Eczema and allergies

[cgaunt01]

Hiya...

My 10.5 dd has ezcema on both her cheecks and on her sholders and forearms. Its flairs up at random times and i am having trouble discovering what causes the flair ups. i have taken her to several gps-all of which have just given me a perscription from the really strong creams that do not help. I am thinking that i should get her allergy tested but do not no how to go about it! any sugestions would be greatly appreciated!

[youngones]

There are a few things you could try. Find out which allergists are in your area, if they treat paed and what their waiting lists are like, then ask for a referral from your GP to a specific one. Also I think QML/S&N do skin p rick tests (not sure how accurate they are), so you can always ask your GP for a path slip for a test - again, you might have to ring around to find a collection centre that does the tests. They don't just test for food allergies either, which is good, but for dust mites, cockroaches, pet hair, grass seed etc.

Another thing you could try is a referral to a paed derm, but in my experience, they have astronomical waiting lists or closed books and will probably just tell you to use the strong cortisone.

At 10.5mth, I'm guessing your bub eats a range of different foods. I'm not sure if anyone would recommend an elimination diet at her age, unless under medical supervision. Do you have a Community Health Nurse you can go to for advice on this? They might recommend a paed dietitian to supervise. I'd say they would suggest only eliminating one food at a time, starting with the most allergenic foods (can find them if you google food allergies and intolerances) and if you are BF at all, you will have to do the elimination too. If you are FF, maybe try switching to a low allergenic formula with pro biotics.

The only other thing I could suggest is trying a few different emollient creams - again, in my experience, none of them get rid of my DD eczema, but we've found a few that help. We only wash in Omo sensitive (recommended by paed allergist) and use white vinegar as fabric softener - brings clothes back to the skin's natural pH, dress her in 100% cotton or silk - there is a special derm silk range for people with skin conditions from bubs to adults, but it is expensive.

I think that eczema is hard work for both mum and bub and it takes an awful lot of vigilance, so good luck.

[Alex06]

Hi there ....

Just a tip..... Heat also tends to aggravate eczema, so try dressing bubs in light cotton clothing also. Try using Calendula cream or oil on the skin, its natural and very healing for the skin. It helps take away most of the discomfort of eczema.

[kailed83]

I hope this helps, i was born in england where they know more about this than australia.
The addivities in food to avoid,
E102 Tartrazine
E104 Quinoline Yellow
E107 Yellow 2G
E110 Sunset yellow
E120 Cochineal
E122 Carmoisine
E124 Erythrosine
E128 red 2G
E132 Indigo Carmine
E133 Brilliant Blue
E150 Caramel ( anything that says caramel topping anything with caramel is a no no)
E151 Brown PN
E154 Brown FK
E155 Brown HT
E210 Benzoic Acid

I have has this for 23 years, i am on a vegetarian diet, cause meat makes me fair up and in studies in the uk they find it to be a big factor, i can't even eat my favourite vegemite, but if i cheat i know i will get a little rash. Palmer's anything are great for our skin type's, Gloves when they go out in the cold, cause it dry's out are skin way too much and create skin drying and pealing, if you want to ask me any questions that is cool, i have been thru the ringer and to every doctor and finally i can say i haven't had a major rash since 2001 and i only scratch when i eat something i know i shouldn't life, is alot easier. And i am finally comfortable in my body, and if i can help your kids not go thru has much pain as i did and frustration and the teasing. That would make up for being a guinee pig of tests and experiments to fix me :D