Remedies for Ezcema?

[sivohdarba]

My little boy was diagnosed as having ezcema last week. I got a script from the dermatologist, but couldn't afford the co pay so had to leave it there. I thought it wasn't that serious and could just treat it at home with cetaphil soap and lotions, but they aren't doing the trick. He doesn't itch but the spots are getting a little bigger. I will go back and get the script if there is nothing else I can try at home. I just really don't have 80 bucks right now for prescription cream and shampoo!

Have any of you tried any over the counter products that would work and would be safe for a 9 year old?

[cpbaby]

My nephew has the worst case I have ever seen. He has to take oral steriods and some other kind of prescription meds. Nothing else helps. My mom has tried those products you see advertised in the back of magazines and they make it worse. I know that my sister was told to make SURE he got lots of sunlight and that allergies will aggravate it. She also uses Eucerin, the greasy stuff-not the lotion.


You will think I am CRAZY, but have you tried soaking him in the tub and then rubbing him down with CRISCO(not the off brand, but Crisco)? When Matthew wakes up in the night scratching and they cant find the Eucerin and its not time for more prescription meds, they have a small can of Crisco just for him. He gets rubbed down till hes greasy. It really does help.

[sivohdarba]

My nephew has the worst case I have ever seen. He has to take oral steriods and some other kind of prescription meds. Nothing else helps. My mom has tried those products you see advertised in the back of magazines and they make it worse. I know that my sister was told to make SURE he got lots of sunlight and that allergies will aggravate it. She also uses Eucerin, the greasy stuff-not the lotion.


You will think I am CRAZY, but have you tried soaking him in the tub and then rubbing him down with CRISCO(not the off brand, but Crisco)? When Matthew wakes up in the night scratching and they cant find the Eucerin and its not time for more prescription meds, they have a small can of Crisco just for him. He gets rubbed down till hes greasy. It really does help.

Hmmm..does the crisco help the ezcema go away or just help the itch? My ds doesn't have the itching (thank heavens!)

Do you know if ezcema goes away? or is it a life time deal?

I was told to give him lots of sunlight, and he got tons of it today as it was a beautiful day out. I would think that sunlight would make it worse though because it is drying to the skin.

I am feeling like a heel for not getting the script filled now. :(

[Katt]

My littlest grew out of it. He had it for 4 years though. He still has some scars where the skin would peel off in chunks. His poor little legs would bleed and it seemed nothing helped. We had a prescription topical, and used it all the time. We finally started using, I think it was unscented..un everything, lubriderm and mixed it with cortizone cream. It helped soften the skin and seemed to lighten the swelling and redness.

Kolby got it when he learned to crawl, something in the carpet when we got them cleaned, triggered it. He's fixing to turn 7 now, and hasn't had a patch in just over 2 years.

Good luck.

[freebielover]

I've had it since I was a baby, and my little sis used to get it on her eyelids. I was complaining about it because it was all over my legs and my aunt got me this tub of stuff called Hydrolatum. It comes in a tub and its this white gooey stuff. It was a miracle I swear. I've been to so many dermatologists and doctors and all the expensive crap they gave me didn't work, but this $8 tub of stuff worked wonders, they say its about the same stuff they give you over the counter. Just try it out, it can't hurt. I still use it every day, its incredible cleared it up in 3 days.

[Tasha405]

I'm not sure if they list any home remedies but it does seem to list quite a bit of information on this page.....

http://www.eczema.org/faqfile.htm#whatis

I think I may have this developing on my forehead, right between my eyes, just up on my head some. :rolleyes:

[cpbaby]

OH SNOT, I meant to say, the reason alot of stuff didnt work for Matthew is, he is allergic to ALOE. SO many things that can help have "The added Moisturizing relief of ALOE". Doesnt help us at all. Im allergic, my mom is allergic, my sister is allergic, and so on.

I dont blame you for not getting the prescription filled just yet. See what else works. I will ask my mom tomorrow what all Matthew has used and let you know. They keep telling my sister he will grow out of it, but hes not getting much better. HOWEVER< he isnt getting worse either.

[june72]

I have never heard of the crisco, but I use vaseline on my boys, so I'm sure crisco will work great too.
they told me the least water you had to put them in the better,,,yea right,,,,so I used the vaseline, then put them in the tub. shed what water off I could from them. I hate it for them it is so aggraviating. Always dry skin and itching. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[cinnamonch]

My friend uses Hydrocortizone (sp) for hers. Mine is a bit worse and I have to take oral medications as well as use a topical cream. He also told me to bathe/shower in tepid water not hot as that tends to aggrevate the problem as well. Not only that, he wanted me to bath like every other day and wash up the others (sorry, couldnt do that :rolleyes: ) One thing my derm said was my body was not moisturizing itself internally (lacking some sort of minerals) and the ezcema was the external result.

Instead of using lotions (which contain a lot of water), you might want to only use body creams or vasoline (not the generic).

[newwiccan]

I found out a few weeks ago Emma has it also. Her doctor said to use hydrocortisone cream. Also he said to use WHITE Dove soap, Eucerin cream, unscented laundry detergent and no fabric softener. I still use her regular shampoo.

Also wanted to ask has your son been tested for allergies? Emma's eczema is caused by a dairy allergy. Just a thought if nothing else works. Good luck!

[cathych]

When my son had it, the md gave him prescription strength hydrocortisone. Crisco is a godsend, really. Try it.

[sivohdarba]

Thank you everyone for replying! I learned quite a bit. I have a couple more questions though...lol! ;)

Do you just apply the crisco before bathing, or can it be applied anytime? Does it help the rash go away?

What is the difference between cortizone and hydrocortizone?

My son was on prednisone for a month and it cleared his face up completely. It only worked for his face though as the rash seemed to move down his body and his calves are really bad. He has so many cuts, scrapes, bruises and now the ezcema! His legs look like I kick the crap outta them...lol!!

P.S. The doctor's didn't think he had any allergies. She said that she has seen a lot of the same kind that he has. She blames it on a long winter with dry indoor air.

[sivohdarba]

I found out a few weeks ago Emma has it also. Her doctor said to use hydrocortisone cream. Also he said to use WHITE Dove soap, Eucerin cream, unscented laundry detergent and no fabric softener. I still use her regular shampoo.

Also wanted to ask has your son been tested for allergies? Emma's eczema is caused by a dairy allergy. Just a thought if nothing else works. Good luck!
Is Emma doing better now newwiccan?

[sivohdarba]

he wanted me to bath like every other day and wash up the others (sorry, couldnt do that :rolleyes: )


I couldn't do that either!! Lol...when I was growing up my mom would sometimes do a PTA P=privates T=titties A=armpits :p To this day I still have to have a shower EVERY day....the thought of doing a PTA just grosses me out!! :p

[cpbaby]

My nephew bathes EVERY DAY-hes a 3 yr old for goodness sakes! My sister washes his hair and face with the Dollar General brand T-Gel and it helped his scales ALOT.


The Crisco after bathing holds the moisture in. It also moisturizes almost anytime. I have used it on my heels during a long winter and it does help.

[newwiccan]

Is Emma doing better now newwiccan?

Thank you for asking. All of her spots have completely cleared up. I really think as long as she doesn't have cow's milk she won't have anymore outbreaks. I haven't changed any of the other things the doctor told me except for her soap. We only use the white Dove.

[cpbaby]

My mom said to use AQUAPHOR and to also go to WalMart and look for a hydracortisone ointment that is NOTHING but hydracortisone and petroleum. There is NOTHING else in it. It works better then the prescription cream he has.

[sivohdarba]

My mom said to use AQUAPHOR and to also go to WalMart and look for a hydracortisone ointment that is NOTHING but hydracortisone and petroleum. There is NOTHING else in it. It works better then the prescription cream he has.
Thanks for all of your help cpbaby! I am writing down what you and everyone suggests! :)