Update on Mavi's Atopic Dermatitis

Mavi started having rashes on his body when he was just barely 3months old. At that time, we has on breastmilk. We have tried all sorts of cream, bathing him with mineral water and even have him treated in a traditional way (manggagamot). Being a new Mummy, I didn't brush all these ideas, I was eager to cure my baby, at any cost.

I was desperate to find a cure for my baby. Researched here and there, joined forums etc etc etc. Sometimes the rash would disappear, but a few weeks ago, the rash has somehow gotten so bad that Mavi kep rubbing his body, now his face with his hands. Covering his hands with mittens doesn't do any help since he sucks it too.

Here are some recommendations of Mavi's paed, and another paed that we went to for a second opinion:

• Be on hypoallergenic diet because of breastfeeding (removed chicken on my diet)
  
• Daily use of Synalar Cream on face (twice a day)
• Daily use of Zalain on body (twice a day, paed first thought that the rash on body is due to fungal)
• Daily use of Lamissil on body (Zalain wasn't working for Mavi, so we changed to Lamissil)
• Daily use of Desowen Cream (when she realized that Mavi was having Atopic Dermatitis)
  
• Daily use of Oilatum Bar (for bathing)
  

We tried this for a week, the result was disappointing. Mavi still keeps on having a rash outbreak. So we went back agan to his paed, and she gave us another set of treatment. Paed also recommended us to see a specialist on Allergy/Immunology, of which we gladly obliged.

• Change Desowen Cream to Elica Cream (applied once a day his body only)
• Daily use of Cetaphil Cleansing Bar (twice a day during bath, very expensive!)
• Daily use of Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (3-4 times a day, 200mL cost 570PHP+)
• Daily use of Cetaphil Cleansing Liquid (for his face, used as often as possible)

It's been 4 days since I applied Elica Cream, and the rashes were already in control. Since I've been using Cetaphil range, Mavi hasn't had any rash outbreaks. So I definitely have no complaint on Cetaphil, except that they're supper duper OA in cost.

Our Paed says that most babies outgrow their intfantile allergies, but I think I will still continue with his daily skin care routine.

Some info I got from our Allergy Specialist:
Usage of steroidal cream should be controlled. Steroids lowers the immunity of a baby, causing him to acquire infections. One would probably observe that when a steroidal cream is applied, the rashes would even scatter, that's because of the lower immunie system caused by the steroid. Also note that each steroid is catergorized, there are some creams that are only suitable to be applied on the body.

Mavi undergone skin test, to see if it was fungal or skin allergy. And the result came negative on fungal infection, he was indeed having a skin allergy/atopic dermatitis/eczema. So he won't be having eggs, chocolate, anything with food coloring on his diet. We changed our drapes/linens/beddings every week to avoid dust. General cleaning our room including the fan and airconditiong are also done weekly.

It takes a lot of hard work and patience for parents with kids having this allergy. Haaay Mavi, thank you for teaching me pure love.

To know more about Atopic Dermatitis read it here on my new bestfriend Dr. Sears. I hope this post helps all worried Mums out there who suffers the same dilemma.