Ezcema - best washing powder/liquid etc to use

[MunchMummy]

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

Another vote for Ecover here. Fairy. I got a whole body reaction to Fairy! Covered in eczema from head to foot. Surcare also fine, but I reckon Ecover cleans better.

Hi everyone - didn't expect this thread to surface again (I'm the OP), but great that it is.

Well the soapnuts still haven't arrived - but as we're kind of snowbound its not a surprise.

I've tried cutting out conditioner as one poster suggested, but her skin was redder than ever the next morning.

For the past 48 hours I've cut out cows milk dairy (using goats milk instead) and still no improvement at all.

Next I'm going to try ecover which I bought the other day.
My mum also suggested putting salt water on, saying it would sting but work. Not so sure I want to add to her misery.

With it being so cold here (-13 last night) we've had to have the heating on a bit more (not on all day) and that makes things worse for her as well.

Oh how I wish it would just all go away - for her sake, its horrible to see her scratching all the time.

MummyWooWoo - hijack away - sorry I don't have an answer to your question though.

Has anyone suggested putting oats tied up in muslin in the bath? Makes the water milky and soothing - not to do with washing, but a good tip - I used to have a terrible time with eczema, and this helped.

Bath time is a bit of a non-goer with little one anyway. As soon as she hears the water running she starts throwing a wobbly, so its always a quick dunk in, wash hair and out again in less than a minute. Tantrum stops the moment she is all dressed again.

I have heard oats helping other people out as well.

We use all ecover products (washing liquid, conditioner, washing up liquid for dishes) due to previous eczema and don't have a problem now. Also use just baby shampoo and bath liquid. If we stay at other peoples' houses and their clothes are washed in other stuff they get eczema.

We also use goats milk, goats milk yogurt and goats milk cheese instead of cows milk products. This has been the biggest change in stopping the eczema - no more snuffily noses either. Get goats full/semi/skimmed milk/plain or fruit yoghurt/soft or hard cheese easily in most supermarkets (even local co-op) in the fresh chiller cabinets next to normal milks/cheeses. St Helens Farm are big providers. Check their website.

MunchMummy be patient - it takes more than 48 hrs to see a difference. The eczema will take time to heal but ours healed up better once we cut out dairy / used ecover and once it did - it didn't come back.

I break out in rashes to everything except Ariel tablets...and I use no conditioner. might be worth a try!

Oh dear - is it a problem I've given her milk chocolate this morning then if I'm trying to avoid cows milk. Oops - time to start afresh next week I think then hopefully we can get out and about a bit easier.

On an aside - I've just found out that DD1s pre-school (attached to primary school) WAS open this morning. And how am I supposed to find this out when the websites weren't showing this at 10am even!! She goes in the morning, so I've had a bored DD home for nothing. Might have tried to drive somewhere if I knew it would be open (can't walk anywhere because the buggy won't go through it). AArrgghhhhh. Its a bad day today.

Ive found that Surcare was the best for keeping my DS1's skin under control - but not his clothes clean. So far, the one ive found least affects his skin AND cleans his clothes is Waitrose own brand Non Bio. He is def not dairy allergenic, so this is not an absolute given. Does your LO have to have a bath everyday? might help just to do every other day?

thanks for the hints ladies

This is not about washing powder but I hope it may be helpful!

My oldest, now 5, has had eczema since she was 1 which became quite severe at times, despite all the creams & steroid ointments, she even required antibiotics at times. We were never able to figure out the cause despite many tests & specialist visits, changing washing powders, food eliminations etc.

My second started to develop eczema at about 8mths and this is when I heard a doctor being interviewed on tv mention bleach baths. In desperation to try anything I researched it and tried it and it has been fantastic!

We add 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach to a half full bath just for the last 10 minutes. It is diluted enough to be safe if they get it in their face or mouths and you can use it to wash hair for those with eczema on their scalps, but strong enough to kill any bacteria on the skin as those with eczema often have a weakened ability to fight bacteria.

We started this twice a week, and now do it just once a week and regularly apply a non-ionic moisturising cream and over three months my oldest has gone from a bleeding, scabby mess to barely any trace of eczema at all, my youngest has absolutely no trace whatsoever.

This has been life changing for my daughter and a fantastic solution for us so if you are interested, please look up the research online
/www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/news/20090427/bleach-baths-may-help-kids-with-ezc ema.

I second the suggestion of an extra rinse cycle. This helped hugely with my dd's eczema (we were already using Ecover with a bit of improvement).

We use Ecover too, also like it 'cause it isn't perfumed. And like potatofactory suggested, oats tied up in a stocking good in the bath

My 2 and half month baby has eczema and I have an emolient to use from the doctor. But I'm wondering if there is any washing liquid/powder and fabric softener that will help her/not irritate her skin. I was looking at the Ecover stuff, is that any good?

Boots do their own brand sensitive skin washing powder. I don't have eczema but am get very itchy from other washing powder/liquids and this one has been fine. Don't bother using fabric softener, I ran out a few months ago and notice no difference in not using it. Tried soapnuts which were ok as long as the clothes had no actual dirt on them !

Hi there, another vote for Ecover - it's the only fabric conditioner we can use and with dd's skin it's nice to be able to soften the clothes are that in itself makes them more comfortable. Also if your machine has an extra rinse cycle, use it - just got a new Siemens washing machine and it makes the world of difference

I use Filetti for DS. I do an extra rinse and don't use fabric conditioner.

I tried soapnuts but they didn't get the clothes any cleaner than just water.

I use Surcare and it works fine. I can't work out what is causing my dss' eczema as they never seem to flare up at the same time yet eat more or less the same food/are exposed to same weather conditions etc.

Hi everyone,

Just incase anyone is interested after an even more major flare up on Tuesday morning I decided to go dairy (cows) free for 2 weeks. Its now day 4 and already there is a major difference. No more flare ups (she normally gets them every 2-3 days) and all the redness is going down.

Would never believe it could be diet, but if this continues I think we've found our problem. Not washing powders as I thought it might be.

But then this could all be a coincidence and she'll flare up again tomorrow morning

Hello all,
I have a 7 month old who's developed eczema - shes quite bad at the moment having big flare ups and what started as a small patch on her face is now covering her head face and torso- Im also thinking I need to cut out the dairy to see if it makes any difference- but does this include her formula?? and if so what formula is out there as a replacement?, what do u all use? currently using oilatum in bath and on 3 rd lot of moisturiser, but only the steriod cream seems to have any affect and dont like to use it too much especially on her face.
Thanks for Help. dont know what to do for best!

I bought 3 ecoballs 18 months ago and stopped using any kind of washing powder or conditioner - no more chemicals or perfume of any kind - much better for dd's eczema.

hi,what are ecoballs,thanks

SURF!! No fabric conditioner,i've had the same problem and this is the only one that seems to help