Bathing. And eczema

It really is such a journey and unfortunately trial and error with what works for you and your baby. We tried so many emollients, the only one that helped and we didn’t get a reaction with is the E45 one. If hydromol isn’t doing its job it’s worth looking at another just make sure you do a patch test first. If your baby isn’t weaned yet avoid food based ones. Other things that have helped us: cutting dairy, egg, oat, tomato and strawberry. Air purifier, 100% cotton clothing for both of us, no wool, no perfume or reed diffusers, short shower rinses instead of baths, separating pets, check home for mold. You’re not a failure, you’re doing the best you can! Eczema is not easy and I hope your baby finds some relief soon! 🤞🏻 the scratch sleeves with silk ends are a life saver too!

Firstly you aren’t to blame. I got similar shtick from my partner and I had to 🖕🏾in my mind multiple times because “blaming” me didn’t help. We wash our baby every other day - 2 days (submerged bathing) and other days just a top n tail. We keep water at 37 degrees and only let him stay in there for 15 minutes max. Washing baby everyday actually dries out the skin. Have you tried oat baths - we found this would calm flare ups and we use QV gentle wash in the bath and the ointment for after. Also dressed him in only 100% cotton and second the scratch sleeves they’re brilliant.

Sounds like you're doing your best Mama! Managing Eczema can be so hard and it's certainly not your fault. We bathe our daughter every day, using Oilatum in the bath water and then Dermol 500 cream as the wash, then out the bath we apply a generous layer of her moisturizer (we use Aveeno Dermexa) and then a protopic (Elidel) on her face/hands where her eczema is severe and needs stronger creams. We usually do a top and tail in the morning and apply another good layer of moisturizer, our dermatologist said it helps clean the skin to prevent infection and it works for us, her skin is so moist now and mainly eczema free except for the flare ups and hands and face. But like they said above it is a bit of trial and error to find what works for your baby, but hope everyone's advice helps a little and gives some examples. You've got this xx

I’m sorry @Dianne and the OP for being blamed for this. My baby boy has eczema to and I felt like a failure the first week or so until my mother in law told me that eczema runs in their family and their is nothing that I’m doing wrong! It is really trial and error I am using a natural cream called calm balm from mint cosmetics and hydrocortisone 1%. We bath only once every 2 days and his skin improved a lot. We still have some way to go to recovery but you’ve got this.❤️

You are not alone, we felt the same when our little boy was diagnosed with eczema at 2.5 months. If hydromol is not working, try another ointment/ moisturiser. It didn't work for us as well and after 3 months we found 50:50ointment and balmonds salvation works for us. Do patch test all creams before using. If the skin is very inflammed you might need steroid. Moisturiser alone doesn't calm inflammation. We do a quick bath daily in lukewarm water just to wash away dust trapped in the ointment and saliva and then a fresh layer of moisturiser immediately. Cutting allergens did not help so I'm having everything back in my diet now (EBF). Applying thick layer of Vaseline around mouth area before feeding solid helps a lot. Ditto above. We use cotton/ silk. Non-fragranced everything. Probiotics (biogaia). Vitamin D drops. Mould inspection. Vacuuming dusting. Very frequent moisturising. Scratch sleeves. Water filter. It takes time for the skin to improve but you'll get there!

@Cristina @Robyn @Dianne @Shelley @Lillian Thank you so much ladies for your advice and support..I can't tell you how much it means.. I have no support at home and I felt completely alone in this.....this has all been really helpful to see what others are doing I will not give up

I forgot to add my paediatrician recommended that after every bath to moisture his body whilst is still damp and apply a thin layer of Vaseline on top to seal the moisture. I have to say this was the breakthrough for us and my baby’s eczema improved almost overnight.