wait a second...is this eczema?

[chilliepepper]

I've posted several times recently about our baby's eczema, but this post is about our 2 year old. He's had what we think is eczema most of his life, at least that's what the pediatrician has called it when she's seen him. But I've just been thinking...everybody keeps talking about how dry eczema skin is, and DS's skin just doesn't seem dry at all. He gets red, itchy rashes in the typical places, mostly behind the elbows and knees and on his feet, but they are not dry. Just really red, bumpy and inflamed. Maybe it's just because we live in a very humid area?

Anyway, I keep moisturizing the heck out of it because that's what everybody says to do, but it seems counterintuitive.

So is this eczema?

[elmh23]

sounds like how my daughters eczema flares. not a lot of dryness, but raised itchy spots that are usually red (but not always.)

[memiles]

My eczema is hardly ever dry, unless I get a persistant patch that lasts for weeks. Otherwise, it's red, raised, itchy, and moist.

[tallanvor]

Isn't it psoriasis that is dry? When my eczema flares up it is more like really itchy little blisters. Well, on my hands it is, anyway.

Crystal

[Jaimee]

I think eczema is a catch-22. It's a dry problem, which is why you moisturize, but when it dries too far, it peels and then opens and oozes. Keeping the skin sealed and properly moisturized is the key. And so much easier said than done! I've had some success with applying oil (like olive oil or apricot oil) to the patches and then sealing them with Eucerin cream. I know some other people apply crisco to their hands and wear gloves! Others bathe more frequently, but don't actually dry off- instead apply moisturizer and clothes to seal in the water. Anyway, it's a tricky beast as you and I both know! :

[chilliepepper]

So for those whose eczema isn't dry, do you still moisturize?

DS's isn't "dry until it peels and opens and oozes." It's just never dry. It's red and bumpy.

[elmh23]

Yup, still moisturize. Our bath routine when she's flaring is to let her play in an oatmeal bath (I use the infant cereal, but you could grind your own) for as long as she wants, no soap. Then when she gets out we pat her dry (or skip this if the eczema is REALLY bad) and then cover her with vaseline. You could use something else (others will have suggestions) but vaseline is the only thing that works for my dd, everything else makes it worse

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by chilliepepper

DS's isn't "dry until it peels and opens and oozes." It's just never dry. It's red and bumpy.

My dd's eczema is red and bumpy when it's moderate. When it gets severe, that's when it opens and oozes. It sounds like you're doing a good job of keeping it in the moderate stages. Keep up the moisturizing and hopefully you'll never have oozing (which sadly leads to infection).

[hades]

what is a good brand of moiturizer for eczema?