Has anybody got any suggestions for a non petroleum based emolient ?

[puffylovett]

I need a cream I can smother all over my 3 month old, preferably calendula based rather than conventional epaderms etc. This is my 2nd DC with eczema, so feeling rather gutted but at least I know how to deal with it.

He's particularly bad on his head and face, but starting to develop small patches all over his back from the pressure of lying down.

I don't like to use petroleum based products as I feel they don't let the skin breathe, even though they work. With DS1 he was still itchy, and it was homeopathy that worked in the end, but it took some time and I need to manage DS2's skin in the meantime whitrele we start treatment. Am currently wheat and dairy free for a few days (bfing), any other ideas welcome

I've tried the Itch relief herbal cream, Aloe gel and am about to start with Neem cream (was a godsend with DS1 but they are different constitutions / skin types) so could just do with some other ideas.

Thanks in advance !

I expect you've already researched on the net, but in case you missed it, try this page of natural remedies

beeswax-based stuff would be nicer to use as well - I had a beeswax nipple ointment for chapped/raw/sore nipples made up for me by a herbalist friend - it worked really fast and well.

For some reason I had honey in my head as being a useful substance too and then found this stuff - but it contains 3 different parabens, so it's not my idea of natural!

However, you could get some manuka honey and make your own, perhaps using some of the other natural stuff suggested on the other page?

Also, there is this stuff - I bought some over a year ago for DS and it is fantastic for nappy rash and any other kind of sore skin that he has had but he doesn't have eczema so I don't personally know how good it would be with that - however, this is what the product website says about it.

Hope that helps!

Hi i use this website and they have one which is described as a natural alternative to petroleum emoliants called Ultra Rich www.100percentature.co.uk/products.php?cat=43
Have you also looked at supplements for eczema? I use omega 3, probiotics, vitamins etc again from same site. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the responses guys, sorry to have not replied - DS1 a v poorly boy & DS2 is very draining at the mo! I'll have a look at those thumbwitch, thank you - I like the idea of beeswax, I can't remember if I tried any beeswax based products with DS1. I probably did, but then he never had the raw weepy eczema that DS2 seems to have

Lucyeco - yes I'm taking a shedload of supps, particularly a high dose fish oil, thanks for the suggestions though

I can report back from this weekends experiments though, that virgin coconut oil seems to bring him out in a rash - wether thats pointing to a sensitivity to tree nuts or not will remain to be seen I guess (he's only 3 months). What do you think Thumbwitch ?

Have you tried Aveeno?

E45 etc just seem to make my eczema crosser, Aveeno is the only thing I've found to moisturise and not irritate it.

Pricey though.

Has paraffin in

Have seen it recommended on here lots so had a look the other day. Thanks though

I used skin salvation by this company purepotions.co.uk It was the only thing that helped ds. I bought it at a health food store but you can order it from the website.

bloody parabens... I like the look of the Infinite Aloe, and of course Manuka would be great for the open weeping sores, it's so healing..

and I like the look of the purepotions as well, I like that I can get a sample pot and trial it.

Thats great thanks guys, it gives me something to try over the next couple of months. If he's anything like DS1, I'll find a cream, it will work for a month and then his skin will come resistant to it and I'll need to try something else....

Ah, had lost the box of the Aveeno, so couldn't check ingredients. It does have a different 'feel' from E45 etc though...

Ok, three more things then:

1. Neal's Yard starflower cream (again, haven't checked ingredients but I'm sure it'll be on their website)

2. Our local chemists was giving out samples of something called Salcura which worked well, but was expensive. Might be worth trying if you can find somewhere doing free samples still.

3. If the eczema has developed to the open weeping sore stage, moisturising isn't going to help, and it'll probably end up infected before too long. You need to let your GP look at it, really...

thanks Heathen. I've taken him twice over last couple days, and we've got some fucidin (antibiotic & hydrocortisone blend) for it. Although I didn't think you were supposed to use hydrocortisone on open cracked eczema?

There is one patch on his cheek though that is raw skin and missing a layer the size of a 50p. He keeps rubbing his cheeks to itch them on everything, and the rough skin gets clothes fibres caught up in it, its really red and sore. Nothing seems to work as a barrier, even Double base

We used hemp seed oil on DD1 when her skin was bad. It is very gentle and healing but it has quite a strong smell.

We also used watered down apple cider vinegar as it is anti bacterial and relieves itching and is very soothing (not on open eczema as it could sting).

Feeling for you, eczema is so horrid.

reat idea, thank you - I have some apple cider vinegar, I would never have thought..

Are you sure all Aveeno products have paraffin? There is quite a range, and they don't all have the same ingredients.

You can alos put oats in any water you use to wash or wipe him.

Have you tried cocoa butter? You may have to hunt for a brand that is pure, without synthetic additives, but I know that they exist.

What about Lansinoh? When my dc had eczema on their faces (admitedly not as badly as your ds) I used it as a barrier cream on very cold days.

You can relieve the pressure on his back by putting him on a sheepskin. It is safe for a back-sleeper to sleep directly on a sheepskin.

Not sure about his face but with DD all the bath and skin emolients make things worse.

We were advised to use a handfull of organic porridge oats and tie in a muslin square. Drop in into a tepid bath and use it to wash them down gently (no rubbing just dunk the oat bag and squeeze over the body). It worked so well on DD that I now use it myself

The oats give off a natural oil which is very soft and creamy - with NO chemicals.

I've been avoiding oats because on DS1 when I tried it, they made his itching loads worse

I may try it on DS2 and see how we get on.

I have got some lansinoh, I've been trying to use it but it's so darn sticky and thick I just can't seem to get it on his cheeks ! I'll keep persevering. The Weleda calendula nappy cream is quite handy as it's so thick, but they do a weather protection cream that has lansinoh in it I think, so I'm going to try that next..

BTW The Bioforce Neem cream has been fantastic, it's turned his head around in a matter of 2 days. I'm having to apply it 3x per day so it's costly, but it's fat. It was the same with DS1

Thats interesting about the sheepskin prettycandles, I nearly got him one for christmas and then decided on a connecta sling instead.

argh !!! today he looks like a burns victim

his poor face and head are all red and scaly again. I may have to dig out the Double base after all

Aw, poor little lad.

It's just so depressingly random, isn't it, my eczema can be looking fine and then suddenly go mad overnight... best of luck to you, really hope you can find something to calm it down.

Try SK Cream - I found it excelletn. www.healingproduct.co.uk/ Also Pure Potions Skin Salvation. You can get it from Whole Food or probably over the internet

.

DS1 had bad eczema made worse by petroleum-based products, pretty much from birth. Good news is he has now grown out of that (21mths) and we can use up all the pots of stuff we were given back then...

At the time we used a combination of Aloe Vera gel (not lotion) which was cooling/soothing and slightly moisturising, and hemp oil (from Sainsburys) which we slathered all over him. Oats in the bath as other posters have suggested. We used to alternate the oil/aloe vera and apply at every nappy change when really bad, with special attention in the evening. HTH.

If you are wanting a calendula based one, then they are plenty available. Most health shops probably stock a calendula cream or ointment, although they can vary a lot in quality / strength. If you want a good one for your condition, maybe talk with homeopath in your area, as they often prescribe calendula creams for skin conditions.

For a beeswax based one, then try the Pot of Gold Baby Balm. Haven't used it myself yet (still a couple of months away from birth), but friends have given us a pot already after their own experience - they swore by it, said was only thing they used that would quickly clear up nappy rash. Its 100% natural, and from what have been told being beeswax based means that it spreads well so only need to use small amounts. See this page

Wife has used it a bit so far on dry nipples, and worked great for that as well.

If you want to use lansinoh, try warming it on a radiator... much easier to apply then.

Aveeno is working v.well on DS2 at the moment (and is available on prescription). We have the cream and bath oil/wash. It doesn't feel at all greasy.

Has anyone tried Ecz-Easy Balm by Inlight for their child's eczema?

Both my dcs suffer from mildish eczema. I have used diprobase, hydrocortisones, aqueous creams etc which can be effective for a short time but was thinking of trying something a bit more natural.

Also I read a newspaper article about how these prescription creams generally contain something called sodium lauryl which can actually aggravate the problem.

Any advice would be appreciated!

with the beeswax? does it have all traces of pollen removed?

i dont think rubbing pollen in to open skin would be a good idea myself.

and really label read, lots of so called natural ezcema creams have the same stuff in them that gps prescribe, only with lots of perfume and colourings.

understand, and research label.
and obviously, nothing with nuts/peanut/fruit stone oils in.

just be careful , natural , is not always good .