What aggrevated your childs eczema???

[Bub2luv]

Hi :wave:

My DD has had eczema since she was a few months old. She is now 16 months old and her eczema is getting worse. I am currently keeping a food diet and am considering putting her on a food exclusion diet to try and find out what is aggrevating her eczema.

Do you know what types of foods can aggrevate eczema?

What foods aggrevate or cause your childs eczema? and what type of reactions do they cause?

Any info would be greately appreciated :thumbsup: THANKS.

[aardvark]

DD#2 reacts to strawberries. Generally her eczema is MUCH better on organic foods than conventional foods. For the most part, she is usually free of eczema since we went organic and swapped to a natural low residue washing powder.

DS seems to react REALLY badly to the press-studs on the shoulders of his pumpkin patch singlet body suits. If he wears them, he ends up with two round, very bad patches of eczema on his left shoulder where the studs sit. I suspect he may have a problem with Nickel. He's still fully breastfed at just over 7 months (doesn't want solids), and varying my own diet doesn't seem to make much difference.

[MamaSage]

Wheat. We cut it out, and the eczema went. Thankfully it was that easy for us, there are many people who have massive issues identifying what triggers the eczema. Dairy can be a big one too.

[LilShenanigans]

With DD foods haven't done it, teething does it all the time. But as a newborn, strangely the blue johnsons baby bath wash caused a reaction, and haven't used it since.

[jessgray]

for my ds strangely enough he had eczema around 2-5 months and it went away and didnt return till quite recently. i have found the following things make it come back:
SLS -its in many bath products and even tooth paste :eek: it also makes ds sick when its in tooth paste
strawberries
blueberries
certain brands of washing powder- i now use a sensitve one
baby shampoo
teething
there is more but me and my preggy brain arent that awake to list them all but most of it is food lol and alot of fruits

[pookiesossige]

For the most part, she is usually free of eczema since we went organic and swapped to a natural low residue washing powder.

Just wondering.. do you have to buy the really expensive liquid stuff for sensitive skin, or is their certain kinds that you can get in bulk? What brands do you know of that are low residue? Hmmm interesting :detective:

[Will]

I have heard Amolin washing powder is really good, not from experience tho lol.

DS isnt on solids just yet so no food sets him off that i know about, but if i leave him in the bath too long or if he is teething he gets is. Also sorbelene cream seems to inflame it.

Good luck!

[m0nal1sa]

We use Amolin and hot water for DS' laundry and that works really well. It is no more expensive than other washing liquids as far as I remember.

Also sorbolene is full of chemicals. It makes my fingers peel if I use it. We use QV Lotion on DS straight after his bath, as well as Paw Paw Ointment, which seems to greatly alleviate any excema flare ups.
m0na

[pookiesossige]

I just brought some Amolin, so will see if that makes a difference.

Also- regarding Sorbelene cream- it really can sting pretty badly on inflamed skin and I've steered clear of it since finding that out. And anything anti-bacterial such as Bepanthan can cause probs too, so my GP was saying.

The move to 100% cotton clothing has been really worth it and I am seeing consistant good results from this alone- fantastic! :thumbsup:

[aardvark]

Just wondering.. do you have to buy the really expensive liquid stuff for sensitive skin, or is their certain kinds that you can get in bulk? What brands do you know of that are low residue? Hmmm interesting :detective:

I tried Amolin, for DD#2, but it didn't seem to help much and was expensive. I wasn't into using one laundry detergent for her and another for the rest of us.

I was given a sample pack of Tri-Nature Alpha Plus at the Melbourne Show last year, and I have been using that since.

I have a front loader, so I only need a heaped teaspoon at a time. A 1 kg refill bag lasts me ages, but last time I bought it (just before going on maternity leave), I got the 10kg bag which worked out cheaper, and will last longer than my 12 months maternity leave, too.

The other thing which REALLY flared up DS's eczema was the dermavene (?sp) cream and wash solution samples the MCHN gaveme to try. I think the cream was stinging him, as he flinched when I applied it, and the rash became very red an inflamed.

[mythreelittlemonkeys]

kerist that will be why Matilda screams when I try to put sorbolene on her... I thought was a really bland thing...must remember to get some paw paw stuff as seems most people swear by it!

[boysboysboys]

i cant really say whats aggravating my boys ecezma, but ive started on additive free diet, so no additives from 600 upwarsd which is msg flavour enhances, and theres some 200. no 2minute noodles, rainbow paddle pops are bad, no brand of canola oil from safeway is bad, the web site to look up is fedup.com.au me and my sister are doing this, its not easy trying to keep all the additives as well as ive been told no wheat, cows milk, and been told to use organic food, anyway good luck its a long cycle for us all isnt it. :wave:

[k2ma]

Heat really affects DS1's eczema. Teething or any illness will flare it right up...food wise dairy and egg.

Any kind of soap or creams...we use the following which seem to be ok
Aromababy nappy balm
ALL QV or Ego products - bath wash,bath oil, cream, pinetarsol and flare up lotion. I wash his hair with the wash.

I tried so many lotions and potions. It is such a hit and miss thing though. QV works the best for us. I buy it in bulk from a pharmacy online. We use it too, that way if he is in the shower with one of us he doesn't get affected by our soaps. Though I do use my shampoo and that appears not to affect him (I use it on me not him!!)

I wash everything twice - use detergent in one wash then put the load on again on a quick rinse setting to make sure all the detergent is out of it.

[Kylles]

We use Amolin and hot water for DS' laundry and that works really well. It is no more expensive than other washing liquids as far as I remember.

Also sorbolene is full of chemicals. It makes my fingers peel if I use it. We use QV Lotion on DS straight after his bath, as well as Paw Paw Ointment, which seems to greatly alleviate any excema flare ups.
m0na

My kids doc has always told me not to use paw paw ointment on the kids eczema as it may irritate it. Both of my kids have eczema, although at 4 my eldest is growing out of it, as her doc had always told me. And my youngest has it in the same place his sister had it ... on the top of his feet. We tried food elimination to try and find what was causing the flareups but could never find a trigger. My youngest is dairy allergic.

Aqueous cream and lotion always worked for us.

Have you had your child tested for allergies? Prior to knowing about our dairy allergy my LO's eczema was really bad.

[Every1sm8]

I'm another one with a child suffering from eczema. My DH's family have suffered with problems for a couple of generations (that I know of).

DH's nephew got eczema so badly he has lost pigmentation at the back of his knees. Since following the advice below he doesn't get eczema (except for the occassional flare ups when he's not done the right thing), he no longer has behavioural problems (acted ADD - don't know if he was actually diagnosed, haven't asked), his school marks went from below average to one of the top of his class and his attention span is now fantastic.

My SIL found wonderful books and a website by a woman SUE DENGATE. Sue has done many years of research and has found heaps of ailments and behavioural problems can be put down to foods and their chemicals.

Sue's main website is www.fedupwithfoodadditives.com.au

I have found the factsheet that directly relates to eczema and that address is http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/factsheets/Facteczema2.htm.

Below is my bible for when I go shopping. It lists all the no-go chemicals in foods I buy. http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/failsafe.htm

My DD's eczema is very limited since I started using Sue's advice. I now only get flare up's when I allow her to have products I know she shouldn't eg gravy, an easter egg (but hey, you can't not let your child have an egg from the Easter Bunny).

I strongly recommend anyone with a child who suffers to look at the website. You should also look as buying or borrowing from the Library her book "Fed Up".

PS. I don't know Sue Dengate and get no royalties or rewards for telling people about her but I have become a firm believer. It has worked miracles in my family (and extended family) and I hope it does for you too. :fingerscrossed:

[MumOfTwoBoys]

I agree with StormT. I used Sue's site about half a year ago and since then we forgot about the eczema (my eldest son had been suffering for quite a while). I just printed out the list of all nusty food additives (there is a list on Sue's website in a compact buseness-card-size form). Both my DH and I keep the copy of the list in our wallets and use it everytime we go shopping. Yes, the shopping takes slightly longer, but hey, it's my SON'S health we are talking here.

We got an additional proof of the additives being the problem when after summer holidays (a.k.a home made food only = clear skin) my son got back to school and acknowledged several instances of food sharing after I noticed the rush appearing again.

Try it people. These additives are truly nasty.

[youngones]

I know that no one has posted here for a while, but here goes.

As I'm BF, from an allergy test on bub - nuts and from what I can tell from what I eat - mushroom, citrus and chocolate.

We use dermaid soft 1%, elidel (face only and tiny, tiny bit only when absolutely needed), Avene bath emollient and Dermaveen oil mixed in the bath, Dermaveen moisturiser and QV intensive over the top to create a seal.

[Bumble]

My dd's skin reacts to cats even if a cat has been in the yard her skin flairs up!!
So many things flair her up but here is a quick run down
*soaps (we use huggie extra sensitive on her hair and body)
*the bath oils reccomend by our dermo
*washing powder(we used to use sunlight soap on her clothes but i have now found omo sensitive works for us)
*All sythetic materials ie..soft toys,wool,polar fleece(1oo%cotton is all she wears)
*grass,sand
*sorblene cream (we use ceterfil)
*she also flairs up with teething,sick,or not enough sleep (super whingey)
*heat

DD also has food allergies but b4 we worked out what she was allergic to many diff foods flaired her up
I hope this helps eczema can be horrible for both kids and parents but once you work out the triggers you can control it easier when dd was a bub she was covered from head to toe in sometimes weeping red rashes,but now she is two and we only get the odd flair up but she always has a bit on her hands (you can't always control what the touch at that age)

good luck :hugs:

[mrs t]

hi guys, just thought i'd put my 2 cents worth in, my ds#1 has had eczema since he was 10 weeks old. i tried all the different types of creams that there is absolutly everything and i always put it down to teething and milk. When he was one i had enough and forked out the money to go to a dermotologist and he gave him a new cream called elcolon and it cleared up straight away and hasn't returned.
I find he starts itching after drinking lots of milk.
he is a really good eater so i don't have to worry about him not getting enough calcium!
hope this helps sum of u
i hate seeing him so itchy!

[Alisonp]

My DD had quite bad eczema until around 12mo when it disappeared and hasn't come back :fingerscrossed:

The things that aggravated it were...

Dry weather
Synthetic clothes
Sorbolene

We never found a food trigger (and we did try to find something through exclusion diets as I was b/f).

I think my DD's was possibly due to a "sterile" environment. We have a brand new house and no pets. Maybe she just needed some more germs.:o

Since going to childcare her skin has been silky smooth. I am still crossing my fingers that it doesn't come back over winter. So far so good.

[aardvark]

The things that aggravated it were...

Dry weather
Synthetic clothes
Sorbolene


I find the same. I'm actually finding that the absolute WORST offender in causing DS to get eczema, or for my hands to break out is POLAR FLEECE.

If I handle it, my hands start to burn, and a short time later I have eczema with vesicles on my fingers. I made a mistake of buying DS some Pumpkin Patch polar fleece pants, and the eczema behind his knees came up for the first time ever.

[bindiloo]

usually too much wheat but my homeopath had me give her fish oil drops since she got it as a bub,its especially made for young babies to be able to use and i put it in her bottle. Cleared it up within a week.
Then i stopped using it for about 2mnths due to laziness and the eczema came back once again the drops cleared them up in days. She has half a teaspoon in her bottle twice a day.
My homeopath will post it so its great too i just have to give a call when i run out.

[subaruforestermum]

Foods that agrivate DS's skin is mainly Bacon.....he has a severe reaction to it, I actually think it is an allergy to something in the bacon making process!!

We use Purity Sensitive and I wash all his clothes seperately to ours, and it works wonders for us..Its plant derived and enzyme and phosphate free. I have used Earth's Choice laundry liquid on his clothes (use it on ours) and he only had a slight reaction....

The only wash and moisturiser that I found worked for my son was Cetaphil. All other products have caused his skin to be irritated.

If you want to try it on your child, you can ask your local chemist for a sample sachet, or log onto www.cetaphil.com.au (http://www.cetaphil.com.au) and get a free sample sent to you! A bottle is around $21 but lasts for ages, my son is almost 2 and I got it for him around a year or more ago....

[TreeFrog]

Hi there!

My DS's trigger is pretty simple at the moment. Simply dairy, soy or eggs. If he accidently eats anything with those ingredients, he gets diahorrea and his eczema just comes out kapow! His face and eczema is a prime indicator to his gut we have found.

So, dairy, soy and eggs are his key triggers at the moment. I find it interesting how many doctors do say "eczema is not food related"..so, it must be incredibly coincidental with my DS then:rolleyes:

Oh, and we use QV and QV Flare Up, Pinetarsol and QV Wash. Great stuff! But since we are well aware of his triggers, his eczema has been low key at the moment, so it doe snot require much topical treatment at present. So we just have QV Baths just for general comfort here.

[ThreePinkFaireez]

no food aggrevated DD1 eczema.... her carseat used to on hot days.. she'd get it behind her knees, thighs and to her mid calf.... that's it. But we used cream for it, and it's never come back

[FourAngelKisses]

grass
sunscreen
the heat
laundry powders
soap
shampoo

[Lila]

weather definitly!
whenever we start turning the heating on BINGO they are blooming.....
so WINTER time for us....

[Taylor & Lachlans Mummy]

Hot sticky weather is a big one for dd
Certain soaps we now use redkin sorbelene bath wash
Grass
some medicines
too much milk based products for ds
to much chocolate for dd

[Alisonp]

I find the same. I'm actually finding that the absolute WORST offender in causing DS to get eczema, or for my hands to break out is POLAR FLEECE.

If I handle it, my hands start to burn, and a short time later I have eczema with vesicles on my fingers. I made a mistake of buying DS some Pumpkin Patch polar fleece pants, and the eczema behind his knees came up for the first time ever.

Absolutely :yes: My DD had a few really cute winter items (hand-me-downs from friends) that always seemed to cause flare-ups. Polar fleece items were bad but also some of the other synthetic materials commonly used in children's winter clothes.

I kept thinking it was something I was eating at my mum's group meetings that was being passed onto DD through b/f but it was actually the fancy synthetic clothes that I was dressing DD in :eek: Once I figured it out we never used those items again.

[Josh]

My 2yr old son has had really bad eczema since he was about 9 mths old, we have been told that he is allergic to,

nuts, tomatoes, eggs and a strange one bananas, he only has to touch a banana and he starts scratching for the rest of the day, bleeds and so on.If anyone knows of a remedy for the banana allergy let me know please.

jodie+family:wave:

[lizzymcfizzy]

My SIL found wonderful books and a website by a woman SUE DENGATE. Sue has done many years of research and has found heaps of ailments and behavioural problems can be put down to foods and their chemicals.


My husband is on the failsafe diet due to a salicylate intolerance and it helped him immensly. Our 9 week old breastfed baby suddenly developed bad eczema last week and I didn't make the connection until now.

I eat most meals with my husband which are failsafe but don't stick to it as it doesn't effect me. I think now that I see the connection in what I eat effecting my baby, I will eat failsafe too! She also gets bad wind and reflux which I thought was a normal thing at her age.

BTW, my doctor prescribed a $60 cream called Elidel - expensive but it has no steriods in it like other eczema creams and worked really well.

Along with QV "kids balm" every night. Its a really thick luxurious moisturiser, it looks like vaseline but is not as sticky, doesn't sting and is recommended for eczema. It has tweety and sylvester on the front.


That is interesting to read about polarfleece, I will stop dressing her in the few outfits of those that she has. We use "earth choice" washing liquid too, maybe I should switch to amolin too.

great thread!

[Toffee apple]

The Ducted Heating (dust mites) or if too warm,since had it serviced:yes:
tomatoes,egg white,citrus, these used to make her flairbut now hopefully she has grown out of theses ones, she would get an instant rash around her mouth & sometimes even be sick.
always suffered with excema behind her little nees & on the tops of her feet.

[Kangaskippy]

I just got told by my dr that Jack has Eczema/ dermatitis...and that having baths in winter cause it...(going from hot to cold)...it has come and gone since he was 4mths old and only has little dry patches in a few places...we are now using dermaid and sorbolene which appear to be clearing it up...am goiing to keep any eye on possible food allergies now I know he is suseptable (sp?)

[Wondermum]

I am fairly confident my 10mth olds trigger is a cows milk protein allergy. He breaks out in a horrid rash. Seems to be fine with cheese and yoghurt. Hopefully he will grow out of it :fingerscrossed:

[au01]

fabric softeners
heat / humidity
stress
food additives
allergens: pollen, grass, dust mites, moulds, pet dander
foods: eggs, wheat, milk, peanuts, shellfish
harsh fabrics or polyesters
soaps and perfumed cleansers and moisturisers

For me it was wheat, milk, eggs, citrus, cats/dogs, mould, pollen, grass and stress still the major one...luckily I have out grown most of these triggers.
My girls suffer with it mildly and i think it is mainly due to food additives.
We use earth's choice laundry liquid which I found is good...and cheap too

[Simone]

I am still trying to find out what is causing my daughters eczema and she is now just over 3.

It is reallyl hard to determine what is actually causing the eczema and what simply aggrevates the eczema. For us, we know many fruits aggrevate the eczema (although blood allergy tests show no allergy) including pineapple, grapes, berries, citrus (including raw tomato). Also, many medications aggrevate the ezcema from some cough medicines to antibiotics and even antihistamines (which is designed to alleviate allergic reactions!). Finally for us, heat/humidity aggrevate her ezcema.

So ... now we are going back for allergy prick testing to all the suspect foods this way to see what comes up as blood tests are not always conclusive. Will let you know.

In the mean time, an elimination diet is the best way to start. You can get instructions on the net but basically it means cutting back to a bland diet and introducing new foods every few days. Be aware that eggs, milk and others are hiding where you would least expect so be careful to read all labels carefully.

What we do know for sure is that she is highly allergic to dust mites (from the blood tests) so it could simply be this alone with the fruit, medicines and heat/humidity simply aggrevating that. These prick tests should let us know one way or the other if she has any other definate allergy beside dust mites and I do hope we find something as it is almost impossible to get rid of mites completely!

If you suspect dust mites (is he/she sneezing in the mornings or having restless sleep?) start by getting plastic mattress and pillow protectors, washing sheets, jarmies and stuffed toys in high temp once a week, keeping the room bright and aired well (don't make the bed so that it can air) and consider getting a dehumidifier or airconditioner (they do the same job) as mites love the damp and heat. Finally, we have air filters around the house which do a great job to suck up the dust inbetween regular vacuuming of bed, mattress, curtains etc.

Anyway after all that, she is still having breakouts regularly so who the heck knows what is going on!! It does my head in as there is just no pattern to it. Creams and lotions may help to alleviate but certainly don't address the cause.

I hope you have more joy than us. Best of luck.