What formula do you give to a baby with eczema?

[OpheliaABC]

That's it really. I'm suspecting sensitivity/intolerance to cow's milk as this runs in the family. Baby's 8 months and eczema isn't improving with creams and emollients.

Doctor isn't really taking us seriously and is just prescribing creams so my HV suggested I swap the formula and if my baby's eczema improves, then we're more likely to get a prescription for a special formula as there's actual evidence.

What formula should I try?

My DS (11 months now) had excruciating eczema due to a milk allergy, nothing worked and we too were fobbed off with steroid creams which only kept it at bay.

I would speak to your HV again, ask them to write a letter to your GP demanding (not asking) that LO tries one of the hypoallergenic formulas. Our HV did this and it really got the ball rolling. We started with Aptamil-Pepti 1, then moved to nutramigen, then Neocate LCP and finally Neocate Syneo (the only one that he's ok with). The difference in him and his skin is amazing.

Has LO got any other symptoms?? DS had watery poos, eczema, hives, vomiting and would scream bloody murder all day every day.

Push hard OP if you suspect an allergy, even if they trial it for 3 weeks - it's the only way you'll know and then they can refer you to the allergy clinic. Be warned that it takes a good 3 weeks to get the old formula out of their system and the new formula in, and things may get worse before they get better.

Here's a picture of DS skin when he was on standard formula prior to trialling the hypoallergenic, just so you can see what his was like. Head to toe bless him.

Good luck

@chessboard7

My DS (11 months now) had excruciating eczema due to a milk allergy, nothing worked and we too were fobbed off with steroid creams which only kept it at bay.

I would speak to your HV again, ask them to write a letter to your GP demanding (not asking) that LO tries one of the hypoallergenic formulas. Our HV did this and it really got the ball rolling. We started with Aptamil-Pepti 1, then moved to nutramigen, then Neocate LCP and finally Neocate Syneo (the only one that he's ok with). The difference in him and his skin is amazing.

Has LO got any other symptoms?? DS had watery poos, eczema, hives, vomiting and would scream bloody murder all day every day.

Push hard OP if you suspect an allergy, even if they trial it for 3 weeks - it's the only way you'll know and then they can refer you to the allergy clinic. Be warned that it takes a good 3 weeks to get the old formula out of their system and the new formula in, and things may get worse before they get better.

Here's a picture of DS skin when he was on standard formula prior to trialling the hypoallergenic, just so you can see what his was like. Head to toe bless him.

Good luck

Thank you so much! Her skin looks very similar to the photo you took at the time. 😔 No other symptoms though and nothing like what you describe. Just eczema. Should I still push for a prescription for hypoallergenic formula? I'd just start buying it but it's very expensive and I'm on low income due to maternity leave. Thank you.

@OpheliaABC

Have you tried using a different washing detergent? Fairy non-bio tabs are best for sensitive skin. Also try not to use an aerosols like sprays and hoover every day as she might have very sensitive skin.

I would still speak to your HV again and ask them to write a letter/email to your GP asking to trial the first stage of allergenic formula. They're really strict with it so you have to work up a ladder like we did, so it takes some time but definitely worth it if it is an allergy.

I know there are some over the counter brands you can buy but I never did that as my HV was convinced it was an allergy that needed medically addressing.

If i were you I would push the GP, it took us 6 months to finally sort it and I wish I had listened to my gut sooner and stood my ground. Explain you're on low income and it's really worrying you, we are on low income too as I've not gone back to work so I understand the worry completely xxx

My baby had eczema on his face and we are now on Nutramigen- he seems much much better. GP fobbed me off 3 times and I demanded a referral to a paediatrician who said yes he could be allergic to milk protein.. could be as there are no tests for yonger than 1 yo.
Mind you it tastes and smells like shit, it’s horrific but does help my son so it’s all that matters. He’s 4 months

Thank you for posting this as I came on to ask the same kind of question. My son doesn't have eczema but does have runny poos with a lot of undigested lumps in it. My husband has a milk allergy and eczema so I'm wondering if our son has a slight allergy too. We're on Kendamil at the moment but I'm worried it may be too rich as it's made with full cream. We have no other obvious symptoms apart from the poo (he goes about 5-7 times a day at the moment) but I'm wondering if it's worth trying a different formula and if so which one? GP doesn't seem interested and just said to try a different formula but didn't recommend or prescribe one.

Thanks for any advice in advance!

Is your baby otherwise happy and comfortable? 5-7 times per day is quite a lot but sure they are all different. If runny pops are his only problem and he is happy and gaining weight etc I’d probably leave it. My son was on HIPP organic after I read sooo many super reviews and i found it lovely. I know it’s meant to be very gentle on little tummies. Then he developed bad eczema at 3 months so that’s why we switched. HIPP organic is lovely but then I read that so is kenamil…

The slight problem with hypoallergenic formulas is that if you’re baby is 8 months old I’m not sure he would accept it. It taste so vile I feel bad for my so. :( at 8 months you’re probably weaning already and now he knows lovely tastes so may be very difficult to get him to drink nutramigen or neocate

@Colinthecaterpillar35

Thank you for posting this as I came on to ask the same kind of question. My son doesn't have eczema but does have runny poos with a lot of undigested lumps in it. My husband has a milk allergy and eczema so I'm wondering if our son has a slight allergy too. We're on Kendamil at the moment but I'm worried it may be too rich as it's made with full cream. We have no other obvious symptoms apart from the poo (he goes about 5-7 times a day at the moment) but I'm wondering if it's worth trying a different formula and if so which one? GP doesn't seem interested and just said to try a different formula but didn't recommend or prescribe one.

Thanks for any advice in advance!

This sounds kind of like normal baby poo. Are there seedy undigested lumps? If so, that’s the fat from the formula.

Thanks everyone. I'm so confused now what's for the best. Dr is due to call me this morning.

Yes we use non bio washing detergent only. No fragranced lotions etc go on her.

Will see what the Dr says. She keeps scratching until she bleeds slightly so this can't continue. I keep her nails short but it doesn't help. She is able to get scratch mitts off if I put those on her when she sleeps.

@OpheliaABC the mitts are crap and babies take them off. Use a babygrow with a build in scratch protection mitts if you know what I mean. All of NEXT onesies have them. Buy ones that are a little bit too big so little hands are not squished. That’s what I’m doing with my baby who attaches his face. Your baby does sound normal though and hopefully the doctor will be able to help you x

Also for eczema use the aveeeno dermexa baby cream- it helps so much and clears eczema up

We swapped at around a year to oat milk

Thanks everyone. A different doctor agreed to prescribe Nutramigen formula. We're going to trial it and see if it makes a difference. Today is her first full day on it.

I'm glad they agreed, good luck with introducing it! As a PP said it does smell and taste awful but my LO didn't have any issues making the move across, but he was must younger.

Fingers crossed LO skin improves xx

Thank you 😊

She's accepting it fine, she's not exactly ecstatic about it but at least she drinks it.

I'll keep you posted. xx

Let us know how you get on, glad your baby is keen! Mine is used to it now and drinks it fine :) although I still have a lot of “guilt” for feeding him this aweful tasting milk but it is what it is.
Not sure how expensive it is in Uk, in Ireland it’s 55 euro per week (3 cans) so that’s crazy:(

@Bluemamma

Let us know how you get on, glad your baby is keen! Mine is used to it now and drinks it fine :) although I still have a lot of “guilt” for feeding him this aweful tasting milk but it is what it is. Not sure how expensive it is in Uk, in Ireland it’s 55 euro per week (3 cans) so that’s crazy:(

Oh my goodness! 😔Can you get it on prescription? I'm glad my doctor agreed to a prescription so it's free for her. Do you know if there are any better tasting and smelling formulas that are similar? Xx

@OpheliaABC we do need prescription in Ireland but still we have to pay the full price. Unfortunately all hypoallergenic milks taste and smell the same. It’s just the way they are made. Someone on MN explained it to me, I forgot the exact reason but there is no avoiding it I’m afraid.
But more importantly they do work wonders for some babies so let’s stick to that :)

Oh dear, that's so so expensive😣

OK thank you, shame about the taste/smell but like you said they help so that's the main thing 😊