Eczema/allergies

[halfpint]

So B developed some eczema patches this winter that just haven't really gone away. We nixed even our mildly scented "natural" products and went to all unscented/hypoallergenic laundry soap and bath/lotion stuff. We've been applying Vanicream and a Eucerin eczema cream almost daily. 

They've improved a bit, but he still has patches, especially behind his little knees. They seem to calm and then flare up periodically, leading me to wonder if there's maybe a food allergy?

If you're dealing with food allergies, can they cause these skin reactions? I honestly am not even sure where to start in figuring out what might be causing this or how to narrow it down. His diet is fairly consistent, are there common triggers that I could start with? 

[halfpint]

Apr 29, 2015 16:38:44 GMT -5 panicfoot said:

Yes. If ds has anything even slightly laced with soybean oil, he gets eczema. Even things like tylenol and pedialyte. As soon as I take away the offending food, it clears up.

I would start with maybe milk/soy or gluten and see if that helps?

Oh wow, I never would have even thought about things like medication...

He has milk regularly, so it seems inconsistent with the flare ups - maybe I can look at soy. 

[Deleted]

I'd first get the flares totally under control. I had to get a prescription steroid cream for my DS because when he flares up that's the only thing that can get it back to normal.

I have bad exzema and have since I was a kid. I recently just did allergy testing and have no food allergies. My issues as a kid were certain soaps/shampoos/detergents/synthetic tennis shoes and then just getting dry skin. If my skin got dry it would always flare up. Now my problem seems contained to only nickle or gold exposure which makes my wedding ring the biggest culprit. I use a prescription cream to keep it under control when needed.

[deo]

DS1 has eczema patches on his legs. I've never had him tested for allergies, I'm going to ask about it at his 4 year appointment next month. It seems like it is our water that really bothers his skin. We have hard water and the eczema gets really bad in the summer when he is in water more often (kiddie pool/water park/more baths due to playing outside).

The only thing I have found to work is slathering his skin with Vaseline as soon as he gets out of the bath and only using soap & shampoo 1 or 2 times a week.

I also have bad skin,   anything with a scent irritates my skin.  

[Brie]

C's major trigger is teething or any kind of illness, even just a cold.

[mlvmd]

DS2 gets patches when I have more than a tiny bit of dairy.

[halfpint]

Apr 29, 2015 17:27:42 GMT -5 Brie said:

C's major trigger is teething or any kind of illness, even just a cold.

Teething always triggered red patches on his cheeks...he does seem to be working on the last molars, I wonder if that's contributing.