R.H. asks from Merrimack, NH on June 02, 2008
3 Month Old Scratching Face
My little one is always rubbing/scratching her face. Whenever I hold her she rubs her face in my shirt and then breaks out in a red rash. We have washed everything in Dreft but she still breaks out. I'm not sure if she's scratching because her rash itches, or if the scratching and rubbing is actually causing the rash ? It's worse at night and naptime. anyone else have a similar problem?
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L.Q. answers from Boston on June 03, 2008
I just want to say Dreft is awful! Both myself and my son have eczema & Dreft made it worse. Try the Free and Clear detergents instead or believe it or not my son and I are not allergic/sensitive to All brand Relax lavender and water lily!
For a long time I just had to keep trying detergents until I found one we could both use and the Free and Clears and like I said that particular All brand work well for us! Good luck but get rid of the Dreft it is supposed to be for babies and yet it is way to harsh. My sister and her kids don't have sensitive skin like me or my son but she even said her kids couldn't use Dreft either they got a rash!
K.T. answers from Boston on June 03, 2008
I'm a first time mom to a 3 and 1/2 month old with a similar problem. Her doctor said the rash is caused by drooling. You can put vaseline on her skin to protect it or try having her wear a bib to catch the drool. Hope this helps.
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C.K. answers from Boston on June 03, 2008
My 7 month old does this and her older sister did too. My only solution is to swaddle her. I use the Halo sleep sacks but don't put her arms through the arm holes, keep them inside the bag. Socks on hands didn't work for us because she uses the socks to rub her face and rubs the skin raw. Ours is ezcema, probably due to food allergies, her older sister turned out to have multiple food allergies and now that she is off all the allergens at 3yo she has beautiful skin. They haven't tested our 7 month old yet but if the itching and rash continue you may want to discuss allergy testing with your pedi.
Good Luck! I know how hard it can be to see your baby so uncomfortable and not be able to do much for them.
C.M. answers from Boston on June 03, 2008
We had ths problam with our daughter who is know 22months. We started using sevent Genaration laundry soap. It is all natural no perfume and stuff. She is doing great no ore rashes on her face or body. we bought it at Shaws in the Wild Harvest isile. I love the stuff because we do not have any mor problams and it has no perfume smell to is. I hope this helps you good luck. Let me know how it goes.
CHristie & Adeline Mackensen ^i^
L.Q. answers from Boston on June 03, 2008
I just want to say Dreft is awful! Both myself and my son have eczema & Dreft made it worse. Try the Free and Clear detergents instead or believe it or not my son and I are not allergic/sensitive to All brand Relax lavender and water lily!
For a long time I just had to keep trying detergents until I found one we could both use and the Free and Clears and like I said that particular All brand work well for us! Good luck but get rid of the Dreft it is supposed to be for babies and yet it is way to harsh. My sister and her kids don't have sensitive skin like me or my son but she even said her kids couldn't use Dreft either they got a rash!
L.W. answers from Bangor on June 03, 2008
Hi R.!
You may want to find out if the Dreft has any toxic chemicals in it. My family was using a name brand laundry soap before I got into my home based business that doesn't have any harmful chemicals in any of their products. We have well over 350 products including laundry soap called Melapower( which it is concentrated so it does last a long time and saves you money) that is proven and tested to be non toxic. We also have a great product called Renew lotion that is great for skin irritations like eczema, diabetes, etc. You can also either be a customer of saving 30%to 40% off wholesale prices then in local stores. You can also earn a residual income from home as well just by referring other people to the company. Now,R., when is the last time any company or store paid you for referring others to the company? If you would like more information on it give shoot me a email at ____@____.com or call me, L., at ###-###-####.
K.W. answers from Boston on June 03, 2008
Hi,
My 3 month old does the same thing but she has ezcezma,so that maybe a possiblitly. You might want to take her to the doctor and have them check it out. I use Hydrolatum Petrolatum for her ezcema, you get it at the pharmacy, it's about $10 dollars and also the doctor told me to use 1% Hydrocortizone, but not all the time because it can make the skin white. I keep her mittens on because she scratches her skin hard enough to breake the skin. I also give her an oatmeal bath and give her a little oatmeal facial :). I use Aveeno wash and shampoo and the lotion
N.P. answers from Boston on June 03, 2008
Just wanted to say that the only detergent to which my daughter was allergic was supposedly "hypo-allergic" - sometimes the detergent agents that cause most reactions are benign and the specifically non-allergenic ones, though causing fewer problems in the whole population are specifically irritating to individuals. Understand me?
My memory is that it was "Cheer Free" - supposedly less likely to cause dermatitis - that caused my girl to break out in itchy rashes wherever the fabric touched her.
Good luck, Mom. N. P.
M.K. answers from Boston on June 02, 2008
My son has the same problem. Right now were are just always aware of how long his nails are and try and clip them every other day. When he is tired he rubs his eyes and his nails scratch his forehead and around his eyes. He breaks out as well on the sides of his face and scratches himself too. I think that it is really two separate things; tired and sometimes it itches. I have had success also with applying lotion to his face to keep the dryness to a minimum. This seems to help with the itching, but there is really nothing to do about the rubbing when he is sleepy. Have you tried putting socks on her hands while she is sleeping? He has a doc appointment coming up and I am going to ask about the breakouts. I have a feeling he might have eczema.
L.D. answers from Hartford on June 03, 2008
Hi R.,
If you are noticing the rash 'after' your baby rubs on you, it sounds like it's probably a reaction to the detergent or just the rubbing itself. My baby used to do that too- especially rubbing his forehead on my husband's scratchy beard! I always wondered if he was itchy and seeking releif, but our conclusion was that he was just sensory seeking. He has had little quirky behaviors come and go as he is growing, and now he even laughs when he does some silly things that seem to just be for sensory and exploration. Babies are funny. Since this happens more when she is tired, it might just be a soothing thing to her, (even though she ends up with a rash). Unless she seems fussy over it, or the skin is getting really raw, she is probably ok. Try the detergents other moms have suggested, and aquaphor on the skin if it is irritated.
Good luck,
L.
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