Eczema

[Duffdaddy]

My boy has recently diagnosed with eczema. We are possibly going to change his shampoo from Johnston's , to another perfume free one. Any suggestions.

[loopydoo]

They're not perfume free but both Infacare and Tesco top to toe baby wash are fab for me and I've had chronic eczema since I was little (now 35). Dove is good too.

It's more the fact that if I don't dry my skin properly and then don't moisturise that the eczema flairs up.

[PoppyWearer]

Ask the GP to prescribe some.

[Duffdaddy]

Thanks , if it does not clear up . We have to go back to the GP for steroid based cream.

[PoppyWearer]

Steer clear of Johnson's products, they are known for being extremely drying!

[loopydoo]

look at your soap powder too - try going for non-bio as the live enzymes in bio powders liquids can cause flare ups.

[salvadory]

Try Surcare detergent for washing clothes, ditch fabric conditioner, stop using soap and ask the gp to prescribe an emollient (not aqueous cream!). I've found balneum cream and bath oil to have been very effective. I apply cream every morning and evening and bath my dd every other day. I've switched to goats milk (but my daughter still eats cheese). If scratching is still causing issues your gp can prescribe tubifast clothing and mitts. Good luck.

[Theyoniwayisnorthwards]

How bad is it and where?

[jamesdavidson]

Look at your soap, moisturiser, laundry powder, etc.

It could be any one of a number of things that is irritating your child's skin.

[Duffdaddy]

There are patches on his elbows , behind his knees, thighs and on his wrist. He does not seem too troubled by it. Only the odd rub on occasions .

[JohFlow]

We got some prescribed for our son too.

But off the shelf - 'Halos and Horns' range is good. They have funky packaging, contain good moisturisers and are paraben and sodium laureth sulphate free. The price is also very reasonable. The Green People are also good - but a little pricier.

Also cradle-cap shampoo also works well on some tight and scurfy scalps.

[Duffdaddy]

Thanks.

[WillowsTree]

Hi my daughter suffers really badly. We have tried several lotions and potions, best in bath and skin moisturiser is aveeno for her, available on prescription. I also have scratchsleeves for her which are a godsend-google or Amazon- and the silk mitt stops her doing damage even if I can't stop her scratching.

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

I recommend a'kin (available online and in some holland and Barrett shops)

Or yes to carrots agin available online . Both fab and don't irritate eczema suffering dd1

[ukey]

simple baby shampoo

oilatum (prescription) for bath

[rootypig]

Epaderm is brilliant (prescription) - use the cream every night and you won't need steroids. The trick with eczema is to maintain healthy skin barrier, before it gets so bad that you need hydrocortisone or even antibiotics for a secondary infection, though sometimes a flare up can't be avoided. Aveeno is also good (also on prescription) A-Derma Exomega, E45, Eucerin, La Roche Psay Cicapast.

Ditch the Johnson's forever, it's bloody awful stuff. How old is he? You might not need soap at all if he's not hormonal. The Epaderm can be used in the bath as an emollient.

Also look at your washing powder. Consider switching to Simply Pure, which is great, or reduce the amount of ordinary detergent you use by half.

[ukey]

the key to managing eczema is finding a cream combination that works for each individual.

epaderm does not work for us!

what works for one may not work for another

[trolleycoin]

What ukey said.

DS has eczema flare up due to teething and the recent hot weather made it worse.

Usual emolients didn't work for him, some made it worse. Olive oil worked for a time when he was a baby but not now.

Aloe Vera Gel is working for him. In 3 days his back had cleared up and was lovely and smooth. Plus its cooling and he being the pampered prince that he is likes having the "green gel" massaged in and will happily sit there whilst I put it on him . We have been trying the yellow Johnson's cream (can't remember what its called) on his legs and that has kept them moisturised and eczema free. Its no good on a nasty flare up, but does keep it at bay once controlled.

[WillowsTree]

My friend has just tried Vaseline with cocoa butter and says it's amazing for eczema. Everyone is so different that it really is trial and error until you find out what suits.