She’s still breaking out in her terrible skin rash, still miserable, still itchy, still fussy, still red, still inflamed. 

We saw the dermatologist again this week.  He told us several things:

She has severe eczema

Her skin barrier is not doing its job and keeping moisture in and other things out

It is not food-related

She must be moisturized constantly with Vaseline and some other cream he prescribed

We must use a steroid cream

She needs to take an oral steroid

She will have this the rest of her life and will develop asthma if we don’t get it under control

Ok, wow, not what any parent wants to hear.  I was so upset after her appointment.  The more I thought about what he said and about the things I have read and researched, I disagreed with much of what he said. 

I believe she does have eczema.  But I believe there is something else going on, an underlying cause, or something that is causing her severe flare-ups.  I do believe food could be part of the problem.  My husband and I decided to be tested for gluten and dairy sensitivity as well as several other things that I can’t remember………our results will be back in a few weeks. 

I am moisturizing her ALL THE TIME.  It takes up ALL MY TIME.  It has not yet made a difference.  No, I will not use Vaseline on her.  No petroleum products in my house.  No, I will not use the other cream her prescribed because it has some really icky ingredients.  I will use natural moisturizers, a non-petroleum jelly, and natural oils. 

I’m not a fan of steroids—creams or oral or inhaled.  Don’t like them.  Don’t like the side effects.  Especially don’t like them for a four month old.  So, I’m using some homeopathic remedies and a non-steroid alternative.  We’re not going to do any oral steroids right now.  She has no breathing problems and never has so we’re not going to worry about that right now.  And as for asthma, my husband has asthma.  If she develops asthma then we will deal with it.  There’s nothing more I can do right now to prevent it.  I’m doing everything I can.

 I’ve also read about some links between food allergies and sensitivities to asthma.  So, for now, we’re sticking with the food angle and going with that.  I have cut out several things from my diet to see if we can note any improvement.  Until Sept 1^st, I will not be eating any gluten, dairy, citrus, chocolate, or oats.  Basically, I eat food that tastes more like cardboard right now.  I really miss cheese and OJ, really really really.  And I’m starting to miss blueberry oatmeal.  And chocolate cookies.  But I can’t think about that.  If Ellie shows any improvement it will be well worth it.  We’re hoping and praying for some improvement.  I’m reading and researching and talking to everyone I know to get everyone’s opinions.  I hate to see her so miserable. 

It’s so sad how much you take your children’s health for granted.  When you’re pregnant you pray for a healthy newborn.  And when that baby is born and you count all the fingers and toes and the doctor tells you that they are healthy, you think you are golden.  Then later, something is not quite right and you realize that you took their health for granted after they were born.  That you had stopped praying daily for their health.  Ellie is not even seriously ill, nothing life-threatening, but it’s just made me realize how little control I have over everything.  They’re not really mine are they?