Dry Skin with Rash

Updated on January 20, 2010
A.W. asks from Woodridge, IL
26 answers

My 3 month old son has a very mild case of cradle cap and a very bad case of a rash with dry skin all over his body. Neither seem to bother him at all. Our pediatrician says the rash often accompanies cradle cap and she def doesn't think it's eczema. His poor skin is almost raw in places like behind his knees and under his armpits. We have tried Baby Bee by Burt's Beeswax and Eucerin but nothing seems to help. I've been keeping him greased up with vaseline instead of lotion and to the touch, he's not as sandpaper-like. He doesn't have any rash in his diaper area so I was wondering about putting his diaper cream on the bad spots at night. Any suggestions? Thanks is advance to anyone who responds and Happy New Year:)

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C.F.

answers from Chicago on

Boring old petroleum jelly! Lube him up head to toe every night and then put him in a footed cotton sleeper. For the day time...I use petroleum jelly cream (vasline make one, meijer has a store brand one). It is wonderful and not as greasy as the regular jelly. I use both of these products on my own face!

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C.H.

answers from Chicago on

My doctor recommended Eucerin's Aquaphor. It's awesome with chapped lips and skin. You can buy it over the counter for about $7.00 or so at CVS.

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L.G.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A......
I have a Wellness company that I am partnered with and it has a lotion that has helped many children with all kinds of skin problems. Please email me if you would like more information.

L. G
____@____.com
###-###-####

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S.W.

answers from Peoria on

Your doctor didnt think it was eczema? did she indicate what it may be or how to treat it? has the rash been around a while or just a couple days?
Two of my girls have eczema, (which is exactly what this sounds like as you described it...raw behind his knees and armpits sounds just like my youngest) and have been on perscriptions for it, which did nothing. The nurse at the derms office suggested Cetaphil CREAM *(not the lotion) It has worked wonders for them. (a little pricy, but worth every cent.)
id stay away from the cortisone's if at all possible, as they are a steroid and really not a good long term plan.

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S.E.

answers from Chicago on

Try using 100% organic Coconut oil. It has great properties for dry skin. You could add a little emu oil or vitamin E to the oil as well.
My son uses it for his eczema.

God Bless

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.P.

answers from Chicago on

when you use vaseline, use it on his skin when wet, after taking his bath, you can use much less, and the vaseline will seal the water into the skin. Just keep rubbing the vaseline until the water disappears.

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C.F.

answers from Chicago on

It sounds like you are doing what you can. The diaper cream in the trouble spots sounds like a good idea. I use mineral oil because I have dry skin and lotion has never worked for me. It is lighter than the vaseline and should work. As long as it is not bothering him be thankful and keep doing what you are doing. Happy New Year

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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

Olive oil works on the scalp and body, try it!!! Also, you have to be very careful using Vaseline on the entire body as the skin can't breathe and excrete toxins( which is it's job) and it can actually become toxic. I've heard of a guy dying after coating himself in Vaseline and baby powder, weird, I know, but good info.

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

we coat our daughter in Aquaphor. Running humidifiers helps as well. You could try olive oil and a comb on his cradle cap (which is a form of eczema, by the way).

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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream, found in the baby section at Target, Jewel, Walmart, etc worked great for my little guy. Good luck!

N.H.

answers from Chicago on

Happy New Year!

My girls had excema when they were young as well (they are still young but not babies/toddlers)and I was referred to Arbonne's ABC line. These products are not sold in stores rather thru a network of independent consultants. I had such success with their products and I was looking to do something alongside raising my three children, that I started my business with Arbonne. You will learn more abou this line via my website below. It is about what is in products and what is not that determine effectiveness. Even vaseline will sit on the surface on the skin due to it's mineral oil content. Arbonne uses plant based oils and no animal products/dyes/fragrances,etc. (known irritants).

If you would like a complimentary sample contact me via my website. I live in Wilmette but can mail it to you.

Best, N.

www.nancyhoagland.myarbonne.com

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L.B.

answers from Chicago on

Coconut oil is good for the skin & can be found at any health food store. You can try using a cotton ball to apply undiluted organic apple cider vinegar twice a week before a bath. Or mixing water & bi-carb to make a paste & apply 5 minutes before bathing helps too. I hope you find something that works for your baby.

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S.T.

answers from Chicago on

I would try talking to a dermatologist, because they are the experts on skin. There is so much controversial info put out there, that it's hard to know what to do. In my line of work as a daycare provider, I have seen all sorts of things tried. Most of the parents whose children are severely affected, and from what you are describing-your child probaby is, end up at the dermatologist. I would really start there and hopefully prevent any more flare ups or worsening of the condition. Your pediatrician should be able to recommend a dermatologist.

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D.R.

answers from Chicago on

Try Aloe Gel - as long as it is 100% aloe. This can be used for the cradle cap and the rash. I am using it for my son who has cradle cap and the same rash on his mid back and it is clearing it up really fast. Previously I tried petroleum jelly, lotions and diaper cream (diaper cream only on the rash) and nothing helped until I tried the Aloe. Good luck!

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M.A.

answers from Chicago on

My almost 3 yr old daughter has the same problem, every winter-cheeks, armpits and behind the knees. She has eczema in certain spots, but just horribly dry in others. The things that worked(and work great I might add) is bathing with an eczema wash (we use Baby Aquaphor Gentle Wash or Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash) and Eucerin Plus. The other Eucerin products had no affect at all. The Eucerine Plus was recommended by allergist and dermatologist. It's a little pricey, but well worth it. Also, not bathing to often helps. Good luck!!

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L.M.

answers from Chicago on

Try this: http://www.shikai.com/publications/borageChildrenSkin.htm
Whole Foods should have it, Vitamin Shoppe Might have it, or you can probably order it at their website or from Vitacost.com

I highly recommend their borage oil products. they are very good and sometimes are the only thing that heals my own very dry cracked, sore skin in the winter.

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S.W.

answers from Chicago on

Poor little guy - my son had the same thing at about 3 months, too; he's now 14 months old. We got different opinions about whether it was eczema or not, but the ped said the dry air in winter was the culprit. (She was right - it disappeared in summer but is back now.) What worked for us was dropping the baths to only once a week and keeping them short. We use California Baby body wash/shampoo, and not much of it. Then we slick him up with Aquaphor followed by Eucerin lotion. (He gets this treatment nightly.) We treated the eczema because it was so bad and our ped said if it started to bleed we may need to use a steroid cream, so we wanted to avoid that if possible. We didn't treat the cradle cap - it doesn't bother the baby, and it went away by the time he was a year old.

I also watched my diet to make sure I was getting good healthy food and no caffeine or high fructose corn syrup. I have no idea if this helped, but it was a good idea for me anyway. ;)

Good luck mama, and congrats on your sweet little boy!

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

I don't have a MD but it sure sounds like eczema to me. All 3 of mine had it. The only thing that really worked for us was prescription cream to clear it up and then eucerin to keep the skin really supple. Two had cradle cap too.

Try a dermatologist or different pediatrician. Good luck!

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S.M.

answers from Chicago on

Our pediatrician recommended baby oil for the cradle cap. For the skin, I found that skin cremes, rather than lotions seemed to help.

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

A.,

One of my twins had severe cradle cap and eczema all over. When his cradle cap first started, I tried every over-the-counter product I read about or that someone suggested to me. Nothing worked for him until we used hydrocortisone. His doctor prescribed one with 2%, and then, when we ran out we used the 1%, which you can purchase anywhere. It was the only thing that worked for him cleared up his skin.

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

I have been going through this with my now 6 yr old and 17 mth old daughter. We have tried everything- Aveeno, Burt's Eucerin, Aquaphor, prescription creams, you name it. What works for us is California Baby body and hair wash for both and then a lotion called Cerave.The reason this stuff is different is because there is no lanolin in it- and apparently that is a trigger for a number of people with skin issues. You can find the lotion in a huge tub at CVS or Walgreen's- ask a pharmacist.
On another note, I would be cautious about using the higher percentage cortisone on the face for an extended period of time. My ped and the nurse practioner both stressed to me that the stuff will actually thin skin over time and cause more problems. I was told to not use for more than 2 weeks at a time, and only to put on the affected area of the face- not to put a layer all over. About the dermatologist, I've found that even with a relatively severe case (my 6 yr old) it was still a shot in the dark as to what was causing the eczema and what would work to get rid of it. Very trial and error- plus I know when we were prescribed one of the cortisone creams- even with the insurance co-pay, it ran us $50 for a 2.5 oz tube. Just something to think about- maybe try to treat at home with any number of the suggestions and if it gets really bad- ask for a derm. referal. For most kids, this stuff does get better with age, so even if you just manage it for now, you may see a reduction in as little as 6 months. HTH!

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

My girlfriends daughter has eczema. You can try breast milk if you are nursing. There are antibody's in the milk that could help. My son also had it. The doctor said that we might find that he has allergies later in life. I also found out that my son is allergic to cantaloupe. So something you are eating, if he is allergic could cause it also. You might want to go to a dermatologist there could be more to the rash. My girlfriend had to put peanut oil on her daughter and give her a bath is a cap full of bleach (sounds crazy) but it cleared her up for the virus/bacteria infection that she had on her body. Good luck.

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E.B.

answers from Chicago on

My baby (who's one year's old today!) had cradle cap and bad eczema. What worked for her was California Baby products. We use the Tea Tree & Lavendar Shampoo and Bodywash for shampoo (eliminated the cradle cap), and the Super Sensitive Shampoo and Bodywash for everyplace else.

Keeping your baby moisturized is the key, and we found that the California Baby Calendula Cream worked wonders on both her rashes and cradle cap. (We also tried a very expensive organic eczema cream from an online store, but found the the California Baby Calendula worked better.)

Best of luck and Happy New Year!

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A.W.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.!
My son (5 weeks old) is going through the same thing! Very bad cradle cap that has spread to his face; contact dermatitis on his shoulders, back, and chest; and eczema on his arms and legs. He was such a mess, the poor little guy! My pediatrician recommended this regemine (sp ?) and after only a few days of it, he is almost completely better: a short bath every other day with Aveeno baby wash and Head and Shoulders for his hair (just make sure no shampoo gets in his eyes). When his hair is still damp, run a comb through it and then put baby oil on his scalp (I use the baby oil gel with aloe vera... much eaier to work with... and I put it on his scalp 3 times every day). For his skin, 1% hydrocortisone cream on all affected areas (face and body), sealed with lots of Aquafor. I do this 3 times daily as well. Needless to say, he looks like he's been dipped in a vat of oil and he practically slips through my hands whenever I pick him up, but he looks sooooo much better! Good luck and I hope this helps. Happy New Year to you, too! :-)

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J.R.

answers from Chicago on

Both my children have eszema and see Dr. Wagner from Children's Memorial. She's been great!

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.,
I would like to suggest the extra emollient night cream by Mary Kay it is a super hydrating cream that will help sooth your baby's irritated skin. I have used it personally as well as on both of my girl's, it works great on their chapped cheeks & legs. I would be happy to send you a free sample to see if this product could help with your baby as well. Give me a call if you are interested ###-###-####
www.marykay.com/mjones80162
have a great day!
M.

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