Eczema - 3.5 months old DS

My DS has terrible eczema on the backs of his legs. We only bathe them 2x per week, use all pure & clear, and he is on Alimentum formula.

Thanks,
Amy

 

This sounds like my son - I was going to suggest a food allergy test for a milk allergy, but I think your formula does not contain milk proteins.

My son had terrible eczema on his legs starting at a few weeks old. At every appointment I would talk to the pedi about it and he would chalk it up to "irritation" from his environment. When we moved away from formula and to all solids, the eczema got much worse. At the 12 month appointment, I asked for a food allergy blood test. It came back positive for a milk allergy. Within 3 days of eliminating milk products, his legs cleared up for the first time in his life.

Even though your baby is on Alimentum, perhaps there could be some kind of allergy involved (food or otherwise). I would discuss it with your pedi and ask for an allergy test.

 

I believe that all of the hypoallergenic formulas have either milk or soy (and 30-40% of milk intolerant kids have soy intolerance as well) -- it's just that they pre-process the proteins (casein) so that it's easier to digest. That said, eczema is most often a sign of allergies... so I'd agree with the pp.

dairy and soy protein are everywhere in most processed foods - so if this is the issue, watch labels carefully when you start solids. Most kids outgrow a dairy intolerance by 12 mo -- some a little longer. the time at which you identify the issue and deal with it has a big influence on when they can tolerate the proteins.

Teri D

 

I would also make sure that all his clothes, and sheets and blankets are washed with free detergent and free fabric softener. That always helped my guy out.

 

Hi Amy. Evan had terrible eczema on his legs as well - on this shins. We started to use Aveeno bath oil (as recommended by our doctor) and we put a thick layer of regular vaseline on his shins at every diaper change. We bath him every day, but always just a luke warm bath (luke warm baths are hydrating). We used prescription cream for just 2 days and then all of the bath oil and vaseline are keeping it under control. You can't even tell he ever had eczema now, even though it was red raw and bleeding before all of this treatment.

Also, I use Tide Free and an extra rinse cycle when washing the babies' clothes (and no dryer sheets). They wear 100% cotton clothing most of the time.

I know eczema can be stressful to deal with. It's hard to see your baby itching and uncomfortable (and it look terrible) but it seems to be controllable (knock on wood).

Good luck!

 

My singleton had it on her face/cheeks. Cleared up by about 6 months on its own. We tried various ointments, etc. I think time is the best thing, and keep it clean to avoid impetigo.

KS

 

:hug99: All my kids were food allergy, eczema babies. I used baby all detergent, had to avoid all dairy, soy, wheat, and eggs (while nursing)-them while eating. I used Alimentum and Nutramigen when supplementing (with the boys only). And, when it got bad, I would apply a little of the steroid cream. I bathed them 1-2 times/week also. But, the major help was a thing called Vanicream. You get it behind the pharmacy counter-but it's not a prescription. It worked better than aquaphor or eucerin did for all my kids. In fact, we still use it, and if it gets bad they still get a dose of the steroid cream (or even hydrocortizone-which is steroid as well).