Suggestions for baby eczema

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

DS has epaderm cream twice a day, Oilatum Junior bath emoliant in his baths, and takes a spoonful of chlorphenamine maleate before bed (usually in the form of piriton allergy relief for children).

DS also gets epaderm before and after going swimming.

He bathes mostly with just water and emoliant, but we do have some very gentle, natural and organic shampoo for when he's been rubbing dirt in his hair.

DS has severe eczema and aveeno had no effect on him. Epaderm is what all the doctors we have seen have recommended as the best, and it is... but many people are suprised we're using it and DS still has signs of eczema. Without it, his limbs are raw and bloody from scratching.

One final tip: socks on hands at bedtime. DS now prefers this as he finds he won't wake himself itching until he bleeds in his sleep any more.

[LionsandBears]

I've read that wheatgrass cream can be very effective too

[kungfubecca]

Hi,

couldn't see if anyone else had asked, what sort of formula do you use?

If it's cow milk based, would it be worth discussing soy alternatives with your doc/health nurse? I think cows milk can exacerbate excema, and given the wmount you are saying your bub splls or spits out, maybe it doesn't agree with her either??

plus if you have a health care card, and your doc prescribes a specific formula for you you can get a huge discount by buying at the chemist. My sister had one for her first born and was getting karicare soy for about $5 a tin!

[rustygirl]

I used Becoderm on my son when he was a baby. AMAZING stuff!!! Having said that, It would only work on his face. It actually made the eczema behind his knees worse....go figure! I had to use paw paw ointment behind his knees and it worked a treat. On his body I'd use QV lotion and in the bath I used Alpha Keri oil. Make sure the bath water isn't too hot either. That makes a massive difference. I have also just recently heard that Pure Organic Coconut Oil is AMAZING for eczema. I haven't tried it on his skin tho as of yet because he isn't getting any at the moment. Once it starts to get a little cooler I will be trying it on his skin. I'm using it on my face atm as a moisturiser and it is glorious!! Try ECOstore washing powder in your washing. It's great. Hope you can use some of this info, also like someone else said, with eczema it's trial and error and what works for others won't necessarily work for your bub. Hope you find something soon. Eczema is nasty!

[BellyBelly]

Alot of these products still have chemicals in them. Even the Lucas Paw Paw cream and sorboloene is petrochemical and thats just the tip of the iceberg. You really need to read the labels when you buy products because some wont help or make it worse. Its easy to tell, if you can't pronounce the name or need a science degree to know what it is, then it's probably a chemical. You have to know what you are looking for to avoid products with preservative and additives, even some which say natural or organic are not so.

Calendula is great for healing, aloe is soothing... but again you need to find products that aren't commercial cook-ups and the real thing. I never use body wash, soaps or anything on the kids unless they are filthy - you only need water to wash any body, little or big. If I use handsoap my hands go feral, red and raw. They actually started cracking and bleeding for the first time in ages after moving house.

[JellyBean]

Eczema is merely a symptom of 'sign' of an internal imbalance, and as such needs to be treated at its core to eradicate it entirely. Its important to understand that the eczema is not the problem - it is the side effect of the problem, therefore if you continue to only address the side effect with topical creams etc - the problem will keep returning. Cheifly this imbalance begins in the digestive tract and is often due to exposure to drugs such as antibiotics, which kill off friendly and probiotic bacteria - which are essential for assimilation and absorption of nutrients, defence against pathogens and basic immunity. Without adequate probiotic stores (generally passed on through breastmilk) your bub may find it difficult to digest foods such as dairy, and eczema is a common side effect of that.

Here's what you need to do - go to a health shop and request an infant probiotic powder - such as Biocueticals BabyBiotic 0+ years. Start adding it to her formula day and night. Deficiencies in EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids - Omega 3,6 & 9) are also common in eczema sufferers. If your child is not yet on solids this can be a bit trickier to supplement with, but as soon as you are able - expose your child to foods rich in these healthy fats - ie, avocado, flaxseed (linseed) oil and extra virgin olive oil. Various types of nuts (almond spread is good) and fish are also rich sources of EFAs but you wont be introducing them until later.
You can also apply flaxseed oil topically to inflamed skin, but make sure its organic.

You will also want to eliminate exposure to any chemicals in cleaning or personal care products to reduce inflamation. Check out the MiEssence range - its certified organic so you can be assured of its safety. If a product is labelled as organic but does not have certification from a registered certified authorative body such as the ACO or NASAA its pretty much meaningless. We call this 'greenwashing' - and there is no regulation of this in Australia. Ie - any brand can claim 'organic' and legally its fine - except they cannot claim to be certified organic unless they receive authorative certification, which is strictly regulated.

Hope this helps!!

XX

[rustygirl]

I agree with both BellyBelly and JellyBean. The problem is internal. High five for bringing that up!!! Totally slipped my mind. Sometimes you need to get on top of the problem ie creams and things to stop the immediate suffering and then you can address the internal problem. The Paw Paw ointment I used didn't have petrochemicals. It's called Pure Nutraceuticals. It has calendular in it. Google it. It's fantastic, smells gorgeous too. Pure Organic Coconut oil you can apply topically and also you can take in internally. Use it for cooking (it's the only oil that isn't altered by heat), as butter or in smoothies, the list goes on. Google that as well, you will be amazed at the testimonies.