My 4 month old has excema on her face I breastfeed is it an allergy,she crys alot for no apparent reason....?

Question

I have a two year old also she never had any similar problams... my four month old crys sometimes for no reason like she is in pain and has trouble falling asleep and staying asleep and sah has excema on her face and scratches it raw her eyes get very red and sore from the scratching also..I've tried vaseline and aquaphor...not really helping.. I heard it could be food allergys like dairy and I breastfeed the peditrition says she just has excema...but I cant stand seeing her suffer Please if you have any suggestions let me know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

My breastfed baby has eczema, and he used to scratch his face and forehead until he bled, too, so I know exactly where you are coming from. I don't think it's likely that it has anything to do with your breastmilk. An allergy to something in your diet would more likely manifest itself gastrointestinally in your baby (gas, diarrhea, constipation, spitting up, etc).

My pediatrician gave me a few different prescriptions for my baby's eczema that seem to work wonders for him. He doesn't scratch his face anymore, and he seems to be much more comfortable. One of them was liquid Zantac, which is an antihistimine that calms down his nerve endings, so that he doesn't itch as much. Then there is a very mild steroid cream that is safe for his face and diaper area (or anywhere he needs it, really) -- it is called Alclometasone (or Aclovate). I put this on his forehead when he seems itchy and also where his earlobes attach to his head (one of his trouble areas). He has some drops that I can put on his scalp if his head is itchy, a stronger steroid cream for his legs and arms if he develops a rash of dry, patchy spots, and even an oitment that I can put on his fingers at night while he is sleeping (he chews on them during the day, drying them out, but doesn't suck on them at night).

I guess my point is that there are medications that your doctor can prescribe for your baby's comfort, and if your doctor hasn't offered yet, you should ask about them. If he doesn't seem willing, get a second opinion. It might be that your baby can't have them, but it might also be that she can have them and your doctor just doesn't like prescribing medications for babies for some reason.

In case you haven't already discovered it, don't use Dreft. It will leave your baby covered in a rash if she has eczema (Dreft is loaded with fragrances). Use anything perfume and dye free (like Cheer Free, All Free, or Arm & Hammer Free, to name a few).

Also, my baby's dermatologist said to lather on the Eucerin Cream after baths (which should be limited to 3-4/week and no longer than 10 minutes).

Good luck, and don't settle until someone can provide some relief for your baby !!

Answer 2

Okay, I am NO doctor, but my 6 month old has gone through battles with excema. The first time she was 5 weeks old and after presenting with a sinus infection, regular loose bowl movements, and finally bloody diapers we found that she was allergic to whey protein (found in baby formula with a milk base). We did not try soy as we were told she might also be allergic to that so she is on Similac Alimentum. I know you breastfeed, but just think of how many foods you consume that conatin Whey protein. Okay, well the next appearance of the excema was after tring baby cereals. All of the other symptoms presented again, and we are still searching for the answer. So, far we have come up with gluten. Aside from rice cereal it is in everything like, rye, wheat, oatmeal, and barley. Again you may be intaking these ingredients and passing them on. It is worth asking about, but each child is unique. Aside from food products, I would be sure that you are using Free laundry detergent (no dreft)for everyone in the house as the baby rubbs against your clothing too (beware dry cleaning), and free baby washes, also change the sheets and such daily, but most of all keep loving that prescious gift and things will work out. Good luck, and let me know what comes of everything especially if you find out something that I might be able to use.
Take care

Answer 3

Just make sure you keep her face greased, at all times. Also make sure she isn't laying on people clothes without a receiving blanket because that irratates the skin also, try putting some baby mittens on her little hands and keep her nails clipped at least every two tho three days because they grow so fast. You can use Vaseline it's the same as the Aquaphor my pediatrition told me. Don't become frustrated, and don't hold her all the time because she crys. Be sure to get the mittens and keep the Angel greased. Be Blessed

Answer 4

Dairy is a definate issue with eczema. Wheat is another culprit. The only way to tell is to eliminate the foods and see if it gets better.

My son has a dairy-allergy that causes congestion, so ive been there. I have a girlfriend who had a nursling w/ eczema and it turned out to be a reaction to dairy.

If you want some advice on eliminating dairy, feel free to email me. Or, the "health and healing: allergies" board on www.mothering.com has alot of info about allergies.

Answer 5

excema can be painful and irrating for a small infant i imagine she crying because the itching and pain from it are brothersome. try oatmeal lotion and also try excema cream that the doctor can precbribe. regardless of where it comes from it still has to be treated and the best way is threw excema creams and oatmeal lotions you can also try calmea lotion not aure with her age if u can or not but u can get prescription creams for this and she should feel more comfotable and not suffering. hope this helps.

Answer 6

all of my kids have the same prob so listen up this will save you i promise -first- bath before bed with aveno powder and baby bath- second- go to your doc and get-an alergy medicin 1/4 tespon before bed(zyrtec syrup)- third- cover those hands untill it starts to work-fourth- mix the protroleum jelly or ucerin with hydrocortisone cream(don't listen if they say not to it has always worked for me with no bad effects) rub it everywhere becuase this stuff can and will move it will show up everywhere next take milk ,eggs,soy(hard because everything has it ), shelfish, and peanuts out of your diet then start slowly moving them back in till you find the culprit that is making the baby itch with the alergy med it will be less of a problem most importantly do not stop breast feeding and if you have to use nutramigen to supliment becuase babies will suck to get comfort and for hevans sake hold that baby you can look it up a baby under 6 months old cann't be spoiled they need you to hold them I mean she just got here and if you have a fealing that's telling you to pick up your hurting itching little girl than do it its even been proven to help premitur babies grow and heal faster and add that to the milk you provide you are the cure for this little girls problems just to prove a point my baby is sleeping therw the night and gets mad when you wake him for a changing and his whole body is just like your baby's checks plus he has psoriasis and eczema trust me its bad and it took a long time for me to figure this out with my first one good luck and hold that baby -don't use any other lotion besides aveno or patrolium jelly or ucerin it hurts there skin

Answer 7

My 7 month old son has eczema on his face and is breastfed, neither my health visitors or my GP are concerned. He scratches and makes himself bleed and I too am heart broken that nothing can be done. I apply Sudocrem and this seems to sooth it between flare-ups, but apart from this all we can do is hope that he grows out of it.

Answer 8

Take her to the doctor, they should be able to give you special cream for her excema, and check her out, there may be something else bothering her that is not obvious to you!

Answer 9

oilultim for bath and johnstons baby powder after bathing worked for my wee boy if not e45