Eczema/skin Issues

S.,

My son just turned a year and was diagnosed with cow's milk allergy at 6 months -- although I'm sure he had it before that point because he's basically had eczema since he was a few days old. William's eczema has never been so bad that we have had to see a dermatologist to help treat him, but it is something we are still dealing with today. I've done much of what you say above -- aquafor, OTC hydrocortizone 1% for flare ups (I didn't know they had .5%), etc. I also have primarily nursed him and supplemented with soy formula (the hypo-allergeninc formula you use is probably better) and have cut out all dairy products (COMPLETELY) as well as egg (my son is also allergic to egg). Even with cutting these foods out of my diet, William still has eczema. I would not stop breastfeeding your son. It is helping him more than any formula could. I've talked to a mother whose son's allergies sky rocketed as soon as she stopped breastfeeding him. The homeopathic physician we see told us not to worry about the eczema so much and that it is just something his body wants/needs to do. So I just try to stay on top of it. However, William's only real consistent problematic area is his face (although he has had it on his legs, arms, wrists).

Now for the advice, give him a bath every third day. Most allergists say everyday, but they do not always know what's best. Chicago tap water has a high chlorine content which dries the skin out. So when you bathe your son, pour a half a box of baking soda in his bath water. This will help with the chlorine issue. After his bath do not even pat dry him and while his skin is still wet slather him with eucerine lotion (from the tub). This will seal in the moisture. Also, I use California Baby soap pretty sparingly during his bath (on feet, hands, neck, face, head) and don't scrub with a wash cloth (you probably don't anyways). Use All Free Clear laundry detergent to wash his clothes and rinse them twice. During the second rinse cycle pour in a half box of baking soda. And make sure you change his sheets often -- every few days. This is all I have. I hope it helps. Good luck~

I second everything JG said. Try the ALL Free and Clear for the laundry, my sons eczema cleared up almost instantly! I only bathe my son once a week and I keep the water as cool as possible and I put Cetaphil lotion on right away, don't even dry your son off, it will be a little slippery.

The cradle cap has nothing to do with eczema, all three of my kids have had it and the first two didn't have eczema. The best thing for cradle cap is massage Olive Oil or Grape Seed Oil on your sons head let it sit for ten minutes then comb through the hair gently scraping the scalp and then wash his hair. Don't waste your money on the over the counter shampoos, they don't work any better than the Olive Oil.

Hi. My sister-in-law used to use breast milk for the baby's skin. Also, my son has had skin issues as well. I only use soap on him when it's necessary. I try to just use water to rinse him off and keep him clean that way. When I do use soap it is a very mild soap. I use "California Baby" brand, it's tea tree oil and lavender. I tried a few different types and this one works best for my son. When my son was that small I used oils after bathing and at night and if I was diligent about doing that he was fine. The cradle cap lasted a long time. I'd say he was about 18mo. before it disapeared. I didn't breastfeed though so I didn't try the breastmilk on the skin. My son is 2 and still has the eczema. It's horrible in the winter, but I keep it to a minimum by not using soap as often and limiting juice. Someone told me that the sugar content in juice or any sugary drink effects the eczema. My son mostly drinks water. And I give him mostly soy products. It's amazing what is available in soy these days. Soy yogurt is his favorite. He reacts poorly to milk products also. Good luck...

Oh S.! My daughter is now 2 years old and she has MANY allergies and cow milk is one of them. She was not diagnosed until she turned 16 months b/c she was breastfeed until 12 months, then I introduced Soy Baby Formula from Whole Foods and she loved it. But when she a few months older she tried cows milk and got really sick. So now she just drinks Silk Soy or some knock off brand...as long as it is Soy Plain.

Anyhow, she recently had a bad break out the dermatologist says she has eczema. And he said the reason why we probably didnt realize was b/c we used (Raw) African Shaw Butter. He said that this product is the best for daily use to keep the skin moisturized. But we happened to leave it at grandmother's house and had no idea how crucial it was to her skin. But he also mentioned he I had to change her detergent to free/no purfume as well as her skin cleanser to Aveeno (fragrance free). All recommendations have helped significantly!

Good luck to you!

My 4 year old was diagnosed with eczema recently and we have it totally under control. We did try Triamcinolone which didn't work but what has worked for us is Fluocinolone Acetonide ointment USP,0.025% (which is also a steroid) on her body and Pramosone (hydrocortisone acetate 2.5% pramoxine HCl 1%) on her face.

After her I bathe her with Aveen eczema care I apply the ointment to the affected areas only then slather on Aquaphor right over the ointments and the rest of her body and it clears up overnight. The key is to keep them moisturized so even when there are no signs of eczema you want to slather on the Aquaphor. My daughter looks at her arms every morning and when she's cleared up she gets so excited to show me that she doesn't have any red splotches

Hi S.!

Oh the poor little guy! I have a suggestion. Have you heard of Arbonne products? They have a wonderful baby line: botanical ingredients, natural, pure, safe, gentle. There are a few things that you need to stay away from with a child who has allergies: DYES, PERFUMES, AMMONIUM LARLYLL SULPHATE (it's a lathering agent and it is almost 100% of cleaners, soaps on the market and it IS NOT necessary to get your child clean. The problem is with this lathering agent, because it foams up it's hard to get it completely rinsed off and leaves a film on their skin which dries the skin out more and causes the eczema to be worse) and the last is PETROLUEM & MINERAL OIL! Obviously, perfumes/dyes can just irritate and don't need color or scent to make things work....in fact the perfume in products is used to cover up the scent of petroluem and mineral oil (these are derived from crude oil and rendering plants and have a not so pleasant odor). Petroluem (Vaseline) and Mineral Oil (check your baby oil...it's 100% Mineral Oil) DO NOT do anything to help cradle cap or eczema just as you said! The molecules in these products are TOO large to asorb into our skin and therefore they just sit on top of our skin and never absorb and basically suffocate our skin which is our largest organ. Our skin needs to breath and function to bring in nutrients and also process things out of our bodies. Petroleum and mineral oil actually leach vitamins from our bodies because they clog our pores. Arbonne's baby line is Free of these ingredients.

My daughter who is almost 12, had what I thought was sensitive skin and she reacted to everything...got hives easily, ran fevers even with allergies. Her auto-immune system eventually shut down at age 5 and she was hospitalized for a week. Like you have done with your son...I went to all the drs. and tried many things. Then I started my own quest and did research and learned what I shared with you above. I was using products on her that were comprimising her immunity and some the drs. told me to use! Drs. don't have all the answers and often they don't look at a more natural approach. I started reading labels and tried many things that had more natural ingredients. My daughter's condition got better, but we'd still have the occassional outbreak. My husband also has struggled with severe ECZEMA!

Then I was introduced to ARBONNE and I had them both use the baby wash, the lotion, etc. and it was a miracle. Their conditions improved! I then switched over to using more of the line and neither of them have had any issues since we started using Arbonne. I love sharing this great find with others and would be happy to send you some samples to try on Ammar. Just let me know & I'll get them sent to you.

I know this is also a long email, but had to share what I've learned thru my journey. Like your info, it's important to get the big picture so you have an understanding of what you've gone thru. I know how you feel, it's horrible seeing them itch and be uncomfortable and when you find an answer to help them it's such a blessing!

All my best to you and Ammar!
D.

Have you changed formulas? It seems that the eczema started shortly after you started the Similac Alimentum. Would it be possible to eliminate formula and maybe just pump for a while?