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Allergies and intolerances

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Original poster

Ezcema - best washing powder/liquid etc to use

50 replies

MunchMummy · 03/01/2010 12:55

Hi,

My 19 month old has quite bad ezcema and has had since she was 8 months old.

We use steroid cream and various other doctor prescribed emollients. Having not seen much of an improvement in her over the winter I am now worrying that come the summer she is going to be scratching herself open again (she had to wear bandages on her arms for most of last summer as it wouldn't heal).

So in desperation to try and help her, and before I certain food groups out her diet, I'm going to try changing my washing powder again and wash all her clothes/bedding and see if it helps.

Therefore I was wondering if some brands were more 'helpful' than others.

Currently use Persil non-bio liquid. Tried Tesco own brand non-bio a couple of months ago as it was on offer, but it brought her out in blisters.

Anyone know a good powder/liquid/gel?

Many thanks for any advice

OP posts:
DLI · 03/01/2010 13:01

my mother has a lot of problems with her skin (more than me) and she uses surf soap powder and lenor softner. she also uses morning fresh washing up liquid.

as your ds gets older avoid radox products

Original poster
MunchMummy · 03/01/2010 13:08

Many thanks for the tips - she doesn't have anything but water in her bath with baby shampoo to try and help her.

I'm happy to try any combination of powder/conditioner whatever the cost. Anything to help her stop scratching.

Haven't seen Surf for years, but will keep an eye out for it. Does it come in non-bio?

OP posts:
paisleyleaf · 03/01/2010 13:13

Soapnuts might be worth a try.
Sample here for the price of postage.... www.inasoapnutshell.com/id20.html

DLI · 03/01/2010 13:26

don't think so munchmummy,

DLI · 03/01/2010 13:27

oh, also fairy seems to irrate more

Picante · 03/01/2010 13:27

Don't use conditioner. I'd get rid of dairy first tbh it's usually the culprit.

ShepherdsWashedTheirLocks · 03/01/2010 14:16

Have you tried the Ecover products?

Original poster
MunchMummy · 03/01/2010 14:18

Sorry I didn't get back earlier - have been Moonsanding with DD1 whilst DD2 is asleep.

Oh, I almost bought some Fairy today thinking it might be milder for her - glad I didn't waste my money.

I'd never thought of getting rid of the conditioner - not a bad thought.

I did think it might be dairy, but she was a huge baby and therefore weaned at 4 months (on HV advice), so thought that if she had an intolerance it would have shown up then, not 4 months later.

Is dairy just milk/butter/cheese or does it mean eggs as well.

Maybe I'll try cutting conditioner first, then milk.

Soapnuts, have never heard of these, but will look into it, as I'm happy to try anything for the poor little (well, not so little) mite.

Many thanks everyone, any more suggestions would be great.

OP posts:
Original poster
MunchMummy · 03/01/2010 14:19

Ecover - we use the washing up liquid, never thought about the washing powder.

Will now go and look into soapnuts and ecover and keep well away from Fairy.

OP posts:
girlsyearapart · 03/01/2010 14:31

Supermarket own brand non bio for us. No fabric conditioner.

Def not Fairy.

Bought some Surcare but have never used it as other stuff worked.

Defintely diet the key with our dd though.

Original poster
MunchMummy · 03/01/2010 20:28

I really appreciate all the answers so far, but does anyone else have any other advice before I head back to the supermarket tomorrow?

And does cows milk really make that much difference to ezcema (lots of people have said this so I'm starting to believe it)

OP posts:
girlsyearapart · 04/01/2010 06:44

Well our dietitian said diet is the most common cause of infantile excema. If you look on my profile there are some photos of dd2 before and after diet changes- mainly no dairy, soya or egg.

covkimbo · 04/01/2010 08:18

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Original poster
MunchMummy · 04/01/2010 10:04

Lovely, many thanks everyone - lots of new ideas to try. Lets hope one of them works.

Currently all her clothes/bedding/nappies are being washed without conditioner - I'll see how that goes until I can get some soapnuts etc.

Maybe its time to call my HV and see if she can help me with the diet theory (I've heard she's been quite good with another mum in the same situation, not just dismissing it). But HVs scare me a bit

OP posts:
fairysparkle67 · 04/01/2010 10:11

Defo try cutting out milk - my dd had nasty excema and open wounds/skin infections from early age, when I cut out milk from my diet ( she was EBF) it made a massive difference. I once had a large hot choc from Costa
(forgetting the milk thing) and her skin went crazy within 24 hrs. She is now 3, can drink milk but we have found any powder but Fairy brings her out in a rash right away.

clayre · 04/01/2010 10:16

ds had bad excema and i stopped cows milk and used goats milk and it cleared up in 48 hours, i used tesc own non bio and tesco own 'pure' softner, if i change it to anything thats not non bio it dries him up, he now drinks cows milk again and has no red weeping blistering excema but does get quite dry skin.

covkimbo · 04/01/2010 17:27

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Original poster
MunchMummy · 04/01/2010 19:59

Many thanks all - I have ordered a trial of soapnuts and will see how that goes.

Covered her in Aveeno again at lunchtime (supposed to moisturise for 24 hours). 2 hours later the poor love is scratching again.

OP posts:
paisleyleaf · 05/01/2010 09:51

Poor thing. it's worth giving the soapnuts a go.
My DD also has eczema. And it is always worse at this time of year - with the heating etc. It's a lot better when she's in light cotton clothes with the air getting to her skin. My DD does also seem to react to wool - as with any creams with lanolin in.
Although it sounds from you OP that your DD is worse in the summer.

UnseenAcademicalMum · 06/01/2010 00:19

We use any own-brand non-bio and put the wash on extra rinse as residue can cause a problem. If things need a bit of a freshen up rather than a wash, I use Ecozone Ecoballs, which are fine for getting rid of small marks on clothes.

TBH however, I am absolutely convinced that most ezcema is caused by exposure to allergens (confirmed by our consultant allergist). DS1 had eczema since 6 months old (ff, not dairy allergic but allergic to nuts, pulses, kiwi and used to be allergic to eggs) and never gets it now that all his allergens are removed from his diet. DS2 had eczema since birth, but after finding that he is allergic to dairy and cutting that from his diet his skin is completely clear! We now don't need to use special cream, bath emoillients (sp?) or anything for either of them .

UnseenAcademicalMum · 06/01/2010 00:21

Oh, should have mentioned in that, ds2 with eczema since birth was bf. His eczema started to clear once I removed dairy from his diet. In hindsight, he was a typical dairy allerguc baby.

SazzlesA · 06/01/2010 00:23

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mummysgoingmad · 06/01/2010 00:29

have you tryed those eco wash balls from 1 of the shopping channels, not only are they supposed to be really good for allergies but you can get 900 washes from one ball, they get tough stains out and everything, i would give them a go. think these are the same ones

covkimbo · 06/01/2010 09:11

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mummywoowoo · 08/01/2010 08:32

Hi just crashing your v helpful thread... Which gets stains out better... Soapnuts or biod please?

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