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!

Theantignome, this or similar.

thanks a lot candles !

PC have posted on the other thread for ya.

Our 8 month old daughter has eczema and food allergies (which we are due to see a Consultant immunologist about next month). We have tried every cream prescribed by our Dermatologist for her eczema/extremely sensitive skin. However, her skin has reacted badly to all of it - becomes red/rashy/blotchy/very itchy. The most recent product we have tried is Aveeno cream which is excellent at moisturising her skin but again causes her skin to become red, rashy, etc. Does anyone else have this problem. If so, can you recommend anything. Thank you.

I think Aveeno was before DS1's time but we had this problem too.

Oilatum in the bath did NOTHING. E45 did nothing. Aqueous cream made it worse. Zinc and Castor oil cream worked for a while then I found out it had peanut oil in it! When he was admitted to hospital they did the wet wrap bandages and used diprobase . . . I said: I don't like the smell of that, it smells like aqueous cream and that makes it worse. I was tersely told "no one is EVER allergic to diprobase." The next day when they took the bandages off his poor skin was so red you could see the finger marks of where they had applied it. I wanted to leave some finger marks on someone's face, I can tell you!

In the end the allergy nurse had to write a special presciption of h/c mixed by the chemist with white soft paraffin, then the emollient was what they called 50/50 - white soft paraffin and liquis paraffin.

Later, quite by chance we bought some Oilatum Junior cream and found it the best thing ever, it really stays on the skin and moisturises for a long time. Incidentally, the normal oilatum cream seemed to be nothing special.

OP - what about pure cotton clothes? I think there is a company called Cotton Bottoms whose leaflet I have had through the eczema society. It all costs an arm and a leg though...

My baby's eczema on his face got worse using Epaderm (petroleum based). I wanted to use natural products anyway so after some trial and error have found barefoot botanicals' hand and face cream is fantastic (all their products are suitable for eczema) and purepotions skin salve. I have now realised even Ecover fabric conditioner or washing powder is the trigger which I was very surprised at as I like to use natural products but am now going to get some ecoballs to avoid any detergents at all. I just thought I would share my findings!

Apologies, I haven't read the full thread, just the OP - but it sounded so similar to my experience I thought I'd 'share'.

My DD (now 18mo) was similarly allergic to all the creams we tried - aveeno, doublebase, oilatum etc etc. Dermasalve was EXCELLENT but now they've gone into administration - however, I've found a new range called Allergenics (availble widely online, just google), and have been using the lotion, which is working a treat, and we now only have to use steroid cream every few days if that. (plus also finding out she was allergic to milk/eggs and cutting those out has helped)

I think my DD is allergic to the preservatives found in most conventional creams, and parabens (if they're not the same thing?!) - plus the usuals which exacerbate my own eczema, eg lanolin, fragrance (even 'natural' fragrance like lavender) etc. So the Allergenics range is def. worth a try.

Also, re the washing - we use Surcare (I've used it myself since I was a teenager with eczema); always make sure give the clothes an extra rinse cycle, and don't use conditioner. Also, try to use 100% cotton clothes, keep them as cool as possible, and whatever you do, don't put wool or fleeces directly next to the skin.

Sorry again if repeating other's posts, but thought the Allergenics range was so unusually good, worth mentioning.... Hope that helps....

If the eczema is really bad, it might be worth trying to be Dairy Free for a while. Our 18 month old had an anaphylactic reaction to cow's milk / protein and also Nutramigen. It was very scary, but we now have to avoid all dairy. Her eczema has completely gone. It was there when I breastfed her, and obviously the dairy in my diet was transferring to her via my milk. Since I stopped breastfeeding when she was 9 months, the eczema has completely gone.

Bit of a tedious change, but could help.

Good Luck!

Has anyone mentioned the French dermatological brand Avene yet?

Avene water has anti-eczema properties - there is a spa treatment centre for sufferers in the town of the same name - and the range of products is supposedly good. Worth a try maybe?

Avene definately worth a try. Worked for us. Also removing any products with SLS or SLES in them too. Parabens in sun creams are supposed to be bad for eczema too

When we realised Surecare had changed its formulation we went on the hunt for a hypoallergenic laundry powder and thankfully found the amazing Skin salve laundry powder Cleans,softens and no reaction on sensitive skin! You will find it at www.skinsalve.co.uk
Great service and nice helpful people