I think DS had a reaction to something he ate on Sunday and his eczema flared up on his chin, cheeks and nose. His chin actually looked burnt. It wasn't bothering him and he was only worried about it for 5 minutes after I put some cream on it (the cream must have stung a bit). The redness was gone by yesterday but now his chin and cheeks are very dry and scaly.

He has had toddler diarrhoea, nappy rash and mild eczema on and off of the last 2 years that we have not been able to pinpoint any foods that cause it. I don't really want to take him to the doctor now because I know that there isn't really anything they can do. Should I just watch him and try and work out what foods are causing it? If it happens again should I take him to the doctor?

The only thing that I can think that he has eaten out of the ordinary lately is a little bit of chocolate. Is chocolate a common cause of eczema?

I know this must sound really dumb but I don't want to take him to the doctor and look like the crazy, paranoid mum. But on the other hand I am a little concerned that he had a reaction and I don't know what caused it.

Thanks.

Yep, food triggers my sons terribly.

these are no go food for us - Kiwi Fruit, Oranges, Tomato, pineapple and full strength juice.

He can have one or two juice a week if it is watered down - but he really just drinks water.

Chocolate could flare his up, however I find more of the acid types of foods are the worst.

We don't use soap on him, or any of the bath time products. Just QV oil and a good moisturiser - this keeps it at bay!

Food can definately cause ezcema flare ups!

Jayde was very bad as a 9 month old, and we finally pinpointed it to tomatoes, strawberrys, juice, and pinallpe, same as the PP.

I had her allergy tested last year as the rash was still flaring up, and that came out she had a mild allergy to egg as well, but no reaction to the things above.

I stopped the egg immediately, and her ezcema cleared up! Now a year on, she can have small amounts of egg in omelets etc, and in cakes and stuff, without a reaction.

The strawberries and tomatos still give her a problem.

Dont EVER feel like you cant see the doctor! Im sure I was there every week at one point for one thing and another and my doctor NEVER made me feel like a paranoid mum. Change doctors if you need to!

There are creams that you can only get on prescription as well as some you may not know about, plus the doctor can give advice on treating allergies and may refer to a allergy specialist, so it would be worth going to see him.

DS has had eczema since he was 6 months old, and he is now almost 4. Its quite mild but only because we learned how to manage his condition and its largely due to the great help we got from the specialist we saw. She taught us what medication to use and how much to use, for how long, etc. She also gave us useful tips like minimising showers, using bath oil and moisturising regularly.

I think its worth seeing the doctor so you learn what to do and also what not to do.

For my DS's eczema to flare up I have found that it is Flavour Enhancers in food. They are the numbers on the label starting with 6.

For eg: 621 (MSG) 635 etc

They are in almost every processed, packaged and frozen food. Even if the label says no artifical flavours they can still have the enhancers.

It pays to read every ingredient list out there. We do and it has become a habit for us. It doesn't mean that DS missess out on treats at all it just means plain smith chips and pizza shapes instead of other flavours.

Good luck in finding out what causes his reactions.