12mo DD seems to have eczema - what should I do?

[EagleRay]

My 12mo DD has had virtually blemish-free skin since she was born, but a few days ago I noticed that the skin on her shoulders felt very rough. We took her swimming yesterday and I saw that the roughness had spread in patches down her back and is slightly raised and pink. I had a look of some pics of eczema on google and am pretty certain that's what she has.

At present, it doesn't seem to be itchy or causing her any distress, but was wondering what I should be doing at this stage? Could it have been triggered by anything in her diet, or anything on her clothes? Up until a couple of weeks ago, she was at home most of the time with me, but is now in full time childcare as I've returned to work. We might also have started a new washing powder in that timeframe too. I feel really bad as I have very little time to focus on anything these days, but am now worried that it could get worse and I've not done anything to prevent this.

Oh, and the other thing I should point out is that she is probably coming into contact with disposable wipes an awful lot more now as we have always just used washable ones at home, but I guess this wouldn't have caused problems with her shoulder and back?

The key is moisturisation. DS1 has mild/moderate eczema which has been kept mostly in check since a tiny baby with Hydromol grease all over and Oilatum in the bath. Get your GP to have a look and I would expect them to prescribe something similar.

Dairy products really make him worse so try easing off that as well.

Buy Aveno. You'll never look back.

Is she stressed from the routine change? My eczema flares up only when I'm stressed.

My ds has been diagnosed with baby eczema, I took him to the doctor and was given a prescription for cream, I'll check the name and get back to you. We usethe ccream after a bath only and slather him in e45 cream the rest of the time (after a nappy change).

We were also told to use non bio washing powder so have switched to fairy and to stop using bubble bath and soap on him.

I'd get an appointment with the doctor and get a prescription, it's not a steroid cream we have but i don't think you can get it over the counter.

The cream is diprobase.

Thanks everyone for replying. Have checked the washing powder and it's non-bio still, but will probably switch to the eco balls we have for a while.

Regarding stress, it IS a big routine change as she's gone from two half days in childcare to 5 full days, but she's been remarkably happy. She's getting an awful lot more stimulation and has made a lot of progress developmentally since she started full time nursery, but is very happy and has a good routine. If anything, I suppose the change has put some physical stress on her?

She doesn't seem to ever get particularly dirty and is a bit of a soap dodger when it comes to bathtime - makes me wonder if she would have been a lot worse if she was being slathered in soap every day!

I will try and get her an appointment at the docs in the next few days (very difficult to get time off work but think they may do weekend appts)

Thanks again everyone - hopefully I'll be able to stop it getting any worse