Best Eczema Treatment

Updated on September 25, 2010
M.C. asks from Windsor Locks, CT
19 answers

My son has always had bad skin. He's 20 months now and has a large circle on his left cheek that has really bad eczema (nothing anywhere else). We've been through the standard line up (Aloe, Aveeno, prescriptions, etc) and nothing seems to work.

I'm waiting for the dr to call me back and hopefully prescribe a new medication but has anyone had any luck with any over the counter creams / lotions?

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S.M.

answers from Providence on

my allergist sells this stuff called RENEW lotion. it has tea tree oil (melaleuca) and can help a great deal.
http://www.melaleuca.com/Default.aspx?ShowSplash=true

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B.M.

answers from Boston on

look into food allergies. my son had terrible eczema and had tons of allergies. now that we eliminated them in his diet, he is perfectly clear. I use dove unscented soap and aquaphor.

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K.D.

answers from Boston on

Dose he have any food allergys that you suspect?? My son had really read checks and eczema on his feet. We found out he is allergic to Milk. Now that he is avoiding milk his eczema went away completly!!

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

Arbonne's ABC Baby Products. PM me for more info, my web site, email and also some before and after pics of a baby that had it really bad all over before using Arbonne.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

make sure you follow the advice of a dermatologist. Not all eczema is the same.

Our daughter's is able to be controlled by lotion after each bath. The dermatologist recommended Vanicream. It's OTC, but you may have difficulty finding it at pharmacies and may need to ask them to order it.

We have not had to go to topical steroids or hydrocortisone yet. Even the best dermatologists may have a hard time finding the right treatment because everyone reacts differently to medications - I have a co-worker whose 4 year-old son has yet to find an appropriate, effective treatment after 3 years of battling eczema including doctor prescribed bleach baths.

Good luck!

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

For both of my daughters, I've always used over the counter
1% Hydrocortizone (spelling might be a little off!). It has always relieved the itching and redness that come along with Eczema for them. Call your dr./nurse and make sure it's ok for u to use on your baby.

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A.C.

answers from Boston on

Eczema is an allergy to something. Usually to food, but mine is pollen. I've had it since birth. I use Gold Bond anti itch with hydro-cortisone, but if your son's eczema is due to food, it probably won't work for him. If you haven't already, take him to a dermatologist, in addition to his pedi, and insist on having allergy tests done. If you can pinpoint the allergen, and remove it from his diet, or limit his exposure to it, the eczema may go away. Good luck.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

- bathing every-other-day and lathering on Eucerin! It's the consistency of Vaseline, but it works
- keep his nails short and his skin as lotioned as possible!
- humidifier at night- my son scratched like crazy in his sleep!

E.T.

answers from Boston on

Hi M., So sorry to hear about this skin issue with your boy. One of my customers was complaining about the same problem with her baby girl, who is now about 10 months old. Her doctors had prescribed everything and kept 'upping' the dosage of cortisone in the cream, which was making my customer really nervous; however, her poor baby had this all over her face and in all the creases (behind the knees, in the elbow crease, under her arms, etc. ). One day, for whatever reason, her Mom took the Shaklee all-natural organic baby massage oil that had been given to her as a gift and rubbed some on her skin everywhere there was eczema or acne-looking areas. Within a day, the patches were better and then they totally cleared up. She is thrilled with the fact that she can now do something that works coupled with the fact that this product is all natural so she no longer has to put sterioid creams on her baby. After talking about it at a large gathering, a dentist overheard her and asked her about it -- seems they were having the same issue with their little girl who is now 3. He immediately ordered it - that was just a week ago so I can't pass on his results yet. If you are interested, check it out at my website www.emilytaft.com or contact me directly at ###-###-#### or ____@____.com I will be happy to speak with you and/or help you place an order. Best Wishes. I hope this has been helpful. E. Taft

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M.K.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

I'm with the ladies that said try Eucerin. Worked great for my niece.

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K.B.

answers from Boston on

Lots of great advice here! My daughter had really bad excema starting at 3 mos, and we are still managing it now 3 yrs later. For us it's related to food allergies although temperature changes don't help. Both the allergist and dermatologist recommended Vaseline as it it is the most pure, and you want to completely cover the area with a thick amount! If they recommend cortisone cream, put a layer of that on first, and then the vaseline over it to seal it in. Be prepared-it's a grease, so it will stain your clothes, couch, etc. I try to do it right before going into bed. Good luck!

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S.N.

answers from Seattle on

My son has exzema for his almost 4 1/2 years!!:( We have tried almost everything, but I have mostly tried to stay on the natural side of products because of his sensitivity. We did allergy testing and took him to his ped, who recommended a steriod cream:(, we have used it only when all else isn't working. Things that helped us:
1. Arbonne baby rocks!! Pure Safe and Beneficial!
2. Limit bathing to 2-3 days and when done with bath, immediately lather with lotion, Arbonne baby first layer. 2nd layer something thicker, Camus Goats milk, this is when skin is dry all over.
3, Sleep with a humidifier in his room.
4. Take him off of Dairy! And Wheat also. Soy can be an allergin and not great for little boys either:(
5. If you are breastfeeding, Mommy you have to go off dairy too.

We noticed that my son has done way better since he has been off of dairy, which is not easy, who doesn't want cheese, ice cream, yogurt? Try sorbet and if he is so young, it is amazing how much passes from mommy if you nurse. Good luck, keep trying and take him to a holistic pediatrician (Bastyr), they will help a lot if you are wanting to help with prevention instead of aiding. Sometimes it is finding the right combo and changing it us a bit too. Also heard be careful with medications on their face???
Best of luck Mama!

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A.T.

answers from Atlanta on

It sounds like a ringworm, not eczema. If it's round and has little bumps it's a ringworm. Google "Ringworm pictures" and see if the circle on your son's cheek resembles the pics. If so, get some Jock Itch cream from the pharmacy. Be sure to ask the pharmacists which jock itch cream is best for ringworm.

My daughter has eczema and i've just started using apple cider vinegar diluted with water to help ease the itching as well as hydrocotisone cream (I try to only use the cream when absolutely necessary) I have been using Dermasil lotion, it keeps her skin moisturized really good.

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D.S.

answers from Springfield on

Hi M.,
My kids have never had eczema, luckily, but my oldest daughter (now 4) had rough skin all over. My friend recommended a product from Arbonne that she used for her son's really bad eczema. They have an ABC line for kids with shampoo/body wash and lotion. My girl now has lovely skin. This is great stuff made from all natural products. I would highly recommend the company and products. My friend actually now sells the products. I can get you in touch with her if you would like. Good luck!!
~D.

B.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

you need to find the problem, WHY he's breaking out, not just covering it up. Eczema is a fungus that lives in the colon that presents itself on the skin. Figure out what is making his body react. Its typically dairy.

Cream, lotions, prescriptions will just cost you money, and may work at covering the problem,b ut you need to find the root of the problem and fix it from the inside out.

Find the problem, cut out the food from his diet, start him on a good probiotic that will replace the bad bacteria with good and fight off the eczema in his body. Keep the infected area clean and dry, do NOT put cream on any skin that is very red, broken open, oozing, bleeding or painful. It needs to dry out to get better, fungus thrives on warm and moist, so if you lube him up it will make it worse.

Also, avoid hydrocortizone. Its linked to cataracts in the eyes, and it weakens skin, making it more susceptable to breaking out in the future.

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M.N.

answers from Dallas on

I used CVS Brand Eucerin for my son and also used Locoid Lipocream frm a Dermatologist.

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Not with creams, but with a kid's food supplement. Several friends have had phenomenal results with their kids - it takes sometimes 3-4 weeks but it works! Great nutrition too. I'm not sure if you want to stay with creams though so I don't want to push you in a different direction. Let me know if you want more info.

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Try Renew Body Wash and lotion. Non prescription and effective.

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Aquaphor! Works miracles. Put it on often.

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