[chlobo]

DD has been having skin issues for a while now. We can't seem to figure it out. When it was at its worst we took her to the ped and his solution was to prescribe a topical steroid and an antihistamine. I was reluctant to go that route until we identified what was wrong. Now part of it is back. Can anyone help? Besides the whelts on her legs and arm creases, she also has spots about the size of a penny which are very red that come and go.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...o/105_0579.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...o/106_0613.jpg

Is it an allergy? Eczema? Something worse.

FWIW it hasn't been particularly hot here recently.

 

[MamaMonica]

Looks like eczema. The behind the knees location is a big indicator. Check out some of the eczema threads for info. The round penny-sized spots that come and go can also be eczema.

(I'm not a doctor, just the mom of a child with eczema!)

 

[baileyandmikey]

It definitely looks like an allergy, those welts look like hives on her legs. i would say an antihistamine would work for those. ummm the other rash, that looks like what my 3 yr old dd has. we have been to 4 different drs and have gotten four diff. diagnoses.

 

[chlobo]

Won't the antihistamine just stop "this" incidence of the reaction? If she's allergic, won't it keep happening?

 

[baileyandmikey]

yes, i guess you are right. has she been exposed to anything new or different lately?

 

[jlpetitte]

I have eczema too and it is related to allergies. To check, try an allergy free diet for a couple weeks and then slowly reintroduce foods. All fruit except citrus and tomato, all veggies except corn, rice, turkey, white fish, and sometimes almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds. Eczema is commonly related to eggs, citrus, tomatoes, dairy.

 

[SagMom]

Looks exactly like my dd's ezcema.

I'd second (third?) the vote for looking at food allergies. If it's itchy, there are homeopathic creams available (look for something with calendula in in it, or for Florasone Cream.) This, of course, won't cure the underlying problem, but will make her more comfortable in the meantime. My dd has been helped by chiropractic and also by supplimenting with fish oils.

 

[chlobo]

I guess we'll try the elimination diet. Ugh.

My DD is 19 months old. Any good tips on trying to get the fish oil into her? There is no food she reliably eats that I could mix it in so I'm kind of at a loss. Same thing with a probiotic.

 

[SagMom]

There's a company that makes an orange-flavored liquid for kids--can't remember the brand name, but ask at your healthfood store.

 

[circlemama]

be careful w/ fish oil, some kids are allergic/sensitive to fish, thus, there could even be a reaction to fish oil.

 

[dove]

My dh gets a rash just like the one you dd has on his trunk , but it is tinea versicolor. It gets red like that in warm weather. He also gets bright red patches behind his knees when he takes sudafed or eats too much wheat. His mom is a homeopath - she worked him up and since he was remedied, it has never happened again. Don't want to say which remedy, since everyone is diff. ps before the homeopathic, we used selsun shampoo on the trunk rash to keep it under control. But, with a little one I would suggest a pedi dermatologist to get an accurate diagnosis. That is a pretty involved couple of areas, a skin scraping might be a good place to start.

 

[chlobo]

Is there such thing as an accurate diagnosis the a baby? Seems the doctor tells me a different thing everytime I call. Will I ever get an accurate diagnosis?

I was going to take her to the allergist, since I suspect an allergy. Would the dermatologist be better? My husband just saw a dermatologist for his skin condition and he's now going to see an allergist since the derm. seemed to be treating the symptoms and not the root cause.

 

[dove]

hmmm... since you suspect an allergy, the allergist might be a good idea. Or you could try elim diets as others suggested. The problem is with skin stuff, most times it is hard to get to the root of it instead of just getting a "well it might be this, so here's an antihistamine" response. Those meds can provide rellief, but will usually just mask the problem. Try to find a more holistic derm or allergist who will help you define the root of the problem. I have also seen lots of kids get jerked around on med after med and topical treatment after topical treatment until a skin scraping or biopsy was done to confirm diagnosis (in my experience, anyway). Also, don't underestimate the power of a good homeopath. Taking an accurate and very detailed history will go a long way in getting your babe the help she needs. If you happen to live in AR, go see my MIL, she is amazing!

 

[chlobo]

I've already started down the path of treating symptoms. The pediatrician prescribed a strong topical steroid & zyrtec, neiter of which I used.

The problem with the elimination diets is twofold 1) I'm still nursing and depressed at the thought and 2) she's very picky about what she eats. I'd hate to limit her choices. Not saying I wouldn't do it, because of course I would. However, I might try the allergist first just to see what he recommends.

I don't know of any good homeopaths. I live in Massachusetts. There is one doctor who is supposedly a homeopathic pediatrician - trained both in homeopathy & allopathic medicine but I don't know much about her.

This stuff is so hard.

 

[dove]

I would try the homeopathic ped over a "conventional" derm or allergist any day, for a start, anyway. My ped is also a homeopath and she is awesome, it is worth my having to pay out of pocket to see her. You would have the best of both worlds, there. Then, at least if you guys tried some remedies without success, the ped would know what you should do next.