Need dermatological sleuths for DD

[seashells]

We noticed a few days ago that her back was ... let's say not smooth. I didn't see a rash like red bumps, but not smooth like the skin was all extremely dry. Maybe more similar to a sunburn but no redness and no peeling, but I think there is some shedding going on. (Note: sunburn is not even remotely possible.)

I first assumed it was the dress she was wearing that day, the top part was that elastic-built-into-the-fabric kind of thing and I know it gets itchy. So we took it off.

Later I noticed her belly also was "not smooth."

Then later I saw her face DOES have what looks like a rash - red bumps in her cheeks, and one raised area under one eye. I didn't like the raised area, and we gave her children's Benedryl last night. The Benedryl seemed to help her face somewhat but didn't do anything to change her torso, which didn't really surprise me because I don't see the torso as looking like a histamine issue.

I don't know if her face and her torso are related or unrelated. They look different but, still, they are both dermatological issues going on at the same time.

I should probably call the doctor and have reached for the phone a few times but always sigh as I picture the doctor prescribing whatever medicine without really knowing what is going on.

DD is 4 years old and I can't think of any new foods she's been exposed to (well, except she tried a tuna sandwich yesterday for the first time, but that was AFTER I noted her torso being strangly dry).

My logic is telling me the torso thing is not related to the face, it looks different. The face seems like an allergen. The torso, maybe the elastic on her dress really did do a number on her skin. It was probably too tight to boot. It's itchy and she's scratched herself with her nails in a few places, and the scratches hurt. DH put some Oil of Olay on her torso (but not her face). I also have coconut oil, I might prefer that since Oil of Olay, despite being "hypoallergenic" is still made of chemicals.

Today, after last night's dose of Benedryl, her face still has a rash but not angry red, it's faded.

[seashells]

So I'm guessing the scaly feel of her torso is dryness. The skin around her mouth is also really dry.

Eczema? Hope not... I don't know much about it but obviously it would be nice if it were just a transient dry skin thing.

Her habits haven't changed, she does take baths but not frequently (twice a week, about). Honestly, I don't use soap on her body at all. I wash her hair once a week or less. (It just doesn't seem to need more). But this skin stuff seems to have come on very suddenly.

Is coconut oil a good moisturizer? Should I use it on her face too?

[seashells]

Sorry to post again, but just thinking, it's like the outer layer of most of her skin just "up and died." Sigh.

Her diet is not good, I'm very sorry to say. I wonder if that could be the culprit.

[Crafty]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratosis_pilaris

Could it be keratosis? My ds has this (his dad had it too). It's just the outer layer of skin producing a little too much outer layer. It's rough and bumpy and may be a little unattractive, but there's nothing really wrong with it health-wise. Ds's was much worse as a small toddler, but he's 7, almost 8, and it's gotten less noticeable.

There ARE different treatments- different kinds of lotions and whatnot, but to us, it wasn't that much of a big deal. It wasn't itchy or bothersome to him or anything. His ped took one look at it (because I asked what all these bumps were on his arms) and said, "Oh, that's just keratosis."

I hope you get it figured out soon!

[blumooned]

This sounds just like my son. He is one and has the dry, patchy skin since about 3mos. His doc said that is was eczema, that it was common, and that it would go away by itself. I can make it go away by using Weleda Baby Cream on his skin after his bath, but if I stop using the product for more than a few days, it does come back. I'm hoping the doc is right and that he'll just grow out of it soon!

He also has the bumpy skin on his forearms and occasionally on his cheeks. The doc also saw that and was not concerned - although she did not name it. By my own investigation, I also came up with keratosis. I'm not concerned about it, although I do wish it would go away! DS does not seem bothered by any of it.

Of course, you could try eliminating food, soaps, fabrics, etc until you discover what caused it. Or, you could just treat it, hope it goes away, and move on. The Weleda Baby Cream is great for that! Good Luck!!