The Eczema Tribe - Page 2

[FillingMyQuiver]

Hi mamas, just wanted to join in and offer some insight into what I have found over the years. I haven't read all the posts, I will in a few minutes though
14mo DS has a few eczema patches on his torso and upper thighs. Lately, I've been using emu oil and it seems to be helping. I'm not TOO worried about it, b/c it doesn't appear to be spreading, but I watch it carefully.

Now, I come from a family where eczema runs rampid. My poor mom can't immerse her hands in water for too long b/c they will flair up and get flaky and eventually bleed. My 17yo old brother had the WORST case of eczema growing up that I'd EVER seen, it basically covered him from head to toe. It would be bad in the summer when he sweat and bad in the winter from the dry air. His legs would bleed b/c they were so itchy. ANYWAY...

I have a friend whose 18mo DS had eczema really bad also and some of his triggers were:
synthetic fibers
wheat (in his mom's bm and being fed it)
soy
dairy
lots of other foods I can't think of (his mom's on a really restrictive elimination diet b/c she's still bfing)

We found that lanolin helps soften the patches, unless you're allertgic to it like my mom. Recently, my mom's also had luck w/ the emu oil.

[MAMom]

We too dealt with eczema when DS was a baby. For some (like us) the eczema was related to food sensitivity (IgG reactions - eczema, GI issues). Not all eczema is related to food allergy/food sensitivity, but a percentage is.

We has success with a very stict elimination diet for me (breastfeeding), and delaying giving those foods to DS. Within the past 6 months, he has outgrown it all, though we will still avoid peanuts/nuts and fish/shellfish until he is closer to 5 at the advice of our allergist & based on our own research.

If you think you are dealing with food allergies/sensitivities, I would highly recommend this board Kids With Food Allergies

If you are dealing with IgE allergies (vs. sensitivities which are often IgG) your child can be tested blood tested (RAST test or CAP RAST) or skin tested (SPT - skin prick test)

The top 8 allergens are:

• dairy
• soy
• eggs
• wheat
• peanuts
• treenuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, etc.)
• fish
• shellfish

If you are just dealing with eczema, besides all of the other things that people have already mentioned (changing laundry detergents & body cleansers/shampoos to dye/scent free, extra rinse cycle in laundry, etc.) you may want to try soaking baths - sometimes several times per day - then immediately applying a thick lotion to lock in the moisture. This may give a lot of relief. The lotion we found to work best was Vaseline "Creamy" - it comes in a white tube with a dark blue lid & I often find it in the first aid (or lotion) section at the drug store (though I am not thrilled that it is petroleum based, it worked for us & we tried lots of other things first).

The old way of treating eczema was to NOT hydrate (and some docs still perpetuate this myth). For severe eczema patients they actually wrap their bodies with wet gauze/cloths to rehydrate the skin.

Also, the hardest part - try to stop your DS/DD from scratching the eczema patches, as this can cause infection.

C

[Aura_Kitten]

am i the only one on here with Pompholyx? :

[ShannonCC]

I can join in here (unfortunately :LOL)

I have excema and so do others in my family. I only just realized my dd (6) probably does too. I finally figured out that the dry, red rash on her face is pretty much what my hands look like when my excema starts to flare up.

I get mine on my hands. I've had it since I was a young teen) (about 20 years) but all this time I thought it was related to how I cared for my hands. In the winter I especially have to be careful. It's definitely a factor but I just discovered it's linked to diet too.

The other week we decided to cut out dairy to see if it cleared up my dd's "rash" on her face. It did. We're going to keep dairy free a few weeks and then feed her some cheese to test it.

So a few months ago my excema flared up and, for the first time, nothing I did was bringing it down. It wasn't awful (I've certainly had worse) but it just wasn't clearing up no matter what I did. Olive oil worked the best of everything I tried but I had to remember to apply it a few times a day for it to help (it helped but my hands still had red patches all the time, every day).

Flash forward to last week when we took dd off dairy. I went off it too because I don't want to eat it in front of her when she can't have it (we don't use cow milk anyway, but we do like our cheese!).

Today I was driving around and feeling the rough patches on my hands. Then it hit me. They were *just* rough patches. A few days ago, and for months before, they were red, angry looking rough patches that itched and looked like they were going to break open at any minute. Now, after a week off dairy, they are my normal skin color and just a bit rough.

Let me tell you it's nice to have my hands look normal for the first time in months!

Also, it did occur to me that my excema and the redness on dd's face started the same time (it was only recently her face started getting dry too - for months it was just off and on red). I bet there's an environmental factor in there too. Or it could be because we tend to not eat cheese for awhile and then eat a lot and then not eat it, I don't know. But even if there are other factors at least I know I can control this one (diet).

We're also soy free because it causes major behavior problems in dd (and I can't tolerate it either).

Oh, I should mention we thought to cut out dairy for my dd's face because of my cousin. She had bad acne for years and just recently was given the suggestion to cut out dairy. She had tried medicines, creams, etc and none worked so she tried this. Her face cleared up completely! I saw her this past weekend and realized it was the first time in my memory that she did not have a red face. A month or so ago, on top of her red face, my dd (age 6!) got some pimples so that's why I thought the two might be related. Plus, many in my family (myself included) are lactose intolerant. I think if there ever was a familly who shouldn't eat dairy, it's mine :LOL

[violafemme]

Has anyone else noticed a flare up just before DC gets sick? Last week DD'd excema had a sudden flare and we thought maybe someone had fed her something in the nursery she shouldn't have had but couldn't track it down.............then she comes down with a GI virus and in a day the excema is clear again. I remember this happening once before.

So I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed a connection.

[Parthenia]

Originally Posted by klothos

am i the only one on here with Pompholyx? :

Probably not. I'm sure others will join! I've you've got a rash you're welcome in the tribe.


I've got a non-eczema rash condition, rosacea. Between dd and me, we're all red in the face round here.

Last week I took dd to the ped and got a rx for a steroid cream. It cleared up her weepy patches in 2 days! I'm not thrilled using it. We stopped using it for a few days, I made a crock pot dish without checking the ingredients in the flavor packet, and voila! The rash came back but not as bad as before. I went to the grocery store and checked the package: there was milk in it. So now were back on the steroid cream, and I'm back to avoiding the milk. What a vicious cycle! :

[Jessviola]

Add us to the list :(

I posted this in Allergies a little bit ago and I've edited it to update:

Max first flared up around 3.5 months. It started on his cheeks and quickly spread throughout his body until he was covered. His face, legs and arms were the worst and weeping all the time. The same week it started, I started eliminating dairy, eggs and chocolate, which made me a vegan since i was vegetarian to begin with. After 3 weeks of seeing no improvement, I added wheat, soy, citrus, nuts, caffeine, alcohol, corn (although keep finding new hidden corn in my foods) hmmm, i think that's it... So basically I've been on a majorly restrictive diet for 2-2.5 months. *update* 2 weeks ago we saw an ND and now we're also eliminating rice, white potatoes, grapes, bananas, avocados, and anything that is on the 'avoid' list for my blood type.

We use a dr bronner's lavendar or baby as a laundry detergent detergent, and I use only a small glug per load. I only use vinegar as a softener.

We've tried many bathing routines. At first we rarely bathed him. Then we saw a dermatologist who suggested nightly bathing. So we tried that and he got better for a few days, but then went back to 'normal', which is red, inflamed and weeping. We never use soap, except a couple times a month i'll use a tiny bit (aubrey vegan baby soap *now dr. bronner's*) on his hair when it gets really oily. I always slather him with a moisturizer immediately after taking him out of the bath and at most pat dry, never rub.

We've tried countless creams, lotions, balms, salves, ointments, etc. Some seem to work for a few days but just as we get hope that it may be working, his skin gets worse again. I've refused to use the steroids because while i'm sure they'll calm the flare up, as soon as we stop using them, it would come right back because they don't treat the underlying cause. Thankfully, dh is with me on that and i don't have to fight him over it.

We cover his hands with socks most of the time so he won't scratch his face bloody and cover the rest of his body with long sleeves and pants (100% cotton). Sometimes at night I'll pin his sleeves to the bed so he doesn't wake himself up by scratching/rubbing. Sometimes he figures a way to scratch anyways though...

I'm taking EPO supplements, 6 500mg caps daily, and probiotics. I also finger feed Max some probiotics. I'm also eating a lot of flax seeds and put lots of olive oil on my salad and veggies and eating lots of avocados.

We have almost all hardwood floors in the house and I'm washing the sheets 1-2 times weekly in hot water. we do have curtains in our room, but i vaccuum them and wash them regularly.

We're seeing a pediatric naturopath for the first time tomorrow and i'm really hopeful that she'll be able to help. and the best parts are that she's close, our insurance covers her and we've heard nothing but great things about her from friends.

I think that covers it all. He's still insanely itchy and it's gotten even worse the past couple nights. I feel like such a failure because I'm trying to do everything I can to help, but nothing's working. Our lives have been taken over by this and I can't sleep well at night because I spend the whole time making sure he's not scratching/rubbing. He's such a mellow little guy and so happy despite all this, it just kills me that i can't help.


*update*
We saw the ND and my diet has been further restricted as per the updated list earlier in this post. I'm now taking zinc supps and B6 and Max gets a tincture of butternut, burdock, and leptandra and df bifidus. I stopped the jarro-dophilus for both of us because it has corn ingredients. We had his blood drawn last Wednesday for the IgG test as well as several others the ND wanted. I'm hoping I will get some foods back once the results are in.

oops, i hear max waking up so i'll write more later.

[OwensMa]

am i the only one on here with Pompholyx

No, you're not.

I have it too. It's wretched. :

[Jessviola]

so anyways, what i had wanted to say before is that we just found something that is working wonders for us. unfortunately i don't have too much info on what it is or how to get it. my MIL sent us an herbal lotion from chile labeled 'zarzaparrilla' which in english translates to 'sarsaparilla' this stuff practically cleared up max's severe eczema overnight. thursday morning his face and arms were very angry and every time i picked him up i got all sticky from all the weeping. the package came that day in the mail and after testing a small spot for a reaction, applied it to him before bed. friday morning he woke up looking like this i couldn't believe the difference. and he was noticeably less itchy. the next day, his face was it's normal color and just a little bumpy. by today, his face is silky smooth and the only place you can see evidence of the eczema is his arms. and they're almost free of it too. they were the worst before we got this. i'm still scared to touch his skin though for fear of popping this bubble of success....

unfortunately, we only have two tiny little bottles (film containers) and one is almost gone already. i'm trying to find an equivalent around here so we can stock up, but it's tough with so little info. i've been searching online, but haven't found much about sarsaparilla in english. i did find out that it's a powerful blood and liver detoxer though and that makes sense as to why it would help. it's also a powerful aphrodisiac, especially for women :LOL i started a thread about it in allergies but haven't had much response. i'm still completely shocked that things are so much better so quickly. he barely scratches anymore. he's sleeping great! he's back to himself and i can tell he's no longer in chronic agony from the itching. i'm so happy to have found something that provides him with relief. (although i'm still trying to find anything that might be bad about using this. it seems too good to be true...)

i just wanted to share because i've done tons of online research on eczema and different treatments/success stories/etc. and hadn't once come across the mention of sarsaparilla. it came up a lot when i searched the spanish term though. maybe this info will be helpful to one/some of you and your babies dealing with this frustrating affliction.

oh yeah, and also i've started a blog to keep track of our progress and all if you want more details:
eczema hell

[BusyMommy]

UGH you guys! I don't have time to read/post right now but I'll join you later. MY oldest has summer eczema. Almost makes me wish for perpetual winter.

[Love my 2]

I've been battling eczema on my hands for years. Lately, so bad that my wedding ring may have to be cut off due to the swelling. I have had some relief with the Omega 3/6/9 supplements and using olive oil and calendula based products. I can't figure out what in my diet could be causing it, unable to go on strict elimination diet till dh is working and we're out the in-laws house. Hmmm, maybe stress has been making it worse lately?
My ds has beautiful skin except for a crusty area on his navel and occasionally at the base of his penis, it responds well to Badge baby balm. My dd has the same crusty spot on her navel and a patch on between her buttocks that also does well with the badger balm. She also has dry pink rough cheeks. Neither of my children had it untill we moved up here to the high desert. I'm thinking it's a combination of the minerals in the well water and the junk food Grandma keeps giving them against my wishes.
For us, anything with a petroleum base just makes the problem worse.

[kazmir]

Hi, my son Niko is 6 months and just started having a rash on his cheeks. It started 2 weeks ago as a small red rash. It looks like whiteheads and then they break open and scab up right away. It does itch him but he doesnt scratch, thatnk goodness, he rubs it with th e back of his hands. He has been sick on and off for 3 months with respiratory issues and the Dr started him on a therapy of Pulmicort 2 x a day for 30 days. He had been on this for a week before the rash and I have stopped the treatment to see if it is the culprit. I was using luberdern and now using Weluda Calendula Creme as of yesterday and it seems to be helping. I usually shower with him and only use water. I shampoo his hair once a month or so. I am also supplimenting with EPO and EPA from Nordic Naturals. Oh and I am back on the Prenatal vits, I had gotten lazy in taking them. He is BF exclusively and I haven't changed my diet. I need to start taking probiotics again, I haven't been since his last round of antibiotics. Does probiotics transfer thru breastmilk?

Any and all suggestions are welcomed! I haven't slept well in a week and neither has he or DH.

[Parthenia]

I have infant probiotics, which I briefly gave to dd with a medicine dropper. She learned very quickly how to take them (faster than she learned to take my bm in a bottle!). She later developed impetigo that didn't respond to topical antibiotics, so she took a course of oral ones, plus the probiotics to help reculture her gut.
I do not take probiotics right now. I thought I read that they really don't transfer into breastmilk.

A word of caution about Weleda products (which I love). They contain peanut oil, so if your babe is allergic to peanuts, it could be a problem.

It used to be recommended that you use little soap and bathe infrequently. I found that dd is very soothed by the bath, as is her skin. I give her short baths with chamomile tea. I use kiss my face olive oil and aloe soap--the same stuff I use. It's a very oily soap, which is nice, and I use very little. We do 2 minute showers with quick rubdowns, too.
As soon as she's out of the water we dry her off and immediately moisturize. I currently use some locally made eczema salve.

I definitely recommend doing an elimination diet. If your ds is allergic to something you're eating, all the creams and ointments in the world won't stop the reaction. Creams help to heal the skin. Find the cause of the irritant.

HTH, mama!

[mamabbbg?]

We use homeopathic Sulfer and it seems to help.

[circlemama]

We bathe in organic oatmeal, or baking soda, or sea salt. Getting rid of allergens in the diet. And, I think getting my metal fillings replaced (still BF dd at 2 1/2, been lactating now for 6 1/2 years!) has helped her skin.

[moneca]

Glad to join in
Dd has had weepy eczema behind her ears since about 9 mo and she is now 17 mo. Last week on Jessviola's thread someone mentioned that Zim's crack creme (the original) healed up her babes weepy eczema in no time. I've tried everyting natural without success so I decided to do some research. They sell it at CVS and it contains glycerine, alcohol, water, arnica extract, and myrcia oil. I tried to search myrcia oil, but what I found was very limited and it seems to be derived from bay leaf. It has natural antibiotic properties. I started placing it behind dd's ears Saturday night and it is now almost completely dry.
I've been doing more research on eczema and it seems that the kind that is weepy and itchy is caused by yeast overgrowth. We know that dd has this along with dysbiosis. She just spent the last 10 months vomiting regardless of what she ate. She would vomit between 1-3 times per day and her appetite continued to decline with time. We thought that she was allergic to almost everything - dairy, soy, gluten, avacado, egg, potato, sweet potato - we did an elimination/rotation diet for months. Talk about being limited. Did all the medical tests and everything came up perfect. The "allergies" always manifested themselves with gi symptoms - only vomiting. Anyway, two weeks ago I put her on a special diet that heals the gut (a very easy and liberal diet compared to what we've been on). She vomited once with eating the first day and that was it. She is eating all the things that we thought she was allergic to except soy, potatos, and gluten. She loves eating for the first time since I introduced solids at 6 mo. She is much happier. Just wanted to share with all you allergy mamas . Feel free to pm me if you want to know more about the diet. Also, homemade yoghurt or kefir is really easy to make and has tons more good bacteria than store bought probiotics - check back a few months on the health and healing section for the probiotics thread. There is so much info on probiotics there. I'll try to go back and bump it up.

[Jessviola]

that's an interesting theory about the weeping/itching eczema being yeast overgrowth. We've been on a yeast free/sugar free diet for a couple months now as well as giving probiotics but didn't see any difference until using the zarzaparilla. i've been wondering about yeast (i wonder about a lot of things :LOL) lately because of the little patch that came back around his mouth. maybe it's just a form of wishful thinking though because i want to be able to eat like normal again :LOL

[proud mama of 2]

Count me in. My DS had his first outbreak of eczema when he was 8 months old and it was HORRIBLE. We had it somewhat under control by wearing cotton clothing, oatmeal baths & such, but he recently got it so bad that he started bleeding / pussing from some spots and i'm working on getting it under control (my poor baby ) any advice would be appreciated

[fluffernutter]

Count me in too! DD has it. She was basically born with it. I remember the first time I looked at her little feet she had sty crusty patches on her ankles. We've been battling it since then. It hasn't been as bad as some though. Mostly just little dry patches. She's got one really bad patch on the back of her knee. It pretty much stays raw or crusty most of the time. She also has a patch between her middle and ring fingers that has gotten pretty bad. We did get an Rx from the Dr. for it (not Elidel), and it works really well but I'm leary of using it too often since it is a steriod. Nothing else we've tried has worked.

[Parthenia]

I have a love hate relationship with the steroids, too. They work. They give Ingrid relief. They stop the inflamation. But they're steroids. Her ped said to use it sparingly, so that's what we do. And avoiding the triggers, as much as possible.

I was inspired by the Zarzparilla that Jessviola was talking about, and I spoke to a friend of mine who is an herbalist about sarsparilla. He said he would show me how to make a salve with it. That'll be a few weeks from now, but I'll let ya'll know how it turns out.