihistimines...ie: Benadryl or something. BUT ASK YOUR DOCTOR first.

In Hawaii, we use the "Aloe" plant leaves for any wounds or skin problems or burns. It is healing. You slice open the succulent leaf, and use the inside flesh to rub onto the skin problem...and it will dry leaving a protective film over the skin. It's natural and not harsh and as far as I know, it "safe." But you may want to research it.

Other people switch their household cleaning supplies, laundry soaps, and baby wash soaps to something hypo-allergenic or more "natural" based.

Is she breast for formula fed? Is she on solids? Sometimes, as you probably know, things that the Mother eats, can leach into the breastmilk as well, and cause possible reactions or allergies in the baby. But this also varies from baby to baby.

Try ask your Doctor for any "anti-itch" creams... that can help... prescription strength kind.

Steroid creams, under your Doctor's guidance can be used. But not for continued or prolonged use.

I really hope this helps... I know it's not a pleasant ordeal for the baby or Parent. Even my Mom, as an adult... her eczema drives her crazy and it's not easy to go away. For her, she just has to wait it out. Or sometimes, stress makes the condition worse for her.

All the best,
Susan

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S.G.

answers from Las Vegas on

I had the exact same issue with my son.

We tried EVERY lotion/cream, perscription and OTC.Nothing worked .

It went away 100% when we switched to soy milk. Beautiful skin....no eczema.

BTW....Vasoline intensive repair lotion is clinically proven to moisturize better than any of the other major OTC products (aquafor, aveeno, vasoline, etc). You can check out their studies online.

My son still has somewhat sesenitive skin. I use the lotion mentioned above, and I use 2.5% hydrocortosone (rx) on occation.

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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have the same ongoing issue with my 4 yr old. She has had eczema since she was 2 mos old. We have had to change all of her soaps to mild and fragrance free products. Try Aveeno Baby fragrance free or California Baby Sensitive which both work great. We have also tried the Arbonne ABC line which is great, but pricey and not easy to get if you run out last minute(you need to buy from a rep). We have been using hydro cortizone 1% cream since she was about 5 mos old. Our pediatrician says you can use it everyday without any harm. When she was about 1 yr old, he prescribed Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream 0.025% which we were able to use for upto 10 days at a time when outbreaks were really bad. She is beginning to outgrow it now, so there is hope in sight for you. It did get much better when she started to grow into or out of her "baby fat" and the rolls disappeared leaving less area to be bothered. Good Luck!

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A.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

I have eczema myself and I find using pure lavender essential oil diluted in olive oil works good. 1 drop lavender per teaspoon of olive oil is the ratio I use. Apply 3-4 times per day.

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P.D.

answers from San Diego on

Try Burt's Bees Apricot Oil. My neices tried everything out there and this is the only product that worked. When my daughter got a dry red patch, I applied the oil a few times a day with a cotton ball, and the dry patch was gone after a few days. The product is 98% natural, so its better than all that other stuff.

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J.W.

answers from San Diego on

My son had this when he was a baby and it turned into psoriasis (sic). Do not use cortisone cream as it thins the skin according to a reliable source.

This may be an immune system thing and I would try a natural anti fungal. Take her to a dermatologist and ask that she be tested to make sure what it is. Sunlight may help, as my son tans to keep his in control.

Good luck, Jacque

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K.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

It sounds like it may be an allergic reaction. Have you assessed her diet? Have you taken her to an allergist? You might want to have her allergy-tested, so you can remove whatever is causing this rash from her diet. Even getting a second opinion (besides your doctor) would be helpful. Good Luck!
Katharine

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A.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son has very bad exzema and we give him Backing Soda Baths, after the bath we put hydrocortizone on the problem areas, then he is covered in Vaseline. It works great. Try the Backing Soda it works.

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E.K.

answers from San Diego on

YOu have had a lot of great responses. Go the natural route like the other mothers have said. Remember everything you put on your baby's skin goes into there little system and has to be cleansed out through the liver. That is why cortisone and steriods are not a good option. They just cover up the problem and don't resolve it. Burt Bees or any of the organic lines are great. I have heard dairy is not great for eczema either. I read in Baby Talk magazine last month that probiotics help with excezema. You may want to look into that. Good luck.

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P.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

the ONLY way I have found to effectively get rid of the eczema and KEEP it gone (my son also has it) call Dr. Mao in Santa Monica and he makes a special cream that gets rid of it!!

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C.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Eczema is a sign of an allergy. I would get a second opinion. Ask if you can use a cortisone cream on a young baby. That would clear it up quick. You can also give your baby oatmeal baths. Also the baby needs to stay dry and cool. No woolen clothes. Stick with pure cotton clothing. The best lotion I found so far is Aveeno Baby with the oatmeal in it. Is is soothing and can help. Do you breast feed or use a formula? Are you using a milk based formula or a soy based? My allergy child started with cradle cap at six weeks and by age three was having hives. We used oatmeal bathes, steroid creams (over the counter) and Benedryl to help with the itching. He also periodically broke out in eczema too. He took allergy shots for years. I really think you have an allergy baby here. Good luck and find a pediatrician that specializes in skin problems. I don't like the attitude of the one you have. I'll bet this doctor is male. Find a female pediatrician or a nurse practitioner. I found that the nurse practitioners were so much more knowledgeable about the day to day problems that mothers have with kids!

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S.V.

answers from San Diego on

My daughter started having eczema on her fasce when she was 3 month old. That stopped and then it began in the creases of her arms. I use aquaphor after her bath and throughout the day if neccessary. It seems to get better, but eczema reacts to hot or cold dry weather, so most of the year it seems to be there to some degree. It doesn't seem to bother her as long as I keep the aquaphor on it. I don't like to use the steroid creme (cortizone) unless it's really bad and I'll only use it for a few days until it get's a little better, then use aquaphor again.

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L.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have found that Eucerin Calming Creme works great. My son had excema at five months, and the doctor told me to use this before trying any steroid or cortizone creams. I also use olive oil on those really bad days.

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J.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

It may be a yeast infection now. My son had that when he was young. He is 15 now, but I remember that it was very annoying. You could try Lotrimin, in case it is fungal. Or maybe go back to the Dr. for some other med.

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A.V.

answers from Phoenix on

My daughters eczema started before she was 6 months. I had her skin allergy tested and found several allergies, then at 3 yrs old they did a blood test and said she was allergic to dairy. Eczema is caused by an allergy of some sort. When I cut dairy, the eczema goes away. I would seek a pediatric allergy specialist to find out what she is allergic to. Good Luck.

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D.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dear N.,
Here's your answer:
http://kangenwaterworks4u2.com/affsites/global/movie.php?m=2
(Watch the video)

I am full of information about this 'Miracle Water'...Kangen. If you'd like me to send you an information package send your mailing address to: ____@____.com my email address.

I've used this water on my grandaughter's stomach. Her rash resembled eczema in the worst way. The 'water' worked quickly! We'd tried many other treatments and nothing worked like the water and it worked quickly and we no longer need to spray the area.

Healthy Blessings to you~
D. C.

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A.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son is 2 1/2 months old and has eczema behind his ears and on his face. His pediatrician recommended that I use Aquafor and it has worked wonders. It's kind of sticky like vaseline but it really works. I just put it on as much as possible throughout the day (that's what the doctor told me to do) and I make sure to do it after I give him a bath. You should be able to find it at your local drugstore. Good luck!!

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L.B.

answers from Honolulu on

Let me preface this by saying I am not selling anything - you'd need to find a representative in your area...but my child had the same condition and I used the baby products from Arbonne - they worked wonders...the rep could explain it more but honestly they are all natural so you don't mind using it often on your child...I think you can check on www.arbonne.com

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A.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

aveeno oatmeal bath works wonders!

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T.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

N.
Do not bath your baby to often. Every other day or every 2 days is better. Use only tepid water not warm or hot it makes the skin dryer. I use Aquaphor healing ointment and healing wash you can buy it at CVS. The key is to keep it from getting dry. I apply right after a bath and about 4 more times throughout the day. Try washing the clothes in unscented laundry soap and keeping a food diary to try and find out the triggers. I also use Aveno they have a great oatmeal bath too. Thease are my tips I hope they work.

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G.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

There is a very rich lotion on the market called AQUAPHOR, my 2nd husband had very eczema and the dermitoligist recommended he use this , it is wonderful, only put it in the areas affected, good luck .

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D.W.

answers from San Diego on

Hi N.,

My best suggestion is to try Arbonne's (ABC) baby car products on your daughter. It's safe for her - all of the products are pure, safe, and beneficial and I bet it will get rid of the problem.

You can read more about the ABC line at www.arbonne.com. If you like it and would like to order, check out www.debiwigchert.myarbonne.com. I wouldn't use anything else on my son!!!!!

All the best,
D.

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C.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

Chances are she could be allergic to dairy products. 2 of my children had that and both have outgrown it. It can be a problem as it does itch and lotion will not help it. I used a cortizone cream to keep it under control. Diet may help as well.

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J.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

I use Hydrocortizone .5% cream for my twins and also Aquafor for Babies. My twins are also 5 months old, but they were 11 weeks premature. They were using cortizone on them when they were as young as 2 months old in the NICU. My twins get rashes easily especially on their faces. The cortizone clears it up in just a day or two. Good Luck.

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D.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello,
My daughter is 22 months and has had mild eczema since about 8 months old. We use cortizone. It seems to help her and her doctor approved. Ask your doctor if it is okay to use cortizone or a similar product. Also the doctor suggested we pat her down after her bath instead of rubbing her dry.

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C.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

My now 3 year old had eczema as a baby, which led into other allergies as he got older. I knew that it was more than just a skin condition, but rather something coming from his insides. I did NOT use cortizone creams and only used Weleda products on him. I especially recommend the Calendula Ointment, which works wonders. I now only use Earth Mama Angel Baby products on both my 3 and nearly 5 year old. If you start researching the toxic chemicals in commercial products, you would be shocked. It is not a myth that we absorb all of the chemicals into our bodies. As a store owner (Belly Sprout) I was often approached by Arbonne to carry their baby line. It has been over a year since they sent me samples and I was shocked to see the ingredients in their "natural" products. I do NOT recommend them.

I eliminated a host of allergy producing foods; wheat, dairy, soy, fish and nuts from both of our diets, since I am still breast-feeding. This has been more of a help than any cream. Remember inflammation on the outside, inflammation on the inside. I have been searching an alternative route for my childs health, as conventional medicine does not get to the root of the problem. We are now seeing Dr. David Karaba at East west Medical in Fullerton ###-###-####. He is an acupuncturist as well as a NAET practitioner (google this; it's too long to explain!) and have seen tremendous results. We can eat eggs, where we have not been able to for a few years. Dr. Karaba is a gift and I highly recommend him to ALL of the moms who come into my store.

I fully believe we can heal our bodies with healthy foods and greener lifestyles, especially eliminating toxic chemicals in everyday products. Please check out our website, www.bellysprout.com, as we have experts lecturing about health and wellness in our store. Our next Mommy Mingles Luncheon will be discussing allergies that arise from our toxic homes!

Good luck!

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W.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Cortizone creams can scar your baby's skin, I would stay away from them. Go to Whole Foods or Henry's market and pick the Carlson for Kids DHA, you can sqeeze it in to her milk, juice or cereal, it is fish oils and will work wonders for her skin, plus it is an incredible supplement for brain functions and development. You have to remember that skin conditions can also be a cause of something happening on the inside, therefore, you must treat it inside out.

The best thing you can do for her is to give her the fishoils, get her off all dairy products and oatmeal, it can be very harsh on a baby with sensitivity. Change your bathing products to Burts Bees, it is a wonderful product and they have some great creams in their baby line too. You can also purchase laundry detergent that is allergen free and has no fragrance or harsh chemicals.

Check out the fish oils at www.carlsonlabs.com if you are nursing, you should take them too and get yourself off all of dairy prodcuts as well.

Good luck to you both!
W.

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P.S.

answers from San Diego on

My son, now 4+, also has eczema. He's had it for about 2 years now. We tried the cortisone, had some temporary relief, but it came back when we stopped. I asked for a dermatology consult and got it. His derm said to use Eucerin or Cetaphil Cream (not lotion) and use it often, at least 2x a day. She also had us change his bath soap to Cetaphil. It was abated his break out for long period of time and when they do flare up, they go away within a day or so. Since your kiddo is much younger, I would still persist with a derm consult, but don't just let your peds blow you off. It's way uncomfortable and there is ways to treat it. It seems I unfortunately passed this on to my son, as I too have it.

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C.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

I know you have lots and lots of suggestions, but plain old petroleum jelly works wonders. My kids doc recommended it, and unlike some creams it does not sting when first applied. Also it is cheap. And in this day and age that counts!

Good luck.

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S.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Just read this haven't been on for a while. Try using Aquaphor made by Eucerin. It's in the lotion sections it's an oily lotion and works great. Your also not going to be able to use adult laundry soap or fabric softners until well after toddlerhood. Sensative skin doesn't work with those so get very used to Dreft only! My doctor recommended all of the above and it's been great! Worth a try.

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

O.m.g.
well i had the same problem...now i am 29 but i had it since baby too.

Well let me introduce you this cream that changed my skin and my life...people don't understand how horrible is when you have excessive dryness in your skin it cause you to feel a lot of uncomfortable things.

Well I recommend it and people and they dont believe how good this cream works and is 7 times concentrated that ucerin- aveno etc.

I am glad i saw your post.. you baby deserve it!
give me a call ###-###-#### (leave me a message)

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M.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

N.,

You should also try washing your baby with Cetaphil. It's more gentle than baby wash. I use it on my son and on my face - per my Dematologist recommendation. I also use the lotion. My brother has had great success with it too.

Good luck.
M.

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D.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

I second the Arbonne baby product line for eczema. My son suffered from it until recently, and whenever there was a flair up (when we bathed him too often, or when my husband forgot to oil or lotion him after bath) the symptoms went away with the use of these products. PM me or contact me through my website (www.danatrevino.myarbonne.com) if you are interested. I signed up as a consultant after seeing the results on him, but just don't have time for the business aspect of it right now. I do enjoy helping people find products that work, so let me know if you have any questions.

D.

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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi
My son has the same issue. I use Aveeno, and I put it on him at night while he is sleeping, and after baths
Good luck

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S.W.

answers from Reno on

I myself suffered from eczema as a child and to this day and my daughter also has the same problem. My Dr. prescriped a steroid cream but I only like to use it, if the rash gets really bad. I just use 1% hydrocortizone cream. It works great and I put it on in the morning after a bath and if she gets red and itcy. I buy it in bulk and costco or sams club. It works great and takes away the itching. It is what my mom also used on me as a kid. Good luck.

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B.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

My daughter and grandaughter both have/had very sensitive skin. What has finally given them relief is this.....a complete overhaul of all cleaning products. By that I mean body soap for sensitive skin...hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free. They always recommend Cetaphyl. Hypo-allergenc lotions for sensitive skin and there are lots on the market. As an adult my daughter did use the cortizone cream but it was only temporary relief. Also, for washing clothes you need to find something that is for sensitive skin and air-drying her clothes might help. Also, watch out what she lays on....carpet is usually not a good choice. My little grandaughter was also checked for food allergies which could be a contributing factor. Good luck!

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J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

N.,

Makes me really sick when a doctor does only this. You need to be the active one in you and your child's health decisions. Find out what your baby is allergic to or what causes inflammation. You did not say whether you are breatfeeding or using formula.

The first thing I would look at is removing all dairy and replace what you can with rice or almond varieties.

Second - look at the vaccines that your baby is getting. Become as informed as you can about the ingredients in them, spacing them out, or just plain not ingecting some of them.

Third - do not put lotions and such that have perfumes, dyes, petroleum on your baby's skin. These are all irritants. Also Sodium Laurel Sulfates are extrememly drying and it is in most shampoos, bubble baths, body washes. Check out the product that I use that also has a one-year guarantee, www.sensaria.com/J. I also offer a 20% discount to Mamasource.

Here is information to check out regarding vaccines:

Dr. Robert Sears, The Vaccine Book.
Dr. Stephanine Cave, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Childhood Vaccinations

www.generationrescue.com
www.909shot.com
www.tacanow.org

I've been there, done that with the eczema and it means that there are autoimmune responses going haywire in the body. You need to find the cause, not just treat the symptom.

Good luck and good job on wanting to know more about this and not just taking the doctor's word for it. The next thing he /she will do for it? Steriods. Not a path you want to start taking:o)

J.

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T.

answers from Las Vegas on

N.,

Eczema is allergy related. My son is almost 2 and he's got eczema. He's allergic to both dairy and soy. When I was breastfeeding I had to be completely dairy and soy free (including hidden dairy and soy in other foods which means I had to read the ingredient labels on EVERYTHING) and he's still completel dairy and soy free now. If you are nursing, I'd recommend trying an elimination diet and if you are using formula, switch to a hypoallergenic kind. My son drinks Similac Alimentum but when he was younger he was too sensitive so we had to use Neocate (which is special order, you can get it through a pharmacy or online). We had a pediatric GI doctor when he was younger because his allergies also caused him to be colicy and have really bad reflux. Once we got the allergy problem under control, everything else just improved too.

My son has some environmental allergies too. As long as we keep his diet dairy and soy free and keep him clean (everyone says to not bathe an eczema prone baby but our allergist told us the opposite because eczema is an itch that rashes so keeping him clean helps keep him less itchy) and "creamed" (cetaphil or eucerin or aquaphor cream NOT lotion), his eczema is under control. He has a light rash on his cheeks and that is it (before he had it all over his face, arms and down his legs and it was BAD). When it was really bad I'd soak him in the tub for at least 15-20 minutes each day (sometimes 2-3 times a day) with colloidial oatmeal (you get it at the pharmacy). It helped a lot. You've got to control the itching to control the scratching to control the eczema.

One last thing, our pediatrician put him on Singular (granules, I mix them into his formula) a couple of months ago and that really seems to help him too. He's been sick less frequently and we've had less trouble with his eczema. I have no idea why it has helped but it has.

If you are nursing and do an elimination diet or if you switch to a different formula, you need to give the trial at least a month to see if it will work. It takes 3-4 weeks for dairy proteins to leave your system after you quit eating them and then some time after that for the skin to heal but you should start seeing improvement within a month. If you haven't, you haven't identified the problem yet.

:-)T.

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M.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hi N.,
Others have already mentioned about allergy testing and I would suggest that too. My son, who is now 15 months had ezcema at 4 months. Weve tried cortizone creams and aquaphor (which we're using daily) which seems to control it but not 100%. We found out he was allergic to eggs and peanuts after he turned a year. There is a high correlation between allergies and eczema and it wouldn't hurt to get your daughter to have them tested for allergens. Talk to your pediatrician. They may refer you to an allergist.

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L.Z.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

Looks like you've already been given lots of good advice.
Process of elimination is a great start to see if it is an allergic reaction, it could be one thing or a few things so remember to remove one thing at a time so you'll know which it might be.

I went through a similar situation with my son and here are a few things that helped me...

My infant son suffered from eczema and "contact dermatitis". He was very allergic to caustic ingredients, including most laundry detergents (including Dreft) and a cheap preservative called Quaternium-15. Sadly, it is in most J&J baby products and many other popular names out there. So please CHECK OUT THE INGREDIENTS and if your product has it in it....please stop using it right away!

This website is great, click below to see what types of products have it. There are even pics of rashes to show you what it can do to the skin, so you can compare your daughter's rash. It might save you a trip to the dermatologist.
http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/quaternium-allergy.html

I was also introduced to Melaleuca ~ The Wellness Company, and I can honestly say that a combination of their products have helped clear up my son's skin condition. Completely gone! We had suffered through cortizone creams (steroids) presciption ointments and I just didn't feel comfortable putting strong oinments on his baby skin. I tried a lot of OTC lotions too, sounds like the same ones you've tried.

If it is eczema, you can watch this short clip and see if this is something you'd want to try:
http://about.melaleuca.com/2c_Renew_Lotion.html

I've learned so much! Our skin is like a sponge, so anything it comes in contact with can cause "contact dermatitis" in sensitive individuals. Including food, laundry detergents, shampoos, body wash, lotion, perfume, cleaning supplies and floor cleaners that your baby may walk or crawl around. I was able to replace all these types of items and more with Melaleuca.

This can help you learn about non-cautic cleaners:
http://about.melaleuca.com/2b_Ecosense_Cleaners.html

Best wishes to you and hang in there!

www.SaferIsBetter.com/LisaZ and you can even get some free products when you order, I did!!

:) Hope this is helpful information for you, I know you have had a ton of responses!

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K.N.

answers from San Diego on

Our pediatrician told us to be VERY careful about putting standard lotions on your baby. They can be very irritating to your baby's skin. And even those lotions & other stuff that have lavender for "soothing" - they just make your baby's skin problems worse. Even the massage oils usually will cause problems.

The simplest remedy I got from my pediatrian - The one and only thing I have ever use on my little girl is Aquaphor (or Eucerin or generic brand). The best way and easiest way (and saves alot of money cuz your not constantly trying different products) to help your babies skin is to simply put aquaphor on your baby's skin right after you give them a bath - before they are completely dry. Its a little messy, but I know it has helped my little girls skin soooo much! I stopped using diaper creams and all those "baby lotions" and only use that now. If you put it on before they are completely dry it will help to lock in the extra moisture into their skin. This is what my pediatrician recommended for me when my daughter was very small & it has been a staple in our family since.

Another thing my pediatrician recommended to me is that when you bathe your baby - make sure before you take them out of the tub is to rinse them down one last time with fresh water - not the water you've been using for the actual bath. This will help to make sure you get all the extra soap & chemicals off of their skin.

If you don't give your baby a bath every day, then just simply put the aquaphor on the areas that are the worst at night - so it helps moisturize those areas while they are sleeping and not so active.

I too would be very hesitant about using any kind of cortizone product on a baby so young - unless the doctor is telling you to - or gives you a prescribed kind specifically for your infant.

I hope this helps & you find some relief for your little one!

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B.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son has eczema too. The best lotion for me is Eucerin and Aquaphor. The Dr also gave a 2% prescription for some Hydrocortizone cream. Ask your Dr about using Hydrocortizone as it is a steriod and they will want you to use small amounts. I use the cream 2 times a day for two weeks and it has prevented any flare ups around the creases behind his elbows and knees. It turns out my son is allergic to eggs and we think that is what causes his to flare up. You might want to look into allergy testing at some point. Hope this helps!

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Y.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

You might want to try Aquaphor by Eucerin. My son has K.P. on his arms and face and my pediatrician recommended it to keep those areas hydrated. Aquaphor can also be found in most supermarkets and drugstores, in a variety of forms. I'm looking into the Arbonne line of products for my son. Another Mamasource mom and friend, Barbara Littler, sent me the product line information along with some free samples and the products seem great. There is a specific line designed just for babies. If you want to get more information on Arbonne, contact Barbara at ###-###-#### or ____@____.com luck!

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R.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have used cortizone cream on my daughter sparingly because she too has eczema. My doctor recommended using it - making sure to rub it in really well on each spot. I did this when she was 4 months and never had an issue.

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M.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

My son also had eczema when he was very young. His dermatologist recommended "Vanicream" and it worked wonders! I still use it on him occasionally and use it myself in place of all the Bath and Body creams I used to use. You can find it behind the counter at pharmacies. It's not a prescription drug but it used as a compounding cream with other medications. By itself, it's wonderful on eczema. Just ask for it at the pharmacy counter.

The doctor had us give our son two showers (NO BATHS!) per day, blot him damp, not dry, and massage the cream in everywhere but the diaper area. We saw improvement almost immediately.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

M.

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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

hi N.....please take your child to the pediatrician. I too thought my child had eczema, but it was getting worse and spreading so I took him to his doctor and it turned out to be a fungus. The medicine worked, but I'm actually taking him back to the doctor's tomorrow because it came back and now I am very concerned. It is getting worse by the day.
So, please have her/him checked by a doctor.

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N.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

Looks like you have gotten some very good responses. My 5 year old daughter had it as a baby (she outgrew it at about 2) and my 6 month old son has it REALLY bad now too. He has it on his cheeks, arm and leg creases and well as spots on his "down there" parts. He actually will scratch at the parts he can reach, so I know it must really bother him and it breaks my heart!

Here's what his Ped said to do:

She changed his formula to Good Start DHA/ARA from Enfamil. She said it could be a milk allergy and the Good Start, while still milk-based, was broken down differently and he might be able to digest it better. It has seemed to help a bit. I didn't go Soy because my daughter got horrible constipation and gas from it. But all kids are different...

1st and foremost, keep the skin hydrated! I rub a bit of Aquaphor on the really super dry parts every couple hours or so or when it looks like it's absorbed. This seems to help. I keep a little travel sized tube of it in my diaper bag (it's good for chapped lips too).

You have 3 minutes after taking the baby out of the bath to PAT her dry-DO NOT RUB and lotion. Do not get her completely dry before lotioning. Leave some moisture on the skin to mix with the lotion/cream. We use a combo of Euerin, Albolene (it's SUPER greasy, though, so we only use this at night), Aquaphor and Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream. We were also prescribed a steroid lotion that works really well when the above fails.

I also lotion him up after every diaper change. I figure, I'm there and he's semi-naked, so I slather him. It can't hurt...

Next, stop using any kind of liquid soap! Even if it is perfume free, it is still VERY drying. Our Dr. recommended Dove Unscented beauty bar. Sure, it's not tear-free, but I don't wash his face with soap anyway...

Make sure baby's nails are cut at all times. It's a tough thing to be on top of (especially if you have a squirmy monkey like I do), but the eczema does itch and they make it worse by scratching and could get an infection.

It's hard to see your little one like this, but know that there is a good chance she will out grow it.

Good luck!
N.

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P.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

My daughter had eczema, too. It could be a food allergy. Try removing dairy from her diet and see if her eczema improves. If not, it could be another food. Also, try dressing her only in cotton, and keep using lotion, especially right after a bath. Good luck!

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A.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I don't know about cortizone cream, but you may not need it - my son had horrible eczema from shortly after he was born until he was 6 months old. I did three things. I don't know which worked (or if it was a combination of the three), but the eczema cleared up immediately. 1. I used the Disney baby eczema cream (you can buy it at Target). It's a little expensive, but worth every penny. It comes in a teal-ish blue tube with Disney (I think Winnie the Pooh) characters on the front of it. 2. I switched his baby wash from Johnson's (which I was told by another mom really irritated her child's skin) to Burt's Bees (also available at Target). 3. I bought some sensitive baby laundry detergent (like Dreft).

These are all a little more expensive than other options, but they worked fantastically. My son had his eczema for a long time, and this cleared it up completely, and it has never come back. I hope this helps!

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H.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son started getting eczema around 4 months along with strange little bumps on his face & he cried all the time. I found he was allergic to dairy, wheat and chocolate (the only way to really find this out is though process of elimination). Since I was breastfeeding, it was so hard to try to beat it. But it was so worth it in the long run. He's 3 now and still is allergic to dairy & chocolate, but out grew the wheat (and his dairy/chocolate are minor). You may want to try to start eliminating the big allergen's (wheat,dairy,eggs) and see if it clears up - it's much healthier then giving her a steroid cream every day. Good Luck!

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J.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

my son has it (he is now 13), but was diagnosed with it at 2. they found he was allergic to different things, i dont know if your child is too young to be tested for allergies, but that is somewhere to start. for example, if your using detergent,softener or dryer sheets with fragrance - switch to fragnance free - those are usually the ones that have the word 'allergy-free' attached to it. my son has allergies to many weeds and grasses, dust and dog dander, although they have subsided over the years he still has minor reactions, but no longer on his skin, its mostly runny nose and itchy eyes. oh also! - he puts on vaseline all over his body (especially the areas of concern - his legs where he would itch the most) RIGHT AFTER the shower, it seals in the moisture, something that helps counter-act the eczema. hope that helps.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

are you breast feeding or formula? I ask because she is so young and has had it for so long it's probably not a food allergy but could be the formula. My son had a really bad exema reaction to rice cereal at 6 months and then it took me 6 weeks to figure out he was allergic to rice. and now that he is 3 we just steer clear of things that have rice in them. Until recently he broke out in the creases of his wrist on one arm and the crease of his elbow in the other arm. It took 3-4 weeks and consistent use if the cortizone cream with more lotion on top (advise from our Nurse Practioner) with no luck. Then I decided that it could be the fact that we switched from name brand to generic Milk and sure enough his arms cleared up in a few days and are back to his smooth baby soft skin again. I can't really imagine what could be that different in milks but I'm sure it's some hormone that his body just couldn't tollerate. So see if it's something she's ingesting first then I would look into the degergent etc. Good luck!

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K.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N....my son, 10 months, is currently going through a bout of eczema, which was made worse by the hot weather we've been having. He said that eczema will be irritated by dramatic changes in temperature (hot or cold), and contact with strong fragrances in soaps, lotions, colognes, or perfumes. The doc said the best to use is Aquaphor. It's an ointment, but some people don't like it because it can be greasy. The next best is cream by Eucerne, Lubriderm, or Aveeno. Then, there's lotion by Aveeno, which is okay. He told us to use Benadryl before bed to help our son sleep until the itching subsides. He also said hydracortizone topical could be prescribed to help relieve the itching. (Ours was a foam because his in on his scalp.)

In addition, I'm using the Aveeno Baby soothing oatmeal bath each night. You can bathe the baby without using soap. It's very soothing. Then before night I lather him up with the ointment and cream, give him a dose of benadryl and he's able to get to sleep. During the day we use the topical foam in the morning, then I pat on the Aquaphor throughout the day as needed. It's been 3 days and we're already seeing improvement.

Best wishes. I hope your little is feeling better soon.

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D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

have you tried putting a filter on your faucet in the tub? could be the water is too harsh..try googling eczema..there are a lot of remedies..calendula cream or oil could be good...since she's 6 months old i think it's ok to give her fish oil now..they have it for little ones at Wholefoods.

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J.D.

answers from Reno on

Call your doctor to make sure, but I don't think she's too young for 1/2% hydrocortizone cream. It worked wonders on all of our children who have been cursed with eczema. Good luck! :)

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S.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

My son has asthma and he gets eczema along with it..on his eyes too. The doctor suggests to use .5 Hydrocortizone cream and to moisturize with aquaphor.

hope this helps.

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B.B.

answers from San Diego on

We dealt with a similar circumstance when my DD was around 6 months. Cortizone was recommended by our doctor...but we used Aquaphor daily which cleared it up. Also, we took dairy/soy out of her diet for a few months. We did allergy testing...but at 6 months, it is kind of pointless because you can have false negatives or positives.

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J.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hey N.!

Listen to Lesa Z!!! I too have been intorduced to the company Melaleuca!!!! OUTSTANDING PRODUCTS!!!! My kids are never sick. Process of elimination is like a lifetime! Lesa Z can get you a product NOW to help your daughter!!!

GOOD LUCK!!

J. C

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C.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

both of my kids had eczema as infants and our pediatrician said to put cortizone cream and heavy moisturizer like aquaphor ointment on it. it helped the itching and helped clear the skin up, too. also, limit bathing to just a few times per week.
good luck!
C.

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T.H.

answers from Las Vegas on

I have two kids that have eczema and I have problems with it too. I know how your feeling! I have found a great product that has worked really well for us. It is called Medicine Man and it comes from a company online. www.prettybabynaturals.com It is pretty expensive but it works! Even if you don't buy the lotion make sure to keep the skin well hydrated.

I have also found out that if you use a hairdryer and blow hot air towards the area that itches, it will make it stop itching. Be really careful not to burn the skin but you do have to get the skin warm.

Good luck!!

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K.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi,

We had huge eczema problems when our daughter was a baby & toddler. DO NOT put lotion on it. Any dermatologist will tell you that lotion is drying - you have to use CREME. There is a difference - I only know this because of all the things I learned dealing with our problem.

What worked best for us is petroleum jelly and OTC cortisone. Our daughter had severe eczema at 6 months and was actually prescribed Elidil & Protopic which were new at the time and we were assured were safe and better than steroids. We used it regularly only to learn later that they were being black labeled because they cause cancer.

The other things that worked for us were allergy testing and removing allergens from our home and diet, using cotton clothes and mild detergents, Cetaphil to wash and swimming in the pool, which contrary to what we thought was not drying but instead the chlorine seems to have a positive effect on eczema. We heard this from many eczema sufferers before finally trying it.

I would strongly recommend seeing an allergist as eczema is usually caused by some sort of allergy food or environmental.

I hope this helps and just to give you hope - our daughter was treated at Children's Hospital because she was one of the worst cases of eczema and allergies that docs had seen. She is now 6 years old and still has most of her food allergies but she's outgrown most of her environmental ones and her eczema is 99.99 gone and there is no scarring, etc.

Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

Good luck!

K.
mommywood.com

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K.K.

answers from Reno on

N.,

My 4 month old has eczema as well. It really stinks doesn't it? My doctor told me to go get Eucerin cream and apply 5-6 times a day. He also said to apply it before I dry her off after her baths. I am using the Aveeno baby shampoo to bathe her with. My doctor also prescribed a cream for her. I would get your doctor to prescribe one for your little precious. Keep her skin hydrated! Hope this helps!

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B.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

My dr. prescribed arbonne lotion and it took it right away!

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R.M.

answers from San Diego on

My daughter whom is now 15 months has eczama as well and they discovered it at about 2 months. The doctor is correct on keeping lotion (like lubiderm is a perfect one) on it all the time and make sure that you are not giving her a bath everyday and when you do give her a bath dry her extremely well, lotion her up and then get her dressed. You are coming into a hard season though because the breakout happens when it is cooler and dryer. I hope this may be some help to you. Good luck.

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A.T.

answers from Las Vegas on

Get Cetaphil lotion (found at Wal-Mart or any other pharmacy over-the-counter) and use it! Our daughter had eczema and it worked for her. We also quit bathing her so much. We would give her a bath every other day unless she was dirty. Don't use any perfumed or dyed laundry detergent, lotion, or soap on their skin. Also open up the creases and lay them out in the sun for a few minutes. The rays from the sun help to cure rashes (I don't know if it's the vitamins in the sun or if it drys out the rash...anyway it works.).

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J.P.

answers from Reno on

My daughter who is now 10 has had eczema I believe since she came home from the hospital.I had to put socks on her tiny little hands at only a few days old to stop her from scratching her face raw. We have seen many doctors, skin specialists, and even holistic doctors. My dughter has taken MANY , many different things to try and help her situation.The very first cream was clled Elidel , which I believe is no longer offered because it ended up possibly causing skin cancer after prolonged use anyway. So then there was cortizone cream she seemed to like the soothing effect of that, I do not believe she is to young for cortizone cream.I even have had doctors try to prescribe straight up sleeping medicine to keep her from scratching at night. Here is what we have found WORKS1 . First, most important, no cats should be around your baby or around any of her bedding at all. My child would break out horribly around cats. Next, we found a dr. in lodi california who has developed his own cream. It works a miracle, And it does not burn the name of the Dr. is Dr. Kim and the medicine is named " Dr. Kim formula.
I wish you good luck with trying to get this under control, And, be strong, it isnt easy to deal with. Sincerely, J.

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L.G.

answers from San Diego on

HI N.! Poor Baby! If only babies could talk to tell us what they are going through. For eczema for any age I highly recommend Renew Lotion from Melaleuca! Its an AMAZING lotion that penetrates 7 layers of skin, working from the inside out! It has helped relieve the itchy pain for so many people I know, who are now eczema free! Melaleuca is a Wellness Company that that prides itself on quality, eco-friendly, family safe products! I can tell you all about Melaleuca if you'd like to hear more. Also to help your baby, bath her using Melaleuca's Bath Oil. You might also want to consider changing your laundry detergent, bathing products and cleaning products as they can all irritate and aggravate eczema and other health conditions! Once my family switched to Melaleuca products our asthma went away, we became overall healthier, less doctor visits, our dentist was amazed with our teeth, and we can clean the house without feeling that we need to evacuate because of the fumes! I swear by Melaleuca's products! But definately try the Renew Lotion! Best Wishes for you and your family!

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A.H.

answers from San Diego on

It is so uncomfortable for them. Try Aveeno Oatmeal bath...it is a package you pour in the bath water & they soak in. It really helps alleviate the itch & dryness. I know my dermatologist said not to put my son in baths but this stuff helps! Also, try California Baby products, or Cetaphil cream lotion-they are really good.

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A.P.

answers from Honolulu on

Hello N.,

Both of my daughters were born with eczema. Yes, you can use hydrocortisone on them. It worked for my girls. They had it when they were about a few months old as well. They still have outbreaks, but very small outbrteaks. I am surprised that the doctor didn't subscribe the cream for you. The hydrocortisone helps the itching, but ever child is different. I hope this helped.

A.

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son had the same problem with dry patches on his arms and legs and in the creases of his feet, wrists, and elbows. His doctor said the same thing - to use Lubriderm or Eucrin lotion and, if needed, a little bit of cortizone creme. This seemed to help with the itching so his legs could heal. It got so bad a few times that he actually had oozing sores on his ankles when I didn't catch him scratching (at night). He is almost two now and gets the dryness on only the front of his ankles. I still have to use lotion daily to prevent dry outbreaks. I was worried it would be a permanent condition, but the doctor seemed to be right - that it would eventually go away or lessen.

PS. I also keep his nails short so he can't scratch too hard!

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

what i do with my daughter is - only bathe her every other day (unless she needs it), i only use creams not lotions (aveeno baby, eucerine cream, gentle naturals eczema cream), aquafor is a god send for her worst parts (good for at night). it can flare up from a food allergy so maybe get her allergy tested. ask her dr before you use cortizone on her it should be ok a few time a day but ask to be sure. also try to bandge her worst parts at night and even durring the day so she cant scratch them. good luck i hope this helps!

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi:

I would suggest you consult with someone certified in NAET (nambudripad allergy elimination techniques) as I believe eczema is a symptom of allergy, not a disease. The procedure is non-invasive and my baby grand daughter has been cured of several allergies in this manner, which has much improved her life. I go to Dr. David Karaba in Fullerton, at the East West Medical Group.

Best wishes,

M.

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L.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

All four of my children had it. Back in the days. Now that
they are having babies they also have it. I have it myself.
I moved to CA from WI going on 5 years and when I got here I
asked a skin doctor what was the best thing to use. He told me to get "CETAPHIL." N. let me tell you that is the best lotion I have ever used. I even have my daughters using it and they are so happy. They had the kids on pre-meds from the doctor and it wasn't helping. You can get it at Walmart or almost any place. If you have a Costco Wholesale store around you that is where I get it and it's cheaper. They also have it in body wash. I highly recommend this lotion. At my age (won't say what it is) it will never go away for me. I have 3 out of 4 children that out grew it by the age 4. One still has it but not bad. Only give her a bath every other night. Doctor always told me (and I still do it) only use warm water on your body NEVER HOT!!!!!!! Never rub your skin dry, pat it dry. Use the lotion 2 times a day making sure her skin is'nt wet. Also he told me don't rub it it completly let it soak in the skin but don't put a lot of lotion on.
Good luck and like I said I highly recommend this lotion
CETAPHIL.

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T.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

I hope all the advice was helpful, I would just like to add my tid bit. All my children have eczema and what I was told by a determologist to use only dove soap on the kids and simple vaseline when they get out of bath or shower, it helps keep dryness at bay. It has worked great and stay away from fragance products it flares the eczema up. Sorry no more Johnson & Johnson

Hope this helps
T.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

have you t ried getting all wheat & Cows Milk out of her diet? sometimes it is a response to a low immune system.

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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try Johnson and johnson's ECZEMA cream... works wonders for my now 8 year old who had eczema from birth to about 1 1/2 years. My daughter grew out of it but it was tough watching her itch and scratch all night long... cortizone cream will probably help too but I found that the J&J ECZEMA cream worked best. I used to get it at stores like Wallgreens and CVS however the last time I bought it I had to order it on line... (yes, she's 8 but I still use it on her in the winter months) WE live in California so not many winter months but this stuff is great...

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S.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I don't remember how young my children were when we started using prescription medicine for their excema, but my doctor prescribed Elidel, which was safe and effective (much better than just lotion or over-the-counter products). I would ask your doctor about it. Both of my kids out grew it around 2 or 3 years old. Good luck!

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K.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Being a naturopath I'd like to suggest some natural remedies. Try using organic Shea Butter on the area - it has amazing rejuvenating, restorative and moisturizing properties on the skin and is gentle enough for children (only use 100% pure organic shea butter with NO additives whatsoever!)

Also, organic cold pressed coconut oil is wonderful as well. You can get exceptional grade cold pressed organic non GMO coconut oil at Whole Foods. I am not sure of the brand name, but the packaging has a baby blue and brown label on clear glass jar. It's $12 or so but can also be used to cook with - find it in the cooking oil section. Coconut oil is also excellen for sagging skin.

Hope this helps!

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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

N.:

Try Rescue Remedy cream. You can find it in most health food stores.

M.

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D.V.

answers from Las Vegas on

Just wondering if you had found anything that helped with your baby's eczema ? If not, I have another idea. Email me "____@____.com" I have samples of Renew Lotion that I could mail to you to try out. Take Care and "Pay it Forward" ;-)

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C.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

for us, the only lotion that seemed to help was the aveeno baby lotion for eczema (it says eczema on the tube).

the eczema went away pretty quickly once we used that, and now about 6 months later, this is still our normal baby lotion for after each bath. because when we ran out and i switched back to what we had laying around; her eczema came back again. so i'm sticking to that lotion from now on. ;)

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T.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

Have you test her for food allergies? Also, you may want to try using Bag Balm.

T.

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M.N.

answers from San Diego on

Hey, I understand. My son is 21 months old and has suffererd with Excema since age 3 months. We used the Cortizone cream and it had good results, but it is only a short term solution for really bad flare- ups. A few changes made it almost dissapear. First, use an irritant free laundry detergent. We use "All- Free and Clear". We also give our son non- colloidal oatmeal baths at least once a week to reduce the dryness of his skin. It comes in small packets that you can find at CVS or Walgreens, usually in the baby department. And we switched his lotion and body wash to the (non- scented) Baby Aveeno. His Excema has improved dramatically. I hope this helps.

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R.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,
We used California Baby wash/shampoo for sensitive skin and Gentle Naturals creme for eczema. These are the only products that worked for our son except Arbonne's baby wash and frankly, the Arbonne was out of our budget.

The other stuff worked fine and we still use them. (He is 2 years old now).

You can get California Baby at Wild Oats and Gentle Naturals is available at Target.

PS. We used baby laundry detergent and always added a second rinse to the wash cycle. It seemed to help as well.

Good luck and best wishes.

R.

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L.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

PLEASE don't use cortizone cream, please! You will drive that inside and she will eventually end up with asthma!!!
Keep it from drying out, good choice is pure emu oil, applied every half an hour.

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T.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try organic virgin coconut oil (you can get it at Whole Foods). It is natural, gentle, inexpensive, and non-allergenic.
Beware of Cetaphil - while it is gentle and unscented, it contains parabens.

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H.M.

answers from San Diego on

I'm so sorry! My little boy has had eczema since he was about 1 month old also. He would scratch so much he would bleed. First I went to a Dermatologist and she gave me a steroid, which I hate using on him, called Cutivate. I could not stand seeing my little boy so frustrated and in pain. It works. If I could do it all over again I would go straight to a children's allergist. I am going through that right now and they have given him a blood and skin test. He is allergic to a variety of things, the scariest being peanuts. I figure it is better to know now than later. The allergist gave me a non steroid cream called Atopiclair that seems to be helping. It is a lotion specifically made for people with eczema. The Dr. also said to use Cediphil daily cleanser and no bubbles. This dries out the skin. I hope the very best for you. I know how hard it is!

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A.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

N.- my son is 3 now -I did not like to use hydrocortizone creme as it has many side effects (including thinning the skin) -I tried every creme oil etc you can imagine, it did not he did get cured from his eczcema until I sent him to a doctor of naturopathy Dr. Abell in Laguna Hills, we found out he had many allergies (including milk, soy eggs etc...) - the best creme to use is Cetaphil creme in the jar (not the lotion) - or Baby Seba Med (they have great shampoo soap, cream, etc...) -believe me its the worst to see your baby suffer - if you can attack it early that is the best.... good luck! I was desperate too and no my son is itch free!!!

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S.R.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My 4 month old recently broke out with eczema. I am BFing and began cutting wheat, dairy, seafood and nuts from my diet. When my son has an outbreak, I mix quick oats, baking soda and camomile tea in a food processor until powdery and mix a cup in a lukewarm bath. (wash with no soap.) Usually it clears up the itching, and the rash dissipates within the hour. Also 1% hydrocotrisone cream helps, my pedi said that even though it says maximum strength it's still very mild. Good luck.

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R.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Many times eczema is due to a milk alergy and reaction to chemicals that come into contact with the skin and that are in the air. (Think laundry products and household cleaners) You might try switching to a non milk base formula.
Melaleuca also has a wonderful lotion called Renew that, through clinical testing, has been found to be far superior to the most commonly perscribed lotion (Eucerin)for dry skin.
Their cleaning products are also very gentle on sensative skin and very environmentaly safe. I would be more than happy to tell you more about it.

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A.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

hi N.
I didn't read all 44 responses you received so sorry if this was already suggested but my son's allergist said to use Vanicream on him to keep his skin from drying out. It is used in pharmacies for compounding and is 100% pure. I found it at the pharmacy in mission hospital. I had my son tested at 8 weeks for allergies because his eczema was so bad and showed the typical signs of reflux which mimic food allergies. He is exclussively breastfed and we found out through testing he has a tomato allergy. Once I cut out everything related to tomatoes (potato, bell peppers, eggplant etc) his symptoms went away 100%. The crazy thing was that my eczema on my hands also went away. I suspect he got his allergy from me.

Anyway, atopic dermatitis (eczema) is an autoimmune response so it would be best to do a scratch test or blood test for allergies I would bet the problem goes away if you cut out the problem food.

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J.C.

answers from San Diego on

Hi N., my name is J. and I run an in home child care in Oceanside. I have worked with many children with eczema and I have rubbed them down with Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion, Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer with moisture retaining lipids for 24-hour hydration. Buy a small bottle, it is a little expensive. Rub them down 3 to 4 times a day. Test an area to make sure they are not allergic.....Cortizone cream can be used on it but, see what your doc. says. Jergens works well and the relief is wonderful as well as the babies loving a rub down.....Keep us posted.

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S.C.

answers from Las Vegas on

Sorry to hear she's having a rough time with it. My son has it pretty badly when he was a baby while we lived in Reno, NV. Before he turned 1, we moved to Indiana and it disappeared for the most part. Now that we moved back to Nevada a year ago, it has flared up again. Thanks to that, he's gotten a virus that one can only get through a break in his skin - and was thus given a perscrption to get rid of his eczema. Anyway, this is what we do...we switched to using only Dove soap, drastically limited his bath time (sitting in the water isn't good for eczema), I lathered him with eucerin cream (not the lotion) after every bath or shower and again in the morning. Now that he's older, I don't have to lather him anymore, but try to have him put the cream on his 'spots'.

You will also want to keep a food diary to rule out allergies. And you may want to try using a mild laundry soap as that may iritate her skin. Let your pediatrician know that she's really bothered by it and ask if you can use hydrocortizone, you should be able to use it for a little while until the severity of it goes away and then just maintain it. There's no rule that says you can't get a second opinion or changing to another pediatrician, especially if she's having such a hard time.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi moms
anyone out there with eczema please try aloe vera gel. the pure form, sold in whole foods and/or calendula cream Both are natural and can be mixed together and applied liberally throughout the day. Hope this helps, it did for us.

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A.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Arbonne ABC Baby lotion has had great results for some friends of mine!

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