1 - No more dry skin! Sam's skin feels totally normal and healthy, I only apply aquaphor once a day. Such a difference from before when I did not dry him completely and then slathered on vanicream 4 to 5 times a day and his skin was still dry after all that! I used to literally get a cloud of white skin flakes whenever I changed his clothes, no more! Even the areas that still have the most redness feel soft and naturally moisturized and not the least bit dry. I am interpreting this as his skin barrier being repaired and restored. This confirms the principle taught on the SE website that dryness and eczema are actually separate issues and not a direct cause and effect as the majority of the world preaches. It also confirms to me that most of what we do to 'cure' dry skin and eczema, namely applying more and more moisturizing products, only exacerbates both issues. In the case of dry skin, less is more. And, I think also of all the times I have been told never to use soap on Sam's skin because it is too drying, and in the end it has been switching to traditional, true soaps for washing him that has so quickly restored his skin's healthy feel and moisture.
2- Face, arms, and back are beautiful clear 95% of the time now, and quick to heal when they do have minor break outs which does not happen as frequently or easily as before. I attribute this to an improved skin barrier and greatly reduced antigen load.
3- No more splotchy redness or flaky skin around his eyes. He used to have that all the time. Now his eyes are clear and soft.
4- S-L-E-E-P ! Sam has been sleeping through the night for 4 weeks. That means I'm sleeping too!
5 - I'm not seeing any new rashes or worsening areas on his belly or legs. He has some permanent rashes that have been there for about 5 months on belly and legs, which I still don't know for sure what it is but the ACV (apple cider vinegar) baths seem to really be helping. The healing is slow slow slow and changes almost imperceptible, but it is a huge thing that these areas are not getting worse or showing new irritation. The only places I see new rash now are his hands, neck, and cheeks (exposed skin only, go figure!) but they are minor and controllable and I can usually help them to clear up within 12 hour or so by washing with soap and applying an ointment barrier.
6- Sam's itchiness is minimal now and discomfort caused by his skin almost none. Again, a huge change from before when he was constantly itchy and scratching. The only time I ever see him scratch is when I remove his pants for a diaper change, he'll take the opportunity to scratch his legs! Or during naps if I have failed to mitten him he will usually scratch at his hands and wrists. As for discomfort, the red skin that remains on his legs and belly bother me much more than it does him.
7- I can now predict and head off breakouts. Eczema is no longer "random" . For example today we went to the library and I clothed him in thin but long cotton clothing, then when we got home removed it all, washed him thoroughly with soap and put clean clothing, and no break outs from dust or detergent exposure. Also did this yesterday when he took off his shirt and was sliding down the stairs on his back. Washed him right away and was able to control the break out so it was very minimal and almost gone today.
If we can in fact sustain these improvements over a few months, I think it will be easier to accept that I will likely not see 100% elimination of Sam's eczema while we are living in our current home because of the old carpet. The change in quality of life for Sam and for me and our family has been night and day with these changes from the detergent removal. I hope others who have little ones suffering from eczema will be able to make some of these changes and see big or even little improvements over time! Even little improvements in eczema can make a big difference in quality of life and easing the stress level!"
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To anyone who might be new to this blog, I want to reiterate that all of these changes have come without any steroids creams, prescriptions, special producs or lotions. The changes we are making are exclusively to our home environment. To read more about what has led to these great improvements, please visit and review the information contained on the pages of www.solveeczema.org. I promise it will change the way you view and think about eczema! Every itchy, sleepless child needs this information. Every day I am so grateful I came across this website. I wish I had been more open to trying it the first time I found it nearly a year ago! Oh well, better late than never. ... of course this information will not help every child with eczema but its author estimates that this particular cause is accountable for up to 60% of childhood eczema. From what I have read on forums, so many other parents describe their child's eczema as nearly identical to Sam's in presentation and behavior, so I could only assume that the are caused by the same environmental influences.
I am just amazed that the medical community does not yet have or recognize or accept this huge piece of the eczema puzzle. I am also amazed that most of the guidelines I have taken from solveeczema.org that have worked (no small miracle after 18 months of trying literally every recommendation out there) are exactly opposite of the things that Sam's pediatrician, allergist, and dermatologist advised us to do. I can see now that many of the things that were doctor recommended were actually perpetuating the eczema. I think the medical community probably does the best they know how but it seems many are regurgitating information that hasn't really helped anyone, because they just don't know any better or aren't willing to consider drug-free options.
Can't wait to see Sam. How exciting and so glad it is improving!
ReplyDeleteGreat news! Keep up the good work (because it does sound like a LOT of work for you!). I hope his skin just gets better and better.
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Linda Bendall. My daughter has eczema just as severe as your son. I almost cried when I came across this blog. I have been looking for someone that I can relate to that would understand just how hard it is to maintain. My daughter is Two and we have been to Doctor's and Specialist and it's always the same thing. Things never work. I was wondering if you could email me plz I would love to have someone I can talk to that is going through the same stuff. My email is Lindaallison30@yahoo.com Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon.
ReplyDeleteIs the FB group still going, or was it replaced by the forum?
ReplyDeleteIt was replaced. I deleted the FB group. The FB group was getting a bit out of hand with numbers and people who were not willing to read the actual solve eczema website but just wanted to come on and have me and others tell them every little thing they should do. I didn't have time for that, I am a busy mother of three and this is all volunteer for me, but still had the desire to help those who were willing to help themselves and I just figured we'd get more legitimate traffic on a "User's Forum". To me the latter clearly indicated it was a place for those actually using the website and not just wanting to go detergent free.
ReplyDelete