The Eczema Tribe - Page 24

[JaneS]

Originally Posted by bonberi

free2be, New Morning makes an oat cereal like Cheerios called Oatios that is wheat free (has oats and rice, though). I find it in my local health food stores and food co-op.

Be careful with this... any high heat produced cereal (which means all boxed cereal) is hard to digest and contains toxins, as well as proteins and fats which have been damaged by the high heat extrusion process. Ditto for rice cakes and puffed cereals.

http://www.nourishingourchildren.org...ts/cereal.html

Much better to make your own oatmeal, preferable by soaking first to make more digestible. There are several companies offering certified gluten free oats, or Irish oats from Ireland are not contaminated with wheat from processing on same equip.

[Rachel J.]

Originally Posted by JaneS

Dr. Feingold is definately onto something.
http://www.feingold.org/

www.enzymestuff.com has some info on this too ... many ASD kids are phenol and salicylate intolerant, so the best info is from that community.

A K2 deficiency, as well as imbalanced gut flora, are a couple of things which have been shown to cause the inability of the body to detox these foods chemicals. I'm sure vitamin and mineral deficiencies also play a role. Vitamin A is highly correlated with psorasis and gut inflammation too.

Ugg, this is definitely me. I've been slowly and progressively been developing a number of deficiency (K2, magnesium, ???), possible food sensitivies and gut flora issues, one of my symptoms is eczema on my hand and back of my leg. It's never been as bad as it is now. I try to manage it without steroids but right now I'm at the point that I'm desperate for some hydrocortisone cream. I also have adrenal fatigue so that's another complication to the picture. I'm so overwhelmed by all the "options" (deficiencies, salicylate/amine/oxilate sensitivity, gluten/wheat sensitivity, etc., etc.) that I don't even know where to start. I'm doing some fermented foods, trying to move to a more TF diet, enzymes, magnesium, vit. C, K2, fish oil, and getting back on my evening primrose. Even with this it's just getting worse. I guess I just wanted to whine to people who might understand. Thanks

[mclisa]

Originally Posted by karin95

We bathe him 2-3 times a day and then goop him up with Aveeno and also this olive oil based eczema cream.

You can bathe him daily. My allergist recommended it because it lowered the bacterial count on the skin. You want to lotion your child up within minutes of getting out of the tub so as to seal in the water on the skin. You might also try adding in a bath oil. I think someone earlier mentioned a favorite.

We prefer vanicream as the lotion.

[Punchy Kaby]

Originally Posted by Rachel J.

Ugg, this is definitely me. I've been slowly and progressively been developing a number of deficiency (K2, magnesium, ???), possible food sensitivies and gut flora issues, one of my symptoms is eczema on my hand and back of my leg. It's never been as bad as it is now. I try to manage it without steroids but right now I'm at the point that I'm desperate for some hydrocortisone cream. I also have adrenal fatigue so that's another complication to the picture. I'm so overwhelmed by all the "options" (deficiencies, salicylate/amine/oxilate sensitivity, gluten/wheat sensitivity, etc., etc.) that I don't even know where to start. I'm doing some fermented foods, trying to move to a more TF diet, enzymes, magnesium, vit. C, K2, fish oil, and getting back on my evening primrose. Even with this it's just getting worse. I guess I just wanted to whine to people who might understand. Thanks

I belong to a group on yahoo called Trying_Low_Oxalates. Many people there are following diets for your sensitivities. Careful of the fermented foods! I was doing SCD and ate tons, but I think some of the wild ferments did more harm than good, IMHO better to take a strong probiotic. (I take VSL#3).
Beth

[Maggirayne]

Hi, joining in

My DD (4.5 mos) has had thrush for 2.5 months. I cut out all milk(did eat kefir yogurt and cheese and butter), wheat and sugar for about a month/six weeks and just started eating something off the 'no' list 1x/day the last week since her mouth has looked better, still not perfectly clear. *sigh*

I noticed today that she's got an area around her fontanel with what looks like small yellow scabs. She has long hair, and it's thickest there, so I think she's had it at least for a week, but I hadn't seen it. About 2 weeks ago, I noticed behind her ears was a a little crusty, but thought that was related to neck cheese. That cleared up with Boudreaux's Butt Paste. She's been fussier too. She does not crying for long periods, well, about an hour some days, and she's waking up crying, and she's not a crier unless she needs something.

She gets very sweaty when she sleeps, but that's more on her temples and back, so that doesn't aggravate it so far as I know. As for baths, I bathe her 2x/week and after reading an article in a mag at library (Alternative Health/natural, I think, recent issue) about sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate causing early puberty, I've quit using all the baby soaps and have been using Kirk's Castille Bar. Her hair is so thick in that area that I am just not sure about what to try putting on it or just put stuff on and who cares if it washes out.

I wasn't careful how I added food stuff back in (got fed up with doing it ), so no idea what in particular caused it, or even how long she's had it. I feel terrible that I didn't notice. I have been giving her Primadophilus since the beginning of August. And I looove milk, so I have been drinking soy milk instead of cow's, but I don't think that bothered her.

I haven't read all the posts, but am subbing. I'm just frustrated and discouraged because I think we've got the thrush licked and then her mouth gets white patches on her cheeks again. And then I had plugged ducts, which thankfully cleared us quickly, but I'm so tired of always fighting something, YKWIM?

Sorry this got so long, just wanted to give you a little background. I have no idea where to start with what to do to deal with this. Just treating the thrush and avoiding eating everything (it seemed like) was exhausting. Now I eat something and it tastes funny (and not really good) to me. Did anyone else notice this with their elimination diets?

[bonberi]

Nolansmum,

How did you find out about VSL#3? I had never heard of it before your post, but after Googling it, I am intrigued. Would you tell us more about your experience with it?

Thanks!

Terri

[Punchy Kaby]

Originally Posted by bonberi

Nolansmum,

How did you find out about VSL#3? I had never heard of it before your post, but after Googling it, I am intrigued. Would you tell us more about your experience with it?

Thanks!

Terri

A lot of people on the low oxalate diet take VSL3 because it has bacteria that can help break down oxalates. It is strong-1 capsule is 100 Biliion CFU. I take up to 4 a day, DS takes 1 a day. This has been one of the most helpful of any supplements that we take. Any person with a damaged gut/poor digestion can be helped by probiotics. Check out the Healing the Gut cheat sheet for more about probiotics...

[Maggirayne]

Success!

I used coconut oil on her scalp and bathed her and combed it, then out more in and it's cleared up! I quit cheating and eating wheat/milk, too. And haven't had any soymilk, was getting tired of it anyway.

I didn't get it clear over in her part, so that was still yellow scaly, but put more on. After reading just some of the Leaky Gut stuff, I'm a little spazzed. But I'm gonna get her thrush cleared up one way or another. Sometimes I can be a bulldog.

[Rachel J.]

I haven't read through the thread completely (started a while back) so I don't know if this was mentioned already. Does anyone use Florasone Cream for their eczema? It was recommended by Randall Neustadter (sp?) for children's eczema.

[Twwly]

Hi there, I am hoping some of you experienced Eczema mommas may be able to help me.

DS is 13mos and since birth he has had been prone to getting little pimples (itty bitty white head looking spots) with some redness on his right upper lip and his chin below. He does not seem to be very dry or itchy. But it has never totally gone away. They don't seem to be made any worse by dairy or wheat...

We went to see the Dr yesterday and she had no idea what it was. She thought it was maybe eczema, but couldn't tell me what eczema WAS, and she also told me if they have it as children they have it for life (Google has just told me 60-70% of children outgrow it). So I'm not too impressed with her info.

Does this sound like eczema?

[mumkenna&lucas]

I know this is an old thread, but I am bringing it back to life If there is a newer one, I am sorry!!

We just found out a few days ago that dd (4.5 years old) has exzema. I believe that she has had it for a while now. She has a "windburned" look on her face all the time! and complains about it itching and burining, her dr diagnosed her after mis-diagnosing it as impentigo. 6 weeks later and 2 medications later, her ped now says that it is exzema and gave her a steroid cream. I am very reluctant to use the cream so I am so glad to have found this thread..Her ped said that it was exzema, period that was it. Take the cream during flare ups. I was shocked to even find out that food could be a trigger! I am going to read through all the posts later! So I'll be back!!

[jessjgh1]

bumping.... fighting off what is hopefully a mild case here. dd is 9 months

will be back to go through this....

Jessica

[bonberi]

Jessica,

Holler if you have any questions, many of use are still here!

[chilliepepper]

Ok, well, since this has been bumped, I thought I would just check in too and let everyone know that I think we have ruled out food allergies. Three months ago our family moved from Florida to Maryland, and our two DS' eczema has completely cleared up. So I'm pretty sure it's environmental.

We've had a spell of very warm weather in the past week and they've both started to scratch a lot again. So I don't know if it's something that's started blooming here, or if it's simply the heat, or if it's that they would have been scratching all along but most of their skin was covered due to cold weather.

BUT even with the increased scratching in the past week, I haven't seen anything on their skin that really looks like eczema. So...

[jessjgh1]

Originally Posted by bonberi

Jessica,

Holler if you have any questions, many of use are still here!

thanks, it looks much better today...

When things are looking good is there a better lotion to use to keep things from drying out?

I have been using sensitve California Baby (fragrence free)....
Or is it individual?

And what about soap? I've been usng a minimal amount (wash hands face -2 times a day, water if needed, and at bath only us CA Baby wash on her hair really).
For the 1-2 times a day we've used Castille= unscented in a foamer.

The dr suggested dove or caress I guess to be more moisturizing??? But the stuff I found stinks like a perfume stand-- uugh.

Thanks

Jessica

[meggles]

So happy to find this thread

I think dd, 15 months, may have some patches of eczema. She has them on her elbows, the backs of her knees, and her lower back. Are these normal places for eczema? They are scaly and a little bit raised dry patches.

Our naturopath said that allergy testing at this age is really iffy, so that we should try an elimination diet with dd to try and identify food culprits, if any. Her eczema is really mild, but the patches seem to be spreading.

So, for those of you dealing with this--what do you eat? DD doesn't eat dairy, wheat, or beans at all--they all upset her tummy. If I cut out egg (which it looks like I should, at least for a couple weeks) then the only protein she'll be able to eat is meat.

Is it worth doing the elimination diet if the eczema is mild? Any advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

-meg

[bonberi]

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

thanks, it looks much better today...

When things are looking good is there a better lotion to use to keep things from drying out?

It does seem to be pretty individual. I buy SAHM-made lotion locally- the key ingredient for us is hemp oil.

Originally Posted by jessjgh1

And what about soap? I've been usng a minimal amount (wash hands face -2 times a day, water if needed, and at bath only us CA Baby wash on her hair really).
For the 1-2 times a day we've used Castille= unscented in a foamer.

The dr suggested dove or caress I guess to be more moisturizing??? But the stuff I found stinks like a perfume stand-- uugh.

If the castille is working for you on the hands, then go with that.

We don't use any soap in the bath, and occasional CA baby sensitive wash for hair.

I don't know about caress, but dove has a sensitive bar. I use it myself on my hands when they break out (I get reactions from soaps in public restrooms).

[bonberi]

Originally Posted by meggles

I think dd, 15 months, may have some patches of eczema. She has them on her elbows, the backs of her knees, and her lower back. Are these normal places for eczema? They are scaly and a little bit raised dry patches.

Hi Meg,
Yep, this is typical toddler geography for eczema.

Originally Posted by meggles

Our naturopath said that allergy testing at this age is really iffy, so that we should try an elimination diet with dd to try and identify food culprits, if any. Her eczema is really mild, but the patches seem to be spreading.

So, for those of you dealing with this--what do you eat? DD doesn't eat dairy, wheat, or beans at all--they all upset her tummy. If I cut out egg (which it looks like I should, at least for a couple weeks) then the only protein she'll be able to eat is meat.

Is it worth doing the elimination diet if the eczema is mild? Any advice will be GREATLY appreciated.

Gosh, I can't really say whether it's worth it for a mild case. Go with your gut- you know your baby best. If you do try an elimination diet, try to identify a few things that you think might be culprits. Try to think back to the month before the skin irritation appeared. What new foods did you introduce? Do you or your husband have any food sensitivities? Sensitivities are not directly inherited, but sometimes they do match up in parents and children, and it can be a good place to start.

As for what to eat, there is a lot of good info on these boards. Try the healing the gut tribe. The askdrsears web site has a good intro to elimination diets, too.

How are you dealing with the patches topically? We found that 20 minute slightly warm baths with baking soda or sea salt, followed immediately by lubing up with lotion and sliding on the jammies (if they stick, you've done it right ) was key.

[meggles]

Thank you for replying bonberi.

It's frustrating to think about what could be causing the eczema because dd's interest in solids and feeding herself lots of different things has really taken off in the last couple of months. Some newer things that she's been eating more of are: corn, coconut, egg, and she has tried both dairy and wheat, but only a couple of times because she has bad gastrointestinal reactions to them. We also got a wool rug a couple of months ago. I spoke to a friend of mine that suggested it may be environmental, so while we don't use chemical products, we will switch her baby wash to the CA baby sensitive one, in addition to making sure we use only unscented products. I have used a variety of natural products on dd's patches, but my friend recommended using eurecin (sp?) cream, although I'm not sure how natural that is. Any recommendations for topical things are appreciated.

[majorsky]

My 28-month-old DD seems to have recently developed eczema after drinking goat milk consistently for about 2 weeks. I've kept her completely off cow's milk and only just started her on goat milk because she didn't like the taste before. She's eaten goat cheese since she was probably 9 months old without any problems, but there seems to be a direct correlation between the goat milk and her stubborn rash.

Has anyone else encountered an allergy to goat milk but not goat cheese?

Kristin