Ezcema & Food allergies. An update.

Thanks to everyone who sent emails (or gave us a call) after our Eczema post a couple of months ago.  We loved some of the suggestions and did test a few out.  Some of you had some wacky ideas.  But we love you anyway.  We had really truly hit the metaphoric wall.  But after our urgent-help-us-now pleas appointments with Elliot's primary doctor and her allergist, we are unhitting the wall (or whatever the opposite of hitting the wall should be)

Also, to everyone who reached out in sympathy.  It was nice to hear from you, too.  I never did think I would be that mom.  You know the one.  The one with the kid with food allergies, the weird skin, all of that.  I have been the hover mother at any birthday party or play date she has been to.  I HATE BEING THAT MOM. But it is what it is - and I was grateful to get emails from other mama who have been through it. 

The outcome of the new treatments and testing is AMAZING.   Elliot still itches.  She still has scratch marks and scabs.  BUT not as many.  The redness is gone.  And, for the first time ever, her skin is soft.  Soft baby skin.  What more can a mama hope for? 

What the doctor ordered:
Bleach baths 3x a week. (for details, see link below)
Soaking baths 4x a week (30-45 minutes in plain, warm water)
     each bath followed with a heavy creme.  head to toe coverage
Cutivate, a corticosteroid, 2x a day where affected.
Bacitracin, an antibiotic, applied inside the nose at bedtime 5x a month
Benedryl, an antihistamine, at bedtime.

We are also in the process of redoing scratch testing, and blood testing that we first completed when she was 1 year.   Have any allergies been added?  Grown out of?  We should know soon.


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sites to check out:
One Mom Against Eczema - BLOG
Ask Dr. Sears - Eczema Summary
Surprising New Treatment - Bleach Baths

Notes from the Darkside: Eczema sucks

Eczema

O, Eczema. 

How we hate you. 

Elliot does not appear to be growing out of her Eczema anytime soon.  She does seem to be growing out of all of our methods to soothe her.  We thought we would be on the mend by now - that we only had to put up with it for 2-3 years. However, Elliot's skin is getting worse not better.  And, now she is noticing other people's reactions to her 'owies'.

We have an appointment with an allergist tomorrow.  Fingers are crossed in Boise.  Please please please let the Dr have something (a cure?) that does more then just alleviate the symptoms or coat her in steroids.

Izaak and I have not have a full night's sleep in a couple of weeks.  There is a semi anticipated 3am fit full of intense itching and 2 tired parents trying 101 ways to calm and soothe her back to sleep.  We are getting anxious with a new baby coming in 12 weeks.  SLEEP?  And, then, what if we have two lil'eczema kids? 

So, in the spirit that it takes a village... we are open to any ideas, tips, advice, or recommendations you might have.  Comment here, or send me an email.  I am listing some things that we have already tried over the last few years...

• There are NO common lotions that we haven't tried in the last 3 years.  If it is sold at Walmart or Rite Aid we have tried it. She develops a rash usually after the 3rd or 4th time we use anything.  The only exception is that we can use Vaseline and glycerin.  But both are really sticky and don't absorb into her skin well. 
• We have tried bathing her everyday...with Epsom salts, with vinegar, with oatmeal, with essential oils.  She almost always flares up the next day. 
• We have tried bathing her 1x a week, every other week.  Her skin doesn't get better.
• She has been tested for allergies. Positive only for eggs.  We are have been an egg-free house for 2 years.
• I don't even know the last time we had pine sol or 409 spray in the house.  We are experts at cleaning with vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil.  No chemicals that could irritate her.  The only exception is laundry detergent and dish soap.  We use a 'free and clear' version for each of those.
• Dander?  Dust?  We don't have any pets.  We vacuum every other day. 
• OTC children's Zyrtec and Claritin...we use/have used.  But are questioning if they are helping any more.

There you have it.  If you have any ideas, pass them along.  We'd appreciate it.  If we get any interesting tips, I'll pass it along.  Or, if we hear anything promising from the Dr. tomorrow, I'll pass that along too. 



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