Mystery rashes on myself and my 9 week old… help!?

[ALilois]

My 9 week old has had red inflamed pimply facial rashes since he was 3 days old, he’s been given antibiotics, eczema cream and steroid cream. The steroid cream helped for 10 days but as soon as I stopped it the redness became inflamed again. It has since spread all down his legs and arms and chest. I lather him in Shea butter and coconut oil several times a day otherwise he is flaky and dry. He’s breastfed and I do consume dairy, but he has absolutely no reflux or gas problems so they have ruled out cows milk allergy from my diet.

I myself have rashes on my arms and hands that are extremely itchy and sore, they crack and bleed. They’re different in nature to my babies rashes but I feel it’s worth mentioning as his head often rests on my arm with the rash. His cradle cap has finally gone by the way (mostly)

Have you got pics, it's hard to help without seeing.

Get a dermatology referral.

I just went through something similar (it was AWFUL) so let me first say I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.

My and my son's "eczema" turned out to be a severe zinc and niacin deficiency which caused us to develop pellagra. We saw over a dozen doctors and all of their elimination diets, allergy tests, topical/oral steroids, anti-virals, and antibiotics actually made us much worse. This went on for months.

Pellagra eventually progresses to a characteristic rash around the neck (referred to as Casal's necklace). That's what finally cracked the case for me.

I started b-complex, niacin, and zinc supplements and all of our rashes healed within weeks.

I have a sneaking suspicion that many mother and infant "eczema" cases are actually nutritional deficiencies. You'll know within 3 days of starting supplements whether or not they're working, it's that fast. If it does clear up then spread the good news because after what I (and sounds like you as well) have suffered, there's no one I would ever wish this on.

Best of luck and hope you feel better soon!