Eczema or heat rash?

[izziesmum]

Hi all,

I've got a dumb question....my MHN thinks my bub has ezcema but when I took her to my GP he thinks I'm overwrapping her and that it's heat rash. :confused:

How do I tell the difference?

I'm BF and the MCH said I should have a consult at the Kids allergy clinic but as my GP is not convinced it's ezcema he hasn't given me a referral.

It's in the joints of her arms (armpits and elbows), knees and under her chin, red but not crusty and doesn't really seem to bother her.

Help! I know it sound mild in comparison to some of the threads I have read but I want to catch it quick (and get tested) if that's what it is!

[Herchy]

can you try a night without wrapping? Or wrap but put less clothing on? Heat rash will usually go within a day or two, but eczema will hang around for longer. If you are still concerned, go o a pharmacy and ask what they think it is without mentioning eczema or heat rash. There's also always the option of not bathing your bub in anything but water (no soaps etc) and seeing if that works?
I don't know what else, but fingers crossed its only heat rash, although it does sound like the common places for eczema.

[JimJamsMum]

If it's not bothering her it probably isn't eczema. Eczema is so so itchy. IMy bub had a rash on his upper chest for months and I tried heaps of different things. In the end I decided if it didn't bother DS it wouldn't bother me and it disappeared by itself. Perhaps you could wrap your daughter in something a bit lighter and see if that helps.

[izziesmum]

Thanks Herchy I think I'll drop down to the chemist and ask what they think it is.
I've already decreased her bedding.
Doesn't seem to be itchy, so that's a good sign!
:fingerscrossed: it will go away.

[loui999]

DS has eczema and he didn't itch at that age, so may not be good indicator

[Quinnmum]

Its hard to know, isn't it? DS gets both eczema and heat rashes and sometimes I'm not sure which is which.....generally, i think that the heat rash looks more pimply and isn't dry and scaly (like eczema).:confused: He also gets red areas under his chin/neck, in his creases etc that really don't seem to bother him so I think they are more of a heat/moisture thing....????