Best eczema cure for 5 month old

[BexChelt]

We have been trying to clear my boys eczema (mainly on his cheeks) for about month now. We have had fucidin cream, mupirocin ointment and now hydrocortisol). None of this works mainly due to the fact that however hard we try he scratches (even with mitts) healing skin until it is raw again. Coupled with that his colic has come back, he has a cold and also teeth playing up.....generally a unhappy bunny. This has resulted in no sleep for the household for 2 weeks. I try to swaddle him for as long as possible at night but he wriggles free and gets more distressed.

Any advice? We have been to the doctors many many times .....latest was to ring back after the weekend and see how it is.

Thanks

have they given you an emollient ointment like epaderm? It is quite greasy but effective if put on twenty minutes after the steroid cream.

I have had a lot of success with aloe vera and propolis cream at the moment. It is not an exact science though, people respond so differently to things. There is another really good one made from oats, will google and see if I can remember the name.

Aveeno - works for a lot of people. Very natural and can be got on prescription I think.

Ask the GP to prescribe phenergan or piriton for the night time distress and itching. If he sleeps better without scratching his face may heal. Anyone who's had excema knows the urge to scratch is irrisistable!

Is he on cow's milk-based formula? Sometimes this is linked to eczema. You could ask the GP to try a hypoallergenic formula (not soy) but they mightn't be keen because it's very expensive for them to prescribe.

You should try out Eucerin Calming Creme. It does wonders for eczema outbreaks. I've seen a lot of other people recommend it too. It moisturizes while soothing the itch and cracking.

Apart from the hydrocortisone, all this was prescribed by my HV who specialised in skin conditions, this is what worked best for my DS, and he had raw weeping skin on his head and face.
-hydrocortisone 1% on all areas of ezcema wherever it is on the body, morning and night for 1 week(thinly)
-Hydromol (which is an emollient) ALL OVER the body after approx 10 mins of steriod aplication and at night thick layers it creases.
-Apply hydromol on problem areas of eczema throughout the day as soon as the last lot has soaked in, annoying but clears quickly
-after 1 week reduce steriod to 1 application a day on problem areas but continue with the hydromol
-reduce steriod to 2/3 applications a week and continue with hydromol (by this point we weren't using it nearly as much)
-stop using steriod and when it has cleared up replace hydromol with double base and apply twice a day to problem areas.
He does still have flair ups from time to time so we go back to hydromol and use it regularly for a while and it subsides again.

we reduced the number of baths to once a week and used some oiltum in bath amd oats in tights, followed by emoillent,

halved the amount of washing powder/fabric conditioner

poor you and him

Had this with my DD at 4 months. Terrible eczema and non stop scratching, was given everything under the sun to try and clear it up.
After a terrible month of this going on with both Dr and HV saying it could not be the formula (SMA) they relunctantly put her on Pepti Junior, only on prescription, and within 3 days she was a changed baby. Eczema completely went. Now at 15 months old and after allergy tests I am reintroducing cows milk.
I am very bitter the health professionals put us through that, so please insist on seeing a dietician and changing the milk.

ps. Like narmada says don't be fobbed off with Soya milk either.

Yes, soya no good as those with cow milk protein problems are often sensitive to soya too. Also, soy is not recommended for little boys as there is a concern about the estrogen-like chemicals soy contains and boys' fytyre fertility.

er, future, that should read.

thanks everyone, i was at my wits end.

we spent most of the weekend back and forth to the hospital. they wanted to admit him but no beds!

fingers crossed it is now being properly addressed with antibiotics (one patch was infected!), piriton (which has helped him sleep due to reducing itching) and fucidin H cream for his face, neck, legs etc.

we were also instructed to bath everyday in durmol 600 vice once a week with oilatum.

i am breast feeding entirely so thankfully have not had the milk issue yet. although they did say to start him off on baby rice now.

so we shall see how the new regime goes, so far it seems to be improving enough for him to get some rest at least. :)

I am pleased to hear that. Don't rule out an allergy to cows milk protein. You can still breastfeed but you would need to be dairy free.