3 yr old Son has Chronic Eczema...

Haven't had time to read all the replies but both of my girls have had severe eczema in the past. What has worked for them is a good quality emollient cream that also helps to rebuild the skin's barrier. They both have steroid creams for if the eczema flares up or gets inflamed, but they are not the main part of the treatment - the emollient is. Most emollients prescribed by doctors only moisturise the skin, but this is not enough. Bearing in mind that there are different types of eczema - in many cases it's caused by the skin barrier lacking a protein which makes the skin barrier water soluble, and so it washes away in water, leaving the skin open to allergens and bacteria etc. The solution lies in rebuilding and protecting the skin's natural barrier, which is what a good emollient cream does. The ones that worked for my kids are: Unguentum M (that's the name it goes by in the UK) and Cetaphil mositurising cream (the one we buy in Saudi) - these are quite thick creams, and they moisturise while also starting to build up the skin's natural protective layer. They don't contain any actual drugs/medicines, they're a particular mixture of oils. Baby Sebamed extra soft baby cream also works in a similar way but is not as thick/strong.

For both of them, steriod creams (hydrocortizone + antibiotic, the one we used is called fucicort) were used when it was severe, in addition to the emollient, then as the eczema calmed down, the steroid cream was stopped and the emollient used regularly

in addition: we don't bath them too often, we use eczema friendly skin products only (baby Sebamed is the brand that we use) and keep alkaline things away from the skin. Most soaps, bath products wash products are alkali, and this will strip away the skin's barrier which is already weak in someone who has eczema. People with strong skin barriers can use these products, but even they may experience some drying with excessive use. So we stick to products that are designed for eczema, and all these are pH balanced and are formulated to protect the skin barrier rather than stripping it away. When towel drying, we pat them dry, rather than rubbing (again to protect the skin's barrier). The older one was allergic to dairy and eggs but has grown out of the allergies, she is still prone to eczema if she uses the wrong kind of soap (something we have to watch because she'd rather use the same pink nice smelling soap as her friends, the baby sebamed one is white and doesn't smell of anything much!!) - the younger one has food allergies as well but she comes up in hives shortly after eating them so they're easy to identify, compared to (say) a child where the allergy comes on several hours later and you don't know what caused it.

I hope this helps, it does depend on the type of eczema, and all the above was following the advice of dermatologists (not GPs who generally prescribe the same creams for any kind of eczema without understanding the different types and which creams are best for which type, which part of the body etc (your skin is not the same all over your body)) - there are many different types of steroid creams of varying strengths and some with other added medicines, plus there are many different kinds of emollients and the dermatologists I've spoken to say that the core treatment of eczema is in having the right emollient cream, and this has certainly proven to be true for us. I also used to get really bad eczema which has cleared up following the same advice as this, but with different creams to my kids (because I'm an adult). The emollient creams can be bought off prescription as they don't contain any actual medicine, only oils, but it's probably best to see a good dermatologist as there are different kinds of eczema and many different kinds of creams.

Agree with everyone who suggested an elimination diet.

Also a child's Omega 3 can really help as well.

Vitamin D is worth checking out, like others suggested.

Has he ever had thrush or had antibiotics or anything? Sometimes a child's probiotic can be beneficial (don't just give him yogurt if you're trying to figure out allergies. Look into an actual supplemental form).

I would also have him evaluated for possible digestive issues - Some IBD and IBS sufferers report problems with Extra-Intestinal Manifestations such as Excema or Psoirisis.

I get AWFUL eczema on both my hands- nowhere else. I've used 2 perscriptions- flucinalone (sp?) with some success, but it's very much like vaseline in texture. Right now I'm using Clobetasol (again, sp?), which is more like a lotion, it's like a .02 steroid. Avoid anything scented! I cannot stress this enough. I use detergents that say 'for sensitive skin' on them. Curel lotion is amazing as well!

I hope you find the help you need. I was lucky, my daughter had eczema from 2months and it was HORRIBLE blood, scratching I had to sleep with her in my arms because she'd never stop. I took her to a dermatologist and she told me it was infantile ezcema and she'd grow out of it. I've heard of it being related to allergies and have yet to find her with any. She's now 2 and has completely grown out of it at about 12 months of age. Once in awhile if she gets really hot she breaks out (like dry heat in the winter) but no allergies and she eats EVERYTHING drinks EVERYTHING.. But I feel you're pain on the bandaging them up etc, some of my family wouldn't even pick her up because they felt so bad for her. Goodluck!!

I had it bad as a kid and still have some major patches on the backs of my legs and folds of my arms... The best thing you can do is 1) keep her skin moisturized... Neosporin makes an eczema therapy lotion that works GREAT !!... its a bit pricey but the relief shell get is WELL worth the money ... 2) and this one is easy ... Get her out in the sun ... The dermatologist told me sun is the BEST thing for my skin .. Not that youll go to this extent but if I get a good sunburn ,,, Im totally clear for about 2 weeks..

Hope this helps

Hiya, I work with a health and wellness company that specifically helps people with problems like eczema. I've been doing this for 4.5 years. I'm so sorry your son has this condition...it's not fun to deal with. But if you make some changes and stick with it I promise you will see results.

First of all - you need to switch your laundry products to natural products. Chemical residue left on clothes after washing can cause skin irritations.

Also, switch all shampoos and soaps that he uses to natural products.

Also, you'll need a good lotion that has been proven to work with eczema.

He needs a GOOD multivitamin - they are not created equally. Most vitamins on the market today crystallize during digestion and your body cannot absorb them. Centrum, one a day, GNC, Flinstone's, etc...these have been proven in recent research to have less than 10% absorption!!! A good vitamin and good healthy eating will boost immune system. Problems with immune system have been something found in many who suffer from eczema.

So shop around, ask about their absorption rates and ask for info and research to back that up. Otherwise you are wasting your money... In one end, out the other

I would also suggest to keep afood diary for him. Pay attention to the severity or improvement...many times skin irritations can be linked to food intolerances or allergies...Talk with your DR they can do allergy test to know for sure.

Hope that helps!!

I know you're asking about food and I am so sorry I don't have a reply for you on this matter but my little grand-nephew also suffers from it- I can check with his my niece to find out what she feeds him (he is about 4 now). I know she indicated she had some pretty good results from using African Black Soap to bathe him and then she uses Cetaphil cream as a body lotion. The Cetaphil is the one in the jar not the liquid-you can find it in Walmart or Target-it runs about $12 for a jar. The Africian Black soap-not sure where you live but I have seen it in some beauty supply stores in South Florida. She also recently started them (she has 2 boys) on "Juice Plus" gummie vitamins and seems to feel this helps also Good luck with the little one!

not sure if this has been mentioned but what do you bath/wash him in? My son, daughter and I are all allergic to johnsons with a passion - to the extent that if mums had some in the bath and then not rinsed it properly then we flare up!

also e45 bath stuff makes a flare up worse (oh the irony).

Do you get olatium in the US? Its specially for skin conditions and the only thing that sooths mine.

You have loads of great advice already, but if you specifically want help with what to feed him I suggest Healthy Kids the Natural Way by Mary-Ann Shearer. It can be bought here http://www.naturalway.co.za/acatalog/Books---Charts.html

Good luck!

I dont know a thing about children but have been told that gluten can cause dandruf, eczema etc. You might try cutting that out completely and see what happens...

I really can't say it enough, for us, the naturo
WTH was the way to go. She got my son on the right doses fish oil, probiotic and an awesome multi. Without those things, you can't help him heal a leaky gut. We had over 90 things tested with her in one finger prick test. It even showed how severe each sensitivity was. We are going to try seeing an allergist now and I just found out, he's only testing six things that. Have to bring in. Big difference between an allergy and a sensitivity BUT they both can wreak havoc.

As to the picky issue, I said before my little guy is picky. We tried the one bite rule. He made himself vomit. With him we always give him an abundance of healthy foods and try rotating in something new. He is so much more willing to try things now that he doesn't feel awful all of the time. Instead of forcing him to try, we just offer a lot of praise and do booty shakes when he does! Lol

They do say that kids with eczema will eventually grow out of it, but that's still a long time for the little mites to have to suffer. It's the constant itch that is the biggest problem which leads to the sleepless nights, bleeding skin and secondary infections. However, there is a new technology that has been shown to work really well - therapeutic clothing. DermaSilk has been tested under clinical trial which has shown that it doesn't just protect the skin from scratching, but actually stops source of the problem - the itching. It has an antimicrobial bonded to the medical grade silk which kills all the skin born bugs on contact including yeasts and MRSA. It also cuts down on the need for creams and emollients, so you don't have to keep applying them 24/7, and that makes life much easier for mums. The PJs are great at night - no itching so no bloody bedclothes and sound sleep. The vests, pants and leggings can be worn under normal clothing so there's no apparent difference to other kids either. DermaSilk is approved as a Class 1 medical device for prescription use on the NHS and is used by dermatologists, but can be bought on-line as well. You only have to read Jasmine's story at http://ow.ly/buJ4I to see what a dramatic difference it can make to a toddler's life