This past week has been kind of rough for us. JJ has had eczema on his left cheek ever since he was 4 months old (that makes 3 months now). Before it got cold outside, over the counter creams like Cetaphil and Aveeno Eczema Treatment kept it under control, but when the weather turned cold, his cheek got chapped really bad. I was going to try to take care of it myself until this past Monday.
Last Monday I was on my way to the grocery store with JJ, and he started screaming out of nowhere. He never does that. He barely even cries really. So when I got to the store and parked, I ran to check on him. At first, all I saw was blood on his hands so I started feeling panicked. He had scratched his face, and it was bleeding. I tried to be as calm as possible while I cleaned his hands and face with baby wipes. I was shaking a little bit though. I went into the store with him, and I found socks to put on his hands, cream for his face, and a bandaid to keep him from causing more damage. I’m honestly surprised that I got it together enough to still get groceries after that!
As soon as it happened, I called his pediatrician. His flu shot was scheduled that Friday anyways so they told me to wait, and to just keep his cheek clean and moisturized until his appointment on Friday. I had to keep socks on his hands too. I feel like I did a good job because it was scabbed over and healing when I went to his appointment. I used Aveeno Eczema Cream and Lavender essential oil. Only one little drop of lavender oil mixed with the lotion really helped his skin.
I was so ready for his appointment. Tuesday (the day after he scratched his face) I had to run more errands, and EVERYONE who saw JJ was like, “What happened to his face?!” I didn’t leave the house anymore all week until his appointment because of it. I was tired of people and their questions and opinions. I know that sounds mean, but I’m sure most people can understand where I’m coming from. After the tenth comment about his little cheek, I almost felt like people doubted me as a mom. I know no one made me feel that way intentionally, but to keep my confidence, I just kept to myself.
It was also a hard week because his face itched him so badly that he woke up crying several times a night trying to scratch at it. I tried not to be frustrated because I would have trouble sleeping if I was going through was he was going through. Even though not getting enough sleep was getting to me a little bit, I just cuddled him, and I did the best I could.
When we went to the pediatrician JJ’s, they gave me four little tubes of Eucrisa ointment to sample to continue healing up his eczema. After just 3 days of using the ointment, his cheek looks so much better! I am one happy mom. I’m so glad that my baby is doing so much better! I’m just praying that the eczema will go away and stay away!
9 replies on “A Stressful Week: Our Eczema Dilemma”
Thanks for sharing your journey. This is something that I’ve had to deal with my entire life.
It’s never fun when our babies are hurting! I’m glad he’s feeling better!
I totally understand what you mean about being tired of hearing people’s comments about your son! I feel the same way, when someone who has never raised a special needs child, feels it’s their place to advise me on mine.
I think you handled the situation with great calmness. It is scary whenever there’s something happening with our children, that’s out of our control. Well done!
Thank you so much!
Not for nothing, but my daughter’s eczema cleared up instantly when we eliminated all forms of dairy!
We dealt with eczema too when my twins were younger, but not that severe. Hopefully the meds from the doctor will keep it at bay for him. Hang in there mama!
So sorry you’re having to deal with your sons eczema. Hope you’re on the way to getting it under control so it doesn’t bother him!
Aww the poor baby!! My daughter has eczema, too, and AllGood Goop helps for the minor flare ups, but we’ve never had a flare up that bad yet. Glad you found something that would help!
Aww, glad your wee one is doing better. I’ve been there, my oldest had eczema everywhere her diaper didn’t cover. Unfortunately, 18 years ago, the best treatment was a steroidal cream and ointment call TAC for short (it was an incredibly long name). My daughter could only use the cream as the ointment “burned” her. She had to use it for many years. She still has trouble with her eczema. Have you tried lanolin (nipple cream) to fight the chaffing? I use it on my youngest (11 months) to battle the paci drool chafe. Hope your little darling gets better.