Eczema remedy that's safe to use?

1388 Views 22 Replies 19 Participants Last post by bananababies, Dec 12, 2008

nighten

Discussion Starter · Dec 2, 2008

I have developed what appears to be eczema on my elbows, and the lotion I'd been using (Weleda calendula cream) doesn't seem to be working anymore.

What is safe to use during pregnancy that actually works? The only info I've seen talks about hydrocortisone creams and this isn't an extreme situation. It's just uncomfortable and ugly-looking. So I don't feel the risk is worth the benefit given I'm pregnant. But I'd love to use something that will actually work, since it's starting to look pretty icky.

Thanks, mamas!

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

arahzel

· #2 · Dec 2, 2008

DD (3 years old) has terrible eczema. We have to rotate between creams because they stop working after a while. The best thing we've done so far aside from hydrocortizone cream is have her bathe in oatmeal, then put aloe gel (w/o alcohol) on the affected areas -- THEN use Aveeno overnight relief lotion all over her body. This seems to work best.

I bought some $30 zinc cream especially made for eczema, and it made her affected areas turn red and swell! Ugh!

Good luck. I have never dealt with eczema personally, but I know it must be itchy!

KimProbable

· #3 · Dec 2, 2008

I've been using organic coconut oil on my pregnancy-induced super dry skin and I've been really happy with it.

namistenicole

· #4 · Dec 2, 2008

I've had eczema on my face this whole pregnancy (sexy!). Unfortunately I haven't found anything topical that works. The best thing I can do is to avoid the foods that make it worse - for me that's milk, and anything that really upsets my stomach (like mega doses of vit c). I've tried jojoba oi, tea tree oil, and Badger Balm evolving skin balm. Nothing really makes it go away. If you find something, let me know!!

Malva

· #5 · Dec 2, 2008

Try taking probiotics, start with one a day and increase it to two then three if needed. I know I need to take two a day to control my eczema. It may work for you!

nighten

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 2, 2008

2

I already take really strong probiotics (Dr. Ohhira's), so that's not it. But thank you for the suggestion.

I'm sure it's hormonal, since I recall having this issue last pregnancy, and perhaps exacerbated by the dry air/cold (so I've had the humidifier going).

I hadn't considered it being food-related though, since it's not something that I normally have. I can't think of anything I've eaten that might've made it worse though, but who knows?

It's very weird, and I feel like it's just some random skin thing from being pregnant.

I'd just like something natural that will work, if possible. If not possible, then it's no big deal, especially since I'll be wearing long sleeves anyway and the itching isn't unbearable. Just annoying. Still, it'd be nice to treat it if I can.

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Auraji

· #7 · Dec 2, 2008

My boyfriend's son has really bad eczema. We use the Aveeno Eczema Care.

Jojo F.

· #8 · Dec 2, 2008

When I had problems with it I cut out dairy and gluten, worked like a charm and no need for creams

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etoilech

· #9 · Dec 2, 2008

My husband and daughter suffer from eczema. They both respond very well to Dr. Weil's Plantidote cream. It comes in a green tub and is sold at Origins. MY daughter's skin is much milder than my husband's and this keeps it from flaring up. The downside is it is pretty pricey, but it lasts a long time. Also we supplement them both with omega 3 and 9, you may already be doing that though.

kohlby

· #10 · Dec 2, 2008

Hydrocortisone creams do work on my son - but I have to use them every single day, which I didn't like doing. I switched to a product that said "baby eczema cream" on it, despite DS not being a baby. I can't remember the exact brand but it was in the baby section of a normal store and I think it had winnie the pooh characters on it. I looked up the ingredients and none were harmful that I could find, though they weren't as powerful as normal either. The cream works nearly as well as the hydrocortisone. I do have to put it on him twice a day and keep up with it. With the hydrocortisone, I could do it once a day and occassionally skip a day. I've never tried it, but I've heard that olive oil can also help.

*I also make sure to give my son fish oil

Phoenix~Mama

· #11 · Dec 2, 2008

My dermatologist had me get Sarna for the rash I got in third tri... he said it was perfectly safe to use in pregnancy. It is usually used to treat excema too. After I tried a ton of other lotions with nothing working Sarna was the first that helped and made the rash go away!!! it was a life saver.

wanderinggypsy

· #12 · Dec 2, 2008

Take two tablespoons of Udo's Oil daily. Your eczema will be gone before you know it!

joybird

· #13 · Dec 2, 2008

Florasone cream. It's a homeopathic made from the cardiospermum herb. It's the only thing that's stopped me itching. It really works. I've never had eczema before this pregnancy but I've had it on my face and neck since about ten weeks- it's awful. I'm already gluten-free and dairy-free and I've tried eliminating everything. I just know that it is some weird hormonal pregnancy thing. Bizarre.

moonlight mom

· #14 · Dec 2, 2008

I second aveeno baths followed by aveeno baby moisturizer. It worked great on my son's eczema.

thebirthsource

· #15 · Dec 11, 2008

Eczema is a yeast (candida) overgrowth. Creams won't fix it, it's internal. The best yeast remedy I've found I make up myslef, but you can get at herbally grounded dot com. You need to also take a probiotic. While pregnnat, I wouldn't take more than 3 caps/day.
Amy

Quote:

Originally Posted by nighten

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I have developed what appears to be eczema on my elbows, and the lotion I'd been using (Weleda calendula cream) doesn't seem to be working anymore.

What is safe to use during pregnancy that actually works? The only info I've seen talks about hydrocortisone creams and this isn't an extreme situation. It's just uncomfortable and ugly-looking. So I don't feel the risk is worth the benefit given I'm pregnant. But I'd love to use something that will actually work, since it's starting to look pretty icky.

Thanks, mamas!

See less See more

Full Heart

· #16 · Dec 11, 2008

My kids also get eczema due to dairy, its very common so you might want to check on that.

Normally we use eucerin aquaphor but my mom brought me a ton of Ahava back from Israel so when we ran out I started using that and it works really well too. I don't like it on my face though.

My kids can't handle water too often. So if they have been swimming a lot it makes it worse. So if you have been maybe taking baths more that might be the problem.

joybird

· #17 · Dec 11, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebirthsource

View Post

Eczema is a yeast (candida) overgrowth. Creams won't fix it, it's internal. The best yeast remedy I've found I make up myslef, but you can get at herbally grounded dot com. You need to also take a probiotic. While pregnnat, I wouldn't take more than 3 caps/day.
Amy

This is sometimes the case, but not always! It can be from any kind of toxin or perceived toxin that the liver is unable to process (including candida toxins), it can be hormone-related, it can be a symptom of food allergy, just to name a few.

There is no limit to the dosage of probiotics, either. If a person is consuming homemade yogurt, kefir or kombucha they are getting trillions of probiotic organisms. It is not possible to overdose on probiotics. Besides, capsules come in many different strengths. Some have 3 billion bacteria, some have 50 billion.

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motherbirth

· #18 · Dec 11, 2008

Nighten, I've had horrible eczema on a few fingers since mid-way through my pregnancy. I went to see a naturopath, who had me give up several foods (including wheat and dairy) and put me on a probiotic. She also gave some kind of naturopathic medical grade hand salve to use. My skin has cleared up dramatically. If you have a naturopath near you that's covered under your insurance, you may want to give that a try.

bananababies

· #19 · Dec 11, 2008

I just recently read that epsom salt baths can help soothe eczema. My dd has a lot of allergies that cause her eczema to flair regularly - I'm thinking about trying the epsom salts. I'll let you know what I find out in the next couple days!

nighten

Discussion Starter · #20 · Dec 11, 2008

2

While I agree it can be yeast- or food-related, mine is definitely hormonal.

I always take probiotics and am currently taking Dr Ohhira's which is a great brand, and truly live and not dependent on pH balance.

I don't have a naturopath locally, unfortunately, but will look about the Epsom salts and see if that helps. It isn't bothering me as badly -- the Weleda cream seemed to start helping a bit more, so I suspect it's exacerbated by the dry/air/heat of winter.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Thankfully it's not gotten any worse, at least.

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