OcalaMom.com

Does anyone have experience with treating excema? My 18m old seems to have a pretty severe case. It has definately gotten worse in the past month or so and last night, after her bath it, was VERY inflamed, to the point of really bothing her when I tried to put lotion on her. This morning it looks better, but it just doesn't ever seem to go away. Are their any miracle meds or lotions that you've found? Will it be this bad forever? I can't seem to find a connection as to why it goes from bareable for her to looking and feeling horrible.

Oh yeah - we've been there, done that, and continue to do so! My son has flare-ups every spring (most people have it affect them when the weather gets colder, but its when the weather gets warmer, it flares-up on my son - like TONIGHT - Ugh!). The ONLY thing that has worked was getting perscription strength hydrocortizone ointment from his DR (the over the counter stuff wasn't strong enough). That works wonders for my son - that and when he flares-up, he wears very little clothing (i.e., loose T-shirt and boxer shorts at home) as often as he can until is clears up. The DR did perscribe the Elidel, but after reading all the warnings on it, I've decided notto use it on him. The hydrocortizone is a steriod, but its only used for a few days on the spots that affect him and has far fewer side effect warnings than the Elidel.

HTH!

admittedly, our experience was not intense, but what really was helpful was sitting in lukewarm aveeno bath (the powder packets) - sometimes, I would have to use two packets...but its very soothing and aquaphor (again - otc -not a steroid, doesnt treat it)but aquaphor ointment works wonders on soothing the patches. good luck.

A lot of times problems like this can be related to an allergy. if this has started recently, review changes in food, or products. this may help.

Unfortunately, it's been going on for basically her whole life. We can't find a rhyme or reason for her breakouts. We've tried food, outdoors, season and her flares just come when they feel like it We just coat her w/ Aquaphor all day, everyday. Hopefully it gets better as she gets older

linetteandkelly...where would I find the aveeno bath packets?

Speak to your pediatrician , maybe they can perscribe you a cream .

My son has had it pretty bad but it has gotten much better now that he is 3. I agree that you need to get a prescription from the doctor. We only use the prescription when it is flared up because at that point nothing makes it better. But once it is under control again then I just keep him lathered up with Cetaphil. I used aquaphor but it just wasn't doing the job for him so the doctor suggested cetaphil moisterizing creme and it has been wonderful. I get the one in the tub. Also doctor suggested cotton clothing. Hope this helps...understand how frustrating this can be.

I haven't tried cetaphil before. Where do I get that?

I get it at Publix. It is in a white tub (16 oz) with a blue lid and blue label. It says Cetaphil moisturizing cream. I think it is about $11. Hope it helps.

Has anyone ever heard of different types of water effecting excema? (ie. hard vs. soft)

We went to the beach last week and I maybe put our normally daily lotion routine on Elizabeth 3 times...in 7 days and her skin was perfectly fine. We were in and out of the pool all week and out in the sun and her skin was so moist. Her legs looked better last week than they have in a long time.

This made me think that maybe the well water we have out our house might be too "hard" for her skin??? Now that we're back, her skin seems to be drying out again.

Does this make sense to anyone?

Sounds like an excuse for more beach vacations.

Both of my daughters have excema and it gets really bad sometimes. Their doctor prescribed them a cream that I have to put on them twice daily. She also said that after putting the cream on put lotion all over their bodies. She said that the lotion seals the cream into the skin and gives extra protection. She also said to give them short luke warm baths, every other day. Sitting in the tub for too long robs the skin of its natural oils and moisture so it makes your kids have flareups more often. My girls' pediatrician gave me a printout about the different things that help or make the excema worse. I have to say it's helped alot, but still when the weather changes quickly there's no way to avoid it. My oldest is almost three and now she gets it less and less.