Eczema Care

Updated on June 30, 2009
S.S. asks from Orlando, FL
29 answers

My little guy has spots of eczema in the creases on his neck, elbows and knees. Sometimes he scratches at it making it very red. Any suggestions for good products or other helpful hints?

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C.O.

answers from Miami on

My son had eczema when he was little also. The doctor suggested that he might be allergic to diary and that is what is causing it. He said many times, babies will out grow that allergy and the eczema will go away. We took my son off diary and used 2% cortisone cream on the areas (note the cortisone will cause white marks for a little while) and the eczema cleared up! We then slowly introduced diary back. Even now at 2 1/2 years old if he has too much diary he will get an eczema outbreak but for the most part he can have a glass of milk a day and some cheese now. Try and find what is causing the eczema so you can eliminate that. Also, keep the skin hydrated with lotions for soothing.

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P.S.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

my son and daughter both had bad eczema as babies. i used Nivea creme (not the lotion) and put it on their cheeks,elbows and knees after their bath before bedtime.it helped and healed the skin real quick.they both outgrew eczema by the time they started school.stay away from any wool product,they cause the skin to be even more irritated,cotton is better.soaps and bubble bath should be perfume free.hope it helps him too,good luck

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D.K.

answers from Gainesville on

hi there! We have kept my son's eczema under control by using regular Dove bar soap in the bath and AveenoBaby Soothing Cream each morning and night. The AveenoBaby lotion doesn't seem to help his skin but the CREAM is great. We also use laundry detergent with no fragrance/dyes like All-Clear or Arm & Hammer (green bottle)and never use fabric softeners. My little guy's eczema is not food-related, his reactors are all environmental. But since using the Dove/Aveeno combo he hasn't had an outbreak in at least a year.
Good luck!
-D.

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M.H.

answers from Gainesville on

Here's what I used: Baby's Bliss Derma Cream (available online) and California Baby Super Sensitive shampoo and body wash (pricey, but with it, available at Target and Publix, but cheaper and in bulk online).

If your son is eating eggs, or you are breast feeding and eating eggs, you may want to try eliminating them. What finally worked to "cure" my son's eczema was eliminating eggs from his diet, based on research and trial and error on my part. Eggs are one of the top food items known to cause eczema.

BTW, try to stay away from products that have sodium lautyl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), as those are known to aggravate eczema. Even Aveno, Cetaphil and Johnson's products contain these chemicals. California Baby was the only one I found that didn't. Also, I tried Aquaphor initially, but found that becasue it was sooo thick, it was hard to rub in and required a lot of pressure and friction to try to get it all rubbed in, which my son didn't tolerate very well. I would be wary of Sarna, as I would think the menthol could actually sting on young skin if there are abrasions from scratching.

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M.M.

answers from Orlando on

Hi S.,

My son is 2 1/2 and has always had the same problem and the only thing that ever seemed to work was prescription cremes that the doctor would prescribed. But those always have steriods in them and arent good for long term use for children. Until I discovered this over the counter creme called SARNA, it is steriod free, it works really well. It has some sort of Menthol in it which has a tinkling, refreshing, soothing feeling once absorbed into the skin. Which helps alot with the itching. It can be a bit pricey depending where you get it. Walmart seems to be the cheapest. I know that Walgreens has a there name brand version of it. But price difference isnt significant. Hope this helps you out.

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P.O.

answers from Jacksonville on

My nephew had eczema really bad. My sis used Cetaphil because it wasn't greasy and bathe him less as that dried out his skin. The idea is to keep the skin moist so it doesn't itch and he doesn't have to scratch. Poor baby, it's not a nice thing to have. I saw my nephew suffer with that. Good luck.

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S.M.

answers from Miami on

My son was also diagnosed with that and I had to bathe him with Cetaphil. It was really good it never gave him itchiness and the sell it at BJs which is a bigger bottle and better price.

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A.T.

answers from Jacksonville on

Eucerin Aquaphor works. Or if you want something natural, try something with tea tree oil in it. You can find things like that at the health food store. Melaleuca.com sells a product called Renew and it works great. They're the people who advertise as "The Mom Team" but you don't have to join the business to buy the products. Or Burt's makes a natural skin care line, they're in the health food stores. Hope that helps. A.

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B.B.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

My now 18 year old daughter had a SEVERE case of eczema as a child. I would recomend giving your son an oatmeal bath---it's cheaper that Aveeno! Put about a cup or more of regular old-fashioned oats in an old sock. You can use a rubber band to close the top, but I just tied the sock closed then threw away the sock! As you fill the bath tub, put the sock in. Every once in awhile squeeze the sock. It will make the water milky. Wash him with a mild soap. I used unscented Dove. The oatmeal water will help to calm the itching.
I also would apply the hydrocortisone that the doctor prescribed 2-3 times a day. Then I would put Eucerine cream on top of it. Not the lotion----the kind you buy in a tub. You can reapply the Eucerine as often as it's needed. If his skin feels dry, apply!
My grandson has eczema now & my daughter uses Disney eczema cream. She puts it on him twice a day, in the morning before he gets dressed & at night after his bath. It's a little bit expensive but WELL worth the cost! That has worked wonderfully!
I hope this helps!

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N.J.

answers from Orlando on

Hello... I purchase home care products through an incredible company. They do have products that have helped hundrends of customers and is safe for all ages. Contact me @ ____@____.com and I will be happy to fill you in on how to get the soap and lotion in your home to help your son. Thanks N.

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N.D.

answers from Panama City on

Sorry to hear about your son,I have had eczema since I was 10yrs old,it was bad when I was younger, I had it on my arms, legs and hands, but as I got older it only stayed on my hands.Thank god for that,I feel for your little one,Im in my 40's and it still drives me crazy I can itch my hands till they bleed, I go to a dermatologist and get meds but that doesnt even help sometimes, I have gone thru a bunch of over the counter meds to use in between perscription meds, and I think Aquaphor works the best as its an oitment and keeps the skin very moist,some of my Drs have said use Eucerin but I dont care for that to much.For perscription meds I use Lidex but its a steroid so you have to be very careful, as your skin will get used to steroids and nothing else will work thats not as strong and it can thin your skin out.Good luck and hope his eczema goes away.

K.N.

answers from Miami on

Good morning!
I too suffer from eczema and my son had psoriasis when he was little. The best product I've gotten is a cream, doctor prescribed called:Clobetasol Prop. 0.05% cream 60GM. It relieves the itch and helps it heal. Good luck; and I pray that he will also out-grow this like my son did! God bless you & your family!
Truly,
Kathy N.

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K.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Hey S.,

I've heard testimony after testimony telling how Renew Lotion has kept their child's eczema under control. You can order it direct online. If you want to know more just send me an email and I'll tell you how. BTW, it's patented and 7 X more effective than Eucerine. Sure beats the steriod medication doctors usually prescribe and is much safer gof ryou little guy.

K. Woodlief
www.LovinLifeHome.com

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T.F.

answers from Orlando on

Eczema is caused by an allergic reaction, but it's not always easy to know what is causing it. If you are not doing so already, switch to laundry detergent and as many other products as you can (shampoo, soap, etc) that are hypoallergenic and fragrance free. At your one year old visit, speak with the doctor about it and he can decide if you need an RX for something to put on it. I found that Arbonne baby oil or lotion (sold like Avon through a consultant) helped keep it away, and so does Cetafil (jar of cream, not just the lotion) helps a lot, too. But you need to get it cleared up (naturally by figuring out what may be causing it, and/or with medicine cream) before just throwing lotion or cream on it. I have 2 medicines for my son-- one is a steroid which can not be used on his face and is used only in severe out breaks and one is for the first onset of mild outbreaks. I have not had to use it in a long time (he is almost 3). My other 2 kids had it and have both outgrown it. They say it is an early sign of allergies and possibly for asthma-- my oldest son has both but my daughter has neither and she had it the worst as a baby.

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J.C.

answers from Miami on

Hi S.,

I feel your pain. My son who is now 2 1/2 yrs old had suffered from "exzema" since he was 3 months old, it was a nightmare. One over the counter product that helped him with his exzema was "Aveeno"-- and that's Aveeno body wash, lotion, sunblock and so on. Just make sure you keep the skin very moist with lotion. Exzema causes dryness and it itches terribly. He should soon start to out grow it. Good Luck, Jaz~

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S.U.

answers from Miami on

Take a look at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI8z5pIPE44.

To show you just how powerful this technology is, please look at this: http://cheerfulaboutanions.yolasite.com/. The demo is on products for women, but there are diapers that will be available in about 1 month, with the same technology that is shown in both demos.

The number one thing consumers look for in any type of sanitary product: protection-super absorption so effective that there is no wetness next to the skin even after a full day or night of wear.

The same negative ion strip is contained in these products for women as well as diapers for babies. I believe that if you were to utilize these diapers for the baby, the skin problem would disappear completely.

The company believes that "Technology is Love." Their intent is to create beneficial products via technology that are healthy. If you'd like to know more about this technology and/or product, please feel free to contact me at ____@____.com. I'd be happy to assist with any info that may help you and your family. God Bless.

S.

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K.D.

answers from Jacksonville on

Hi S.,

I had really good luck with Aquaphor. It's almost like vaseline, but not quite as greasy. I would coat my son's entire body right after a bath and before his skin got completely dry. It does take a while for it to absorb so you may need to wait a while before you redress him. Also, be sure you are using hypoallergenic baby wash and laundry detergent. Many times Eczema and allergies go hand in hand so I would start keeping track of what he is eating that way when he has a really bad breakout, you can check to see if the same foods trigger it. Also, For really bad breakouts, I would use a small dab of hydrocortisone cream, but be sure to check with your pediatrician first. Hope this helps and Good luck!

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D.R.

answers from Daytona Beach on

Hello S.,

My 7 years old daughter still has some nasty eczema since she was 3. Most laundry soaps cause eczema get worse. I use a laundry soap called "ALL" it is white bottle with label said #1 recommended by dermatologist. She went to see her dr and receive RX cream medicine, it called triamcinolone acetonide cream. it work to reduce and resolve eczema but it NEVER cure. it will go away then come back later. you can put some Aveeon oatmeal bath while he uses bath tub it help his skin reduce scratch.

You could research see wheather your family have eczemea skin problem,it can be heredity that run into family. I learned that my girl has permanent eczemea from her paternity family have same problem as she has.

I read another mommies note about foods. it may be right or may not, depend on childrens, their health all are different. I suggest your boy need to see dermatologist for test for allergric and skin problem from family heredity. Dr can tell which is different between permanent skin problem and allergic.
good luck
D.

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R.R.

answers from Orlando on

I use Aquaphor by Eucerin twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Both of my children have eczema and it has been the only product that helps. You can try any of the Eucerin products.

Also, make sure his nails are trimmed so he is as likely to scratch himself.

I also use bath products that are hypoallergenic and fragrance free such as Eucerin's wash (available at babies r us) or even Aveeno fragrance free baby wash. Try to make the bath warm not hot - the hot water makes it worse.

Speak with your pediatrician but when it gets really bad I use hydrocortisone (1% over the counter) and it seems to help.

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J.G.

answers from Orlando on

Aveeno baby lotion is awesome!! If we use it once a day, our daughter's skin is perfect!!!

By the way, we had our daughter tested for allergies (the RAST test, where they just draw a vial of blood), and she's only allergic to cats and dust. It's impossible to avoid dust, so the lotion works wonders. You might want to talk to your doctor about doing that test first before removing a bunch of stuff....it can be crazy to try to figure out exactly what's bothering your little one's skin!

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J.K.

answers from Boca Raton on

S.,
I have a lot of experiance with this. My 3 year old daughter has had a problem sence she was 5 mo old. Limit the amount of time he gets a bath. My derm. said only 5-10 min. tops. after the bath pat dry and use aquaphor healing ointment. It will help lock in the misture. Eventually he might need to go in for allergy testing, but I would see if this helps before starting medication. I hope this helps and good luck!

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K.W.

answers from Miami on

HI S.,

Aquafor, Emu Oil, Vaseline - any kind of "fat" without any fragrance will help ALOT. As my little one got older I started using Tea Tree Oil with Spearmint Oil (helped with the inflamation and itching) and kept the eczema at bay. Have you seen your allergist yet? They can give you some good insight as well.

Good Luck!

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M.C.

answers from Miami on

S.,

Rachel is right on with all of her suggestions!!!

My son has had eczema since he was about 6 weeks old. So I have tried it all!...LOL…I also have tried using milder laundry soaps which made it worse?? Tried cutting out dairy, and or cows milk…and no change…so we have just learnt to live with it. His pediatrician says there is a great chance he will grow out of it in a few years… so I’m just waiting.

Much like your son he gets it in the creases & elbows too. I have found in So. Fla the Aquaphor works best in the winter for my son. It is like he sweats so much more if I use it in the summer just making the situation worse. Daily I use the Aveeno Baby daily Moisture lotion. If my son goes in the pool at all during the day I rinse him off with the hose when he gets out and I put the lotion right on him when we get inside. I have also stopped bathing him daily I try to go 2-3 days with no bath especially now when his in the pool everyday. It just dries out his skin way to much. I also don’t dry him off I try to let him air dry as much as I can. It does not seem to itch my son or really bother him at all, but sometimes he will get a bad patch that will require some hydrocortisone crème. But once I put that on him it is gone in a day or two. Also I have found that sunscreens and bug repellent do also make it worse…so I am really sticking to the Aveeno products as much as I can…they just seem to work well for him.

Best of Luck!!

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J.T.

answers from Orlando on

My daughter had terrible eczema as a baby. Aquafor works great. Also, warm baths with very mild soap. Make sure you rinse him well, but the baths actually help. Both my pediatrician and guest speakers at a Mommy and Me class recommended Dove for sensitive skin. When you want something less greasy, Aveno calming cream worked well too. Buy a cream as apposed to a lotion. They are thicker and work better. Ask your Dr., of course, but we do have to use cortisone cream when its really bad then try to coat her in cream/lotion after bath to keep it away. My daughter is 5 now and still has some flare ups at elbows and knees but has definately cleared up a lot with age. Hope this helps.

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S.C.

answers from Daytona Beach on

Hi, my daughter and I both suffer from this and we use a product called California baby calendula cream. You can buy this at Target. It is kind of pricey but its worth it. I paid $12.99 for it but it doesnt take much and it says its for eczema on the front. It also comes in shampoo and body wash. Let me know if it works. Take care, S.

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Z.G.

answers from Miami on

Hi S.
My son who is now 6 developed eczema when he was just an infant and we wondered why because neither his dad or I ever had that.
We found that even baby products can be harsh and cause the skin-irritating condition. I use only natural-based body washes and lotions now, not only for my son but our whole family. One particular product, Renew, really helped him with this condition and he no longer has signs of any eczema. If you'd like more info you can email me at ____@____.com and ask me about the safer, better alternatives that I use and recommend. Take care and hope this helps.
Z.

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C.V.

answers from Miami on

My nephew has eczema severely and my sister uses emu oil. My son has a slight case of it and I use Aquafor and it works for me. Hope it helps!

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L.L.

answers from Pensacola on

try take him off wheat and dairy and seeif this doesn't clear up.
give it a month..............

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L.H.

answers from Miami on

he's 11months old. has he always had this? could it be from any new foods you've introduced? have you recently introduced cow's milk? soy products?
it may or may not be diet related...
but definitely something to think about!
keep a food journal and see if it seems to flare up from certain foods...

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