We lost our daughter to complications from eczema

I’m new to this community. My wife hasn’t stopped crying for almost 12 hours. Our baby girl was only a year old; her eczema started showing up when she was three months. We didn’t think it would be such a crisis since neither of us has the condition, but she suffered regardless. She spent most of her time awake crying, with angry red patches all over her body and face. Getting her to sleep took forever. Because she was so tiny, we couldn’t use steroid injections or anything powerful; we just used cold compresses and the moisturizers the doctor prescribed. It never really got better, just slightly less inflamed, but always weepy.

Then things took a turn for the worse as the rash spread across her entire body and began weeping severely. We rushed her to the doctor, where they told us her survival was unlikely. They were right, but I still feel a sense of anger toward them. Our sweet child died from septicemia after bacteria invaded her internal organs—her lungs, heart, and eyes—and her immune system just couldn’t fight it off.

I feel like I tried every possible thing. We are both completely devastated. I don’t understand why this had to happen. I feel like my life is over. I still miss the feeling of holding her while she slept.

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Oh my goodness. I am so incredibly sorry to hear this news.

I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like a cliché, but this is truly devastating. Sending so much love and many hugs to you and your wife :heart:

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I work with kids and it’s always painful to see little ones struggling with eczema. This is just heartbreaking to read. Life can be so cruel. I hope you and all of us can eventually find some peace.

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I’ve dealt with eczema basically since I was born. I arrived with red, peeling skin that turned into patches. It’s a horrific condition that affects everyone differently. I’m so sorry you went through this. It’s actually one of the reasons I’ve decided not to have children. Even if you don’t have it, you likely carry the genes for it—it’s called epigenetics. Hopefully, researchers will fully bridge that gap one day, though it’s still in the early stages. I hope one day no one has to endure what you have.

Don’t blame yourselves. You did everything you could, and there’s no instruction manual for parenting, especially for something like this. Lean on your wife. I’d really recommend looking into therapy to help you both process this loss.

Don’t give up. We are all here to support you.

I’m actually crying reading your story. I am so very sorry. :heart::sob:

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Wow, this sounds like such a rare and tragic case. I’m deeply sorry for your loss.

This is the kind of thing that leaves me completely shaken. My heart breaks for you. This is exactly why a cure for eczema should already exist. It makes me wonder why any power would allow such a disease to exist. It forces people to choose between their life goals and their skin. You wake up anxious about how you look, which only makes the skin worse. And now it has taken the life of someone with so much ahead of her. I’m stunned. This could happen to anyone with eczema, so I truly feel for you. I’m keeping you, your wife, and your beautiful daughter in my prayers. Please stay strong knowing she loved you. Even in her pain and without words, she had two incredible parents who loved her deeply. You were both wonderful.

I’m thinking of you and your wife tonight. Sending you both a lot of love.

That is absolutely tragic, and I’m sorry for your loss. In this specific case, it seems like the eczema was more of a symptom of a massive immune system failure rather than the actual root cause.

:frowning: I am so very sorry for your loss.

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This is so painful to hear. I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts.

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This is devastating. I’ve had eczema since birth and have often wondered if I should have kids because of it. I can’t believe what I just read; I’m thinking of you and your family.

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This is profoundly heartbreaking. I really hope that a cure for eczema is found soon. This terrible disease has already ruined the lives of too many people. My deepest condolences to you. I know this is the hardest thing you’ll ever face, and I truly hope you and your wife never have to feel this kind of pain again.

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I lost my daughter six months ago when she was only 29 hours old due to a different incurable issue. I am so sorry for your loss. While I don’t know your exact pain, I want you to know you aren’t alone—infant loss happens more often than people realize. Sending you hugs and peace.