newborn eczema - can I use steroid cream??

[crazy88]

ds3 is 6 weeks old now and skin on face and neck has been getting steadily worse - is now covered in red raised bumpy eczema patches and looks really sore. Skin everywhere else is fine. Clothes are all washed in half strength sensitive detergent on baby cycle with extra rinse so can't do much else there. Went to local wholefood store and was advised to take acidopholus and omega 3 supplements as this would reach him via breastmilk and hopefully help to shift it, but no joy there. I only use water on his skin and a bit of coconut oil to moisturise. Am wondering whether to bring out the big guns and try ds2's hydrocortisone 1% cream on him but not sure as he is so little - anyone used steroid creams on a baby this young??

I'd seek medical advice.

have you been to the gp?

If I were you I'd go with heavy moisturising and check with GP or at least pharmacist about the hydrocortisone. Do you have any emollient creams e.g. epaderm or the like you could apply in the mean time? I was told not to use hydrocortisone cream on the face (both DC have eczema) although once DS2's got so bad we had to use a little bit, he was around 5m by then.

I wouldn't. A lot of babies get skin problems around the 6 week mark, mine did. It never bothered him (though I was!) and cleared up on it's own. I read it had something to do with the mother's hormones at the later stages of pregnancy.

I wouldnt use coconut oil. You need to see your gp. Def no steroid creams without being prescribed and they could give you something milder to start with.

Stop using coconut oil, my DD1 had reaction to olive oil at the same age, eczema is common at 5-6 weeks due to baby's immune system kicking in. GP prescribed Cetraben and Aveeno emollients for bath water and emollient cream and it cleared up nicely. Do not use steroid creams without GP advice and without first trying emollients.

I have some Simple Derma lotion which I have put on this evening. It's weird but it's not particularly dry, just looks red and angry. I might try the Aveeno as well cos I've heard that's quite good.Thanks guys.

you need gp advice, what might be suitable for a older child or adult will not be suitable for a newborns skin.

I can recommend Aveeno (think that;s the spelling) natural cream, I have found even an hour after applying my DDs skin looks and feels a lot better. I put it on morning and night.

this is it

be careful, ezcema under 3 months in a breastfed baby is one of the indicators of allergy. so take care what you are exposing , via skin to your infant.
which is why medical advice should always be taken first before applying anything.

I would second the aveeno as the first line, and would also use the aveeno bath and shower oil. Its surprising not oily! It just goes a lovely milky liquid when in contact with water and leaves newly bathed skin gorgeously soft! It is on the same page as madamechins redirection.

I use a lovely (if pricey) cream called Hope's Relief which is very gentle and full of homeopathic ingredients. Has always worked well on my little girls eczema and good to use from birth.