Best Treatments for Eczema

Both my boys have suffered from eczema as infants and toddlers. Malachi ended up growing out of his at about 3, but Isaiah is still suffering with it at 18 months old.

His allergist attributed his eczema to his food allergies (severe peanut and egg). The picture above shows what my little guy looks like after an allergy attack after a slight exposure to peanuts. This was a couple of days after the exposure. After the swelling and redness in his face subsides, his skin shows the effects for several days.

We have struggled with it lately after our insurance company drastically raised the price of his prescription eczema cream. Since then, I have been trying non-prescription remedies, and this is what I have found that works:

1. Use white Dove soap to wash with. I have tried Cetaphil and Aveeno baby wash, but even they leave a roughness on his skin. Dove soap moisurizes and leaves him smelling nice and clean. And it's much cheaper than Cetaphil (approx. $16) or Aveeno baby wash (approx. $7)!

2. Use the "soak and seal" method. After bath time, immediately dry them off and "seal" with an ointment. I'll get into what kind of ointment to use next. The "soak and seal" method comes from our allergist, so we have been using it for just a few months, but I am a believer! The doctor said that the belief used to be that little ones with eczema only need to be bathed every other day or every three days. (I don't want to know what my child would look like after three days with no bath!) He said that specialists now believe that bathing the child every day is actually good for their eczema, as long as you immediately dry them off and seal in the moisture. Some days it is a struggle to hold down an 18-month-old boy while I dry, diaper, and moisturizer him, but it's necessary!

3. Use a greasy ointment to seal in the moisture. Aquaphor is a winner, and it can be expensive (approx. $15 for 14 oz.), but it lasts a long time. Another good one is Bag Balm (approx. $10 for 10 oz.). Originally created for use on dairy cows, it's a miracle-worker on rough eczema patches. Don't waste your money on anything that says "cream" or "lotion." If they contain alcohol, it will sting on application and dry out their skin. Yes, even Aveeno brand doesn't work on my little guy. The best approach is to use a thin layer of ointment all over. I usually apply it a little more thickly on his legs, arms, and chest, where his eczema is more prevalent. Don't grease up their face too much, for obvious reasons. I usually apply it on his cheeks, chin, and above his lip, but I stay away from his eyes am mouth. 

4. Protect skin from potential irritants.

Long sleeves are your friend. This is Isaiah after eating Cambell's chicken noodle soup. As he ate, the broth dripped on his chest and down his arms (He's still learning to feed himself with utensils!) and irritated his skin. The noodles do contain egg, but I'm pretty sure this was an irritation and not an allergic reaction. After this, I bathed and applied Aquaphor to his skin, and it immediately improved.

These methods may or may not work on your child, but I thought I would share the knowledge I have gained over my almost five years of experience with kids with eczema. Hopefully this will help someone out there!

-Sara Grace