food allergy/eczema?

[calcium]

my dd has had eczema for 6 months now, she has just had her first birthday, she gets it in all the usual places behind knees badly, cracks of elbows, badly under her chin (this bleeds) behind her neck and more recently has had bad flare ups on her face and her whole body (her back is like sandpaper) the flare ups seem to be brought on after eating certain things, sometimes from being outside and I am unsure as to whether being near cats does something although so far her breathing is unaffected. So far the flare ups on her face are really bad resulting in welts and swollen patches especially around and on her eyes. We think it may be from eating tomatoes? She is also getting really bad raised nappy rash which she has never had before. I have hydrocortosone cream for bad flare ups, I have used aqueous cream and many others. the most effective moisturising cream has been Camomile Baby Cream from a organic company called Verde based in London, this has in the past made her skin very soft but at present isn't making much difference. She had a bad flare up for several weeks at Christmas and again recently. It looks terrible and she scratches and rubs her eyes continuously. Neither myself or my partner have had allergies to food. should I go to see an allergy tester, dermatologist or nutiritionist?

Ds2 had loads of problems with regards to eczema and food allergies. He was referred to a dietician initially because his first allergy was not eczema related, but on becoming allergic to wheat (causing eczema) he was sent to a paediatrician. Either can get your dd tested for allergies.

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Ds is allergic to cats aswell as numerous foods. Skin prick tests can identify this allergy so it is worth asking your gp for a referral to the allergy clinic. We find oitment rather than creams much more mousturising on dry skin. Aqueous cream makes ds worse so maybe try some alternatives (try diprobase ointment, available on prescription). Also, do you use Piriton syrup? We never leave home without it, it calms allergic reactions and we find it especially helpful if our sons eyes start to puff.

We have started down the route of Chinese medicine as all else has failed. We roughly know what sort of food to avoid (although the hospital has never done any real allergy testing) but one thing that was pointed out to us is that alot of people are allergic to tap water and were advised to only give cooled boiled water. We have been doing everything for under a week with a vast improvement with scratching, sleep and appetite. Ds eczema did seem to start when we started weaning and the change from boiled water to straight from the tap.

Have been reading this lapsed thread as I woke up with a swollen face and neck this morning. Desperately trying to find some help to sort my problem out once and for all. I was very interested to read that lots of people are allergic to tap water. I have NEVER heard this before. Is it only when they drink it? I ask this question because my eczema is often worse after showing/bathing in water, especially (it seems to me) when in London.

I don't know about being allergic to tap water, but my skin has often flared up when we live in an area with very hard water. Have you tried using water softeners or using baby oil during or after a bath / shower?

Yes I almost always moisturise after a shower which does help. I still often get a rash or redness afterwards but, unless my eczema is quite bad. it usually subsides after a while.

Soly, that happened to me on a summer holiday in Scotland some years ago. It was so swollen that I couldn't open my eyes completely or bend my neck. I went to the local GP who immediately asked 'Have you been on antibiotices recently?' and 'Have you been putting anything on your face and going outdoors?'. The answer to both was 'yes' and the diagnosis was antibiotics-induced photosensitivity, so my skin had been made sensitive to sunlight (and I'd noticed over previous couple of months that my face kept getting itchy and rashy) and the insect-repellent that I had been using on holiday had made it worse. The only thing to do is to keep out of the sun, use high-factor sunscreen and a big hat all year round, and, if I get a reaction, take antihistamines and use hydrocortisone cream to reduce it. Eurax or EuraxHC are good creams/lotions. I can also take antihistamines before going into the sun to prevent a reaction eg if I'm going on holiday or there's very sunny weather. Can't do any of that right now, though, because I'm breastfeeding!

By the way, if it is a sun allergy, it may be worth getting checked by the GP as photo-sensitivity can be one of the symptoms of lupus. Not meaning to scare you! HTH.

Calcium:
My two year old had it for his first year. Highly recommend that you try and contact an aloe vera sales person. We used propoplis (think that's how it's spelt??), brilliant, he is almost 100% clear now! Plus I use aloe liquid soap & shampoo. Diet has a hugh factor, esp all diary products. Good luck! Definately worth a try!