Question About Excema

Have you tried Epson Salt Baths.......my son gets breakouts on his elbows and we give him epson salt baths everynight and then when he gets out we put Cetaphil on the elbows........when it is inflamed bad I also have the Steroid cream but this last time I did not use it and used the new Cortizone 10 for Ezcema.......took a few extra days to clear up but it did clear up. Also try to see the allergist as it can be food related. My son gets his worse breakouts if I give him to many eggs......like everyday but if I rotate the eggs we are fine.
Hope that helps

Sounds like this may be more psoriasis than just plain excema. I have the scaling on my scalp as well at times and the only thing that works is shampooing with 2% ketoconazole (prescription nizoral) and then using the Luxiq (also Rx, but soooo worth it!) on my problems spots.
I agree with others, that this is probably an allergy and she should be screened for that by an allergist. Good luck!

I recommend that you consult with a dermatologist and/or an allergist.

I also want to suggest that you stop being concerned about what people think. What they think is their problem. Your concern is for the health and well being of your child. When you add concern for what other people think to her already knowledge that she is different you are increasing her insecurity. Even if you don't say it out loud to her she can sense your anxiety. Learn how to be secure in the sense that you and your children are OK, that you're doing the best that you can, and what other people think does not matter. The people who know and love you know it's eczema and do not react thinking it's lice or anything else contagious.

You may need to do some reading, exercises and/or talk with a counselor so that you can increase your own sense of worth and let go of the idea that what people think is more important than what you do.

Try using castor oil by Premier Research Labs on her scalp at a time that is not shampoo time, as it is a gentle healer and gentle detoxifier. Then the same company offers a shampoo and conditioner that are safe for use and gentle, non-toxic and non-everything. They are available at healthcare practitioners only. My next suggestion is to help relieve your daughter's eczema by doing some nutrition therapy. She likely has an 'overloaded' kidney, (taking 1-3 capsules of kidney complex a couple weeks may remedy that) and then after the kidney is strong, you can use COQ and HM nano by the same company and get relief. For more permanent and precise healing, schedule a 1:1 consult and get her a custom healing program and she can be eczema free in 1-3 months - then you won't have to worry which shampoo or soap you use as she'll be the healthiest kid on the block.

Sincerely,
J. Eltman, MPH, RD
www.CreativeNutrition.com
Preventive &Therapeutic Holistic Healthcare
###-###-####

My husband suffers from a similar condition that makes his scalp flake. After 15 years of battling it, the tried and true for him is a prescription mousse like medication applied to the scalp. It's called Luxiq. I'd ask your pediatrician or dermatologist about it. Even with insurance, it's 65 bucks, but he was miserable with the flakes and itching.

Good luck!

I agree with getting her tested for allergies. I also agree with trying to treat her nutritionally.
Now, I can't say that I have experience with eczema, but I have a history of irritated dry skin. One thing that helped me immensely is taking Flax Seed Oil. Just one capsule a day. It has changed my life! No more itching after a hot shower, I can swim in a chlorinated pool without fear of the crazy itching that comes with it, cut down the amount of lotion I use (though I still use it), just more comfortable in my skin! :)
Of course, asking her Dr. before hand is always recommended.
Is she drinking enough water? I'm sure you know our bodies need a lot of water, but for me, dry skin is always an indicator of when I have neglected drinking enough water...especially my lips.
I hope this helps and that you find relief or her soon!
lb

Have you had her tested by an allergist? My son has eczema and it's a food related allergic reaction (eggs and peanuts). If he gets into anything with these ingredients, his eczema flares up. It might help to treat the allergy by removing the allergen instead of worrying over the eczema.
Having said that, kids with eczema have extremely sensitive skin. Eliminate all dyes and fragrance from shampoos, lotions, soaps, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, etc. And absolutely NO bleach. As for an allergy free shampoo, I am a fan of California baby shampoo and body wash. It's completely all natural and you can get it at Target. It's expensive (about $11.00 a bottle), but a little goes a long way. Hope this helps.

what if you tried washing her hair with the soap your FIL makes and then conditioning with natural products like avocado, mayonnaise, etc.?? It might help cuz there's less chemicals?? Sounds tough! Good luck!

There is something called "Florasone" cream... which is an all natural "cortisone" type cream... but not steroidal. It is the natural equivalent to hydrocortisone cream.

Here is a link about it:
http://www.amazon.com/Boericke-Tafel-Florasone-Cream-crea...

I used this for my son recently for a rash he had... and it really helped.
I read about this cream from another MamaPedia poster, I think it was Peg M.

You can also find it at Whole Foods... but my store locally had run out of it, so I got mine online... Amazon has it or E-bay.

Just as an FYI: my Mom has eczema... and for her, it is Oatmeal/oatmeal foods, and citrus type foods that makes her have breakouts. So if she avoids these things, she never gets her eczema flare-ups.

All the best,
Susan

Dear B.,

I applaud you for all you have done and continue to do and really do think that your choice to use a natural cleansing product and cutting the hair shorter are very good decisions for her.

I know eczema and other skin rashes are a few of the ways our body talks to us and lets us know there is some kind of deficiency. How long has she been using the steroid cream? Has she been on other meds as well? How often does she go on antibotic? Has her liver been tested?

It maybe an overgrowth of yeast within her system that permits this eczema to continue. Pay attention to what is happening in and around her when the eczema gets worse...is she eating more sweets/junk foods? less sleep? is she stressed more? Definitely what we put on our skin has a direct effect on the health of our skin.

I am a Health and Wellness Advisor for the last 16 years and much of what I learned about the body was NOT out of a book but due of my own health challenges and disabilities. I have my health back and life is enjoyable again.

I would be glad to talk to you at length and in greater depth; i.e., diet, sleep, allergies and other health problems, to help find a solution.

There is no charge for the consultation.
If you desire you can reach me at ###-###-####.

S. R

try applying the steroid cream and lightly covering it with vaseline. try it on her scalp also , just part her hair and apply lightly , avoid rest of hair and keep her hair pulled back in a ponytail. you can google vaseline use for eczema I saw some positive comments about it. My mother does this with my daughter who has eczema. She applies the steroid cream then puts on vasline at night to hole the moisture in her skin. by morning her spots are cleared up, but she doesnt have it really bad. Give it a try.

http://www.google.com/search?q=eczema+shampoo&rls=com...

http://www.puraderm.com/eczema-treatment-shampoo.php

Anything that is completely natural is going to help immensely.

http://www.itching-remedies.com/ (I personally love this brand)

You need to do a lot of research and find out what things you can include in her diet to help turn this around, as well as what things you should leave out. I would seek the help of a nutritionist, as well as study up yourself. Here is one link to get you started:

http://eczema-natural-healing.com/eczema-diet.html

Use the soap in her hair and follow it with a nice conditioner :) I have had severe eczema my whole life, and the best thing that works for me is hydrocortizone cream. It's about $3 for the big tube of it. Spread thinly on the infected areas overnight, especially after a bath. The kind of eczema you are describing in your daughter is called seborrheic eczema. It is commonplace for seborrheic dermatitis to inflame the face at the creases of the cheeks and/or the nasal folds and the scalp. Overbathing can worsen the eczema, so try every other night so it won't dry out her skin. Ask her pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric dermatologist to help clear up her skin. My son inherited my eczema, and his doctor was able to prescribe a cream that cleared it up almost indefinitely!

Have you tried not shampooing as frequently? I have eczema and only shampoo my hair every 2 to three days. I scrub my scalp with just water and a little conditioner on the off days (go the idea from a book called Curly Girl). It really seems to help as there's less irritation and I don't have stinky head (I've asked others to verify!).

I dont want you to think that I'm trying to sell you something, but I babysit for a little boy that has exzema breakouts and his mother uses a vitamin e cream that i sell for him and it soothes him more quickly. It may help. You can also put it in her hair on the scalp to soften the skin. If you are interested please let me know. ____@____.com

Consider that what goes IN the body rather than what goes ON the body might be the culprit, therefore if you change what goes in, you will get different results on the outside. I have been doing some research on raw food and drinking more water, and have heard a couple speakers on the subject. It really is simple. One lady got rid of her cervical cancer, excema, and lost 85 pounds!

If you can get access to Melaleuca products they have a lotion called renew that works great for eczema. My son and I both use it. They also have an original shampoo that is made with the melaleuca oil that should work for the eczema. I use the shampoo on a daily basis.

Use the special soap, then condition with whatever makes it feel good. Also, go see a dermatologist. There are great treatments for eczema that don't involve steroids. There are diet recommendations, prescription medications, UVA and UVB light boxes, over the counter products (is your child taking an antihistamine every night?- she probably should be), lists of chemical contact triggers to aviod... a dermatologist can give you great information and a whole "plan of attack" for your child's treatment.

Having worked in dermatology, I can attest to the efficacy of UVA and UVB light exposure in relieving pediatric eczema. It makes a HUGE difference and it totally safe. It's not the same kind of light that causes sunburn. Check into it.

try using it on the weekends or when you get a couple days where she doesn't have to be anywhere...try what someone else said, using the special soap, then using a nice conditioner. have you tried using the soap, then using a detangler/leave in conditioner? just some suggestions...

it sounds like she is one of the many kids out there with a chemical sensitivity. My son was one of them too. he would also get "eczema" patches and we also tried all the creams and lotions. you already use a natural soap, so you know how much that helps to just cut out caustic chemicals. That is what helped my son too. the problem is, she is still surrounded with caustic chemicals in other ways. Her sheets have them on them from washing in detergent or fabric softener, or her shampoo, or hand wash, from using a cup from the dish washer. Unfortunately, the stuff is just everywhere. We had to make a total switch with our son and it cleared right up. one cheek occasionally chaps up, but just a little lotion clears it right up. I buy all of our stuff online now. i dont know how you feel about buying your stuff online, but check out http://www.HealthySafeAndClean.com they have a lot of good info on chemical sensitivity and you can request information through there to get info on caustic chemical free products that are a lot cheaper then the naturally based stuff at the store.