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[tomgood]

Must be really difficult for you...

Because your son is exclusively breastfed, in theory he should be getting his immunity cues from you as you're saying. You don't have contact with milk - so that's out.

Have you perhaps considered eliminating some other common allergens such as grains - particularly gluten grains - soy and/or peanuts from your diet? He may not have specific allergies to these substances, but there are theories that gluten and some peanut proteins mimic other proteins in the body, causing the body to attack itself in certain circumstances - like in the case of eczema.

You'd have to make sure you were getting enough energy from other sources, of course - perhaps healthy fats. Might be worth a bit of internet research.

I've heard it work for some individuals with eczema (including myself) - but whether it could work mother to baby, I've really no idea.

[Treacle911]

Anna
The marriage divide is getting worse and is really taking it's toll, the lack of sleep is causing huge pressure on pur marriage. With regards to wet wrapping we are under a nurse at Frimley hospital who has shown me and I have tried it but seemed to make his skin worse and certainly didn't help him sleep. He has been on solid food for last week and seems to be a lot more settled during the dau and sleeps without mits on and doesnt scratch it's jut the night for some reason he keeps waking. As I type he is snoring away in my arms in my bed as he woke several times in his cot scratching his neck. We have a dietician appointment tomorrow which should be interesting an hoping they might shed some light on his allergy to dairy.

[Treacle911]

Kelly
Thanks for the reply it sounds
Like you had an awful time. How did you manage to get James an allergy test, my hospital have only done a basic one testing wheat, dairy and eggs but I wonder if there is something else triggering it as josh is not having any dairy through me. How did they do the test? We tried wet wrapping but he hated it and his skin seemed a lot redder in the morning so have not tried it again. Josh now has solids which seems to help him he appears a lot more settled and his skin seems beter, he sleeps well during the day without mits on we just can't seem to do it at night.

[Jimbob]

James's first allergy test was a RAST test. This is a simple blood test which is possibly what your son had done. James was tested for more foods though. Once we had eliminated the foods he tested positive it was easier to identify a food that was causing issues. We wet right back to basics at one point and basically weaned him again. It was a slow process but definitely worth it.

Wet wraps don't suit everybody. My son will not wear them now as does not like the feel of them. Have you tried dermasilk garments? You can get them on prescription but not all gp's are willing to prescribe them as they are expensive.

Lack of sleep is hard, people say you get used to it but not convinced so far. I think if you can get a decent nights sleep then things are easier to deal with but when you are sleep deprived things are so much harder.

I am so sorry your marriage is struggling. It is hard to deal with as having a baby/child with severe eczema does put a lot of pressure on a relationship.

Kelly x

[MooMoo]

My son is nearly two and a half and his itching gets so much worse at night, I find the only things that give him relief are a cool bath with some bicarbonate of soda (about two teaspoons) or seaweed powder, in it. It really cools the skin and reduces the itch, unfortunately it doesn't seem to last the night, but he does get a few hours of itch free quality sleep after it. We are just after a particularly bad night and he had a seaweed bath at four this morning, but he fell asleep right after, in his own bed (miracle) and slept soundly til nine this morning.

[AnnaB]

I may look at trying the seaweed. My son has gone to school today in wet wraps!! Tears and tantrums not a good start to any day. He has a dressing up day today with some out door activities!!! How to tackle a 6 year old who has to wear suits infront of his mates and avoid over heating. It is so hot out there today, wish I'd kept him home. School have had to phone me once today but I think he is ok.

[Jimbob]

We use aalgo which is a seaweed powder. It is not a miracle cure like some of the feedback claims but it does seem to help calm the itch a little.

Kelly x

[Becky Dennis]

yes seaweed does sound worth looking into. thanks for that tip.
On a separate note, Anna just wanted to say how amazing you are. It is not easy having 2 with eczema. And you are actually an inspiration to me. How do you do it? As i find i am really struggling with 2 with eczema. And mine aren't in wet wraps.

On another separate note (!) the baby had an allergic reaction yesterday to baby porridge. I'm going to as gp today for allergy testing. So will look up on posts now what the best sort is. I think she has a dairy allergy....
B

[Becky Dennis]

didn't mean to butt in this post with my random bits tho. sorry.
Treacle911 i hope you are doing ok.
x b

[AnnaB]

Hi

Thank you. It is tough - hard work with 2, it is relentless. But I have known no different. I often look at everyone else and feel they just don't understand. I have an amazing medical network. The nurse at the village doctors dressed Daniels finger 3 times last week and on returning today she called a doctor through to see him. His arms were cracking up under the wet wraps and his finger had become infected. So he is now on antibiotics for a week in the hope they will help. Appart from the antibiotics the gp said to carry on doing what i'm doing!!! Basically we are beyond their limits or understanding so he ran back to his patients!! The hospital have said I have a far better understanding than any GP which is good. Over the years I have learnt to ask for what I want and they tend to have to go with it as they are unsure. Failing that the hospital has great access and I will be contacting them tomorrow as they may have a better plan for the creams, wraps and suits. Our creams are the tools and the different ways we use them benefit long term eczema and short term flares. Just trying to be prepared and stay one step ahead is the best and only way I know.

Let us know how the gp visit goes to the food allergy, my daughter reacted to 1st spoonful of baby rice mixed with formula, other than that she was breast fed. You have to be strong and believe in the saying mother knows best. Write reactions down, time food eaten what else eaten in 24hrs and how long before the reaction happened. This is all important and my top tip would be to take photos. Every new doc/specialist I could then show the state the kids got in, plus this was very valuable for child care providers and schools so they took me seriously. Eczema in not just and itch and food allergies are more than a cramp.

Anna