does location of eczema offer any clues?

[Therese's Mommy]

DD has eczema flaring on her face particularly around her mouth and somewhat on her cheeks. She has always had a bit of red cheeks that did go away briefly recently. I never thought the red cheeks were allergy related, now I think it may be. She has a patch of eczema in the right corner of her mouth that will flare from time to time. But I have never seen her get it all around her mouth. Is this an indication that it is probably contact related? Or maybe something she is eating? Thanks.

Beth

[annamolly]

I have no answers for you, but am curious about if location of eczema reveals any information too. DD had full body eczema before I learned her triggers-dairy and eggs (I think), now if I accidently ingest one of those in small amounts, she only gets patches on her legs-before it was all over but more severe on her upper body. I have no clue but am interested to see if it means anything-sorry to be no help.

Did you eliminate anything when the redness disappeared from her cheeks? Maybe you stopped wiping her face with something that had an irritant on it?

[stephienoodle]

I can't help, but I'm curious, too. I've figured out and almost eliminated the eczema on my hands (contact issues from treated water). But the only place I've still got it is a really weird place... I have eczema on my eyelids, particularly the upper eyelid. I mean, of all places to get eczema... the eyelid? :

Anyhow, I'm interested in what others say and I hope you figure out what is going on with your DD.

[Ophelia]

I don't have the answer either but DS got his spots generally on his back and legs. they never got very bad, luckily. Wheat was the problem at the time.

[Chinese Pistache]

In our experience, no. DD reacts(ed) to all of her allergens beginning in the same place (behind her knees). Before we figured out she had allergies at all and she was consuming all of them, it had spread to all of her joints (elbows, underarms, butt) and face. My ds got his first eczema on the backs of his arms (between 2 and 3 mths old). Now, we he reacts to something (we're still finding minor things), the eczema spots pop up on the back of his thighs, near his butt (he's almost a year old).

[kjbrown92]

My DD2's was on her inner thighs, almost like chafing from diaper but about 2 inches lower. Very pink but not weepy. Hers was from corn.

My DS gets a rash above his upper lip whenever he ingest soy (stays for 7-10 days). He used to get flushed cheeks from soy when he was an infant so that one changed a little.

My DD1 had eczema behind her knees as an infant and we put prescription cortisone cream on it (I know, I know, I'm kicking myself). And now she's got it again on her inner thighs, which is the same place that DD2's reaction shows up. She has environmental allergies. No KNOWN food intolerances/allergies.

My DH had eczema in elbow and knee creases as a child, he says, and he has allergy-induced asthma now (they had pets when he was younger and that's his worst allergy).

[Wugmama]

Our Chinese medicine doc thought the locations were important, but not related to WHICH food caused the problem. But related to meridians in the body that were out of whack, and indicative of what pressure points to stimulate or where to put needles for acupuncture. Also, there was a correlation as to the side of the body that was worse for me and my little one (we both had eczema, now both clear).

~Tracy

[Therese's Mommy]

Ugh, I feel like I am such a taker on this board...always posting my latest problem.

I have been watching this eczema all day. It really gets red around her mouth when she eats. It doesn't matter what she eats, and it seems worse on her left side. As I watched her at dinner tonight it seemed like she was using her left hand more to put the food in her mouth. Is it possible that this could just be simple skin irritation? We have been having some wickedly dry weather this week (days of fire weather warnings). My lips are chapped and cracking. Her skin is really sensitive anyway.

She has been itching her neck and behind her knees at night, but there is little or no redness (there may by just a little pinkness under her neck). I know last spring she seemed to have some environmental issues. A friend told me today that her son is already suffering from spring allergies. So, maybe this is it? If I give her some Zyrtec and the redness/eczema clears can I assume it is environmental?

Thanks again for sharing your wisdom.

Beth

[Catt75]

Don't feel like a taker. We are all here to learn. I'm glad you ask questions because I am interested (as well as others) in the answers to your questions too. Just think..one day we will be helping someone else out. But first, we need to learn and heal.

[caedmyn]

I'd say no. I used to get eczema on my butt (sorry TMI!) from eggs. Now I'm not sensitive to eggs anymore but gluten causes eczema on my butt.

DD used to get eczema from dairy on her cheeks, backs of hands, and butt. She got eczema from amines all over but it would start on her sides. Now she gets eczema from both dairy & amines on her cheeks & backs of hands first.

[maureen73]

Hmmm...good question. I think it is dependant on the individual. My daughter (age 2) has had severe eczema since birth and is allergic to eggs, apricots, mangos, wheat and several other foods. Her eczema is HORRIBLE around the feet, ankles, inner elbows and back of knees. It is so sad and frustrating. I will say that my 3, 2 and 1 year old sometimes get red areas around the mouth and cheeks when eating tomato based foods like ketchup and sauce. It goes away after awhile and I believe it is caused by the acid.

[LittleBlessings]

:
good question

[neveryoumindthere]

hm interesting question..
now that I think about it, ds' reactions were/are Always on his left side. and when we did thermal scanning at the chiro's office, everything came up as 'severe' ONLY on the left side. AFter reading a PP mentioning meridians and acupuncture, which I've been reading more about, I'm going with yes, it offers clues, but which ones, I don't know.

Thanks ...now you got me thinking!!