What to Do About Eczema

Updated on September 11, 2009
A.T. asks from Bloomington, IL
6 answers

My 12 month old daughter has terrible eczema. The doctor says to put Aquaphor on it, and I am. But it seems really bad. It isn't bothering her, but it is so rough. I don't think the Aquaphor is working that well. Is there anything else I can do to try and get rid of this - or at least make her skin feel a little bit better?

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.L.

answers from Boston on

My son got bleeding skin from his eczema. We used a prescription 2.5% Hydrocortisone cream 2x a day and put a layer of Aquaphor "ointment" not the cream-this comes in a tub on affected areas. It cleared up nicely.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Chicago on

Thankfully this doesn't bother her but I know, it looks painful and terrible!!

There is an Eczema wash that we use for my son that seems to be less drying than other baby washes. It's in a mint-green bottle and has Disney characters on the label. You can find it at Target. (Gentle Naturals, I think?)

During flareups, we would put Aquaphor on my son at every diaper change. Doing so 7-8 times a day will help clear it, just give it time.

Once the flare up goes away, keep using the Aquaphor at least once a day and more if you start to notice dry rough patches. Hopefully you'll get ahead of it next time and prevent a flare up.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Chicago on

We have to deal with this from time to time and Aquaphor seems to be the best in dealing with this. I hate the way it feels, so I also bought latex gloves so we could massage it into the skin and apply liberally. When the eczema got really bad, we would have to apply it daily (usually after a bath) but once it cleared up we went into 'maintenance mode' by applying moisturizing lotion to the skin. Also, with really bad cases it could take up to 5 days for the skin to clear up for our son...so be patient and give it time perhaps.

I'm surprised that the doctor didn't prescribe anything for her really bad case. That has only happened to us twice, but it cleared it up right away. Like I said, now we try to maintain eczema-free skin by moisturizing nightly and also making sure to do a great job with the lotion after baths.

Trust me, I'm a huge believer in probiotics myself but they did nothing for my son. The research DEFINITELY supports their use. We gave them a fair shot, and used the ones behind the pharmacy counter and other highly recommended brands, but even with time they didn't have an impact. Hopefully they will work better for your daughter. We also tried a number of so-called 'natural products' and they did nothing but make the problem worse.

Good luck to you in the hopes of finding some way to manage this issue!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.D.

answers from Albany on

I am a rep for Arbonne International. We sell botanically based skin care products. I only became a rep with the company because I was in the same situation as you. My daughter has a very resistent type of eczema. We tried EVERYTHING! Nothing our pediatrician recommended seemed to make any bit of difference and many of them contained very strong, chemical ingredients that I just didn't like putting on her delicate skin. We started using Arbonne baby care products on her and noticed a difference within a few days. I truly believe using nature based products has helped her skin's pH to level out to the correct 5.5 pH and help her skin protective lipid layer heal and maintain its needed hydration level. I have my testamony about her skin condition (Keratosis Pilaris) and how these products have helped at http://www.emilydemund.myarbonne.com Please let me know if I can help you or answer any questions about what we have found out about eczema in our daughter's case!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Chicago on

I have terrible eczema on my hands and used to have very painful flare-ups often. Simple things that work to keep my eczema at bay: Aquaphor doesn't do a thing for me, but Eucerine original in the tub works wonders. I use it many many times a day and after every time my hands touch water. I use Dove sensitive soaps which were recommended by my dermatologist. Use a humidifier in her room at night. Hope something helps!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.N.

answers from Chicago on

I have a 2 1/2 year old who has had eczema since he was an infant. the aquaphor is more of a preventative type of thing but if they are having a flare up you can start with just an over the counter cortizone cream ( aveeno makes one or just the walgrees or cvs brand too ) apply the that 2 to 3 times a day to the flared up area and then you can use aquaphor or cetaphil too over the hydrocortizone cream. Aveeno makes oatmeal baths that seems to help when my son has a flare up. if that does not work ask your doctor to give you something perscription strength or ask for a referral to a dermatologist. Eczema is often caused by an allergy and it is probably to early to get your little one tested but if it continues maybe in a year see the allergist, it turned out for my little guy he had several allergies . hope this helps

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions