Toddler eczema likely perioral dermatitis - advice pls

[marybennetttt]

Dd 3 years old has had eczema/mild allergy rash (ie gets redder after something acidic and sometimes just randomly) since 6 months old (as advised by GP) around mouth / on chin and cheeks. We have managed with aproderm as barrier cream / dermol to cleanse and v occasionally 1% cream. Last 6 months, I felt it looked almost always sore whereas previous, it would flare then disappear for month +. Had started to
notice it would get redder after using the aproderm, which is a thick Vaseline type cream, when before it seemed to soothe.
bit of research this eve - I think she may instead have peri oral dermatitis. As Easter weekend, it’ll be several days now before I can contact dr. understand a reset with creams is needed and aproderm is likely making things worse as it is an occlusive. Bit concerned about protecting from certain foods though without it!

Any advice on managing perioral dermatitis in toddlers? She sometimes scratches but it doesn’t seem to bother her but it doesn’t look great. Feel really sad that we have been trying so hard with her so called eczema routine but has likely been making things worse!

With our toddler what works on the same
area is - if it looks like an eczema rash (scaly eczema, dry skin) then the prescribed emollient cream, if it looks like perioral
dermatitis rash (lots of red spots) then Vaseline only which acts as a barrier cream. Do not put emollient cream on a perioral
dermatitis rash - it’s too thick and will make it worse. Never never put steroids on the face, they nearly always cause perioral
dermatitis in our experience. Follow the usual advice (no baby wipes on the face, if you have to use the water wipes, no rubbing just blotting etc).

I don’t have eczema myself and have had to learn all this through trial and error with our dc. Hope it helps.

If it’s peri oral dermatitis it is well worth changing her toothpaste to an SLS free one. My son had this, GP gave us a few things to try which all aggravated it. I did some research and changed his toothpaste and it was gone within a week. Lots of people are sensitive to SLS. x

Thank you
will pop to Boots this morning to try a new toothpaste

@Optimac thank you
i felt the aproderm cream, which is a lot like Vaseline, has been making the perioral derm worse - interested hear you get on okay with Vaseline though