Emma vs. Exczema: the battle begins!

In the past few days Mercedes exczema has flared up something chronic. It doesn't seem to be bothering her all that much, but she has big scaly red patches around both eyes and also behind her ears, and today it has spread up her earlobes and one patch on her ear is so raw that it was bleeding earlier

So I am on a mission to find something that will deal to it. I've got some hydrocortisone here which I might use to get her thru this bad patch, but I need to find some sort of moisturiser/ointment to use longer term.

I spoke to my uncle who is a naturopath today and he gave me some Vitamin E cream, but when I checked the ingredients it contains almond oil which I can't use coz of her allergies. He also told me that the pawpaw ointment I have been using is too harsh as it also contains citrus (and he said she may even be allergic to the citrus so it could be making it worse rather than better).

So tonight I have just put plain aqueous cream on it, and I am taking her to the GP on Tues to get her ear checked so will get her to look at the exczema as well, but I'm keen to know what other people use on their babies exczema/really dry skin? What have you tried, and what has/hasn't worked for you?

We got a tub of stuff prescribed by the doctor, why don't you ask your GP for a prescription for something?

Hmmm Im having the same trouble with Alize's skin. His ezcema on his face has flared up something shocking and I was using lipobase repair but to no avail so Im with you Ems and back to good old aqueous. Alize's face and neck is one big red patch and feels like sand paper. I think his has flared up due to all the chocolate I have been eating (naughty mum)!!! I will be interested to look into Elidel. I was suggested that with mum oldest daughter but lipobase works really well on her face and doesnt sting her. She is always reluctant to try new lotions and potions as almost all have stung her including aqueous and plain old emulsifiers.

Let me know Ems if you try the Elidel

Its called Aveeno. Its bath stuff that is good for the itchiness. I think there is a link from the littlies website to get a free sample.

Emma, just a thought when looking at new creams and the gremlins allergies, my nephew has very bad eczema, I also have/have had bad bouts and my youngest seems to be going that way. A lot of natural creams have manuka honey in them and we have found that honey is a trigger for my nephew's eczema along with eggs and many other things, but see if you can do a test patch befor buying too many things. I was talking to a rep from Natura Pharm (I think thats the name-blue & white packaging) at a parent & child show that porridge (oats) soaked water,wraped in muslin applied to the skin can help sooth the itch & I can also remember using pinetarsol mixed with cold milk used to sooth the insane itch that comes with eczema - again try a patch test not sure if you would get the same reaction from dairy if used externally. Someone else also suggested Colloidal Silver Cream which I found at a chemist & they had a tester jar and the two patches I trialed it on have cleared up within days so may be giving that a go next. Good luck on your mission, sorry about the rambling, let us know how you go
Kerryn

I think Rhyley has got ezcema on his face and a little on his body, it could be due to trying different foods at the mo having started on solids, thing is he is eat veges not fruit or dairy. he is also teething something cronic so maybe that too.
my daughter Brooke gets it, we just use steriod cream for her bad bits and any mosterizer thats going for her body, but I have ordered some hopes relief so will try that once it arrives and report back. Never tested her for allergies she is such a fussy eater as it is but does your dr refer you for the allergy test or do you have to pay for it yourself?
Also is anyone of you on the child disability allowance for their ezcema, I got told that you can get it for it which i was supprised at. so going to ring on tuesday and look into it as have to go to the dr anyhow.

So many suggestions! Something has to work!

Will definitely have a look at the link on Littlies, and have a look at the Hopes Relief. I'll only try one thing at a time tho to see how she goes, and will talk to the doc about the Elidel.

AnnC - I get the Child Disability Allowance for both gremlins, Sienna for her kidney condition and cows milk allergy, and Mercedes for the cows milk allergy, it helps cover the $62 a week for their formula and the cost of Sienna's doctors visits/scans etc. It's around $76 a fortnight.

Ta!

I used too - then I stopped having a child with allergies so let my sub lapse - I spose now is a good time to look at renewing it

Aw, man... not advice here but I really hope you win the battle, Emma!  Poor Mercedes.  (poor mum!!).  Bloody allergies.