This kid has eczema and has had it all his life. They say theres no sure fire cure, you just simply grow out of it. His doctor said to try Proactive.
120898
Proactive is for treatment of acne, not for eczema. I find it very odd that the doctor suggested proactive.. you may need to find another dermatologist for more consultation.
140638
The word eczema comes from the ancient Greek meaning "to boil over". Eczema is a general term which, to most people, means a diffuse rash or inflammation of the skin, which causes redness and intense itching. The most common type of eczema in children is atopic eczema. In early childhood, the rash is often present over the face, limbs or trunk. \n\nFor baby, eczema can be an uncomfortable and distressing condition. The cycle of mild skin irritation followed by scratching and uiltimately infection is all too common. There is no cure for eczema as such, however for some lucky individuals the condition disappears after a couple of years. For others a lifelong treatment routine is the only answer.\n\nGenerally health professionals recommend the use of emollients as a first-line treatment. Emollients are products which moisturise and soften the skin. They restore the elasticity and suppleness and help to reduce the itching and scratching. Emollients are safe and should be used frequently. Emollients include:\n\n\na bath/baby oil*, with regular once or twice daily baths \na soap substitute, such as aqueous cream \na moisturiser applied liberally to all areas of dry skin, at least twice daily and if possible more frequently. \nThe application of prescription medication to aid in the reduction of inflammation is also recommended in some cases. Because of baby's low body weight and intolerance to certain drugs and chemicals, advice should be sought from a health care professional before the application of any strong medication.\n \n RELATED TOPICS\nCradle Cap \nNappy Rash  \n\n \nWild Child\nCradle Cap Oil\n\nWild Child\nNappy Rash Cream\n\n\nWild Child\nBaby Wash\n\n\nWild Child\nSoothing Oil\n\n\nBABYCARE BOOKS \n \n\n \n\n \n *NOTE: When choosing a baby oil it is best to choose one made from natural oils as many commonly available baby oils are made from liquid paraffin which is a derivative of crude oil. Recent critical claims by various manufacturers and authorities have seen a decline in the use of paraffins in cosmetics.
339056
Sadly I think Drs now days have become blinkered and find it hard to appreciate there can be a cure without drugs. They are far to quick to pigeon hole people and lable them as having a 'treatable' condition, without first looking at other possible explanations and/or causes.  Drug companies have a lot to do with it too, they have a scary hold over our Drs, our NHS and our society, when it comes down to it, it's all about the money.\n\nA friend of a friend of mine had a similar problem with misdiagnosis.  Her daughter had a red raw rash on her thighs and bum, she was prescribed anti eczema creams but it became so bad the child was hospitalised.  It gradually got better until she went home and it flareded up again.  To cut a long story short, she took her to a holistic practitioner and it was discovered the child was allergic to the type of rubber in her bath mat.  Result - no mat, no rash - simple as that. \n\n We are far to quick to assume that drugs are the only cure, and the media does not help matters.  I'm afraid we will only see an increase in children being labeled as having ADHD etc. as the diet we feed our children declines further into the relms of cheap, quick and easy, toxic ladened convienience foods.  Our bodied weren't build to cope with the levels of preservatives, additives and essentially poisons that we pump it full of daily.  Even when we think we are doing well by eating low-fat food, we're only making things worse as these are full of increasing levels of sugar, or worse, aspartame to compensate for the lack of fat.\n\nSadly I don't know the solution, but It has to come from the top.  Organic foods need to be cheaper, and food education should be a top priority.  Our diet affects us more than we know!
626962
I have atopic dermatitis,the medical name for eczema and I have had it for 40 + years.Here is some advice:\n\n1.Flare ups can take time to heal.Medications keep the flare ups from getting too out of hand.My worst flare up was on my hands.I had the rash on my hands for four years;I was unsder doctor's care the whole time.\n\n2.There is no cure for eczema,only treatments. Forget all-natural "cures" because they DO NOT WORK!!(Remember,I've had this condition for over 40 years;I know from experience that \n"natural" and "hypoallergenic" doesn't mean that they are good choices for atopic skin).Having sensitive skin means that certain products,natural or not,can cause allergic reactions in the skin .\n\n3.Get rid of all soaps,all scented products.Soaps are drying,period.Drying ingredients exacerbate the itch,which leads to scratching,whick breaks the skin,which causes the oozing,redness... The most important thing that you can do is keep the skin from getting too dry.Cleaning with Cetaphil Lotion Cleanser,or Cetaphil Bar cleanser,keeps the skin from losing too much moisture.After cleaning up,a moisturizing cream is to be applied.Cetaphil makes an excellent cream mosturizer.Some people like Eucerin cream.Water is an irritant to atopic skin,so try not to wash hands a lot;Cetaphil can be used without water,you just put it on,"lather up" and repeat,then wipe off the cleaner.\n\n4. Cortaid with moisturizers works just as well as any prescription medication.I've used prescription hydrocortisone cream,Lidex and Prednisone(not recommended,because it lasts for as long as you take it,then you are left with the rash and the side effects of the steroid).I also tried Protopic and luckily hated it;it burned so I didn't use it.I say luckily because Protopic and Elidel,the newest drugs are under investigation for  causing an increased risk of skin cancer.Just remember that some flare ups last for a long time(my worst lasted for four years).Being patient is one of the hardest things to do but it is something that a person with atopic dermatitis must have.\n\n5. Aveeno makes some great products for itchy,sensitive skin.Aveeno Bath Powder with Colloidal Oatmeal and Aveeno  Bath and Shower Oil with Colloidal Oatmeal are fantastic.\n\n6.The weepy form of eczema can be soothed with wet dressings made with Bluborro powder.The Bluborro will dry the ooze so you can deal with the rash.\n\n7.Stay away from Vaseline,any product that contains lanolin,benzocaine,aha or sugar acids,retinols,any greasy preparation,or any cream that contains an antihistamine(oral antihistamines are okay,just not in a cream or lotion that goes directly on the skin).\n\n8.Having excema even has an effect on the clothes that can be worn.Dermatologists prefer that their patients wear cottons and soft,natural fibers.Polyester retains perspiration which can cause problems.The soft moisture-wicking fabrics are okay.Wool is to be lined or a person will have to wear a soft layer underneath the wool(t-shirts,camisoles,pantliners)so it doesn't touch the skin and make the skin itch.Fabric detergents and fabric softeners used to clean clothes have to be unscented.\n\n9.Educate yourself.I started reading up on skin conditions as a teenager.Dermatologists often write books with advice on how to deal with certain conditions.I'll list them in the sources.\n\n10 Eczema,allergies and asthma often go hand-in-hand.An antihistamine is to be taken to deal with this.\n\n11. My doctor said to avoid doing any wet work if at all possible(no doing dishes,no washing the car,et c.).If wet work couldnot be avoided,cotton gloves worn under rubber gloves had to be worn;the cotton gloves are available in the beauty sections of pharmacies.Lined rubber gloves are not good enough.
520953
I would use this stuff called Butt Paste.  I have eczema really bad and my dr. told me to use that on my body. In reality it is made for diaper rash on babies. If it can be used on little baby private parts and it treats eczema then it should be great for your problem. You can find it anywhere you can find diaper rash cream. Good luck!!!
635804
I am an atopic dermatitis(eczema) patient.I've had eczema for 40+ years so I have a lot of experience in this matter.There is no cure for eczema;you have to be patient and let it ride its course.My worst flare up lasted for 4 years and I was under a doctor's care,and using prescription medicines the whole time.My flare up was on my hands,too. Here is what you need to do:\n\nDonot use soap,ever.Use Cetaphil lotion cleanser and Cetaphil bar cleanser for the bath/shower.My doctor advised me against frequent hand washing.Cetaphil's lotion cleanser lets you clean your hands with out water.Water is a drying irritant to atopic skin."Atopic" is the medical term for a certain type of eczema,an eczema that just happens because the skin is sensitive.\nJust follow the directions on the bottle. Put the cleanser on your hands,rub,lather up and wipe off with a soft paper towel or cotton towel and repeat.You can use the Cetaphil with water,too.After washing or cleaing the hands,you apply your medication(more about medication later).Then you use Cetaphil's cream moisturizer.Use the cream frequently during the day.The goal is to keep the skin moist.Cetaphil also makes a facial moisturizer.\n\nNow about shampooing. Shampoo is a soap,dear.Soaps are dangerous to atopic skin;drying and cracking happens because soaps dry out the skin.I used gloves whenever I washed my hair.You also need to change your shampoo to Nizoral, Denorex Tar-based,or Neutragena Tar-based shampoos if your scalp gets really dry.Otherwise,a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner is just fine.Since the rash is now off my hands and I don;t use the gloves,I have to use the Cetaphil cream moisturizer right after I wash my hair.It's a rule,whenever your hands get wet,you have to replace the moisture that the water took out by puting on the Cetaphil cream.\n\nAveeno preparations that are helpful are the bath preparations made with colloidal  oatmeal;the bath powder and the bath/shower oil along with the Cetaphil bar cleanser are what I use in the shower/bath.\n\nMedicines that I used were Lidex and hydrocortisone cream.I was lucky to have a dermatologist who was also head of a medical university dermatological teaching college. He developed a moisturizing hydrocortisone cream that is now available over-the counter;it's Cortaid with moisturizers.I also out of desperation tried prednisone;the steroid works for as long as you take it and there are side effects so you cannot take it for a long time.As soon as one stops taking the cpurse of steroids,the rash comes back...and one is left to deal with the side effects...a person is more prone to bleeding disorders because cortisone thins the blood.So,don't try Prednisone unless your whole body is affected by the rash. Two new prescriptions not to try are Elidel and Protopic;they are currently being investigated for being a cause of increased skin cancer risk.I tried Protopic;it burned my skin and I didn't use it and went back to hydrocortisone cream.I'm glad I did.\n\nYou will also need to take an antihistamine.Eczema and allergies go hand in hand.\n\nDO NOT USE THESE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS:\n\nVasolene,or any greasy preparation unless it's been prescribed to you by your doctor.\n\nScented products.Look for unscented products for laundry detergent,fabric softener,underarm anitperspirants... things that touch your skin shouldn't be iiritating and added scents are irritants.\n\nAvoid over- the- counter salves and lotions that contain  benzocaine and antihistamines.\n\nStay away from products that contains Alpha-hydroxy acids,sugar acids,acids of any kind,unless your doctor is using it as part of your therapy.You can end up doing serious damage to your skin!!\n\nStay away from lanolin.It causes allergies,plugs up oil glands, and just makes eczema worse.\nOTHER HINTS\nDon't do dishes and other wet-work if you can avoid it.If you can't avoid it you need two types of gloves:rubber glove
109002
Sounds like a condition called dyshydrotic eczema.\n\nBut go see a dermatologist.
582178
my daughter had a bad burn on her arm- that blistered and peeled. After she healed up, we used mederma to help get rid of the scar. It worked. As far as helping the healing, the doctor should be giving him something for that. I don't remember the name, but it is a small dark blue jar, the cream was whitish/silver in color. It took the burn pain away and helped to heal it faster.
28723
My child was diagnosed with this condition. Conventional medical experts pushed medications and said they would be for life.  Go the alternative road.  THere is NO harm in trying.  All of my son's symptoms disappeared when we treated food and environmental allergies.  Get and read the following 2 books used from Amazon: 1. IS THis Your Child, Doris Rapp, MD 2. Food Allergy Cure, Ellen Cutler, MD   Just do it!  You will be glad you didi!
223872
A fantastic lotion called Renew will clear up almost any case of eczema. It has been tested and found to be extremely effective against eczema.
551145
I'm a 13 year old boy and I know what ur going through is tough ESPECIALLY at school w/ all ur friends lookin at u like they're embarrased to be seen hangin round u!!! I've got extream acne and i know how it feels to be excluded so my heart goes out to u! So, heres what i did. I looked up the symptoms and some cures for it. I really hope this helps u! Email me anytime at ryanfrancisbailey@yahoo.com Alternative names   \n\n\nInfantile eczema; Atopic eczema; Dermatitis - atopic \nDefinition    Return to top \n\nAtopic dermatitis, commonly referred to as eczema, is a chronic skin disorder categorized by scaly and itching rashes. People with eczema often have a family history of allergic conditions like asthma, hay fever, or eczema.\n\nCauses, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top \n\nEczema is most common in infants, and at least half of those cases clear by age 3. In adults, it is generally a chronic or recurring condition.\n\nA hypersensitivity reaction (similar to an allergy) occurs in the skin, causing chronic inflammation. The inflammation causes the skin to become itchy and scaly. Chronic irritation and scratching can cause the skin to thicken and become leathery-textured.\n\nExposure to environmental irritants can worsen symptoms, as can dryness of the skin, exposure to water, temperature changes, and stress.\n\nSymptoms    Return to top \n\nIntense itching \nBlisters with oozing and crusting \nSkin redness or inflammation around the blisters \nRash \nIn children under 2 years old, skin lesions begin on the cheeks, elbows, or knees \nIn adults, the rash more commonly involves the inside surfaces of the knees and elbows \nDry, leathery skin areas \nMore or less pigment than their normal skin tone (see skin, abnormally dark or light) \nLocated commonly in the inner elbow or behind the knee \nMay spread to the neck, hands, feet, eyelids, or behind the knee \nRaw areas of the skin -- from scratching \nEar discharges/bleeding \nSigns and tests    Return to top \n\nDiagnosis is primarily based on the appearance of the skin and on personal and family history. The health care provider should examine the lesions to rule out other possible causes. A skin lesion biopsy may be performed, but is not always required to make the diagnosis.\n\n\nTreatment    Return to top \n\nConsult your health care provider for a diagnosis of eczema because it can be difficult to differentiate from other skin disorders. Treatment should be guided by the health care provider.\n\nTreatment may vary depending on the appearance (stage) of the lesions -- acute "weeping" lesions, dry scaly lesions, or chronic dry, thickened lesions are each treated differently.\n\nAnything that aggravates the symptoms should be avoided whenever possible, including any food allergens and irritants such as wool and lanolin.\n\nDry skin often makes the condition worse. When washing or bathing, keep water contact as brief as possible and use less soap than usual. After bathing, it is important to trap the moisture in the skin by applying lubricating cream on the skin while it is damp. Temperature changes and stress may cause sweating and aggravate the condition.\n\nTreatment of weeping lesions may include soothing moisturizers, mild soaps, or wet dressings.\n\nMild anti-itch lotions or topical corticosteroids (low potency) may soothe less severe or healing areas, or dry scaly lesions.\n\nChronic thickened areas may be treated with ointments or creams that contain tar compounds, corticosteroids (medium to very high potency), and ingredients that lubricate or soften the skin. Systemic corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation in some severe cases.\n\nThe latest treatment for eczema is a class of skin medications called topical immunomodulators (TIMs). These medications are steroid-free. They include tacrolimus (Protopic) and pimecrolimus (Elidel). Studies have shown as high as an 80% success rate using these new medications.\n\nExpectatio
267308
Its' high time you visit a your doctor. It could be eczema... but then again, I'm not a doctor.
486039
Take her to a dermatologist.  There are many skin conditions that can be easily treated,  don't guess you may make it worse.
111336
my 8 month old has had skin allergies since she was a newborn. she also has baby eczema. her doctor prescribed elocon...i think thats how you spell it. anyway, at the pharmacy, they can give you a generic which is a whole lot cheaper, but still works wonders. before the doctor had given me the precription, my sister in law had already told me about the cream. she's a nurse in the allergy department of hospitals. any way, the itching definitely has subsided, but hasn't totally gone away. i have noticed though that when i put a few drops of baby oil in her bath water that it keeps her skin from drying out and helps to prevent some of the itchyness. i tried lotion, but that also gives her an allergic reaction. \n\nmy best suggestion would be to try different suggestions and see whay works best for your child. although eczema is eczema, each child will react differently to things. also preventing the itch is a whole lot better than trying to treat the itch. keep her moisturized with a hypoallergenic formula, keep her clean, treat the eczema every night with the elocon or equivalent, and let her know that scratching will only inflame the area. good luck to you and your daughter.
656341
http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic479.htm#section~differentials\nThis is only one source. There are a lot of other searches that suggest similar procedures. From all accounts so far, I have seen, that there is no cure. It suppresses the immune and causes the skin to thicken when he scratches. \n\nI have a pre-cancerous condition where I have to have laser surgery every 6 months or so. It is persistent and when it is at its apex it is extremely itchy. There is a great deal of scarring and albinism due to the repeated surgery, the skin is very thin. I have used corticosteroids and flamazine. It is used for laser skin surgery and burn victims. It really does numb the pain while it protects vulnerable tissue.\nFlamazine cream may also be used as an aid to the short-term treatment of infection in leg ulcers and pressure sores, and as an aid to the prophylaxis of infection in skin graft donor sites and extensive abrasions. I don't know if this helps any for the scratching, but it is a topical anti-bacterial as well. The link is below.\n\nHere is a site for support groups for your son and yourself. I can tell that you are not alone.\nwww.medhelp.org/HealthTopics/Dermatitis.html \nI wish you well and hope this helps a little bit. It must be unimaginably difficult to see your child suffer so.
110569
You need  to take fish oils, cod liver or  omega 3, it'll help you nutritionally to get over the eczema, then try using cold pressed avocado oil on your skin. It's really thick but it has a lot of Gamma Alpha Lineolic acids which acts as a humectant to draw moisture to your skin, which keeps it from being so flaky. You can also  try cream E-45 it's good for eczema as well.
13775
It's not contagious but there may be a genetic link.  Here is more info about it from the National Eczema Association.