Talk to me about eczema

[3Taureans]

Hi ladies,

Hope I'm posting in this in the right place. My DD (2) has eczema behind the knees, arm creases, stomach and back. When I asked her pediatrician about it, he just recommended hydrocortisone on those areas until it clears up. I wasn't given any information on how to prevent flare ups.

Can anyone provide me with more thorough information? I try to be careful with soaps, lotions and detergents, but what else? Is there anything that can be applied topically that might help? Any suggestions regarding diet? I've heard that dairy can be a culprit -- does anyone have experience with that?

Thanks!

[tankgirl136]

I have had to deal with eczema my entire life. There is some talk of dietary issues that can bring on flairs, but diet changes have not helped me sadly. In fact I have been eating the most dairy of my life right now and my skin has been better, but since I am pregnant I am not using that as a marker. I tend to focus on getting plenty of water and watching what I put on my skin.

#1 read ingredients! SLS and SLES are both known aggravates of skin problems. This is in almost all liquid soaps, shampoos, detergent based bar soap and other products.

#2 less is more! I try to only use hand made soaps (though not all work for me), soap based laundry soaps, and simple creams (I use pure body butters like cocoa butter and shea butter). I try to avoid extra products.

#3 watch water temp and over washing. With eczema hot water can cause skin to react and over washing can also cause more issues.

Overall I suggest watching what you use and how your son eats to see if certain things seem to lead to more reactions of less. In the mean time I so suggest trying pure Shea Butter it can really help soothe the skin.

[3Taureans]

Thanks tankgirl136. That's very helpful info you've passed on. Can I ask what laundry detergent you've had the most success with? Also, any recommendations on who to buy shea butter from?

[tankgirl136]

I personally use Trader Joe's Brand, but if you look most "enviromentally friendly" brands are going to be detergent free. That is the key you want nothing with detergents, and watch fragrances too (though personally I don't have any issues).

My favorite place to buy all my body butters is http://moutainroseherbs.com they have a great selection and offer organic and unrefined butters. You can buy in many sizes as well.

All the best.

[emilys_mom1]

I have 4 beautiful children. 2 of them so far get sever eczema. We just started seeing a holistic Ped and he put them on 1200mg of cod liver oil. Man is it helping. It is a great preventative.

I second tracking what they eat, weather, use of skin products.

I would also look into soap nuts. I use them for all our laundry, make homemade shampoo and liquid hand soaps for our family.