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anniemm
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| Posted: Aug 31 2007 at 4:02pm | IP Logged
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I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with infant eczema? I searched the archives, and it looks like most threads about eczema are about adults and older children.
My little one is 3 weeks old today, and just the other day developed what I think, after some research and talking to a friend who is a PA, is eczema. I haven't taken her to the doctor yet, but I plan to next week. I just hate for her to suffer over this long weekend if someone has some ideas on how to treat it for now - or give me a heads up on what the doctor will prescribe. It sounds like steriods, which I'm not too sure about.
There are NO allergies, eczema, etc in either my family or my husband's that I am aware of, so this has totally thrown me.
I gave her a bath the other night for the first time out of the hospital (she had some oozing cord issues too, so I didn't feel comfortable taking her near the water until it fell off and got fixed), and the next morning had broken out with the rash.
Can anyone give me some advice or reccomendations for treatment or anything? I feel so horrible for her, and I am just broken hearted for her!
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Andrea
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Mari
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| Posted: Aug 31 2007 at 4:46pm | IP Logged
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This has helped with several children I know and they avoided steorids. Maybe it could help you.
Filter your bath water.
Bath child in a handful of clay or oats or some completely organic bodywash with no SLS sodium laurel sulpahte in it, parfums, no parabens either.
Get an air filter if you are not in the countryside.
If this doesn't work continue with
organic clothes and bedclothes
In the case of bottle fed babies I knew, it was always the cows milk allergy. The families I knew were all cheese eaters but that new generation had problems.
If this doesn't work
Try a tiny tiny bit of steroid cream just until the rash goes and STOP. See if it comes back. Only put the minimum that keeps it at bay.
I hope you find out what causes it soon. It must be so distressing for you.
With prayers
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Mari, mother of 2 loving daughters aged 8 and 10
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Mari
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| Posted: Aug 31 2007 at 4:49pm | IP Logged
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Forgot to say - creams and such should be avoided - if dry skin try to find some natural stuff somewhere on the internet. Again: no parabens synthetic parfum
I would recommend organic virgin coconut oil for skin or shea butter. I am sure there are lots of natural products available.
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Mari, mother of 2 loving daughters aged 8 and 10
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KackyK
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| Posted: Aug 31 2007 at 10:36pm | IP Logged
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Mari's suggestion for organic fabric (I assume means 100% cotton) is good. I have a little one who came down with eczema about 4 months or so. We have definitely had to stay with 100% cotton. Try to keep the area cool...don't let it get sweaty. Quick baths, and then we smother her, rub ALL over her, Aquaphor, while she is still a little wet. Be really liberal...it's not something that gets rubbed "in", just rubbed "on". Then we put on her jammies which (and this is easy for you at such a tiny age) are slightly tight, nothing flimsy. As my dr. said, it sort of holds all of that moisture on the skin.
That tends to help without using a medication. It doesn't solve it ofcourse, this is purely a relief, not a cure. So also like Mari said, try taking things out of your diet (assuming you are breastfeeding). And the first culprit to try is dairy, then just go down the list of possible allergens.
I never found a culprit, at least not dietary wise. I think my dd's problem is environmental as her eczema only appears from the Spring to Fall and leaves around October and she tends to have a runny nose off and on during that time. We have had to go to medication...Zyrtec and Singulair and a steroid cream when she is just a total disaster...but that is very sparing and used for a day, two at the most!!!
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Mari
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| Posted: Sept 01 2007 at 3:33am | IP Logged
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Yes  I meant 100% cotton - or cotton/hemp mixtures.
Be careful of wool. Make sure it is 100% "organic" lambswool - that it is boiled wool and not the usual chemically trated wool. Many people say that their children have shown allergies to wool, but I have not found this with non treated wool.
Important: What are you using for your clothes washing powder. Try to find and eco-friendly skin friendly one. You would be horrified to know what is in the big brand ones. Just think of what chemicals must be in there to get all those impossible stains out and what is that fragrance that lasts and lasts... I use "eco-balls" which don't require soap. There are also soap nuts which come from a tree in India. Check out your health store or websites.
For milk I wanted to say if you were bottle feeding that it might be the reason (not if you were drinking it yourself and breastfeeding).
I live in the country side and have seasonal problems - and this is linked to chemicals used and carried in the air becuase it always conicides with these spraying times. That could take a bit of detective work to find out for you. Also when I am in town I get problems due to pollution.
I hope you will find something of help.
Blessings
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Mari, mother of 2 loving daughters aged 8 and 10
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stefoodie
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| Posted: Sept 01 2007 at 5:18am | IP Logged
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Andrea, our kids are older but my oldest and our 3rd all suffered eczema as babies. You've received good advice here -- I'll add my prayers.
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J.Anne
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Ask your dr. about food allergies (either formula or through breastmilk) - that was the cause in my son. My dr. initially told me how harsh all of Johnson and Johnson's baby products are. We tried Arbonne's Baby Line out of desperation and it worked wonders. Truly 90% of my son's rash was gone in about 2-3 days. It's pricey, but so much safer than a prescription.
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: Sept 02 2007 at 6:33pm | IP Logged
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Definitely get your doctor to check it out. And keep in mind what others have mentioned about food allergies being passed through breastmilk or formula. My older daughter would break out when ever I ate oranges or drank orange juice and she nursed.
My younger daughter has had the more persistent seasonal eczema since she turned one. I also found that she would break out more after wearing certain fabrics. The doctor recommended limiting her to no more than two baths a week using a hypo-allergic wash like Aquaphor, washing her after playtime. After the bath, we would cover her with a Aquaphor ointment or a lotion. We would also do this in the morning before getting dressed and at night before putting on pajamas. Eucerin has replaced Lubridor as the preffered lotion these days. You can also use Aveeno products. She also said that I could put a little bit of hydrocortizone on any really bad spots, but I would definitely ask your doctor before using any on your newborn.
If it really is eczema, you will have to be very consistent in treating it; one forgetful day can lead to a new outbreak.
Good luck!!
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J.Anne
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| Posted: Sept 02 2007 at 6:42pm | IP Logged
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Excellent point about bathing, Barbara - we really have to limit the baths in the winter.
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Topic: Infant Eczema?
