Numular eczema..m

[polishmama]

I have had this since I was 3 months pregnant with my third baby(2000) and it has got worse over time.It is now very itchy and sore and the patches are getting bigger.My dermatologist has prescribed steroid cream,moisturiser,vaseline,stockings with zinc ointment,sunbathing at least 20 minutes a day with the afected parts exposed and I am not allowed to use soap of any kind-I have to use aqueous cream instead.he says it is not due to allergy,or any food,but excessively dry skin and stress.What else can i do to treat this?I don't want to use the steroid cream longer than 2 weeks(I have checked and it is considered safe in pregnancy)but I need this to clear up as not only is it very itchy,it is also unsightly(especially on my leg) and is starting to appear on my breasts which won't be good when breastfeeding.Ant help gratefully received.

[mama2jonah]

First, I don't believe steroid creams are altogether safe during pregnancy regardless of what the package or the doctor says. They really don't know because there haven't been enough of the right kind of studies on the issue. It's a case of innocent until proven guilty.

Second, there is a highly effective homeopathic cream called Florazone which is found in most healthfood stores. Also, Fred Meyer and Rite Aid both carry it. My son had horrendous eczema on his face and the Florazone cleared it up.

[polishmama]

I had a quick look on the internet but couldn't find anywhere selling it in England-do you happen to know what ther ingredients are or who makes it?

[SagMom]

We also use Florasone Cream. The active ingredient is Cardiospermum 1X 10%. The brand we have is by Boericke & Tafel in Santa Rosa, CA.

My daughter reacts badly to laundry aids and I need to use an unscented detergent, followed by a double rinse, one with vinegar. Both the Florasone and the laundry changes have helped (like you, she also does not use soap in the shower--she uses Cetafil.)

What has made the biggest difference, however, has been regular trips to the chiropractor.

[polishmama]

Thank you Joan-I will try my local health food shop and see if they have something containing cardiospermumI use a mild laundry detergent(mostly homemade),and also do a double rinse.I have been told to wash with aqueous cream(yuck-leaves me feeling slimy )
I have to ask-what does a chiropractor have to do with eczema???A chiropractor is to do with bones isn't he?(she): Hmmm.maybe I should try it-it can't hurt..or is it not advisable in pregnancy?

[SagMom]

Our chiropractor works on pregnant women--I don't know if all do or not, but I'd definately want one who was experienced with pregnant women. While a chiropractor does adjust the BONES in the spine, the adjustment is done to free the NERVES. If one's spine is not aligned correctly, it causes pressure on the nerves which affect the rest of the body. Chiropractic doesn't actually CURE anything, what it does is to put the body in a prime position to cure itself. Best wishes!

[polishmama]

I love this site-I learn so much every time I come hereI never knew chiropractors had anything to do with the nerves,thought it was always just bones.I think I'll have to look into that-after all,if an engine isn't aligned right,it won't run properly,thus affecting the rest of the car...off to find some phone numbers........

[lauraess]

Chiro

I have had some Itchy spots on my scalp for some time and nothing seems to work. I havent seen a dr about it and wonder if a chiro would help. I have a problem with my neck I've been stalling or neglecting about having looked at and I'm sure a chiro would help...maybe with both. I hear such good things.
TRUST~Laura

[jtsmom]

I just went to a seminar about eczema, I heard 1 new thing I hadn't before, and that is to soak in a warm bath (they called this process "hydrating" ) for 20 minutes, then grease up with cream or ointment (not lotion). This is some new study, goes against what I'd always thought, get them in and out of the tub fast. ?I haven't tried it yet, but couldn't hurt!

jtsmom

[polishmama]

I always soaked a long time in the bath but I never used cream after-definitely worth a try-I love my long baths!

[jtsmom]

The drs at the seminar said that it's not worth doing if you don't grease up afterwards, it will just dry your skin out more! They said that lotion is worse than ointment (vaseline or aquaphor) or cream because of the water content. They said that a lotion can actuall make the skin burn or sting:

I did notice with dd that when I used cetaphil lotion, her eczema looked worse than if I used a heavier cream. Actually, I think one of the drs said thatyou have a 4-5 minute window to get the cream or ointment on, to trap the moisture.

jtsmom

[polishmama]

Maybe I can get dh to do the cream afterwards???

[PumpkinSeeds]

our ped told us not to bathe our eczematic ds. This always seemed crazy to me...

Instead, I bathe him sometimes twice a day in plain water for long periods of time playing in the water then I immediatly slather him with A&D ointment. THis really helped with the crusty peeling eczema that he had (along with the elimination diet)

[Megs Mom]

I have been told to shoot for three minutes from out of bath to greasing time...and our derm just told us baths are fine for any length of time until soap/shampoo enters the water...then move as quickly as possible.

[BusyMommy]

Check your diet. My son's eczema cleared up when I supplemented his diet w/extra calcium, Vt. A and biotin. I use Eucerin Cream (not lotion) or Aquaphor (also made by Eucerin) on him whenever I change his diaper.

Good luck!