DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

So, DD has had this "rash" on her torso for quite a few weeks. First it was diagnosed as "skin irritation", then something "fungal". Finally took her to the dermatologist today and they said it's eczema She now has break outs on her torso, face and even a spot on her leg now. I am so upset that this is coming out of NO WHERE (she's 13 months and hasn't had anything like this before).
She is now on desonide 2X a day and I am using eucerin as well. I really didn't ask too many questions because DD was WAY overtired and crying hysterically so I was just worried about getting her out of there. So...I'm hoping some BTDT moms can help. Here are a few questions..

1) Is there anything I should avoid to help keep it under control?

2) How often do you bathe DC if he/she has eczema?

3) What medication/creme do you use?

4) Is it normal for it to appear out of no where, and start spreading like crazy?

5) Will she have flare ups, and then times when it's not there?

6) DD ALWAYS leaks through her overnight diapers (even with a size 6 and a pad in there, too). I have reduced the number of oz of liquid before bed, and it seems to be helping a little. Can the wet diapers over night be contributing to her flare ups?

I am CLUELESS and would appreciate any info!!

I am including a pic of her stomach. To me, this didn't look like eczema, but I'm not a doctor!

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Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

DD just got diagnosed with this too, she is 8 months. She gets it all over her back.
They said there really isn't anything to avoid it and that it is most likely an internal reaction to something.
I bathe DD every other day, sometimes I will bathe her on day 3 so i don't over bathe her (per ped's suggesstion)
The ped gave me a perscription for hydrocortisone creme which she said to put all over her back and then put baby Eucerin on top of it and within a week it was all gone. (came back yesterday though so i have to do it again but she cannot use the creeme more than 10 days in a row)
Out of the blue and spreading like crazy is what happens with DD too, just have to keep an eye on her entire body and put stuff on it when it breaks out.
Flare upd will happen, she was just diagnosed last week and it went away and just came back yesterday.
DD never leaks through her diapers and she still gets the excema.
The doctor did say it is something that she can grow out of, i hope she does.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

1) Is there anything I should avoid to help keep it under control?

I babysat for a girl who had this. It flared up bad when she hot and sweaty.

2) How often do you bathe DC if he/she has eczema?

Every 2-3 days

3) What medication/creme do you use?

Prescription (not sure what it was) when it was bad and cetaphil in between and often.

4) Is it normal for it to appear out of no where, and start spreading like crazy?

Yes

5) Will she have flare ups, and then times when it's not there?

Yes, like I said before, summer was worse.

6) DD ALWAYS leaks through her overnight diapers (even with a size 6 and a pad in there, too). I have reduced the number of oz of liquid before bed, and it seems to be helping a little. Can the wet diapers over night be contributing to her flare ups?

I would think if she is sitting in wet diaper it would, maybe put a layer of vaseline or something as a barier.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

Use a humidifier at night!!!

That works WONDERS when Dd gets a bad break out... even still, shes got it on her back, stomach and legs.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

DS gets bad flare ups if he gets really warm, but his allergist actually told me the #1 cause of eczema is eggs.
He was also diagnosed with an egg allergy, and since we've been reading labels like crazy he hasn't had as many flare ups - except for that weekend it was really warm. We had to travel upstate so he was stuck in the carseat for hours and got very hot and sweaty.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

DS has eczema.

We bathe him only a few times a week in the winter. In the summer, we bathe him every other day as much as possible. Sometimes every day if we have to. In the bath we use some baking soda. We keep baths short. Our dermatologist recommended Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash.

We found that only Cetaphil cream (in the big tub) works for DS. We tried everything else and nothing worked as well as this for us. I use it every morning on his "problem areas." I also often use it after baths, and sometimes at night too if he's having an especially bad time.

We use a prescription when he has flare ups - he definitely has flare ups. When the weather started gettin warmer, I noticed he had a flare up, maybe from sweating a little?

We avoid polyester at all costs! We try as much as possible to dress him in only 100% cotton. This has made a HUGE difference for him.

We use All Free and Clear and don't use dryer sheets in the dryer.

I THINK that the leaky diaper could possibly irritate or make the eczema worse. I think you said your DD is 13 months and you use size 6 diapers? Every child is different of course, but my DS is 2 years old and he is still in size 4 diapers. I recently tried moving him up to size 5 and he leaked all over the place. Maybe her diapers are too big?

Good luck!

HTH! Once you get it under control it will be a lot easier.

ETA: DS had eczema bad in his diaper area. We used the prescription to get it under control. That was last summer. Ever since then we have used Triple Cream at night, every night. It makes a nice barrier between his skin and the wet diaper and has helped us keep it under control. Also, we do not use wipes - only when he has a BM.

Message edited 4/19/2010 9:04:12 PM.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

We went the non-steroid way and did the OTC cortizone cream and it worked wonders.

The humidifier works wonders also.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

It does look like eczema to me.

DS2 had terrible eczema on his face (and a bit on his body) when he was a baby. Desonide was a life saver. Just use it until it clears and then stop, and follow up with a good moisturizer - I swear by Mustela's Stelatopia. I was religious about moisturizing twice a day for what seems like forever.

Every once in a while it would start to flare again so I'd put the Desonide on right away and usually one time using it would take care of it.

I think the wet diapers could be exacerbating it. DS's eczema was worsened by the fact that he was drooling a lot at the time due to teething and when his face was wet it got worse.

DS also had a dairy allergy so I believe it was somehow connected.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

DD had horrible eczema. dealing with it was driving me crazy and i was so stressed at the thought of her being uncomfortable. we went to a pediatric dermatologist (Dr. Cristal) and he was incredible. he mixed a special compound for her and it worked wonders. he said it wasn't as strong as hydrocortisone so i wasn't as nervous to use it. he also had DD tested for a milk allergy and low and behold she had one. we switched to soy and ever since her skin has been perfectly clear. good luck!

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

First it looks worse than it is. Carrots would make my DS flare up.....go figure.

1) Is there anything I should avoid to help keep it under control? Watch if there is anything specific DD is eating that can contribute to a flare up. Its not always an allergy in the true sense, like DS isnt allergic to carrots now. Try to keep the areas from getting sweaty too. Also, Johnson and Johnson the yellow soap and pink lotion made him flare up. We had to use natural fragrance free stuff.

2) How often do you bathe DC if he/she has eczema? Baths should be limited (we did every 3rd day) with as cool of water as you can use without it being cold.

3) What medication/creme do you use? We used Aveeno on DS, both bath wash and lotion. Then we used a hydrocortisone OINTMENT, not the cream, as per our ped. She said the cream could cause a burning sensation. We used the CVS brands OTC one.

4) Is it normal for it to appear out of no where, and start spreading like crazy? Its totally normal, especially when its getting warm out and DD is probably getting sweaty.

5) Will she have flare ups, and then times when it's not there? It definitely comes and goes and she will most likely outgrow it. DS had by the time he was 2.

6) DD ALWAYS leaks through her overnight diapers (even with a size 6 and a pad in there, too). I have reduced the number of oz of liquid before bed, and it seems to be helping a little. Can the wet diapers over night be contributing to her flare ups? I doubt the diapers have anything to do with it unless its on her diapered area as well. Have you tried an overnight diaper?

Dont worry, like I said, it looks worse than it is and she will most likely outgrow it.

Message edited 4/19/2010 9:58:00 PM.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

Posted by mrandmrs12



DS has eczema.

We bathe him only a few times a week in the winter. In the summer, we bathe him every other day as much as possible. Sometimes every day if we have to. In the bath we use some baking soda. We keep baths short. Our dermatologist recommended Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash.

We found that only Cetaphil cream (in the big tub) works for DS. We tried everything else and nothing worked as well as this for us. I use it every morning on his "problem areas." I also often use it after baths, and sometimes at night too if he's having an especially bad time.

We use a prescription when he has flare ups - he definitely has flare ups. When the weather started gettin warmer, I noticed he had a flare up, maybe from sweating a little?

We avoid polyester at all costs! We try as much as possible to dress him in only 100% cotton. This has made a HUGE difference for him.

We use All Free and Clear and don't use dryer sheets in the dryer.

I THINK that the leaky diaper could possibly irritate or make the eczema worse. I think you said your DD is 13 months and you use size 6 diapers? Every child is different of course, but my DS is 2 years old and he is still in size 4 diapers. I recently tried moving him up to size 5 and he leaked all over the place. Maybe her diapers are too big?

Good luck!

HTH! Once you get it under control it will be a lot easier.

ETA: DS had eczema bad in his diaper area. We used the prescription to get it under control. That was last summer. Ever since then we have used Triple Cream at night, every night. It makes a nice barrier between his skin and the wet diaper and has helped us keep it under control. Also, we do not use wipes - only when he has a BM.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

DD has mild flare ups. I have found that unscented Dove soap, bathing every other or every 3 days, and lots of Aquaphor after a bath help.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

I have had it ALL my life and my children have it but not as bad as me..thank god..i bleed from it sometimes and have medicated steroidal cream! SO I will tell you what I know from exp with me and them!

1) Is there anything I should avoid to help keep it under control? anything with fragrances...never wear perfume, frag lotions, DRYER SHEETS are the WORST!!! as well as fabric softener! Also cotton is best I always have the kids wear cotton carters onesies under everything! Oh and chlorine pools gave me flare ups and I was on a swim team from 3rd grade til sr year of college! Go figure I just made sure I showered rt after I got out

2) How often do you bathe DC if he/she has eczema? I want to say eveyr other day but it is hard esp on pasta/pizza night!

3) What medication/creme do you use? I use Diprolene (steroidal med cream) but for the kids I find cetaphil cream (?spelling?) and aveeno bath..nothing fancy or sweet smelling!

4) Is it normal for it to appear out of no where, and start spreading like crazy? COMPLETELY...i never linked mine to food..just seasons! It is worst in the dead of winter with the dry heat and dead of summer..with the sweating..and chalk was a killer for me ...(being a teacher made that a challenge )

5) Will she have flare ups, and then times when it's not there? YUP!!!!

my ped says it often goes away/they grow out of it but when I said I have had it all my life he is like well your kids may too! Hopefully your DD will grow out of it!

Message edited 4/19/2010 11:14:04 PM.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

Thank you ALL SO MUCH for all of your feedback - I REALLY appreciate it.
DD woke up looking a little better. Guess the RX is already starting to work!

I forgot to ask, what do you bathe DC in? Unfortunately, I forgot to ask the doctor, and she didn't tell me either

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

I use California Baby body wash.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

I usually bathe DD every other night - especially in the winter (when her flare ups are worse).

DD's Pediatrician said NO soap IN the bath...let her play in just water, then soap (Aveeno) rinse and get out...sitting in soapy water can make it worse.

I also lather her with the Aveeno Moisturiizing Cream...or a natural Oatmeal lotion...

If a flare up gets particularly bad, Ped also reccomended the Oatmeal Baths (Aveeno makes one)...

DD also has flare ups with certain additives in food...she can't have Yoplait yogurt because of this...I don't know exactly what it is, but I try to just give her more "whole"/natural foods...

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

I already use the aveeno oatmeal bath, so I will stick with that - but make sure she's not sitting in soapy water!

Now, I just introduced DD to strawberries a few weeks ago, around the same time I noticed an outbreak - that has gotten worse. I wonder if that is contributing because she's never had it before. The dermatologist didn't mention anything food related though..

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

I just remembered - I also introduced cherrios recently. Do you think that could do something? or do you think it's more likely the strawberries?

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

okay - first off....

Em was COVERED in rashes for months before we finally got to a doc who fixed it for us!!! We saw an allergist & immediately he knew it was eczema and gave us some helpful info!!

1) Is there anything I should avoid to help keep it under control? you can try 'eliminating' things one at a time to see if things get better or spike and get worse. the strawberry idea is a good one.

2) How often do you bathe DC if he/she has eczema? in the winter, ONCE a week (her skin is VERYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY dry & sensitive). Immediately after bathing, we apply moisturizer (while her skin is still wet). this is our first summer - so we'll play it by ear. Em gets prickly heat VERY badly (she's already had it this spring)...so we have to be careful if she gets too hot.

3) What medication/creme do you use? CeraVe cream is amazing stuff! I didn't like it at first, because i felt it was too thin - but it's really fantastic! The allergist gave us a steroid combined with a moisturizer - it was compounded.

4) Is it normal for it to appear out of no where, and start spreading like crazy? yes & no. to me - that means the baby has a trigger...

5) Will she have flare ups, and then times when it's not there? yes & no again. em has flare ups - but when i catch them and treat them - they don't get bad & spread. the other morning - she had it behind her knee. i saw it, put on her cream and it was gone by the time i got home from work.

6) DD ALWAYS leaks through her overnight diapers (even with a size 6 and a pad in there, too). I have reduced the number of oz of liquid before bed, and it seems to be helping a little. Can the wet diapers over night be contributing to her flare ups? maybe - but i have not noticed this with Em...

there is some GREAT info on this site (it's how i found ceraVe)...
http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a8325/babies_and_children_with_skin_problems?

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

Thanks Jess for the info and the link to that site!

I found this on there...

On baths...don't space them out, bathe often!! The philosophy of limiting baths has been long abandonded by derms, but some peds still recommend it. You should bathe AT LEAST once a day, twice if you can, for at least 10 mins, water only, NO SOAP (other than a prescription shampoo, not even the ones that say good for eczema are recommended any more), then put your heavy, scent free moisturizer (such as CeraVe or Vanicream, the 2 most recommeded here) on. Remember...meds go on BEFORE creams...even OTC hc


It's interesting that I came across this because my derm said something similar. She said it's okay to bathe often because it will help remove some of the eczema bacteria. I wonder how true this is.

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

Re: DD was just diagnosed with eczema - Any moms out there who can help?

DD has eczema related to allergies. i was told to yes bathe her everyday in luke warm water. but only once a week use soap unless really dirty.I use allergy baby soap to bath her in. i also use cerave lotion that i buy at CVS in a large tub. It actually repairs the protiens in your skin that is damaged from the dry skin. It worked immedialtey and took the itch away. in the beginnning i applied it at every diaper change but now only once a day. she has never had a break out since and its been since Dec. HTH