Christmas eve, 2007.
Harry had 2 great days without any creams at all. Then yesterday he took a nap, woke up and was completely flared up. I'm at such a loss. I don't know what else I can do for him. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the flare ups. I can't connect anything with the timing of them.

His rash is still around so we are trying new things. I started him on probiotics. He gets 1/3 pill mixed w/ his formula. There have been some pretty amazing studies done concerning babies w/ eczema and probiotics so the doctors say it can't hurt... we'll give it a try.

Also, we are trying to find any correlation between flare ups and environmental stuff. He started to get worse right after tgiving. The Christmas tree? Maybe? I have read that trees can affect kids w/ allergies. Also, dust mites. I am getting rid of the humidifiers for a while to see if that helps. Steve thinks he got worse when we started the humidifiers. I have to agree.

Harry's rash flared up again today. The normal area on his left temple and now on his left cheek. Also on his eyebrows.

He spent a lot of time on the floor (on a blanket) today and Moosey came over to sniff him a few times. I had been separating the cats until today. We're not sure if there is a connection between his flare ups and cats. (or dust mites or the carpet)

Much to both Steve and my amazement, it appears that Harry's rashes are getting better. KNOCK ON WOOD. I'm so paranoid that it's a fluke and it he's going to wake up with full on eczema all over. Right now I'm just so thankful it looks good. He is itching so much less and seems overall a happy kid. I love him so much. Also, he really LOVES the formula! If I had known it would go over so well with him I probably would have tried it long ago. I was so worried (based on it's horrible smell) that he would refuse it. Wow was I wrong!

We decided to try Harry on Alimentum, a hypoallergenic formula by Similac. This is my last ditch effort. If he has an allergy to milk, this should pretty much help his skin issues in a big way. Our pediatrician gave us a few samples and I feel confident about giving it to him. I was very very nervous as it smells HORRID. I shutter to think how bad it tastes. HOWEVER, Harry acted like it was nothing different and ate it all up :) What a good baby. I love him so much.

We took Harry to Dr. Ellsworth, a dermatologist who sees/treats infants as well as adults. He immediately said his face was covered w/ Seborrheic Dermatitis, the same stuff that causes cradle cap in babies but when it gravitates to the skin, it is more red/waxy and itchy. I will admit it looked REALLY bad the day we took him. Just the day before he had a major flare up after Steve was holding him while wearing strong scented deodorant. He prescribed Elidel which he promises is safe even though it says not to use in children under 2. Great, more worries. Anyhow, we tried it for 2 days and it looked so much better. We then stopped (I HATE using anything on his delicate skin) and it returned right away. Now I'm playing catch up to get his skin normal again. It is so itchy, poor baby. I am really starting to wonder if it's a milk protein allergy. The derm and pediatrician both said the next step is seriously considering this. So, tomorrow I'm thinking of trying the hypoallergenic formula again :( :(



PS. Harry's poops are very green (sorry, too much info, I know...) but I read this could also indicate a milk allergy AND he's stuffy a lot and sneezy. Both more symptoms. I'm so torn on what to do.

Steps we are currently taking to help Harry and what works, what doesn't.

:: Switched to Free and Clear detergent. NO FABRIC SOFTENER at all in any of our clothes.
:: Switched to only dove soap for me and Steve. (We found out quickly that if Steve uses any :: scented deodorant or body wash Harry will IMMEDIATELY flare up on forehead).
:: Tried Vaseline on Harry (too sticky, doesn't seem to help).
:: Tried Aquaphor (Still a big sticky, don't notice difference).
:: Tried vanicream (seemed to burn or make him itch more when applied to face).
:: Tried Cetaphil Lotion and wash (!!! LOVE IT !!! very expensive but so far a keeper).
:: ONLY 100% cotton clothes on Harry and me and Steve. Polyester is evil. His most major flare up occurred after wearing polyester blend hat for only a short time.
:: Trying to separate cats from Harry. Annie rubbed on him once and he had a minor flare.
:: Vacuum daily (tho, not sure if this stirs up more dust and dander).
:: Cover car seat and stroller w/ 100% cotton pillowcase. Seems to flare up after being in seat.
DON'T LET HIM SCRATCH OR RUB. This makes it 1000000 times worse.
:: Elidel rx cream prescribed by derm (this helps A LOT but if not applied each day will come back and risky for kids under 2)
:: OTC hydrocortizone (works great, again don't want to overuse)
rx steroid for body
:: nightly baths w/ warm water and immediately slather on TONS of lotion.
:: Cradle cap is pretty much gone. ONE plus :)

The purpose of this blog is primarily for me to keep track of Harry's chronic eczema and Seborrheic Dermatitis. Every day that I battle this persistent nuisance I think "I really should be writing down what things I am trying on Harry, what works, what doesn't" etc. You won't find any of the syrupy sappy posts like in The New Red Rocks Adventure, but hopefully there will be some happy findings and helpful information for others who have been blessed with any kind of dermatitis!

Harry's skin flared up around 5 weeks of age. It started on his face only and was very red on his cheeks and sides of his face. He also had spots of baby acne. I knew it wasn't ALL acne, even though my doctor assured me it was. Ever since that day I have been determined to help Harry and figure out what is causing his problems and never EVER accept one doctor's diagnosis if it doesn't sound right.

Around 2 months it subsided a bit with the use of OTC cortizone. I was still breastfeeding.

At 2.5 months it really started to flare and in a different way. The "acne" was gone and it was just a red angry looking rash, mainly on his scalp (along w/ cradle cap) and on the sides of his face. He had now been on formula (good start w/ natural cultures) for 2 weeks. It seemed a bit worse.





At 3 months he got a very persistent red patch on the side of his head, by his temple. Scalp was still VERY red, itchy (he constantly tried to scratch it which made it so much worse). Also new: a red pinpoint type rash on belly and back. Some small spots of red rash on arms and legs. Took him to a different pediatrician who prescribed stronger rx for his tummy (said it's eczema) and to continue OTC hydrocortizone on face. Also suggested switching to Similac Allementum hypoallergenic formula in case it was a milk protein allergy. Man does that stuff STINK. we gave it to him ONE time and I didn't have the heart to continue. Number ONE it's SUPER expensive. A small can that would last literally 2 days is about 50 bucks. YEH. Also, it gave him the runs. But if he has an allergy (which I am starting to suspect more and more... ) then it might be worth it.