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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Allergies and intolerances

Just diagnosed - MN eczema experts please!

36 replies

PinkyRed · 13/08/2006 22:19

My dd (9.5 months) has got a small patch of dry cracked skin near her mouth, and red patches all around her chin. The GP said it was eczema or dermatitus (sp?) which he said was the same thing.

He advised me to use E45 on the patch. When I asked about cutting out dairy or any other potential problem foods (I'm still bf'ing and she eats more or less the same stuff as us except for the obvious stuff like honey etc), he said not to bother, very few people with eczema are affected by it, and it'd clear up.

I have no faith whatsoever in my local GP service (they've proscribed me drugs in the past that could have been life threatening to someone with my medical history) so I just wanted some advice - does this sound about right? Or should I be looking at our diet and bullying him into giving me some steroid cream for her? Any advice v welcome!

OP posts:

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PinkyRed · 13/08/2006 22:20

"proscribed" - should be "prescribed" sorry.

OP posts:

threebob · 13/08/2006 22:22

Absolute rubbish that a change of diet can't help. But if it's only a small amount, then it probably isn't worth the hassle. I know there are some of us on here who go to extreme lengths with their child's diet (and some, like me actually experience success). But in RL I know far more mother's who sort of do it and then say "it didn't work".

sansouci · 13/08/2006 22:28

Don't be worrying about food allergies yet! Both my babies had exzema (very badly!) & have yet to develop any food allergies. The best treatment imo seems to be keeping the skin dry but moisturised with a "barrier" cream (no fragrance). You can alternate with treatment creams: one with a touch of cortisone & one with a mild antifungus. But I would consult first. you don't want to use anything too strong.

laundrylover · 13/08/2006 22:31

Pinky, I too wouldn't bother changing diet for a small patch but I definately wouldn't use E45 cream as it's generally terrible for eczema. Try Aveeno or Badger Balm (you can buy both at Boots) and see how it goes for a week. I would hang off the steroid on her face for now - am not against it in general as we use lots but just try to clear it with cream first eh?
Good luck.

PinkyRed · 13/08/2006 22:37

I love MN

Half past ten on a Sunday night, and I immediately get three bits of advice from people who know what they're talking about.

Am off to bed now, but thanks v much for calming down my first-time-mum, over-anxious "Quickly get that rice pudding out of the house now" fears.

Ta.

OP posts:

laundrylover · 13/08/2006 23:03

Mmmmm rice pudding.....

sansouci · 13/08/2006 23:08

MMMMMM...bed!

laundrylover · 13/08/2006 23:18

mmmmmmm rice pudding in bed (?)

sansouci · 13/08/2006 23:21

sure! sounds good to me... sweet dreams

Cuauhtemoc · 13/08/2006 23:21

another vote for aveeno. it comes in the form of cream and lotion. try the cream - its thicker and since its only on the face won't go thru a whole tube in a short time. if your baby has been having milk without any probs in the past, it is unlikely that milk would be the source of the eczema. it is much more likely to be a predispostion for it coupled with environmental factors. both of which you can't do anything about.

my dd suffers eczema too - the fastest improvement has been with aveeno. you can also ask for it on prescription - much cheaper that way.

Cuauhtemoc · 13/08/2006 23:25

also avoid using showergels, bubblebath and even shampoo. - very drying as they are detergent - not unlike washing with fairy liquid. old fashioned soap is kinder to the skin. i don't use any soap at all on my dd. i use Epaderm (my number 2 stuff after Aveeno) - also available on prescription. it is a soap substitute, emollient and lotion when used correctly.

laundrylover · 13/08/2006 23:26

Yes if Aveeno works get it on prescription for sure. we get 5 tubes at a time and keep them all around the house/in the change bag etc. you've reminded me to get a repeat tomorrow too.

laundrylover · 13/08/2006 23:28

Cuauhtemoc (where is this from??) we have the same routine and go through tons of Epaderm - slippery kids tho eh?

Cuauhtemoc · 13/08/2006 23:39

eeets frrraaam Meh-hee-co. (its my Nom de guerre - Aztec ruler who fought the Conquistadors) google him.

yep slippery kid and slippery bath.

Clary · 13/08/2006 23:58

Pinkyred I agree with others, would be very wary of changing diet (dairy very important for a baby unless actually diagnosed as allergic). Eczema doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with allergy.

If E45 doesn't help, we have had success with aqueous cream, oilatum in bath, Aveeno cream, all steroid free. Go down that route before you go for steroids. My older 2 both had eczema and different things worked on them. Agree with others, get that lot on scrip. We have had oilatum on semi-permanent repeat for about 5 yrs now (sigh...but it does work!)

PinkyRed · 14/08/2006 20:15

Thanks very much for all this - I got some Aveeno from Boots today, and have made a note of the other stuff you've recommended so that we can see what suits her best.

I really can't emphasise enough how much I can overreact to this kind of stuff - thanks again for taking the time to post.

OP posts:

donnie · 14/08/2006 20:18

another vote for the fabulous aveeno stuff.

AlexMum · 14/08/2006 20:44

hmmm well I'm not an aveeno fan. My ds is 20 months and it had no affect on his excema at all. We now use oilatum cream and oilatum in his bath as well as 0.5% hydrocortisone cream when necessary.

Since the Aveeno was then going to go in the bin I thought there was no harm trying it on my excema. The results were singularly unspectacular. Nada. Nothing. Zip. I used it regularly for a week before I threw the rest of the tube out. I'm back to using my own oilatum and 1% hydrocortisone (betnovate) instead.

onlyjoking9329 · 14/08/2006 20:53

i have heard that lush do a cream called dream cream that a few people have said is excellent.
anyone tried it?

KatyH · 14/08/2006 22:49

I tried dream cream on my dd when she was quite tiny but it made her skin red raw. It smells lovely, so much better than epaderm etc, so I tried some on her recently and she didn't react (she's nearly 2) but can't say it made her skin much better. I have heard of some real success stories though, so I think the only thing you can do is give it a go (after the usual patch test of course).

nojopo · 15/08/2006 14:46

hello - can i jump in with a similar question - any advice for treating a 7 week old ? the doctor says aveeno etc.. aren't appropriate for a young baby. am using e45 (not that impressed) and sudocrem (working to a degree). also got some oilatum on prescript but loath to use as label says not to use on babies under 6 months.

laundrylover · 15/08/2006 15:31

Try Badger Balm if it's small patches or just plain olive oil. Am suprised about Aveeno though - have you seen the crap they market for babies???? Prob said this cos it's expensive for NHS to buy.

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laundrylover · 15/08/2006 15:31

By the way my baby shares a bath with her big sis so has been exposed to oilatum from very small.

laundrylover · 15/08/2006 15:33

Sudocream is generally very drying for eczema but is good for dribble rash and bums - sorry for bulleted answers but am meant to be working!!

Sugarpop · 15/08/2006 15:38

all skin is different experiment on what is right for your baby! Get what you can from the gp on free prescription. For us Aveeno does work and has reduced the use of hydrocortisone by over 50% we also use oilatum bath oil, however we have tried virtually everything else availble before finding out what works for us, you will possibly need to do the same! Don't be shy to ask the gp for things on prescription though as Aveeno can cost £6 and oilatum similar for a large bottle. Good luck

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