Eczema

[lukey121]

My 5 month old son has started to develop eczema on his head and arm. Can anyone recommended any thing that will clear it up?

[AB Editor]

For all medical questions, we strongly advise you to seek professional advice from your doctor or a healthcare professional.  Please do not rely on, or wait for, advice from Answerbank users.

[Rock Mommy]

I've always used olive oil and manuka shampoo (Body Shop) on my babies.  They are 18 month and 3 years old now and still get it occassionally - and it still works.  I did try cradle cap ointment and found it useless.

[chiron]

E45 is commonly used but i advise a trip to dr or even pharmacist for info (although i am biased as i'm a pharm, student)

[Emma G 1650]

My daughter had eczema when she was first born, quite bad behind the knees and very itchy for her etc.  It's best to go to the doc, he prescribed us E45 and a cream called Aquaeous for general moisturising and then a stronger cream for the worst bits, after 6+ months of every day use her skin cleared up and she's not suffered with it since, would definitely say a trip to the doc is best.Good luck!

[Diablod666]

i got eczema when i was 10 in the reverse side of my elbows (if you know what i mean) and it cleared up within months. My friend Sam, however, still has it... maybe this is a question for the science area aswell

[Diablod666]

i asked the science area, and most people said that it was either caused by drinking milk/breast feeding, or things like detergents that can be harmful to the skin. i wouldnt stop breast feeding, however, as it helps to build up the childs immune system among other benefits, as the antibodies from mother are often passed down to child or something, so if it is the milk that's causing your child eczema, it may be better in the long run for the breast feeding to continue at the expense of your child's temporary comfort

[Allen Crisp]

You really should see a qualified doctor. There are different types of eczema, with different causes and treatments. There's not just one condition called "eczema".

[cdmj2111]

both my boys have it. I've managed to control it by asking my doctor & use Oilatum plus in bath, DiproBase all over and betamethasone on the worst bits (when it's really flared up). Health visitors were great. Changed washing powder and don't use fabric conditioner on their clothes. Aquiaus cream wasn't recommended also be careful on products used in bath. I feel it's something to try and stay on top of. I suffer with it, so know the itchyness my babies must go through! Good luck, hope it's just a phase and it goes.

[richfo]

Although it is a good idea to seek help from your GP, it still does not hurt to try and find out which things aggrevate the eczema. Both my boys had eczema to varying degrees, as did my wife (until she had our first child oddly). Most experts agree that they are not really sure why eczema starts or why it leaves. We stopped using condtioner. We changed our detergent to non bio and gentle. We installed a water filter which removed any chlorine in our water. Then we tried loads of different creams. We found that some would work on one that wouldnt work on the other etc. One very gentle cream which is good for soothing eczema is oatmeal cream made by Johnsons. Both my children are much better now, one does not have it at all and the other just in the naps a little. As stated earlier, my wifes eczema went after she became pregnant for the first time.

[Le Chat]

My 1 yr old has excema, which we keep beautifully at bay by using a natural product called SALCURA. It is a spray and made of essential oils. We use this every night after his bath, just spraying it onto the affected areas and then in the morning before he is dressed, I slather him in DOUBLE BASE, an emollient gel to keep the skin supple. His excema is now very mild due to this fantastic product. We buy it off Ebay, as it is cheaper than buying from the manufacturer.