Eczema / dry skin home solutions?

[inkmink]

Actually, my daughter has slight reaction to carrot when we introduce it...

carey - the chinese herbal drink, you can give after baby is 1 month old. I was told by lady that gave me the recipe that her son has complete clear smooth skin by 3 months old after taking it! You can get the "grass/herbs" from Chinese Herbal shop. Ask for 1 packet of "Pak Zhi Chou Yong". Then divide the pack into 2 portions. Add 2 strips of sugar pumpkin (Thong Tong Kua, also from Chinese herbal shop). Add 3 bowls of water (chinese rice bowl). Boil for 30mins. Let baby drink 4oz a day, 2 times a week if it is a bad flare up. Once the skin has cleared, we have to "maintain" it - we can then give once a week. This drink is very "cooling" (leong).

Suggest you try Eu Yan Sang's Hoi Nai Cha first if you haven't done so. It is not so strong/cooling. We tried for a few months but it didn't have any effect on my daughter's skin.

Physiogel - Try getting from local Chinese pharmacy. It is cheaper. Sorry, don't remember how much as I've now switched her to a different product. It's OK on my daughter's but we prefer the crocodile balm.

Dustmite - my daughter tested negative for dustmite but I feel she could react slightly to it. Once I used my dusty Ergo (was desperate but I put a muslin cloth on top) and when we came back after 2 hours, my daughter had a bad breakout on the face!! It is very hard to get rid of dustmite especially in HK. I feel most importantly is to have a good vacuum cleaner that collect dust and not disperse it when using.

While on my quest to look for a "miracle" in the early days, I stumbled upon this website which I felt gave a lot of tips and guidance.

http://www.solveeczema.org/thesolution.html

 

[inkmink]

Just want to add, I also take Evening Primrose Oil and Flaxseed Oil. Only started taking this recently.

 

[inkmink]

trttrt - I did read somewhere water does play a part on eczema sufferer. That was going to be my next step if my baby's skin was still bad - was thinking of Diamond filter for bath too. But, touch wood, after introducing the herbal drink, it has been pretty good.

 

[Liquorice]

Carey, you can get Physiogel in Watson's and Mannings too I think. You can get bigger tubes. I bought 2x 75 ml tubes but I use it too.

Your air purifier, what brand is it? Does it work well? Is it different from an "ionizer"?

 

[inkmink]

We have IQ Air which uses Hepa filters. I didn't see much difference to my daughter's skin. But, when you see your little bub suffering, you just go all out doing everything you can to comfort them.

 

[carey]

Try cutting out the cow milk as well.....

.. Then you will realized that you will not be able to eat bread, cake, cookie, ice cream, pasta, pizza.......

Will have to live like a Chinese monk for a while, except that I can still eat meat.

 

[carey]

Inkmink, Is it possible that I have the Chinse herbal water recipe in Chinese language? I want to make no mistake about it. Thanks.

My 4 month old's skin also seems very red during/after a bath. I was thinking that's becuase he cries or fusses during the bath. His cry worsen the rash. But after he calms down, some of the rash would go down or away. Is this common with your little one's eczema?

What do you do with mild rash on the body that doesn't seem itchy? Do you just put cream on it? I am not totally against Steroid cream but am careful not overusing it.

I suspect the water and am thinking to have filter for bath water. You could get something like a shower head with buildin filters inslide. some brand calls it the "shower baby".

 

[carey]

Your air purifier, what brand is it? Does it work well? Is it different from an "ionizer"?[/QUOTE]

Agree with inkmnik about the airfilters. We have two brands at home, one with "ionizer" funtion ( Allen), one without ( Philis). Cant really tell their difference.

One thing I try in the past two days that greatly improve My bb's dry patch on his legs is this bath.
I learn it from the babycenter forum.

http://community.babycenter.com/post/a2360715/specialty_baths

"Vaseline in the Tub/ Vaseline Bath
This is a trick I devised a couple of years ago that has worked magic for Jax. It traps water from the bath to the skin and allows it to soak in over time.
After soaking for 10 mins (MINIMUM, preferably 15-20 ins, but I know not all LOs will tolerate a bath that long) in a water only bath, apply a heavy layer of vaseline to dc while in the tub. Let soak another few minutes, get out and towel dry as usual (patting dry, no hard rubbing). Child will be a little greasy. Dress for bed."

 

[Gataloca]

If your baby skin turns red after bath, it might be the water temperature being too high. My baby skin used to be like that, but now we bath him in warm, almost cold, water. We also use emulsifying ointment instead of soap.

 

[trttrt]

Ooh guess what? Yesterday night my hb and I took bottled water and warmed it up slightly. Did a final rinse with the water after her usual bath and her skin was not red at all! In fact was fair and calm looking. Guess we found out the cause! Will try out either a filter or diamond water and keep you guys posted!