Really roughy and dry baby skin!!

[AGKA]

Hi! My 3 month old baby has really dry rough skin on her tummy and sides and patches on her legs/ ankles and arms.

She had her 12 week jabs a week ago today but she’s absolutely fine within normal happy self.

I’m double moisturising with child’s farm non fragranced but it doesn’t seem enough. I used to use organic coconut oil on her skin but I thought it was that so I stopped and I thought it could possibly be the child’s farm baby bath so I stopped that too.

I’m thinking it could be eczema and I want to catch it quick if it is. Any advice would be appreciated!

We had exactly this!

I just moisturized morning and night and it slowly disappeared

What did you use please?

Double base is amazing for babies’ dry skin! I’ve been using it on my baby too. You can get it from boots.

However much you're currently moisturising, double it. And coconut oil is amazing!

I would just try everything, maybe aveeno lotion on the morning, and baby oil/coconut oil for bed, to let them truly saturate it in during the night.

For now assume it's eczema. Use a generic baby moisturizer. The most important thing to know is to be careful not to get food products on her skin because if the baby's first exposure to food is through broken skin then the body might treat it as a foreign invader and develop an allergy to it. Google the top allergies and be especially careful with them. Check all ingredients carefully on the creams you're using - anything with nut oil avocado oil etc throw out and don't be tempted to use them even once.

It's also possible that she's allergic to something in your milk (if that's the case it's most likely one of the top allergens like eggs dairy wheat nuts sesame etc).

Too many baths may also contribute to dry skin.

I was using coconut oil regularly and she seemed fine with it, I have stopped it since as I’m not sure what’s causing it. Should I re start it or leave it out?

in terms of milk she’s on the Kendamil first infant milk and has been since birth with no real issues. I’m aiming to get a doctors appt tomorrow so it can be confirmed.

I just used some cheap baby moisturizer for sensitive skin.

Looks similar to my DS when he was that age, GP prescribed aproderm and a steroid cream for the worst of it. Once it had cleared up we started using Aveeno and it's been fine since. I've noticed it's always worse during colder months and really improves over the summer. Everyone recommended coconut oil but for us it just made things worse unfortunately.

Thank you, I’ve tried Aveena Dermexa emollient cream but I really didn’t like the feel of it on the skin, eveything just sort of stuck to it. Which Aveeno cream did you use?

@AGKA it's just this one, you can get it in Tesco and probably most supermarkets

Forgot to add we also stopped using anything in his bath, just plain water, until it had cleared up. The Aveeno does absorb very easily and is really nourishing.

And reduce number of baths!! - such a simple action to reduce dry skin in creases/patches.

My dd had/has exactly the same we use aveno at night now and it keeps her skin soft,
Paying particular attention to her writs elbows and ankles.

When it was at it worst 3 x a day religiously and within a week it was gone.

She does seem to struggle with her skin and even the slightest sign of a could brings her out in a viral rash, so not saying it's cured it but makes it more comfortable for her

Yes also baths she has max 3 a week at its worst it was once a week and gradually built back up

Oat baths are good (oats inside a muslin / cloth bag / even an old pair of tights). I've heard great things about Wild and Wood's oat bath product too - might be worth a go!

We're a family of sensitive skin so bath products and laundry liquids are all very specific!

@joan99 coincidentally it’s wild and woods that we have used! They are local to us and are great for my sensitive skin. We used the here to heal box after seeing all the before and after pics of babies with what looked exactly like ours but unfortunately an hour after he came out with the belly rash , which has gone over night. It was oats in a bag and also an oat bar. So I presumed it was the oats that caused the outbreak! And was hesitant to give it another go incase

my son had exactly the same patches of dry skin. We cut his baths to every other night (instead of every night) and use double base. I’m a bit OTT with it but I cream him with it head to toe, 3 times per day and it’s transformed his skin back to silky smooth, I buy double base from boots but there may be other places that sell it cheaper. I found coconut oil dried his skin even more so stopped using it and was using avacado oil for a while but now I just use double base. I also stopped putting bubble bath in his bath water. If he ever has a bad patch, I put double base on that patch before his bath to stop the water drying it further xx

@joan99 sorry ignore me
i thought this was a reply to my dry skin thread 🤦‍♀️

We’ve stopped the oat baths as I didn’t think they were working anymore, we’ve tried Cetraben which didn’t do anything, tired Doublebase (the purple one) but I didn’t feel as though it was moisturise enough even though I cream her 3 times a day. Now we’re using Dermol 500 as a bath wash substitute and E45 Cream. The E45 is good but she’s still flaking on her legs and arms. Honestly this is so stressful, I feel like I’m failing her!

You aren't failing her. Eczema is horribly stressful and can be so hard to get sorted. It's awful seeing your child in pain but don't give up.

Eczema has underlying root causes and triggers. If you find the trigger you will be able to avoid the eczema.

Have you asked the GP about trying a different formula? Baby is quite possibly sensitive to dairy.
If baby is sweating a lot in the heat that could be a trigger. It's difficult though because too much bathing can make the skin drier too.

You may want to join the Facebook group "erasing eczema (natural eczema help)". It's American so the recommendations can be hard to follow in the UK but still it's useful.

Most plain ish moisturisers are much the same in my opinion, the key thing is how often you put it on. We were advised by the GP to moisturise six times a day to get rid of some patches my DC had. We use Aveeno and it's really worked.

We did speak to the GP about a dairy or milk allergy but she isn’t showing any of the other typical symptoms that come with milk allergies. She really enjoys her milk, her sit up has dramatically reduced, she produces plenty of wet and dirty nappies and generally she’s a very happy
healthy baby. I don’t bathe her everyday, we have a day or 2 gap but she does get a wash/wipe down everyday. I’ve ordered a ointment cream from Australia which looks promising so fingers crossed!

Excellent advice from @MisschiefMaker

Make sure everyone washes hands well before touching her and keep food well away from her skin.

I'd consider introducing the top allergens (like peanut, nuts and egg) early when weaning.

It could be a sensitivity to dairy (as opposed to a proper allergy). There is no reliable test for that so the only way to tell would be to stop giving it to her which obviously isn't really an option, but it might be later on when she's on solids so that's something to bear in mind.

Is it possible that there's mold in your house? That can cause issues too.

If your baby's skin is rough and dry, there are several things you can try to help improve it:

Moisturize Regularly: Use a gentle, hypoallergenic moisturizer designed for babies. Apply it to your baby's skin after baths and as needed throughout the day, especially in dry areas.

Avoid Harsh Soaps: Use mild baby shampoo, fragrance-free soaps, or cleansers specifically formulated for babies. Harsh soaps can strip natural oils away from the skin, worsening dryness.

Shorten Bath Time: Limit baths to 5-10 minutes and use warm (not hot) water. Excessive bathing can dry out the skin. Also, consider reducing the frequency of baths to every other day or a few times a week.

Pat Dry: After bathing, gently dry your baby's skin with a soft towel. Avoid rubbing, as this can further irritate the skin.

Humidify the Air: Use a cool-mist humidifier in your baby's room, especially during the dry winter or in low-hist areas. This helps keep the air moist, preventing further drying of the skin.

Choose Soft Fabrics: Dress your baby in soft, breathable fabrics like cotton. Rough or scratchy fabrics can irritate dry skin.

Stay Hydrated: If your baby is old enough to drink water, ensure they get enough fluids. Hydration is essential for maintaining healthy skin.

Consult a Pediatrician: If your baby's skin remains excessively dry or if you notice any signs of irritation or infection, consult your pediatrician. They can provide personalized advice and recommend suitable skincare products or treatments.

Remember that every baby's skin is different, so what works for one may not work for another. Finding the best routine for your baby's skin may take some trial and error.