Thanks for the advice, support and love. Bennett's rash has worsened and is spreading. We are keeping him naked and covered in coconut oil. Tomorrow we see our midwife, who will show me how to make a salve for his skin. Our midwife said it may be teething, or a vaccine reaction.
I'm falling apart, while J is calm and washing everything in the house. We've been using Costco free and clear detergent, but we switched to Seventh Generation until we get Allen's. Using chlorine free diapers, bathing him in water and baking soda, no soap, switched from Burt's Bees to Earth Mama Angel Baby products, we don't wear perfume or scented lotion, only use organic skin and hair care products, I don't wear makeup, we use natural deodorant - which doesn't work half the time .... I don't know what else to do!!
Last night I slept with him in my arms, holding his hands so he couldn't scratch his head and face. I am typing this one handed. Bennett is sleeping in my arms, wrapped in coconut oil and blankets.
I hope we can figure out what's bothering him. Despite the uncomfortable rash he is still my laughing, happy baby.
8 comments:
Awwww . . . poor baby and mama and whole family! Thinking of you all. Love and hugs!
Poor little guy! Poor you guys! Thinking of you.
xo
My son and nephew have very delicate skin and the diagnosis of eczema. So sorry your little guy is struggling so. My nephew has actually been to National Jewish Hospital (well known and respected for treatment of asthma and eczema). What has helped him and my son when they have a flare (for whatever reasons, sometimes we cannot pinpoint it) has been mixing hydrocortisone 1% and eucerin cream and applying until the skin calms (advice from a nurse at National Jewish). Now, I work in healthcare and am not freaked out by applying a low dose steriod when my son's skin is in need of it. Essentially, his skin is massively reacting to a perceived insult and the steriod calms the immune reaction causing the rash and itching. I use little and never more than twice daily for 7 days (actually, have never had to use for more than 4 but would not go past 7). Once calmed, we are back to cetaphil soap and lotion along with hypoallergenic laundry products. He is 5 now, so we know most the triggers but still have days when we can't figure out why. Best of luck as you sort this out and learn out what works best for prevention and treatment for you son. If you think it not eczema and some sort of reaction, see your doctor. Rashes are tricky and they have much experience sorting them out and getting kids comfortable again.
My youngest has eczema. Any immune system challenge will definitely make it flare up. So, he's probably coming down with something, or it's a vaccine reaction. Contact allergy doesn't make sense because it's especially on his head - where not much contact happens. Contact is more localized. Heat can also exacerbate - anywhere that sweat collects. Is it really warm in your house? The best thing I have found for keeping her skin moist is adding oil to the bath - I use sesame oil but I'm sure coconut is fine - and then a generous slather of unscented, hypoallergenic lotion right after bath - Aveeno makes a really nice eczema baby lotion. For any creases that are irritated, diaper rash cream with a skin protectant in it, like dimethicone (I always used Desitin creamy but you may have something else you prefer). And Elidel, which is a prescription medication for eczema but it's NOT a steroid. You use it twice a day for a couple of weeks to get over a flare-up. Calamine lotion might help for the itchiness, or colloidal oatmeal in the bath. Aveeno sells a really nice one, it's called Aveeno Fragrance Free Soothing Bath Treatment - I get it on Amazon. I hope he feels better soon, it is SO miserable. And yes, he will have to avoid dairy once he starts solids if you know that's making it worse. He might eventually outgrow it but probably not until age 5 or 6 at the earliest. Sorry!!
It could just be a virus and will work itself out. I hope he feels better soon!
I don't have a lot to offer...that being said, a lot of time Eli will come down with a rash after he's had a cold/virus, it's pretty common in babies. Plus he does have patches of eczema that really flair up from time to time and they bother him, not all over, but just a spot here and there on his arm, leg, shoulder, stuff like that. Just keep in mind, this is temporary and he WILL feel better at some point. For both of your sake I hope that happens soon!
Poor Bennett and Mama! I'm sorry I'm useless in the advice department but I hope his rash clears up soon!! You're doing such a wonderful job at trying to keep him comfortable. You're such a great mama!! xoxox
Sorry! I read your newer post before this one. I figured you had tried all that, but you never know. Stupid reader shows me the newest posts first. Have you tried another oil? My mom was allergic to coconut so I know that's possible. I hope you find something that works, poor, poor baby.
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