My 2 yr old step son has eczema?

Question

and his mother refuses to get him a prescription for cortisone cream (due to the fact that they are steroids). Is there something else we can give him to help with the itching? He has very sensitive skin.

Answer 1

I also have eczema, due to my allergies. It is a very aggravating condition due to the itching. This is what the doctor told me to do to help care for it:

1. Wash with a mild soap (Oil of Olay is a very highly recommended one) and take baths in warm - not hot - water. Hot water tends to dry out the skin, as does soap.
2. Drink lots of water.
3. Keep out of the sun as much as possible (I am an outdoor sport type of person, so that one is a killer).
4. Over the counter cortisone cream does help with the itching in combination with the other things above.

The creams that are medicated do contain steroids, but they don't have a very harsh side effect. The only thing they can do (and it concerns me greatly) is cause the skin to "thin" out, which means it will "rip" easier, and rubs will be a little more serious than normal.

Have you spoken to the boy's doctor? He should have some ideas on what else to do. I would think a dr would not prescribe steroid cream to a two year old, but I don't know for sure. They went to medical school, and I didn't. But speak to the dr and find out what type of things you can do to help him. Also go onto www.webmd.com and look up the condition. It will explain the "disease" and some ways to help it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

My little boy had eczema on his cheeks. I was not sure what method to use but I didn't want to make my boy go through any surgery treatments at this young age. Some suggested a plastic surgeon since it was in a very visible location but our family doctor recommend this natural guide.

Best Eczema Treatment?

Answer 3

Gosh, would she feel better about the over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1%? That's what we use for our son. The cheapest place to get it is, of course, Costco.

Also, since we started giving our son daily oatmeal baths, his eczema has declined markedly--no kidding. It's as easy as it sounds. Buy a cheap store brand of oatmeal (just oatmeal, with no apples, brown sugar, or anything else in it). Put 1/4 to 1/2 cup in the tub with the bath. Don't do a special rinse after his bath. Whatever is in the oatmeal should stay on his skin.

PS Don't let him drink the water or eat the oatmeal when he's in the bath, of course. : )

Answer 4

Try some different hypoallergenic lotions, and maybe even pure aloe vera (test a small spot first, since those with sensitive skin can be allergic to aloe). Sadly, without the cream it's as much as you can do. You might also have to experiment with different soaps and detergents to make sure that you have nothing that aggravates his eczema. With my sister, even having the cream, it took a lot of experimenting and up to getting natural lotions, soaps, and other such before she found a good combonation that agreed with her.

Answer 5

My nephews also had eczema. They were told to use cetaphil cleanser. You can buy it in the drugstore and it is so mild it does not even need rinsing. They also make a lotion. Your step sons mom should take him to the Pediatrician and follow their advice. They can answer her safety questions about steroids. Sometimes the benefits can outweigh the negatives. You sound like a nice step mom. What a lucky little boy. :)

Answer 6

This is the combination that works for us. Goldbond Cream for extra-dry skin-you put in on when skin is still damp. Cetaphil cleanser and DHS shampoo. Both available without a prescription. Also, lukewarm baths and cotton clothing. No scents for detergents, fabric softeners,etc. You may also try calendula baby oil (amazon.com) recommended by pediatric dermatologist along with otc hydrocortisone cream.

Answer 7

I have had it since I was two years old and the only thing that actually gets rid of it is cortisone cream. Other things will take care of the symptoms, but will not cure it.

Answer 8

put oat meal in a stocking and dab it on the skin, try alveno lotion, hydro-cortizone over the counter it may not be strong enough but it may help, keep the skin moisturized with cooking oil, olive oil, vasoline


Hope this helps

ask her to talk to a dermatolgist and get educated because the the child maybe in more pain than she thinks

Answer 9

Ow, I had it for most of my life. My doctor prescribed petroleum jelly at one point. It works, but I had an allergic reaction to it. Try it, but only use a little bit at first. If it seems to work well, without any bad side effects, add more

Answer 10

Aveeno for the on the skin.
Benedryl for the allergies and itching.Check with the pharmacists to see if these are ok for a two year old.