Moms with babies who have eczema...

my boys currently have bad eczema and I think it might be affecting their sleep. The used to sleep wonderfully but the last few days they have had many wake ups overrnight - constantly trying to scratch at their faces . Have you found this to be the case? Any solutions aside from moisturization?

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

Emily had excema last winter, although luckily she hasn't had it this winter. I used Cetaphil and Aquaphor to try and moisturize her skin, and I would slather it on pretty thick before she went to bed.

However I don't think it ever effected her sleep. The poor little guys!

I know that my mom always told me that she thinks excema is allergy related. She was convinced that it was caused by a slight allergy to milk, even though we gave Emily a milk-based formula and her tummy was fine with it. Maybe you should speak with the doctor about the possibility of it being allergy related, since I do think that it can sometimes be related.

Also the doctor did prescribe a stronger hydrocortisone cream for it at one point when it got bad around her feet and legs and her skin was cracking. It helped with the itching a lot I think. You can ask your doc about that too!

Good Luck!

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

if it's that bad the dr. can prescribe hydrocorisone for you..

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

My DD has terrible eczema... when she was an infant she slept with mittens on her hands because she would scratch her face so badly. My pediatrician told me to use 1% hydrocortozone (bought over the counter) until I could get an appt with the dermatologist. It really helped.
Now I use what my dermatologist prescribes, plus aquaphor.

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

Thanks everyone! I'm going to continue my regimen of Aquaphor and hydrocortisone... it's definitely lookin gbetter but still could improve!

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

You might want to cut back on the oatmeal if they are eating that, some studies show that it makes eczema worse. We pretty much only give Andy barley, as he can't have rice due to severe constipation issues.

Andy's gets really bad behind his ears, between his toes, etc, so we have tried a lot of things. A steriodal creme from the dr. worked the best, but we didn't want him on that long term, so he's on a non-steroidal prescription creme and cetaphil.

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

we moisturize like crazy! aside from that, like some of the other posters said, you might want to look into whether or not it could be allergy related. when did the eczema start? you could try eliminating some of the top allergens and see if makes a difference. brendan still has eczema, but since we've eliminated all dairy it is fairly manageable.

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

DD has had eczema since she was born. My DH has it and we both have sensitive skin too. DD gets it on her face, hands, neck, behind ears, arms, legs and all her creases. If i don't keep on it it cracks open and bleeds.

I personally don't think oatmeal has anything to do with it, she was getting outbreaks wayyy before we started cereal.

The only thing that keeps the breakouts to a min is only bathing her a couple times a week.

Heat and moisture are triggers of eczema.

We limit her bath time too, and i moisturize everyday with either Aveeno or eucerin. It helps alot!

If it gets really bad, a prescrip cream might be needed, but i would try to cut back on baths first.

Message edited 2/16/2007 10:06:37 AM.

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

Make sure all the washes, detergent, etc is unscented and doesn't have dye. My DH has this and that is one of the only things that helped even over creams!

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

olive oil!!!! Woeks great and is totally natural, my daughter sleeps again and does not tear up her legs

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

My son had eczema when he was a baby. I highly recommend aveeno products. The body wash is gentle and they also make an anti-itch cream which works wonders! I hope the get better soon

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

I have horrible eczema and so did my brother and sister growing up. I always put the cream on after a bath. However, water aggravates the skin, so try to cute back on their baths especially in the winter.

Do you use the Aquaphor body wash? It is fragrance free and very gentle on the skin.

I hope they feel better.. winter stinks!

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

I was just at the Dr he said to get 1% hydrocortisone (OTC) until it's under control (not so red) then use aquaphor ointment to maintain it.

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...

Steven scratched up his whole face and head becaus of this

I keep him moisturized, but I think he just does it in his sleep without realizing. Last night I put gloves on him and he didn't weak up as red and rashey, so maybe the gloves helped some

Re: Moms with babies who have eczema...