Ezema/ Diaper rash/Rash- connection to allergy?

Well, in our experience it could be almost anything at all if it [i]is[/i] allergic.
Could even be an allergy you'd never even know about otherwise but because of (take your pick) a virus, the dry air, extra fabric softener, phase of moon, local political climate...... it is just too much right now.

Obviously, you've tried moisturizing your way out of this, right? When we found ourselves in that position we usually reverted to pure petroleum jelly. It's messy, but it works if you persist. It sounds like your dermatologist thought it was impetigo at this point, though... thus the antibiotics?

Is it possible that your child is allergic to the antibiotic?

If you are doing a RAST blood test, you don't need to worry about giving antihistamines. At least not that I have ever heard. We only go off of daily antihistamines when we go in for skin prick testing. I'd keep giving the antihistamine if it seems to be helping. If you really need to be off of it, you can hear that from your allergist's office first thing Monday. That should still be enough time off the diphenhydramine to do testing.

Just what I would do.
I really feel for you, though. Been there done that.

could simply be thrush infecting ezcema skin.
go back to the doctors.

keep posting

sarah

The diaper rash sounds like its due to the antibiotics. Not because of allergy, but because of a change in the poop.
Eczema is genetically linked to allergies, so most who are allergic to something have eczema, although for some its mild, for others its severe.
I suggest calling the doctor, let them know what's going on. They might make changes over the phone, or want you to come in.

The antibiotic is a topical oinment. He was scratching so much he broke the skin so that's why we were given that.

I thought I read you should be off benedryl for 5 days prior to blood test. If that's not the case I'll give him some today and see if that helps.

Thanks for the replies keep them coming.

Gail

My dd also had eczema really bad, until we removed all her allergens! I agree that Vaseline is the way to go. We used Protopic VERY sparingly and also Cutivate ointment but the Vaseline was our mainstay. If you haven't used the vaseline, put it on as soon as he gets out of the bathtub from the neck down. Our dermatologist recommended doing it up to 3 times a day! As for the rash, our daughter always had some kind of rash. Finding out her allergies have eliminated all of this. I never knew if it was eczema, allergy or what. Hopefully the allergist visit will help!

[This message has been edited by cgroth (edited February 26, 2006).]

My son had horrendous eczema pretty much from the time he was born. It worsened about the time he started eating solids. I now realize that he was allergic to soy, peas, strawberries, egg whites, peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish. (Most of which he has outgrown.)
Once we eliminated the allergies, his skin improved, but is still dry.
I have always found that the vaseline, aquaphor and the cortisone creams in petroleum bases made my son's skin worse. when we use cortisone cream, i ask the dr to prescribe on in a cream base. we use cream based lotions and CUTAR.

Don't rule out the possibility of developing an allergy to diapers - my son had an anaphylactic reaction to Huggies Pull-Ups after months of wearing them.

Also, my (same) son has adverse reactions to hydrocortisone, so be careful there.

Just my 2 cents.

Well I'm going to call Dermatoligist today and try to get ds in. I emailed pictures to my sister (she's a pediatric nurse)and she thought it looked like it might be a strep rash. She's usually always right so it will be interesting to see if she's right this time. We also already have an appointment on Wed with Allergist so I'm going to have him test for EVERYTHING!

Thanks,

Sounds similar to our experience with our son. From birth he was a rash from head to toe and we were repeatedly told it was just eczema. Got to the point of oozing rashes almost everywhere. He was prescribed antibiotic ointments, to keep it from getting infected. He also began getting occasional hives. At 5 mos. pediatrician did not want to wait for dermatologist referral and ordered allergy tests herself. Came back positive for milk, wheat, egg, peanut AND he reacted to the latex glove after the blood draw. I completely eliminated all the allergens from my diet (breastfeeding), threw out the pacifier (latex) and changed diaper brands (latex). His skin completely cleared up. He was a brand new baby boy.

We are still dealing with all his food allergies and he has developed environmental allergies 3 yrs. later, but has never returned to the condition he was in as an infant.

Good luck with the allergy testing. Hope it provides some answers and direction for the future!

Gail,
DD had the same problems. She's had eczema pretty much within days of being born. I slathered her daily, multiple times, with aquaphore, vaseline, etc. None of it helped. Eczema is an immune system issue that is manifesting in the skin. Moisturizers can only do so much. She's been on HC cream, which works, but I don't like dosing her with steroids continually. She was on Elidel, but I stopped that after the lymphoma? warnings came out. What finally worked wonders for her was Singulair. It is an asthma drug, just now approved for environmental allergies. We were given it off label for the eczema. It comes in a powder, which we sprinkled on yogurt, and a chewable tablet.

I do like vaseline for a bad diaper rash. It works as a wonderful moisture barrier against that poor, raw skin.

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Lori Jo,

Rose, 7-31-02, PA
Beatrice & Georgia, 8-14-99

Well the Derm. isn't in till Friday so I was able to move Allergist app up to today at 4:00. I hope to get some answers soon.

I'll keep you posted.
Thanks,
Gail

Wow.. I'm new to this site, and it's so comforting to hear other parents who go through the same questions, fears, etc.

My daughter had terrible eczema as an infant.. and still has occasional battles with it now. She's just got really sensitive skin. The only allergy we know of for sure is peanuts. She vomits the second anything with peanuts/peanut butter passes her throat. Strangely enough.. french fries, etc. (or anything else cooked in peanut OIL) doesn't cause a problem.

She's almost 3 now.. I was hoping she was outgrowing this.. but her DAYCARE accidentally gave her peanuts just yesterday and she reacted immediately.

On the eczema issue - I agree with vaseline being the best way to go. We had a prescription for Elidel when she was younger.. which did an amazing job.. but then they learned that it was horrible for children, so they took her off of it. Cutivate is also wonderful, but we rarely have to use it. BATHING - I definitely recommend short, luke warm baths.. and not every day. Swimming pools are ok - the chlorinated water seems fine.

Anyhew.. my two cents.
EmiMommy

Benedryl doesn't effect blood test (RAST). Only for the scratch test do you need to stay off all antihistamines!

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mom to Ari(6) - severe nut allergies, asthma, you name it - and Maya (8), mild excema

oops, sorry. didn't realize this was an old thread! If your 3 year old is PA and is having accidental exposures at daycare, you should have an epi-pen. Has your doctor proscribed one for you? Also our allergist told us to avoid all exposures because each time the reaction can worsen. I would talk to your doctor about epi, if you haven't already!

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mom to Ari(6) - severe nut allergies, asthma, you name it - and Maya (8), mild excema