Eczema - starting to eliminate things in my diet, need help!

[mm's mom]

DD is 5.5 months old now and has had eczema on her cheeks as well as dry scaly patches on her upper arms since about 6 weeks. Her pediatrician thought the eczema was due to irritation from the bad cradle cap she has had. However, now that the cradle cap is (finally) gone and the eczema remains, it is time to look a little further. Also, it is now apparent that her cheeks are bothering her as I find her rubbing and scratching them now.

While there are no food allergies in our family, I have asthma and environmental allergies, DH had asthma as a kid and hay fever type allergies and my nearly 3 yo son has now had 3 wheezing episodes and will likely be asthmatic too.

I read kellymom and tried to find out more info, but I'm just confused and can't find a good place to start. I eliminated dairy (today is day 3) and already her face is looking better. However, her eczema tends to wax and wane so I really need to see over the course of 1-2 weeks if it is a true improvement.

So I guess I'm wondering...
If eliminating dairy doesn't clear up the eczema, what is the next step? The whole elimination diet?
Once her face clears up (hopefully) how long to I then continue that diet? Till we are done breastfeeding?
When does allergy testing start in kids?

Thanks for your info and advice!

[PatioGardener]

oops, duplicate post.

[PatioGardener]

If her face looks better but not compeltely healed, I'd spend a while hunting for hidden dairy in your food. Often breads and other store bought foods have whey or casein (spelling) or milk as a surprise ingredient. I've seen a baby react to a trace amount of milk protein in momma's diet.

I hope eliminating dairy clears it up for you!

[MKury]

I agree

My dd had some eczema, though not as itchy and as much as you are describing, and the first thing I cut out was dairy. I know that if I have even the smallest amount of cheese, yogurt, even ice cream, she starts getting it again on the backs of her legs and her chest. She also develops it when I take garlic supplements when I get a cold- so maybe see if you have garlic in your diet... best wishes! I know it is frustrating when it doesn't clear up. And give it a good two weeks before you eliminate anything else, so you know for sure what is causing it. I made the mistake of cutting out three or four things and then didn't know what was the real culprit!

[clicksab]

I know my response may not be the most popular opinion around here, but I'm only saying this out of my own experience, so take it or leave it.
Eczema could be caused by things other than the food you're eating. Sometimes I feel like we're quick to cut out foods when we're nursing our babes, and not looking into other possible causes. I did this with my DD. I spent a month agonizing over eliminating dairy because of her eczema. Then we took a trip to FL and I figured out that her eczema is obviously triggered by cold weather and her bath soap (which I'd forgotten and bought a different one). So, while I wouldn't say that it's NOT dairy, I'd also like to urge you to look into other factors.
Regardless of what the culprit is, I hope you find it and are able to keep your poor DD eczema free!

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by clicksab

So, while I wouldn't say that it's NOT dairy, I'd also like to urge you to look into other factors.

I think this is great advice too. Even if it is triggered by dairy, other factors may make it worse as well. Definitely worth investigating.

[mm's mom]

Originally Posted by clicksab

Eczema could be caused by things other than the food you're eating. Sometimes I feel like we're quick to cut out foods when we're nursing our babes, and not looking into other possible causes.

I think you make a very good point. I actually have tried to find other reasons too. i've changed soaps (and often her baths are soap free) to no avail. Also, I've been washing her laundry with Free and Clear detergent with an extra rinse. I have found that one lotion I was putting on her (Aveeno) was actually seeming to make it worse, but eliminating the Aveeno hasn't eliminated the eczema. Still searching...

Thanks for the reminder though. i'll keep trying to get to the bottom of this.

[mm's mom]

Thanks for everyone's advice!

Unfortunately we are back to square one - I had to work yesterday and had to leave DD with frozen breastmilk that was pumped before I started dairy, so we are back to day one testing the dairy free diet.

[mm's mom]

It is working and her skin is looking great!!!
So do I continue eliminating dairy in my diet as long as we are breastfeeding, or does the sensitivity eventually go away as they get older?

[elanorh]

Originally Posted by mm's mom

It is working and her skin is looking great!!!
So do I continue eliminating dairy in my diet as long as we are breastfeeding, or does the sensitivity eventually go away as they get older?

"They" say to wait 6-12 months before challenging after a successful elimination.

Ina reacted to cow's milk terribly as an infant; she had outgrown her allergy at 19 months when we challenged it then. I think I'd challenged in my diet at 10 months (failed); directly to her at 12 months (failed). I much prefer direct challenges rather than via mother's milk; I think it's easier and quicker to see whether there's a reaction.

If I were you, I'd wait at least six months. That might take you to the point where she's "old enough" to try dairy directly - so you can remain dairy-free during her challenge. Do a two-week challenge (small amounts at first) and watch for any signs of a reaction.

Meanwhile, continue to check toiletries, lotions, and all food labels for dairy to make sure you don't accidentally expose her!

Glad you've found your culprit. All I have to do is handle something with dairy in it, and SJ will have eczema in her eyebrows the next day.

[sleepdeprivedmom]

my toddler is 2 he drinks soy milk now, but i really found that any dairy flares it up there is an asktheholisticdoctor video on youtube about it--- whenit does flare up, i found selsun blue, zinc oxide, vaseline put onwhile still inthe bath tub and some renew lotion fromthe melalueca company pumped a lot into his sock for the lotion- helps. i only recently found out dairy was the culprit-- i wish i knew sooner the dermatologist said nothing about it and gave himsteroids which worked but i didnt want to keep giving him -its really hard keeping dairy out of his diet when we aren't home.

my daughter is getting a tiny bit, she is breastfed, but its not near as bad as her bro.

[RawGoddess]

Originally Posted by mm's mom

DD is 5.5 months old now and has had eczema on her cheeks as well as dry scaly patches on her upper arms since about 6 weeks. Her pediatrician thought the eczema was due to irritation from the bad cradle cap she has had. However, now that the cradle cap is (finally) gone and the eczema remains, it is time to look a little further. Also, it is now apparent that her cheeks are bothering her as I find her rubbing and scratching them now.

While there are no food allergies in our family, I have asthma and environmental allergies, DH had asthma as a kid and hay fever type allergies and my nearly 3 yo son has now had 3 wheezing episodes and will likely be asthmatic too.

I read kellymom and tried to find out more info, but I'm just confused and can't find a good place to start. I eliminated dairy (today is day 3) and already her face is looking better. However, her eczema tends to wax and wane so I really need to see over the course of 1-2 weeks if it is a true improvement.

So I guess I'm wondering...
If eliminating dairy doesn't clear up the eczema, what is the next step? The whole elimination diet?
Once her face clears up (hopefully) how long to I then continue that diet? Till we are done breastfeeding?
When does allergy testing start in kids?

Thanks for your info and advice!

Hi, deficiency due to lack of DHA - omega 3 fatty acid and lack of raw fats in diet that body can use. This is just one skin complaint that is symptom of these lack of nutrients.

Cooked dairy is technically poison to our bodies, so consider going raw!!!