Breastfeeding and Eczema

Monster Mama

My son has horrible eczema. We've tried several creams, but nothing seems to help. The hydrocortisone cream helps clear it up, but it comes right back as soon as we stop using it. I've decided I need to adjust my diet and see if he has any food intolerances or allergies, but I'm not sure where to start. Has anyone done this and had success at figuring out if there's a food problem? Does anyone have any guidance on where to begin? Thanks!

sokmonkee3517

I have HORRIBLE eczema that is only kept in check when I completely cut out dairy.  I am not sure how this could or would help for your LO but maybe worth a try.  The good news is that babies and children with eczema tend to be sick less offen and suffer little to no symptoms as they get older.  Not so much of a consolation when they are so uncomfortable now and don't understand why.  Good luck with the little guy!

sokmonkee3517

Read that again and don't think I was clear - if you try and cut out dairy it might help his eczema.  OK, that's it.

shotzie

I asked the same question recently on the Food Allergy board. Here are the responses I got: https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/65786602.aspx

MrsRucinski85

My LO has pretty bad eczema. She breaks out all the time - like her clothing was accidentally washed in something other than Tide free when we were on vaca and she broke out nice and good.

I use Lubriderm senstive lotion on her skin. I put it on after her bath every night and every morning before I dress her. And that keeps the rash at bay.

I know you dont want to use creams all the time but it could be worth a try?
Im not Im not very helpful with what foods to cut out of your diet to try helping him. I would start with dairy though bc a lot of babies (from what Ive read/heard) seem to be effected by it. So just maybe start but cutting out all dairy. Another thing is maybe reach out to your pedi, they might be able to give you advice where to start and stuff. GL mama.

ETA: when it flares up we and DC will lotion with every diaper change. usually it flares up when its humid or something new she is not used to is on her too long (like the laundry soap)

jlsimon56

We were told by the pedi to bathe LO 1-2 times per week, in cooler/tepid water, and keep her in there a very short time, like 5 minutes.  Follow with lotion.  We lotion her after every diaper change, so does daycare.  The pedi said to make sure she doesn't overheat b/c moisture can make the eczema worse.  We have been using Aveeno (generic version) and LO responds really well to it.  I have no cut anything out of my diet.  If I were....I would start with dairy b/c like PP said, it seems to be a common culprit.  

Monster Mama

Thanks all! We are using Eucerin cream on him several times a day, using All Free and Clear on all our laundry, giving baths in ~ 90 degree water every few nights, keeping him as cool as we can, but none of it seems to help his rash. Our pediatrician told us to the hydrocortisone cream twice a day for a week, but as soon as we stopped, the rash came back. She also said to give him Zyrtec in the morning and Benadryl at night. I feel like everything she told us in only treating the symptoms, but not the cause. I've done dairy free diet for the last couple weeks, and it didn't help anything, so now I want to cut out more; soy, wheat, eggs, dairy, maybe peanuts. I'm just a bit overwhelmed at the thought of changing my diet this much. I'm just not sure what I'll be able to eat if I cut all this out. But I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help him. I'm also going to try making my own detergent-I've read that the phosphate in all our soaps and detergents can also cause it, so hopefully something will work for him! Just hoping I can figure out a diet and stick to it

kris_kelsey

try cutting out soy and maybe wheat in addition to the dairy.  And look at all ingredients on the package.  THere is hidden soy, dairy, gluten in almost everything.  THis is the diet we are on and it is helping with her bloody poops.  She still wheezes some and has reflux but those should improve with time.  It takes at least a couple weeks to see an appreciable difference.