My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Allergies and intolerances

Natural alternatives to Balneum/Oilatum (sp) for excema ?

15 replies

NomDePlume · 07/03/2007 08:13

DD (4.5) has mild excema and we currently use Balneum (soya oil) originally prescribed by the doctor. Getting to the doctors is a bit of a pita as they have moved the surgery to the other side of the city, so I am buying Balneum from the pharmacy at a cost of £12+ a bottle. The bottle doesn't last very long at all so it is cost9ing me a small fortune.

I have heard people mentioning a bag of oats (is that right?) in the water, or chamomile (can I just use camomile tea bags ?!). What do I need to do and where do I buy the stuff from, the supermarket ?

TIA

OP posts:
Report
TheBlonde · 07/03/2007 08:16

Aveeno sell an oatmeal bath product
You can also just put oats in a muslin bag (not tried it myself)

Report
BandofMothers · 07/03/2007 08:19

Colditz is the one to ask. Her ds2 had skin probs. know she's used oilatum in the bath, and uses bio-oil with much success. His skin is gorgeous and smooth now.
Know oats in a sock in the bath is for chicken pox to soothe the itching, not sure for excema. Yes just normal oats, in a sock, tie the top sling in the bath use as a sponge.
Make sure is ok for excema first as I am not sure.
Love the name

Report
ChocolateTeapot · 07/03/2007 08:28

Stick some oats in the food processor and grind them very finely, then into an old cotton sock it you haven't got a muslin bag. Grinding them finely helps them to resemble colloidal oatmeal which is the stuff in the Aveeno bath, bascially being oatmeal that is ground finely enough to disolve in the bath rather than sink to the bottom in clumps.

Or get a bottle of Olive oil, some Chamomile essential oil and put a couple tablespoon of olive oil with a drop or two of essential oil. Olive oil on it's own would pretty much have the same effect as the Balneum as the other ingredients in Balneum aren't really going to make much difference with a small amount diluted in a whole bath.

Report
NomDePlume · 07/03/2007 08:36

Thanks for these tips. I'll pop to the supermarket later . Do I just buy porridge oats from the cereal section ?

OP posts:
Report
Blandmum · 07/03/2007 08:39

Aqueous cream works very well for me and my two kids.

Very cheap, buy a great big tub for the bathroom, and a tube for when you are out on the go.

You can buy it over the counter at any pharmacy, and you don't need a presecription.

It doesn't work for everyone though, you may need to shop around the emolients to find one that suits you

Report
Jillyadoodledoo · 07/03/2007 08:43

Oats! Yes, I have used them for excema on DS1 and DS2 (both thankfully grown out of it now). I just bought normal porridge oats, didn't grind them or anything, in a sock or wrapped in a muslin, dunk in the bath and squeeze it out a few times. It turns the water all cloudy but really worked for us. I did use a normal e45 type cream as well after the bath. We got that from the GP in huge tubs

Report
NomDePlume · 07/03/2007 08:49

mb, we've tried the aqueous cream route, it did nothing, which was a shame as it was dirt cheap and lasted ages.

I will deffo try the oats

We use diprobase and hydrocortisone for after the bath which seems to work well.

OP posts:
Report
Blandmum · 07/03/2007 08:52

It is a shame. It is the one thing that works for us! Olatum makes us worse and we all find E45 dreadful.

Nice to have a cheap one that works for us!

Report
NomDePlume · 07/03/2007 08:53

e45 is terrible on DD too

OP posts:
Report
Blandmum · 07/03/2007 08:53

We also use hydrocortisone on flare ups, but tbh we haven't used it for ages.

My two are gradually grouing out of their skin problems, hope your dd does too.

Report
NomDePlume · 07/03/2007 08:53

i live in hope, mb. I live in hope

OP posts:
Report
Blandmum · 07/03/2007 08:57

Mine started to get better when they were about 4-5 IIRC. They got better over the summer, and it never came back as bad.

I also largly grew out of mine, but mine took a bit longer, in part because it wasn't treated by emolients.

Report
NomDePlume · 07/03/2007 08:59

If I don't use hydrocortisone on it every day then it gets worse.

OP posts:
Report
Blandmum · 07/03/2007 09:02

It was like this with us for a good long while, and then gradually thigngs just started to get better. One their own, I think. We didn't change any treatment, we didn't change washing poweders or anything, they just grew out of it.

they both still have sensitive skin that is prone to getting chapped in the cold and wind, but that is about it. I'm the same.

Report
Jillyadoodledoo · 07/03/2007 09:21

Both of mine grew out of it as well. Eldest doesn't really have any problems now (he's 18), youngest has similar to yours MB, just a tendency for chapped lips and sore bits around his mouth

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.