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Original poster

Aveeno vs Aqueous Cream

46 replies

JudysDreamHorse · 24/02/2011 16:30

Hello. My DS is 20 weeks and has eczema. He had it really bad on his head and the GP recommended aqueous cream (which I use for eczema with no trouble). We've been having very bad sleep for over a month now and I've realised the start coincided with us starting the aqueous cream (and also Epaderm). Since looking into it I've found that a lot of babies are sensitive to it so am going to try and stop using it and see if it helps.
We've also been using oats in DS's bath and I think this is helping his skin. I read on here before that Aveeno would be a good cream to try if oatmeal helps. Is it too similiar to aqueous cream though? Any suggestions for good creams to try or should we go back to olive oil. the aqueous cream and epaderm do seem to have cleared up his eczema (though maybe it was the oatmeal) but with mine I have to keep moisturising or it comes back.
Thanks!

OP posts:

SardineQueen · 24/02/2011 16:41

We use aveeno which we get on prescription from the GP and have found it to be very good. I have heard as well that aqueous cream is actually quite harsh - it has something in it that is not very kind I think. Having said that if it's cleared up your son's ezcema then that sounds good - could the bad nights be to do with something else? Growth spurt maybe?

stealthsquiggle · 24/02/2011 16:51

aveeno works like magic in this house, where aqueous cream just made things worse.

Talk to your GP - apart from anything else, it is expensive so if you can get it on prescription so much the better.

Original poster

JudysDreamHorse · 24/02/2011 17:12

Thanks for replies. Afraid I'm at the clutching at straws stage with ds's sleep as has been awful for about 5 weeks now! But have noticed he still scratches his head after we put it on even though his skin is nearly better - may just be a tiredness thing though but thought it was worth investigating. I onl looked into it after reading in the nhs birth to five book that you shouldn't use aqueous cream and realised that's when things went wrong. Seeing gp tomorrow so will see what she says.

OP posts:

stealthsquiggle · 24/02/2011 17:16

my DC squeal and say aqueous cream stings - so I use aveeno even for things like cleaning off face paint.

TheSecondComing · 24/02/2011 17:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bucharest · 24/02/2011 17:52

I got advised to use aqueous cream by the pharmacist in Boots at Christmas, and it just made things a whole lot worse, I went to Superdrug and the pharmacist there said "I can't believe they told you to use that". Dd, like stealth says, was screaming with the stinging when I put it on.

I had previously been a big Aveeno user but because of the December cold dd's skin seemed to not improve, hence my asking in the chemist.

Went back to the Aveeno every night (and occasionally pure shea butter) and her skin is still very dry but she's not crying with soreness like with th aqueous cream. (the superdrug woman said it was more suitable to use in the bath instead of soap)

pipsy76 · 24/02/2011 17:57

I have just recently read that aqueous cream increases water loss from the skin when used for peroids of more than 2 weeks and for this reason should not be used as an emollient and only ever as a soap substitute.

greedychops · 24/02/2011 17:59

The National Eczema Society advise against using aqueous cream - probably cause of what pipsy76 said.

pipsy76 · 24/02/2011 18:02

I only recently read it in the pharmaceutical journal and from memory I think it was sodium lauryl suplhate that's the problem.

walesblackbird · 24/02/2011 18:03

Aqueous cream should be used as a soap substitute, not as a moisturiser.

I used Aveeno with my son when he was younger and suffered with eczema. As well as the creams and lotions you can get something to put in the bath.

We got ours on prescription as they can be quite expensive.

freshmint · 24/02/2011 18:04

aqueous cream bad
aveeno good

well in this house with 4x eczema kids anyway

BodleianBabe · 24/02/2011 18:13

Aqueous cream was a nightmare for both my DCs however Dr treated me as if I was stupid when I told her they screamed in pain when I put it on them.

However a very kind nurse suggested Hydromol instead which was fantastic.

Aveeno did nothing either way although I know others who swear by it. The Nurse who suggested Hydromol (and gave me some samples to try first) said unfortunatley it really is trial and error with Eczema and what works well for one person won't work for another. It also turned out DS1 was allergic to lanolin (which is found in wool) so its worth checking if the creams you use have that in as some people are sensitive to that (although not generally in aqueous cream).

IFishWife · 24/02/2011 18:14

I have found Aveeno babyproducts to be AMAZING miracle creams.

I order in bulk from the US as so hard to find online in the UK.

However, I recently got prescribed Aveeno bath oil by my GP for DD - couldn't believe my luck.

Original poster

JudysDreamHorse · 24/02/2011 18:24

Hmmm - definitely think the aqueous cream was bad. He basically had cradle cap which became weepy (was using olive oil and johnsons' shampoo which I think is another no no). It was awful for weeks (and may have got worse to being with - just didn't link it with the cream) - I don't think it was until we started using the epaderm that it really got better. I thought that was quite similiar to aqueous cream though in terms of ingredients. He had patches on his shoulders, arms, back and stomach but they are nearly all gone now. Any opinions on Epaderm? Will talk it through with GP tomorrow but interested in people's experience (especially when GP recommended it in the first place - was quite surprised when then read in nhs book you shouldn't use it).

OP posts:

stealthsquiggle · 24/02/2011 18:26

Before the days of rigidly-enforced weight restrictions and no liquids in hand baggage, I used to always bring loads of aveeno baby stuff back from the US, but sadly no longer possible (plus last time I asked DH he brought back the hydrocortisone version instead, which whilst occasionally useful for me is too strong for the DC).

Waitrose stock a reasonable selection if you want to try them, OP, but then definitely try and persuade your GP to prescribe.

walesblackbird · 24/02/2011 18:26

At the moment we have Diprobase. My son is 9 now and he tends to get it when the seasons change - not entirely sure why? His little sister who's 5 now also gets very dry skin in the same areas as her brother - over her tummy and inside the elbow.

I've been using the diprobase for a few days after bathing and it's much better now.

Original poster

JudysDreamHorse · 24/02/2011 18:29

Thanks for all the replies! Sorry took a while to post my message and thread had moved on by time I had. DS's skin is defintely drier than before we started using the cream - noticed his legs felt quite tough the other day. We had switched to epaderm but was putting it on a twice a day as thought you were meant to use it frequently. Feel a bit bad for not working this out earlier but have been in a bit of a sleep deprived fug and I've used aq. cream every day for about 10 years and it keeps my eczema at bay (but it's not v bad).

OP posts:

schroeder · 24/02/2011 18:38

I use epaderm for dd when her skin is really sore or if she's going swimming to protect her. It's not ideal for all the time; it's so greasy it seems to seal her in if you know what I mean and can make her too hot and so more itchy.
We use diprobase most of the time; it's a bit easier to rub in.
Agree aqueous cream is not much good and dc complained of stinging when we tried.

We also have oilatum jnr for the bath.

I've not used aveeno on dc but I have the handcream and it's brilliant.

crazycatlady · 24/02/2011 18:50

We found Aveeno excellent. The oil in the bath and the cream for moisturising. Have also found of all the many prescribed creams we had from the docs that Unguentum M is fabulous as a moisturiser and Eumovate ointment for the rare times DD has needed an actual steroid cream to clear the skin.

ToughShit · 24/02/2011 19:06

aqueous cream is great when you use it in the bath

putting it on dry skin onto angry eczema is a bad idea...it stings and just aggrevates the situation as do most creams as I've found. Moisturisers are great if the skin is just dry and not broken.

The best cream for eczema is betnovate..unlikely that you'll get it for a DC especially for use on the head as it's a steroid...more likely to get hydrocortisone..which you can buy over the counter.

hope you find something that helps

omletta · 24/02/2011 19:30

Aveeno and betnovate (for flare ups). Try to avoid water as this is the very worse thing, babies (and younger than teenage) children dont need to bath every day - once a week is fine.

I found when DS was small that by bathing him once a week, he could have a weekly swim (with a shower before and after obviously) and still keep his skin under control. (To me the learning to swim thing is very important)

greedychops · 24/02/2011 19:38

I think advice has changed regarding bathing omletta - we have been advised by a paediatric dermatologist to bath ds1 every day to clean off any bacteria from his skin. Have to put hydromol ointment bath oil in, clean his hair with dermovate and put hydromol emollient on straight after with steroids on top when needed.

But I guess different doctors probably suggest different things. Think the natural instinct is not to bath them, but if the right protection is in the water, it shouldn't dry their skin out.

omletta · 24/02/2011 20:11

You are probably right greedychops - DS is nearly 9 now so I guess things have probably moved on. He still works the 'no baths' rule though cause he's a lazy little chap

spudmasher · 24/02/2011 20:18

Another vote for hydromol.
I get the feeling my dr does not like prescribing it though and I have an inkling as to why.
At Christmas when we ran out of it DH went to boots and attempted to but a pot and they said he could but it would cost £40. So he did not get it.

ivykaty44 · 24/02/2011 20:23

I had double base - but was told not to use aqueous - no idea why as I didn't question it. Have found the double base excellent, when I changed gp's and asked for more they hadn't heard of this cream but they pulled it up on a screen and gave me a perscription all the same

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