would you say something?

ai&Jas

I was at DD daycare last week and noticed one of the younger toddlers getting changed. This little girl had really bad ezcema on her legs, arms, neck and especially her fists. Anyway- since my DD has her ezcema under control I wondered out aloud if this lityle girl was allergic to something which was aggravating her condition (DD is allergic to cow's milk and her ezcema improved remarkably when we switched her to soy milk). As it turns out, the teacher mentioned that everytime this little girl drinks milk it flares up badly etc.. I'm wondering if her parents also notice this?

I've spoken to the little girls mom before during drop off and pick up. I'm wondering if I should approach her and just mention my DD's experience? OR would that be interferring?

I know that i'm always interested in finding new creams etc that may help my DD..

What would you do?

RoxyLynn

Nope.  I might suggest to the pre-school teacher that she raise the issue, but for you to do it can easily come across as "your child has this condition and it seems you haven't addresed it."

ShufflerChick

I would have the daycare teachers mention it instead. You only saw it once, you don't know what their situation is, and depending on the mom's personality, she might take it as a judgment on her parenting (like you saying she's a bad mom because she doesn't have her DD's eczema under control like you do).

Also, if the daycare notices she has a flare up after milk, why do they continue to give her milk? Shouldn't they report any food reactions to the parents anyway?

If you feel you absolutely have to say something, or the daycare won't do it, then maybe bring it up in conversation subtly without talking about her DD specifically. Just mention you recently switched your DD to soy and go from there. Just chat about it, without giving obvious advice unless she asks.

I do think it's odd though if the mom really doesn't know about the milk reaction herself. That's the first suspect when kids have eczema.

The_Jen626

Do you know the Mom's name and what kind of work she does?  If you are "friends" with her, I might mention it.  A friend of mine told me that my DD had cradle cap, and how to fix it, and I was grateful, because I didn't know what it was!  I wasn't offended, but I would just consider your relationship with the Mom and how often you talk to her, and maybe share your experience with excema and milk, etc.

abpdjs

it would all depend on the mom's personality.  i know that i would appreciate the opinion/advice, but not everyone takes it that way.  maybe mention it to the teacher.

mauceddie

I totally would say something. 

EastCoastBride

I want to know why the teachers haven't said something already!  That's what concerns me about this.  They notice a visible change after the girl drinks milk - but they don't seem to think "Oh, lets tell the mom"?

Depending on y our relationship w/ her and how you think she would take it- yes, I would mention it.  It can be a casual "Oh- I noticed your DD being changed the other day and her ezcema.  My DD had the same problem, and we discovered it was actually an allergy to milk.  I'm sure your doctor has talked to you about the possible causes, but I just thought I 'd mention my experience."

haleymay18

I would see if the teacher wouldn't mind dropping that load of advice.

I would find it inappropriate if someone else tried to diagnose my child even if that isn't the intent.

molldoll71

I would see if the teacher would say something.  I have to tell you that before Billy grew out of his ezcema it would flare up for no reason (besides it being winter and super dry out) and the only thing that would calm it was a steroid cream.  So it might be she's doing everything she can.

ai&Jas

Thanks for your advice ladies! I spoke to the teacher again and it turns out that the mother is aware of the milk situation as the primary teachers for this girl mentioned it to the mother last October. Unfortunately, the teachers can't take the little girl off the milk without the permission of her mother.

The teacher did say that the mother was trying out different creams to help soothe it. I just feel bad for the little girl but since I don't know the full situation I gave the teachers permission to bring up my daughters situation (allergy testing, which steriod cream she uses, etc).  

Mini_Mariah

I think you did the right thing.  Odd that the mother didn't act on the information from the teachers.  DD is allergic to cow's milk too and her skin isn't the only reaction, so this child could be very uncomfortable with continued exposure!

 BTW, which steriod cream do you like?  We've kept DD off almost all milk, but just got back from a cruise where she must have had milk in one of her meals, and ended up with a rash all over her body.  Then DH made muffins from a mix with milk, and DD puked all over us while shopping on Sunday.  Just when I thought she was starting to outgrow the allergy!

ai&Jas

Mini_Mariah:

I think you did the right thing.  Odd that the mother didn't act on the information from the teachers.  DD is allergic to cow's milk too and her skin isn't the only reaction, so this child could be very uncomfortable with continued exposure!

 BTW, which steriod cream do you like?  We've kept DD off almost all milk, but just got back from a cruise where she must have had milk in one of her meals, and ended up with a rash all over her body.  Then DH made muffins from a mix with milk, and DD puked all over us while shopping on Sunday.  Just when I thought she was starting to outgrow the allergy!

Oh poor thing! If DD has too much ice-cream or sour cream (which are rare treats that she LOVES) she breaks out into hives so we only do this occasionally. Thankfully, no puking from it yet.

Ok I am currently using Locoid and I really like it! A little goes a long way for us and we got a prescription from our dermatologist. It came with a voucher that needed to be validated etc and ended up costing me $10 or $20 (cant remember as I bought it about 4 months ago!).

We also use cerevae cream which helps but I end up switching between that and aquaphore.