Here's my thoughts/plan...keeping in mind she only has two little spots of actual eczema and not even much dry skin at all - her skin is well moisturized and the eczema itself heals up with the cream I got from the doctor (not a cortisone treatment). It just seems to be all over itching during the night with little itching during the day, save for the spots on her elbow pits.
- Get sensitive detergent. This is the first step I think, because it doesn't seem to bother her as much in the day as it does at night. I already took down her bumper pads in an attempt to have less material at night (even if I found her arm stuck this morning and her screaming about that...but that's another story!). I'm going to rewash all her sheets and pillow cases in the sensitive detergent and go from there.
- I also bought some cream called Galactan (?) base to moisturize with. It's the cream base they put into prescription cream sans any prescription. We're going to try this out for moisturizing along with coconut oil once I get the chance to pick some up.
I really do appreciate all your suggestions. Thanks for supporting this (tired) mama.
kortney elise xoxo
4 comments:
Not that you are going to try anything else yet, but just putting it out there. I am in the freaky camp (kind of like the rear-facing car seat camp) where I think downing gallons of cows milk isn't such a hot idea. This is for a variety of reasons, mainly that milk constipates my kids. They both eats tons of cow based yogurt and cheese and we cook with milk all the time, but it's not what goes in their sippy cups. They both drink either unsweetened vanilla almond joy or forified vanilla rice milk. Just giving you some soy free options. I know its freaky, and that Alexys is more than likely fine drinking milk, just thought I would share. I didn't think I would ever be this freaky.... :)
LOL - nah, you're not that freaky. I agree with you most of the time so guess I am a freak too! I've heard bad things about cows milk too...but I don't think we're ready to face the alternatives at this point. It doesn't change or diaper or make her "spit up" or anything so we're good with it...but it does linger in the back of my mind as a thought of an allergy at times. And I'm also pretty sure that once we phase out the bottle, her milk consumption will slow - she only really drinks alot when it's in her bottle!
I would definitely try the almond joy and even mentioned that to my mom today BEFORE your comment!!!
I've heard that bathing in colloid oatmeal helps to soothe itchy and irritated skin. I haven't personally tried it, but its a natural remedy that might be worth a shot.
Almond milk is great by the way, I have been lactose intolerant for the majority of my life and it is my favourite out of all the milk alternatives I've tried. Although I can now drink milk on a daily basis in *moderation* - i.e in cereal or coffee, or a small glass.
As a child and now and adult who has suffered from eczema, stress is a big trigger for it. Is there something that is upsetting her? That may be causing some of it, although I am sure at 18 months it is unlikely, however you never know. Allergies were a catalyst for some of my flare ups, particularly grass and cats. The trick is to keep it moisturized. You may at some point have to rely on a steroid based cream, but I think the side effects outweigh the benefits. The key is to get the patch to clear up before the cells change and become damaged. After a person has a patch of eczema for say more than a month it is often permanent. I have it on the tops of my feet. While it does go away, the cells are so damamged that the memory of the cells will never likely completely heal.
Reducing the amount of time spent in hot water is also very beneficial. Creaming up her entire body after a bath can soothe the itch. One thing I have found lately is by drinking copious amounts of water, my skin is much softer and therefore I avoid eczema breakouts.
Hope this helps, from someone who has suffered longterm from eczema.
~Celia's Friend
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