By Heather Hopson
Over your lifetime, you probably walked to raise money and raise awareness for cancer, lupus, MS or epilepsy. But have you tied up your sneakers for eczema? Although the ailment is far from deadly, and I wouldn’t dare compare it to a devastating disease, eczema doesn’t have a cure. And for the first time, a charity walk was held in North Carolina recently to find one.
Sometimes I have dry skin, but it’s nothing a little lotion can’t combat. Eczema on the other hand needs more attention. When I became a mother of an infant with the skin condition, I couldn’t leave finding a cure in her hands””as you see she made a mess! So I joined forces with fellow moms, African-American Skincare Expert Dr. Patricia Treadwell and The National Eczema Association.
WHAT IS ECZEMA?
Eczema is a chronic itchy skin condition characterized by dry, red, slightly raised or scaly rashes.
“The incidents of eczema in African-American infants are no different from infants in other races. About 15-20% of babies get it,” said pediatric dermatologist Patricia Treadwell. “It’s a common occurrence, so parents should take their children to the pediatrician first. Two-thirds of my patients outgrow eczema after the first year.”
WHAT TRIGGERS A FLARE UP?
In babies, saliva from drooling may cause additional irritation. Other triggers include pets, dust mites, certain fabrics, cigarette smoke and scented products.
“Use unscented laundry detergent and add an extra rinse cycle when washing. Since extreme heat causes flare ups, dress your child appropriately and in cotton clothing whenever possible,” said Treadwell.
HOW DO I TREAT ECZEMA?
“I typically tell my patients’ parents to start with Vasoline,” said Treadwell. “It’s something their mothers and grandmothers turned to moisturize their skin. Baths should be short and warm.”
According to Dr. Treadwell, treatment is a trial-and-error process.
Whitney McIntosh, Altoona, Iowa, “I gave my child an oatmeal bath and immediately rubbed on Eucerin.”
Dr. Carolyn Davis, Nashville, Tennessee, “My daughter had it terribly! I found relief by applying Hydrocortisone cream, as well as Bindi Baby Massage Oil. The oil softens her skin and smells wonderful! I mix in jojoba oil, almond oil or lavender.”
Jasmine Collins, Columbus, Ohio, “My daughter is three, and she has had it since birth. I use Baby Aveeno Eczema Cream, and she hasn’t had a outbreak in two years.”
Michelle Spencer, Orlando, Florida, “My kids have it so bad they have a script for Protopic. I make sure their bedding stays cool, especially when there’s an outbreak because the skin sweats more at that time.”
WILL I NEED TO USE STEROID OINTMENTS ON MY CHILD?
Most children with moderate to severe eczema will need topical steroids.
“Only apply steroid ointments twice daily. Some parents think it bleaches the skin, when in fact it is typically the eczema itself that causes discoloration,” said Treadwell. “Over time, the normal skin tone should return.”
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
For a complimentary copy of the National Eczema Association newsletter, email [email protected]
BMWK family, have you had to deal with Eczema? What treatments worked best for you and your children?
Not long ago, Heather Hopson was an award-winning television host in the Cayman Islands. Today, she’s writing a different kind of story as a new mom at www.diaryofafirsttimemom.com and https://www.facebook.com/diaryofafirsttimemo. The site includes fabulous features, such as Gaga Giveaways, The Mommy Experiment, Mom Minutes and a Video Diary.
I completely understand the skin disorder and its perils. My middle child and I suffer but we have it under wraps for the most part. Great info…Love your blog!
What? Vasoline is the absolute worse thing for eczema. As a long time eczema suffer (no longer suffering since I learned the secret), I have learned that anything with grease, heavy oil, or drying agent (oatmeal bath) will have a significantly damaging effect. As stated in the article, extreme heat makes it flare up worse. Our body temperature is 98.6 degrees on average. Putting grease on it prevents the skin from breathing and increases the flare ups. With eczema, the skin is also dry. Ever let oatmeal sit in a bowl on the counter for a while? Did it look moisturizing to you? It isn’t. It dried me out worse! I remember suffering through all of those oatmeal baths and greasy treatments as a child, until I saw a specialist who recommended U-Lactin lotion. I can honestly say that my suffering ended. I haven’t had flare ups in over 20 years. I was a teen when we finally found this God-send of a doctor. We used Lidex-E mixed with U-Lactin to calm it down initially and then U-Lactin lotion for a while thereafter. Then I started looking for lotions with less of an oil content. Eucrin lotion is good also. Relief has never felt so good. I can’t stress it enough! STAY AWAY FROM THE GREASY CREAMS AND LOTIONS!
Great article, we have struggled with eczema with all three of my children and my youngest has it the worst, I’m terrified of steroids so we took the all natural route using unrefined Shea Butter and coconut oil on my 6 month old, her skin is looking better than it did in the beginning but we have a long way to go, I definitely would participate in a walk for eczema!
Wondering how things are going with the sheabutter and coconut oil route. My baby now is 6 months and we have bee using that and now turned to the shea moisture brand of cream/lotion. Just wondering if it has gone away now or did you have to try something different?
Thank-you
Hello, I have a son and aunts that have eczema. I started selling products that contain ganoderma lucidum. My aunt has stopped her 80 dollar topical medication and bought my $15 soap and she is a faithful customer now it clears and heals. You don’t have to order from me but it is great healthy organic and cheaper no chemicals.
http://www.myganocafe.com/cafeAria
My daughter has eczema since she was a baby. We changed her detergent to the perfume/dye free kind. I also limit the amount of time that she’s in the bathtub. Since it’s the summer and she’s a little “fish”, I can’t keep her out of the swimming pools. During this summer time I make sure to wash off the chlorine from the water and immediately lotion her. I use Gold Bond Ultimate lotion. Only the “Aloe” one works for her. All other varieties aren’t thick enough for her. I’ve tried other lotion brands and they do not work for her at all. For her, Aveeno and Eucerin did not work. But I do realize that a lotion that works for one person may not work for another.
I’ve also noticed that certain foods cause the flare-ups (specifically wheat and eggs). She has a sensitivity to both of these. Although the doctor said that she should be able to eat the foods since it is only a sensitivity. I disagree. I think her body responds the only way it knows how to those products and that’s through the eczema problems.
My son had it bad. His doc prescribed Singulair and Centrizine. You wouldn’t know he ever had eczema now. No more socks on hands or rashes. Also CeraVe lotion and Aquaphor or Proshield ointment (if u can find it).
I had to read this article because I suffered from an extreme case of eczema for years when I was a child. My skin would itch so badly that it would burn, then other times my skin would get hard and darken. The doctors gave me various creams but nothing they gave me worked. For me, it was only time and prayer. Thank you bringing this issue to light. Hopefully someone will find the information helpful in treating their child.
My son has been struggling with eczema since he was born. I tried everything from eucerin, vaseline, and aveeno. But what really works for him is Vanicream from CVS or Walgreens. He is also in Zyrtec and Atarax, When his flare ups get bad we use Triaminacilone Ointment it was prescribed and it works great.
I came across your website unexpectedly and what a pleasant surprise!. It is first class. Very informative and more importantly accurate! I usually find that sites promoting products rarely actually give assistance to the sufferer in terms of good well informed facts about skincare.
We at http://www.skinsalveation.com in the UK also seek to help our visitors with regular updates on progress in the skin care sector coupled with tips from our own followers.
Keep up the good work, we shall certainly direct our visitors to your site for general advice on skincare,
regards
John
We have discovered that eczema is often maintained by products used to manage the disease. Almost all the clues parents need can be seen free of charge on a video on http://www.newgenn.co.uk The products discussed there are NOT for sale in the USA yet as we are seeking an American partner. However the all important is available on the video. Childhood eczema is now a disease of choice – you manage it or you end it. If you want to end it, expect it to be gone within weeks. Kind regards, Dr Harley Farmer
I have had eczema for 27 years. For me, yes heat is a major trigger (I live in the south) but so is gluten. When I cut gluten out of my diet, I have the most amazing skin. Gluten is quickly becoming one of the most prevelent American allergies. Also, an excess of sugar feeds the rashes. If you are breast feeding, then take gluten out of your diet as it effects your child. Gluten is found in anything that has wheat, oats and more. Good luck with helping your children, but remember you feed their outlook on life. If you believe that they are ok, then they will be ok.
Thank you everyone for adding your two cents. Well, it was actually worth more than a couple of pennies. By sharing information and educating each other, we provide parents with valuable information. We also save them time! I will definitely check out some of the product recommendations. Right now, CeraVe Cream seems to do the trick. I’ll use heavier options like Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment in the winter while running the humidifier at night. (She may be outside the norm, b/c it was worse in the winter…or maybe b/c I didn’t know how to treat it at first, and she irritated it with drooling/teething.) I am praying my daughter outgrows this. In the meantime, although I’m told by pediatricians that diet does not cause eczema, we know that people with eczema seem to be more likely to have allergies. I’ve “claimed” that this won’t be a life-long issue and will continue to build my daughter’s self-esteem, which is really important. We can turn what may be viewed as a flaw into a beauty mark!
P.S. Hope to see some of you stop by my mommy blog, Diary of a First Time Mom!
Observers maintain the item displays a new
coherent approach, one thing thus low in your culture,
that it’s not necessarily realised by simply all. The website speed test at Secret
Search Engine Labs will analyze how fast a page on your site is loading and give you tips
on how to improve it. Any time you create new content or share new links on your website or blog, be
sure to do so by diversifying all of the link and anchor text you implement, regardless of the market you represent or the industry you are working in.
My blog post: Google
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for omega 3
fatty acids
Look into my web page; hemp protein powder
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled
blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post.
Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
Using Ancient Rome 3D in Google
Earth, you can explore Rome as it appeared in 320 A.
The website speed test at Secret Search Engine Labs will
analyze how fast a page on your site is loading and
give you tips on how to improve it. There are other ways to improve your ranking
in Googlemaps, the purpose of this blog post is not
to tell you EVERYTHING Frederick Web Promotions can do to improve your
ranking, the purpose of this particular blog post is to:.