In and Out of the Hospital with 13 Month Old

Dear S.,
Nothing is more difficult than dealing with a sick child. It is a constant worry. My older children were always sick with colds, flu, ear infections, diaper rash, etc.
My youngest son is now 3 and never been in for a sick visit to the Dr. He has been using Reliv since he was 3 months old.
The best thing I can suggest is to build up his immune system and the only thing I know complete enough to do that easily is to put the best nutrition in his body.
My friends little nephew suffered with asthma and within a short time was off his nebulizer after using Reliv.
I swear by this stuff.
You can contact me if you want to know more.
L.
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S.,
giving your son a probiotic to help counter what the antibiotic is killing (good gut bacteria) can really help. You have to be careful to give the probiotic with 2 hours on either side of the antibiotic so they don't interfere with one another. Probiotics are the live cultures found in yogurt, but my Dr. said that just eating yogurt doesn't give you nearly enough and the supplement is better. You should be able to get a good probiotic with live cultures anywhere you'd buy vitamins. Good luck!
S.

Hi,
I can sympathize with the diaper rash. When my son's got that bad the only thing that helped was something called domeboro. It's a little expensive ($15) but it worked. It's a powder that you mix with water and then soak a paper towel, wash cloth, etc. in and lay on the butt. I put it on a paper towel and then put his diaper right on over the top. I usually did it at night so it would be on for a longer period of time. It is supposed to take the moisture out of the area, which is what causes diaper rash. It really worked for me. The directions say to dump out the solution after each use, but I didn't as it was so expensive. I never double-dipped the towel either though. Good luck!

I am sorry you are going through so much. Asthma is a scary disease isn't it. My two youngest children have asthma and it can be controlled but getting there is rough. First off I would not mess with the regular doctors for his asthma. I had to take my son to a pediatric allergest to get his under control. They are more up to date on treatments and can test for what he is allergic to.

The diaper rash is nasty and sometimes it will help if you let them soak in a tub with some baking soda. I would also keep the diapers off part of the day if you can. Try some undies that lets his bottom breath a bit. Of course you will want to wait until the diarrhea is passed. It is a time potty training ideas come in handy. Have him try to potty about every hour while in the undies, at least he can stand up that way. Use the diaper cream you got from the doctor and with not having wet diapers, it will help some.

Hi S.,
I had a similar situation. My daughter was hospitalized at 3mo and 6mo with "RSV/Asthma/pneumonia." Never was tested for RSV, but there were confirmed cases at her daycare, so it was assumed that she just had it. Anyway, she also had a continuous "cold" that was believed to be a virus from, again, daycare. We were on nebulizers up to 4x per day, which helped, but did not cure anything. We ended up going to a Pediatric Pulmonologist in Fargo, ND. He determined she had a sinus infection as well, was on antibiotics for 3 weeks and has not had a respiratory symptom since! She is now a healthy 16 mo. old happy little girl He said she does not have asthma and never did, just a sinus infection. We stopped the nebulizers that day and have not used it since. He said that everytime she gets a cold with runny nose, to test her for sinus infection and treat it right away. As for the sore bottom, my daughter has very sensitive skin, thanks to her father :), but she gets very red, sore bottom when teething or when diaper change is too long. The cure all for us is Baby Aquaphore. I put it on thick everytime I change her diaper. Even with the worse case of redness and open, bleeding sores, she has cleared up in a day or two. It has worked better than anyother diaper cream I have tried. Good Luck! Hope this helps!
M. H.

I have the same problem just not as bad as you. Because at age2 my daughter had a ear infection they blew off and denied and wouldn't test her for the flu which eventually ended her up in the hospital.It was like YES she did have a ear infection BUT she was very very very ill and not just from the darn ear infection I knew it was more than that. My daughters both of them have asthma too and we just went through this as xmas with them being on antibiotics gave my 2mo.old horrible diaper rash from diarreha also. I just started not lying about the asthma but not talking it up so much either. Because they then use that as a excuse for everything. My daughter is now 3mos. old and was in the doctors office 5x in 2 weeks. One doctor said viral, one said pnumonia, and one said ashtma. After the last one said Asthma they just used that as a excuse or what not and it's annoying I hear ya.

If your son likes tub time I would suggest giving him tub time with baking soda in the water. This will help to neutralize the acid from the diareah. Also, if he will sit still at all or lay still for any length of time (or if he is in a crib) you could give him some naked time (bottom half) because the air will also help. I know that you then risk a big mess but when comparing to the discomfort of your little one, I think you would agree that cleaning a mess is easier than watching him be in pain. I truely feel for you guys and the challenges you are facing. Good luck and hope this helps.

Hi S.! We have always had a problem with bad diaper rashes and antibiotics, also. The one solution we found was TRIPLE PASTE. You can find it at Target and Walmart, for sure. Slather it on at every diaper change, which should be extremely frequent, and you should start seeing results in about 24 hours. My 3 yo won't even go in a bathtub when she has a diaper rash like that b/c it hurts her butt. I just wipe her gently and slather her, again. When she tells me "owie butt, white medicine on butt" I know it's coming or getting bad. Frequent diaper changes and lots of TRIPLE PASTE do the trick for us! Good luck!

As far as the sore bottom, you can try an oatmeal bath. Just sitting in it for a bit is helpful and pat him dry, do not wipe. Will he eat yogurt? My son had constant eat infections from 4 months until he was 15 mo and every antibiotic gave him diarrhea and in turn major diaper rash. Once I started giving him yogurt daily with the antibiotic, he did MUCh better. I hope this helps a bit.

The antibiotics have probably done a good job killing the bacteria in his digestive track that he needs to digest food well. Counter act that with feeding him yogurt and other items with live bacteria (Keefers and naturally brewed soy sauce, ect).

Baths are a real help for the burnt bottom. I found the creams never helped, but baths and open air time did. Most 13 months old love to run around with out diapers on, so that is easily accomplished. 5 minutes here and there will do wonders.

R.- mom to 5

Oh my gosh! We are going through the EXACT same thing with my 9 month old!! Bryce has been sick since he was born, congested, etc., and we had allergy tests done and he was diagnosed with acid reflux and told he'd outgrow it by 7 months. Well finally last week I'd had enough of doctors telling me he was going to outgrow it and I brought him to a different doctor and they switched his acid reflux medicine and he listened to his lungs and heard wheezing (like I had heard all along and the other doctors said was the acid reflux) and he did a nebulizer treatment (which we had already been doing at home) and the new doctor said that he does in fact have asthma so they gave him pretnizone in his albuteral neb. treatments and he has gotten a super bad diaper rash to the point he screams when I wipe him, and the doctor said this would happen so he prescribed the butt cream right away. But we were told the pretnizone was supposed to be short term, like about 3 weeks only. So I hope it helps and doesn't go into his lungs. But he's been on three new meds since Tuesday (which seems like FOREVER for us - and he isn't better at all. I guess the only encouragement I have for you is that we are going through the same thing and sometimes knowing that helps. And you HAVE to keep on the doctors, and if you don't like what they have to say, switch. We've been through a clinic and a hospital and are now on our second pediatrician that is finally listening to what we're saying. It HAS to get better. If you ever feel like chatting or venting about this similar situation we are having, feel free to email me ____@____.com. (I was also a single mother with my first child so I know how frustrating and tiring it can be, especially if your baby is sick all the time).

My daughter had a nasty infection at the same age and after a course of antibiotics I couldn't get her diarrhea to clear up. I bought a probiotic supplement at my co-op and sprinkled a little in her milk for one day. Her diarrhea was gone the next day.

So I can help w/ the rash. My DD has very reactive skin. Just from peeing she will get a rash. And there was once she was doing naked time and was sitting on a cloth diaper. Well she peed and that gave her a rash!!! The only thing that will help her rash is 3M Cavalon. We buy it at our clinic's pharmacy. But most pharmacies don't carry it. You may have to buy it on line (amazon.com) and it's not cheap. But you only need 1 application a day and it's well worth it. The other idea I have is a probiotic. Our Ds was on an antibiotic that was giving him diarrhea. We spoke to the nurse and she told us to try a probiotic w/ him. They sell them at Walgreens. Since they only have an adult version we mix 1/2 capsule in w/ applesauce or yogurt. We did that 4 times a day until he solidified up. Also this may not be appealing since he has diarrhea but naked time. Have him walk around someplace that you can easily clean. Baths always help my LO's too. Hope this helps!!!

Hi,
My daughter used to get really bad diaper rash from antibiotics and a nurse gave me a "recipe" which worked really well.

Mux together vasaline (because it "breathes"), original Mylanta (to reduce acids which is what is "burning"), and antifungal cream. Then slather the mixture onto his rash.

This helped immensely and we would start this on her butt everytime we started her on antibiotics.

Another suggestion for the asthma - did you know there are products out there that are Certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly? They are certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation after they are put through testing. Just one peice of the puzzle that may help as I'm sure you are having to go through your house and products in your home to help with the asthma. If you are interested in some great certified stuffed animals, email me at ____@____.com. I carry several in my on-line retail store.

Good luck,
K.

Burt's Bees diaper ointment (order it online if you can't find any locally) is far and above the best moisture barrier cream, it is very healing and it only takes a very small amount to do the job BUT LOAD it on!!!
Also, make sure he is taking acidophilus or any children's probiotic (get this at walgreens) as well as eating yogurt at least 2 times a day. Put baking soda in his bath water at night to dry the rash.
Let him go without a diaper as often as you can. Just bring some toys into the bathroom for about an hour a day and play in there so if he goes, it is easier to clean up.

Not sure what to do about everything, but for the diarrhea try getting lacto bacilllus from pharmacist. It is non prescription capsule that can be added to food or bottle/drink. It is basically the probiotic that is found in yogurt and regulates stomach and completely safe to use with children.

I do think you've had some good suggestions in regards to your question here so far but really the best thing for you to do at this point is find a doctor at a completely different hospital and have copies of your son's medical records delivered to her/him before the appointment, and get a second opinion (i.e., get a diagnosis from a different doctor). Your son sounds like he is in a lot of extreme discomfort and the condition, whatever it is, sounds serious. To me it sounds like possibly allergies but IANAD so who knows. I know it can get very frustrating and exhausting having to take your child here or there and everywhere for the best medical advice possible...I've been there. And then there's mental fatigue--especially when you know the doctor has already made up his/her mind and isn't listening to you anymore. Hang in there. Your baby is lucky to have you--you sound like a great mom!!!

what cleaning products are you using, that can have a tremendous difference. Bleach and many other cleaners can trigger asthma. I have many families that have problems with asthma and it almost totally went away when they switched to Melaleuca. Does your son have problems more often while sleeping and laying in bedding that has chemicals that in most grocery store brands will aggravate asthma.
Best of health,
S.

I'm so sorry to hear all the stuff that is going on with your little guy.
I have a daughter with asthma, and I know that is often looked at and treated first...just hang in there.
The best stuff for terrible diaper rashes..including serve bottoms is "CALDESINE". It's a powder that is in a pink bottle at Walgreens. The bottle is about 6 inches high...and I swear by this stuff! Ask the clerk/pharmasist for this powder. Its in the baby aisle...usually on the bottom shelf--hiding...but it's FANTASTIC!
Also, try giving him baths in baby soda water. Just sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your tub with warm water.
Good luck!

I want to respond to you regarding your son and asthma. My son too has asthma, he is 2 1/2 yrs old now, but is doing wonderfully now. I want to give you a number to a wonderful Dr. in the St Cloud area who specializes in asthma in children. I honestly don't know what I would have done with out him. I guess it doesn't hurt to try. His number is ###-###-####. One thing you could maybe try for the sore bum is try Butt Paste. My son when he was very little had the same problem, and as a mother it just breaks your heart. Well, I hope this helps you out.

He has a yeast infection. I didn't know that boys could get it until one of my daycare boys got one. Bathe him in warm water with baking soda in it. You could also put plain yogurt on his bottom. Make sure that you get yeast infection cream that is anti-fungal not just anti-itch. OUCH! I have seen some really bad rashes before, but none as bad as a yeast infection. Good luck!

S.,
My advice for the diaper rash is A&D ointment and baking soda. My son used to have violent rashes from his favorite foods, tomatoes and black olives! The A&D and baking soda would eliminate it quickly and painlessly. I will keep you and your son in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and God bless.

As far as the diaper rash goes, 2 of my 3 kids got it REALLY bad. Sometimes it would make blisters and bleed. They also would not want to sit and would walk funny. What we found to work is to not use creams. Use something more of the consistancy of vaseline or aquaphor. We found that when we would rub the area with Eucerine Calming Cream (the stuff in the tub) and them put a layer of Aquaphor over the top, that would help tons. Also, we got to the point where we would automatically put Aquaphor or Vaseline on EVERY time we changed her diaper (even when there is no rash, just as a preventative measure). Sure enough though, whenever they had to go on antibiotic or some other medications, the diaper rash would get awful. My ped. also suggested using Lotrimin AF (an antifungal medication) after the use of antibiotics. I can't remember the exact reason why??--Something about the differnece in the type of rash.
Hope this helps!

If your baby is not breast feeding, you might try contacting a breast milk bank. For the bottom issue, it may be a yeast infection. Have you tried athletes foot cream to clear it up? If you are BF, You may also begin adding some liquid acidophilus to your diet. If BFing, just the right amount of acidophilus will reach your baby through your breast milk. If you are not BFing, try adding acidophilus to your baby’s’ daily diet. Acidophilus will boost your toddlers’ immune system. Good luck, L.

P.S. One more thing that I forgot to mention, look up c-diff on these websites. It could be related to the bottom issue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clostridium_difficile

http://www.cdiffsupport.com/aboutcdiff.html

S.,
So sorry to hear how things have been going with your son. But please, be encouraged!
I have friends who would be more than happy to share with you how their children received relief from issues such as asthma. Just e:mail me at ____@____.com and we can set up a time for you to hear some hope.
Blessings, H.

I definitely agree with taking your baby for another opinion. I would also have him seen by an Integration doctor (this is a medical doctor who also holds a degree in naturopathic/alternative medicine). This type of doctor will look for heavy metals (they can cause allergies, asthma, and a host of other problems) and also food sensitivies/intolerances. Is your baby still on formula/breast, or is he eating solids? The baby can be intolerant of foods, even if he's only getting them through breast milk. If he's on formula, especially soy, that needs to be checked as well. Soy is a very big intolerance food (a saliva test can test for the 4 most common food intolerances: soy, dairy (casein), egg, wheat (gliadin).

One thing I would do right away is get your little one on a good pediatric probiotic (a community pharmacy can help you with this). Because he's been on so many antibiotics, his system is screwed up, including his digestive system. Adding probiotics/the "good" bacteria will help his system start healing and reregulating itself. Another thing you'll want to be careful and check for is leaky gut; an Integration doctor can help with that. Also, since he's been so sick, his minerals and such might be off; the Integration doctor can check for that as well.

Why do I say go see an Integration doctor? Because the advice I've given above, the different areas to check, is information that normal conventional doctors are not privy to. There are two things regular doctors are not taught in medical school: 1) anything having to do with nutrition and 2) heavy metals (this includes environmental, pesticides, herbicides, etc.)

I agree with another poster, there is more going on here than just asthma. If I were to wager a guess, I'd say he has some underlying problem the doctors are not finding. If they've "done all the tests" and everything has come back "normal"--then it's time to see the Integration doctor, because she will take different tests that the conventional doctors don't believe in. (Believe me; I'm currently seeing an Integration doctor myself for heavy metals, food intolerances, and what might be a mineral or hormone problem).

Good luck finding relief for your baby and help for yourself. Please, let us know how things turn out.

I want to start by saying how terribly sorry I am to hear about this for your little one!! I think it is horrible that he has to go through so much at such a young age (or anyone at any age, for that matter) and though I don't know a thing about asthma, I do know about diaper rash!! My best advice to you is go to Walgreens and buy a product called Triple Paste. It costs about $9 or $10, and comes in a small white tube with blue writing. This diaper rash cream is super super thick and covers the diaper rash completely. I use it on my daughter every time she gets a diaper rash (she has super sensitive skin) and by the next day, the rash is 100% gone!!! Even when the rash has gotten to the point where its blistering (one time when grandma had her and didnt think anything of the rash) the Triple Paste takes the rash away immediately!!

I hope this helps you and your little guy even a little bit!! Here is a link to walgreens.com for Triple Paste:

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100352&a...#

I don't have any advice about the asthma but, I do for the diaper rash. We go through this any time my 2 year old is on antibiotics. Our Dr's office recommended half maalox and half aquaphor mixed together. It is usually completely gone in one or two days!

Hello,

Asthma is cause by a lot of toxins and chemical that are in the cleaning products that you buy. I know this great company that has all natural products for the home and they are toxin and chemical free and they do a great job for the home. I know a bunch of people that have had the same problem with asthma and they have swiched the products in there home and there family members that have had the asthma is gone and they dont need any of the medications any more. If you would like to learn more about this great company you can go to my website at www.mommiesathomewithkidos.com and I would love to share all the great information with you about this company. Fill out the request info area and then in the comments please right info for Asthma. Thank you for your time and hope to talk to you soon and help you out. Thanks for your time.

J.

When my son was teething he would get diarrhea and diaper rashes so bad that his bottom would bleed. The only thing that I found that helped was A&D ointment and baby powder. First apply the A&D ointment then add plenty of baby powder all over. The A&D helps to heal and the baby powder keeps it dry. After only a day I would see massive improvement. Hope this helps!

Hi S.-
I too am sorry to hear about your son. It sounds like it's been a tough year for him.
A couple of things I want to echo from other moms below: 1) it's important to get a 2nd opinion;
2: your baby needs probiotics in his system or his immune sytems might be comprised - go to Whole Foods for starters if you don't know where to go;
3) I would use an anti-fungal treatment (similar to treating athletes foot) for his bum - his rash is a result of the antibiotics that are leaching out of his system (it works!) and
4: consider using saline drops in his nose periodically to prevent sinus infections. They are cheap to purchase and really help stop those from coming. The sinus opening is smaller than the head of a pin so you have to keep it "wet."

Please keep us posted and best of luck to you!

Hi,

To counteract the effects of the antibiotic, I second giving your son a probiotic. Kefir or yogurt with *live active cultures* will help, too. (You have to read the labels, not all yogurts have live active cultures. Your best bet is to go to a co-op or Whole Foods or the "natural food" section of the grocery store.)

As for the bigger issue of your son's diagnosis, I would DEFINITELY get a second opinion, and I would also see a Naturopathic Doctor. Both my husband and I have seen a great ND that also works with "complicated diagnosis" at Children's in St. Paul. Let me know if you want her contact info.

I haven't read through all the responses, but when my daughter got a severe diaper rash because of the antibiotic she was on, the doctor suggested Desitin Original (not the creamy). It has 40% zinc oxide. We slathered it on in a super thick coat, and it was almost completely gone the next day.