SOrry that your baby has eczema. My dd3 does as well as i do and she had it from infancy. My nephew is severe as well.
Remember that eczema is a condition that gets worse with irritants. Its not the irritants that are causing the eczema. Many people have this belief that detergent or soap cause it but it only flares it up. Very bad mistake to think and I of course was one before I was told finally by an allergist.
I would have to say that I found a competant allergy dr. who said to stop ALL clothes being washing in anything but free detergents. So dd would have to get her stuff washed in ONLY ALL free or TIDE free or Arm and Hammer Free detergent. It was best that we changed the entire family and wow what a huge difference. We no longer use ANY softner sheets or liquid at all, i dont even have it in the home anymore. We dont care about the static, we care more for the reactions that it causes when we did use it.
We also no longer wash with anything but DOVE soap. Nothing more ever. Yep dh does too. All my kids do as well. We stopped bathing her with baby stuff because it was such an irritant.
SHe was prescribed Elecon , YES i said ELECON
NOT ELEDEL. that eledel is horrible and the Elecon really helps it is the stuff that was used back 12 years ago for my first child and they stopped using it because of eledel but elecon is so much better.
Also when she was at her worst the dr. said that she had to be wet down in the tub 3 times a day and then pat dry and then vasaline her up. I would use tshirts on her only and a diaper. Yes it got greasy but i didnt care it worked. I still do it for her but once a day after her bath or every other day when she baths. the moisture really really helps. DO NOT use anything but vasaline as it the locking in the moisture you want NOT trying to lotion her up with perfumes and stuff.
The sun block i am sure did it because it does it to me and my dd. Think of your 18month old as having skin reactions to everything. If you keep in mind that your 18month old has contact dermititis and there should be nothing that touches the skin you should do well. I had to train myself for that with her as well as myself. I would put my hands in straight bleach then complain that my eczema was bad. DUH
I would put baby lotion on my dd and she would scream saying it hurt and I had to remember that she cant have anything touching her.
Also note that children with eczema sweat a lot and tend to not like the heat and like to be without clothes. Tshirt and diaper is fine or cotton tshirt and cotton shorts. Buy one size bigger when buying cotton as it shrinks when you use hot water on it. Having eczema is a lifestyle change, it might take years for baby to get over it or never get over it.
Stress also causes anyone to say they are itchy. My dd cries and automactically says "i itchy mama" it is normal for the skin to do this. water is fine over it and make sure the nails and hands are clean most of the time.
If a 2ndary infection comes make sure dr. gives something for it like Bactroban to help with it and keep up the regimen of keeping moisture in.
Good luck.
The best sun block is shade with someone with eczema. There are some things that are used for sensitive skin but unless you have had eczema you will never know that burning feelling when anything touches your skin. It is so painful. I at least knew how it was when dd said it hurt. DH had no clue. He thought she was fibbing but i corrected him on that one and toldhim that this is very painful at times and a huge lifestyle change for her. She is a very happy girl and yes she still does flare up but always know what touches her and even those handy wipes be careful of. WETONES makes a new one for sensitive skin. It is great for when you are out and about and there is no just plain water.
Also baby wipes are a no no. Never ever put a baby wipe that has ***** hazel or alcohol on your child anywhere. Not but or face ....VERY painfull as well and will cause a reaction. Look for ones that do not contain that it in Cheaper brands tend to be better with not putting that stuff in it. But please read labels carefully. Water only on face and maybe a little vasaline if baby tends to be sensitive with food around face.
Winter is worse for all of us who suffer as well so make sure you keep with the vasaline.
hugs to you and baby
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