please can someone help!!!!

[ethan2011]

Hi,
Am new to this forum so will explain
My son is 6 months old at 8 weeks he started with eczema on his hands, I got give some cream which helped clear it but then it started to spread to his face,neck then legs and feet, at the sametime he developed a milk allergy having has symptoms internally. He was put on nutramigen as he is formula fed and given avenoo bath oil and cetraban. His internal problems settled nearlly instantly on the new formula but his skin took a bit longer, I chucked out all his baby products, changed the wah powder to sercare, and bought new baby gros. I was managing to control his skin, the odd flare up would occur when in contacr with other poeple who has washed their colthes normally or had purfume or itchy clothing but it wasnt to bad.
Well a couple of weeks ago I had a appointment with the health visitor who said I needed to commence weanin, I was terrified but went ahead starting with sweet pataoes, bananas and other fruit and veg. When I went back to tell her how he was doing she said I needed to give him a more varied diet and she suggested trying yogurts and meat!!, I tried yogurts and it went through him, tried wheatabix that made his poo green (sorry) he has been having strawberries mixed with bananas which he loves but now his skin is so bad its reduced me to tears. So basicly can anyone advise??? Im off to the docs this friday as I cant let him carry on like this he is contantly scrathing and making him self bleed the bad patch on his leg oozes and I just feel like giving up, should I just stop feeding him food for a bit??? Im so close to breaking I dont know what to do, he so young and the itching drived him crazy.
Sorry this is so long im desperate.

[Pencoll]

Hi, I've been there! My son is 6 1/2 has many food allergies and eczema as well as another skin condition. My advice is keep a food dairy, you will soon see things that affect him. I steered clear of dairy and fish and egg as we knew we couldn't have them. I found that some things mixed with others affected the skin and tummy but on their own were ok. It's perseverance and I promise that things get easier. Don't dispair your a great mum who is doing her very best. Hugs hun and chin up!

[ethan2011]

Thanks Pencoll,
Feel a bit better today about it, its just so draining at times isnt it.
I was under the impression that eczema would come and go, but it has never completely cleared. Do you still have problems now????, I cant imagine going 6 years with this u must be so strong, guess its what parents do and just adapt to it.
Thanks again, and if u think of anything else it will be greatly appreciated.

[Pencoll]

My boys has never gone completely, it's just a case of managing it, I have tried many different things from various providers. What work for us it a complete ban on all mineral oils, lanolin, sodium lauralates and parabens. Also we find that vitamin e is irritant. As a baby I used the cath kitson's baby range and the bottom balm was fab, it's trial and error I'm afraid. My best advice is don't dispare and it will become so natural and part of your normal life that you will be amazed. I promise x

[ethan2011]

Thankyou . X

[Marcie Mom]

Hi Ethan,

Eczema does come and go and what you think may be affecting his flare-ups may not be the cause at all. Best thing I can recommend as a quick guide is to get your child an allergy test - skin prick test is a good start if he has skin that is free of eczema.

In the meantime, Pencoll's tip to keep a food diary is good. See the post for common allergic food
http://eczemablues.com/2012/03/dr-sears ... et-part-2/

Moisturize, lots - I moisturize 500ml for my baby weekly. Choose one with as few of the top allergen as possible, see this post for the allergens
http://eczemablues.com/2012/02/sensitiv ... -to-avoid/

Don't use soap, use bath oil instead and moisturize immediately. Steroid, if you have, can be used, see this post for steroid strength and guideline of how much to apply
http://eczemablues.com/2011/04/is-steroid-cream-safe/
http://eczemablues.com/2012/03/friday-d ... oid-cream/

Hang on there, keep moisturizing, enjoy your child as much as possible!
Tweet @MarcieMom if you need an ear & arm!

[ethan2011]

Thankyou both off you.
I wasnt sure I would get a response.
I will look at the links now and will let you know what the doc says tomorrow.

On a good note he can sit unaided for about 10 mins now!!! And I still get a big smile every morning.

Im sooo glad I joined this site!!!.

Thanks again

Xx

[crossmyfingers]

On a good note he can sit unaided for about 10 mins now!!! And I still get a big smile every morning.

I know how you feel, I see my boy like that every morning and I dread the thought of going back to work

Sorry if this is a late post, but I've read strawberries is not good for eczema. I haven't fed my boy strawberries yet but when I did eat them while I was still breastfeeding, his skin would flare up. So i'm totally avoiding strawberries, for now.