Eczema - Spencer, IA

My 5 year old has eczema also. We have found that using Hydrocortisone 1% on the really itchy spots works well. Also, Target sells a line of products called Vanicream. We are fans of the cream, soap and sunscreen. If your son is like mine, almost any other product causes itchy spots particularly behind and knees, wrists and elbows. One other thing, after a bath once the water had drained, we re-rinse in the running water to make sure all the soap is really gone. Hope this helps.

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B.,

My son has also suffered from eczema - since he was just a little baby. We also tried SO many things, with no avail. Recently I heard about a lotion called Vanicream - which can be used daily over your sons entire body...unlike some other creams I've tried, where you are only supposed to use them on the patches of eczema. It seems to really help my son's skin, and also helps to prevent other flare ups. It's sold in the pharmacy (behind the counter) but a large tub was only $15 at our local Walmart. Another thing that has seemed to help is using the dye and fragrance-free laundry detergents. I assume you've already researched the internet about possible causes for outbreaks, but if you haven't, you should do so. It's amazing the things that are suspected causes of flare ups. I hope you're able to find something that brings your little boy relief!!

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My son is 2 1/2 and I have had the same problem. He would wake up in the middle of the night and itch. We took him to dr after dr and nothing seemed to help. I tried all the expense home remedies that I could find. What seems to help him the most is Gentle Nautrals Disney baby Eczema Baby Wash (for the tub) and plain old vaseline VERY often. (I usually do this when he goes potty.) I hope this helps!!

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Perhaps the doctors you have seen already checked this, but is it possible your son could be reacting to food allergies/sensitivities? The reason I ask is that my 10 year old son was having all kinds of strange things going on with his health for months last fall - nothing overly serious, just recurrent hives, stomach aches, fatigue, rashes, etc. We took him to the doctor on numerous occasions for several things - things we thought were unrelated. They always treated his symptoms, but like you, nothing worked. Finally I asked his pediatrician to run a basic allergy panel from a blood sample they had already taken. We found out he is allergic to several foods that were part of his daily diet (potatoes, carrots, corn, and peanuts to name a few). We removed these foods from his diet around Christmas time and he is like a different child - full of energy, happy, no stomach aches and no rashes or hives! There are a lot of great doctors out there, but I think many of them tend to treat SYMPTOMS and not figure out the actual CAUSE of what is going on. The doctor would NOT have tested him for allergies if I had not convincingly ASKED him to. We did not go to an allergist - his pediatrician ran the test. I am SO GLAD that we did! It seems that a widespread breakout like the one you are describing would be caused by something going on from within. Allergies are one possibilty. I'd instist on finding the CAUSE before I wasted any more time and money (not to mention your son's discomfort) on "surface remedies." Good luck to you - I hope you isolate the cause!
(About me: SAHM of six kids ages 7-21)

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My son had a bad breakout with eczema also and I know you said you don't want to see any more doctors, but Crutchfield Dermatology is the best. Dr. Crutchfield did a wonderful job and he was cleared up in a week. He is located in Minnesota. if you live in Minnesota maybe you could try just one more doctor. Good Luck

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i know someone that has it bad as well and she takes a bath every night with some bleach in her water. she is 17 and knows not to drink the water so you could try distilled white vinegar....this helps toughen up the skin. also, my daughter had very dry skin earlier this month(dont know if eczema or not, i doubt it) but i found aveeno eczema care lotion at walgreens by the neosporin not other lotions, has helped her. and it is ok enough to use on her daily. she is 6 months.

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Try SHIKAI's Borage Dry Skin Therapy Children's lotion. It's worked really well for us and only costs $10 or so for an 8 oz pump bottle. We buy it at Whole Foods, although it's probably available at many other stores.
Check out http://www.shikai.com/publications/borageChildrenSkin.htm

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My neighbor had this with her littlest girl. She was a rashy scratchy mess. She did the dermatologist too. She finally had luck with a Homeopathic practitioner. The woman took a history and started at birth and went forward to present and they did remedies to correct the oldest stuff first. They used remedies that dealt with the vaccinations she had received, and she is mostly improved, if not all the way. I don't know if you have a Homeopathic practitioner in your area, or if it' even legal there. But it's definitely worth a shot.

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I know you have had a lot of responses, but here is one more that no one has mentioned. COCONUT OIL. Unlike other products, this is completely natural not just plant based. I use it in my childrens bath. It mosturizes with out leaving them oily. Even if they get it in there hair it dries soft not oily. And it is completely safe to eat. I know my 16 month old gets water in her mouth everytime she is in the bath. I read it in the book "Coconut Cures". I thought it was weird at first, but I tried it on my feet and hair. I even use it on my face now instead of my mostorizer and it has cleared up my acne.

Best of luck

Single mother of 2 girls, 5 yrs and 16 months

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Great product for young children with Eczema:

Gentle Naturals Baby Eczema Cream

Moisturizes Dry Skin & Soothes Itching Associated with Eczema
With Aloe Vera, Calendula, Jojoba & Vitamins A, D & E
Nurtures Dry Skin to Help it Heal
Effective care for your baby with Nature's help.

A super rich, soothing moisturizer for babies with eczema. Gentle Naturals Eczema Cream is specially formulated to form a protective emollient layer to lock in your baby's natural moisture. Natural calendula and jojoba oil soften and add extra moisture. Aloe and vitamins A, D and E help nurture skin and help irritated skin to heal. Gentle Naturals also contains lavender and chamomile to help calm and relax your baby and is dermatologist tested.

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Sounds like you need to find out whats causing the eczema. My son and husband get patches quite frequently, worst in winter! Rash cremes are relief, but your not going to solve the problem with them. Food allergies might be your main concern. Has your son been tested? If your worried about cost you can at least try removing the most common foods that cause allergic reactions in children and see if you see any results. It takes about a week or two. Eggs, Nuts, Dairy, Wheat, Soy and shellfish are the things to test first. Remove them one at a time from his diet for at least 2 weeks each. If you don't notice any changes after 2 weeks than you can be relatively certain that he doesn't have an allergy to that food. If there is something that he eats a lot of I would also test that. My son gets hives from Strawberries for example.

The other thing to do is to get a humidifier and put it his room at night. It gets rid of airborne allergens and the humidity will help reduce the skin irritation. Keep him hydrated and try some ibuprofen for itch relief too.
Good Luck, I'm so sorry your son has to be so uncomfortable!
H.

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I and one of my twins also get eczema pretty bad. My son will itch repeatedly, leaving scratch marks on his skin. I do my best to make sure that his nails are not only cut, but filed to soft but sometimes I don't catch it soon enough. I forwent the derm appts because they are expensive. And I found that most of the prescriptions make it worse, and drier. Seems like derms always prescribe to make it worse before it gets better and I couldn't live with that.
We only use dove soap, and use either eucerin or cetaphil for moisturizing. There are a few key things that the derm said that I keep a practice of.
First of all, don't bathe him every day. I usually only bathe my twins around 3 times a week. I only use J&J soap, or dove. Johnson's also has a great baby bath bar, that's gentle and cleansing, yet sensitive for the skin. The bar only costs less than a dollar.
Also, keep to the dirty parts - under arms, privates, bottoms of feet, etc. Your main trunks (arms, legs) don't really need to get soap because they don't really get dirty. Unless they're playing in mud. Otherwise, the soap that washes/rinses with the rest of the body is plenty.
Don't rub dry, just pat with a really soft towel. Moisturize immediately. I use eucerin on the really dry parts. I stay away from perfumed soap and lotion. Most baby lotions are perfumed, and therefore irritating. Keep it gentle, and in time it will get better.
I also always stick to 100% cotton. Polyester, with my son, always seems to make him itch so I stay away from anything that's not cotton. Doesn't have to organic cotton, just 100% cotton. I make sure that he's wearing long sleeves when he has to wear his winter coat and such.
It does get alot better in the summer, with more fresh, moist air. Winter is horrible with the freezing temps and winds, and the added bundles of clothing.
Hope these are helpful hints.

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Hey B.! I don't really have any home remedies, but I'll tell you what I do to treat my daughters Eczema... I thickly coat her in Eucerin Cream about three or four times a day (whenever I change her diaper). I use Aveeno Soothing lotion on her bottom/diaper area. I also use Seventh Generation wipes and diapers (I get them from www.diapers.com). I only bathe her once a week in an oatmeal bath (to help the itch) and in the meantime I use Cetephil wash, the kind that you rub on and wipe off (no water invovled). I also try not to use anything with fragrances in it. So, I use Seventh Generation Free and Clear laundry detergent (which is good for us and the environment!).

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My 3 yr old just had the same thing, just not to the bleeding. We did see a dermatologist and a 1/2 and 1/2 mix of vaseline and mild steroid did the trick and did it very quick.

Vaseline does wonders for eczema. DO NOT USE ANY BABY OR
SCENTED LOTIONS! They will make it worse. Do not use bubbles in the tub for the same reasons.

Now the next thing I haven't experienced, but have a few friends that swear by it. Have you tried Arbonne's baby line? Check out www.arbonne.com and look it up. I also know of someone that uses the baby bath and baby oil from that line and CANNOT be without it! She ran out once and immediately the eczema came back....she will never be without again!

I plan on ordering the product myself.

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Let me start by saying that I am not sure what others have responded with. My youngest at 9 mo has the worst Eczema I have ever seen. I had also tried numerous over the counter lotions and soaps, as well as , prescriptions. One time a nurse friend of mine gave a lotion called Renew from the Melaleuca company. It is sold privately and not at stores, but you can call the 1-800 number or go on line to order. They are as follows 1-800-282-3000 and www. melaleuca.com
My son's eczema that was head to toe was 99% gone after 10 days and the little bit that does come back goes away generally within 24-36 hours and never gets real bad or itchy. I generally put the lotion on in the main trigger spots each time I change him and generously after each bath. I also use the kids bath soap/ shampoo and this seemed to help too. Good Luck!--- K., Mom of 3

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How often does he take baths? I know that little boys like to get dirty but if he is not dirty, don't give him a bath. You need to try and limit the baths as much as you can, if you can get away with every 2 days or every other day, do it!! Also, maybe try a different detergent like "All" free and clear. It doesn't do good on stains by any means, but it really does help with dry skin.. I have eczema, and both my daughters have it.

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Have you tried gentel naturals eczema wash? I even use it on hair. I have also found aveno eczema lotion (can only find at walgreens over by the bandaids) and eledel cream from the dr. Hope some of this helps! I know how frusterating it can be.

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