J.D. asks from Danvers, MN on March 23, 2008
2 Year Old with Extremely Dry Skin
Hi, I have a 2 year old with really dry skin that gives her a rash. Doctors say it is viral (another term for they can't do anything) and it isn't eczema. It gives her a rash especially by her diaper and her skin feels like a lizard. We use Auqaphor and over a 2-3 week period it will eventually subside. I know it is oily but it is one of the few products we can put near her eyes. They get red as well.
I checked the mamasource responses about a child with eczema and the responses pointed to Renew and Cetaphil. I was wondering about the Renew cream. I went on-line to find it and just found a website that showcased others products.
Can these products be used for dry skin not eczema? Are there other products?
Thanks!
So What Happened?™
Thank you for the quick response of so many mothers! I learned that I am on the right track but have new ideas what to look for also. Now that spring is here the skin rash is gone but I will keep track of food issues and laundry products for next winter.
Thanks again!
Featured Answers
M.S. answers from St. Cloud on April 18, 2008
J.,
My 2 younger daughters both have had extremely dry skin. I pretty much call it eczema, but it is just REALLY dry skin.
Honestly, I have tried everything. Aquaphor and Eucerin ointments are truly the only things that heals it. Lotions do not absorb long enough, and you go through so much of it. Plus, it stings their skin from the fragrance. Try sticking with it for a while, even applying it 3 times a day and after bathing! Good luck! M.
More Answers
N.K. answers from Minneapolis on March 24, 2008
Our family uses Aveeno Baby Soothing Mouisture Relief (not sure of the exact name) It's for extremely dry skin and eczema. It's great and since it's a cream not a lotion, you don't have to use it as many times a day as you would lotion.
Definitely stick to a cream instead of a lotion.
L.G. answers from Green Bay on March 27, 2008
Hi J.,
Here is a simple all natural alternative for your daughter's skin condition. I's L'bri Pure and Natural skin care. I have friends who have cured their baby’s dry skin (and their own) with our pure aloe vera jelly and body wash. Our products have nothing synthetic in them (all natural, very subtle plant-derived scents). Aloe is the # 1 ingredient in all of our products so everything is extremely hydrating and soothing. Think of what the aloe plant can do for a burn! Even Aveeno products for sensitive skin still contain mineral oil and/or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (both not good for your skin). Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a strong degreaser that dries skin out, it has been known to cause severe inflammation of the dermaepidermal tissue in sensitive skin. It's in almost every over the counter body wash on the market today. I hate to see people needing a pharmaceutical cream when something simple and natural exists that will cure skin problems for children. Aloe is truly nature's pharmacy. My website is www.leahatlbri.lbri.com. Click on testimonials to see how others have benefited from the products. The products are affordable too. A 4 oz bottle of aloe vera is $15, the hand/body lotion is $4.75-24.50 depending on the size, and the 8 oz body wash (it's the same for adults and babies) is $13.00. I hope this helps. Thanks! L. Grant
M.S. answers from St. Cloud on April 18, 2008
J.,
My 2 younger daughters both have had extremely dry skin. I pretty much call it eczema, but it is just REALLY dry skin.
Honestly, I have tried everything. Aquaphor and Eucerin ointments are truly the only things that heals it. Lotions do not absorb long enough, and you go through so much of it. Plus, it stings their skin from the fragrance. Try sticking with it for a while, even applying it 3 times a day and after bathing! Good luck! M.
C.G. answers from Davenport on March 25, 2008
Have you tried changing the type of soap you use to cleanse her with? If not try using dove or there use to be a liquid soap in a green bottle called "physoderm or physohex".
try these and not give her a bath but every other day and dry her off very well and my daughter uses a cream called,"therapeutic moisturizing cream for dry skin" you can get it from Walgreens, it is their brand, she uses it on her 18month old and it seems to work. Also when she is really broke out in a rash on her bottom she gets a cream from the doctor called "MAGIC BUTT CREAM" it works great!!!
A.F. answers from St. Cloud on March 24, 2008
Hi J.! I agree about the Renew from Melaleuca but the downside of that is you have to become a preferred customer and buy a certain amount of their product every month. It is a good way to go if you love their other products or find you can't live without the Renew. HOWEVER.....there are a few other options for you. I FIRMLY believe in healing from the inside out. Fish oils will do just that. Try Nordic Naturals in the strawberry flavor for kids. My son has taken them since he was 2 years old because he is prone to dry skin and they have helped tremendously! Also, you mentioned the lizard type skin....try Evening Primrose Creme from Burt's Bees. It is wonderful for dry, scaly skin and rashes.
Also, cutting out certain foods might help. Sugar is rotten (too bad it is so yummy) but she may have a sensitivity to wheat, dairy or soy. Any food that she may want excessively could be a food she is sensitive to.
Sorry about the long message. Feel free to message me any time and if I find an unopened travel size Renew I will let you know and I can send it to you.
-Anne
K.S. answers from Rochester on March 24, 2008
I have really dry skin too and I use Vanicream lotion and Robathol oil. When I went to the derm, they said to also use it on my 8mth old son. It has been wonderful. The lotion is free of any harsh chemicals (sometimes it gets in his eyes by accident and he has no problems with it). The oil is used during shower or bath. You can eventually use the oil and lotion on rotating days. Our skin is great now. Their website is http://www.psico.com/ . I buy their products at Walmart, Target and Walgreens.
E.T. answers from Rochester on March 24, 2008
Our daughter has a couple of spots on her legs that tend to get really dry. We use the Vanicream skin cream. It will clear up our daughters dry skin after just a couple of applications. The lotion is also good but the skin cream is a lot thicker. It isn't oily which I like. It was originally developed for people with sensitive skin and is free of all dyes, perfumes, etc. There are also shampoos, soaps, and other products. We but ours at Target. You can also buy it on target.com. Check with your pharmacy too. Pharmacists use it for compounding prescription topical medications.
J.F. answers from Minneapolis on March 24, 2008
Renew is sold by Melaleuca and can be found on Melaleuca.com. I have had problems with dry, cracked skin on my hands for years and this stuff works great! I have used it on both my kids all over their bodies since they were born and it's cleared up everything from diaper rash to chapped cheeks. Could your laundry detergent be giving her a skin reaction? We switched over to all Melaleuca products and it did wonders for my asthma and allergies. If you have any questions about Melaleuca/Renew, or can't find the info you need online, let me know.
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