Ezcema - thinking of cutting out milk - advice please.

[shazdisembodiedronnie]

DS1 is 3 years old and has had ezcema for ages, but lately it seems to be getting worse.

I have never noticed his skin being worse after lots of dairy, or better when he has had only a little so I don't think milk is a culprit.

But I am desperate to try to improve his skin!

So, should I replace his milk with soya or goat's milk? Should I cut out other stuff? How soon should I see an improvement if milk is causing the eczema?

TIA

[Hattie05]

You could try and get some allergy testing done has he seen a dermatologist? if not ask gp for a referral but it is a long wait!

What are you using at present? Aveeno is highly recommended here on mumsnet. I swear by it. The secret is to keep moisturised have a routine of applying it (or whatever cream you find works) 3 or 4 times a day and apply also when you notice your son itching. You may be surprised by the results.

I had allergy testing and found i was allergic to ingredients which are commonly used as preservatives in many toiletries (often included in ones that state they are for sensitive skin!) so don't assume that sensitive or children's bubble baths etc are going to be gentle on his skin. I would avoid using anything you don't have to, just a bit of shampoo for hair and not a lot else on his body except for excema cream.

HTH!

[shazdisembodiedronnie]

Thanks hattie, I haven't tried Aveeno - where do I get it?

we only use a sls free shampoo on him, and have stopped bathing him at the mo because the warm water seems to inflame the skin - just a wash down with a flannel to keep the dirt at bay!

Will def try upping the moisturising.

[shazdisembodiedronnie]

Just got back from town and found aveeno in Boots.

Any other advice out there?

[Hattie05]

If aveeno works, you can ask your GP to prescribe a few tubes at a time as it is expensive isn't it!

The other thing i was going to mention as you ask about milk is have you kept an actual food diary? Write down exactly what he eats/drinks and how the excema is each day. Probably not a good idea to start this and a new cream at the same time though as you won't know which is making improvements etc.

[shazdisembodiedronnie]

Thanks for your advice hattie; the aveeno seemed to help over the weekend so i went to the gp today and got a big bottle on prescription, and also some antibiotics as some is infected so fingers crossed he will be alot better soon.

[Chandra]

We have removed milk from DS's diet but finding replacements for calcium and fat has not been particularly easy.

If your child is very sensitive to cows milk chances are he is also sensitive to goats milk but shouldn't be such a problem to try that one out.We saw a huge diference 2-3 weeks after removing milk.

[willowcatkin]

We put ds on goats milk and it has helped his ezema and rhinitus considerably - so much that he has very little except in the hot summer or cold winter.

Give it a go - it can do no harm.

[shazdisembodiedronnie]

I think i will give the antibiotics and aveeno chance to work first; but you are right - it is prob worth trying.

[Chandra]

Please use the antibiotics and the Aveeno, regardless of switching to goats milk or not, you have to clear the infection first.

Good luck!

[Hattie05]

Glad things are working for you!

[forevermore]

i have a two year old with excema; but its mild now, it was moderate when she was 6 months to about a year.

i am wondering if it could come back, so thinking along the preventaive lines.

she drinks organic cows milk. would it be worth trying goats milk? would she get the nutrion that she needs if I switch?

is it too early. Is the fact the excema is mild now and she is on cows milk show that its probably not even linked?

[forevermore]

oh yes forgot to add that even though its mild i am still strcit about moisturising with avenoo in the day and 50:50 at night. and if i even she one spot/pimple i moisture wrap the elbow or knee concerned. because thats how it starts.

I also bath 6 nights a week in aveeno bath oil and sea salt. and she hasprobiotics and flaxseed oil every morning; one month on one month off.

don't want to stop any of this regimen. and to be honest i am so used to it now, its not a hassle. but feel if i stop it may come back. and when it was bad it was a nightmare...no sleep, bleeding, infection you name it.

[Hattie05]

I think you are doing all the right things forevermore.

Since being a child i have had severe excema on and off. Sometimes i know its because i have slacked on moistuirising, sometimes it comes with extreme change of weather, cold or hot. But many times i can't see what has caused it and i just guess its one of those things!

But the best thing is to continue to moisturise very very well. I feel as though my skin is just so used to being moisturised now if i don't it feels tight and painful and i'm sure if i left it that way it would get dry and become excema once again.