Eczema and Breastfeeding

[agapimou]

Dd is 6 months and has struggled with eczema since 3 months old. It starts out with small pimples under the skin which eventually turn into a red, weeping rash that mainly affects her cheeks with a few small patches on elbows and legs. She was ebf when the eczema first appeared but then I got appendicitis and peritonitis and had to stop breastfeeding for 3 weeks while in hospital for surgery and taking antibiotics. Once breastfeeding started again the eczema returned with a vengeance so its pretty obvious it was something in my diet causing it. I cut out gluten, caffeine and dairy and used Aveeno cream which managed to clear it up after about one week. I started slowly introducing foods again but after 2 months nothing happened so I assumed it was just a passing phase.

Now at 6 months its back again and nothing seems to work. I have cut practically everything from my diet which is difficult as I'm still seriously underweight from the appendicitis. Could it be sugar causing it? I read that sugar doesn't pass into breastmilk but its the only thing left in my diet besides rice, beans and fruit and veg. Unfortunately I cannot take her for allergy testing as I live on a small island in Greece where its not available so have to rely on trial and error and Dr Google.

Anyone had success with curing eczema with diet? Or does eczema come and go and diet has nothing to do with it?

Did you try egg?

Sorry, posted too soon! Egg is another common allergen. What was she fed on whilst you were in hospital? I presume formula? If so surely you could rule out dairy allergy?

If she's 6 months now have you started weaned?

Eczema is so difficult to pin down. It is not just diet - it can be caused by your laundry powder, dust mites, sweat, babies getting food on their cheeks . A total unknown. I had my DD1 allergy tested and her allergies were dust (a bit) but strongly: grass and mould spores on trees and cats and dogs (we had no pets).

I found it came badly in phases. I would concentrate on getting your health restored rather than restricting your diet. Make sure your child is kept cool, cotton clothes etc extra rinsing in the wash cycle and short nails. Do not be afraid of topical creams (this is where I went wrong) such as hydrocortisone. It is much better to use it twice a day short term and completely clear the eczema than use it sparingly and never quite be free from irritated skin. " Two of my Five Dc had bad eczema but they "grew out of it"

Hi thanks for the replies. I have cut out egg as well from my diet.I'm pretty sure its something I'm eating as the eczema seems to come and go according to what I eat.

When I was in the hospital she had formula, a Greek one called Frisolac, I thought all baby formula was lactose free?

We have started BLW with some bananas, apple and carrot but the majority of it gets pounded to a mush rather than actually eaten.

unless she'd been diagnosed with a dairy allergy, the formula would be based on cows milk, the stuff which is suitable for babies with allergies is super expensive! Havent got to the bottom of my ds exzema, im not sure if its caused by his allergies or not but he definitely reacts to fabric conditioner, for example. where did she stay when you were in hospital?

As PP have said it's often a contact allergy. For example mine flares up with pollen, dust off roads (petrol fumes I guess) and sweat. So don't deprive yourself of whole food groups without medical advice especially not bf.
This is a danger of the Internet. Dr Google can diagnose any illness as an intolerance to any food. It really needs proper diagnosis. And I know some quacks out there who string people along on expensive diets when it was something else all along ... so a proper, registered dietician is important too.

dairyfreequeen - She stayed with my Dh's mother while I was in the hospital, we live in Santorini where there is no hospital only a small medical center. They had to send an army plane to take us to a hospital in Athens and luckily my mil lives there as dd had never drunk from the bottle and I was freaking out as to how she would eat while I was inside. Thankfully mil got her drinking like a pro after a few hours.

I did consider that it could be a contact allergy but we use all natural products, olive oil soap for washing, clothes and vinegar for cleaning. Mil on the other hand uses half a liter of chlorine daily to clean the house along with fabric softener, disinfectant etc.

That's really interesting about the formula, I guess I can rule out dairy. Stopping breastfeeding is not an option as we both enjoy it way too much. It was also a huge effort to build my milk supply up again after infection, surgery, medications and a three-week break so am definitely not ready to give up yet. Thankfully the cream seems to work wonders but would prefer something more natural.

Have you tried porridge oats in the bath? Tie them up in a muslin and hold under the running tap, then squeeze and a creamy substance will come out. My son loves having that rubbed into him, he finds it very soothing.

I understand about enjoying breastfeeding, I have fed both my babies for over a year and love it, but you are making yourself ill so I would really stop such strict dietary restrictions if you want to continue - it sounds unsustainable.

Contact allergies can be natural or airborne. Ironically my skin is fine with cosmetics and cleaning products. Stand under the wrong type of tree in springtime and I look like I've got leprosy or something!

My ds has severe eczema as well as food allergies ( wheat, egg white and peanuts). I am seeing a dermatologist and now and allergis. The best advice I can give is see and allergist. He is atopic which follows the pattern of eczema, food allergies, ha fever then asthma.
Not all babies get every one of those.
I don't believe his food allergies are a major cause of his eczema. Food allergies tend to be instant - within the hour.
Eczema will come and go and has a million triggers.
Washing power dust, stress, a period of ilness, food on the face ( a contact reaction).
My tips are:
Moisturise constantly. I like cetraben. It has less stuff in then aveeno and I use an ointment when he get particularly dry ( I use epaderm ointment).
Bath only every other day.
Wash with dairy non bio - quarter the amount reccomended and put it on an extra rinse cycle as well.
No scratchy wool.
Don't let them get to hot - eczema babies tend to get hot and sweat is your enemy.
Work up and down he steroid tree. I use dactacourt on the face occasionally now, and use stronger steriods on his body. Don't be scared of steroids - damaged skin is worse for your baby. I was also prescribed protopics which we use twice a week as an alternative to steroids.
If your baby has eczema they will get flare ups on and off. That's life. I am in a constant battle. He is never eczema free but skin maintenance is the key.

I should have said see a dermatologist and an allergist if you can.

Gosh sorry for all the typos. Fairy non bio!

Wow thanks guys, some amazing tips. Good to know that it is not solely down to my diet, will just have to manage the flare ups.

The most common dietary cause for eczema is dairy. Since she was OK on formula, I'd eat as you need to in order to build back up your strength and increase your weight.ask mil what washing powder she used, and consider switching.

My babies have been better with less baths, but as it gets warmer, you might need to bathe her more often. Look into oils for the bath, or a oat bath, as above.