Is this allergy?

[RachelGS]

My DS has a bad, spreading rash on his belly and chest and has had diarrhea for two months. We;re supposed to see a ped dermatologist next week, but I want to have all my ducks in a row for questions to ask. I think something is bothering him systemically but have no idea what it could be. Thoughts?

[Chinese Pistache]

Yes, that sounds allergy related. I would see an allergist before a dermatologist.

[wendy1221]

Skip the dermatologist. THey will just give you steroid creams that mask the symptoms. Btdt w/ my ds1.

[RachelGS]

Ack. So what did you do?

[wendy1221]

Elimination diet. W/ the diarrhea, it's almost certainly a food allergy. I would start with cutting all forms of dairy (read labels carefully) out of BOTH of your diets for a minimum of 2 weeks and see where that gets you. While you're at it, cut out all peanuts, nuts, and shellfish. Those should be avoided anyway, even if he isn't allergic, until he's at least 3. If you already don't do dairy, eggs and soy are next on the list.

Unless you have a gut feeling about what food it could be or have recently added a new food. wheat and/or gluten are common, corn, sesame, fish, etc. In that case, cut whatever food you have a feeling about. Minimum time to see definite results is 2 weeks, may take up to 4 to be completely clear. You should see some results within a week, though, and if you don't, it's either not tht food, or it's that food AND another food.

And also start some good dairy free probiotics.

Seeing an allergist can be helpfull if you find a good one, but testing is not accurate in young kids.

[RachelGS]

Here's a pic of the rash in case this helps anybody help us. Thanks for the input so far!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...a/IMG_2988.jpg

[Caden's Mom]

Absolutely is an allergy, IMHO. Wendy gave you some great advice. Is it itchy?

Some more thoughts. Do not use any soap on him at all. If you do use soap use cetaphyl and only use that if it is strictly necessary. Use All free and clear (or similar) detergent. Do not use fabric softener. Frequent, short baths in warm water are good for eczema. You can slather him up twice a day with a oil or eucerin or aquaphor. If its very itchy, you can do a little hydrocorisone cream.

But please follow Wendy's advice. Dairy should be the first to go.

[wendy1221]

That's pretty bad eczema. Liam looked like that last week from head to toe from accidental egg, but he's all clear now. We found a cream called Vanicream that worked wonders. It's not natural, but I will use it again if Liam ever gets eczema that bad again (and I would say your ds's is definitely bad!) You will find that once you've eliminated his triggers for a while, if you have accidental exposure, it will clear up in days instead of weeks, like you will be going through now.

We really like California Baby bath products and creams/lotions. I agree w/ Heather, but want to add to make sure his clothes are all 100% natural fibers, no polyester. And Dove Sensitive Skin bars are another soap alternative.

[RachelGS]

We do use only natural baby soaps and stuff and only cotton clothing. Nothing is new in that regard.

One thing I just connected is that I've been giving him dextromethorphan in the last three days, which is the exact time that this has been so severe. It doesn't make sense from an origin standpoint, but it does from a symptoms-suddenly-worsening standpoint. I bet he's allergic to it. My poor baby.

[WC_hapamama]

That looks more like hives than eczema. Hives can be from an allergic reaction, or sometimes show up after a virus.

[RachelGS]

Yes, his ped didn't think it was eczema.

[wendy1221]

Natural does not mean allergen free. Look at the ingredients. THey often have nut oils.

THe pic was blurry to me, I thought it looked like eczema. If it's dry and leathery looking, it's eczema. If those red spots are smooth skin, not dry and bumpy, then it's hives.

[RachelGS]

Yep, I know. I thought it was eczema, too, but the ped didn't think so. They thought it was more of an allergic reaction. He does get some mild eczema, though, so I'm still all ears about that. I checked our baby products; they're okay ingredient-wise. I think I need a new laundry detergent, though.