Infantile Excema and Weaning

[LEMONADEGIRL]

Just wondering really..

Ds nearly 8mnths has been eating solids since approx 24 weeks old. Started slowly with fruit and veg and have built up to now where he eats most things.

However since about 6 months he has developed a rash on both cheeks. Took him to the doctors and he said that it was infantile excema. The rash is spotty and goes quite red when he is hot.

Does anyone else think it could be more allergy related as it doesn't look like excema as I know it.

Any thoughts???

Thanks

I'm no expert at all, but ds has eczema, and his cheeks are red and scaly. And he tries to itch them.
Also, his facial skin is really dry, and he also has red patches under his knees, chin, and elbows (poor love).
Hope this helps. I should seek a second opinion if you are unsure.
Has he given you anything for it?

thanks Ratfly,

no nothing given at all. only has the rash on his cheeks, not scaley as I understand excema just spotty, which is why i wondered about an allergic reaction.

seeing hv tomorrow for 8mnth check, will see what she thinks.

Sorry, no help to give but by the sound of it, I am having EXACTLY the same problem. DD (7 months) has the same kind of rash, I suspected a food allergy/intolerance especially because I didn't introduce food as slowly as I should have done. I went back to just "safe" veggies (ie no tomato) for while but it had no effect on the rash. Discussed with HV who said it looked like a classic allergy rash and with more thought, I have narrowed it down to either the formula DD has and/or my shower gel (she's BF 2-3 feeds a day).

HV suggested trying lactose free formula for a while and then soya formula if LF doesn't do it so we can establish whether its lactose or cows milk protein if it is the formula. LF has cows milk protein but not lactose so should be a good control.

Sorry not too much help but if you could post what your HV says we could compare notes :-)

Hi GM,

I think the rash is more allergy based too.

Am taking ds to docs next week for 8mth medical, so will see what happens and let you know if get any good advise.

I did intially think that it was the brand of wipes that I was using to wipe his cheeks as the rash on cheeks formed a wipe pattern but have just used water recently on bib/kitchen roll etc to try and rule it out.

Would be good to hear how you get on

gm,

should add that hv thought it was eczema as well, but I always thought it had to be dry and scaley to be that. This is just a red bumpy rash on cheeks.

She advised, putting vaseline on it after bathing and limiting use of bath bubbles, when ds was in bath, that water on own was better.

Anyway will let you know if get any further.

Hmm, we don't use bath bubbles at all so it can't be that for us. I get eczema myself on my face sometimes and that definitely is scaly rather than like the rash DD has. Though I suppose there could be many different types.

DD had 3 LF formula feeds yesterday and the rash did seem better in that the bumps were still there but no red spots and her skin was less blotchy (though red spots reappeared this morning after her BF). I'm going to keep plugging away with the LF formula and see what happens. I'll keep you updated how we're getting on.

You don't need a prescription to get LF formula - my local Boots just has it on the normal shelves. Completely understand if you don't want to try it without medical advice though cus thats how I felt.

GRRRR - it does feel a bit like groping around in the dark doesn't it! (and not in a good way!)