Scratching - how to deal with it?

[florenceuk]

DS has always been a wild arm flailer in bed, and when waking up, regularly scratches himself so he bleeds - his nickname is Scarface. Some of this might be related to his eczema, but I'm not sure all of it is as it just seems like a general pattern of rubbing his face and ears vigorously while waking up - is this normal? Other babies don't seem to do nearly as much harm to themselves. Even though I try to trim/file his nails, he still manages to do himself damage on a regular basis, unless I put socks on his hands AND swaddle him so he can't pull them off. As he's getting stronger and stronger and fights the swaddle, this is not a lasting solution. Any ideas? Where can I buy sleepsuits with built-in mittens to fit a five-mth old?

Florenceuk, My son is three and has always suffered from eczema. I took him to the doctors when he was small and the doctor tried out lots of different products with me until we got it right. He now manages with Oilatum for the bath, diprobase cream and if he flairs up I give him Piriton medicine.
Have you seen the doctor for DS??

Ds too flailed about alot, and when his eczema was really bad at around 20weeks, he'd leave great scratches all across his face. He also had cradle cap and scratched that to such a degree, that one time when I went in to get him up after a nap, he was stuck to the bed by the blood and serus fluid. I found using 100%cotton socks rolled right up his arm and the sleeve of his sleepsuit pulled right down the only way to keep him from doing such damage. Scratch mits were useless. I also stitched up the sleeves on an oversized sleepsuit which worked for a while, but he wasn't that keen on them (can't think why!!) so didn't persist with this. Fortunately for us his skin cleared up really quickly after discovering that cows milk formula, bananas and corn/maize products were the culprits. Changed to Nanny goat milk, and his skin calmed completely. HTH with your ds, I sympathise,its horrible seeing your wee one so miserable with itchiness.

God yes, my son also scratches himself horribly. Am trying various eczema creams but still scratching so far. He only has formula in food - eg cereal so might try stopping that to see if it helps. I hope he isn't reacting to bananas - he loves them! But I shall lay off for a few days. I hate seeing him like this. Do you use ordinary Piriton for children?

We used Piriton for a while but it has a sedating effect and made ds grumpy in the morning which in turn sometimes made his itching worse.

Honeybunny, where did you find 100% cotton socks - all the ones I have have some polyester in them?

Expensive, but nice and all 100% cotton

florenceuk, try Green Baby. They have a sleepsuit with built in mitts which is on this page . If they don't have your size, give them a ring and explain your situation and ask them if they'll order it for you. It's a small company and they're quite nice. They also have all cotton socks and clothing. The socks do not stay on, but that's all the more reason to buy those cute little baby shoes. Just be forewarned: they'll suggest all sorts of organic ointments for his eczema, so if you're not into that, just nod and skip it. The balms and lotions do smell nice, if nothing else.

Good luck!

I have just started using the Elena Sharlburg creams recommended by Pupuse and touch wood they seem to be doing the trick. They really calm her skin down.

I found some in John Lewis-white, 100% cotton in a new born size. Impossible to keep on feet, but rolled above the elbow, so stayed on quite nicely as a scratch mit.