Recently developed eczema

[Auster]

Our daughter is almost 1 year, and has recently developed an eczema-like rash on her back (and not in the 'classic' eczema zones). She has had it for about 2-3 weeks. We have cut dairy out of her diet, changed washing powder to Ecover non-bio, applied moisturiser and oil in her bath, reduced bathing, but it hasn't improved hugely. We are also in the process of weaning our daughter - recently dropped from 3 breastfeeds a day to 2. She doesn't seem to be suffering any itchiness or irritation - but it is unsightly. Does anyone have any other suggestions, or similar experiences? We are reluctant to use the steroid cream, because of potential side effects.

[QZmum]

Hi. My DS1 suffered eczema as a baby and we tried (amongst many others!)a cream made with mahonia aquifolium which is a herbal remedy which has seen great success with psoriasis and eczema sufferers. I got it from a web site yoni international which is a family run company the web address is www.deadsea.co.uk. Click on the Mahonia Aquifolium prooducts list. I bought the skin therepy balm as I found it richer and more moisturising than the lotion. It contains loads of dead sea minerals which are great for the skin as well as mahonia aquifolium. I used this at least 3 times a day on my son and i found it really improved his skins dryness and cleared up the rashes. If you want to find out about Mahonia Aquifolium just do a search on the web. I researched loads and although as with most things, success is not guarenteed I was prepared to try almost anything to help my DS skin! There is also another website that details the effects of mahonia aquifolium www.taylor-jackson.com and sells products. I just choose the deadsea products as I liked the fact that it was completely natural and had the added minerals to benefit the skin. Hope this helps.

[robinw]

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[shrub]

I had the same problem with my son, one health visitor said it was eczema, the other said candida both advising steriod cream, which I refused to do. I stopped bathing him and a health food shop told me to try 'weleda' calendula baby oil' . It is completely organic and consists of sesame, calendula and chamomile oil (if you want to make your own) I found it stopped the eczema in about 10 days plus lots of fresh air. I also use it for myself now as this made me more aware of all the rubbish they put in baby bath, shampoo etc. We bathe him about once a week now and there are no flare ups. Also 'green people' website are very good for chemical free washes. Thinking back the eczema flared up when we moved house - is there any stress at the mo? and if so can you eradicate it. Good luck.

[Evansmum]

Auster, just to reassure you re steroid cream, there shouldn't be any side effects. Cream prescribed for babies (and adults, come to that) with eczema is mild and effective - if rash doesn't clear up do discuss this with your GP and maybe with the National Eczema Society (think this is correct name). GP might well start by trying aqueous cream or Oilatum first, anyway. It's a shame if parents are scared to give their babies an effective treatment - think the very name 'steroid' puts people off, probably by association with anabolic steroids and bodybuilders, although this is completely different.

[Auster]

Dear all,

Many thanks for your responses. We will follow up on suggestions, and let you know how it goes.

Auster.

[shrub]

just thought I would add to my original posting that I massaged small amount of weleda calendula baby oil into area 3 - 4 times a day rather than add it to bath water.

[CountessDracula]

My dd has mild eczema and I used to use aqueous cream on her, the doc then prescribed Oily Cream, similar to aqueous but waxier. It seems to be working really well. She also suggested using a small amount of washing liquid for clothes and then running through another rinse.

[calcium]

my dd has had eczema now for about a year I have tried loads of things prepared creams, avocado oil, homeopathic remedies, organic creams the works, unfortunately the only thing that really works is a very mild hydrocortisone cream and although I have been assured its OK for little ones it has left the skin where it has been applied much whiter than the rest. Having just been to America we were told that Cresco (a form of vegetable shortening) worked wonders on our nephew, it works as a barrier. We used this out there and it did seem to make things a bit better. All I can suggest is to use steroid creams when you really need it and use an organic cream or otherwise to keep it under control. I use creams from a company called Verde which are wonderful and have shops in both Hampstead and Clapham as well as mail order/internet thier baby callendula cream is brill as is the baby bath, both natural and smell so good I have to stop dd eating the cream! Good luck, I have been told that most children grow out of it by 2 so fingers crossed.

[Auster]

Dear All,

Thanks for all your responses. This is just to let you know that we cut dairy out of our daughter's diet, applied a cream obtained from an acupuncturist, and also had one treatment of acupuncture, and the rash has virtually cleared up 2 weeks later. Therefore, we suspect an allergy to cow's milk, as we ad introduced this as part of the night-time feed at 11 months.

Hope this helps anyone else who has a similar problem.

Thanks and best of luck

Auster

[robinw]

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