Anticipation can be killer when you are waiting on something like the test results from your toddler’s blood work. The our vivid imaginations make the hypothetical situations that run through your head are usually far worse that what actually ends up happening. I am full of what-ifs because I like to mentally prepare myself for the worst possible situation.
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.
At about 12:40 PM my obnoxiously heavy metal-ish ring tone went off and it was the doctor! The doctor told me that Michael’s allergy blood work came back and it was negative for the things they tested, followed by, “that’s a good thing!”
My next thought process is going to give me the Worst Mom award so be prepared…
I sort of wanted SOMETHING, anything to come back positive so I wasn’t back to square one with this eczema. An allergy would take a while to adjust to, but I would be able to start fixing it NOW! If he would have tested positive for one thing I would be one step closer to taking my poor baby’s pain away.
What’s the toddler eczema game plan?
The doctor said we just have to make sure we take care of his skin. I guess that means I will have to walk through every possible toddler eczema treatment I can find. I am starting with these three Aveeno products: Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash, 
Keep your fingers crossed for us!
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Kristin Wheeler (Mama Luvs Books)
November 30, 2012 at 11:04 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hi Mallery! My son Drew had it bad too when he was young. He also had no “reason” for it and it did get better with age. He still has outbreaks at age 5 (especially on the fall/winter), but it DID get better. We used all the Aveeno products and they definitely seemed to help!!! Good luck! I hope you guys outgrow it too!!! =)
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Rachael
November 30, 2012 at 11:05 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wanting to find something wrong doesn’t make you the award winning bad mom. It’s easier to have any answer so you can deal with it rather than still at ground zero.
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AnEverydayJen
December 1, 2012 at 12:51 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So happy to hear no allergies!!! But I completely understand the frustration with his skin. Just wanted to make another suggestion if you don’t mind (and haven’t already done it!) Try changing your laundry soap to a free&clear variety. Same w/ the fabric softener. Those dyes and perfumes can be pretty rough on sensitive skin. I hope you have the luck with the Aveeno we did. It really does wonders for my Buddy! (((HUGS!)))
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Rachel H
December 1, 2012 at 12:52 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Ohhhhh….I hate seeing this! This is a book…but if anything helps – its worth it.
My daughter has had eczema since she was 2 months. We had to purge all toxic, chemical based products, cleaners, laundry detergents, air freshners; No processed foods either. We strive for 80% organic/all natural pesticide, antibiotic, hormone free diet. That kept her in check while we lived w/hardwood floors. I used certified pure therapeutic grade doterra essential oils & lansinoh for treated the spots as they came. But she too would scratch till she bled if I didn’t catch it fast enough. It really is about hydrating the skin everyday.
She turned 4; And all hell broke loose as the eczema transitioned from her body to her face. Its been a miserable 3 months, but we finally have control of it again. She’s not allergic to anything…but her allergies bog down her immune system. Toss in the odd virus or hiccup for most people and its just the straw that breaks it for her. And the eczema is her bodies response.
Every kid is different. But when there isn’t an actual allergy, then it could be a layered symptomatic response like my daughter. We did have Aveeno. I followed doctors orders when she went from nothing to Impetigo in 4 days flat. {Except I wouldn’t use the steroid creme – too many side effects and her immune system would be further compromised.} Did as I was told to switch her from our {truly} organic/all natural lotions etc and I’ll be honest, it was better then any other Cetaphil etc and burned less when applied, but it still had too many synthetic ingredients and would temporarily soothe the eczema but irritate her sensitive skin. Kind of like a catch 22. So we don’t use it anymore.
So, we got her a indoor trampoline so she can jump and get her lymph circulating. We got air purifiers to assist w/indoor allergies. {All of us benefited from that}. And I use the Sams Club brand for childrens zyrtec {indoor/outdoor} allergies to buffer her up when she’s playing w/other kids or outdoors in these recent allergy ridden warm spells. But this is all preventative.
And I also took her to a holistic nutritionist. He was able to test her and determine that she’s low on Calcium. Sure enough, she’s been on a solid growth spurt now for 3 months. The immune system needs calcium, but it was too low due to the growth spurts. Thus, immune system couldn’t fight off random allergies & virus’ and her body exploded w/eczema as a result. Layers…its all about transitioning layers. We got her on gummy Calcium supplements {and a multi-vitamin} and her skin is back to “normal”. She goes off the gummy supplements and she starts flairing up again. And once a flair up starts it has to cycle away.
We used EcoStore USA baby shampoo/body wash when she was little. It was the only one that wouldn’t dry out her skin to take regular baths in. We use The Honest Company products now since they have a whole product line for us. No ick, no toxins, no chemicals. I’ve actually started using the Healing Creme in the place of Lansinoh on her eczema patches {its less sticky}. Its good for everything from cuts to diaper rash, and a super duper emollient. It soaks in faster for her face. But for her body, I like the Lansinoh since the skin can be thicker and needs the heavy duty stickier emollient.
We also use something called Ache Away. I use the gel and the bath crystals…but its not a salt. Its created from a mineral in the waters found from Mt. Clemens, MI. Back in the 1800′s they were known for “healing baths” and seemingly miracle therapies for skin, joint, arthritis etc ailments. Its incredible stuff…my dad even uses it for his eczema too. Belle’s recent eczema bout was as bad if not worse then the picture of your son. I put her in to play for at least 1/2 hour in a lukewarm bath and even knowing it works, was amazed that she comes out at least 50% better. I then treated her w/the gel, let it absorb and coated her w/the Honest Healing Cream or Lansinoh emollient. For day to day now, we actually just found the Burts Bees Intense Hydration skin care line. I use the night creme on her like a daily lotion.
Hope any of this helps. Good luck…and I hope he’s better soon.
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Susie B. Homemaker
December 1, 2012 at 12:57 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Poor baby, that looks painful.
My babies never really had extreme eczema but my youngest two used to get some pretty rough red patches. I used Organix South Neem Therapé Cleansing Bar and it worked wonders for them.
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Ronni Keller
December 1, 2012 at 8:23 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
We too have the eczema thing going on. It’s horrible isn’t it? That photo of yours, could totally be our 6 yr old on any day of the week. No ‘reason’, no magic answer in all the blood work and testing… ‘It just happens” said the doctor who pissed me off because I too needed SOMETHING to blame it on and a thing to ‘fix’… We use all the Aveeno products. They make a bath oil we pour in and let him soak in every night… then lather him up with the creams, lotions potions… it helps. Doesn’t cure. There’s also the prescription cream for the really bad days.
I feel for you…
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Dawn Lopez
December 1, 2012 at 8:27 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That must have been such an awful waiting period for you, I can only imagine. Poor baby, that really does look like it would be painful. I hope the new creams you will be trying till help asap!
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Cinny
December 1, 2012 at 8:55 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Make sure to keep the skin moisturized. Try to use lotions free of alcohol, scents, dyes, etc.
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Melissa Lawler
December 1, 2012 at 3:53 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I know how hard that is.
Maybe you should start keeping a food diary for him. Note what he eats and if you seeing the irritation getting worse.
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**Nicole**
December 6, 2012 at 3:45 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I had the exact same thing happen with Amber!! I got her blood drawn and tested and it came back negative for everything. I have always used Aveeno on her and it’s what works the best! As far as the bath goes, though, if you just buy plain old rolled oats and throw them in the tub with him that will honestly work just as well! Play with how often you bathe him as well–if I bathe Amber more than 2 times a week her eczema flairs up BAD. Definitely make sure that you’re not putting anything on him with any type of scent in it (free clear detergent, no fabric softener of any kind, etc)
I know how frustrating it is–Amber’s got so bad that they put her on oral steriod TWICE–horrifying! She did grow out of it and although I still have to keep her SLATHERED in lotion each day and spot treat with steriods there are long stretches of time when she’s not broken out at all–so just hang in there mommy–it WILL get better!!!
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**Nicole**
December 8, 2012 at 12:50 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Oh and here’s my post that I wrote RIGHT after I had the exact same thing happen as you did here (getting the blood drawn with no results) Just so you know I was right where you were! http://www.wyominggirlcoastiewife.com/2009/06/back-to-square-one.html
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