Strange red patches, any thoughts?

newinhouston · May 2011

DD woke up today with strange flat, red patches. They are very marked around the borders of the diaper in the front part of her body (but not on her back) and there are also red patches behind her knees, under her arms, and behind her neck.

She doesn't seem to be bothered by them. There's no fever today, but she did have a fever 3 days ago.

Any thoughts about what could this be?

SigmundsGirl · May 2011

Sounds like it is in places where she sweats and doesn't have a lot of airflow to dry it out. My DH and DS have this. You could probably use baby eczema cream to create a barrier on the skin or try a little baby gold bond to deal with the moister.

mom2ll · May 2011

sounds like eczema. I actually have it. I have to be careful and only use the "free" detergent (no color, dye, smell), and can only use certains soaps or it gets really bad. The doctor gave me some cream that clears it up quickly. It comes and goes, but usually in the same spots. I always get it on my legs.

TexasPaige · May 2011

The doctor just confirmed yesterday that my baby has eczema behind his knees, and that's what it sounds like your little one probably has. He said to use 1% hydrocortisone cream 2 to 3 times a day, and if it didn't clear up after 7 to 10 days, he would need to prescribe something. I don't know if you want to use that without consulting your pediatrician, but I think it's probably pretty harmless.

We have been using Eucerin lotion for awhile, and that helps with some other dry skin issues but hasn't seemed to have made a dent in the eczema.

tobewed09 · May 2011

I agree, sounds like Ezcema. DS has it on his legs. He has a milk protein allergy, so he drinks soy milk, however his Ezcema has never fully gone away. It does get better on the weekends, so we think it's something at his daycare, possibly the cleaning products they use. We use Dreft which seems to help and the Aveeno baby ezcema lotion on his legs.