Laurin - As you know, we had a challenging time when C-Dog had eczema as a baby. He had it from about two months to a year old. The back of his legs would get raw--it was awful. We even had a trip to the emergency room when an outbreak got infected and his whole body was covered in a rash! Although Baby Kitten has it too, it's mild compared to C-Dog.
A lot of people ask me how I treat the kids' eczema, so after another recent request, I think I'll talk about it here to hopefully help someone else.
Eczema is basically severely dry skin that typically shows up as itchy, red patches, sometimes flat or bumpy. Obviously there are better medical definitions for it, but this gets the point across. After ruling out food, pet and other environmental allergies AND shunning a pediatric dermatologist's prescription for Prednisone for my three month old baby(!), I created my own regime for treatment to keep it under control. But first, let me preface this with, "everyone is different and this is what I do that helps my kids." So here it is:
1. Bathe baby every other day. Use lukewarm water. Don't linger in the bath tub--in and out! I use unscented Dove soap or Burt's Bees Shampoo and Wash. Rinse completely with clean water. Pat dry really well and then immediately apply lotion. I use Burt's Bees Buttermilk Lotion or California Baby Calming Everyday Lotion. This is the most important part: grease that baby up like a pig!!! Literally cover the baby in lotion from neck to toes.
2. Wear ONLY 100% cotton clothing--especially pajamas. Wash everything in hot water with unscented detergent. I use ALL Free and Clear. Wash brand new clothes twice. Wash anything that touches baby like this...blankets, sheets, towels and wash cloths.
3. Don't let baby get too sweaty. I know this sounds like common sense. But when an elastic waistband rubs on an already warm baby, it becomes the perfect trigger for an eczema breakout. Another trigger can be where calves or elbows rub on a surface like the car seat or a plastic high chair. Keep long pants/sleeves on (not always practical) or cover the car seat/chair strategically with a cotton blanket, towel or burp cloth where the skin may touch. (I got a lot of eye rolls with this one, but it really made a difference!)
Finally, I used a mild topical steroid cream that my pediatrician prescribed on persistent spots. Reluctantly, I used it sparingly on C-Dog, and it really did help.
C-Dog's eczema cleared up miraculously when he turned a year old. He hasn't had one outbreak since and he's 2 1/2 now. Baby Kitten has several dry patches on her at the moment. Fortunately, I knew what it was the minute she got it (and confirmed it with my pediatrician). It has now moved from her back and elbows to mostly on her thighs and some on her tummy.
Didn't your little guy have a problem with dry skin? Until I had a baby, I didn't realize this was such a big issue. Now I know so many people that have eczema problems with babies. Maybe this will help someone you know, too. .
