Baby Rash Woes: Episode 1

Our first week in Poland was the hottest: our apartment had no AC or fans and we weren’t used to living in the heat. Sweet AC! Why aren’t you in Poland! We decided that we simply needed to get used to sweat rolling down our hairlines and eating lots of ice cream. Luckily the locals have a tradition of ice cream, so we have easy access to “lody” (Polish for ice cream) shops everywhere we go.

Little Lawrence (4 months old) developed a small rash about this time, and with all the heat we weren’t used to, we naturally assumed it was heat rash. Small, red bumps in the warmest areas of the body totally looked like the descriptions of plugged sweat glands on infants that google told us about. We treated the heat rash as the internet told us to: keep baby cool and dry and it should clear up in a few days. Lawrence happily kicked and wiggled in nothing but a diaper and we had our fans blowing at full blast all day and night (after jet lag wore off, we finally asked our landlord for two fans).

But it never cleared up. In fact, it seemed to be spreading and getting more itchy. We looked up home remedies and consulted extended family in the states. Lawrence’s new treatment plan was no clothes, daily ginger bathes, olive oil as a gentle moisturizer, and homemade baby powder (a combo of corn starch and lavender oil).

After another week or two, the rash was definitely only getting worse. Lawrence started scratching himself. Whenever we changed his diaper, his little hand would slowly wander down there and start scratching. Almost as if he were trying to do it discreetly, but we knew what he was up to. The ginger bathes, olive oil, and lavender baby powder began to irritate the rashes, causing Lawrence to cry really hard. The only thing that would comfort him was nursing.

At the point when the poor little guy was only comforted when nursing, all day long, two days in a row, we knew we had to do something more. I asked the Relief Society President of the Krakow branch for a reccommended, English speaking pediatrician for our baby, and she sent us the website of their family doctor. Got in touch with him, found out he speaks English, and set up an appointment for the next day.

For this one, simple doctor's visit, I expected a high-stress outing with the kids by myself because Wesley was at work. I imagined attempting to drag a screaming, greatly resisting toddler onto the bus while awkwardly pushing the stroller with the other hand. Oh, and the baby strapped to my torso, crying because his rash was rubbing and hurting. Then, just as I get the stroller loaded onto the bus, Lawrence's hat falls off. As I bend down to get it, the automatic doors close and the bus drives off with our stroller. Leaving me with two screaming children, a missed doctor's appointment, and no stroller.

But it was nothing like that at all! In fact, we didn't even have an outing. The doctor did a home visit for our five-month-old.Because it was at our apartment, Wesley was able to pop in for the appointment (work is a 7 minute walk away). The doctor came, asked a few questions about age, the rash, and how long we've been in Poland. He looked at the rash, touched it in a few spots, and told us it wasn't heat rash. it was rough and dense, like an allergic reaction rash.

He reviewed potential alergens, including hay fever and common food alergies, asking if they run in the family. Since Lawrence is breastfed, he then put me on a diet: no dairy, no beef, no egg white, no seedy fruits (like strawberries and raspberries), no tomatoes, no peanuts. He gave us a few brands for infant lotions and creams that wouldn't irritate his sensitive skin. Said to bathe every-other-day and make sure clothing and blankets are 100% cotton to avoid irritation. If it doesn't clear up in two weeks, see an allergenist or dermatologist.

Week one went great! The rash was going away; and keeping the dry, scaly skin moisturized felt much more intuitive than applying the baby powder. The hardest part was the diet. It's terribly difficult not to eat ice cream when it's a cultural tradition all around you, and you've already tasted it and know the heavenly flavors available. The temptation is real.

Then we spent half a week in Spain, enjoyed the beaches and restraunts, and still managed to avoid dairy (we concluded this is the allergy, since our diet hasn't changed much since leaving the States and I REALLY like my milk and cheese). To test out the allergy, we went out to pizza the last day we were in Spain. Then on the flight home, the lunch they provided was cheese sandwiches.

Unfortunately, cheese two days in a row was too much for Lawrence and his rash broke out again. It's been a week since we were in Spain, and he's not looking much better. We're looking into local allergenists now, hoping to get this allergy sorted out and gone so our little man can enjoy Poland once again. And maybe I can eat the ice cream again!

Despite his dietary restrictions, Lawrence is starting to try new foods! Adventurous within his limitations!