I have a 5 month old with mild eczema mostly on his face. We treat with 1% cortisone and eczema cream everyday. I use All for babies and mild soap in his baths. He rubs his face on anything almost all day. I do know that sometimes it is worse when he he is sleepy. At night is the worse because it causes him to wake up. He has learned how to pull the mittens off so they don't work much anymore. I also try and keep his nails very short and filed. I was just wondering if you all any other suggestions. My pediatrician said not to worry about it but it's not letting us get much sleep at night.
new mom in Avondale
Is 5 months old young for
Is 5 months old young for eczema? It seems so, but what do I know!
My older kids had it when they were younger, one of them still does. Our ped told us that it may develop into other allergies when they grow up. Of course, that happened! My oldest gets allergy shots now because he's allergic to all sorts of environmental things and some food proteins. I tell you this because I wonder if a 5 month old can have allergies already? Would some sort of anithistamine work for the itching?
I know that my sons' allergies were always worse in the wonder when it was dry outside. Maybe a humidifier would help? Also, make sure you keep your baby's room extra clean. Think about food issues, too. Is your baby breastfeeding or on the bottle?
Good luck to you. I'm still trying to get my 15 year old to stop scratching and put on his lotion!!! By the way, there is lotion out there that has anti-itch properties in it. I think it's made by Neutrogena or Eucerin??? And, Aveeno products are great for kids.
Let us know what works!
The most commonly offending
The most commonly offending foods are cow's milk, hen's egg, wheat and soy. Are you breastfeeding?
Jan Katzen-Luchenta
Author - Nutrition for Learning:Feeding the Starving Brain - Foresight nutritional counselor- Montessori educator - www.nutritionforlearning.com
Maybe change laundry
Maybe change laundry detergent? Years ago I had to switch to Dreft at the time and that really helped my boys. Good luck.
Mom of teenage boys!
Both my babies had mild
Both my babies had mild eczema around that age. Both were exclusively breast fed until 6 months, but they still got it! It didn't seem to bother them, however. Neither of them got it after they turned one, but I don't give my kids much dairy because my oldest had some mild allergies from cow's milk too. Keeping on top of things is the best thing you can do, and you're already doing that! I also went to a naturopathic doctor in addition to our pediatrician for some additional insight. Hope it clears up soon!
Hobbymommy, 38, is a discussion leader from Mesa. She is a happy stay-at-home mommy to a 3-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.
I know exactly what you
I know exactly what you mean. My oldest son had eczyma starting at the age of 2 months. I know hard to believe, but he'd wake up throughout the night and his face was so red as well as his legs and arms. He learned to rub his face, legs, arms etc. certain ways at that young an age to help with the itching. Finally, after talking to my pediatrician and trying a few ointments (that didnt work much) he referred me to a pediatric dermatologist. Sure enough he had eczyma - by this point his rubbing started getting to the stage of bleeding. The pediatric dermatologist prescribed me a body cream and also a separate face cream for eczyma. They had to be used so many times a day for 1 week then off of it for a week then back on again. I had to also use aquaphor (lotion) after all his bathes during the winter and cetaphil (lotion) during the summer (as its a bit lighter). We also use cetaphil (cleanser) for bathing him and not any of those baby cleansers. The doctor told me anything that has a smell to it (like that baby smell lotions, etc) is not good to use for a child with eczema as they have chemicals that only irritate the skin more.
I also had to wash his clothes, sheets, blankets and yes our own clothes (my husband and I) with Dreft (if we try a less expensive soap his eczema flares up.) So, the whole family uses his detergent (I do save those coupons!) Also, the pediatric dermatologist told me that there is some sort of correlation between eczema and food allergies and possibly even asthma. Luckily for us he has not had either - esp. given his degree of eczema. I was also told that he will have this for the rest of his life and we will have to adjust to it. Sometimes he wont have it (like right now at age 3) but when he gets older and into sports (say soccer) it may flare up again on his legs. So, now that I am aware of it and how to treat it. I just keep an eye on it and when it seems like it might be flaring up I use the prescribed ointment as directed. I had a baby 3 months ago and he seems to have dry skin on his face now but it is nothing like my first born - I can tell the difference with them both (now) as to what severe eczema is like and just dry skin. So, I don't treat the 3 month old with a prescription...only over the counter types of meds... if necessary and aquaphor/cetaphil.
If I were you I'd go see a pediatric dermatologist. It really is worth your time. They assist you with this and that way the little one can get some relief and sleep through the night and during the day as well. I wish you the best!
LisaMommy is a 38 year old discussion leader for arizonamoms.com from the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Her two boys are ages 7 months and 3 years old.