at what point would you go to the doctor for eczema?

[sjh722]

DD has always had a few little patches of dry skin but nothing really bad. We just make sure to keep lotion on it.

A few weeks ago, we went out for lunch with a friend and she had ranch dressing. It made her face all red and splotchy wherever the ranch had touched it (which, I realized had happened once at home a few months ago...she doesn't eat ranch that often.) After that, her dry skin/red patches really flared up on her arms and trunk. Her sitter actually texted me a few days later to triple check that she hadn't fed her something she was allergic to. (She has no allergies we know of.)

My BFF is a pediatric RN (she used to be a charge nurse at a children's hospital) and thought it looked like eczema and said she wouldn't take her son in if he had a rash like that. It was all over her back, on her belly, on the back of her knees, and under her arms/in her elbows. We did oatmeal baths and I started using Cetaphil (the thicker stuff that comes in a tub) and it has helped, but she's still got patches that keep flaring up. I feel kind of dumb taking her to the doctor and saying, "2 weeks ago she got a rash on her face from ranch that went away in an hour, and now she has dry skin. I'm putting lotion on it, which helps!" A couple of other nurse/mom friends have said they wouldn't go to the doctor at this point either.

As the air gets drier, I don't know if it's going to keep getting worse? Is there a point you do get it checked? It doesn't really seem to bothering DD. Is there a lotion to use that would be thicker/better than cetaphil? 

[jeaniebueller]

I would take her in if it flares up or gets worse. I wouldn't even think twice about it.

[CloudBee]

I would consider allergy testing, though most of DS's "allergies" turned out to be sensitivities. The spreading to the trunk area is what has me concerned for allergies in your case.

I would go to the doctor for discomfort, and/or risk of infection due to excessive skin breaking/damage.

Sounds to me like you could use an appointment, and walk away armed with suggestions on lotions and/or a prescription to help you through winter.

If you see the pedi, definitely ask about possible allergy testing. But ranch dressing, ketchup, and even mayo (lemon juice) are common irritants for babies/toddlers.

DS tested positive for a bunch of substances. Then his placebo pricks started reacting as well. They think he just has excessive histamine in his system.

We haven't dealt with anything more than redness and a little puffiness. Dry patches much be difficult to manage. I hope she finds relief, soon!