Little Threads: Long-Sleeved Summer

Romper: vintage -- Sweater: Target -- Shoes: thrifted 

You know what I hate? Eczema.

Hate is such a strong word...

You know what I hate, hate, super-hate? Eczema!!

Is it ok if I just say that? If you're an eczema sufferer I'm sure you feel my (or rather Paige's) pain. Paige had eczema when she was born. Of course we took her to the Dr./naturopath (six, actually!) but despite trying everything we have heard and read about, it has only gotten progressively worse over the years. What is that?!? This year has been the worst so far and she is itchy all the time. She is embarrassed about the way her arms look, which is where the eczema shows up most, so she wears long sleeves every day. It's getting pretty hot around these parts, so she gets sweaty in her long sleeves which makes the itching worse and it's just a vicious cycle.

Are any of you out there eczema success stories? We try to be very natural with our health care and most of all we want to heal her body so that whatever is causing those excess toxins is gone.

Here's a list of what we have tried/are trying:

  • No perfumes/fragrances in any detergents or health care products
  • Avoidance of all the foods her body has tested allergic/sensitive to (wheat, cow dairy, eggs, sugar)
  • Foods that are anti-histamine.
  • Supplements: Sweetener-free multivitamin, probiotic, trace minerals, calcium and b-complex, primrose oil, aloe vera.
  • Mild bath/shower every night followed by coconut and/or castor oil.
  • We've tried a variety or oils/lotions on her breakouts. It seems like one will work great for a few weeks and then loose its effectiveness. Not sure what that's about.
  • Wrapping her arms in bandages at night. (Doesn't work, she rips them right off in her sleep.)
  • And of course, prayer :o)
Probably other things, but that's all I can think of now. A friend suggested the GAPS diet, which I'm going to look into. It seems to really flare up in the early spring-summer time, but she itches all year.

I'm amazed when I step back and look at how much eczema affects our family and our lifestyle. We can't go out to eat anywhere because there is sugar, dairy or wheat added to EVERYTHING on the planet (although in the past we've fudged on that like naughty parents, but we try be strict about it now.) Most of the time when we go to someone's house we have to pack dinner for Paige. If there is a birthday party Paige never gets the cake and ice cream. When we're out late and we just want to crash when we get back, we still have to give her a bath or the dried sweat on her skin will make her scratch it raw. All of her clothes and sheets have oil or blood stains.

And now that I've whined about it a little bit, I do want to say that I am so grateful for Paige's health. Sure, she has eczema and it stinks. But she also has legs to run with and eyes to see and a beautiful, healthy heart. We are really blessed. My heart goes out to parents that have to watch their sweet children deal with much worse conditions. I don't know how they have the strength.

Anyway, I would really, really welcome any advice you might have on this issue!

And as always, I hope you're having a beautiful day!
My husband is away with the car this weekend so Paige and I took a long walk across town. I really enjoyed the time with her (and without the phone, ipad, camera, computer or sewing machine!) And she thought that pressing the crosswalk button was the thrill of a lifetime.

Love you!
-Disney

Comments

  1. Don't shower her so often. That helped for me at least.

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    1. We didn't used to, but she works up such a sweat playing most days that it really makes her extra-itchy at night. We don't always use soap though 'cause I know that can strip the natural oils.

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  2. Add baking soda or plain instant oatmeal to her bathwater. It can be a headache to clean out the tub but it's instant itch relief. I would suggest alternating nights using the baking soda and oatmeal unless one is proves to be more effective than the other. It's temporary, but if itching keeps her up at night it will help! If you're going to use any soap use Baby Magic or Johnson's Baby Wash (if you don't already)! While they are scented, they are hypoallergenic and great for sensitive skin.

    Also, during warm weather, loose fitting clothes will keep her from itching. Cute billowy tops with fluttery kimono style sleeves will keep her much cooler while still keeping her arms covered.

    I can't really think of anything else, but I hope this helps!

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  3. I've had eczema my entire life, it is SO frustrating. My kids have inherited my sensitive skin, poor babies. Shea Moisture brand lotion has really worked for my daughter and me; I use the adult version on both of us, but I believe they also make baby products. It's all natural (I can actually pronounce/understand all of the ingredients!) and it smells AMAZING. I'd look into some lotion recipes on Pinterest; vitamin E oil or beeswax might help you. Vitamin E for extra nourishment, beeswax helps seal moisture in and acts as a barrier against irritants.

    Make sure she's hydrated and drinking lots and lots of water, especially in the summer. All F&C detergent was the only one that worked for me; I'd even break out with baby or super sensitive or hypoallergenic detergents. Now I make a homemade detergent. My skin rebelled for a bit, but calmed down after a few weeks. It was worth it for me because it cleans better than the All and is cheap. Here's the recipe I use: http://www.sew-much-ado.com/2010/03/tutorial-homemade-laundry-detergent.html

    I'd have to change prescriptions or creams every few months when my body got used to it and stopped responding, so that part makes sense to me. It's also very frustrating. If nothing is getting rid of it, a round of oral steroids might be necessary, just to get it under control so you can maintain with creams. Not ideal, but eczema is really just awful and sometimes all the natural stuff in the world isn't enough. Good luck!!

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  4. My son has eczema as well, but thankfully it is very mild and only flares up a few times a year. When going through a particularly bad spurt, my mother-in-law bought the Neosporin Eczema Essentials products and we have LOVED those. But then I heard about using apple cider vinegar to treat eczema.
    http://livlong.ca/231/how-to-treat-eczema-with-apple-cider-vinegar
    Here is just one of many sites talking about treating eczema with ACV. For the past few months I have been applying diluted ACV on his trouble spots a few times a week and it has been amazing! It's completely gone. And if any traces start to appear I just apply a little more often and it's gone not long after. I hope some of this helps! My heart goes out to you, it's super annoying to deal with!

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  5. Hi Disney,

    Do you have salt caves over there in the US? We have them here in Australia http://www.saltcaves.com.au/ and I believe they are helping eczema sufferers. I hope you find something that works for your lovely girl.

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  6. My oldest has eczema very badly. We tried a number of things, but what solved it, surprisingly, was cutting out foods with fructose (examples are raisins, bananas, various dried fruis). Turned out she has a big sensitivity to it. It is not one of the standard allergy tests, but we had a fructose level blood test done and it was sky high. Good luck with your daughter. It is such a frustrating condition!.

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  7. Have the doctors rules out Psoriasis?

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  8. I don't have it, but have noticed the topic come up a lot on some natural blogs I follow, so thought I let you know what I've seen (in case you haven't). Tallow is supposed to help, and there is a book about the topic you might want to check out: http://www.mommypotamus.com/the-eczema-cure/ Hope you find something to help soon! Will be praying for your little one.

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    1. By the way- I posted the link not to the book, but to a review of the book because the comments also offer suggestions and critiques of the book.

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  9. Hi Disney,
    I first got eczema when I was about 13 and still get flare ups now (29). I used all sorts of creams and lotions from the Dr, but when I was about 25 I switched to all natural oils because all the prescribed creams contained petroleum related oils and to me it just makes sense that natural oils are much better for the skin than petroleum oils. Treat like with like right? So I would recommend cutting out ANY skin products that contain anything other than natural ingredients. I also fel I had a breakthrough after a course of homeopathy. I really feel for you and poor Paige. I think age probably has a lot to do with it too, she will more than likely grow out of it. x

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  10. Hi Disney. I hear your pain. My son is sensitive to artificial colors and flavors- which like Paige's allergies, are in a LOT of stuff... You may want to look into Goat Milk Soap (goatmilkstuff.com) to use when you do use soap for her bath. It is a family run company where the kids milk the goats and are active in the entire business. They have lots of soaps and lotions- and many of them have been lifesavers to eczema sufferers. The owner (mom) is super nice. If you contacted her, she might be able to send you some small samples to try out. It is the ONLY soap I buy my family now- natural quality handmade soap and the price is pretty great because one bar lasts forever.... Also a note on the GAPS diet. I read the GAPS book and the author makes perfect sense. I'm an engineer and it was a very scientific book (lots of details) but very valuable. The information helped my son, who had leaky gut syndrome. But caution- the diet is pretty extreme. And my kids refused to eat many of the recommended fermented foods. Check your library, it might have a copy of the book before you purchase.
    :) leslie

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  11. I don't have it, but I have heard that cutting out citrus and strawberries has helped. :)

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  12. HI Disney,

    I don't have eczema but I have sensitive skin, scalp and dry scalp and what I've found works amazing is a product called Moo Goo. It's all natural as I too try to get natural and I read heaps of testomonials about it working for eczema. I have their shampoo and conditioner and I will never use anything else. I also have Keratosis Pilaris on my arms and embarassed about them majorly and I found that using their cream recomended for KP worked (I am lazy about using it though). I acutally bought the Ezcma an Psorisis cream and found it helped take some of the dryness away but like I said I was using the wrong cream for my condition. It is an Austrlian based company but I think they ship internationally if not I'd be more than happy to buy it for you and send it over. Moo Goo has seriously changed my life, it uses all natural products from cows which contradicts your no dairy thing but seriously whatever is in it works wonders, so it might be worth a try. Just found the US site by changing the country!

    To see for yourself go to: moogoousa.com/

    Hope this helps, let me know if it works!

    glitter-bug-blog.blogspot.com.au

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  13. Hi Disney. I've used an oat bath for instant relief from excema (and chicken pox). You put the oats in a sock or muslin and hold under a running tap in the bath.

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  14. Poor Paige! Eczema has been an issue off and on for me for 35 years. I recently started trying a three month supplement program outlined in Dianne Craft's 'Biology of Behavior' audio and find that the grapefruitseed extract (a natural anti-fungal) seems to be making a difference so far. It made my eczema worse (like it was detox-ing) but is starting to improve now. If this program doesn't help we're going to consider GAPS but that it would be nice to heal the gut without having to eliminate everything, you know?!
    Stephanie

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  15. My aUnt has had it really bad her whole life! SO much so that when she was 5 my grandma had to pin her sleeve holes shut so she couldn't itch. She uses baking soda to wash her clothing in, just baking soda nothing else, even now as an adult she has too or it comes on with a vengeance!
    I've heard that eczema can be a form of candida, have you looked into that?
    For my son who also has bad eczema the only lotion I have found to be continually effective is Melaleuca Renew lotion. We have also used aquaphor, I know its not natural or probably even good for you but sometimes its the only thing that calms a bad breakout for him!

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  16. My baby had eczema when he was just an infant. It was not extreme, for which I am thankful and he has grown out of it, but my neighbour is a member of Melaleuca and she suggested I try their lotion, Renew. I had used prescription steroid creams, store creams, vasoline, all sorts of creams and this was the only stuff that actually worked!!! Again, my little guy didn't have a severe case, so I don't know if this would work for you or not, but it might be worth a try. (I just read the message above and noticed she recommended the same thing, haha, really, it is good stuff :) Good luck, I hope you can find something that works for your sweet baby!!!

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  17. I have mild eczema on my scalp. I have to use this weird medicine on it :( I feel Paige's pain! Because of it, it makes pretty icky dandruff sometimes and caused my hair to thin a bit (not too noticeable). I'm 18, and it can stink being at an age where looks matter so much. I feel ya Paige! Keep praying :)

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  18. My youngest sister used to have quite bad eczema as a little one (2 yrs - 5 yrs-ish) on her hands/wrists, elbows, and back of her knees. My family changed her diet (like you; cut carbs, sugars, dairies). They eventually started using this product called "BagBalm" (it's like vaseline on steroids). I think it was the BagBalm that ultimately helped kick it out.

    http://bagbalm.com/

    I'll be praying for you for wisdom and Paige for relief! (Jn 9:3)

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    1. My mom has been using bagbalm for years! It was developed for cows, to put on their udders, and it works really well for her. She gets really dry feet.

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  19. I know it sounds gross, but it has worked on most spots on my daughter. Right after getting out of a 20 min soaking bath peel off the loose skin and scabs. Don't force it, just take off what comes off easily. Then apply the cream lotion or oil. It takes awhile to clear, but it helps the spots not be quite as itchy. I found if she had a lot of dry skin it would bother her more and if I tried to take it off while dry it would just bleed.

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  20. This sounds radical, but no one in my family uses shampoo and we only use soap on our hands and private parts. We all have very healthy skin and hair and my dermatitis has improved hugely since I gave up shampoo a year ago. I have long, thick hair and it is in great condition. We have not had a problem with eczema but I think anything you can do to eliminate 'products' from your body, clothes and home is a good thing. Water is the best cleaning agent there is, the just add vinegar, lemon juice and bicarb if you need more oomph. We are not hippies, we just value being natural and healthy!

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  21. My daughter gets winter dermatitis, I tried a number of things including steroid creams. They did very little or nothing. I tried a product that a lot of my co-workers raved about, they all claimed it worked for numerous skin problems. After applying for only two nights it made a huge difference. It is made with all natural and organic ingredients. It is called Super Smoothie Cream made by a lady called Tawna Hill. Although it is advertised as a baby product it works for everyone. http://www.tawnahillbaby.com/

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  22. I heard recently that goat's milk and goats milk products are amazing for clearing up eczema in some. Maybe Paige wouldn't tolerate it though?

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  23. An old wives tale is to rub cornflour over the affected areas. This cut down my son's itching at night somewhat. Good luck.

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  24. Ug, eczema is the WORST! I finally (aged 21) worked out that I was getting contact dermatitis from citrus - including any cleaning/washing/body products that contained it. I also break out a little if I cut up tomatoes or strawberries without washing my hands IMMEDIATELY. Hope you find the trigger, good luck!

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  25. poor sweet girl! I had eczema mostly as a child and adolescent... on my face and the insides of my elbows. My eyelids, upper lip just under my nose, and arms were constantly either red and stiff from the itchy rash, or whiter than the surrounding area from the steroid cream. We used hydrocortisone and eucerin cream, not even guessing that we could have addressed it with diet. Neither of those things worked very well! BUT by college my skin was settling down, and now I never get it or even think about it... so I pray that Paige would learn to be secure and confident despite it, that you'll figure out how to relieve it, and that she'll grow out of it like I did.

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  26. I did for some time treat my eczema with pure basic coconut oil, we bought it cheap at a store that sold it for cooking, a big jar of white lard looking stuff. I also found using wipes to have a sort of bed bath rather than having a proper bath worked well, excess bathing makes my skin worse as it's super dry already. I'll join you in praying.

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  27. rachel from lusa organics recently did a series on this issue. you can find her blog here http://lusaorganics.typepad.com/clean/

    i hope it helps :)

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  28. Poor sweet little girl! That must be so difficult! It looks like you have many suggestions up there, so I'm not sure if these have been mentioned, but my niece was helped by apricot oil (I'm pretty sure my sister put it in her baths) and some friends have had success with sugar scrubs. Here's their recipe and experience: http://familyfaithandhome.com/quick-tip-sugar-scrub/ Hope she finds some relief soon!

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  29. When I was little, I had really bad eczema. The backs of my knees and my arms were always scabby and bleeding from scratching. We used E45 cream on it and it helped a bit...

    If it's any consolation at all, by the time I was 11 it was all gone and it never came back.

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  30. Are you only wheat-free or gluten free? I've heard cutting out gluten helps some people tremendously. You might try her on a Paleo diet (very similar to GAPS but less restrictive) first for 30 days and see if it clears any. After 30 days you can slowly intro foods again to see which ones she tolerates.

    On a non-natural approach... I HATE hydrocortisone! It always made itching worse for me. I LOVE Atopiclair though, and it was amazing for my daughter when she was a baby too! But it's prescription only and can be super expensive. I think I paid $50 for a decent sized tube when we needed it. But it is hands down the absolute best eczema cure I have ever tried. It DOES have some nut-based ingredient in it though, so my nephew with super-severe eczema was never able to try it.

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  31. My dad used red light therapy and it did wonders for him--literaly wonders. Way safer than uv therapy, but the sun will help so you should uncover those arms and let them get some sun. My dad is 71 and is gluten free and has had it all his life he did the red light therapy and it was basically gone. Red light therapy is light a tanning bed without the harmful effects (and you won't get a tan:) )

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    1. totally agree with sunshine and fresh air can be helpful, I know my skin clears right up in summer with short sleeves unless I overheat.

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  32. I havent read all these comments, but a dermatologist is your best friend for this problem. My poor baby honestly looked like something out of a horror flick, it was all over his face. We had to use a steroid cream for just two weeks and then once it was gone use vanicream cleanser and vanicream lotion ever other day. not a single spot since. (and it was horrible for months and we saw many many other docs, which was no help. all the stuff i see people saying above are things that made him much, much worse.)

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  33. It's so awful to watch your child suffer. I know, my daughter developed excema at 2 weeks. I used to stare at other babies beautiful, perfect, smooth, usually tanned skin enviously. We have always stuck with the natural method for treating it. Sometimes successfully and sometimes not. What works for us is daily bathing with mild soap and vasaline. She has Benedryl at school to help with the itching fits during the day. Sweat is the enemy. I really commend your commitment to dealing with the cause of the problem rather than symptoms. I don't think steroids work very well or are good for little bodies. My 2 cents. (:

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  34. Poor little one! I have suffered with eczema my whole life and it is painful and uncomfortable. I would recommend that you take her to see a dermatologist and an allergist. As much as like to follow a natural lifestyle, I sometimes have to use a cortisone ointment if I have a bad flair up. I use Dove Unscented body wash, Cetaphil body crème (for a moisturizer) and All Free and Clear detergent. I can't use regular hand santizer. I use products from Clean Well or The Honest Company for anti-bacterial hand washing and cleaning. Yes, they are more expensive, but worth it to not have an allergic reaction. Good luck! Hope you can find her some relief!

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  35. My son had eczema from head to toe (and seasonal allergies, and food allergies, and asthma..sigh.). What worked for us was to keep him off all food that he might be allergic to, especially dairy and wheat (which you are already doing). We fed him foods that were as "close to the ground" as possible -- we tried to stay away from processed foods. Then we put him on a probiotic supplement (we used PB8). We also gave him plenty of Omega-3. We tried to limit his exposure to outdoor allergens and put an air filter in his room.

    By limiting all his triggers at once, it gave his body a chance to focus on healing from the inside out. The supplements helped address the systemic inflammation he was dealing with. The eczema was just one of his symptoms. After a few months he had dramatically improved. By the end of a year, his eczema was gone and all the other things were nearly gone. We began reintroducing the foods we had taken away and if he reacted, we just kept it out of his diet longer. Now he eats whatever he wants and does not have eczema. These days (many years later) if he begins to react to outdoor allergens, we just try to make sure he eats healthy, make sure he's getting plenty of Omega-3 and give him probiotics. It seems to really help. The eczema never did come back.

    By the way, I have a tutorial for a DIY healing salve that might help with Paige's eczema while you are working out how to get rid of it. You can find it and some other healthy things (like all natural cleaners and laundry soap that might help her) on my blog. www.gallimaufrygrove.blogspot.com

    I really hope you are able to find something that works for you guys. It is so hard to see our kids hurting and uncomfortable.

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  36. I forgot the most important tip I received from my current dermatologist. To moisturize within 3 minutes of getting out of the shower. That's the critical time in which your skin can still maintain moisture before it really dries. Give it a shot!

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  37. My friend from school had eczema. I do not know, how he´s doing now, because I haven´t seen him for a long time, but it was really bad.

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  38. A family friends daughter had really bad eczema. The only thing she could eat was white rice and green grapes. It was so bad that her parents used to, not allow anyone to touch her if they had just eaten you had to wash your hands before you even came near her. Then all of a sudden she started eat more things her parents weren't as strict she was not having as many flare ups. She is still doing really good. I have forgotten what they did to help her but if you want I can ask.

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  39. Ginny really struggled with eczema when she was small and we tried all kinds of things, but hers has really improved since she began taking allergy shots (for a plethora of environmental sensitivities) a little over a year ago.

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  40. I only suffer from random dry patches in one or two spots maybe once a year or so, but using colloidal oatmeal (simply grind up oats in your coffee/spice grinder to a powder) in a bath helps soothe the skin and is moisturizing. If you want to avoid gluten, you can get a gluten free oatmeal. To make cleanup easier, simply put it into an organza bag to keep it in one spot, but it mostly dissolves. I'd also do epsom salts and baking soda as they soften water as well. Oatmeal soaps are great, too. Organic homemade would probably be your best bet to avoid the detergents in nearly all commercial soaps and shampoos. You can use honey and chamomile tea for shampoo with a bit of baking soda as well. You want to keep her very hydrated with just water and purify it to the best of your ability. The water could definitely cause skin problems.

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  41. We've suffered from bad eczema in our family since our oldest of five was young so I understand your frustration with the situation. We give our kids baking soda baths every night (I dump tons of baking soda in!), lather them with a very mild lotion, and encourage them to drink lots of water during the days. When their skin is really bad we use Amlactin, although it stings and the kids complain and cry. When our oldest was really suffering our doctor attended a conference on eczema and came back with a novel idea that we were horrified by. He recommended getting two pairs of long pajamas (long sleeve, long pants--like long johns), and after the bath and lotion get one pair wet and wring it out really well and clothe the child in the damp pajamas. Then put the dry pair over the top. We were worried our son would be sick from sleeping in wet clothes but the dry ones trap the moisture next to the skin all night and also trap in the body heat so there is no shivering from wet clothes. I was amazed the next day when he woke up with clear skin! Good luck, it's a horrible problem with a million different "cures" and it's so frustrating to do the trail and error to find what works for you.

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  42. My sister is Cambodian and really suffered when she was little the only thing that worked for her was called balnatar, my bum would slather her in it at night and put her in dark jammies(it's messy) it took a few days but it really healed it, I had the chance to test it with one of my daycare kids and it really did work!!! Once the eczema was gone we would just spot treat at the first signs... More info here http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-2059-Balnetar+Top.aspx?drugid=2059&drugname=Balnetar+Top

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  43. Ouch, poor Paige :( I have heard that magnesium can cure eczema in some cases. Oral supplements won't do much because the body doesn't actually absorb magnesium well that way; it is best absorbed through the skin in the form of Magnesium Chloride, which can be bought here: http://www.ancient-minerals.com/products/magnesium-bath-salts/ (one of the product's recommendations is for treating eczema and I've heard of it working for some people before) I hope you are able to figure out something that really works for her eczema!

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  44. I'm so sorry. I and all three of my kids have eczema and I hate it to. A few years back I had a flare up that got so bad that I had quarter sized sores all down my legs, arms, and covered both of my hands. (I literally had to wear gloves all the time for two months.)

    We've tried all the same things you have----oils seems to make our worse. And most soaps or any household cleaners are murder on our skin. Even sometimes something as ordinary as bare skin on carpet (which we just got rid of most of in our house) or too warm of water can cause a flare up.

    I wish I had good advice...but the only thing that I've notice that really helps us is---we live in the desert so when we go to humid areas---especially the beaches of Southern California our skin heals---it is literally like magic. We all come home smooth and shiny and happy.

    The other thing is if I am stressed out or worried I flare up---as do my kids. If they are worried or having a hard time their skin goes crazy. So the more peaceful and calm I can make my kids life the better their skin is. (As strange as that sounds.)

    I'm sorry...I wish I had a magic solution (other than prayer) until then I often wear long sleeves and rarely wear skirts as often as I'd like.
    Take Care of Yourselves,
    liZ

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  45. Emu oil is really good too! Not sure if you've ever heard of it, but I buy it at a local organic/homeopath market. Here's a link I found to tell you more about it http://www.uniquelyemu.com/emuoil.htm I use it for a lot of things, and love the way it makes my skin feel! Praying that you figure out what works for your little!

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  46. scratching a patch of eczema could actually make the rash grow and also moisturizers could be used always since a rash may produce due to dryness as well. hope paiges rash goes away soon!

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  47. My grandmother swears by Cornhusker's lotion, which I haven't seen mentioned by anyone else. You can buy it at the grocery store. It didn't work for me, but it might be worth a shot for Paige.

    I feel Paige's pain. I used to have huge scaly patches on the inside of my elbows which were raised a good 1/4 inch above my skin and were cracked and bleeding. I, too, had to cover them up so people wouldn't comment.

    I tried everything I could think of. At the age of...16, maybe? I went to the doctor and she prescribed me a steroid cream. I dislike drugs rather more than the average person, but there are times when they are necessary. The steroid cream cleared the eczema up (took a few months), and now I can control my dry skin without it. I eat gluten-free and shower sparingly.

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  48. Poor Paige! when i was really little my older brother had eczema all over his arms and legs ever since he was a baby but then he started using e45 cream and it worked really well on his legs (by the way his name is mark)and it completely cleared up on his legs. It didn't work so well on his arms so he began to use avenoe cream and after a year it was gone it never flares up anymore and now he is 21 so i hope this was some help to you

    Best Wishes for Paige

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  49. I recently read Jessica Alba's book The Honest Life, and it really opened my eyes up to what "unscented," "hypoallergenic," and other terms REALLY mean.

    I found it at my local library. It might help you weed out some products you're using that maybe aren't as safe as you think.

    Good luck!

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  50. Hi Disney! I feel your pain, my 5-year-old son has awful eczema, mostly on his legs and hands. It gets so bad that he scratches until it bleeds. We've tried so much, and I just found this product called Simple Sugars (http://simplesugars.myshopify.com) that seems to be making a huge impact. The company is amazing -- it was on Shark Tank a few months ago. The who started it is only about 18 or 19 now, and she started it when she was about 13. It's completely all natural, and I just rub it on my son's "itchy spots" (as he calls them) in the bath. That plus putting coconut oil in the bath has made a big difference. A friend of mine swears by it and says it pretty much cured her son's eczema.

    Another friend swears by Worker B serum (http://www.worker-b.com) and said it cleared her son's eczema up in one week. I am about to try that as well! Good luck, and I hope you find something that helps. Eczema is the WORST!

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    1. I immediately thought of the Shark Tank company, too. Here is an article with more information about it: http://sharktanksuccess.blogspot.com/2013/03/simple-sugars.html, in addition to the Simple Sugars website Jenn provided above. Good luck! I've never had much experience with eczema, but I understand from others that it can be a beast!!

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  51. My cousin uses Coconut Oil, make sure you get the real stuff! Tropical Traditions is the best!

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  52. My son was born with eczema too. We do most of the same things you do as far as no soap and "-free" everything. We tried coconut oil, but in some areas for my son it stung, I have heard that it worked well for other people though. When he was a about seven it was horrid, plus he was having difficultly with asthma. I put him on 1/2 tsp cod liver oil (Carlson's for Kids). I kept it in the fridge. I had read about Vitamin D and Omega 3 Fish oils, and thought it was worth a shot. I had tried other brands of Omega 3's with no effects. When he started the Cod oil, it was like a miracle! His eczema and asthma both got better and he seemed cured. I felt so grateful! If I stopped the oil within a week his skin would flare up and he would start with the dry cough. He was that way for about 3 years, then the oil started to seem less effective. I don't know why. I still have him take omega 3's, and his eczema is not a bad as it was.
    I have used Apple Cider Vinegar on myself, and it stings like crazy! BUT, if I put it on and then immediately wash it off, it has a very soothing effect, and usually stopped the itching and pain almost immediately. To be fair I used the ACV full strength, maybe diluted, it wouldn't sting so much. I haven't tried it on my son.
    I like Jojoba oil. Jojoba absorbs very quickly and has helped my eczema spots to stay clear. I have my son use avocado oil on his feet with socks at night, because his eczema get bad on his toes. Avocado is staining and doesn't absorb very fast.
    Good luck! I know it's miserable, but God is on your side! He will give you ideas and help you.

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  53. Oh man, no fun for you guys! I have eczema on my fingers and toes, and it blisters but it's pretty mild compared to what sounds like Paige has going on. I hope that you're able to find something that works well for you guys! Sounds like there's lots of ideas from everybody else! Good luck, and if you find something good please share!

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  54. I've struggled with mild eczema myself...I've begun to wonder if it is not a reaction/die off reaction to yeast...drinking ACV in water, lots of coconut oil, oil pulling with coconut oil, decreased sugar/chocolate.

    I was using a homemade coconut oil/shea butter/bees wax lotion bar but switching to Aveeno (the basic one) actually helped.

    Blessings and prayers to you!

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  55. A friend of mine just posted this on FB:
    Hi ladies, I remember someone asking about natural eczema remedies and these are what has worked for me. Liam has had severe eczema since birth, and though cortezone has worked, I don't like to use it all the time. So about 6 mo ago I started to try every good lotion, tea tree oil, and sound online advice I could find and nothing worked. Finally, my doc's nurse told me about Fish oil and directed me to a natural store, who told me about the lotion. It works! If I put the lotion on 2x a day and give him 1/2 t. of the oil (it tastes good, so he takes it willingly from a med syringe), his eczema says under control and doesn't bleed or make him itch. Hooray! I just wanted to pass it on case anyone else was going crazy trying to find something.
    Below it she posted a picture of Barlean's Omega Swirl Fish oil and ShiKai Borage Therapy Advanced formula lotion. .

    Also, be careful with the homemade laundry detergent. I started making mine and had to quit after a few months because my husband breaks out all over and gets very itchy. We haven't used the homemade stuff in a while and he still gets itchy. I think we're just having to work it out of the clothing he wears.

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  56. I came across a natural salve that may help. It's called Eden Salve and is made with all natural, organic ingredients
    (Echinacea root, comfrey leaf, propolis, plantain leaf, echinacea purpurea, yarrow flower, rosemary leaf, beeswax, pure olive oil and grapefruit seed extract).

    I haven't used it for eczema, but the testimonials say that it is good for this condition. It smells a little funny, but it does work.

    Here is the link: http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Eden-Salve_Organic?s=eden%20salve&id=7DfH3GiN

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  57. This may be out of left field but do you have hard water? I've noticed with my eczema it gets worse when I shower with hard water. Just a thought! :)

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  58. http://bnnbcrafts.blogspot.com/2013/04/eczemathe-truth-about-it.html

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  59. This is a very expensive solution, but I have seen it work for one person: visiting a place with a tropical climate. I had a friend in high school with terrible eczema. Sometimes when she had a flare-up she would go away for long weekends in Hawaii, because she said the climate there helped her, and when she came back her eczema was always improved. Finally one year she spent the whole summer in Hawaii, and after that her eczema was gone. I do not know how she is doing now; we lost touch after high school.
    My mother told me that she had eczema too for her whole childhood, and that it went away and never came back after she spent a little less than a month touring Thailand when she was nineteen.
    Both my high school friend and my mother claimed that it was the tropical climate that cured their eczema. I have no idea if that is true, but something about those long vacations cured both of them!

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  60. We are gluten free due to my son's skin issues. I make my own laundry soap and am very careful about lotions and other things that touch his skin. Going gluten free made a huge difference for us. Another thing that is a major one is oemga oils. I have my 6 yr old take three of the ultimate omega Juniors a day plus a zinc supplement and plenty of water and his skin looks amazing! I'm sure you've done oatmeal baths and know that warm water is much better than hot for skin stuff. Good luck! It's a hard battle as they scratch mostly at night or when you don't notice:)

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  61. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  62. Try Image Skincare's Vital C line -- it's formulated for people with Eczema and Roseacea. I have a little around the sides of my nose and it's always super dry and red... and it works! Also try their organic line! You can only get it through a licensed esthetician or spa that carries it though.

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  63. I have suffered from mild excema and scalp psoriasis for most of my life. When I was a child we also discovered that we had to be careful about laundry detergents, even now I can only use fabric softener if it is used in the washing machine and goes through an extra rinse cycle. While working at a vitamin store a few years ago, I discovered tha Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodiem Laureth Sulfate (SlS) are both bad for the skin, especially the scalp. By eliminating those ingredients from my skin care products I have been able to my conditions under control. The problem is that those are also the main ingredients in most cleansing products(laundry detergent, dishsoap, lots of hand soaps), so there can be residues left on things like clothes even if there isn't any in the skincare products you are using, so you might want to try avoiding those ingredients even in household products. as you may already know, both excema and psoriasis are categorized as autoimmune diseases which generally means that finding a medical cause is very hard, and also that flare-ups can be caused by multiple things that can not always be avoided. For me, I find that the most significant factor is to use extremely gentle skincare products without SLS. I have also found that products with rosemary, lavender, or tea tree essential oils help, as do products with neem. If you would like some more information about the ingredients I mentioned I would suggest going to a Whole Foods and talking to one of the employees there or if you are ever in a place where there is a Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage talk to one of the employees there.

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  64. I haven't read through all the comments so I don't know if someone else has suggested it, but I read apple cider vinegar in the bath (1/2 cup to a cup, depending on how much water is in the bath) can help. I've tried it on my son and while his eczema isn't nearly that bad, it does seem to help so it might be worth a try. definitely better than the bleach baths I'd seen recommended...

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  65. I haven't read through all the comments so I don't know if someone else has suggested it, but I read apple cider vinegar in the bath (1/2 cup to a cup, depending on how much water is in the bath) can help. I've tried it on my son and while his eczema isn't nearly that bad, it does seem to help so it might be worth a try. definitely better than the bleach baths I'd seen recommended...

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  66. http://www.thiswholefamily.com/2013/03/how-our-daughters-eczema-was-healed.html?m=1
    Megan talks about healing her daughter's eczema through diet and indigo powder, something I'd never heard of before. Hope your daughter finds some relief!

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  67. I'm 56 and I also had a very bad eczema since I was a child up to only several years ago. One of the things I have noticed about the people who are suffered from eczema is that most of them have an unconscious habit of strongly scratching themselves whenever they feel stress or awkwardness. So one of the things I have tried was clipping my fingernails short and filing them down smooth so that I cannot scratch myself even while I'm sleeping. This helped me a lot for preventing worsening the topical area. Another thing that worked so much for me was taking zinc and vitamin D tablets. Especially vitamin D was the biggest key, I think. Primrose oil and vitamin B didn't work at all in my case. One more thing. If you are going to use steroid cream, then it's important to use some antiseptic or antifungal cream or lotion at the same time. Applying steroid cream weakens your immunity on your skin so it helps to proliferate staphylococcus aureus there and that makes your eczema worse and itchy. Sometimes tea tree oil works wonderfully as an antifungal agent. In my case I used iodine antiseptic lotion wenever I felt itchy. I know some people are allergic to iodine lotion, so they need to wash it out soon after applying to the topical area, but luckily I'm not and it always helped me soothing the itchiness.

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  68. My eczema seemed to always come with the seasons. I grew up in upstate New York and the colder, damper, darker it got into the winter, the worse my eczema would be. The dry air didn't help either... and I would scratch and scratch in my sleep. I saw several doctors, bought over the counter and prescription remedies, dieted, exercised, and even tried my own ideas for what might work (covering up in calamine lotion and then putting on mittens to keep your from scratching in your sleep does NOT work - FYI) and despite all attempts, there was nothing that could keep it under control... until the summer came.

    When the sunshine meant that I was playing outside all day long and the air had more humidity, my skin seemed to heal itself - you wouldn't even know I had eczema. Paige may be doing more harm than good in covering her arms up. I would suggest that she spend a little time getting some sun on them (in private if she is too self concious). Obviously she shouldn't go overboard as the sun can obviously be dangerous in its own right, but it's always worth a try!

    And tell her not to lose heart. I no longer fight with eczema (though I know it's incurable) because I now live in the very sunny, always humid state of South Carolina. I literally have only had ONE episode in the eight years I have been down here. Unfortunately, moving isn't an option for the great majority of people - still I attribute my skin's condition now to the weather. Tell her to take advantage of the sunshine and buy her a humidifier for her room.

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  69. I didn't want to post anything until I had a chance to talk to a friend of mine with three children who all suffer from eczema. Here are a few things she suggested/has found to help her kiddos.
    1. Have a fan gently blowing on them while they sleep. This can help keep them from itching... which means no blood on her jammies!
    2. Get a hold of the little ketchup packets from a fast food joint and then FREEZE them. With your new little "ice packs" apply them to affected areas for itching relief (especially on the inside of the elbows).
    3. Make sure Paige is drinking enough water for her height/weight/age. Hydrating skin from the inside too is a big deal!
    4. Sweat is literally salt on an open wound, so carrying around sensitive skin baby wipes can be a blessing.
    5. Showers only! No baths! This keeps the swollen area from become further irritated in hot water.
    6. There is a lotion that has brought some level of relief, but it's pricey. Aquaphor by Eucerin has been helpful for her children.
    7. Stress... ah, ugly stress. Unfortunately, she has found this to be a major contributor to her children's misery. The more they stress over the special food they need to eat, the special vitamins they have to take, the special lotions the need to apply, the environmental allergens they need to be paranoid of, the more they become anxious about their condition.

    The bottom line is that the more they itch, the more they just won't heal. If the itching can stop, slo-o-o-o-o-o-owly, there is progress.

    I hope this is helpful in any little way to Paige. I'm so sorry for her suffering. You're a good mom to diligently try to help her!

    All the best,
    Mrs. Anonymous

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  70. i have no advice. after reading this article i just want to say what a great mother you are for Paige! Praying Paige will get through this soon.
    love from Maldives

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  71. Hello
    My niece's symptoms are exactly like Paige's. She is successfully controlling them by avoiding ALL citrus, food colouring and preservatives. All doctors said diet was not connect but it is in our experience. I wish you the relief that she has found.

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  72. My brother had terrible eczema and multiple food allergies with dramatic asthma reaction from 1 to 10. But now he's 25, in great health, everything has disappeared. So maybe puberty is the answer ?

    Good luck !

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  73. hey!

    I had strong eczema as a kid, and my mother got me a homeopatic treatment that practically cured the condition, so I can recommend that from my own experience :) Now I only get one about every half year if I forget to hydrate well...

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  74. My sister was born with eczema and my mom tried so many things. What really worked for her was something called collendula cream. It's an all natural extraction of the marigold plant. Apply wherever needed, whenever. It works best after a shower or bath applied overnight.

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  75. Have you considered having elders pray over her and anoint her with oil? It works and I have several first hand experiences of this bringing healing. Thanks for sharing such a personal story and trial in your family.

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  76. I outgrew it, pretty much. I still get a little patch here and there and my skin is very sensitive, but the full on eczema attacks have subsided. They got even better when I moved from NC to AZ -- the aridity seems to actually help.

    When I was a child, though, it was terrible. I got it behind my knees mostly and in the crook of my arms. We would spend every summer at a beach in South Carolina and I hated going in the water because it stung so intensely. Plus, I would pick up all kinds of weird bacteria ailments like impetigo and such because of having the open wounds and me constantly touching them.

    Our pediatrician recommended removing as much acid from my diet as possible. Acid makes you itchy. So no milk, acidic fruits (including tomatoes), etc. He also said to slather on the Crisco (regular, not butter-flavored!) to keep the skin hydrated.

    I think the only thing that ever really made a dent in the itchiness was taking Atarax. My mom would give me a dose at night to help me keep from opening up my skin while I slept and because the drug made me very sleepy.

    To this day, my skin requires constant maintenance. I have to use Cetaphil to wash my face as my skin is very sensitive and whenever I get stressed, my elbows develop patches.

    Some tips to keep the inflammation calm:
    - Oatmeal baths do work
    - never use hot water in her baths or showers
    - always double rinse her laundry to make sure no suds remain. Even if you use natural detergents, they can be irritating (even to this day I can't use most detergents -- even the "natural" ones.)
    - Clothing over the inflamed area may make it itchier
    - cotton cotton cotton cotton cotton

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  77. Have you seen this interesting idea? I'm not too keen on short sleeves, and have been planning to do this for summer. It might work for Paige. Long sleeves that let some air in.

    http://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/an-easy-t-shirt-refashion/

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  78. Hello disney,

    i would like to offer my two cents. i was wondering if the thrift store items plays a bad role in worsening little paige's condition. some of the items there might be dirty, since it was once after all used before by anonymous people. you would not know what others have done with the item before deciding to thrift it away. that is what my mummy said and i do believe that it holds some truth in it.

    i used to have eczema on my feet when i was young and was eased by using "renew" lotion. now that im 20, the outbreak frequency is rare and i can do without the lotion. you can google it up and find eczema being linked to this lotion. besides treating the disease, it also helps to moisturize the skin. one of the url i have found is this: http://www.mykidsclubhouse.com/2012/09/renew-lotion-solves-eczema/
    i do hope it helps!! i can empathize with paige. and to think she is just a child, having to suffer such illness at such a young age.. she is really brave!! my heart goes out to her!

    wishing her with all my heart a speedy recovery (:

    love, maddy

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  79. Look up fructose malabsorption and candida overgrowth. Both have been linked to eczema....and linked to eachother also.

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  80. I forgot to mention it can also be intestinal parasites or other fungus/yeast or gut flora out of balance. If you can find a functional medicine dr, they can do stool and saliva test panels to check for all of that. Otherwise you can find a private lab to do it for you (sometimes your insurance will cover it too). The testing for 2 of my kids was done thru my doctor and sent to: DiagnosTechs.com in Kent, Washington (but I'm sure there are others if you search.)On their website you can search for providers closest to where you live.
    Thru this testing we found that my youngest has very bad yeast overgrowth and that solved the mystery of her digestive problems--ongoing diarrhea, sudden new food intolerances and fructose malabsorption and sometimes dangerously high liver enzymes. My oldest daughter was having weird mental symptoms, eczema, loss of energy, and kidney problems that reg. doctors were baffled by and with this testing we found out she has overgrowth of 2 varieties of strep that should not even be present in her body!! So now we know how to treat each to clear this up, with the help of this doctor and tons of my own researching. Without this testing my kids would have kept getting sicker. We were warned of possible kidney failure with my oldest and autoimmune diseases, future liver transplants, and strong prescription drugs with my youngest so this is serious stuff. Not to say that this is the case with your daughter, just this testing can be very revealing and get you to the bottom of that is CAUSING her troubles and finally fix them. And most run-of-the-mill health care clinics do NOT test for this stuff! Best of luck to you!

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  81. Have you looked into the GAPS diet to heal her gut? There's a lot of info on it reversing allergies and eczema, among many other things. Since she was born with this problem, so not necessariy the fault of certain foods but instead flaw in the way the gut handles them....and they say babies "inherit" their mother's (and grandmother's) gut bacteria which is so very often not the best because of all the world puts us thru on a daily basis.

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  82. No one really needs soap to get clean and every single one has ingredients that are not natural and gets absorbed into your system. Water and a washcloth is sufficient or if that's too rough, rub hands over skin to clean it. I haven't used soap in over a year and smell fine. ;-) One interesting thing we learned here was that washing the oils off our skin interferes with our body's production of vitamin D. Kinda cool to know that our oils are there for a reason.
    Some people have good luck with coconut oil-- on skin and consuming it by itself or in cooking meats, on noodles, melted over popcorn, etc. Basically in place of butter or along with butter. Start slow to adjust to it. It reduces inflammation and is antifungal/antibacterial/antiviral to boot.

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  83. Weleda calendula cream is a wonderful thing ... they make a whole line of products, but the diaper cream is the best for direct application and immediate results.

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  84. Try Jojoba oil instead of the coconut, it's actually the most like the natural oil the body produces. Also a bit of Epsom salts in her bath may help pull toxins out of her skin, it may make her a little dry, but since you're going to "grease her up" right after her bath, it shouldn't be an issue. We have also tried the Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type method and it will tell you things to avoid eating based specifically on what will stress her body by her blood type. This book is MAGICAL.

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  85. My excema started when I was a teen. I was told it was caused by a combination of stress and allergies. To beat it into submission the first time, I used a combination of steroid cream, dove soap and benedryl (oral).
    Over the years, I've managed to prevent major flare-ups by keeping well moisturized with a neutral non-scented cream (the brands change with my mood, but Eucerin was recommended by a dermotologist) and washing (as infrequently) with "real" soap - not detergent-based soap. Look into a 100%olive oil castille soap... Oatmeal baths help with the itch, you can also just mix oatmeal with water into a paste and smear it On for awhile (you do need to rinse it off Later - good to do an hour before bed or so)
    I don't like using the steroid cream, but I find that if I use it sparingly when a flareup really starts, then I can normally nip it in the bud, So to speak. Then I can focus again on prevention.

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  86. Hi,
    This is the first time I've been to your blog and I rarely comment but had to in this case. I'm now 52 and have asthma & had eczema on and off my whole life but it got particularly bad in my 30's. My hand was all open weeping itchiness. I have tried many of the above and although there was some relief at times nothing 'cured' it. Then I went to a naturopath who did a basic panel blood test for IgE antibodies. What came up was a uniform result of high sensitivity to all dairy and egg white which he said suggested I had a problem with a protein found in both of these. I eliminated ALL dairy and egg. You have to read ALL labels and basically cannot use any pre packaged products as they virtually all contain some dairy. Be aware of all the names dairy and egg go by. Anyway, within 10 weeks my hand was 100% ok. After months and months of 'clean' eating I have to say I tested this result (because I love cheese) and I can actually eat it now in small amounts but take it too far and the eczema comes back. I avoid egg white completely because it seems to be the bigger culprit for whatever reason. Good luck and hope you have the success I have had.

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  87. hi, i'm from germany and unfortunaltey i do not know if you can get it in america but if you could, try Melaleuca oil on the eczema and soap made of mare's milk.
    my little brother has had big problems with that, too but with these two tipps it almost vanished completely... and you should avoid water with chlorine in it, so be careful with faucet water.

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  88. Poor girl. I have eczema too, though very minor. Most of mine is on my scalp, however I do get patches on my arms and other places sometimes, but I found a lotion that works. It's relatively new from Aveeno and its specifically for Eczema. My patches usually disappear in a couple days after applying this lotion. If nothing else though, it does help a lot with the itching and its nice and thick so putting it on before bed works great.

    This is the only other thing I have found aside from the sterroid cream the dr perscribed that seems to work for me, but its nice to have an alternative to using the sterroid.

    http://www.amazon.com/Aveeno-Eczema-Therapy-Moisturizing-Cream/dp/B003O7IBZC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369755611&sr=8-1&keywords=aveeno+eczema+therapy

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  89. Hello from a fellow washingtonian! (though we live on the peninsula)
    I second the GAPS diet. It may sound overwhelming, but really, it's not. you just eat a lot of eggs and meat and fruits & veggies and nuts. and probiotics - sauerkraut, kombucha, yogurt, kefir, water kefir, etc. - you don't have to start on intro - you can just dive into the full diet if you want. if you go to www.gaps.me you can find a practitioner who uses the diet - though i only saw one in e. wa.
    there are so many delicious baked goods made with almond and/or coconut flour out there! (recipes online)
    may you be blessed with wisdom in this issue!

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  90. Have you been prescribed Eledel? I think I'm spelling it right. It is super pricey, even with insurance but it worked on our kids.

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  91. we cut ALL acids (strawberries, oranges, citrus, etc) to fix our son's problem with excema. I would also avoid hydrocortosone steroid cream if possible. If I am remembering correctly, your daughter is half Asian (so are mine)and if it used frequently it can bleach their skin pigment permanently (which is not pretty at all when your child ends up with lighter spots on her skin if you have a child who tans easily). Asians have a higher frequency of excema so actually her issues are not uncommon. We use vinegar instead of fabric softener, and hypoallergetic soaps and shampoos. Also have to use ivory soap for baths.

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  92. I had terrible eczema on my hands, it was so painful I couldn't do anything. My partner had to even wash my hair for me!

    I started putting epsom salts in my bath and it has helped incredibly. I have teamed that with the Hemp hand cream from the body shop and it has virtually disappeared!

    Definitely worth a try.
    x

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  93. I have had eczema my whole life and it is just awful. Growing up I'd scratch and scratch until my skin was raw and bleeding. when I was younger I mostly had it on my feet/legs and a few random patches elsewhere, but in high school it developed on my scalp. I'm not sure why, but chlorine seems to help me now. I've tried several OTC lotions and creams, Rx shampoos, and I've even tried steroid injections in my scalp. nothing makes it go away, but chlorine seems to help. I understand why you have to bathe Paige every day, I'm in the same boat. I would just say not to always use soap when you bathe her. try going every other day and see how that goes. maybe try every two days if you can. So many nights I just scratch and scratch until my skin is raw and I try not to, but sometimes you just can't help it. Hopefully you'll be able to find something that works for little P, I know how mashable eczema is and I only wish it upon my worst enemies! :P

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  94. We have the same problems when it comes to eczema. I was told the same thing as a previous poster about it not being food related but this has been our experience as well. If you can, try to see an allergist, We did and while it was overwhelming at first it has really helped to avoid all of the foods on the list along with avoiding pesticides as much as possible. A few more things that have helped is using olive oil as a moisturizer. (we have a coconut allergy). Making your own laundry soap and cleaner is helpful. Also, if you have a farmer's market that sells local honey it helps with environmental allergies. I pray you find what works for you! We have also had to adjust every aspect of our lives so I know from experience how much it affects your life. Good Luck!

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  95. My son had eczema as a baby/toddler. He got it on his forehead and on his legs. I would apply very generous amounts of petroleum jelly on it and leave it on for a few hours on his forehead and overnight on his legs. It would usually clear up in a day or two. When it would come back I would just repeat the process. Eventually he outgrew it.

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  96. I am in the same boat right now, although my daughter is a year old. (http://alohaknitter.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-little-ella.html)

    One thing the allergist told me is to re-do the tests periodically, as their "triggers" can change and something she was fine with might no longer work.

    I really liked reading the comments, as I am searching for answers as well.

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  97. Oh, dear! Eczema is such a bother! I used to have it on the backs of my knees - what a nightmare! I would suggest off the top of my head (everyone has great tips!) that she should try taking butterbur and magnesium supplements! They're anti-inflammatory and also help with headaches. Omega 3 also helps with skin! Most love. <3 I've read your blog for 3 years, keep it up! You're beautiful inside and out.

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  98. Check this out!

    http://theendofeczema.blogspot.com

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  99. Disney, sorry I'm not reading all of these comments but I'm sure there's some great advice. I'm a long time eczema sufferer. My arms and legs were always covered in patches that stood out against my tan skin. Medicated lotion? I've tried it all. I even coated my skin in Vaseline. Nothing worked. What finally did work for me was Gold Bond medicated lotion green bottle, red pump-it has to be this kind, other versions of this brand don't work) and I stopped using soap every day. Not using soap sounds pretty gross, but I never smell like I don't use soap. I also don't take overly hot showers. I was also pretty sensitive to chalk, which as a gymnast was hard to avoid. I have to apply lotion several times a day if I have a bad episode, but that hasn't happened in years. Now applying lotion after my shower is enough. I hope your daughter finds some relief!

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  100. The things that helped me seem to be the opposite of a lot of the commenters! I have a lot of environmental allergies, so things like line drying clothes was discouraged (they can build up pollen). I'm allergic to coconut, and tons of the all natural/organic stuff has coconut/almond oil or derivatives of it. That meant it was the big box store stuff that worked better for me!

    Another thing that didn't start until I was older was having PMLE (Polymorphous Light Eruption), which essentially means that I need to stay out of the sun as much as possible. So now I'm a vampire! But at least I know what it's called and it's easier to deal with.

    Anyways, that's just story telling. Here's my real suggestion:
    http://www.dermasilk.ca/ - this stuff has made a BIG difference for me. It's medical grade silk underclothing and it somehow stays cool all the time. They even have something that just looks like armwarmers that I've used and they've worked really well. It's not a cure, but it brings the itch down a lot, and when you're not scratching, you're finally giving any open wounds a chance to heal. It's cooler than bandages and there's no adhesive to make you itch. And this is probably an unpopular opinion, but now that I'm an adult I'm quite happy to take 2 benadryl before bed. It stops the itch AND lets me sleep soundly enough that I'm not waking up and scratching.

    Good luck!
    It's a long, frustrating road, but we've got your back :)

    - KQ

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  101. My brother had a severe case of eczema when he was little, was tested for allergies, had a slew of them, and was placed on a highly restricted diet (same as your daughter's) for 2 weeks. Then every week he was allowed to try one new "trigger" food in a small ~ one tbsp. to 1/4 cup~ dose only. His body reset itself, but it took all summer. I don't know if this would help...am just relaying the story in case you want to use it somehow. Good luck with everything!

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  102. I feel for you both. I had bad eczema for a while and it just went away. Here is an article I read. http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/04/29/battling-psoriasis-with-a-cup-of-tea/. - The article actually references a medical study for treatment resistant eczema by drinking oolong tea. Hope it helps.

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  103. Don't know if this is a duplicate but my last comment didn't seem to show. http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2013/04/29/battling-psoriasis-with-a-cup-of-tea/- This article references a study for treatment resistant eczema benefiting from oolong tea drinking. Hope it helps.

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  104. I haven't read through all of the comments already posted so someone may have mentioned this already, but essential oils would help tremendously! I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis because of the psoriasis, so I was looking for something desperately for relief. The cool thing about essential oils is that they are God made medicines that humans distill from plants, so they are life giving. I was really skeptical but I've seen results I couldn't even begin to imagine! Don't take my word for it though, cause you don't know me from Adam or Eve. You can read for yourself about it at http://granolaconvert.com/blog/help-what-do-i-use-for-my-eczema and http://thelemondroplounge.com/ and http://www.oil-testimonials.com/. I'm a distributor for Young Living essential oils, and I give anyone my discounted price, because I suffered for too many years and life is too short to keep all of this to myself, so I'm sharing the love!

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  105. I feel you! My little girl has it and though it hasn't gone completely away, it is SO. MUCH. BETTER. Once we discovered that she has a citric acid sensitivity. (Which is also in EVERYTHING.) so now we read labels, avoid processed foods, and moisturize a lot so the eczema is at least under control. I do think she still suffers breakouts when she's teething or sick, but there's not much I can do about that. :(. Even the benadryl we were using in a desperate attempt to help her was only making it worse because medicines contain citric acid! And because its not a technical "allergy" it didn't show up through allergy testing. We had to keep a food log to notice the trend. Good luck!

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  106. Oh, I don't know if you'll get this since this post is older, but OH, I feel for Paige! I was in the allergy lab at 6 weeks old, and now - 2 1/2 months away from turning 40, I still suffer from allergies and atopic dermatitis. I don't know if I would classify it as strictly eczema because I have been told that I am allergic to my own SWEAT. Gross, right? So any time I sweat, it's a rush to rip off my clothes and take a nice, quick cold shower to get it off my skin. It makes exercise and being outdoors tricky, but I've learned what I need to do over the years. I agree with the reader who said not to bathe her so frequently and TOTALLY understand your response about the sweat. And while I am not recommending that she stay indoors for the rest of her life, maybe her outdoor/super-hard play time could be limited into short spurts, before getting really sweaty? I would also recommend COTTON, COTTON, COTTON - all year long, only soap private parts/under the arms, really quick as-cool-as-she'll-tolerate bath water, keeping the house cooler, washing hair in the sink (so the shampoo doesn't run down her skin), and yes, lots of prayers. It's not a fun way to grow up, but I LOVE that asked and that you are getting so many great ideas on how to make it better and easier for her. I am praying that you find the answers that work best for her and that she feels comfortable to rock short - or no! - sleeve clothes for the rest of her life. :)

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  107. Have you tried calmoseptine? Check out the reviews on Amazon regarding its use for eczema. I'm about to try it on my daughter's toes. We keep it on hand for diaper rash, but I just ran across this in my research this morning. Hugs to you and your precious girl. BTW I read your blog often and enjoy it, but I don't think I've ever commented. Thanks!

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  108. Hi Disney! I just read this post, so I hope you'll see this comment! My baby boy struggled with awful, horrible, no good eczema for the first year of his life. It was so bad...it scared me so much to see him suffer. We did the grain, milk, egg, sugar, everything else free diet. That helped a bit I think. I would only bathe him maybe twice a week. Our homeopathic doctor told us that the chemicals in water really exacerbated the already awful situation. I would put flax seed oil on him every night before bed and cover up his arms and hands so he couldn't scratch. The flax seed is what really did it for him. Although he is one of those 'grow out of it' stories, the flax really really helped to soothe him while he was in the thick of it. I hope and pray Paige (and you and daddy!) get relief soon!

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  109. Hey disney.i cant imagine what it might be like for you :(..my daughter has a mild eczema and my step daughters case is like yours little ones'.her mother tried lotions creams doctors and and nothing wormed for more than a couple months.until i once,one night while she was staying with us,rubbed black seed oil on her.she wS it hing scratcbing and crying.but after the blackseed oil,she went to sleep and the next day,the whole rash had cured up.her mother waz amazed so obviously it doesnt clear up that easily before.i have used it on my baby too and it always workz and the outbreaks are less too.i found this out by accident when once i rubbed black seed on my girl for a week becausebshe was having a cold.(works for cold too.)and a week later mu girls back n chest had cleared up.it was after that that i used it on my step daughter whos eczema is more severe than of my girl.do a research kn blackseed oil if you already havent..because it is said that this miracle seed has cure for everything and its being proven everyday.
    Ok this being said,ive always loved you blog. :) havent visited in a long while and so paige has grown so much sooo beautifully!!
    Anyways good luck..

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  110. I have eczema as well and I found that the Neem plant mixed with some lemongrass, lavender and a few other essential oils made mine go away within a day. I stay away from water and use baby powder to soak up sweat when wearing shorts (mine is on my legs from chaffing etc sometimes)and it really does help.

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  111. My little lady was born with eczema too:( She is allergic to gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, tropical fruit, flavorings and soap! She has it so bad at the moment that she flinches when we put her cream on:( I hope Paige feels better, it must be so sore:(
    I saw a great book by babycakes with allergy friendly cakes and stuff , our little lady is 18 months and just beginning to realize she isn't eating what the other kids are eating and it hurts my heart to watch her little face when she lines up for a cookie with all the other kids and gets a boring old strawberry rice wafer! Time to start baking:) vegan gluten free soy free all the way:)

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  112. My 3 1/2yr. old daughter's eczema was pretty bad. We tried all the natural ways to get rid of it (much like yourself). I had about given up hope when one of my friends swore by a hazelwood necklace. I bought one and immediately started seeing results. After the 3rd necklace, the eczema was completely healed and has not come back. She's been eczema free for almost a 8mos. I highly encourage you try that.

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  113. Maybe I'm super, super late to the ball game, but I just found your blog and saw this. I had awful eczema for years. I was a freshman or sophomore in high school and I had to explain to people why my arms were disgusting, why they were bloody and raw. I had to deal with my parents telling me to stop scratching, but being physically unable to do so because it itched that badly. I remember realizing one day, that I didn't remember what life was like without eczema. I was so used to wearing long sleeves and covering it, I was so used to scratching that I had figured out how to subtly scratch in class without people wondering what I was doing. I tried more natural remedies like oatmeal and gentle lotions, then moved onto hydrocortisone and creams like Elidel and nothing helped. Eventually I was diagnosed with an allergy to Dairy that explained my eczema. Cutting out Dairy made it go away, but completely avoiding dairy is hard and even a little would make my arms itch like crazy. In all of my years of eczema, the only thing that has ever helped was fluocinonide. I tried a few different types of it, but a cream did nothing and the only thing that ever had an effect was the fluocinonide in a thin liquid form. A few drops at night would have it almost totally cleared up in a day or two, and my eczema was pretty bad. I don’t know if you are still struggling with Paige’s eczema, but if you are, I’m praying that you find something that helps her soon because I remember how bad it was for me. If you ever decide that something prescription is the way you want to go, I really recommend fluocinonide.

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