This may sound strange but I need to know what to do! My 2 1/2 year old son has been picking/scratching at his face to the point that he has cuts all over his face. Right now he has cuts on his nose, under his nose and on his chin. I constantly have to tell him to stop touching and picking at his face! I have been putting lotion on his face because I am thinking maybe his face is itchy from dry skin or something (it is a prescription lotion for eczema b/c he has had a problem with eczema in the past on his foot and the back of his arms)! I also have been trying to keep his nails cut really short. I am not sure what else to do because he will actually scratch so hard that he starts bleeding. Has anyone experienced this before? He doesn't seem to scratch anywhere else but his face. Is this a possible sign of some allergy? Does anyone know any other way I can try to get him to stop? Any advice/help would be GREATLY appreciated!
You have tried the obvious, so it's time for a doctors point of view I think. It sounds like an allergy to me, but I'm not a doctor.
K.,
Interestingly enough, the only place my son scratches when he has been in contact with soy, which he was diagnosed with a soy intolerance to 3 years ago, is his nose and chin. Your son may have an intolerance to a food. I would definitely get him checked by an allergist. Your "mom sense" is telling you something! A.
sounds a bit like ocd.
Oh it does sound like a possible allergy. Try to get an appt. w/ a dermatologist and/or an allergist.
Continue w/ the cream for sure and keeping his nails short,those will help. Maybe give him a wash cloth and train him to rub w/ it instead of scratch?
i can't help you but i would advice being forceful with the doctor. if this isn't rectified, whether it is behavioural or medical, he is risk for infection.
I used to babysit a little boy who would scratch his feet until they bleed. He was diagnosed with severe eczema on 80% of his body. He never noticed the scratching or the bleeding. Make sure to file the nails so there are no edges and maybe find something like rough gloves to put on his hands so they can relieve the itch but not cause bleeding.
I have read that a good one for eczema is to prick an Evening Primrose Oil capsule and rub the oil on.
Amy,
I would say to get your child checked for allergies, but if it turns out that he does have eczema, I have a friend who has a son with severe eczema who uses cetaphil (crema humectante is the generic brand). The jar is thicker and lasts a little longer. Hope this helps. God Bless.
