Normally I am simply excited to see how she has grown (or not grown that much, my baby is a peanut). But this time I had things that I really wanted to accomplish with the pediatrician. Bradyn has been dealing with eczema for months and months and it is incredibly heartbreaking watching her scratch so much and so often that I can never have her wear just a onesie. I once had to be called into our church's nursery because she was scratching so much that she had caused major rashes on her little legs and was nearly bleeding because of it. Horrifying.
But as my sweet baby was getting the once over and I was trying to communicate with her doctor, I realized that I was not being heard. It was extraordinarily frustrating to try and deliver a message that says "Doctor please help me!", and the doctor is ignoring you. He just kept on with the usual remedies that I already know.
keep her nails short
lukewarm 5 minute baths
watch what she eats
None of these things were helpful. We were already doing these things.
I left feeling extremely frustrated, but more importantly I learned a lesson.
Bradyn is counting on ME and her DADDY to be her voice. We have to protect her because nobody else will.
And then almost like an angel intervention, my mom called and said that she had been doing some research on eczema and discovered some gems that I think I will be trying out.
Eczema news update: A study published in the May 2009 issue of Pediatrics tested treatments on kids with eczema ages 6 months to 17 years. They found that soaking for five to ten minutes twice a week in a diluted bleach bath (1/2 cup bleach per full standard-size tub) was five times more effective at treating eczema than plain water (used by the placebo group). The improvement was so dramatic that researchers stopped the study early to allow children in the placebo group to get relief with the method. Try it! (But ask your child's doctor first.)
Bleach?! In my baby's bath?! Hey, whatever works!
i might have to try that. Dawsons exzema is getting awful too! Poor bradyn!!
ReplyDeleteSo what were her stats?? :)
Oh right, her stats! She was 17 lbs, in the 5-10% for height, and her head was a bit over 25%.
ReplyDeleteHey, Miles William is prone to significant eczema - his skin cracks and bleeds and gets infected. We bathe him every, single day (2x a day when he has a flair up), use Eucerine cream all over, and put prescription strength steroid cream on him 2x a day for four days on, for days off, alternating with antibiotic ointment when the skin is cracked, or with regular hydrocortisone when the skin is not broken. This regimen is the only thing that keeps it at bay.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to go see a pediatric dermatologist and get an eczema action plan.
Good luck!
Kandi,
ReplyDeleteAvril had exzema really bad on her back and chest and the back of her legs. I took her in to the doctor and he took one look at her and said, oh, that's exzema! I'll prescribe you some cream and it'll go away in no time. He was absolutely right! With just 2 applications the rash had COMPLETELY disappeared. Every time any sneaks up I put the cream on and her rash goes away literally overnight. The cream is called Triamcinolone. Its amazing. I'm actually really surprised your doctor wouldn't have prescribed that. What's up with that?
Kandi, have you tried Arbonne's baby lotion at all? I know people who swear by it! I can hook you up with some if you want to give it a try! :)
ReplyDeleteAlicia--they have now prescribed a medication cream but it has steroids in it, which I hate to put on her. Does your have steroids in it?
ReplyDeleteJenny--I would love some if it would help!
Wow I hope it gives your poor little girl some relief! Thats awful! My sister had Eczema when she was older (like 10) and I remember how much it sucked for her, I cant imagine how bad it is for a little baby that doesnt understand.
ReplyDeleteAnd good for you for advocating for her! I am more outspoken than ever when it comes to Jack. Im a social wuss, but when it comes to what is best for my baby? I talk to anyone.
kandi- most of the medicated creams for exzema are steriod creams! It bites but i hear they totally work the best! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are SO right...that sweet baby girl is depending on YOU to be her voice. That is one thing I learned early on...while still preggo and crying becuz I hated my OBGYN and how he made me feel. And my coworker (who was a birthing class teacher as well) clearly and unapologetically stated "YOU and your hubby are that baby's advocate. No one else. Change doctors becuz you need the best care you can get for his (and your) health." And that struck a chord!
ReplyDeleteI hope B's excema (sp?) gets better. That soundss so painful! :-(
My daughter has eczema. It always gets really icky when it gets warmer out. One thing I did to help is change her soap. I use Dr. Bronners Baby Mild Natural soap (it is her shampoo also). You can find it at Whole Foods. I also use corn starch on her irritated skin. It helps to soothe it and it is all natural. I am a new follower. Come visit me at Mama's Little Chick.
ReplyDeleteMama Hen
www.mamaslittlechick.com
Hi Mama Hen,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of corn starch. My mom has suggested that, so I definitely will try that. I have tried Aveeno baby soap (gave her a massive rash), then Johnson and Johnson's (too drying), Huggie's (also too drying and gave her a dry rash), Cetaphil (nothing but I was just eliminating). So now we just don't use any soap. Seems all too scary.
Thanks for stopping by, I definitely will check you out!