Eczmea And Allergies

Last spring, shortly after weaning, Hailey started getting patches on her skin. At first, I thought maybe she had a slight milk allergy but the doctor assured me that that couldn't be it because I continued to drink milk myself while nursing. My next thought was environmental allergies but again the doctor told me that it was highly unlikely as most kids need 3-4 summers for those type of allergies to show up. She thought it was the pool drying Hailey's skin out and it was a brutally hot summer, meaning we spent a lot of time at the pool. We switched to dye free and fragrance free everything: wipes, body wash, detergent, fabric softener, lotion, etc. Honestly, I was just grateful when the eczema disappeared over the winter. This spring, at the first sign of pollen, the eczema came back in full force. Now I was convinced that it was environmental allergies, as most eczema is worse during the winter. I demanded an allergy appointment and they did the prick test on her, which was horrible. However, it did tell us what I suspected: she definitely has allergies. She is allergic to cats, dogs, dust, ragweed, pollen, some trees, and some grasses. I mentioned that we had a cat that passed in Jan and that I was surprised that her allergies didn't bother her while we had the cat, since she was supposedly most allergic to cats. The allergist hypothesized that her immune system could handle the cat but once all the other stuff came out, it just clobbers her system. It sure does. We have spent all summer battling back horrible eczema. People even stop us in the store and ask what is wrong with her legs or hands. We have tried pretty much everything they recommend for eczema: bleach baths, wet wraps, ointments (prescription and non), lotions (prescription and non), oral medicine - none of it is really working. The Zyrtec stops her from itching her eyes but does nothing for her skin. The medicine they gave us that did help clear her skin gave her huge blisters on her bottom. The one ointment that works can only be used for a week max once every few months. As soon as we stop it, the eczema comes back. The allergist wants to use some type of medicine on her that, when in oral form, is a cancer medication. She told me that I would just have to make sure that Hailey didn't put touch the medicine and put her hands in her mouth. She's 2! I made it clear in no uncertain terms that I would not be trying experimental drugs on my 2 year old. Yes she is probably the only kid who had "itchy mama" as one of her first two word sentences, but honestly she most likely will outgrow this before she is old enough to remember it. It breaks my heart to see her itching all the time but I can't justify the strong medicines they want to use, particularly when 1) it doesn't cure anything 2) this problem usually goes away on its own as the immune system matures and 3) most of these medicines have very little research on long-term effects. I plan to talk to her pediatrician about a dermatologist at her 2.5 year appointment in a few weeks here, as I figure the allergist and pediatrician have pretty much reached the end of their knowledge on the subject. Until then, we'll just continue to pray that it heals on its own this winter and doesn't come back. Come on first freeze!