Food Allergies and eczema?

[caseyb]

I'm surprised that you can't have the scratch tests done until 1 year.  It's interesting to read other posts on here and how things are different across the pond (either way, really).  My Allergist said that the blood tests were not as accurate at such a young age, which is why he did the scratch tests.  BUT, if you can find something out with a blood test then at least you have something to go on, iyswim. 

I was thinking about you and your LO today.  I had done a ton of research about eczema and most everything I'd read said to limit baths.  My Allergist said that a bath every day for a minimum of 15 minutes followed by some super lotion (cetaphil, aquaphor - something thick and moisturizing) would help to clear the skin.  You might try that for his scratching for a few days to see if that helps too.  Did the Allergist say anything about the antihistimines to help your LO?

I'm craving anything dairy right now!!!     I have been really diligent about reading labels and I'm shocked as to what has milk in it!  Even my loaf of bread!?!  What kind of foods do you eat...that satisfy?  We have plenty to "eat" around here, but nothing that I want or would normally eat.  I guess I'm just having some serious cravings and nothing will satisfy right now.

[Buntybear]

Hi 

We found that baths every 2/3 days helped Olly. His eczema is pretty much under control now. He still gets a bit of a milk rash on his face which we use steriod to control. Still scrathing though!

As for your cravings... what is it you crave??! Maybe I can help with suggestions  . I have to admit I eat a fair bit of mayo at the mo, which I love, but it is also fairly creamy. TBH I have been without dairy for so long now I am not that bothered by it. Apart from when my sis eat a big sloppy pizza in front of me today..... ohhhhhh. Also as you are doing for your LO it makes it a lot easier than if you were just doing it for you IYKWIM.

[Buntybear]

Forgot to say we were prescribed anti histamines last week. Gave them a go on Sat when Olly was scratching but it didn't seem to make a difference.  bummer. Will give another go this week but obviously don't want to over medicate

[lchuynh]

Hi there ladies, we've been going through the same ailments in our household too.

My DS suffers from wicked eczema breakouts and I too was terrified of weaning the swaddle. DH ordered one of these sleeping bags http://www.pekemoe.co.nz/index.htm and this was how we weaned the swaddle (I transitioned by putting him in the bag and also swaddling over the top, slowly loosening every day over a couple of weeks).

My allergist told us to bath every day and moisturize like crazy (as often as you remember). He recommended Aveeno cream that also contains oats to soothe the skin. So I am constantly putting cream on LO's face and any areas on his body that are dry and patchy. Currently his body looks perfect but he still has major breakouts on his face, behind the ears and neck. If it gets really bad I do resort to using steroid cream but this doesn't happen as often as it used to.

DS was on ebm until he was 7 mo. The allergist recommended we put him on hypoallergenic formula because I had basically eliminated so much from my diet LO wasn't getting enough nutritional value from my milk. I was really hesitant to do this but in the end I made the decision to switch and we've never looked back . Don't get me wrong, I truly believe breast is best but for my LO it unfortunately didn't work out that way.

We had both scratch tests and blood tests done at 7mo. The blood tests verified the scratch tests and the degree. We are now giving antihistamines daily (for his dustmite allergy mainly). This is not an ideal situation but right now we haven't got an alternative remedy . I am still searching...

I also give DS a blend of oils; olive, avocado and flaxseed. I mix it in with his food so he doesn't taste it.  And another thing, we had a lot of trouble with getting the right antihistamine as DS was really sensitive to the taste of the sweetener/flavour in the liquid form (we tried 2 types and he projectile vomited every time we gave it to him). We are now on the powder which I have to mix into his food.

I've had such great help on this site from people chipping in here and there, so thought I would reciprocate and share .

[Buntybear]

Hi Ichuynh

So what foods is your LO allergic too? good to hear that you have also successfully weaned the swaddle. I really need to get on and do this ! Trouble is the scratching is stl bad, his forehead was bleeding yesterday just can't bear to leave him alone whilst he is still doing it.

[caseyb]

Hi Ladies! 

Ichuynh, I'm sorry to hear you are having issues too.  Interesting about the formula as I was having thoughts just today about the quality of my milk.  I bf'd DD until 13 months, so giving up now is heartbreaking but I too think it may be best.  I was eating so much dairy (cheese, yogurt, etc as snacks) and find myself just not eating at all, which isn't good for either of us!  DS's eczema is still not well and I'm starting to wonder if there is something else he is allergic to.  They tested him for wheat and soy and both of those were negative, so I don't know what else it could be.  I may just need to switch to formula for the last few months and see how DS reacts.  We have an appointment with the ped on Tuesday so I will be interested to see what his take is.

Great news about the sleeping bag.  That seems like a great idea to start to wean.  Buntybear, I hope that you have some success with weaning it, but if he's happy then I would just leave it for now.  Especially if he's still scratching like mad.  DS still digs at the back of his head at night, but I do think it has gotten better.  I don't like giving so many medicines to my LO, but I also don't see an alternative until we can get this under control.  I'm really struggling with his allergy to the dogs.  I don't want to get rid of them  , but I can't have DS miserable either.  We're really in a pickle with that one.

[Katet]

Hi Ladies! 

Ichuynh, I'm sorry to hear you are having issues too.  Interesting about the formula as I was having thoughts just today about the quality of my milk. 

As a general rule your diet shouldn't change the milk quality, but it will deplete YOUR BODY of nutrients (bones etc) to keep the milk right - in the past it was believed that if a mother didn't eat well her milk will suffer, but that has actually been proven to be wrong... BUT what can effect the quality is actually STRESS... so even on a limited diet if you are relatively relaxed your milk quality should be fine, but if you get stressed (hard not to at times) then the milk will suffer.

[lchuynh]

My LO is allergic to milk and a few varieties of nuts. He is intolerant to gluten. Prior to having the scratch tests done I was on an elimination diet to ascertain what he was reacting to that was causing his eczema, upset stomach and disrupting his sleep. I really had eliminated a lot of major food groups from my diet, and not only was it stressful watching everything I was consuming but I was also tired from lack of sleep and lethargic due to not having enough vitamins/minerals. My supply was also suffering as a result of the aforementioned and so I was expressing all the time (which was a bit stressful during the day when LO was wanting attention and I had to pump and entertain him at the same time...you don't want to know how much milk I spilt during this process!). I did all of this because I wanted LO to have the best I could give him. I'm sure everything I have described sounds all too familiar to you ladies

Regarding swaddle weaning - it doesn't have to be all or nothing. It wasn't with us. I know it is scary that LO will scratch themselves raw which is why I like the Pekemoe sleeping bag because his arms are inside the bag.

Casey, I feel for you having to make a decision about the dogs. That's a tough one. How big was the reaction to dogs? Maybe you can control it by having doggy designated areas of the house where LO doesn't go. IDK, I'm over owning animals altogether so haven't got any good ideas for you TBH

HTH.
Lien.

[endira]

Hi Ladies.
My son also has eczema, since he was 2 weeks old  
We used this for the scratching, and it works: http://www.scratchsleeves.co.uk/

[Buntybear]

Brilliant have been looking for something in the uk. Will give them a go 

[newmummy82]

Just wanted to say that we weaned the swaddle to a peke moe- it arrived within 3-4 days to the UK! DD has moderate eczema and we use Cetroben cream and oilatum bath emolient. Our GP prescribed several different emollients to try as not everyone responds to the same so it's worth trying out a few.
Really intersting about dustmite allergy. Might try boiling the bed linen etc. Now worried my lack of housework is affecting DD!!

[Buntybear]

Oh OK, didn't think to get it sent over from NZ!  I guess you found it worked then?? 

[newmummy82]

Buntybear- we love our peke moes-just about to order next size up! No matter how often I cut her nails she is still so scratchy so at least when she's asleep she can't! Very occasionally they come up on ebay so worth a look out-we got one for couple of pounds. Works out at about £30 incl p&p so fairly expensive but suppose a Grobag is about £25 so comparable.
We went straight from miracle blanket into peke moe at about 15/16 weeks with no problems.

Ruth

[jac*]

Please help, I am not sure what to try next.
My LO broke out in bad eczema all over his face at 4 weeks, after some research I decided to try going of dairy for a few weeks to see if it helped. Within a week I was amazed to see all his eczema was gone. What a relief!!! 
However a week after it cleared it was back again , I assume I had had dairy in something and not realised but 2 weeks on and he still has it. Now I am in 2 minds about what to do. Is it dairy? Or something else? Does he have multiple allergies? Is it a food allergy at all? 
I use sensitive washing powder and do not use any soap or creams on his skin.
Just stuck on what to do and looking for some advice, my GP was no help and he is to young for an allergy test.
Thanks
Jac

[Buntybear]

Hi Jac,

Sorry to hear that your LO has eczema. Have you tried cutting soy from your diet too? I am assume you BF?? I think it is about 50% of MPI babies are also intolerant to soy. TBH I did not find a link between food and eczema but he does seem more itchy if I have soy.

How old is your LO?