What is the best way to treat eczema?

Question

My 9 month old has developed eczema on her back and chest. We think it was from a reaction to laundry detergent. Any advice would help....Thanks!

Answer 1

I have suffered from eczema all of my life,so I have 40+ years of experience in this matter. First thing is to get your baby properly diagnosed by a doctor .There are many medications out there,one being hydrocortisone cream,the others non-steroidals called Protopic and Elidel. There may be a higher rate of occurrence with skin cancer with the use of Protopic and Elidel,so I'd go for the more traditional hydrocortisone until medical studies have concluded that Protopic and Elidel are safe.What you can do in the meantime,is to not use soap on your baby's skin.Use Cetaphil Products instead;they have a line that includes bar cleanser,lotion cleanser,lotion,cream lotion and moisturizers. Also good for itchy skin is an oatmeal bath;use Aveeno. Stay away from highly scented products,including baby lotions which are not great for sensitive skin. Stay away from lanolin products.Stay away from highly scented detergents and softeners. Dress your child in cotton or very soft materials and keep woolens away from the skin;a person with atopic dermatitis/eczema,can wear woolens as long as they do not touch the skin.We do this by wearing liners,camisoles,tee shirts.

But do go to the doctor!

I'm giving you a list of sources to look up.

Answer 2

My 2 year old daughter has a severe case of ezcema since she was 4months. Right now I use MSM Lotion, Tea Tree Oil soap, Eucerin Cream, and 1/2 cup of bleach in her bath water. The bleach helps kill of the bacteria on the skin that flare up the eczema.
You also may want to think about help treating the ezcema from within your body by taking Evening Primose Oil supplements & drinking Aloe Vera juice. Don't give her a lot of juices, if so dilute it with water.

Answer 3

I am 25 and a pharmacy technician and have had eczema since I was 12. Right now I just have ezcema on my legs and hands. Every time I expose them to water, or shave it gets really itchy and I break out in a rash.

It wounds like your son may just have sensitive skin, try a product at the pharmacy or even ask your pharmacist about 'Zinc Oxide' which can be used for diaper rash so it is safe for babies, this product is available at the pharmacy and may work. If this doesn't work I would consult your physician. I know that I am not a doctor but I asked my doctor about whether or not tanning or exposure to sun light would help and she said that she had heard that it would help but not over exposure and not while on medication that asks you to avoid the sun or tanning. I have found that the vitamins that you get from the sun light works. Plus, I soak in not too hot of water, in espsom salt that you can get at the pharmacy, and the doctor prescribed me 'elocom cream' which I find works really well.

Answer 4

The primary goal of treatment is to relieve discomfort by controlling the signs and symptoms. Since eczema is usually dry and itchy, most treatment plans involve applying lotions, creams, or ointments to keep the skin as moist as possible. The treatment plan also may require lifestyle modifications and using medication as directed. A topical (applied to the skin) medication may be prescribed to help relieve itching and inflammation. Another way to treat the itch is with a non-sedating antihistamine. If itching is severe, a sedative antihistamine may be recommended. Skin infections caused by bacteria, such as staphylococcus aureus (staph) or streptococcal (strep), are treated with an antibiotic. Some antibiotics are applied to the skin; others come in pill or liquid form. An antiviral is prescribed to treat an infection caused by a virus. The antiviral medication may come in topical, pill, or liquid form. It also may be given as a shot. An infection caused by a fungus is treated with an antifungal medication.

Answer 5

My son was born with it. From what I understand, there is nothing to treat it. The pediatrician says constant moisturizing. She said I could use Cortaid for my 2-year-old if it's really itchy (He can scratch till he bleeds, even in his sleep.) but not on the face. It's not recommended for children less than 2. I used the pink detergent especially made for babies. (I can't remember what it is now.) That may help especially if she didn't have it before. Don't use detergent with bleach in it. Sorry it isn't more help.

Answer 6

I've had eczema since i was a baby and that was 15 years ago. we have done all kinds of treatments usually on babies they don't use steroid medication but sometimes they do. use aquaphore or eucerin to keep the skin moisturized or with me they did the wet pj treatment where they just had me soak in tub with nothing in it and then they get my clothes wet and put them in the dryer to keep warm. then they put my medication or eucerine to keep the skin moisturized that way the moisture is still on the skin all night. it helped a lot and then i control it with non scented lotions and my medication check ya later ♥

Answer 7

My kids have eczema i use ELOCON for their skin maybe you should as your child's pediatrician

Answer 8

make sure your child drinks plenty of water. i use aveeno products on my 4 year old and they work pretty good.....