About Aveeno -- I am wondering if anyone here has experience in making their own oatmeal solution. When I was pregnant a million years ago, I broke out everywhere and at that time, about the only thing I could do was use colloidal oatmeal in my bath water. I made poultices with uncooked oatmeal, but it was so long ago I forgot how to do it.
Just a thought
WoozerMom

I made my own oatmeal baths for Sarah by just putting some oatmeal in a sock and a rubberband to close it. It gets all slimy which grossed me out, but she loved. Way cheaper than aveeno, but slimy...This is a very expensive condition to have with all the special soap, meds, lotions, food....

my approach is very different but we have had very very positive results. we are working from the inside out. he takes a multivitamin (with high b-6), flaxseed oil, primrose oil - this made a big difference, bioflavoniod (there was a study done - im searching for it - that stated bioflavoniod may reduce the severity of allergic reations - specifically anaphylaxisis - as it works on the small blood vessels - good for skin too). we also use the mildest detergent at 1/2 recommend amount and rinse 2x. for a lotion we use curel, the aquafor made it much worse!! he only gets a bath every 4th day. This is a long process...we didn't see any improvement until about 4 months into it but then the change was dramatic...he only has small patches in the places it was the worst.

shale3,
Glad you mentioned the vitamins, etc.
My youngest son has a speech disorder which we are presently treating with ProEFA (essential fatty acids supplement). In my research, I found out what foods naturally contain the most Omega3 and Omega6 EFAs: fish and peanuts/nuts/legumes, and that EFAs help with eczema. I figured that must be part of the reason my PA son has eczema, because he doesn't get these EFAs in his diet as often as he would without the PA. Just a TOTAL guess on my part!!!
We use Aveeno lotion when his eczema acts up.

For a cleanser, try Cetaphil lotion, a non-soap cleaners. Also, some people have had success using acidophilus supplements (active yogurt culture); some people believe that eczema is actually a digestive problem and the acidophilus helps.
Good luck!
Amy

My son lived with an itchy eczema on his chest and foot for 6 months. The pediatricians (group practise) would prescribe different ointments which would relieve or heal it for a few days, then it would come back. His allergist saw it on a follow-up visit and said, "it looks like he has a fungal infection". He prescribed another ointment and it disappeared in 2 days. We continued the medication for another week per MDs order and it has not come back in 4 months. I wonder about some doctors sometimes. I guess nobody's perfect. An interesting and helpful website you guys might want to check out is [url="http://www.eczema.cc."]http://www.eczema.cc.[/url]

HELLLO, ECZEMA, A BIG PROBLEM THAT RUNS IN MY FAMILY.
my SONS SKIN FLARED UP AT EIGHT TO TEN DAYS OLD AND THE HARDEST THING ABOUT IT IS THAT WHAT WORKS FOR ONE PERSON MAY NOT WORK FOR ANOTHER, FOR INSTANCE,WILLIAMS CREAMS IRRITATE ME AS I APPLY THEM!
Does your childs skin get worse during this time of year ,can you see a link? ie dustmite or tree pollen, hay fever ??
If his face is bad try giving him a bath with a wet face clothe with holes cut in for a mask, make it fun!!
Rub creams in direction of hair growth, sing any stupid kids song to make it a relaxing time. DO GO to your gp if it looks as if its getting worse, oh and watch out for any one with a cold sore dont let them kiss your child any where!!!!! Try increasing the times you moisturize your child if its twice daily ,double it and so on until the skin gets over this hyper stage.
If hands are dry and red , dig out old plastic plates etc fill a bowl with water and eczema bath oil let them play, then slap on some more moisturizer creams. If skin has fungel infection dont forget to throw away all previously opened creams etc. l am sure you have proberly done all this but its always useful to swap any ideas with everyone
bye williamsmummy

saknjmom,
I have also read in MANY places that the Omega 3 oils are really good for helping with autistic children and children with mood disorders.
[url="http://www.karoshil.com/omega_3.html"]http://www.karoshil.com/omega_3.html[/url]
Glad to hear it's helping with you child's eczema. Might give it a try... read about it in a lot of places, but I'm still a big time skeptic! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img] Shame on me.
~Melanie

Also.. this would not be beneficial supplement for anyone with allergies to fish!
~Melanie

Tell me about the witch hazel. Doesn't it sting or burn?