My Toddler Is Itchy - What to Use

This could be allergies - I would suggest calling her pediatrician to see what lotion he/she would recommend. Avaeno (sp?!) is a great product that my sister uses with her 4 year old son. Staying away from harsh laundry detergents can also help - free and clear works great! I do miss the great smell of other detergents, yet we made the change because some of the others were harsh for the kids' skin. There is also nothing like a soothing bath with anti-itch bath lotions...Good Luck!

Hi!! My son began itching (mostly rectal) around the same age and we tried everything...dermatologist and pediatrician recommended several things, none of which worked...this went on for almost a year...we finally changed detergents and stuck to it until all his clothes, towels and sheets had been washed several times, and it worked...we use dye free, scent free products to wash his clothes in. If he wears something that has been washed in Tide(what we previously used), he starts itching immediately...when we stay in hotels and he uses towels and sheets from hotels, the itching starts again. It has been three years now and only occasional itching when he comes into contact with items that aren't prewashed...I would change detergents and the key is to stick with it...we had done a few trials of new detergents throughout that first year but didn't do it long enough to see the results...good luck.

She could have some allergies along with dry skin. We use only Cetaphil to wash with,head & shoulders dry scalp for hair, Vaseline Creamy lotion (it's thicker and no perfumes). We use free & clear laundry detergent and bounce free dryer sheets. That seems to keep the itchies at bay. You may want to try some Zyrtec or Claritin if she has other symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes. If none of this works or you are afraid to try them see her doctor. Good luck!

J.:

The itching could be caused by Eczema. My son has it. He was a 34 week delivery and his skin has always been sensitive. It could also an internal food allergy. If it's worse at night, it could be dust mites.

It takes more than one washing to rid clothes and sheets of old detergent, etc. And switching products too soon doesn't help either. It's like testing for an allergy - consistent tracking of what you use and eat.

Here's what I would do and have done:
1. Use the Aveeno Eczema Body Soap - yes, it's more expensive, however, it works well on my son.

2. Use Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin laundry detergent or Dreft. I have found that Tide, Cheer and All are all too harsh on his skin. I use it for everyone's clothes so there isn't more work for me.

3. Downy Fabric softner without Febreeze, scents, etc. keeps his clothes "softer".

4. Take the sheets off the bed, mix salt and baking soda together - shake it over the bed and "rub" it in - then vacuum the bed. This should rid her bed of dust mites (when vacuuming, ensure you have a new bag and have cleaned the brush of the vacuum).

5. Wash her pillows in HOT water. If she has sleepy toys (stuffed animals) wash them as well and limit to how many she can have on her bed and sleep with.

6. Find out how much diary she is having - my son can't have a lot of dairy in his diet. Not exactly sure what it is about dairy, but it helps to limit his dairy.

7. Ensure her room is dust free. You'd be surprised how fast dust mites multiply! I went to Target and bought the mattress and pillow cover for dust mites and allergens. I wash his bedspread every two weeks and change his sheets weekly.

If there's anything I can do to help you, please let me know. I live in Reston and know what it's like to have a young one "itchy" and being pregnant!

Take care!

Cheryl

My daughter did the same thing around 3 yr. We found out that she has sensitive skin that feels dry and itchy to her even when there are no obvious signs. Our doctor suggested putting Cetaphil cream on her skin from head to toe immediately when she gets out of the tub and her skin is still wet. The cream on top of the water locks helps lock the moisture into her skin. Then we put 100% cotton pajamas on for bed. When she's was really itchy she got Benadryl too, but once we started the daily regimen of Cetaphil right after her bath, she rarely needed the Benadryl. We have since switched to free and clear detergent, Cetaphil body wash, and 100% cotton clothes and pajamas .

Cetaphil is an over the counter moisturizer that comes in a white tub-like container. It is most often found in the cosmetic section. Several other moms have told me that their pediatric dermatologist recommended the Cetaphil cream. I also know moms who use vaseline for the same purpose right after bathtime. Doing the lotion after their bath onto moist skin really locks in the moisture.

Good luck!

do they have benadryl cream? something for toddlers? how bout an oatmeal bath,aveeno?

Hi, J. - Renew lotion by Melaleuca is amazingly effective on all types of skin irritation. Mela Power laundry detergent is manufactured without micrograde fiberglass (found in many other detergents). All Melaleuca products work like a charm and are 100% satisfaction guaranteed! N. B.

Hi J.,
When my daughter was younger she suffered from itchy, dry skin. During the summer it got worse. I used unscented Dove soap. That helped her a lot. I also made sure that the lotion I used was hypro-allergenic. At night after her bath with the unscented Dove soap and rubbing on of the lotion, I would use some poweder on her back and stomach. At that time I was using AMENS powder. It's medicated. However, I am not sure if they even sell it anymore. These products were a big help to me. Aveno is another product that you could try. Read labels for lotions, soaps etc. and make sure they are hypro-allergenic. Be Blessed!

Both my son, who is now 3, and my daughter, who just turned one, constantly itched their arms due to dryness and possibly eczema. My father-in-law, who is a pharmacist at a regional hospital, strongly suggest constant lathering of Eucerin, which is a thick moisturizer. It worked for my son because now his skin is all clear and no more itching, but still treating my daughter. I tried Hydrocotizone and other lotions, but didn't seem to make a difference. I make sure to lather her skin with Eucerin after every bath, before bed, in the morning and whenever I see her start scratching again. Hope this helps.

Could it be bed bugs??? Our doc said that it has nothing to do with how clean anyone keeps the house, just happens.

Please call the doctor - it could be a food or medication allergy.

It also could be poison oak.

Either way, see what products your doctor says are dafe for a child that age.

I would give her some benedryl and see if that helps. That won't help you figure out what she is allergic to but it might give her some relief. I know if there is too much pollen out I itch all over and some people have that reaction to pets and other things but Benedryl should help with most of it.

I have a daughter who is turning 3 next week too and has the same issue! We have found it is due to sunscreen use and maybe with the pool everyday and bathing everyday. I still think she should be taking a bath daily with using sunscreen so I have tried to give her a bath right after the pool or when I know we are in for the day. But the doctor said the itching can be due to the sunscreen or the overdrying from the sun or the water. So I have applied lotion after each bath.

Hi J.,

Your toddler could be having dry skin. Check these web sites:

www.babycenter.com10_dry-skin_###-###-####.bc

http://www.mommyguide.com/modules.php?op=modload&name...

Hope this helps. Good luck. D.

Monistat? Really? (someone please explain this to me- thanks)

You might try anti-itch creme if it is a small area or benedryl if she itches all over. If these work then she may have allergies. You might just want to talk to your dr about it and poss. have her tested for allergies.

J., It does sound like it may be scabies, since it gets worse at night, they are night animals. However, have you considered allergies to cleaning products and food. I know it sounds really strange, but the combinations that happen in many houses of processed food and chemical cleaners can cause strange reactions in many people. I work with Melaleuca, The Wellness Company, and since being with them I have discovered that the simple cleaning products that I used to use were very hurtful to my family. Since converting to Melaleuca's products, my asthma has been much improved, my sons eczema has greatly improved and the products work very well. The products helped with a lice problem with all 3 during the school year. My daughter has even ate and drank some the products and all she got was an upset stomach. If you would like more information send me an e-mail @ ____@____.com .

hello J.,

Have you tried Skin So Soft bath oil (original) by Avon? I'm an Avon rep and this stuff is awesome. I use it for everything - from personal use to dusting my furniture to putting it on my dogs to keep fleas off of them to my wash. It replenishish the skin's moisture. Use it in her bath water as well (if you get the spray bottle) spraying it on her skin as needed. Of corse, if she has any skin allergies, ask her doc (altho I have never heard anyone having a problem from using it). I haveused it on my own kids when they were younger as well as them still using it (also used it when they had cradle cap). Anyway, let me know if you are interested and I'll help you. Shoot me a private email at ____@____.com (I'll also send you a list of abot 100 uses for it.) Please note, even if I wasn't an Avon Rep, I would still recommend it. I'm 44 and have grown up with it. Also for "down there" Have you tried a foot antifugal creme. I know this sounds crazy but when my oldest was little and had issues "down there" with breaking out, severe diaper rash, heat rash and itchiness, her doc told me to get some. She said the same bacteria that causes foot fungus is the same bacteria that causes the issues "down there". Use sparingly tho. It cleared her up in a matter of a few days. Again, ask her doc before using. Everyone's skin is different. But don't use any of those things for jock itch ( I know, but just incase someone is thinking that) as it's to strong for little bodies). All of the above is from my experience and opinion. I just know what worked for my girls.

I personally would not have used Monistat, due to this being for women. However if after 3-4 days the itching does not go away consult a doctor. Prior to going to the doctor I would have givien her hot baths. This would have soothed and comforted her. I would have lotioned her with cocoa butter because it is natural and you do not know what she is allergic to and given her a benedryl.

My son was itchy and I used eczema cream on him and it helped when he was younger. Currently, he's itchy because he has a slight reaction to sun block which we're using because we're at the beach and going outside a lot. I'm using a solarcaine spray and it's clearing up the little rash and he feels a lot better. The aloe gel with solarcaine doesn't work for my son, just the spray. Just our experience, hope it helps!

Try Aveeno's "anti-itch" lotion (has a cooling element in it). Also the Aveeno oatmeal baths.

She may have an allergy you're not aware of yet, so a trip the allergy doctor may be helpful. Talk to your pediatrician at her next check up -- or, if she's outright miserable, make an appointment.

If it is worse at night it might be scabies (they are nocturnal and so it itches worse at night). They don't really show as a rash necessarily and tend to like the creases and crevices--backs of knees, wrists, inner thighs. Take her to a dermatologist who can diagnose it with just a look with a magnifying glass. It is like getting rid of lice so you will have to wash all sheets, towels in hot water but you just treat it with a topical cream. Hope that helps.

My daughter is allergic to alot of things, but house dust and dust mites are among them. It makes her itch. Especially her feet. At first the doctor kept saying it was probably eczema. Try childrens' claritin. Its over the counter and what the allergist says for my daughter to take daily. It solved a lot of problems.

Have you had her checked for scabies? They're nasty little critters that burrow under skin, microscopic, and contagious. The itching does get worse at night. Everyone will have to be treated with a bath of Kwell lotion. You can use the lotion while pregnant; I had them when I was pregnant with my first one, caught it from a patient.

She could have a skin allergy/ sensitivity. Usually there are clear or red bumps but if she is just sensitive, there may not be any. Try using chemical free laundry detergents and put your washer on an extra rinse to make sure all the soap is coming out of the sheets and her clothes. Seventh Generation has a good detergent-- you will want to stay away from harsh chemicals and strong perfumes.
Have you been swimming in pools lately? The chemical they put in the pools could also be the problem. My daughter has allergies to all of this and she has been much better when we got rid of chemicals/ wash her really well after swimming. You also may want to switch her soap to something like California Baby or Bert's Bees which is now sold even in grocery stores and Target! Good luck!

Hi J.,
Is it possible that she has eczema?