skin cream causing itchy reaction

[fatcatsmaw]

Finally realised the various preparations provided by my doctor are making my son's itchy patches of skin worse after trying the latest on a tiny patch of unaffected skin and the wee soul was scratching within two hours. Needless to say I've stopped putting anything on him but still left with how to cure his red itchy skin.Can anyone suggest a safe cure?

Hi Fatcat.. Not sure if you are talking re eczema - but this will apply to any skin itchiness or dryness.I have had eczema for 35yrs and my daughter suffered as a baby (on her cheeks - poor girl) The best remedies I have found for itching are
1.Cider vinegar - use diluted 1:1 and apply to skin. If you have already scratched this may sting but will definitely relieve the itch. I put the mixture in a small fingerspray bottle and spray my skin- I have found that it actually halts the eczema. Don't know how old your son is but for littlies it is useful to put 1/2 cup cider vinegar in their bath and let them play for 20 mins or so.
2.Oats- use in the bath. Put a handful of oats in a piece of muslin/cut-up tea towel close up with elastic band. Squeeze in the bath to make it all milky and use as a cloth to rub over skin.
There is one other product which is fantastic for skin problems but not for squeemish - your bodies own medecine see link below for more info [www.ehow.com/way_5164601_urine-therapy-skin-care.html]
I have been using this for 4/5 yrs at the first sign of an outbreak and have managed to keep my eczema at bay.
good luck with it hope this all helps

Thanks jaje, I have been bathing him with some oats in a sock, I think it helps a little but it creeps him out when I rub it on his skin. I will try the cider vinegar and see how that goes.I'm off to read about urine therapy, in the meantime I think he may be attempting his own cure - he has piddled six pairs of pants today!

I've just posted this on a food allergy thread but I have recently discovered an easy at home way to test sensitivity to food and creams. I have a 9 month old who has very sensitive skin and was scratching after we used some perscribed creams. I was shown how to do muscle resistance testing by a kinesiologist and have been able to test creams on my son before trying them on his skin. I have done this in the supermarket to try out a range of creams before finding buying them.

How to do it: Put your baby on your lap. Hold the the cream / food (can be wrapped) on the baby's tummy, navel level or below with one hand and extend your other hand at the shoulder. Test first with some food you know your baby is OK with. Get someone else to push down on your extended arm. You should be able to resist this pressure. If you are unable to resist the pressure (ie the other person can easily push your arm down), this means that your baby's body does not like it!

BTW: Earth Friendly Baby Calendula Cream worked best but I think it's really an individual thing.

Hope you find some relief soon.

Been away all weekend and my son so much happier with no more prescribed creams being applied.Skin still a mess though so doctor agreed that he seems to be allergic to liquid paraffin amongst other things. This is common to many skin creams etc. Has referred him to a skin specialist. In the meantime trying manuka honey.I've never used soap on him,and thought by breast feeding till age two he may have some protection against eczema.Failed mum