Baby Eczema help please

lafayettegirl · May 2013

DS started out with one little spot of eczema inside his right elbow. Doc told us to keep it moisturized. Now he has it on the backside of his right elbow, inside his left and behind his knee.

We started out using J&J, then moved to Burt's Bees (nurses recommended it), then changed out his baby wash to BB as well. Then we stopped bathing him as much, but continue to moisturize. But this seems to be getting worse, not better.

On top of that, he has cradle cap - not terrible, but it is there. When we try to treat it, his poor head goes from yellow cradle cap flaky to white dry skin flaky.

WHAT DO I DO? This poor kid looks like a leper. Luckily this whole thing only seems to bother me and DH, and not DS in the slightest.

(Also posted on Babies: 3-6 months, sorry for the duplication)

sbevmc09 · May 2013

Some people believe eczema can be a side effect of food sensitivities/allergies. You might look into that.

jjdillie · May 2013

I read somewhere that bathing actually helps. I use Aveeno Eczema Baby and it helped some. The pedi just recently prescribed a steriod cream. It seems to be getting better. Do you drink/eat a lot of dairy? I do, and that could be the cause. I'm attempting to cut down a bit.

I also tried an oatmeal bath once and it did seem to help but I haven't tried it since. I put some oatmeal in the foot of an old panty hose and rubbed it on his skin.

lafayettegirl · May 2013

DS is adopted, so he is taking formula, otherwise, I would cut out dairy.

We'll try the Aveeno.

I'm also going to switch his detergent - we were using Dreft because someone gave us a boat load of it. But DH and I use All Free and Clear. I'll try washing a couple of loads in that and see if that helps.

bohmannr · May 2013

I thought my LO had an issue with the dairy I eating as well... I don't know if you're nursing, but 1st I changed the laundry detergent we use for her clothes to Fragrance free stuff (not special baby detergent) & have been using some simple Eczema lotion after her bath and it seems to help! My understanding is you should bathe them LESS as well because even if the soap is gentle - it can dry out their delicate skin more.

bohmannr · May 2013

I'm sorry - I must have been responding at the same time! Also, I apologize for not noticing your signature (adoption should have been obvious).

I honestly hate Dreft... we got some at our Baby Shower & continued using it for a while, but I'm just going to have to toss it. I wouldn't/didn't want to use it on my own sensitive skin... why did I my baby would be different?

SWOG31 · May 2013

My LO has eczema. Our pedi prescribed a steroid cream for when she has active patches on her skin. Will your pedi presribe something?

The pedi told us for the times when there isn't an active dry patch to use Aveeno Eczema, and this really does seem to help. I was using Burt's Bees at first too, but the Aveeno Eczema seems to work better for my LO. I want to try coconut oil because I've heard good things about it keeping the skin moisturized, and it's all natural.

For baths, my pedi told us to only use soap 1 to 2 per week, and just water the rest of the time. She said the mildest soaps are designed to strip your skin of natural moisture. This has helped a lot.

For the cradle cap, the pedi told us to use regular Selsun Blue shampoo twice per week until the cradle cap is gone. Once per week for maintenance. It worked for us. She hasn't had cradle cap since she was 2 months, and she just turned 4 months.

dlbrous · May 2013

We use Mustela Stelatopia bath wash and cream. It's designed for eczema and has worked well for us. We also use their foam shampoo for cradle cap and it has helped. Good luck!

OhBaby+2013 · May 2013

DS has some eczema...at first I used aveeno eczema and that helped, then I cut back on dairy and that seemed to help. But at the end of the day the best thing I have found to moisturizer his sensitive skin is......NIPPLE CREAM! I rub him down, from head to toe with either medela or lansinoh (both Lanolin) nipple cream every few days. I still use the aveeno eczema baby body wash and the lotion at times as well, but the nipple cram really has done the trick of moisturizing. It also works on e cradle cap. And be sure to brush his hair wi a soft bristle brush every day and when bathing use e brush to work in the soap on his hair. Our cradle cap is barely even there now. Good luck!

okami.mami · May 2013

Luc has eczema and has had it since he was about 3 months old. Now he's 2 and it turns out that it's related to his seasonal allergies/asthma and flares when the weather changes. We don't use rx steroid cream, but our pediatrician has us use regular over the counter hydrocortisone and apply aquaphor over that on his usual flare spots. It clears overnight. We also use the Aveeno eczema lotion and have to be sure to moisturize like crazy.

ahowell88 · May 2013

DS2 does not have eczema, but my 2 1/2 year old did/does and it is always worse in the summer months. For him, we use All Free Clear detergent, I use pure Castile soap, which you can purchase at a health food store and I use coconut oil as needed to moisturize. I have tried literally EVERY baby wash/ soap/lotion including Aveeno, Johnson and Johnson's, Burt's Bees, California Baby, Mustela, everything, including prescription steroid creams! Nothing has worked as well as our current routine. He doesn't use any perfumed/ scented products, so I kind of miss that but his skin is clear the majority of the time so that's worth it. Also, I would wash your clothes in whatever detergent works best for your LO since you probably do most of the holding. GL!

Jewels02 · May 2013

My DS had really bad eczema and his pedi referred us to a dermatologist. She told us to only do water in the bath, no soap, and that water is actually good for the skin because it absorbs all the moisture. Just make sure to moisturize right after when the skin is still kind of wet so it holds the moisture in.

She also recommended a vitamin (DS is EBF) to make sure he is getting all the nutrients he needs so we've been giving him Poly-Vi. I was worried about my diet being a possible cause but she told me, while dairy & gluten are the 2 to cut out if it doesn't seem to improve, going on a strict diet could do more harm than good because they are not getting a balanced diet & neither is mom.

She did give us an RX because he actually had open spots on his poor little head and they would "weep" (I think that's what you refer to it as) and actually leak clear/yellow fluid He also itches his head like crazy, so I'm really glad we got the RX.

Also, Aquaphor & Cerave cream (both available at Target/Walmart, ect.) are what she told me to use all the time. I put Aquaphor on him like it's going out of style...I figure if it was recommended by his pedi AND the dermatologist, it must be beneficial!

GL! Eczema sucks and it is hard to see your little one with it!

gplove94 · May 2013

My LO has eczema on his legs, arms and stomach. He also has cradle cap. The pedi actually said to bathe him every day using Dove body wash. I have been using Babyganics eczema lotion 2x's a day and it's been working. His skin is starting to feel smoother. I use olive oil on his head and that has helped the most.

Chewie12 · May 2013

My baby girl has eczema on her face and I found that Cetephil lotion works like a charm, consistantly applied right after a bath!

chelsea13elyse · May 2013

My LO has bad eczema on his face. My SIL is a pediatric nurse and suggested a demo baby eczema cream. Works wonders its amazing. Johnson and Johnson seemed to cause discomfort on LO eczema. Also for cradle cap she recommend baby oil

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