Helmet Issues

[celm1]

I thought I would write a quick note for anyone working with helmet therapy. Rylie was put in a STARband 6 weeks ago. After about the first week I noticed that there were patches where her head was very red and raw looking, and VERY itchy. The prosthetist called it craddle cap but I was not convinced.

One day I asked my sister (who is an OT) to take a look at it, so I took off the helmet and Rylie's head was COVERED in puss. It was the saddest thing!! We did what we could by switching shampoos, applying hydrocortizone cream, etc. but nothing helped. When it moved to her face I knew she needed help

I got her in to a dermatologist who has been amazing. He said she had dermatitis and had developed a staph infection on her face. He prescribed Elidel for her head (along with hydrocortizone cream) and Bractroban for the staph. It has healed up amazingly well!! The Elidel has been unbelieveable!!

Also, for her forehead he put a tegederm (sp?) strip on her face (usually used to hold IV's in place) to cut down on the friction between her helmet and her skin. She looks like she has a piece of saran wrap on her forehead! Oh well... if it works, right!

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know a couple of the things that have worked with these horrible sores!!

Good luck to you all!

[Sophia's_mom]

Poor Rylie! I'm so glad you found a good dermatologist who got you some help. I'll be sure to keep this post handy as we are just beginning helmet therapy too. I've wondered about the friction too, I'll be sure to ask about the strips you mentioned. Thanks!

[Jenny]

OH no! thats so not good. was it a reaction to the material in the helmet? how did it turn into a staph infection? She's the first i've ever heard of getting any infections from one. So scary!

[jumpingjacksmom]

oh... poor thing! that's awful!! i've never heard of that either... i'm so glad that you found a treatment for it before it got too bad. i was so picky about jack's helmet and cleaning... so glad she's doing well... she's a cute little bug!

[celm1]

I'm not sure how she got staph, except that the dermatologist said that the dermatitis weakens the skin and then it allows staph. When the sores were so itchy, as I took the helmet off she would immediately scratch frantically until her head bled. I couldn't get her in the bath fast enough! (so sad!)

Anyway... the Dr. said that her skin was weakened and I wonder if she had something under her fingernails that caused the infection? I don't know, but he was AMAZING at being creative in finding ways to work with her helmet. He said she obviously has sensitive skin and so I think she was just more prone to these types of issues. Of course, Rylie has to be the exception to the rules!

So, I scrub the helmet everyday with alchohol and wash her hair with Aveeno for sensitive skin. Are there other products you guys use to clean your baby or their helmet?

[jumpingjacksmom]

i stuck with the alcohol... you have to let it air and dry completely before putting it back on.

for stink, i found that spraying a little frebreeze after the alcohol dried and wiping it out with a white paper towel worked wonders!! i'd make sure she's not allergic to it though if she has sensitive skin. jackson would sweat a lot and the smell was horrid!! until we started with the frebreeze. i would carry alcohol wipes in the diaper bag in case we ever had to take it off away from home for any reason...

i bet the dermatologist was excited to have a new project to work on... you know instead of just teenage acne at stuff all day long!:giggle

[Avery's Mom]

Wow....never heard of this either, although Avery did sweat like a pig in his constantly. We used alcohol to clean it also. Are they sure it fits well? We were told any red spots that did not go away after a good 30 minutes or so in the beginning were a sign of a bad fit. Good luck and glad they found something to clear up the infection.

[AddiesGramma]

WOW thanks for the info and tips .. Addie just got her new helmet Thursday, I posted a photo under our thread BUT I was wondering has anyone had trouble with getting the helmet on the baby? wow is it a struggle and seems like it hurts her, she screams for a few minutes after finally getting it on her. :sigh

is there a trick to it?? helpppppppp any tips would be appreciated