Cow's Milk Allergy? Eczema? Help!! | ExpatWoman.com
 

Cow's Milk Allergy? Eczema? Help!!

26
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 October 2011 - 21:30

Ladies,

Was wondering if anyone can help me...my DS has had what the doctor termed as infantile eczema since he was about a month old. Tried 5 different brands/types of infant formula (S26, Nan, Similac, Nan HA, Nursoy) but the rashes won't go away...Was advised by our pediatrician that he has Cow's Milk Protein Allergy and we must put him on Neocate (elemental milk which is unbelievably expensive!) about 5 weeks ago, but still the rashes won't disappear. Have been moisturizing him per doctor's instructions BUT I noticed that every time I do, the rashes appear a lot worse! Tried Jergens, Cetaphil, Lipobase, and now Stelatopia but same effect! Noticed that the rashes start where the diaper ends, so it got me thinking that he must be allergic to the laundry detergent that I use (Purex). Did some research and learned that non bio laundry soaps are better fo sensitive skin so went to both Geant and Carrefour today and found several brands. Now I do not know which one to get! There's Fairy Non Bio, Easy Non Bio, Charm Non Bio.. Duru??

Which one is BEST for a baby's extremely sensitive skin? Also, since I wash my baby's clothes in the same washer I use to wash our own clothes (and I use Ariel or Tide) does that mean we all have to switch to using non bio laundry detergent? What non bio detergent is the cheapest BUT equally effective as the more expensive brands? With the cost of Neocate and a non bio laundry detergent, I think we will go broke in no time! :(

1052
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 29 October 2011 - 19:28
I feel for you my DS had it from 4 months old hes 9 now and it moved from infantile to atopic stilhas it really bad gets flare ups all the time, saw a fab dermatologist at arabian ranches clinic, and water is the problem too many showers and baths etc or spending too much time in them we reduced DS shower time as he used to love standing in there for ages and we have seen a huge improvement, he also prescribed 4 creams that you mix together, keep in the fridge and apply. We use Fairy and its the only one that does not irritate him good luck but the key is to keep applying the cream even when there appears to be no flare up.
26
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 October 2011 - 18:50
Thank you ladies for replying to my post! It is a relief to know that there are people out there who went through/are going through what we are going through now. I will definitely try your suggestions. Our doctor has given us Locoid Cream to use when the rashes really get bad, but I have used up about 2 big tubes and still the rashes come back :( I really hope we can figure out what is causing the flare ups. I've taken note of the prescription creams mentioned below, and will discuss with our doctor. If you guys think of any more tips/advise you can give to help us manage eczema, please let me know. I would really really appreciate it!
13
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 October 2011 - 11:06
Hello. All 3 of mine have suffered with eczema and I found the biggest irritant was the wash powder. I ended up using fairy non-bio on all of our clothes as it was easier. Any non-bio will do though! I also had various creams and found I had to swap between them as they'd stop working. I also bathed them and washed them with a special soap that was completely perfume free. They are 5,3 and 2 now and have outgrown it and I can use normal powder. My son (2yrs old now) was also lactose intolerant and on Wysoy for a year until we weaned him onto cows milk. I have been told there is a link between the two and to top it off my son also has asthma and we have been to hospital a few times. Not great but getting better. We have only been here 2 months so I was lucky enough to get cheaper washing powder and free formula back home. It may be worth asking if your medical card covers prescribed formula to maybe save on that cost?!? Hope you get there in the end!!
321
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 October 2011 - 00:49
i dont know if there are different types of eczema... but my son has had it from day 1 (he's almost 4 and still has it) never been told there was any link to milk formula or food, so maybe he has a different kind... but i can tell you what we use/do it actually get better in the winter and worse in the summer... the less baths you give the less irritated it will be. we found that aveeno products work best for us, oatmeal bath, diaper cream, soap shampoo and lotion (either the frangrance free stuff and there is even some made just for eczema but is harder to find) we also use dove soap for laundry dont use dryer sheets, if you use fabric softener use the fragrance free, i use the white downy... for the detergent i use anything fragrance free tide makes one i think right now we have purex i just buy whatever is available... dreft is the best imo but i havent found it here.... the fragrance free stuff is pretty much always in a white container. we also have a perscription ointment... cant think of the name but i can look for you if you want to ask your dr about it. good luck i hope some of this will help.
211
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 October 2011 - 22:15
Second of mine had this. I ended up nursing for two years!! He is 16 now and grew out of it by 2yrs. I found oilatum in the bath water helped, as well as the cream on the really sore spots. He spent lots and lots of time lying on a towel washed in woolite when he was very small and even more time completely bare as he got bigger. I am sure the neighbours thought we were raising nudists! There are some benefits to our weather here. Lakeland plastics do some washing balls, like spiky rubber balls, which means you can drastically Reduce the amount of washing powder you use. That may help too. You could also trying putting all the washing through an additional rinse cycle before drying. <em>edited by Teabag on 28/10/2011</em>
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 28 October 2011 - 22:07
Most kids outgrow infantile eczema. In the meantime ask your doctor for a prescription to ELIDEL ointment. Its great for eczema sufferers. If you and your husband have sensitive skin then his eczema is most probably hereditary and not from the foods etc.
5
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 October 2011 - 21:39
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