Eczema..

Any parents have experience with infant eczema? Seems the little one has this and it seems to itch terribly. We've got her on non soap "soap" and some prescribed cortizone. Anything else help?

 

1. Use unscented soap like Dove.
2. Cortisone is good, but it's important to moisturize the skin using something like Eucerin.
3. I generally prescribe Eucerin and 2.5% hydrocortisone mixed 1:1 for this very purpose.

Some simple things,

Dont overbathe your baby. It is ok to give the kid a bath every other day. Sometimes the worst infant eczema I've seen, the parents were givin 2-3 baths a day, just making the situation worse.

Just out of curiosity, how old is the baby and what formula is he/she on? (Or breast fed)

 

Both of my girls had/have it. My older one had it bad. Once she got to 2 years old the Dr. gave us Eledel. It works well. They both have out grown it for the most part. There are some special lotions and soaps and shampoos that you can get on any baby isle that are for eczema and they actully smell good too lol. I used those too when they were too young for the meds. And like they said already...dont over bathe the baby.

Good luck, I know its hard to watch them scratch and fuss.

 

My daughter is almost 8 months old and is on regular Enfamil with Iron. She's getting some regular baby food now also. She was breast fed for about 6 weeks I think. It's interesting you mention the overbathing. A coworker of mine's kid (around the same age) has the same thing and his pediatrician advised him to bath the kid twice/day for two weeks. I was thinking once a day was sufficient. Anyway, I think I'm going to pick up some Eucerin after work.

 

She doesn't fuss too much, yet. She is constantly scratching though. Can Eczema lead to permanent scarring?

 

My lil one has it on the back of one of her knees. The doctor told me there wasn't much that could be done and that she would grow out of it. She said it's very common and the only thing she advised was to moisturize it heavily with something thick daily. I use aquafore and it seems to help when it's applied regularly.

 

Our doc recommended using vaseline. Any luck using that?

 

Mine havent scarred, but like Plu said...I keep a good bit of lotion on them and use Dove liquid soap with the moisture stuff.

 

The eczema itself doesn't scar, but the scratching can.

Thats why the goal of eczema management is controlling itching.

When you put her to bed at night, put her in long socks, long pj pants, etc. Try to cover as much of the body as possible (to prevent scratching).

Aquaphor is good. Does pretty much the same job as eucerin.

 

I've heard conflicting talk about the hydrocortisone as well. I hear it can cause the skin to lose pigement, but I can't confirm or deny that. I know not to use it on the face, only in very low doses, but I'm not sure about continual use on the rest of the body.

Kickaaazzzz.... what's your take?