Eczema? Is it likely to persist into early childhood?

[snowmoon]

My DS (3 1/2 months) has developed some red dry scaly patches on his face, chin and head in the last two days. I went to the chemist and the pharmacist said it looks like eczema and recommended trying some Sudocrem. The redness has subsided a little today but the dryness and scaliness is still there.

What I want to know is, does this kind of eczema persist into childhood? ie Is my DS likely to have eczema flare-ups in the future? Anybody has experience of this?

Thanks.

Have been using nothing but aqueous cream on DS's face, head and behind the ears since yesterday and I must say his red patches are looking much calmer. I didn't use any baby bath in his bath today either, just water.

Fran1 I do hope it's just a temporary dry skin condition. He has been drooling a lot and when he sucks on his fingers he tends to wipe the drool all over his face etc. Perhaps that's what started it.

A question Barbaloot, how do I use the aqueous cream instead of soap? Do I put it on his body and face in the bath and then rinse it off?

Thanks.

Funny enough last night i was reading information on the british medical journal site about atopic eczema and came across a review of the research.

Dont think i can do a link but will try
\link{http://www.bmjjournals}
if that hasnt worked its www.bmjjournals.com once in home page click on past issues, then in search box type in 'clinical evidence atopic eczema' when the reference comes up go to the pdf version.

It is old (1999) but basically says what misdee says however it does mention that skin thinning is reversed after about four weeks, sadly not pigmentation .
we are a family of itchers and wheezers and am big believer in controlof house dust mite, not to the extreme but mattress and pillow covers vaccuming daily etc and think that helps to control both to some extent. sometimes i think a weak hydrocortisone is worth using in the short term for the relief it brings. good luck

meant to put a comma between covers and vaccumming!!

Hi Snowmoon,
How is bubs skin? I've just read all the tips posted & agree with most advice (although I cringe at the large use of cortisone creams).

One type of aqueos cream is Sorbelene (there are many different types - with varying degrees of other ingredients added). Better to get a thick one from a chemist or supermarket that has glycerine & vit E added... NO PERFUMES.

You should not need a prescription as its a very basic cream, usually available on the shelf in supermarkets.

You can water down this thick cream with 5x its own weight in water.. ex: 1 cup to 5 cups water, mixing water in gradually, then put into a plastic container with pump and use directly in bath or with perfume/alcohol-free wipes.

After re-reading your comments, I've thought about your situation & maybe bub has a form of dermititis caused by dribbling. My baby has the same, but his is from teething and his dribble is causing a dry scaly red rash around his mouth, cheeks, chin, nose & neck.

Another tip: try to keep bubs clothes dry near the face/neck and use only cotton clothing. No wool, nylon or polyester. I found using bibs helpful and changing them when wet from dribble. Its more washing for you but better to keep the skin as dry as possible. Also be careful of the washing liquid/soap you use as it is very high in caustic ingredients (Lux soap flakes are good - rinse clothes 2x in washing machine).

I would discontinue using any perfumed baby bath products as they have caustic soda as an ingredient (baby bath liquid) and baby lotion has synthetic perfumes which are known irritants. Also steer clear of talcum powder.

The aqueos cream is great for everthing - bath, nappychanging, cleaning face & soothing sore areas.

Also Bepanthen cream is excellent, made by Roche... hopefully you can find it in chemists & supermarkets. I absolutely swear by it.

I have had many years of experience dealing with eczema - I find it absolutely apalling that GP's have such bad attitudes in the UK concerning Eczema, as its a horrible & painful condition.

Cortisone often leaves the skin very delicate & thin - even with small usage over say 1 year. This in turn makes the skin more susceptible to eczema. While it has its place if infection is present it should be used sparingly & only until the infection & or bleeding has healed.

I hope I have been of some help - good luck with bub. I understand what you are going through.

Oh, I forgot - keep bath water as cool as practical because hot water also dries out skin.

A humidifier in the house helps too if you have central heating or heaters running as it helps reduce the dryness in the air.

Cold wind & winter is also the worst time for eczema to rear its ugly head.

Hi Caron

DS's skin is much better thanks. The skin behind his ears was weeping the other day but now it's clear. His face is clearing too but the trouble is that he is still constantly dribbling and wiping dribble over it. I've been gently wiping it with wet cotton wool, then applying aqueous cream two to three times a day.

I bought a large tub of aqueous cream from the chemist and it has glycerin in it.

Thanks for the tips re mixing aqueous cream with water. I'll try that in his bath tonight.

I'm trying to avoid steroid cream as DS's skin is manageable at the moment, especially now the weeping behind his ears has stopped.

Hi Caron

I mixed some aqueous cream into DS's bath water today and I must say I'm converted. It makes the bath water lovely and moisturising. I also used it to wash DS's hair. No more expensive baby bath and baby shampoo, much gentler on baby's skin too.

DS's skin is much much better after two days of meticulous moisturising with aqueous cream and no harsh substances.

I do hope that's the end of the problem now.

Hi Snowmoon, Just caught up with this and yes put it on first and then wash off (or not quite off) and then after the bath pat dry with a towel and put a bit more on.

Sounds like you've got the idea already anyway. Good luck

...and do avoid steroids if you can, but don't be afraid to use sparingly occasionally if needed.

i whisk up aquous cream with a bit of water in a jug so it goes all frothy and add it to running water if i run out of balneum.

Hi Snowmoon,
Glad to hear the worst is over & glad I could be of help.
The aqeuos cream is a godsend - you can use it for just about everything instead of soaps, shampoo's, conditioners & body lotions etc.

I mix it with the essential oils (must be pure aromatherapy grade - lavender, tangerine, rose geranium) and a touch of manuka honey (NZ honey)... it is brilliant.
If you water it down you can use it in the bathwater more easily.

Did you know that almost all expensive cosmetics are sorbelene based. They just add their so called miracle ingrediants & wack a hefty price tag on them. Sorbelene (or aqueos as its known) is one of the oldest skin creams known to man. If you add extra glycerine, vit e, almond & avocado oils, honey, wheatgerm oil... this is a beautiful lotion for the whole family (instead of soap & bodylotions. I even use it for shaving my legs with no need to moisturise afterwards.

Sorry if I seem to preach - its a habit of mine when I'm on to a good thing!!!!!

Let me know how you go - good luck

Hi misdee,

Try adding essential oils as well it makes a gorgeous bath for all.

Try these blends:
Lavender, geranium & tangerine for relaxing.
Ylang Ylang, sweet orange & sandalwood for a sexy blend - nice with partner & very effective!!!
Lemon verbena, rosemary, lime & lavender for a pick me up (DO NOT USE if there is low blood pressure or epilespsy is present or if pregnant or you have sensitive skin types).
Peppermint, lemongrass, rosemary & lemon verbena if mentally tired & need a major boost (again same warnings as the previous blend).

Only use pure aromatherapy grade essential oils.

I am a qualified aromatherapist & used to make my own brand of products by hand before bub came along (no#3).

Let me know if you try any of the above

i'm pregant atm and my skin is haywire. which one would you recommend?

Hi misdee,

There are limited essential oils you can use whilst pregnant - the safe ones are French lavender, Rose geranium, Chamomile, Tangerine, Mandarin & Sweet orange. Any others are risky.

Because of your already sensitive skin I would stick to a blend of French lavender, Rose Geranium & Tangerine.

Use in the aqueos base or in a base of Apricot, Wheatgerm & Avocado cold pressed oils - very good for helping to prevent stretchmarks.

When you have reached the middle of the 2nd trimester (5 months+) you might like to start drinking Raspberry Leaf tea. This assists the uterine muscles to tone up ready for labour.
I suggest beginning with 3 cups per day gradually increasing to 6.

Peppermint tea mixed with Chamomile is excellent for morning sickness.

Again the Bepanthen cream would really help with any skin outbreaks you have too. Avoid soap & definately no cortisone creams because they pass through to the baby.

Let me know how you go.

Hi Snowmoon,

How is everything going?

Does anyone know where to get Bepanthen that does not contain lanolin? The online links I am finding seem to contain lanolin, and to make it more confusing there are different types...also...why is lanolin not a good idea?

"Bepanthen by Roche...Its great for holding moisture & creates a barrier without using vaseline, lanolin or other petroluem products. "

links:
description (New Zealand stockist with good prices)

description (UK stockist)

description (UK stockist with good prices)

I am in the UK, by the way

lanolin is derived from wool, its a known irratant to people with ezcema. some people are fine with it tho. oilatam contains it apparently, but dd's can use that, but e45 stings on their skin. tho we have now changed over to balneum for their baths and it works better.

Hi all, my dd has patched of ezcema all over including the scalp where she also has bad cradle cap. She is loosing a lot of her hair. Has anyone else experienced this. I try ti use all natural products - but nothing seems to work.

it happens sometimes as the child scratches the hair area and causes the hair to fall out. how old is your dd?

i used to really slap on the moisteriser onto dd's heads leave it a while, gently comb the cradle cap out and then wash their hair with a very mild shampoo.

Liz2 - I am also confused over Benpanthen as it says it contains lanolin. Are there different types available??

ooops sorry, meant Bepanthen

My DD is 13 months.
I am using green baby cradle cap oil on it at the mo. We comb it off and wash is out but it just seems to come back.