What Works for You in Treating Eczema?

When OTC Products Aren't Enough in Treating Eczema

We have been reviewing our favorite over-the-counter (OTC) products for the prevention and treatment of pediatric eczema. Here are our favorite OTC moisturizers, creams, and bathing cleansers:

CeraVe is our favorite OTC cream to use on sensitive skin. It's thick and creamy but not greasy and very effective. We also highly recommend the very popular Eucerin and Aquaphor line of products and Cetaphil cleansers and lotions.

Mustela products, with it's patented active ingredient, Sunflower Oil Distillate, is another great product line to try on sensitive children's skin. If you care for a child with eczema the Vanicream line of products is wonderful. Adults will love the fragrance free sunscreens, cleansers, and lotions too.

Many parents rave about Aveeno products made specifically for baby eczema and others swear by using holistic calendula as found in California Baby products.

But once a child's eczema flares you may need to try using nonsteroidal prescription creams and lotions along with OTC moisturizers. These include Hylira, Mimyx, and Atopiclair.

Antihistamines are also often used as part of a good treatment regimen for eczema. They are particularly helpful if itching is interfering with the child's sleep, in which case a sedating antihistamine, like Benadryl Children's (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) or Atarax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride), may work well. Cold compresses (see these cute Ice Packs (Round Blue) Set of 5)can also be effective at helping the child control his scratching when their skin itches.

But if these OTC treatments aren't enough you may need to visit the pediatrician or dermatologist. The typical treatments include topical steroids and the newer non-steroidal medications like Elidel (pimecrolimus) and Protopic (tacrolimus). Keep in mind that there are warnings about using Elidel and Protopic in children who are under two-years old or for continuous use over long periods of time. This means that a child's eczema should be treated with other medications first, such as a prescription strength steroid cream. If that first line treatment doesn't work, then either Elidel or Protopic might be a good second line treatment option.

Other treatments are also available for very difficult to treat cases of eczema, including using wet dressings, oral steroids, ultraviolet light therapy, and immunosuppressive drugs, like cylcosporin.

What has worked for you for treating pediatric eczema?