Abigail went to the hospital in Bethesda today for her 9-month Well-Baby checkup. Luckily, she didn't have to get any immunization shots this time. This was the first Well-Baby checkup where Paul could not be there - he had to go to San Diego on a business trip, but he will be back this Friday.
The main topic of conversation dealt with Abigail's itchy eczema. After the doctor did her general physical exam and went through her checklist to make sure her developmental milestones have been met, we focused on her eczema.
Abby does not have "severe" eczema, but it is not "mild" either. The first thing the doctor recommended was that she visit an allergist. I have been asking Abigail's regular doctor to refer us to an allergist, but her regular doctor does not believe they are useful. I just want Abigail to feel better and I don't want to rule out anybody who MAY be able to help her in any way. Later this week, I am to make an appointment so that Abby can get a skin test (no needles, the doctor has assured us) for the most common allergens: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, tree nuts, etc.
We are also trying something new the dermatologists are now recommending for alleviating eczema discomfort - a method called "Wet and Seal." Rather than limiting baths to 2-3 times a week with a duration around 5 minutes or less so that the natural body oils are preserved and allowed to do their job, we are to do the exact OPPOSITE! We are going to try bathing her every day for around 30-40 minutes ("Until she's a prune," says the doc), then taking her out, quickly patting her semi-dry, lathering her up with Aquaphor, and wrapping her up in a snug pair of sleepers.
After Abigail sees the allergist and after we try her new bath regimen for a month, if we see no improvement to her skin, she needs to go back and see the pediatrician. Her next Well-Baby is at 12 months and, unfortunately, she will have to get her next round of immunization shots then.
The main topic of conversation dealt with Abigail's itchy eczema. After the doctor did her general physical exam and went through her checklist to make sure her developmental milestones have been met, we focused on her eczema.
Abby does not have "severe" eczema, but it is not "mild" either. The first thing the doctor recommended was that she visit an allergist. I have been asking Abigail's regular doctor to refer us to an allergist, but her regular doctor does not believe they are useful. I just want Abigail to feel better and I don't want to rule out anybody who MAY be able to help her in any way. Later this week, I am to make an appointment so that Abby can get a skin test (no needles, the doctor has assured us) for the most common allergens: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, tree nuts, etc.
We are also trying something new the dermatologists are now recommending for alleviating eczema discomfort - a method called "Wet and Seal." Rather than limiting baths to 2-3 times a week with a duration around 5 minutes or less so that the natural body oils are preserved and allowed to do their job, we are to do the exact OPPOSITE! We are going to try bathing her every day for around 30-40 minutes ("Until she's a prune," says the doc), then taking her out, quickly patting her semi-dry, lathering her up with Aquaphor, and wrapping her up in a snug pair of sleepers.
After Abigail sees the allergist and after we try her new bath regimen for a month, if we see no improvement to her skin, she needs to go back and see the pediatrician. Her next Well-Baby is at 12 months and, unfortunately, she will have to get her next round of immunization shots then.
Abigail's Stats at 9 Months
Weight: 18 lbs (40th percentile)
Length: 27.75 inches (60th percentile)
Head Circumference: 44 cm (50th percentile)
Length: 27.75 inches (60th percentile)
Head Circumference: 44 cm (50th percentile)
Overall, Abigail is doing great. Despite her eczema, she is a happy, healthy baby girl!
Comments (2)
I'm glad that Abby is so healthy and she is looking so cute =) I hope that you find a solution to her eczema soon. I don't know much about eczema, so I can't offer any advice. But hopefully the allergist will be of some help!
Hi Amber, thanks for your well-wishes. Abby is a strong little girl and has had to endure the discomfort of her eczema for the last 7 months. I also wish that the allergist will be able to help us pinpoint a few things we can do to ease her itch. We're tired of having to drug her up with anti-histamines and topical steroids and don't feel that they're good for her to use long-term. She's really a trooper for putting up with it so well.