3 yr old Son has Chronic Eczema...

AlabasterJar68

I would take him to am allergist my son has eczema and was diagnosed when he was only 3 months old. turned out he was allergic to everything but mainly rice and they put rice powder in everything, he also had allergy induced asthma.....he is now 13 yrs old and it is much better now i wish the best of luck because it is not easy to deal with

My son does suffer from acute asthma. I agree it is not easy to deal with, but he was able to participate in sports and other things so he was not inhibited as long as he was taking his albuterol treatments back in the day and now he is doing great!

Dovekat

I am not sure if this will be of any help or not but i remember watching a series on 4Od that covered food and different medical conditions one of them was Eczema another was psoriasis and i thought you might find the information useful. I'll give you a linc and perhaps it will be helpful. The episode's are 2 and 4. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-food-hospital/4od

alasin1derland

My son also had this issue as does my nephew, very severe with bleeding. Always cortisone cream is prescribed but it can cause thinning of the skin, we got an antibiotic cream to get it under control due to scratching was causing it to flare, then minimal cortisone cream but like someone else posted, slathered in vaseline petrolium jelly before bed, feels awful but makes a big difference. As he got older he used head and shoulders instead of soap to shower with, also seemed to help.

Ammydd

I don't know about diet, but both my girls have eczema. I found tha the more sun they get the better they got. You obviously need to make sure to use a safe sunscreen, but it really helped. They always got worse in the winter months.

diddyk

I had eczema as a child...right into adulthood. After my mom told by the family dr it was eczema and not a whole lot could be done, that was the end of it.

When I was old enough I started researching and seeing specialists on my own. It wasn't until arthritis developed that someone clued into psoriasis. I need immune suppressing drugs to keep it under control.

Hopefully diet changes and the Dermatologist can help your son.

mpaige1969

Find a good allergist---FOOD ALLERGY TEST---my son had it and also has asthma....he is 12 now and better but allergic to peanuts, eggs and shellfish....these type things usually go hand in hand....I would get him tested for sure!

ang83

The diet and seeing a naturopath definitely the best. The fish oil and probiotics good advice. The dermatologist may just give a cream and not look at diet. But I will still go see what he/she prescribes.

Definitely give the probiotics a shot. All three of my kids have mild eczema, and we seem to keep it under control with Greek yogurt on a regular basis.

twinmom01

My daughter had major excema - from the time she was a baby...she has small patches here and there while a baby and it got worse when she got older...

Two years ago it was the worse it has ever been - her arms and hands were cracking open and bleeding...our pediatrican and dermatologist just kept giving us prescriptions for steriod creams.

I did some reading and found excema can be a symptom of lactose and casien intolerance. So I made an appointment for a pediatric GI to have her tested - as she was also exhibiting some other symptoms (stomach aches and pains, gas). In the mean time I took her off all dairy...within a week of taking her off all dairy the excema was 100X's better...

We went to the GI and they did a boatload of blood tests and told me everythign came out fine...I had to insist on a hydrogen breath test, even though they told me the chances of testing positive after all the other tests were slim...I told her our family always seems to be the "exception to the rule" - so we did the test and sure enough - positive...So the lesson here is if you go this route to have him tested and you think it could be a lactose issue and all the other tests come out negative - DEMAND a hydrogen breath test. After we had recieved the results of the other tests the next thing the dr wanted to do was an endoscope to check for some certain bacteria in my daughters gut...I resisted that until I had confirmation from the breath test...

She was never a big dairy person...as a baby she was on soy forumula due to a possible milk protien allergy. When we did switch her to regular milk she didn't like and would only drink a little bit and would prefer water...she wouldn't touch cheese or yogurt UNTIL about 3-4 months before her excema got all out of control - then she had discovered cheese sticks, and yoplait yogurt - so she was having maybe 3-4 servings of dairy a day vs. the barely 1 she was used too and I think it just all built up in her system.

Looking back my husband and I could pinpoint certain things - for example she would complain of pains at bedtime - well when you are dealing with a small child you brush it off thinking they are stalling...looking back a lot of the times she complained bedtime was about 30-45 minutes after having a scoop of ice cream....

We switched out certain things - like for a beverage she drinks Almond Milk (in school they do provide lactose free milk...at home I find buying Almond milk is cheaper than buying lactose free milk) -We kept her fully off dairy for a month and then slowly allowed her to have dairy with a lactaid to see how she did - she did ok, but she knows that is not a cure all and she still has to watch the dairy intake...do for her ice cream is like 5-6 bites not a whole serving. and she stays away for the most part from things that are dairy heavy (cheese sticks, dairy yogurt) - there are a ton of options out there now a days - almond and coconut products (we stay away from soy products as I don't want to expose her to an over abundance of soy - especially as she is going through puberty right now)

She still has some execma but it is very minimal...almost like a dry patch - for her it seems to be mainly on her hands and arms and the crooks of her knees - but she will occassionaly get a small patch on other places on her body- but she does well with putting lotion on most nights (over the counter Cetaphal) and she will actually sleep in moisterizing gloves from time to time.

Certain times of the year can effect it more...dry weather and now during the summer she swims most days so it is important to really wash the chlorine off and moisturize her skin so it doesn't have the chance to dry out.

Definately take him off all dairy and see if that makes any difference in the execma...I would do dairy first and see what happens, rather then cutting both dairy and wheat at the same time - after 2 weeks of no dairy if it isn't any better then try cutting out wheat - that way you can see if it dairy vs wheat or neither...

snipes777

Eczema is an autoimmune condition in which the body (responding to leaky gut syndrome) can have a reaction to the skin. You need to resolve the leaky gut. Eliminate gluten, gluten-like proteins, dairy, legumes, nuts and seeds, nightshades, eggs, and everything with a peel. Take vitamin d and a probiotic. Raise protein and healthy fat. Most doctors know as much about nutrition as I do about the Ming Dynasty (which is to say not very much).

This is the auto-immune protocol paleo diet. It will help resolve the systemic inflammation. If yo want blood tests to confirm, take a C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and look for a number 1 or less as good.

Starting on page 22-23 of this podcast transcription helps to identify the autoimmune issues caused by leaky gut.

http://robbwolf.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/the-paleo-solution-episode-69.pdf

Page 17-18 of this one will help too.

http://robbwolf.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/the-paleo-solution-episode-70.pdf

Definitely correlative with the gluten and dairy. Once you eliminate that all for a couple weeks, you can re-introduce eggs, all veggies, eggs, nuts and seeds, nightshades and a very gradual basis. You should see some good improvement over that time, or find certain things that your son can't handle well.

Best of luck

nannabannana

BUMP I do not have the answers for you...but I have read about Organic Coconut Oil and it has a lot of believers. In fact , there are a lot of ideas. Goggle Organic Coconut Oil and read for yourself.....Delicious Obsessions is one I just read yesterday. Started putting on my skin. Good Luck. So sorry for the little one, our oldest Grandson had it and as he aged it did get so much better.

scotslass

I am completely overwhelmed by the support from you all, thank you so much!! It can be so frustrating and upsetting as he wakes up covered in blood from tearing at his skin, I even cut his nails right down and file the sharpness away but he still manages to do it.

From the doctor I have been prescribed Hydrocortisone which he has been on since he was one and with his body being covered I don't like applying hydrocortsone all over twice a day as it thins the skin with it being a strong steriod, he has an antibiotic steriod cream for when his skin becomes infected, I have banages for wet wrapping which I do every night, I have emulsifying barrior cream which i found just slid of his skin.

I haven't tried Vaseline yet so will give this a go. I have been using Almond oil which seems quite good and bio oil, but the inflamation goes away for a day at the most then comes back with vengence. I will be getting him tested for allergies just so I can rule out anything that may be making his skin worse. I think the Diet is the route for me to take as I have been trying everything skin wise for 2 1/2 years with no avail. I have copied the suggestions from each of you all and the links and I will be throwing myself into fully investigating every avenue, as we do for our kids!! To be honest if the Dermatologist gives me another steroid cream I don't think I will be using it as I can see his skin thinning on his arms and he is only 3 and a half.

It really makes me feel like I can breath knowing that others out there undesrtand what I'm going through. I know its not going to be easy with a new Diet but I have been explaining to him that the reason I need to do it is because the pain from his skin is really hurting him and he says okay mummy.....we will see what happenes I just hope he doesn't reject the food and ends up starving this is my big worry, I won't be giving in and giving himthe foods that hurt him.

Thank you for all your best wishes it really does mean a lot xxxx

impyimpyaj

It really makes me feel like I can breath knowing that others out there undesrtand what I'm going through. I know its not going to be easy with a new Diet but I have been explaining to him that the reason I need to do it is because the pain from his skin is really hurting him and he says okay mummy.....we will see what happenes I just hope he doesn't reject the food and ends up starving this is my big worry, I won't be giving in and giving himthe foods that hurt him.

Please don't worry about this. It won't happen. I promise you. He will not starve himself. I'll be honest with you, there might be an issue in the beginning, and if he's extremely stubborn he might lose a little weight, but he will not starve himself to the point of being sick. You will find things that he enjoys that won't exacerbate his eczema, and everything will be ok. Keep in close contact with his doctors to make sure he's getting everything he needs. Check to see if it would be ok to give him a vitamin supplement -- you might have to buy a specific one to avoid dyes or certain ingredients, but if there's something available that he can take, that will help put your mind at ease and help him stay healthier through this process.

I don't know how you do things at your house, but one thing that has helped my kids with their pickiness is the "one bite" rule. They don't have to eat everything on their plate, but they have to take one good bite of everything on their plate before they can be all done (unless it's something that I know they hate, or if they're sick or something like that). We don't fight about it, and there's no punishment, it's just something we do, and it's helped. And they have to try it repeatedly, even if they said they didn't like it last time. Unless it's something that gave them the shivers (my son is that way with carrots), they need to take one good bite of every item of food we have at each meal. They've found some new favorites that way. My son used to say he hated salmon, but now it's one of his favorites, simply because we've had him try it repeatedly to get past the initial "eww, a new food" reaction. Pickiness can be a problem for kids with food allergies, so you just need to gently help him over the hurdle. It will be ok. If he does start refusing to eat and the one-bite thing doesn't work, talk to his doctor about strategies to help him get comfortable with these foods. And if your doctor says anything to the effect of, "Who's the parent here?", then you need a new doctor. A doctor who isn't willing to help you solve the problem with love is not one you want to stay with.

thrld

here's something to think about, and please *discuss with your doctor* before trying.

It's inexpensive, easy to do and has been studied clinically by researchers, who ended the study early because of the positive results.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/news/20090427/bleach-baths-may-help-kids-with-ezcema

scotslass

It really makes me feel like I can breath knowing that others out there undesrtand what I'm going through. I know its not going to be easy with a new Diet but I have been explaining to him that the reason I need to do it is because the pain from his skin is really hurting him and he says okay mummy.....we will see what happenes I just hope he doesn't reject the food and ends up starving this is my big worry, I won't be giving in and giving himthe foods that hurt him.

Please don't worry about this. It won't happen. I promise you. He will not starve himself. I'll be honest with you, there might be an issue in the beginning, and if he's extremely stubborn he might lose a little weight, but he will not starve himself to the point of being sick. You will find things that he enjoys that won't exacerbate his eczema, and everything will be ok. Keep in close contact with his doctors to make sure he's getting everything he needs. Check to see if it would be ok to give him a vitamin supplement -- you might have to buy a specific one to avoid dyes or certain ingredients, but if there's something available that he can take, that will help put your mind at ease and help him stay healthier through this process.

I don't know how you do things at your house, but one thing that has helped my kids with their pickiness is the "one bite" rule. They don't have to eat everything on their plate, but they have to take one good bite of everything on their plate before they can be all done (unless it's something that I know they hate, or if they're sick or something like that). We don't fight about it, and there's no punishment, it's just something we do, and it's helped. And they have to try it repeatedly, even if they said they didn't like it last time. Unless it's something that gave them the shivers (my son is that way with carrots), they need to take one good bite of every item of food we have at each meal. They've found some new favorites that way. My son used to say he hated salmon, but now it's one of his favorites, simply because we've had him try it repeatedly to get past the initial "eww, a new food" reaction. Pickiness can be a problem for kids with food allergies, so you just need to gently help him over the hurdle. It will be ok. If he does start refusing to eat and the one-bite thing doesn't work, talk to his doctor about strategies to help him get comfortable with these foods. And if your doctor says anything to the effect of, "Who's the parent here?", then you need a new doctor. A doctor who isn't willing to help you solve the problem with love is not one you want to stay with.

Oh I will be trying this one bite rule thank you for sharing that with me :-) I am usually a too soft in the way that if he didnt like something I would cook up 2 / 3 more things instead, I don't plan on doing that this time around, so I am going in with a positive mind and thinking :-) My mum always tells me do not think he will starve, at the end of the day if he is really hungry he will eat what is put down to him, so I'm hoping this will be the case, I will be keeping snacks to a minimum before meals hopefully that will help too :-)

scotslass

here's something to think about, and please *discuss with your doctor* before trying.

It's inexpensive, easy to do and has been studied clinically by researchers, who ended the study early because of the positive results.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/news/20090427/bleach-baths-may-help-kids-with-ezcema

I will discuss this with the Dermatologist and see what she thinks, I must say I have never heard of this before, thank you for sharing x

ladyace2078

My daughter has sensitive skin, but not eczema. A friend of mine has a daughter that does have eczema. We both recently cut out red dye 40 (more for helping with behavior) and a great side effect in not only helping with behavior but was also helping to clear up their skin. Red dye 40 is in EVERYTHING so read labels carefully. Most natural foods use beet juice to get red so there are a lot of alternatives.

mmsilvia

I have severe eczema as well. I have delt with it from a young age. I def suggest a 'clean' diet ~ it truely helps. Also, for the late night itches oatmeal baths do the trick. Soak in a luke warm oatmeal bath. It's amazing. I have been known to take 2 a night. Also, keep his skin hydrated with fragrance free lotions. Use sensitve soaps like dove, when bathing. Also, maybe consider trying a different laundry detregent...try a frangrance free one.

I am no dr just an average person who has been in a similar situration so I would def see what the specialist has to say. It has taken me many years (and many different dr's advice) to get my eczema under control but, every know & then I still have a breakout.

Good luck to your son. Feel free to friend me or message me with any questions.

mindidily

My 2.5 year old son has bad eczema too. What a lot of good information! Mine has been seeing an allergist and we've got a few things down that are causing it (his biggest problem is dust mites). I never new about the dairy thing. The doctor never brought it up, though we are just starting this "adventure" and my son has some other issues we are discussing. Maybe I will have to find something aside from milk. Poor dude, he loves it so much...

As far as help comforting it, his primary doctor recommended we switch to Aquafor for his lotion and it's expensive, but seems to be working better than Aveeno was. I also put baking soda in his bath water when it gets bad. I also have a baby oil made by Shaklee that really helps with moisturizing, though it doesn't relieve his itching.

stephr2014

*BUMP* my 2yr. old also has eczema.

emmelean

I know what you are going through. My son (now 13) has eczema - since he was 3 months old. Once at the pediatrician's office, a woman came up to me and said, "What's wrong with your son?" The nurse that was with me said, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with her son!!!". He had eczema on his scalp down to his feet. He also has asthma and at that age, we didn't know how to deal with it. He was helicoptered to Oakland Children's Hospital a couple of times. Anyway, while he was in one of those hospital stays, a pediatric dermatologist came to see him. She advised us to bathe him daily-not with soap but to at least put him in water so that the moisture can go into his skin. Then before toweling off, she suggested to put a little baby oil on him. The blot him dry afterward. Then immediately after drying, put on a good moisturizer like Eucerin Plus (intensive repair? blue bottle cap). Also, suggested to moisturize 2-3 times daily. So we used to put on the Eucerin Plus in the morning when he woke up and after his bath. Doing these things really helped. Summers were the best - his skin seemed to clear up most in summer months but every winter/spring his eczema still flared up. It wasn't until he was about 6 years old that his skin cleared. Now that he is 13, he still has little flare ups but uses his steroid cream to keep it from getting worse. My daughter (she's 9) still has a lot of eczema on her joints, face, neck and behind her ear lobes. It just won't go away because she scratches at night and opens her skin. I feel your pain. We were there with both children when they were babies. When my son was 3, he once told me, "Mommy, we need a new Joseph." I said, "Why would you say that, Sweetie?" He said "Because my eczema makes me look bad." Made my eyes tear up when he said that. The Ped Allergist also told us never to use humidifiers because it's hard to keep those things clean. Just keep a big cup of water in his room during the winters and change/clean the cup daily. We did take Joseph to the allergist and found out all the allergies (nuts, seafood and lots of environmental allergies-lots of trees and also mold). Hang in there - it does get better as he gets older.