Eczema SUCKS!

Ever since my girls were born, they have had to deal with eczema. As a matter of fact, right before I received an email from the folks at Aquaphor asking me to try out their new Aquaphor Healing Ointment and Aquaphor Gentle Wash & Shampoo, I had been to the doctor with my daughter who woke up one day looking like this:

Pumpkin's exacerbated eczema

I don’t know how well you can see it in the picture, but she had spots from head to toe. She was an itchy, miserable little girl. So, of course, I assumed it was some type of allergic reaction – I just had no idea what she was allergic to. Nothing had changed in our laundry, our soap, our food – nothing!

Exacerbated Eczema

When the doctor said she thought it was exacerbated eczema, I really thought she had lost her mind. Pumpkin suffered with eczema and a mean case of cradle cap as a baby, so in my mind, eczema was just dry, itchy skin. But, this rash was little scabby spots and did not fit the definition of eczema as far as I was concerned. And she’s not the only on in our house who has these kind of troubles (I know, we’re a lucky bunch)! My little Dumpling also has some mean little skin, but hers is on her face and definitely not as tame as Pumpkin’s. This picture was taken last winter when the air was especially cold:

My poor Dumpling

Her dermatologist told us this was likely eczema, as well. Hers is nothing like her sister’s. This stuff is plain old mean to my little Dumpling – itchy, crusty and occasionally oozes some nasty junk (I know, it’s gross). The poor thing just looks awful when this stuff attacks. She’s fighting a bout of it right now (every winter it hits) but I haven’t taken a picture of it at this point.

Putting Aquaphor to the Test

The folks at Aquaphor sent me two of their products to test out (perfect timing, eh?):

Aquaphor Healing Ointment – The Baby Healing Ointment is a pediatrician-recommended formula that will soothe and protect your baby’s uncomfortable dry skin and provide effective relief for dry, cracked skin.

Aquaphor Gentle Wash & Shampoo -  is a mild, tear-free and fragrance-free cleanser for daily use on baby’s sensitive skin.  Aquaphor soothes and protects your baby’s skin to help keep your baby comfortable throughout the entire winter.

We had been using just plain Vaseline, sometimes mixed with prescription Hydro-cortisone on these breakouts, so we really had nothing to lose. Her skin is so bad that just plain moisturizer doesn’t work to relieve her itching. Plus, since she’s covered head-to-toe, it takes a LOT of slathering to get her fully covered. The Aquaphor Healing Ointment was not as easy to spread over her body as Vaseline, but that’s mostly because it was hard to get out of the tube in large quantities. If it came in a tub, it would work much better. Good thing it comes in a tub, as well!

The next time I need more, that’s definitely the direction I’m going. After only a few applications, Pumpkin’s skin cleared up pretty nicely. We finished off her treatment with the Vaseline/Steroid mixture but only because it was so much easier to apply.

As for Dumpling, the healing ointment is perfect. It’s easy to get just the right amount and really moisturizes her little face. I have been putting it on her every morning and night for the past 3 days and I notice a huge difference in the appearance of her eczema.

It’s been a real life saver for us this winter. We’ve also replaced their normal shampoo and soap with the Aquaphor Gentle Wash & Shampoo to avoid drying out their skin with normal bar soap or kids’ shampoo. Their hair is just as beautiful as always (lucky ducks) and they smell so good after their showers!

Do I Recommend Aquaphor for Eczema Treatment?

I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but I definitely recommend Aquaphor to treat minor to mild eczema. It’s done a wonder for our girls and I can honestly say I stand by this product 100%. I’ve seen the proof with my own eyes and my girls feel the relief. Anything that makes them happy, makes me happy.

Aquaphor Prize Pack Giveaway

Since it’s Winter in most parts of the country, this giveaway is perfectly timed! Aquaphor is giving one lucky Lindsay Blogs reader an Aquaphor Prize Pack that includes Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Aquaphor Gentle Wash & Shampoo and a $50 Visa Gift Card. Tell me that’s now absolutely blow-your-socks-off awesome! Enter on the Rafflecopter widget below. Remember, I check entries, so don’t bother being less than truthful in your entries!a Rafflecopter giveaway