I am finally semi happy to report back on our journey with toddler eczema (atopic dermatitis)! I don’t know how you get eczema, and I haven’t figured out the cure for eczema, however, I HAVE found something that is working for Michael. Woo hoo!
You 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 common childhood allergens. *sigh* That meant I was left to figure out how to get rid of the rash on my own! :(
I told you I was starting with Aveeno Baby products because it’s Aveeno; I trust Aveeno, and it works for tons of people. The problem I ran into was Aveeno Baby just maintained the patches on his skin, it wasn’t improving his overall toddler eczema. (Mom-0 Eczema-500 million… just kidding! That is how it felt to me.) Dang that mom guilt!
The suspense is over…
Cetaphil is helping Michael’s toddler eczema!
Wooooo hoooo!
I’m hoping Cetaphil continues to work for him so I’m not throwing away any more money trying to figure this out. I don’t know which is more frustrating: not knowing the cause of eczema, spending oodles of money finding the miracle lotion, or watching him scratch his skin right off. (Obviously it is the latter, but you get my point.)
Every new mom also wants to know what laundry detergent is the best for their baby’s skin and the jury will give them many different answers. As you can imagine, I am a big Free & Clear or bust type of gal because I play it safe. I recently said what the heck and tried Purex Baby detergent on Michael’s clothes because we love Purex detergents. So far so good, but I’m still leery because of the mild scent and how incredibly sensitive Michael is to everything. I guess you could call me paranoid!
I promise to update you with the effect it has, either way, on Michael’s toddler eczema. You know I’m not one to blow product review smoke up your perfectly toned tush because it’s a good time! 
Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Baby detergent in exchange for a product review. All opinions and pictures are my own.
Loading tweets...
29 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
Emmi
January 27, 2013 at 8:08 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yep! My kiddo has eczema too and we use Cetaphil! It’s the only thing that really works (other than his prescription cream).
Emmi recently posted..Coupon Time!
[Reply]
Mallery Reply:
January 27th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
Yippee for Cetaphil!
[Reply]
Tiffany C.
January 27, 2013 at 8:34 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
After 16 months I think I finally found something that works on my son’s skin. He’s 18 months and I’ve tried everything under the sun, as I’m sure you have. I’m actually blogging right now about 2 products that work wonderfully, finally!!! I could jump up and down I’m so happy. No lotions anymore. It’s amazing. Exederm is what I’m in love with. Have you tried it yet?
Tiffany C. recently posted..Brother + Sister at the Park
[Reply]
Mallery Reply:
January 27th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
That is awesome, Tiffany! I’ve never heard of Exederm so I will have to keep that ‘on deck’ in case the Cetaphil stops working. Thanks for the tip!
[Reply]
Paula @ Frosted Fingers
January 27, 2013 at 11:15 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m glad you found something that is working. David’s eczema was caused by milk.
Paula @ Frosted Fingers recently posted..ABC about Me!
[Reply]
Mallery Reply:
February 1st, 2013 at 1:43 am
Milk would be a hard one! What did they have him do to make up for the vitamins in milk?
[Reply]
JanetGoingCrazy
January 28, 2013 at 10:01 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yay for Mommy and Michael! I’m beginning to think that the “rashes” on my boy that I thought were ringworm and then allergy to the bandages…is actually eczema. Hydrocortisone gets rid of it the fastest, but it comes right back. I might have to check into Cetaphil and try some Purex. We use allergy free detergent anyway, but even a small change could make a big difference.
JanetGoingCrazy recently posted..If I blog it, they will come…won’t they?
[Reply]
Ashley
January 28, 2013 at 10:51 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My son had eczema last winter. California Baby worked wonders! So far so good this winter and no eczema in sight, but thanks for the recommendations! I’ll have to check out Purex if his eczema comes back.
Ashley recently posted..Valentine Popcorn Munch ~ Easy #Recipe for a Valentine’s Day #Snack
[Reply]
Mallery Reply:
February 1st, 2013 at 1:42 am
I’ve never heard of California Baby, thanks for the tip! Cetaphil has just about gotten rid of his eczema and I’m not having to reapply 4 times a day. What a relief!
[Reply]
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos
January 28, 2013 at 11:05 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Cetaphil worked for a friend of mine too. For my own twins? Actually, Aveeno was the only thing that helped them. Isn’t it nice to find something though, poor babies, eczema can get so bad in the dry winter months!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos recently posted..Deep Fryer, an Advantage in your Kitchen?
[Reply]
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell
January 28, 2013 at 11:11 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m so glad it’s getting better! I never would have thought Cetaphil would be the trick. Awesome!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted..Bacon, Herb & Cheese Snack Bread with Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast
[Reply]
Crissy
January 28, 2013 at 11:22 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Cetaphil was a savior for us too!
Crissy recently posted..Buttermilk Pancakes from Scratch with Chocolate Chips Recipe
[Reply]
Samantha K
January 28, 2013 at 11:40 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I need to try Cetaphil! My toddler has it on the back of his arms and I can’t get anything to work. Glad you have something working for you!
Samantha K recently posted..Budget Friendly Winter Clothes from Cookie’s Kids
[Reply]
Adelina Priddis
January 28, 2013 at 11:58 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’ll have to try the cetaphil on my own skin. Early winters are an ugly time for my poor hands. Thankfully my kids have never had eczema terribly, more just dry skin for them.
Do you wash Michaels clothes separately from yours? If so, you are a better housewife then me, lol! I’m a big free and clear gal too, but I just wash all our clothes together. Maybe if I had an actual laundry room….
Adelina Priddis recently posted..Just Do It! {Menu Plan}
[Reply]
Milena
January 28, 2013 at 12:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Cetaphil has always been high on my list of good stuff for skin. I think it’s great that you put all of this stuff together to help him. Good job!
Milena recently posted..10 Things I Learned This Week 1/20
[Reply]
Andrea Kruse
January 28, 2013 at 12:50 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I went through this stage with my oldest. Yes, we had to find what worked for him. He has had very sensitive skin since he was born. Oddly enough, his sister ins’t sensitive in the least.
Love Cetaphil and remember using that on my own skin during Jr. High, as recommended by my dermatologist.. Glad it is helping.
Andrea Kruse recently posted..The Tale of Lucia Grandi, by Susan Speranza – Review
[Reply]
Cariann
January 28, 2013 at 2:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Have you tried making laundry soap homemade?
Hope you figure it all, I hate to see babies uncomfortable and itchy.
Cariann recently posted..Family Favorites: Enchiladas made simple
[Reply]
Jess
January 28, 2013 at 3:25 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
We’ve been managing Judah’s eczema with topical steroids, but it’s great to know these! I’ve always used Purex baby for his clothes because I LOVE the smell!
Jess recently posted..Vegan Banana French Toast – Silk Soy Milk
[Reply]
Chrissy
January 28, 2013 at 4:59 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My youngest hast terrible eczema! I will have to try the cetaphil. It works on my skin, not sure why I didn’t think to try it on him!
Chrissy recently posted..Kindle Fire Giveaway!
[Reply]
julie nowell
January 29, 2013 at 3:13 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Our first had horrible eczema. Ouch! We had to go the .01% HC cream route from the Dr, but then maintained her skin with natural EVOO between breakouts. Double benefit – she tasted good too!
[Reply]
Summer Davis
January 29, 2013 at 9:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have a fantastic lotion that is AHMAZING for Eczema. Let me know if you want to try it and I’ll send a bottle to you. It’s called Renew lotion. It’s like woah. Grady gets it on his face and this has been the only thing to help. I hope the Cetaphil continues to work though.
Summer Davis recently posted..Paleo Meal Planning – Family Favorites
[Reply]
Francine
January 30, 2013 at 10:38 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
So glad you found a remedy. Eczema is the worst!
Francine recently posted..Got a stain? Before you reach for the toxic stuff check your pantry!
[Reply]
Christy
February 1, 2013 at 10:02 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Glad to see you’re finally making progress here. Things like this are so frustrating as a mommy. We don’t have this problem but I have kids with severely sensitive skin and the ONLY detergent and fabric softeners I can use are from Purex.
Christy recently posted..Galveston Club Paradise: Just Appreciate the Sunset
[Reply]
Holly
February 19, 2013 at 12:00 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have a 3 1/2 year old little girl that has been fought eczema since she was 4 months old. First it was bad behind her knees and it started oozing. We tried it all: prescription stuff 2 different kinds (didn’t work), and all types of over the counter that didn’t work. what finally cleared up the oozing was just an aveeno baby bath treatment and making sure she was in long pants (at night mostly) We live in SC during the summer you can’t wear long pants but to make sure it stayed dry and she stayed cool (portable fan on her stroller) Well after about a year of fighting it, I was desperate and nothing looked like it was going to clear it up completely I ran into a stranger that told me her mom used Castor Oil. I thought what the heck it was a $1 bottle I tried rubbing it on her skin and believe it or not it worked. We have been using since then. I use it after the bath in Aveeno. On irritated days we still you basic hydrocortisone cream and that does seem to relieve some of the itching. She is starting to outgrow most of it but we still have our bad days. The pool does the best during the summer. If you have tried everything and nothing seems to help try the Castor Oil it may help and it may not but you will never know if you don’t try it. Good luck to anyone else fight this battle.
[Reply]
Mallery Reply:
March 5th, 2013 at 4:04 pm
No way! Castor Oil for eczema? I will keep this in mind if he has a flare up.
[Reply]
Jamie
February 26, 2013 at 2:52 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I, and my 18 month old daughter, have eczema. We learned from our pediatrician that it is hereditary and correlated to asthma and hay fever (correlation is not causation of course, but if you have one, you’re likely to have another). On the plus side, eczema is “easily” controlled, and will be outgrown (though it could be a few years). We use Aveeno shampoo and body wash, Tide Free and Clear laundry detergent, and Eucerin lotion (I used Cetaphil soap and Aveeno lotion when I had eczema as an adolescent). The Eucerin has been the BEST thing for her skin. We apply twice a day every day, and have a prescription cream when she gets a breakout (rare). Our pediatrician said eczema is the worst Thanksgiving – March, but I got it really bad in the summer too. He said Cera Vie is the best OTC, but it is pretty pricey, and can be hard to find (in our area, only Walgreens carries it) Good luck to you and your son!
[Reply]
Mallery Reply:
March 5th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Thank you so much for the tips! I’ve never heard of Cera Vie before.
[Reply]
**Nicole**
March 20, 2013 at 4:59 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Aveeno & Cetpahil are actually what ended up working for us as well–and also Purex!!!
SO happy that they’re working for you as well and YEY for controlling the eczema monster!!
**Nicole** recently posted..Home & The Picture Keeper
[Reply]
Arlene @FlourOnMyFace
April 4, 2013 at 6:32 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Yep Cetaphil is pretty amazing. We have been using it on my 3- almost 4 year old granddaughter. We use the wash and lotion every day. Unfortunately my son and his ex have split custody and mom just won’t follow the same routine that we are. She still has flare ups but is doing so much better.
Arlene @FlourOnMyFace recently posted..Sweet and Spicy Pork Rub
[Reply]