eczema/dry patches - baby happy, am I being neglectful?

[Umlellala]

My bf nearly 6mth old has dry patches (looks similar to dicoid eczema)all over, flares in cold, etc. Took him to GP who prescribed Diprobase and bath stuff so we are using that. Isn't making it go, but it isn't getting worse.

Now, baby seems happy, not scratching/itchy (would a 5mth old scratch?) and nothing is weeping.It's just a bit unsightly.

SO
should I be going back to GP? Researching things to cut out of my diet? Being careful when weaning him? I really can't be bothered with any of it which sounds awful but he honestly seems happy... Dd grew out of a small patch on her chin.

Opinions and (easy) tips to help VERY welcome . TIA

Hiya, My Kids are also using diprobase for eczema, but it works!! If its not working go back its what the GP is there for. I know exactly what you mean about your son not being bothered and you are right if he's not stressed then its not an emergency. On the other hand it is easy for dry patches to become problems very quickly, infections or rapidly spreading. Somthing in the gps armoury will suit your son. If however it was food related my 1st guess would be cows milk in your diet. Try switching to lactose free milk/soya milk/goats milk. All three can be used as a direct replacement for cows milk in tea/coffee or cooking. While goats milk isn't lactose free its very low and much Luck!!

KKQ x

Should read good luck - sorry knackered!!

If its not botherin him then theres no rush but would probably go back and get something else. The second cream I was prescribed for my DD worked fine and have almost no trouble with excema now (fingers crossed). I was worried about cutting things out of diet etc but there are loads of creams to try first.

BTW a 5mo would scratch, my DD used to scratch all the time from a few weeks old.

Your not being neglectful IMO, if it doesnt bother him thats the main thing. Would get him back to GP at some point tho

Thanks for your replies both of you.
Will make appointment to see GP

My DS1 had eczema from a few weeks old and he did scratch despite the bed mits which he always managed to rub off. He is now 5 and although has dry skin, incredibly his eczema has almost recently disappeared! Maybe it's true and some kids do grow out of it (i never did). Anyway for years we slathered on diprobase every day which didn't help (and nor did Oilatum in his bath - made it worse), and only recently discovered CETRABEN which i believe is a much better emoilent. I saw instant improvement in DS1's skin when we started using it. My question is this: i now have a DS2 aged only 3 weeks and already he has very peeling dry skin on his forehead and eyelids which i fear is spreading and will prob develop into eczema. Has anyone used Cetraben on a baby this young, and specifically on the face area, or anyone have any other suggestions for improving my newborn's skin?

Queenbee, have you tried extra virgin veg oil? I used this in DD1's baths when she was very little for her dry skin (but it does of course make them very slippery to hold!). Congrats on your newborn

Ordinary oatmeal tied up tightly in a piece of muslin & suspended over hot tap when running a bath. Soothing to sore skin & very cheap (& 100% natural!) You can use the muslin like a sponge once baby is in bath to gently wipe over face & whole body . Worth a try...

Read this article the other day and thought it was interesting, my SIL is staying with us at the mo and suffers from it news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7820081.stm - it's about water softeners being helpful

The baby would definitely scratch if he was itchy - like another poster I spent months carrying mine in a special hold to stop him attacking himself. Great that it isn't bothering him. I would try a thicker cream, perhaps vaseline (or epaderm from the doctors is similar) as many peoplehave to try a couple of creams before they find something that helps.
After our ds improving slowly but surely all year, the very cold weather has brought him out in dry patches again - I think the cold weather and dry central heating are a lot for skin to deal with.
Good luck.

This sounds soo much like ds2. He developed similar 'eczema like' but none itchy patches all over his torso 4 months ago (he is 11mo old).

I must admit to have been pestering the GP relentlessly ever since. I had bad eczema for years as a child so am super-sensitive to the possibility of this for my lo. Anyway a couple of months of moisturizing w. Aveeno, mild HC cream and an anti-fungal (some patches looked more like ringworm than eczema but were possibly both) have just about got rid of it. I have always used Oilatum in the bath and never soap too. Plus I am doing low-allergy weaning with him so am pretty sure it wasn't food allergy related.

Not saying you should necessarily do any of this but please don't be afraid to go back to your GP if things get worse. Once mine accepted that I was not going to go away he was actually pretty helpful.

I have the same issues and will try the tips.

Don't want to worry anyone unnecessarily, but Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is thought to be a carcinogen so I wouldn't use it on a baby. I'd stick to natural oils instead.