Will I Ever Learn?
4 hours ago
Monday, January 23, 2012
herbs, midwives, confusion
We are still battling the rash. Bennett's skin looked much better this morning, this afternoon it's looking bad and spreading again. We spent the afternoon at the birth center. Our midwife made us a salve with coconut oil, calendula, and chamomile. Bennett smells delicious.
At 4:30 I called his doctor, he was upset, so itchy he couldn't settle. We hadn't reached that point of awful yet. But now that we have, it's time to take him in. We have an appointment tomorrow morning, hopefully we can figure out what it is.
I prefer natural methods, but if he can't be soothed, if the itch won't go away with herbs, it's time to try something else. Herbs take more time to work, but he was so sad this evening, I don't know if we have time to let them work. I called the clinic, told the advice nurse, I'm going to be honest with you. I don't want to use steroid cream, and I absolutely won't put it on his groin. I asked her about herbs, she said she didn't know anything. Not surprising, thought I would try anyway.
I just want to know what we're dealing with.
I'm not convinced it's diet.
I'm not convinced it's eczema.
My midwife said, maybe ringworm?
Maybe teething?
I looked online. Some sites say yes, teething rash exists, some say, no. Thanks for the contradictory advice dr. google.
I had no idea a rash, a simple thing, really, would push me so close to crazy. I'm not handling this very well, I'll be the first to admit it.
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9 comments:
I remember with Malachi was about 16-18 months old, he got an itchy rash on his face, hands and feet that was spreading to the rest of his body. I was thinking it was teething, too but took him in to be safe. It ended up being hand, foot and mouth disease. He got some antibiotics and it cleared right up. Hope they have an answer for you tomorrow. <3
No advice, just hugs for you and B. it is super hard when you can't fix what bothers them.
I was thinking though, ( and I know I said, no advice, but hey, I am a busy body) that maybe wearing him would make him more comfy untilou could figure it out. Being close to momma always helps, and this way you would have your hand free. Have you considered an organic ergo? http://www.mamaroo.org/meetings-and-events.html. I live in nj, just found this meeting on thebabywearer.com where I get tons of great mothering support.
Kallen had a very rashy period (around 6 months, if I'm remembering correctly). It REALLY looked like ringworm, it was in round patches, very red around the outsides, on his belly. I took him to the Dr. - they said it was eczema and prescribed a steroid cream. I did fill it - just in case - but have never used it. I did use hydrocortisone (which is a steroid but a non prescription strength one) for two days and then I switched to Aveeno Baby Eczema Cream and he has had ZERO problems since. I don't know if what Bennett has is eczema (obviously), but if it is and your comfortable with Aveeno products that has worked wonders for us. Thinking of you and Bennett and hoping you get answers and it gets cleared up for your sweetie soon :)
Jamie
I've been following your blog for a while now but this is my first post. I can really identify with what you are going through with Bennett's rash. My middle child had eczema and I felt like I tried everything under the sun. It was on the sides of his face, his cheeks and in his scalp and he was so itchy and miserable, constantly rubbing his eyes and face. Finally, I just started using Eucerin cream and after a few days, the difference was drastic. I hope you find a solution so your little guy(and you!) are feeling better soon:)
Oh, I just wanted to add, and this may not help at all. But my daughter Maya is three and a half years old, and she gets eczema behind her knees and on her tushie cheeks EVERY single winter. I used to think it was an allergy, or diet, or something I was giving her that I shouldn't, but so far she has had four winters, and with every single one she has gotten eczema, and she never has it in the summer. I don't know what Bennet has, or what is causing it, but it is ENTIRELY possible that it has nothing to do with you or anything that you are doing. AND even in the case that it is caused by your diet, it is nothing you could have predicted or known in advance. The only thing you can do as the great mommy you are, is to just avoid whatever it is in the future, and help him through.
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An oaty bath is supposed to be soothing for itchyness caused by chicken-pox etc, maybe it could help? Fill a muslin or clean sock with porridge oats and let it sit under the tap while you run a bath. Water goes kinds milky x
As a life long eczema sufferer I will tell you that, if it is eczema, the most important things are to stop the itching (maybe a low dose of benadryl or some type of herbal treatment) and keep it mousturized.
You may not be able to take the eczema away, but you can control the flare ups and minimize the inflamation and spreading.
Poor little guy. Good luck.
Thinking of you and B, did the dr come up with anything?
Oh, this sounds really tough to deal with. I'll try not to be pushy with the advice - I'll just tell you what worked for my daughter.
I had to get rid of all chemicals - cleaners, soaps that weren't pure, perfumes (especially dryer sheets) pretty much anything that had a scent unless it was an essential oil. It sounds like you like to go pretty natural so you may have already done this.
I was shocked by how many "natural" ointments had preservatives in it. I had a friend that sold Arbonne tell me that you have to have preservatives, so I went and made my own. I used calendula flowers, comfrey, a tiny amount of tea tree oil, beeswax and olive oil. It worked wonders! If you would like me to send you some email me, or I can give you the recipe.
I hope you find something that works - all the doctors here did was try to get me to use steroids. Ugh. Good luck and let me know if I can help.
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