Didn't see this coming...

*krista* · #1 October 3rd, 2009, 09:02 AM

I didn't really ever think about this fact... But I have a little thing called "contact dermititis", aka eczema. It's not the genetic kind, it's the kind that is reactive to harsh substances like chemicals and soaps, ect. I just have a mild case that flares up once every few weeks. The bad thing is, I can't use my medicine for it now that I'm pregnant, it's a big no no (steroid cream).

I don't know what to do! I only get it on my hands, and it is just on a couple of fingers now, but it will just spread and get worse. Did anyone else deal with this or know someone who did? I am trying my hardest to stop it, but it isn't working too well. I read something about using coal tar ointments for it, but I can't find much on using them while pregnant. I'm definitely going to ask my doc, once I find a doc... but I don't have one yet.

ShannonMVT · #2 October 3rd, 2009, 10:02 AM

I have eczmea as well. I think mine may be genetic b/c Matthew has it as well.

Mine was SO BAD this summer and I didn't want to take anything b/c of breastfeeding. I had a dermotologist prescribe me a steroid cream that is supposed to be safe but I haven't taken it.
One thing that she suggested that has helped some is using a lotion called Vanicream. It is supposed to be very gentle on the skin. You can special order it through Walgreens but I got it cheaper online through drugstore.com Online Pharmacy - Prescription Drugs, Health and Beauty, plus more
My eczema is still there but not as bad as it was. Not sure if the cream helped (seems like it did) or if it just got better on its own.

Mars · #3 October 3rd, 2009, 10:37 AM

I don't know how to handle the bad flare-ups naturally but Amara has eczema and I've been using Aveeno products to keep hers at bay. The trick is to keep the skin moisturised. Cetaphil (didn't work for Amara) and Aquaphor are supposed to be good moisturizers for keeping the flare-ups minimal.

And on the little awkward and weird side, there's research suggesting that you can use your own urine to combat eczema. Someone told me they did and it worked. I've never tried it on Amara primarily because there's not an easy way for me to get her urine (on the diaper, there's the diaper cream in that, so not the pure kind and I'm not going to have her going around without a diaper) but I did read up about it and it seemed legit. There's 2 ways though, internal and external. I would NEVER be able to do the internal (too gross for me) but I would be willing to try the external if Amara's got really bad. Her's is pretty mild so I've not had to worry too much about it so far.

*krista* · #4 October 3rd, 2009, 10:49 AM

Okay, I've ordered the Vanicream moisturizer and soap. I've never been able to find a mild enough soap, so I'm really excited about the soap!

I've used Eucerin and Aquaphor in the past, but they are both soooo greasy and I have stained my clothes with them.

I've never heard the urine thing, but it doesn't sound too pleasant! You never know, though, desperate times call for desperate measures, right? I think I'll exhaust all the natural remedies I can before I get to that one though!

LisanAndy · #5 October 3rd, 2009, 11:16 AM

My mom has eczema and Taylor has it real bad. No sign of Rylie having it yet. My mom always said hydrocortizone cream and ivory snow laundry detergent worked for her and it keeps Taylor's at bay but poor baby has it bad

Hope it gets better for you!

Mars · #6 October 3rd, 2009, 11:18 AM

I think you've approached it the same way I did. It would have to be THE LAST option for me to try it on Amara.

ShannonMVT · #7 October 3rd, 2009, 01:45 PM

I have never heard the urine thing! Wow! So next time Matthew starts peeing during a diaper change I can just point his wee wee to his eczema spots.

Okay, not really.

I tried Aquaphor and it didn't help me. It is greasy too. My derm said that if you are allergic to wool, then the Aquaphor isn't good b/c it has wool wax in it. I think she meant lanolin. I know I'm not allergic to lanolin b/c I used it on my nipples for BFing, but for some reason the Aquphor just didn't do it for my eczema even though it's supposed to be gentle. I have also tried Aveeno baby lotion but I dont think it's gentle enough either. Keep me posted on if the Vanicream works for you...I hope it does! It has a lot of good reviews online.

Oh and btw, my MIL told me this trick to get grease stains out of clothes. Get some Goop (they sell it in automotive section of Walmart) and rub it in the greasy spot on your clothes. Wait 5 minutes. Then use a little bit of dish soap and warm water to wash out the goop. Launder as usual. I've had a lot of success with this method! Even things that have already been washed and dried!

*krista* · #8 October 3rd, 2009, 04:12 PM

Ooo thanks for the clothes tip! I just got some on my work clothes this week, I was so darn mad. I used some of that Tide To Go stuff, but it only made the spot bigger. I'll give the Goop a try.

bittersweet · #9 October 3rd, 2009, 05:35 PM

I've seen hydrocortisone cream on a lot of those 'safe to use in preg' lists. Its a steroid cream, probably a lot less strong than your rx stuff. Maybe that would work ok for you.

soImarriedAnerd · #10 October 3rd, 2009, 05:48 PM

We used coconut oil for the patients in the hospital who couldn't have the steriod cream for some reason. WARNING you will smell like a candy bar and probably end up eating more of them because of it! LOL You can find it at the grocery store (its a noxema like solid that turns into oil with warm touch)

BaconsMama · #11 October 3rd, 2009, 08:03 PM

I get really bad excema on my hands...I have found that if I go to sleep at night with my hands slathered in coconut oil with gloves it does wonders. This way the oil won't get everywhere and the heat will help it soak into the skin and keep it moisturized through out the night.

**Jenn** · #12 October 4th, 2009, 06:55 AM

I have really bad eczema as well--both genetic and contact. I use hydrocortisone cream and it works wonders. I used it through all my pregnancies with no issue. My OB with Liam told me it was safe and my midwives with Lochy and this baby also told me it was safe.

Lochy also inherited the eczema from me so I'll use a little on him too when he needs it.

I also regularly slather my hands, legs, etc in Lubriderm after applying the hydrocortisone cream and it looks like I have normal skin again!

*krista* · #13 October 4th, 2009, 08:32 AM

What is this hydrocortisone cream? Is it like Benedryl but in a cream form? Is there a brand I would recognize?? I'm going to have to try the coconut oil too, I've never heard of that one.

It is amazing how common this is, I never thought this many of you all shared the condition! You all are so much help!

**Jenn** · #14 October 4th, 2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *krista*

What is this hydrocortisone cream? Is it like Benedryl but in a cream form? Is there a brand I would recognize?? I'm going to have to try the coconut oil too, I've never heard of that one.

It is amazing how common this is, I never thought this many of you all shared the condition! You all are so much help!

I get the generic brand. You can get it anywhere--Walmart, Target, grocery stores. It's an anti-itch cream and contains 1% hydrocortisone. Its really the only thing that has ever helped my eczema.

Mine is the generic brand from Rite Aid I think, it's just called "Hydrocortisone 1% Cream."

**Jenn** · #15 October 4th, 2009, 10:39 AM

Double post

*kyle* · #16 October 4th, 2009, 03:38 PM

The hydrocortisone is what I was going to recommend. I have genetic eczema and although my flare-ups are thankfully few and far between, this is mainly what I've used.

DH the dermatology PA says that the Rx topical steroid creams are pregnancy class C - so IF you find that nothing else is working at all and this eczema is making your life miserable, you could go back to the original Rx. The steroids really don't absorb enough into the bloodstream to affect the fetus he says.