Food Allergies and Eczema Q's

[ercvt]

Ok, first I will start by saying that I did look thru the forum and do some searches before posting

Wyatt is 5 months old, and we have had one heck of a week. Last thursday we thought he had an allergic reaction to Shellfish ( crab legs) because my husband had some, and then bathed Wyatt, and he got hives and an all over bad rash. However, looking back at the day, he was also given Soy Formula ( I had to leave the house and we didn't have any BM frozen and he had it once before) and vomited ( twice) it all back up. The next day, I worked and I was able to pump some breastmilk, but he still got some formula, though he spit it out and gagged. He also vomited that day too. Rash was still there, and got worse on his legs. OH- and on thursday we called the peds and they told us to give benadryl. DH gave some on friday too. Saturday, OK, but napped horridly, Same with Sunday. By monday we were back to normal. Though he still had a rash, and we were wondering if it was indeed related to other foods I was eating. So I have cut out eggs and peanuts/nuts. ( and since last night I will also do soy as well) Since reading that egg allergies are most likely to cause skin problems.
SO. Rash still everywhere. Very dry, gets worse in the bath tub. No soaps used in the tub. After bath we put baby oil on him. I occasionally put a shea butter lotion on him during the day. Eczema was suggested by a friend who's son had it as an infant as well. So I have tried some Hydrocortizone here this last hour and he is napping. I will check to see how it looks.

SO. my questions. IF it is Eczema, what can I do to help? I have been told that we need to rule out allergies, how soon can he be tested? What can I put on his skin to help?
any other suggestions? Am I just a paranoid Mom and this is just dry skin? I am going to make an appt for him to be seen, but I would really like to hear from other parents too.

[weddell]

The rash certainly sounds like eczema. My dd has had terrible eczema since just after she was born. At 3 yo now she still has it, but not as bad as she did as a baby. This article sums up most of what I have been told by the ped, dermatologist, and her allergist:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/01/he...=eczema&st=cse

DD also has food allergies. My dh is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. With dd's history of eczema and dh's history we were definitely on the lookout for food allergies with her. She is allergic to milk, eggs, and sesame. Her reaction to milk sounds very much like what your ds is experiencing. I would guess that the soy formula is the culprit, but you should get some allergy testing. Soy is one of the top allergens. DD had allergy testing at 9 months old because her face swelled up (which could mean her throat was swelling shut as well) from coming into contact with sesame.

5 months is pretty young. I would stop giving any sort of formula since the soy is probably a problem and milk (which is what regular formula is made from) is also a common allergen. Just breastfeed. Then maybe in a few months have him tested, preferably by a pediatric allergist (rather than a regular allergist--although they can be fine too). Hope that helps!