We are the parents to two (DNA genetic match twins) girls. Both have the severe eczema that you are talking about - the first of the two - got the worst of it, along with a cardiac issue that is having to be monitored and the second was born with genetic "mutations" to her kidneys and bladder that just recently had to be "completely" reconstructed so both would function correctly - because her one kidney - was in failure (just after birth) and the doctors were trying to save it, if possible to avoid an early kidney transplant.

Our pediatrician who is well known here in Cincinnati, Ohio has called "General Bates" many times on our behalf about our daughters medical conditions to try to get us help from the military - but - the only people who helped us were this web sight and the people at DAV, who have been wonderful to us.  Our pedia doc has both our girls on these "medical creams" for their skin, special soaps to bathe, special laundry soaps for their clothing (and many other things) that we've been advised to avoid, to help curb, the eczema situation.

I don't know if any of this basic info I'm sending will help - but - you're about to discover the wonderful world of "government politics" at its finest. Anything to screw those of us, who have worn our uniforms and done what we were asked to do. When the folks on here give you advice on who to contact and places to try for help. Listen to them, they're on your side - and they're in the same boat - fighting the same fight.

One of the ladies on here (her name is Robyn Burgess) tell her to get you a copy of the video called "Beyond Treason" and then take it to your daughters doctors and have them watch it. Our daughters pedia care team (at Cincinnati Children's did) and they found the information (that was provided in it) extremely useful in helping to treat our children, so maybe, just maybe it will help you as much as it did us.  Other things to help with the eczema - which believe me - we understand.

Our oldest daughter does scratch (from time to time) until she bleeds and it's so horrible, because once the eczema bleeds that they have, it spreads and it just gets worse. Avoid caffeine with your daughter, chocolate especially and avoid things with food dye coloring (especially cool aid) surprisingly enough. We've found that both our daughters respond badly to the regular stuff - and our care teams tell us - they believe it's because the dye in the powder sets off one of the chemicals in their skin. If they drink cool aid, buy the stuff, that is called "invisible cool aid", it tastes the same - but without the dye. Even my husband responds to the other stuff like my daughters, so we tried it with him, and found he could drink the invisible stuff - but not the regular stuff

Other things you might want to avoid: wool clothing, polyester clothing (only put cotton on your daughter) that is 100 percent cotton. Our pedia care docs - from Children's - that are some of the best in the country informed me (after a reaction with both my girls) that polyester material holds in body heat too close to their skin - because the material can't breathe and it aggravates their eczema, because when they sweat it's got no where to go, except back on their body - and that - makes for a "hives like reaction" until the clothing comes off their body.

I don't know what kind of things your daughter is using as far as soaps and creams, but, try something called Aveeno baby wash - it's in the baby aisle - in any store that sells baby stuff. It's very, very gentle on their skin and it won't aggravate the eczema and it has a really nice smell to it.

Also recommend something called: Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP ( 0.1%) to your doctors. That's what our pedia docs gave to our kids - because the Hydrocortisone cream - 3 % didn't work well enough to clear their skin. Be advised, the skin cream that I recommended must be applied (about three times a day) every single day - without fail - and then put something called "aquaphor" - which is like Vaseline for babies on top of it, to keep your daughters skin moist.

Don't use Vaseline on her or don't ever use that Vicks stuff - on their chest - when she gets a cold. The Vicks stuff and the Vaseline both block skin pores (as my husband and I learned the hard way) and that aggravates the skin condition and will really set off a nice (violent) reaction - which could in turn - require an ER visit as it did with our oldest daughter who had to have a hospital skin wash done from both of these items.

Avoid citrus fruits with your daughter as well. For some reason, the acid in the fruit, sets off their system - and really just makes the eczema worse for some reason, although, our doctors can't figure that one out yet, but their conclusion is that the acid, has some kind of bad mix with what's already there in their system and doesn't like the mix.

I'm not a doctor by any means. Don't take it for that - but - our pedia docs at Children's have been a lifesaving group of angels for us and I trust them implicitly, so, knowing where you are coming from, I hope all this helps.
If you want any other tips, please feel free to contact my husband or myself at this email. My name is Andrea, his is Adam.

Good Luck,

The Pierce Family  

Some Observations shared with Doctors October 9  *

Is EGBE the primary chemical exposure of harm for Vietnam Vets? *

Sometimes the following ... in one stage or another ...

• Chills

• Fatigue

• Pale color

• Shortness of breath

• Rapid heart rate  *   *
• Yellow skin color (jaundice)
• Dark urine (indicative of blood in urine - never dismiss this! Stop exposure immediately!)
• Red blood cells that are small-sized, fragility of membranes, etc
• Enlarged spleen   *

These are symptoms of hemolytic anemia - what this chemical is said to cause.

(AUTOIMMUNE?)

Loose your temper easily? 

Central Nervous System * damage 

(partial list of clues for this)

• Short term memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Personality changes to 'grumpy' - Extreme Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping at night - Sleep apnea? Narcolepsy in the opposite extreme?
• All the time Depression
• Suicidal Tendencies
• Mimics true psychiatric disorder

May affect multiple other body systems & organs

Hormones out of range - High or Low - Especially the Pituitary

Horrible Headaches - 

Maybe pituitary headaches - something related to hormones AND something that is AUTOIMMUNE *

I would be concerned about Autism, too

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE VIA INTERNET COMMUNICATION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.