Scratches on baby back

[user088]

Hi all,

For the last 3 or so weeks, I've noticed my sons skin on his back feel dry and bumpy. About 2 weeks ago I noticed this area on his back had become covered in scratches so it must've been bothering him in the night. This bumpy rash and scratching moved to his tummy.

Last week, I noticed his forearms and thighs were covered in skin coloured bumps. We took him to the gp who recommended antihistamines or possible viral infection.

We've offered antihistamine and no change. He's fine in himself and not "poorly".

We use non-bio washing stuff and no-soap for the bath.

Tonight, he's now got LOTS of scratches just above his bum. He couldn't have done this with his nails as he's had a vest on all day!

Any ideas??? (He's 18 months)

We have used the same brand of nappies since birth too

It’s not keratosis pilaris is it? Though I would have thought a doctor could recognise it easily. Do you know what I mean, kind of bumpy like goosebumps/chicken skin?

Do you bath him every day? One of mine is a bit dry skinned/ eczema prone. I used to bath them every day (because they enjoyed it) as part of the bedtime routine, but I've found with him that once the weather turns cold he should only be bathed 2 or 3 times a week maximum (or I give him a very quick shower if it's absolutely necessary) otherwise his skin quickly gets like you're describing. He's nearly 5 now and it's a lot better than it was the last 2 winters, so I'm also hoping it may be something he's going to grow out of.

Ermmmmm. I don't really know how to describe it (which is useless when I'm asking for help!).

The ones on his forearms and thighs aren't all grouped together if that makes sense, they're spread apart.

Then on his back, stomach and shoulders most of his skin feels raised.

It's more the scratches/irritation I'm worrying about. He was scratching at his scalp for a few days too

@Mesmeri thank you for your suggestion.

He's bathed every 2 days unless he decided to cover his head in his dinner 😂.

As you mention that, he DID have some problems with dry skin as a baby and was given hydrocortisone to help. It was never "diagnosed" as eczema or anything specific though

Have you considered that you might be doing the scratches when changing him if they keep coming and going?

Both my DC have very fair skin and even just holding them will result in red marks. After a swimming lesson, DC1 will go from unblemished skin to one covered in red lines that vanish by the evening (when more occur). It's not that we're scratching them, their skin just marks really easily.

Take him to see a hcp.

Long term eczema sufferer with dd with eczema too. The "scratches" may actually be skin cracking through dryness? A bit like pic attached but more spaced out?

You say non-bio detergent but which brand? A perfumed option? Do you use fabric conditioner? What other cleaning products, toiletries do you use with/around him?

Even "moisturising" products depending on brand/type can CAUSE dryness & allergic reaction - eg we're both allergic to lanolin, which is in a lot of moisturising products, dd Also allergic to cocoa butter.

Also yes bathing - ironically water is very drying on the skin especially if a hard water area. I never bathed dd more frequently than every other day she still doesn't bathe more frequently than that (and no she's not dirty or smelly as a result!) and I'm the same.

"It was never "diagnosed" as eczema or anything specific though" yes there's a weird reluctance to Dx dc especially babies with ANYTHING but I don't see how that's helpful myself, much easier once you know what you're dealing with.

Argh as always forgot the flipping pic!

Yes, I think I'm going to call the gp to book another appointment on Monday.

They're definitely not scratches from us, as there's far too many and they have dry blood in them. I've also seen him scratching...

He alway had dove baby or baby aveeno in the bath but we've now just reverted to plain water since the scratching started.

He's alseep now or I'd take a photo.. I'll get one tomorrow.

I can't really photo his forearms and thighs as you can't see the little pimple type bumps there as they his skin colour

It sounds like eczema. DS1's always starts as little bumps that spread and itch. His skin feels rough at this stage. It also always starts at this time of year when the central heating is on a lot. Anecdotally , I work in a nursery and we always see a huge rise in eczema/dry skin in the winter months. I'd recommend using aveeno cream every night and bathing in oat water (hang a sock of oats under the tap as the bath runs), it helps to soften and moisturise the skin.

@AirandMungBeans oh wow, I've never heard of the oat thing before!

We've got some aveeno moisturiser but I never use it. When he was very young I was given some "Epimax" cream from the doctor so I've started with that again over the last few days.

Thank you for the suggestions!

Sounds like ezcema. I would reduce baths and make them cooler by a few degrees - and cream every nappy change. Aveeno gets good feedback from lots of ezcema sufferers - I've always used diprobase with me and mine. ( can also buy over the counter)

Just until you see dr!

Oats are great for eczema, oat baths, oat & milk poultices.

Dove is AWFUL for eczema in my experience despite its neutral ph advertising. I may as well use chalk!

We use simple, no fabric conditioner, oilatum on wet skin before parting dry after bathing.

It does sound like eczema and winter is always when my DS's flares up. Plenty of diprobase and hydrocortisone to calm it down work for us. Oilatum or Balneum in the bath. Hope the GP is helpful, you may need to shop around for a GP who has a particular interest in eczema though.

The pic really doesn't do justice as overnight it's called down lots! I DID give antihistamine at bedtime as instructed by GP earlier in the week.

The scratches have been much further up on other days. His back feels dry and scaly, just scratches at the bottom

Yea that looks like dry cracked skin rather than scratches to me.

As said, try products with as few additives as possible, especially perfumes, oat baths, good emollients without the common allergens in.

I'm so shit at this mother thing.. I know nothing 😂

Thanks @Graphista for the tips!

You're really not! You simply lack experience with one medical issue - I'm an ex nurse and I'm STILL learning stuff about dds disability all the time because it's not my area of training/experience.

Nobody knows it all that's partly why mn is such a great resource.

Often on threads like this the respondents were once like you and have learned - often through trial and error - what works.

I was also a nanny before I became a mother - still had no clue on how to deal with umbilical stumps, or weaning a child with at that time an undx disability that affected chewing, ditto potty training a child I didn't know at the time had less control of her pelvic floor muscles - when dds disability was Dx I felt so shit cos I had blamed or been frustrated with her for certain things that I now know were due to her condition.

Plus every child is different.

My mum had no experience with eczema in children either before me, even though she was eldest of 6 kids and over 20 cousins she regularly babysat.

She learned over many years what triggered a reaction and also the pita it is when you find a product that doesn't and then see the words "new improved formula" next time you go to buy! Now all 3 of her children have at least one child with eczema and she knows where we're coming from when we say things like "don't use X product on them" "don't put brand new unwashed clothes on them" (mainly mine and sis' 2 with eczema who are all allergic to bio detergent & fabric conditioner - new clothes are LOADED with fabric conditioner and perfumed detergents ).

Parenting is tough.

@Graphista thanks so much for that, that's really helpful. I'm sorry to hear of the struggles you've faced, but you sound like an excellent mother!

Would you mind telling me which washing detergent you use?

For us, I usually just buy what's on offer! But for my son, I'd like a decent non-bio..

I've found gel non bio works best for us. Currently sainsburys but we're also fine with other shops own brands (I'm on a tight budget anyway but also I've found the branded stuff tends to have perfumes added even when they claim not to)

Powder irritates, not badly but enough to be annoying.

thanks for saying I'm an excellent mum, though I'm really not & I think dd would probably agree

As a single parent I've struggled at times with getting the balance between strict and fun right I think many single parents struggle with that. Looking back I've been too strict at times but I've also let dd away with stuff I shouldn't have. Pointless as its done but I'm a worrier by nature...

It seems counter intuitive as you'd think with sensitive skin you should go for "better" products but actually the cheaper the better as they've less additives.

That's interesting to know about the powder.

We are currently using Surf, but we've been washing his with Asda own brand non-bio powder.

We've been back the GP this morning and they've suggested it's eczema too. We've been given steroid cream and bath additives for him.

Hopefully this should sort it!

Thanks everyone