Not to bath ds?

[humanoctopus]

Ds,aged 2 gets horrible eczema flare ups a number of times a year so far.

We have about 3 months of normality, then the horrid red, sore bits start. GP doesn't think its allergy related, as its so infrequent. He has had some infected weeping bits whenever its gotten infected, really rotten for him.

My observation is that whenever he has a bath (just warm water, no detergent), which we did about 3 times weekly, until about 4 monts ago, he has had pre-eczema looking bits, which I blast with tons of aqueous cream, etc.

I am now using plain oil or lotions to massage him, then a soft muslin cloth of wipe him all over. We are 4 months into this regime, without a flare up, so that's good, right?

He doesn't smell, his skin is lovely and soft, and he is happy, without the disturbed sleep that the flare ups bring.

I said this to the HV when she called to do a developmental check. She was asking about his daily routine, etc. She was visibly horrified at his lack of bathing, I was at her reaction. I explained about the eczema and how it was working out so well at the moment.

She phoned me at work on Friday and said that she would like to visit to discuss how I was handling ds. I wouldn't agree to setting a date/time on the spot, as I wanted to get my head around this.

Is is so unreasonable not to bathe him given how it affects him. I really do keep him clean and lovely looking, just feeling worried now.

[TinaSpoon]

Have you tried Dream Cream from Lush, sorts out dd's scaly bits brilliantly! But, fwiw, YANBU.

I've been recommended that for my skin so many times, but when looked into buying it it has parabens in. Which I am allergic to, and is a well known skin irritant. So why is it in there? NOT a good thing for eczema prone skin to be using.

[CheerfulYank]

I'm pretty sure it was the Romans that did the oil thing...at least on Rome the series they did! :o I remember because I was jealous of the woman oiling up Titus Pullo

[QueenStromba]

Eczema is one of what I refer to as the unholy trinity. The other two are asthma and hay fever. I have bad asthma and allergies and when I was a baby my mother used to have to put me into the bath in my pajamas because they were stuck to me from the eczema weeping.

Eczema and asthma are both diseases caused by an over sensitive reaction to the environment either through the skin or the lungs. You can't do much when it's in the lungs but cleaning your son with oil probably does a good job of getting rid of the dirt and leaves a protective layer that stops the allergens getting in.

[Tortoiseonthehalfshell]

Just stop seeing the HV. Your son is two, it's bonkers that she's still coming around and getting all up in your parenting business. First time parent with a newborn, fair enough, but you have more than one child, and he's two.

Stop seeing her. You don't need her. Take your son to the GP for development checks if you need any more done (in Australia the recommendation is eighteen months, and then again at 3 or 4 years) and just cut the toxic judgemental cow off. Seriously.

[Supermoo]

tinaspoon I was worried about parabens sneaking onto the ingredients list at first, I know parabens = A Bad Thing as far as eczema goes. However, it works for my dd!

[NinkyNonker]

Have you tried using diprobase as soap? It is a sticky aqueous lotion that can be used as both soap and emoillient.

[valiumredhead]

My ds is the same - just a quick swoosh with the shower every other night as baths strip his skin and we are back to square one again!

You know not to use Aqueous don't you? Lots about it recently containing detergent so not as good as they once thought.

[Crawling]

YANBU if it is not broken dont fix it. When he is older and needs baths you can change it then.

[NinkyNonker]

Oh really Valium? Pants. Dd (8 mo) has just been prescribed diprobase for her excema.

[irishqueen]

i second dream cream..... killed excema in my 5 and 6 yr old and currently using it on newborn (first time I have had a baby with perfect soft skin)
My sister uses it on her psoriasis as does my bf. Shame its expensive but lasts a long time

[vintageteacups]

Be careful if using oats under the running water thing - I tried it after so many articles suggesting it and my skin went into overdrive. It was awful - my skin stung and went bright red - just because things are natural doesn't mean your skin will necessarily tolerate them.

[rockinhippy]

Agree with dumping the health visitor - she sounds like an opinionated cow - makes me glad I didn't really have one - talk about undermining you -

I did have a GP who was like her as regards my working though, so really feel for you - get rid!!

[orangeeyebrows]

the thing that used to trigger mine and still does to a lesser extent is Persil and cheap washing powders - that used to really affect mine and still does, even just on bed linen, towels etc

certain shampoos/shower gels, so i find unperfumed soaps are best and washing up liquids etc

[Tanith]

I imagine poor OP's head is spinning at this point!!

Isn't it awful? I think eczema would be so much easier to manage it there wa one solution that helped every sufferer.

Oats in the bath helped DS: DD can't tolerate it. Sudocrem worked like a dream with DS: DD has just spent an appalling night with it so that's out now. Oilatum flared both of them up. Persil non-bio was good for DS, but not for DD... it goes on!

[CornflowerB]

Totally agree with Tortoise - you are a mother of two and your youngest is two. You don't need these people to tell you how to rear your children.

[Sweetpea215]

You sound very caring.

You seem to have found something that works....but it might be worth introducing a proper bath once in a while? I find that sea salt in the bath works wonders for eczema...so might be something worth trying.

[Sweetpea215]

I'll second that oilatum is really good.

Sometimes tho I think oils can irritate eczema skin. I had terrible eczema as a child and thick emulsifying ointments really irritated it. Salt water (salt in the bath) and bathing in the sea really helped stop the itch.

Matter of trial and error I think...until you find what really suits.

[plopplopquack]

Why not give him a bath and rub the oils in afterwards and not the auquous (sp) cream. As someone else has said that is supposed to be not so great these days.

[EldritchCleavage]

Tortoise has put it very well re your health visitor.

We use aqueous cream on DS, who admittedly only has mild eczema, but only for washing, never as moisturiser. We have found good (sadly v. expensive) moisturisers like Aderma's Exomega or La Roche-Posay's Lipikar keep his skin problem-free.

For washing his clothes, sheets and towels we use Surcare liquid. Whichever laundry soap you use, I really recommend using less than the manufacturers suggest. We often do an extra rinse in the machine just to be sure all soap as been removed. This combination of things has kept DS's eczema at bay completely for several months.

[EldritchCleavage]

Also, the Allergenics range (shampoo, wash, moisturiser is excellent. It is the only thing DH can consistently tolerate. Unfortunately most Boots don't stock it, you would have to try independent chemists and health shops.

[coccyx]

How do you make sure his genetal area is clean?? I think a weekly bath

[mousymouse]

op, you have found a way that works for you.
that is the thing with eczema, finding it and sticking to it...
I remember with ds it took us ages to find our solution to his skin problems and we are fine now.

[bubbleymummy]

Lush products are not all natural. Some of them contain sodium lauryl sulphate which is a big no no for many eczema sufferers. Make sure you check the ingredients if you have sensitive skin.

[dikkertjedap]

Be careful with too much aquaeous cream as it can block pores resulting in infection. DD and DH have bad eczema and the thick Dermol cream (Boots pharmacy sells it without prescription) work well for them (every morning and evening until eczema has gone). Also, only cotton clothing and not too hot. I would try to be referred to dermatologist and ignore health visitor as this is not in her area of expertise. Good luck.