Picture this rash all over your child’s body. Now picture them scratching away at it anytime they don’t have clothes on. Lets take this one step further and picture your ‘smooth as a baby’s butt’ child feeling like their skin belongs on a scaly snake. Pretty gross right? The only thing I hate more than baby eczema is toddler eczema because it is a lot worse. Make it go away! Make it stop… PLEASE! My heart breaks when I see his poor skin; I feel helpless. 
I am experiencing an overwhelming feeling of mommy guilt because I can’t make it right. How do you protect your baby from his own body? I am sure my own mom felt the same when I was going through my very first Multiple Sclerosis relapse. Here’s how this is going to work. I am going to close my eyes and you are going to make it all better, deal? Oh damn, I forgot that eczema isn’t curable, it’s controllable.
Michael’s eczema has gotten A LOT worse since he became a toddler and I am fed up. I am completely over creams, detergents, bath washes and rashes! It is just soul sucking to watch your baby breakout in a rash because nothing you are doing seems to help! The knife twists a little deeper into your heart when it’s to the point where you are doing an allergy test for toddler eczema. Wah!
We weren’t just at the doctor because of his wicked toddler eczema. Michael also had his 15 month, at 16 months old, well baby visit and it just reinforced what a brute I am raising! Holy smokes!
- 33 inches tall (90th percentile)
- 32 pounds! (100+ percentile)
I liked some of the ‘safety tips’ that were on the 15 month check sheet.
- If your child starts to climb out of the crib, it is time to put him/her into a big (or junior) bed.
- I have definitely watched Michael attempt to get that leg over the crib rail. Ahhhh man! I don’t want to change his bed to a toddler bed yet because I don’t know where the pieces are! I suck so hard.
- Kids need to be allowed to be a bit messy and noisy at times. They need to be allowed to try to manipulate objects by themselves. They should have the ‘freedom’ to explore as long as the exploring is not dangerous to them.
- Yes, yes, and yes! I made sure to read that one aloud to Daddy Michael because my child, yes mine, is learning by doing when he is with me. We are both making mistakes along the way and I am A-OK with that.
We barely brought up his eczema before the pediatrician was recommending a blood test to rule out allergies, thank goodness! He recommended one panel that tests for the 15, or so, most common allergies in children: milk, eggs, wheat, cockroaches, dust mites, nuts, etc. I was so thankful that we could just go downstairs and get his blood drawn because that means I will have the results back by the end of the week! Did you feel my huge sigh of relief?
Michael got the first part of his Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and his final Hemophilus Influenzae Type B (HIB) before his blood draw. I was so thankful that Daddy Michael actually stayed for the shots and the blood draw this time! It is too much work to carry a diaper bag, get out identification, AND carry a very pissed on 32 pound child by yourself. I think having us both there helped a lot with the blood draw because I held the apple juice bottle and his arm while Daddy Michael sat him in his lap and also held his arm.
The good news…
He didn’t bend his arm up with the needle in this time! Yippee!
Loading tweets...
18 comments
3 pings
Skip to comment form ↓
JanetGoingCrazy
November 27, 2012 at 12:10 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Such a scary looking problem and way too common! I’m glad your doctor was ready to test ASAP!
{{hugs}}
JanetGoingCrazy recently posted..Superdad’s Utility Belt – Daddy Diaper Pack @DaddyScrubs
[Reply]
Laurie Adams
November 27, 2012 at 12:11 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Poor kiddo. I have eczema on my hands; it’s horrible! I figured out that mine was caused by baby wipes. Even though, we no longer use baby wipes, I still have breakouts. I too have tried lots of products to control it. I really like Goats Milk Stuff, Sibu Beauty and Monkey Balm…but not everything works for everyone. Good luck figuring out the cause and a treatment. I hope little man feels better soon!
Laurie Adams recently posted..Tuesday Giveaway Link Up 11/27/2012
[Reply]
Mei
November 27, 2012 at 5:29 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hi! So what’s the result for the allergy test? Came across your post as it included in my eczema daily newsletter. Tweet soon!
Mei
Mei recently posted..69 of the 101 things that Moms with Eczema Child do Differently – Pic of your Child?
[Reply]
Mallery Reply:
November 27th, 2012 at 8:49 am
The doctor said it would take 3 days to get the results of the blood test back.
[Reply]
Melissa Lawler
November 27, 2012 at 3:23 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Poor thing. My grandson had to have his biopsied. It was not a fun experience for him.
Melissa Lawler recently posted..Play the AARP Ultimate $50,000 Retirement Game
[Reply]
michelle
November 27, 2012 at 6:02 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh that sweet baby, that totally sucks. And he looks just like you in that side profile.
[Reply]
mel
November 27, 2012 at 6:42 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh Mallery- I just want to reach across and give you a virtual hug. It is such a hard journey to see your child suffer. I am glad your doctor tested for food allergies and will give you the result soon. If I could be of any support, please let me know. I actually blogged about an update with Zane today too- I can totally relate what you are going through:( Many hugs and prayers with the results.
mel recently posted..Zane and how he is doing with his eczema and food allergies- Update!
[Reply]
Anne Younger
November 27, 2012 at 7:23 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
We dealt with eczema for a long time with my oldest. Once we had him tested for allergies and started to make changes it improved. Good luck!
Anne Younger recently posted..ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income, 3rd Edition Review & #Giveaway – Ends 12/11
[Reply]
Sarah @ East9thStreet
November 27, 2012 at 8:31 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I work at a derm office and we see so many little ones with eczema, it makes my heart break for them!
Sarah @ East9thStreet recently posted..Disney Princess Toys
[Reply]
@Mommy_Jennof3
November 27, 2012 at 8:48 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Poor guy! I suffer from Eczema as does DD1 but not to that extent. I can totally sympathize! Best of luck on a search for a cure!
@Mommy_Jennof3 recently posted..#REVIEW Wreck it Ralph!
[Reply]
Audra
November 27, 2012 at 9:46 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My son suffers the same way. We just had the skin test done at the allergist and found out he is super allergic to Bermuda grass, dust mites and other outdoor things we come across here in Savannah. We have done all the creams and medicines. The doctor even said it could be scabies so they had me douse him in pesticide and my son screamed bloody murder and I swore I’d never do it again. It was heart wrenching. I totally feel your pain. Right now, as the cooler temps drop in for the winter, I’m hoping his skin will calm down. The itching is so bad though. He’s on Zyrtec now and all I use is vasoline twice a day from head to toe. Please keep me posted on any answers you may get so that maybe I can find relief for my little guy as well. My son’s skin problem sounds exactly like your son’s.
Audra recently posted..Wishful Thinking
[Reply]
Danielle
November 27, 2012 at 10:58 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Both of my children and my husband have bad eczema. We just cannot avoid flair ups during this dry time of year and are constantly slathering them in cream to keep them moisturized.
Danielle recently posted..Finding Myself at The Dailey Method San Diego #TDMSD
[Reply]
Christy
November 28, 2012 at 10:21 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The good news is that if it’s allergies, it is easier for you to control. Eczema is a horrid thing as you well know. You’re a good mommy and you’ll figure this all out and fix your little…err…umm…big guy!
Christy recently posted..‘Tis the Season to be Sparkly….
[Reply]
**Nicole**
November 28, 2012 at 4:38 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Amber’s eczema got the worst right around the time she was 15 months old too! We also had blood tests done, went through a couple of intensive care visits, and all around just had an awful time till we were referred to a dermatologist who helped a lot. Hang in there mommy–it really DOES get better! ((Hugs))
**Nicole** recently posted..Ideas For College Students
[Reply]
AnEverydayJen
November 29, 2012 at 12:11 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hey Mallery ,
Came across this post because I saw Amy and Mandy chatting w/ you on FB … lol @ you all!
My youngest has eczema and it used to be terrible – especially around that 2yr time frame and it looked exactly like your pic – poor buddies! We had food testing done as well and he is allergic to a few things but they weren’t really sure whether it was really the allergies causing it or not. It would come & go but in the cooler monthes it stayed.
Luckily he is starting to grow out of it. So hopefully your kiddo will too. Not sure what all you have tried yet, but maybe give Aveeno Baby soaps & lotions (we used the one w/ dark blue lid) and it worked miracles for him – but everyone is different so it may not work – but it may be worth a shot if you haven’t tried it already.
Good luck to you guys!
[Reply]
Christine
November 30, 2012 at 3:59 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
good luck. my daughter also had eczema as a toddler. we visited an allergist & dermatologist. shockingly the allergy tests stated she had no allergies, but the dermatologist stated milk can cause a severe eczema reaction. so we stayed away from dairy and never had another reaction. now she’s 7 & she can tolerate small amounts of dairy without reactions. hopefully, she’s growing out of it.
[Reply]
Sarah Vargas
December 3, 2012 at 11:27 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Aww poor little (big) guy. My son is also 15 months and he is 35lbs and 35in.. he and his sister got extreme cases of hand, foot, mouth disease this summer and were covered in hundreds of blisters. It really is terrible seeing them so uncomfortable and not being able to really help. Hopefully you get some good news soon!
Sarah Vargas recently posted..Coming Together with #FamilyTeaTime
[Reply]
Jennifer
December 17, 2012 at 9:48 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hugs to you! Eczema takes such an emotional toll on the family and of course, so do food allergies. Allergy testing is great, but keep in mind there can be false negatives and positives. My son, for example, tested negative to pretty much everything, but a food elimination diet followed by a food challenge, showed clear reactions to dairy, gluten, soy, corn, and some tree nuts. Make sure to ask your allergist to challenge the foods after the test results come back.
Good luck!
Jennifer
http://itchylittleworld.com
Jennifer recently posted..Guess Who’s Featured in Green Child Magazine’s Holiday 2012 Issue
[Reply]
The Day The House Went Cold - Horrible Housewife | Horrible Housewife
November 27, 2012 at 9:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] « Our Journey Starts with an Allergy Test for Toddler Eczema [...]
Our Toddler Eczema Journey - Horrible Housewife | Horrible Housewife
November 30, 2012 at 10:22 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] If you know me at all, you know I do not pick up my phone, let alone pick up for a number I don’t know. Today was different, today I carried my phone around like it was my lifeline. Today the doctor was supposed to be calling with the results that could help diagnose the cause of this toddler eczema. [...]
Have We Found the Toddler Eczema 'Cure'? - Horrible Housewife | Horrible Housewife
January 27, 2013 at 4:48 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
[...] might remember last year Michael had an allergy blood test for his toddler eczema. Then I found out his toddler rashes weren’t caused by any of the [...]