Hi David:
My daughter has developed rashes on her face when she
was one month old. She is now about 4 month. Her
rashes becomes more severe, and spread over her body
, front and back, over her arms and legs. Esp, her
face, you could actually feel that her skin is very
rough and bumpy when the rashes are on her.
The pediatrician has prescribed Desonide ointment 0.05
% to her when she was a month old. I used it only few
times, as so afraid that it causes her skin thinning.
Right now, her rashes, becomes severe, and she
scratches her face, and rubbing her head against the
baby bouncer., and I have to use her almost daily now
to end her restlessness. Also, I notice, she rubs her
ears as well, because, her rashes are on her hear and
behind her ears. She also has flaky scalp.
I brought her to the same doctor few days ago, the
doctor asked me to switch the baby milk formula, to
partially broken down proteins milk formula, as the
doctor said that she could be allergic to cow's milk.
I tried the formula, her condition does not improve.
Still, I will try for 2 more weeks to see if it makes
difference. At the meatime, I am just worry for her.
My doctor has not mentioned what is type of rashes. is
this atopic eczema ?
I have used the Baby Eczema Cream by Gentle Naturals
on her at least 3 times a day, and bathe her with only
warm water daily. Her rashes may seem to better
sometimes in the morning or when she is sleeping
peacefully., but during the middle of the night,she is
crying for sometimes , her rashes become worsen. What
I really don't understand is why is the rashes on and
off.
Her skin becomes normal, when the rashes are gone,
- .Why is her skin condition flip flop in a day ? is
this atopic eczema ? Will this eczema clear up by
itself with just non medicated cream, such as super
rich moisturizer ?
-
. Could I bathe her in just water daily ? My doctor
said bathed her 2 or 3 times a week. I think just
bathing her in water will not cause dryness. Right?
Especially, I only bathed her in less than 5 minutes,
My daughter is big, and has active sweat glands, I
just think that cleaning her will make her feel much
better. She also has rashes ( red rings around the
folds ) her neck.
-
. Is using the desonide cream daily bad for her ?
- . What could you suggest /advice ?
Sorry for the lengthy letter. Thanks for your time
KC
30 June 2007
Subject: Re: advice (severe eczema)
Hi,
It sounds like severe eczema and I assume the doctor has advised you that is
the case. The milk formula is worth a try as sometimes children cannot tolerate
straight formula but if it is going to help you would see results within 4
weeks.
Our Hypo-Allergenic Face and Body Balm
is excellent as it is non-toxic but
contains an antiseptic, chlorhexidine, which is so safe it is used in
mouthwashes.
It would particularly help under her chin.
A daily bath is fine but add some bath oil to the bath water. Any good brand
such as QV, Dermaveen etc etc is fine.
Apply the hypoallergenic balm after drying her and leave enough on the skin
to leave a shiny layer. This protects the skin from drying out and is safe
enough to use on the face, even as a lip balm and is no problem if she
accidently rubs some on her eyes which are all things babies do.
For the flaky scalp apply the balm to the scalp 2-3 hours before the bath
and use a shampoo such as Johnsons No-More-Tears.
When bathing her before the scalp is wet put a little shampoo directly on to
the area the balm was applied and gently blend it into the oily her to
dissolve the balm. Then add some water to the scalp and wash out the lather
using as much finger massaging pressure as comfortable.
After the bath , dry the hair then comb out any loosened flakes.
After several days her scalp should be fine again.
She may be too hot at night so when she wakes check if her face is red and
sweating. If it is , dress her a bit more lightly as being too hot causes
babies to wake more often and the heat worsen the eczema.
I would NOT use the desonide daily as you will find the problem flares up as
soon as you stop using it as it just suppresses inflammation without
treating the cause. Use it maybe 1-3 times a week if the itching is causing
her to scratch and bleed otherwise try to avoid it. When using it with the
Hypo-Allergenic Face and Body Balm
apply the desonide first then put the
protective hypoallergenic balm over the top to protect the area.
Eczema affects 1 out of 3 babies but by 5 years old almost all children have grown
out of it. I feel it has a lot to do with their immune system developing and
when she is older let her crawl around on the grass outside and avoid using
all these chemical based "antiseptic" cleaning wipes. Keep the house clean
but don't be conned by the advertising into buying bay wipes and stuff, a
simple face washer wetted with water is ideal for cleaning up after feeding.
Apply the balm in the morning and more thickly at bedtime ,especially under
the chin. Also apply it before and after a feed.
Hope this helps, Kind Regards, David Hosking.
2 July 2007
