Super duper hypo-allergenic cream for eczema?

[slowlearner]

Each cream I get prescribed for DD's eczema seems to make it worse not better (eg. Doublebase, Oilatum bath). I think she reacts to some of the ingredients but I'm not sure what. Has anyone else had this problem and did you find a magical cream which didn't have this effect? I realise it might depend on the baby but would like some suggestions nonetheless! Also I think she is reacting to either her clothes (cotton) or possibly the washing detergent I use, as she has no eczema at all on her bottom but has it everywhere her clothes touch her skin - again, can anyone recommend a very hypo-allergenic brand of washing detergent? I currently use Surecare non-bio. THANKS!

[slowlearner]

sorry - should have said, she's 4 months old and 100% breastfed. no pets in house.

[Frizbe]

Try Ecover or there's some other stuff called www.simplywashing.com/

[fruitymum]

DD now 20 months uses Aveeno cream , she has has excema since 6 weeks old. Breast fed exclusively until 22 weeks. I use Fairy non bio and use the extra rinse facility on the washing machine. I have bought another over the counter cream , developed by a doc whose kids had excema but can't remember the name - if it comes to me I'll post.

[3littlefrogs]

She might be allergic to all the mineral/petroleum based preparations.

do a google search for marigold eczema cream - I know there is a lady who invented this for her own child and sells it from home. I can't remember anything else about it though.

Also - avoid fabric softners - they stay in the clothes and dissolve back onto the skin.

Some babies are allergic to lanolin, so you have to read the ingredients of everything.

Baby oil is not good for eczema - it is mineral based and can be very irritating.

Eczema management is a marathon, not a sprint, and diary keeping (of symptoms, products, diet, etc is essential over a long period of time).

HTH

[fruitymum]

Got it !
Dermasalve - google it - it was very good - a little expensive - the pharmacist can order it in for you - make sure you get the one for babies and children.

[fruitymum]

should say - her excema is well under control now - but really distressing for Lo and you - much sympathy . There are lots of good websites .

[slowlearner]

Thanks all - will definitely get hold of some Dermasalve as it sounds really good on the website. Fingers crossed... I know there's no magic cure but something that doesn't actually make her eczema worse would be a good start!! Have also started using the extra water option on the washing machine and will try Fairy non-bio to see if it makes a difference. Grrrr really frustrating having this problem - I hope it goes away poor little thing.

[fruitymum]

oh and no fabric softener either in washing machine or tumble drier. Hope it helps.

[Leslaki]

Use oats in her bath! Honestly it does help, pop some in a muslin square, hanky or old socka nd make sure it's well tied up. The oats really soothe sore skin. I can also vouch for Aveeno cream and the bath oil - again oat based. There is also Baby calendula moisturiser by Weleda which is a bit gunky but is so good on excema. For what it's worth I have terrible excema and the only washing powder I can use is Ariel!!! All the so called gentle ones or non irritant ones are rreally reactive. If I use any other washing powder I look as though I've been burned! I know other sufferers who are exactly the same, yet you'd think Ariel would be oneof the worst ones! Hope you find something to help soon. TC.

[MegBusset]

We use Surcare for all washing, normal non-bio stuff can still cause a reaction.

[ThreeBluecubs]

Are you using any soap on her at all? I was using aqueous cream as a soap and found I was allergic to that and also most 'normal soaps' that followed. Persil automatic seems to be fine for us.

[Bilbomum]

We use Surcare as well but no fabric softener. Be aware though that very young babies tend not to get eczema on their bums, it's only later it finds it's way there. The consultant at the hospital told us that was quite normal so it might not be the clothes wash at fault.

We've found Allergenics cream great for DS's face. It only comes in small tubes so can't really use it over whole body. It's expensive but you can get it on prescription, they also do a wash for the bath. It's all natural, plant extract based and sinks in quite fast. Good for during the day but we still need Hydromol all over every night to keep the eczema under control.

It takes a lot of trial and error to find what works best. We've been at it for 17 months now and have it under control as best we can. As 3littlefrogs says it is a marathon but you do get used to dealing with it.

[slowlearner]

Leslaki - quick question, do you use Ariel bio or non-bio? Are both OK for your skin? Although I take the point about babies not getting eczema on their bums, there is a clearly defined straight line along her back where the ezcema stops and it's exactly where her nappy comes up to so I'm convinced there's a link. We've stopped using fabric softener and have never used any soap/wash/aqueous cream.

[TheHonEnid]

filetti for washing

and, after trying loads of other creams, Lush's Dream Cream

have dd2s excema under control atm

[MegBusset]

I think the reason they don't tend to get it in nappy areas is because urea prevents it (see here).

DS had an awful reaction to Allergenics cream (blistering and peeling, so bad we had to take him to casualty) so do a patch test first!

[SoapQueen]

Hi there
new to the site - just been looking around and saw your thread. Not sure if you're using anything for actual washing at bath time? Someone mentioned Oats in the bath - it REALLY does work - the oats coats the skin in a protective film which soothes dry, flaky, itchy skin - very, very good for eczema. I've been supplying friends with children with eczema (and themselves) with natural, handmade soap with Goat's Milk, Oats & Honey (Milk is loaded with good vitamins for the skin and is very soothing, oats coats the skin protectively and the honey is a natural humectant (draws water to the skin to prevent drying) and they've all come back with very good reports! A success for me, sure, but for you perhaps another way of dealing with your child's eczema?! Perhaps give it a try... If you do, though, make sure it's soap without SLS, Parabens and perfumes as these ALL have been linked to skin conditions, irritations and allergies and will certainly exasperate any eczema or psoriasis or even just sensitive skin. (quite shocking what's in our regular cosmetic products including soap!) Hope that helps.

[slowlearner]

Thanks for all the suggestions... Does anyone know if Aveeno and Hydromol are definitely OK for a 4-month-old baby? I've ordered some Dermasalve online - quite expensive but if it works I'll try to get it on prescription instead.

[Shell001]

Hi ..

My DS has eczema and we are really finding it hard to pin point the problem? its keeping him awake at night and been to doctor twice now and last time he said best to not use anything if it reacts or upsets the eczema .. so i ve just used steriod and its less red but dry i feel i should be creaming .. but makes it red if nything is applied .. ive ordered Aveeno creams so i may try them but aqueous made it worse Cetreban didnt work and bath oil made a rash reaction .. its on his forehead arms back face ear starting on legs all in 3 weeks .. breastfeeding no pets use fairy non bio and softner .. has cradle cap .. really upsetting .

[Shell001]

Hi ..

My DS has eczema and we are really finding it hard to pin point the problem? its keeping him awake at night and been to doctor twice now and last time he said best to not use anything if it reacts or upsets the eczema .. so i ve just used steriod and its less red but dry i feel i should be creaming .. but makes it red if nything is applied .. ive ordered Aveeno creams so i may try them but aqueous made it worse Cetreban didnt work and bath oil made a rash reaction .. its on his forehead arms back face ear starting on legs all in 3 weeks .. breastfeeding no pets use fairy non bio and softner .. has cradle cap .. really upsetting .

[Spockster]

Try doing without the fabric softener, and ask GP for steroid ointment rather than cream; it is oily and helps more with the dryness.
Your GP may have access to eczema nurse, or your practice may have a burse with a special interest; they may be able to show you how to use wet wrapping at night, which is a pain to do but can be brilliant for some kids, I am not sure what age they start at though.

[slowlearner]

Hi Shell001. It's really common for kids to react to aqueous cream - see news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3244814.stm

I've been using Dermasalve on DD for a couple of weeks now and it seems to be working OK, although to be honest it's more keeping her eczema at an acceptable level rather than actually clearing it up - I suspect I'd need hydrocortisone cream to clear it up but I'm not keen to go down that route just yet.... I haven't tried Aveeno cream yet so still hoping that might be the miracle cure. Let me know how you get on with them with your DS - how old is he by the way?

Also - DD has slight cradle cap but I've found it's much reduced by gently rubbing her scalp with a flannel each time I bath her. I don't use any bath or washing products whatsoever in case they irritate her skin.

[Wilksy]

I have just read slowlearners comments and must say I could have written them myself - my seven month old daughter has had eczema from being a few weeks old and every single cream/ointment we have tried seems to irritate her skin rather than soothe it. One of the first we tried, E45 cream, made her look as though she had burns all over her poor little body. We have now been referred to a dermatologist who felt that her skin and scalp may be infected so has prescribed Fucidin H antibiotic cream to use for one week only. This has cleared almost all of her eczema but I am certain that as soon as we stop using it, the redness, dryness and intense itchiness will return. I have ordered Dermasalve over the internet to give that a try as soon as we stop using the Fucidin H so I would be interested to hear from slowlearner how she got on/is getting on with it. Thanks

[slowlearner]

Hi Wilksy. Dermasalve didn't seem to irritate dd's skin at all (unlike all the creams we've been prescribed). It's a bit thinner and less rich than the other creams though, so it's very easy to apply but probably less moisturising and didn't actually improve her eczema much.... I've ordered some Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream online so will let you know if it turns out to be the miracle cure I'm hoping for! (starting to realise that might not exist though - might go back to Dermasalve...) PS. I think E45 cream contains lanolin - that might be the problem you had?

[RedJools]

Glad I read this! Had ds (15wks, soleley bf) at docs last week with start of mild eczema. GP hardly looked at his skin (peered at 1 elbow across the table for 3s) then gave me aprescription for steroid cream and oileatum junior. No other info, despite my asking re washing powder etc! thankfully the oilatum and cutting out baby soap etc seems to be doing the trick, and I haven't used the steroid apart from one time when it was more red. I'm using aqueaous cream at the moment, but had no idea they could react to it! He has improved a lot, but will be following this with interest!

[Wilksy]

Thanks slowlearner. Have started with the Dermasalve so will keep you posted too. Would be very interested to hear how you get on with the Aveeno