Eczema in 4 months old not getting better

[Cinai2]

My baby struggles with eczema…we’ve been to the GP 3 times, apply moisturising baby cream several times per day and a steroid cream as prescribed on particularly bad spots. He has five circular patches that don’t get better, and redness and itching all over his body and scalp. As soon as one red area gets better, another one flares up. I realise there might not be more advice than what the GP told us, but for those who have been there, is there light at the end of the tunnel? Also, is it worth seeing a specialist privately?

My baby's eczema was caused by cows milk protein intolerance. I was breastfeeding and went dairy free, which improved things a lot.

There were other signs though such as all poops being quite green and with mucus in her nappy.

Is everything else as expected with baby?

Have you tried changing your washing powder? My dd can only tolerate persil non bio. Even the fairy one upsets her skin. Also the only emollient which works for her is double base. The thing with eczema is it can be hit and miss. Also keep in mind what pp said about allergies to cows milk.

Thanks both.

When did the milk intolerance start? Until recently, my little one only had a couple of spots, just in these last 4 weeks it’s getting more and more, and it keeps appearing at other areas.
Changing washing powder is the next thing on my list, it’s ordered already.

Also came to suggest allergies, some excellent resources online explaining the links between skin problems. I would either cut milk from your diet if bf or ask dr for nutramigen (sp?) if formula. If it's your diet you probably need to cut all milk, soya and tomatoes (weird but all linked)
Hopefully the new washing detergent is coming today and you can rewash all of baby clothes, and iron if you have time to sanitise, then I would put away anything scented in the home, candles (even unlit), diffusers, etc etc. any plants? Put them in one room away from baby even if you can't get rid. Towels / bedding all washed
Infrequent bathing, we were once a week for years, need to find a cream that works for baby, la rose poche was the only one we could settle on for some years, with hydrocortisone for breakouts.
Is central heating on? If you need it to warm house can you turn off radiator in baby's room / your room I assume they are in with you

Oh sorry and yes there is light at the end of the tunnel! Shel Banks is the specialist I spoke to re dietary links she's is the expert in this field. I saw a dermatologist when baby was so bad their face was bleeding but they just suggested creams. Now 5 years skin is much better just flares, and we are so used to doing everything as second nature it isn't so worrying etc

You want to get on top of this.

Check the basics
Make sure you dont apply steroid cream then emoliate. The cream has to be left on neat.

The steroid cream - go back and ask to try another / stronger one.

You are right to waant to get on top of it.

Id be looking at cmpa if they are ANY other symptoms.
If so the first thing they will offer is something like pepti 1.
watchout for "backslide" (initially baby improves but then 2 weeks in you are looking thinking "have they got better? Am I going mad?") Then youd go up to nutramigen or alfamino (these 2 taste HORRIBLE and if you can get along with pepti 1 or equivalent do it.
We had to go onto to nutramigen with ds and weigh gain was a shit show. I started weaning and pumping him with avocados at 4.5m.

and if not cmpa I'd be weaning v "cleanly" ie new food per day day max as you should expect an allergy to likely manifest. For my Dd is was egg 🙈 but by 2 she'd outgrown it via egg ladder so dont stress!

We saw a great specialist team (Adam fox & co they hage a great IG page) when my dd had egg allergy (PFB!) They stressed the importance of staying on top of eczema. Heavy emoliation as soon as skin is a bit dry etc as Poorly management of eczema can increase allergies. They dont quite understand the mechanism medically but its the breech in the skins barrier

Hi Cinai2,
I’m so sorry you're going through this — I know how exhausting it can be, both emotionally and physically, when your little one is struggling with eczema 💔
We had a very similar experience with our daughter at 4 months — dry red patches that just wouldn’t go away, even with regular moisturising and steroid creams. What really helped us (and honestly made a visible difference in a few days) was switching to a super gentle, natural baby cream from a French brand called Doucéa. It’s made with 98% natural ingredients, fragrance-free, and specifically designed for sensitive and eczema-prone baby skin.
We use their Apaiséa cream every morning and evening, and it’s helped calm the flare-ups and reduce the redness significantly. It’s lightweight but really nourishing. I think what helped the most was finally finding something that respected her skin barrier.
Sending you lots of strength — and yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel 💛

doucea is very great for that