Home remedies for child with really bad eczema

[supermom101]

Hey everyone,

My 3 year old daughter has really bad eczema all over her back and chest. It is really bad behind her ears and is even starting to bleed. Is there any home remedy or something else I can try besides the hydrocortisone that the doctor prescribed? It is not working at all....

Any suggestions will help. Thank you.

[Song]

hey, sorry to hear about your little girl!

my son has some eczema and i've found that the aveeno eczema baby lotion has really helped to calm things down--not sure if you've tried it?

otherwise, I've read that oatmeal baths are supposed to helpful as well. hope you find something that works for your little one!

[supermom101]

Awww your son too? Eczema sucks! No I haven't tried the Aveeno lotion and bath, but will do so tomorrow! Thank you so much for your speedy reply

[mrsmagoo2001]

Eczema tends to go along with allergies. My Daughter, who is almost 30 had it bad around age three. Family doctor sent us to a dermatologist (guy was almost 70 years old, very old school and he pointed out the connection to allergies and stress). He had us do food elimination diet, and daily diary. Then had the scratch testing done. For our DD it was combinations of foods (mostly acid based) and a milk intolerance that caused flair ups. Now her youngest daughter started having flair ups as a newborn. Got bad when she went off the breast at a year of age. Her trigger was cows milk. Once she went onto goats milk or soy milk it is manageable. She is now five years old amd her flair ups occur when she has too much cows milk in products like pizza at school or baked goods, pudding cups etc. or very stressed.

[ariell]

I would agree with the allergy connection. I have eczema on my hand which flares up whenever I start eating more wheat. Your daughter may have a food allergy, particulary given that the eczema is so widespread so I would definitely be looking into that.

Yikes, I would not be giving hydrocortisone to a 3 year old! I use Thompson's Calendula ointment which was recommended to me by my naturopath. It works really well. Calendula is both anti-viral and anti-inflammatory. You can get it at any health food store. Otherwise, look for a cream or ointment that contains almond oil, calendula oil, evening primrose oil, vitamin E oil, aloe vera, cocoa butter, oatmeal, and other natural ingredients. Avoid products that contain artificial additives, mineral oil, perfume, alcohol, and lanolin.

The problem may also be related to a contact allergy to some product that you are using -- soap, baby powder, creams, detergent etc. So I would suggest that you avoid using any scented products -- at least until the problem clears up.

[looniepincher]

We tried almost every cream/lotion/home remedy we could think of for our daughter. Google home remedies and we probably tried it.

We found most creams to work for a few days then the effect would somehow wane and we'd have to switch to something else, leaving us with a cupboard full of lotions and creams (some even purchased online from the States in desperation).

We found 3 creams to be particularly helpful--the Khiels baby cream (Holt Renfrew carries this), the Aveeno baby creams and the one we found most helpful and we even use it to this day--Cetaphil Barrier Cream (not the regular Cetaphil in the jar).

Honestly, I don't know if she just grew out of it or if it's really the cream but we just don't take chances and we apply the cream after every meal and bath. We also put baby oil in her bathwater and EVERYTHING, and I seriously mean EVERYTHING that touches her eczema-prone areas must be 100% cotton, NOT a blend! Even clothing that was a cotton blend was irritating for her skin and caused a flare-up. We did all of that, plus we use a humidifier in the wintertime.

hope something works for you cause we know how frustrating this can be!

[looniepincher]

The problem may also be related to a contact allergy to some product that you are using -- soap, baby powder, creams, detergent etc. So I would suggest that you avoid using any scented products -- at least until the problem clears up.

yup, I think that's what triggers it for my little one.

I was also given Calendula cream by a Naturopath but her eczema cleared up so I can't comment on its effectiveness.

[bltman]

If you can get it under control you can try childrens probiotics to help prevent recurrence or from getting worse. Studies show they help prevent eczema but do not seem to work as a treatment for getting rid of bad eczema.

You may also ask your doctor to see a specialist to make sure it is not psoriasis (when I was a kid they diagnosed me with eczema but I really has psoriasis).

Hydrocortisone is the mildest of the cordisone creams. There are so many stronger ones. Parents often do not want to use hydrocortisone cream on kids but it is regarded as generally safe for kids. The trick is to use minimal amounts.

[supermom101]

Thank you all for your advice!

I have started using the Aveeno products and haven't seen any changes yet, but will continue to use it and see how it works out.

Looniepincher, yes it is very frustrating. What is even more so is the fact that I think that my other children are getting it too! Is it contagious? But the point of using scented baby products and non cotton material is well taken. My son was complaining that his clothes were itching him even though they were so soft! But it was a cotton polyester blend, so that was probably why.

Thanks again!

[badass]

This seems to help my daughter and we apply it after every bath on her dry patches.

Good Luck!!!

[4flava]

Try a combination of these which could be found in any store ie shoppers, walmart, zellers... it's always tough to see kids skin drying and bleeding. I have a buddy and his son has severe eczema all over his body.. so sad.

[susan123]

We use galaxal base cream and lotion - available at most drug stores. It has worked wonders. After a few days of applying it every night and every morning, it is already fading and starting to go away. In the winter we use it all the time, in the summer it is more as needed.

I also am very careful about making sure clothes are cotton only (and removing tags), using perfume, dye and phosphate free detergents, and can only use the Dove baby wash unscented in the bath for both hair and body. (All other baby formulas cause flare ups) You also should limit time spent in the bath, and make sure the water is barely warm as the more heat, the more drying it is to the skin. A humidifier can also help in the winter.

Also, we have been told to make sure he stays away from wool! My Dad's wool carpet at the cottage is a nightmare!!!

Best wishes!!!

[queenofhearts]

Eczema tends to go along with allergies. My Daughter, who is almost 30 had it bad around age three. Family doctor sent us to a dermatologist (guy was almost 70 years old, very old school and he pointed out the connection to allergies and stress). He had us do food elimination diet, and daily diary. Then had the scratch testing done. For our DD it was combinations of foods (mostly acid based) and a milk intolerance that caused flair ups. Now her youngest daughter started having flair ups as a newborn. Got bad when she went off the breast at a year of age. Her trigger was cows milk. Once she went onto goats milk or soy milk it is manageable. She is now five years old amd her flair ups occur when she has too much cows milk in products like pizza at school or baked goods, pudding cups etc. or very stressed.

Sorry, don't want to hijack the thread but can you tell me where you purchase your goats milk? My neice too needs it for allergic reasons but I am finding it harder and harder to find it. Some grocery chains carry it, but it's hit and misss. The SDM near me used to carry it but apparently they were told by head office they couldn't sell it anymore.

[needie]

Try Superstore or Loblaws for goat's milk, either the milk section or organic section.

People can't digest the fat in commercial cow's milk. So drink either cow's skim milk, cultured milk(kefir, yogurt, buttermilk), or fresh cow milk(illegal to sell in canada)(contains all the enzymes to help digest fats).

Your digestive system is essentially your immune system, if you can't digest the fat in the cow milk, your causing damage to your immune system (allergies).

The fat in goat's milk is much easier to digest. Fat molecules are smaller.



Back on topic...

Try epsom salt baths.
Also look into coconut oil for the skin.

[supermom101]

Cool! Thanks a lot! I have been given a host of suggestions here and will experiment one by one to see what works best if the Aveeno doesn't. I'll keep you all posted. Comforting to know that I'm not the only parent out there that goes through this....