Red Rash, what is it?

[Annie]

:confused: Hi there
I have a little 4mo who is suffering a red rash. It started when he was 2mo just on one arm (on the elbow and a bit up the arm), progressed to the other arm in the same fashion. I then noticed it on the tops of his thighs. Now it is also over his tummy and chest. It starts as red dots (like milk rash) and then reddens. After a day or so, it has a dry feel. I'm unsure as to whether it is eczema, heat rash or other. My dilema being that if it is eczema - you moisturise, BUT if it's a form of heat rash, you shouldn't. Not knowing what it is, means I can't do anything. I have tried the following:

I was using a J&J Milk bath - now I wash in sorbolene (doing for 10 days now)
I've tried rose hip oil - no improvement
I powder him after bath with J&J Cornstarch

- no improvement

Just wondering if any other parents out there are having/or had a similar problem & what they have done. Any suggestions would be appreciated. :confused: :confused: :confused:

[pippa]

Hi Annie,

i don't have any kids yet (we are trying) but to me it sounds like your little one does have eczema, my two nephews had it. What does your GP say??
Pippa

[Taylor & Lachlans Mummy]

Try the following
Alpha Keri Oil in the bath
Pine Tarsel (sp?) in the bath
Go to the chemist & get them to have a quick look at it & see what it could be, they could suggest that you take hime to the dr or something to use.

[cwsmum]

Sounds like eczma to me too. My son had it in a few different places, and every time he got it the dr gave him another cream. The heat and humidity here in Qld didn't help much either.
The first time he had it i took him to the chemist and they wouldn't even tell me what they thought it could be, in case they were wrong and i blamed them for him getting sick i guess. They just said if a baby has a rash then take them to the dr and get it checked out. So asking the chemist is probably going to be a waste of time, i'd just go to the dr, then you will know for certain what it is.
Good luck :)

[Annie]

Thanks all....

I took him to the dr early in the piece when it was just on his arms. Dr wasn't sure what it was - apart from the usual skin upsets that alot of babies are prone to, but suggested to try a hydrocortizone cream 'over the counter' at the chemist. I'm a bit hesitant to start on cortizone/steriod creams just yet as I've heard that prolonged use can reduce it's effect. He's due for his 4mnth injections next week, so I'll bring it up again.

I thought by going back to basics, it may rectify itself. Does anyone know if 'cornflour' (from the supermarket), is the same ingredient as 'cornstarch' in the baby powder products?

Also, just thought...can maybe what I'm eating could be what's affecting him? (I breastfeed). I've been over indulging in chocolate lately :eek: ........?

[redbaby]

Take your bub to the Dr,. it sounds like Ezcema,.. My daughter developed the same rash when she was about 3 months,.and we spent the next 5 months trying to clear the rash up,. We did the following,.. Dermaveen Oatmeal bath oil in the bath at night,..and not having the water too warm,. QV Cream which I smothered her with at every nappy change,...and then a 1% cortizone cream on the red bits,.. She is now 8 months old and her skin is totally clear! Persistance,..and moisturise! That seems to be the key! Good luck!