My child was born 6 wks ago and in the last 3 wks has developed what seems to be eczema.. the skin on his face(mostly on his ears, between his eyes and chin) broke out in tiny (almost not visible) little blisters, then by the next day this had turned to crusts.. feels dry and bumpy. He has little red spots all over face and head.. now reaching the top of his head and shoulders also.. which come up and go down in terms of redness, always there however.. can be seen in the light, and felt with fingertips if skin lightly brushed. The skin is a bit flaky as well as crusty(not infected at all, nor does it seep). I was recommended to use 'Sulphur 200', which I have gone and bought as a fresh preparation. As he is only 6 wks old.. I would only really consider taking it myself and letting it reach him via my breastmilk.. I also have red, raised.. itchy, flaky patches on my face since giving birth and a bad back, both of which apparently are responsive to sulphur? HELP!! Should I take the sulphur and how often should it be taken?

[ 30. December 2003, 00:33: Message edited by: stazi ]

Much better to get qualified help with a homoeopath in person in London who can manage the case professionally.
Noone would want to see unnecessary aggravations in a new mother and her new baby.

Stazi - I wouldn't worry about it too much. babies skin goes through several changes in the first few weeeks and most babies get what you describe. Many believe it is a result of hormones. Both of my little ones had similar skin issues around the same age and it fades rather quickly.

Thank you Ntpathy.. I will keep this in mind as you could well be right, I do hope so.

My reason for being so concerned is that he has a half-brother(and other family history of eczema on his father's side) who has quite severe eczema.. who is now 9 years old.. who is not my child and I have little, if any experience of his condition.. he still suffers badly. So I believe my baby to be predisposed to it. However this knowledge could have also made me somewhat paranoid, who knows?

I really appreciate being able to talk about it with people who have experience of these things professionally and personally.

[ 30. December 2003, 02:08: Message edited by: stazi ]

Often times it seems like financial restrictions stand in the way of all things that are important. This need not be the case.
In my town, there are student homoeopathy clinics supervised by lecturers, at reputable homoeopathy colleges. You only pay for the medicines, a very cheap and responsible alternative.
Everyone has a stake in seeing real improvement and healing occur. Why not investigate similar options where you are?
There does seems to be quite a history here in your report, and that is what is NOT readily evident when people like yourself ask for quick advice on the Internet.
I would suggest you take advantage of all REALISTIC options available to you. This rash may well be some temporary condition, but noone can tell from what you have reported and the case needs to be managed professionally, under supervision, and I would sincerely suggest, not via the Internet. You're obviously a person who wants to do the right thing by this new precious life, this may not be something that can be alleviated overnight, so take some time to investigate your BEST options first before jumping to suggestions that sound good but may actually leave you in a worse situation. I'm sorry if this sounds foreboding, I don't mean it to, but really, there is not nearly enough homoeopathic information available that a responsible practitioner would confidently prescribe on. Someone needs to SEE the case and take all the details, so my suggestion is to see what options are available to you that meet your financial circumstances. The Internet may be free with advice but it does not necessarily come cheaply in the longterm.

Hi Chris, Thank you for your response.. It is most gratefully received indeed! I appreciate and take heed of your points, I will do what you suggest and keep you posted.. It may take a few days, it being the christmas period?

A most happy new year to you both.
Stazi.

Hi, thank you very much for your response.

So maybe then.. I was thinking of something a little less aggressive, like evening primrose oil caps, brewers yeast tabs and/or possibly cod liver oil caps, I don't eat fish, absolutely hate the stuff.. therefore probably lack in omega's, was advised not to take while pregnant.. and wasn't sure about when breastfeeding and so therefore havent resumed.

Are these things safe to take, I thought they might be a more advisable alternative as they may be potentially less harmfull?

I have taken echinacea since he was born(assured by various sources that it was safe during lactation, although I did completely abstain from ANY type of remedy or preventative during pregnancy just in case.. adhering to the philosophy "better to be safe than sorry").. as my older son came home from school with a stinking cold and having a newborn was anxious not to go down with it also.. to no avail though, I got me anyhow(and the baby also). Has this aggravated it do you think.. as it stimulates the immune system apparently.. eczema being due to an overactive immune system?

I do not have the money to go and see a homeopath, I wish whole heartedly that I did. So I am trying to find some kind of remedy for him, doctors are shoving steroid creams at me which I am aversed to greatly, and other stuff like aqueous cream which my mother informs me contains SLS, and therefore is a no-no.

There must be something I can do, put on him or give him.. to make this better. I am currently using 'Neals Yard' 5 flower cream(which is to the original recipe of bach's rescue cream) as a moisturiser.

I have been advised that I may use an infusion of calendula flowers applied topically? Or maybe chamomile instead/as well?

Any suggestions are most gratefully received! I am a complete novice, I only have extremely limited knowledge.. that I have picked up here and there. I don't have any books either.. I am hoping to be able to afford one in a couple of weeks, although am aware that it could be dangerous.. as is 'a little knowledge'. Thank you

[ 30. December 2003, 01:38: Message edited by: stazi ]

HiStazi,

Just another note about babies and skin conditions--rashes, eczemas, blisters, dry skin flaking off...these are all common and to be expected in babies. There is absolutely nothing to treat there. I can't imagine why anyone would have told you to use sulphur 200c in this case, but sometimes things like this take place.

It's important to familiarize yourself with what to expect in baby's development so you know what is normal and what is illness. Not everything that seems troubling is actually disease!

__________________
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.<br />C.G.Jung

I was very unsure of using it as I thought it questionable... and that is why I ended up here desparate for advice. I have witnessed my good friends child almost die from infected eczema.. it was that bad that in the end she was quarentined, no one was allowed near her at all for weeks. So with the history(with his brother having it badly, and not growing out of it).. I found the prospect quite frightening. Im crossing everything.. and hoping that Im over reacting and just being 'one of those mums'. Today his skin seems a little less uncomfortable.. the crusts between his eyes seem better, but the rash under his chin looks quite angry indeed. I guess I just have to sit it out and see what happens in time.

I thank you all again for your knowledge and time!

Hi Stazi,

Here is a number to the London School of Classical Homeopathy. 020 8360 8757

http://www.homeopathy-lsch.co.uk/the_clinic.html

They have reduced fees for the clinic..but if you can't afford that -- just ring them and ask if they can adjust the fees to what you can afford. It's well worth trying.

Good luck!
Lisa

[ 31. December 2003, 04:12: Message edited by: LisaAnnan ]

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