Face Bumps and Ear and Cheek Scratching

My baby was the exact same way! She was such a face and ear scratcher, it drove me nuts. She developed red, dry skin, almost rashy around her ears and cheeks. I would douce her with Aquaphor which helped. I had to put her in mittins or onsies with hand covers or else we would find her with scraches all over her face(sometimes they were bloody). I am glad to say that phase is over. She found other things to do, like rolling over and putting things into her mouth.

J., our ds developed eczema about this time. While it turns out jis eczema is mosthly due to a lot of food allergies and he clears up/stops scratching when I don't eat those foods, it could just be soaps. When I stopped using baby soap on his face (I had been washing his face every other day), his cheeks cleared up. We haven't used soap on him or his hair for four months, and it makes me realize soap is overrated (at least for babies!)

For my girl, the pediatrician said these bumps will come and go. And at 5 months, she still gets them periodically. They are not a reaction to anything, typically, and will fade. The best thing we've found is to just wipe her clean with Aveeno soap (VERY little) on a warm damp cloth. Wiping her hands and face and the many little folds under her chin. Keeps the worst away. At one point, I think it was 8-10 weeks, she was covered all over her face. Not pretty, but it faded.
The scratching? I swear she sucks on her fingers to make her nails grow faster!! At that age, the little mitts were the only answer for us. The red cross ones are lightweight.

your not crazy. kids scratch. they have cute outfits with the mits on/in them already. Most of the time, the seperate mits are too big to stay on.

hi,
put bells on her wrist. I have blind toddler whom has some bad habits. She pokes one of her eyes constantly (for stimulation) but a therapist from the light house advised us to put bells on her wrist. It works, but my little one is older and figured out how to take them off. The bells get in the way of reaching what ever they are trying to rub. In away it annoys them and forces them to occupy doing something else. they sell some baby wrist rattles at target, you can try those.... hope the info helps.

I don't think you can modify the behavior of a child that young. You should work around it as your pediatrician has suggested - oil, mittens etc. A child that young doesn't have memory and so "learning" is not really possible.

how about a hat that covers her ears?

J., you both must be so miserable! I am sorry but this poor child is suffering from some kind of reaction to the soap that you bathe her with and/or the soap you wash her clothes, towels, sheets, etc. with. She can't help but scratch in misery because it probably is very itchy! You must change what you are using, especially if they are products that contain chemicals, dyes, fragrances, etc. These are very bad for young, tender skin and you can help her.

I have seen great results with some botanically based products that are even doctor recommended. I would love to send you some information and even picture testimonials to show you that your little one can be helped. Don't put her or you through any more stress. This is not a "natural progression of behavior", it's just her trying to help herself from being so itchy. The dry skin is the big red flad here and no matter what you put on her hands, she won't be happy until the real problem is addressed.

Give me your email address and I will send you information on a line of botanically based baby care products that are vegan certified and will help immediately! Put vitamin E oil on for now and DON'T use any lotion with mineral oil it. Good luck to you.

K.