Son with Very Bad Skin Rash

Updated on January 13, 2011
J.G. asks from Bloomfield, NJ
13 answers

hello moms! I have a big problem here, my almost 3 year old has developed a real bad and weird skin rash on his arms especially, his stomach and. a little on his legs. It itches real bad to the point where he gets so nervous scratching that it bleeds! I've tried all sorts of lotions,creams oils, olive oil has seemed to help a little and cornstarch to alleviate and cool down. I get so hearbroken to see him this way some days he goes fine not one itch other days its just terrible! I've come to think it's maybe certain odors like fish (because twice fish was being fried and he just started going crazy with the itching) but then sometimes when he gets frustrated for something he wants and can't get at that moment he starts scratching! I always try to keep his skin moisturized and clean that helps too. I really don't know what to do, also lately he's starting to get like these little bumps with puss and they hurt him real bad he's gotten like 3 or 4 but they come and go. I treat these with a cloth dipped in warm water with epsom salt and putting it gently on these little bumps and that has worked good. Does anyone know why is this and what can I do to help him with this rash or allergy!? Thanks a million!

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M.D.

answers from New York on

My friends son has very bad skin issues. he has eczema and he also has a ton of food allergies. His eczema is so bad he scratches until his skin breaks, bleeds, then becomes infected. He ended up with MRSA staph. I think you need to get him to a Pediatrican 1st then a dermatologist ASAP. sounds like he has eczema plus food allergies, since he's scratching it is very liekly he could get MRSA, it is extremely contagious. MRSA looks like a puss type of boil. please wash him and cover him with badaids in those areas. Good luck.

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K.B.

answers from New York on

Get an appt today w/ your ped. He shouldn't have to be suffering if you can get a diagnosis and medication tohelp him. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.G.

answers from New York on

Hi J.,
I shop from a company called Melaleuca that has an incredible lotion that works great on skin conditions like excema, psoriasis, severe dry skin. They also have a great line for kids, shampoos, body washes etc. that don't have formaldehyde in them and they have a great laundry detergent, fabric softner, dryer sheets, etc. that don't have phosphates or corrosives in them. You do have to be refered by someone to shop for wholesale prices. Everything has a 60 day empty bottle money back guarantee.

The products have made an incredible difference for my daughter who has suffered for years with allergies clogged ears, and skin irritations! It breaks my heart to think that there was something out there to help her. I'm so thankful to have found this company!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.D.

answers from New York on

Hi J., I see you have tried a lot of things. You need to get him to a dermatologist to determine what kind of rash it is and what it will respond to. Grandma Mary

1 mom found this helpful
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D.S.

answers from New York on

I would get a medical diagnosis right away. It can be so many things from eczema, to environmental. I just had a little two year old at my daycare go through the same thing I had to call his mom. He was outdoors a lot yesterday playing because it was the first nice day we have had in a while. He ate nothing new but he was scratching his back and belly like crazy. I think it could have been environmental but his mom came gave him benadryl and took him right to the doctor. She said he also suffers from eczema so like I said who knows it could be anything that triggers it. Get it checked out there is no need to guess or for him to suffer. Good luck!!

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J.T.

answers from New York on

I think you should bring him in to see a dermatolgist they might be able to tell you if he is allergic to a certain food or even be allergic to medication. Maybe try changing your detergent or fabric softner without any dyes that may irriate the skin. Try Dreft. To ease his skin try calamine lotion also it is good for itching or anything with oatmeal in it it soothes the skin also.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.D.

answers from New York on

It sounds like eczema and is a result of allergies. You need to take him to a dermatologist to find out what he is allergic to. The most common cause is skin contact, from soap, detergent or fabric softener, but it can come from food also. I had eczema on my fingers for years until I discovered I was allergic to tea of all things. Double rinse his laundry including towels and stop using fabric softener. Change his bath soap to Ivory or another perfume free one. And keep a food diary of everything he eats. See if it gets worse the day after he eats certain foods. Since he is young you can control his diet and there are many internet sources for diets to detect allergies. The most common allergies are milk, wheat and food dyes. check this out. http://www.nutramed.com/children/eczema.htm

1 mom found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from New York on

Hi J.,

I so completely hear you! My son developed something similar (while limited to the top half of his legs) at about the same age. I brought him to the Dr who diagnosed eczema, probably from an allergy, and gave us a prescription cream to deal with them. We then went to an allergy specialist, but were never able to find where it came from.

Since then, we've been treating him with the prescription cream when there is a flare-up - I also used Lavender essential oil to good effect, but he doesn't like it because then he smells like a girl - we use bath products for sensitive skin and a good lotion. It keeps everything in check, and he's learned to ask for the cream as soon as it starts to itch, so we just need to use it 2-3 days, then it's gone and he's fine for several weeks.

If you haven't already done it, I'd show the rash to a Dr; it may very well be a form of eczema, or something that needs to be treated. If you want to try Lavender essential oil, make sure that the product you use is pure Lavender oil (they often mix it with Lavandin - very different properties! - or other extenders), and therapeutic-grade. If you want, I can give you the info for the brand I use, which is very high quality.

Good luck!
K.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.E.

answers from Binghamton on

I would take the child to a doctor to find out what is causing this, have you tried children's Benedryl with him, I would at the very least, call the doctor and find out what amount you could give him of the Benedryl. That may help with the itchy rash. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.M.

answers from Rochester on

you need to bring your son to the pediatrician asap. he may have eczema that is now infected. in the mean time, use a thick cream on all areas of the rash (like aquafor, eucerin or plain vaseline) and give him benadryl to stop the itching. you can also put a 1% hydrocortisone ointment on the rash first, then put the aquafor cream on top. this will reduce inflammation. either way, he needs to see the doctor.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.T.

answers from New York on

Hi J.,
It could be eczema, which may be caused by food or environmental allergies. I would take him to the doctor, who may recommend a dermatologist. If he has a bad rash, eczema or some other medical rash, lotions and oils are not going to help him - they don't contain any medication, and all the perfumes and such may make the condition worse. Please stop self treating, and take him to the doctor. Rashes are a medical condition. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.D.

answers from New York on

Hi J.,
I would suggest taking him to a doctor since it seems from your email that he has had it for a while, and also the pus situation. But, I always like to use Aloe Vera on stubborn skin issues with my 13 month old daughter - straight from the plant, not a bottle. It does get itchy when it's drying so maybe you can try it on him before bed so he doesn't notice as much. I use the aloe and then during the day I will put vaseline or 100% petroleum jelly. But you should see the doctor, incase something like the petroleum jelly shouldn't be used. But the aloe works wonders. Best of Luck!

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R.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

I totally understand your frustration - my son (who is now 9) developed Eczema at about 2 years old. They couldn't accuratly test him for allergies until he was 5 but when we did.... we found out he was very allergic to fish! my son can't even touch fish, he was also allergic to corn syrup and sesame seeds. Also in addition to food he was allergic to mold, pollin, dogs and cats. He seems very sensitive to grass and weeds too. The sad part is that even though I know what to keep him away from (or try to) his skin is still very bad. Breaks out so much that a bloody spot is not uncommon.
Here is what his allergist told us to help him. A bath everynight (to wash off anything he was in contact with) then rub mineral oil all over him (it is very cheap and doesnt have perfumes like baby oil) then give him allergy meds everynight. It keeps it at bay mostly, but my son has now started weekly allergy shots because it is so sad :(

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