Eczema always allergies

[deditus]

Is eczema always allergies? My dd, 17mo, just started having mild eczema on her trunk. I have done a food diary (for both of us, since she is still mostly bf) and it doesn't seem to be linked to a particular food, ie, it flares and calms down then flares again with no change in diet. We recently switched detergents, but wouldn't she have it elsewhere if it was detergent sensitivity? Could it just be the drier air now that winter has finally set in?

[elmh23]

It could be ther dryer air or it could be an enviromental allergy. Good luck.

[jauncourt]

Since you have cahnged detergents, do you still use a different detergent for anyone else? Do you use fabric softener on other loads? If so, changing her detergent won't help. You will still have residual perfumes and waxes in the machines.

If that's not a possiblity, did you strip your washer? You will need to run at least 2-3 loads of just HOT water, follwed by vinegar in the rinse cycle, to clear all the old detergent residue (and any old softener residue) out of the washer. Also, if you are still using linens or clothes that were washed in a scented detergent, or rinsed/dried with a wax-based scented softener, it will still be causing reactions to the perfumes, even if they have faded to the point that you don't smell them easily.

Switching detergents means stripping the washer, rewashing any clean items washed in the scented/colored detergent, sometimes twice, and also cleaning the drier by first wiping it out manually with a damp sponge and then running it with a load of towels/washcloths that were washed in the clean washer (preferably wash these 2-3x before using them to clean the dryer). Those towels will need to be washed again after using them to clean the drier, or you will just be putting that residue on your daughter's body again.

We have been through this a few times (had to clean a w/d set in a rented home, had to deal with cleaning up our w/d after DH's work suggested he use a specific detergetn on his uniforms - instant, extreme reaction!-, and finally cleaning some clothes a helpful friend washed for us during the recent evacuations here), and stripping scented residues out of clothing is a huge pain, but it pays.

Maura

[Panserbjorne]

Not always to things you eat...it can be environmental or a chemical/fragrance sensitivity. Understand though that those issue only exist because of a compromised gut. Either way there's healing to do.

[deditus]

We were using Charlie's soap and I switched to Biokleen (w/no fragrance) because I'm trying to find something that works better in our hard water. No fabric softeners or "regular" detergents ever used in our w/d. I am very sensitive to fake fragrance. Vinegar, eos, and baking soda to clean house. Aubrey baby wash in bath, only used maybe 1x a week.
I guess the easiest thing to do would be to switch back to Charlie's soap and see if it goes away. But if that doesn't work, I'll be at quite the loss.
I don't know where to start w/healing the gut when I've done everything "right". Exclusive bf for 6 mo, all grains are soaked, we eat yogurt or kefir everyday. Take a probiotic and clo. Can't afford raw milk or grassfed products, but almost all our fruits & veggies are organic (very affordable source). Just starting fermenting veggies now, maybe that will help. No abx or other meds. I guess I'll go reread HTG.

[jauncourt]

Ack - You are doing everything right. It may be time to humidify, if your house is dry. Humidity always helps us, but I thought the advice might be useful anyway

I hope you can get it worked out!

Maura

[Panserbjorne]

I hear you, I do. But you don't have control over everything. My kids were born at home, never vaxxed, EBF (except for ds-and he's the healthiest) for over 11 months, no antibiotics, no processed anything in my diet, no meds etc. They had major gut damage. If you had an imbalance in your flora you pass that on. IF you had undiagnosed allergies, you're passing on antibodies. If you have toxicity that you are unaware of it can compromise the baby's system. There is so much beyond what you "do."

My ds had eczema until I took out soy, dairy, gluten and eggs. That was 5 years ago. Never a spot since.

The flares won't necessarily happen when the food is consumed. It can be up to 3 days later. A food diary isn't always helpful in IgG mediated reactions. No clear pattern emerges because it can take so long to show up. Not saying it is a food allergy, necessarily, but just don't rule it out if that's all you've done-you know? You could try allergy testing or just do an elimination diet to see if there's a difference.

Weird question...but are you sure it's eczema?

[deditus]

We were at the ped day before Turkey Day because dd had a 103 fever for 24 hours w/no apparent cause (I didn't want to end up at the ER on a holiday so went to get ears and throat checked). I showed it to the ped and she said yes, it is eczema, but she didn't really look at it. I don't honestly know how distinctive the rash is. It is a pimply feeling (easier to feel than to see) with a few dry scaly patches. On her back and belly only. I certainly don't think she was concerned (normal mainstream ped, but no obnoxious parenting advice and they don't even ask about vax). I don't think I'll be getting a referral to an allergist over it. Dd is on state health care, so I can't really dr shop. Elimination diet would seriously be the last ditch effort for me because it would be very hard for me to replace the calories I get from dairy. I cut it for a month to see if it would help her pooping problems and it was horrible. I lost 5 lbs.
I guess I do have some idea of what might be up, it just didn't "click". Dd is a withholder. She holds in her poop for 2-3 or even more days at a time (up to 9), after a bout with constipation the beginning of the summer. I am sure this is creating a poor environment in her gut, probably allowing all kinds of bad bacteria to proliferate and toxins to be reabsorbed. So I guess I'll continue w/my plan of going back to Charlie's soap and getting serious w/probiotics.
Thanks

[Kayaking Mama]

DS has had eczema on and off and it seems to be entirely weather-related for him--he actually gets it when it's hot and humid rather than when the air is dry (opposite of most). He also breaks out when he gets sick--maybe your DD's current flare is related to her fever etc?

[elmh23]

Dd almost always has an eczema flair when she is sick. I'm willing to bet that that is at least part of the problem. Good luck.

[anamama]

My dd gets a similar rash (is it eczema?). Right now, her trunk and her legs are rough and covered in fine bumps. She doesn't scratch, it does't get red or flare up, so what the heck is it?? I guess I'm in the same boat as you!
We, too, recently switched detergents, to Tide Free&Clear. I wonder if that is the problem, since the rash isn't on her face?
When you were saying that your dd has issues pooping, I have to say I can relate to that, too. If my dd eats a bunch of dairy (like ice cream), she won't poop for days, and I've had to do suppositories. Poor thing . So we don't do a ton of dairy at all. Soooo, I'm wondering if both of our dc don't have some sort of dairy sensitivity. Dd would have the pooping problems even though we were eating raw milk and butter, and eating lots of yogurt and fermented foods, too, at the time.
I hope that you figure it out!! I'll be watching to see if you find any answers, and I'll post if I find any myself!

[deditus]

I went to the ped's yesterday to have it looked at, we're moving and won't have insurance for a bit. I thought we were seeing her pcp (usually they ask if it's ok if they're making an appointment w/ any other dr). Well, it was the same dr we saw the day before Thanksgiving who said it was eczema. This time she said it's just "dry skin". :
Oh well, I guess I'm on my own for now. We're moving in 2 weeks so I can't face an elimination diet right now, but I think that will be in our near future.

[Ruthla]

I'd be curious to see if things clear up after you move, even without changing your diet or detergent or anything else. The problem could have been caused by something in your home or the lack of humidity in the air- and either of those things could be different in a different home.

I'd suggest waiting until at least 2 weeks after moving before trying an elimination diet, so you'll know if it's something environmental or dietary. I can't imagine being ready to make major dietary changes while settling into a new home anyway!

[MammaB21]

DD has had eczema really bad her entire life. She is allergic to eggs, peanuts, oranges, cats and animals, and assuming some invironemental stuff too. Since we found out the foods she was allergic too, her eczema has cleared up ALOT!! We also use all fregrence free detergents, no perfume, all natural soap. In the winter she still gets it somewhat. So we cut her baths down to every 3 days, and get her in and out quickly, that seems to help alot. I agree with one pp to try a humidifier. That should help in the drier months. Food diaries arent allways the best indicater though for eczema. We had a hard time keeping track of it, since her eczema was so constant and also caused by other things. I think it is not necessarily caused by allergies but is exasperated by them. Maybe an ellimination diet would be a better way to go. I would recomend cutting out the obvious things first, and keeping each out for at least a week to give her body time to refresh. Good luck.

[anamama]

Keratosis pilaris??

I've been researching, and this is what I've found. I'm thinking that what my dd has is Keratosis pilaris, which is a hereditary hair follicle issue that makes the skin feel bumpy. It's really common for toddlers to have it all over their legs and arms, and it looks like goosebumps, and feels dry and scratchy. It's not itchy or scaly like eczema. There doesn't seem to be any "treatment", but it looks like people have had good luck adding in some omegas (flax seed oil, CLO, primrose oil). I've been lotioning her really well after her baths, and I'm really liking the Weleda calendula cream bath (you add it to the bath water, and it helps seal in moisture).
I'm going to keep watching this thread!

I'm sorry the Dr was so dismissive. Sometimes I feel like I'm smarter than some of the peds in our group . You'll figure it out, mama.

[Panserbjorne]

Keratosis Pilaris is treatable with high doses of naturally occuring vitamin A (read from an animal source-not carotenoids.) High vitamin CLO or large amounts of pastured eggs and organ meats will do the trick.

Like many things it's not (at least in my research) actually genetic. IT is labelled as such simply because stores are passed from generation to generation...the potential is still there.

Looking beyond allopathy in most of these instances is essential.

[deditus]

Originally Posted by anamama

I've been researching, and this is what I've found. I'm thinking that what my dd has is Keratosis pilaris, which is a hereditary hair follicle issue that makes the skin feel bumpy. It's really common for toddlers to have it all over their legs and arms, and it looks like goosebumps, and feels dry and scratchy. It's not itchy or scaly like eczema. There doesn't seem to be any "treatment", but it looks like people have had good luck adding in some omegas (flax seed oil, CLO, primrose oil). I've been lotioning her really well after her baths, and I'm really liking the Weleda calendula cream bath (you add it to the bath water, and it helps seal in moisture).
I'm going to keep watching this thread!

I'm sorry the Dr was so dismissive. Sometimes I feel like I'm smarter than some of the peds in our group . You'll figure it out, mama.

Keratosis pilaris
YES! I think this is it. Like I said, it doesn't seem to itch her at all. This was what was nagging at the back of my head throughout, I just couldn't remember it! I was researching it several months ago, as dh has bumps on the outside of his elbows/upper arms and I decided this is what dh has. I think it's probably what dd has, also. Thank you all for your help. Off to do more research on Vit A and oils. We already take clo, but I guess we may move up to high-vit clo and see what else we can do. Oh mammas, you're all so helpful!