Benjamin's Eczema

This is a "before" picture of Benjamin's eczema. But I'll start from the beginning:

This started out with what I thought was infant acne, around 6 weeks. His poor little face was so red and bumpy! But with lots of lotion it began to clear up. We thought the worst was over. By Christmastime it was back, starting with a spot on his cheek, but spreading now to his belly, legs, and arms. By the time we returned from our Christmas visit to California his cheeks were seriously inflamed and beginning to become raw and weepy. A visit to the pediatrician confirmed that this was indeed sebhorea/atopic dermatitis/eczema. Furthermore it was infected. We then entered a seemingly never-ending cycle of topical medications and antibiotics, slight improvement, worsening symptoms, infection. For four months Benjamin's cheeks were continually red and bumpy (at best) or raw, scabby, and infected. And the itching was so severe! He wasn't sleeping, he wasn't happy, it was awful! We were so discouraged.

Finally, just a couple of weeks ago our dermatologist prescribed a steroid cream (Locoid Lipocream, if you're interested) and moisturizer (brand new, called Mimyx) combination that is working wonders! Within two days his cheeks were completely healed. For the first time in 4 months I was able to stroke and kiss his baby-soft cheeks! He is so much happier and we are so encouraged to finally see some progress. (This is his face after two days of the new medications!)

Just before we started the new medications (above) the pediatrician decided to go ahead and get Benjamin allergy tested. He had strong suspicions that the eczema was related to food allergies. The test was not nearly as difficult as we had feared (just a blood draw) and Benjamin didn't even cry when the needle went in. He got mad that the nurse was holding his arm still, though. (Doesn't like to be confined, this one!) The results came back with several high level allergies: milk, wheat, and eggs. Peanuts are also a culprit, although, at the "moderate" level. And as a side issue he is also mildly allergic to dogs.

Because Benjamin is still nursing, I have had to take these foods out of my own diet. I am striving to maintain a milk-, egg-, wheat-, and peanut-free diet, hoping that with little exposure to these foods Benjamin may grow out of some or all of these allergies. The statistics are actually rather encouraging. He is least likely to grow out of the peanut allergy, but current numbers suggest he may have as much as a 40-50% chance.

All in all, with the new medications and diet changes we are encouraged to find that we finally have the eczema under control. A recent, small-scale flare-up disappeared within about a week and a half. But even then it never progressed beyond the rash stage and didn't seem to produce the severe itching.

We are praising God for answering our prayers. So many family members and friends have been praying for us as well. Thank you.