Well, after years of being totally vigilant for signs of asthma in my children, my ds1 has gone and completely surprised me by getting eczema - practically overnight at the age of 6.

He doesn't have it as badly as many children, I realise, but he has got quite sore patches behind his knees at the moment and I'd like to be able to nip it in the bud. Problem is, I know loads about asthma and associated medications but bugger all about eczema

On the advice of the pharmacist, we're using E45 cream 2-3 times a day (on school days it's hard to fit the 3rd application in, although I try and remember to do it when he gets in from school, we're not quite in the rhythm of it yet) and that does seem to be doing the trick - a patch on his elbow has almost completely vanished now.

The patches behind his knees seem to fade then return, though, so I'm working slowly through everything we use and trying to work out the best strategy. I want to get rid of our current bubble bath and replace with an eczema friendly one but already meeting resistance in that they definitely want it bubbly (they're not big fans of bath time, and the bubbles are sort of the consolation prize) - and especially as ds2 is showing no signs of eczema I don't want to make it too unfun.

Problem is, all of the ones I've looked at in our Tesco that are supposed to be for eczema don't seem to bubble. Is there a brand that looks/feels like "normal" bubble bath only moisturizes and is good for eczema sufferers?

Also, should I be taking him to the doctor? My attitude so far is that it has been confirmed by pharmacist, seems to be responding well to E45 treatment and patches aren't weepy or split the skin so there doesn't seem much point. But in terms of medical records should I be going anyway? Or just mention it next time I go in with him (if ever I go - he's a pretty robust kid normally).

Any other tips I should be aware of?

I use JASON from a local independant health shop and love it - it can be used as a shower gel or put in the bath for bubbles

Here it is though I use the rosemary one but it isn't on that site

Trouble with the bubbly stuff is that they use pretty strong detergents in them which are awful for eczema sufferers as they really strip the skin of moisture.

We use porridge oats in a sock (makes the bath milky) or natural sea salts. Perhaps you could do the porridge oats thing and add a bit of food colouring or something to make it more fun? Don't know if that would work.

I wouldn't use bubble bath on troubled skin be it eczema or just sensitive it's too harsh, although the little me range doesn't seem to bad, if you use their bubble bath and then add a simple carrier oil such as jojoba or even olive oil, pat your child dry (as opposed to rubbing) and you'll find it should leave the skin smooth and soft.

also dont bath too often. this is the greatest advice i have recieved in my struggle with my 2yr olds acute eczema!it drys the skin.

also dont bath too often. this is the greatest advice i have recieved in my struggle with my 2yr olds acute eczema!it drys the skin.

I bought some expensive bubble bath once that was supposed to be suitable for eczema, took dd1's clothes out of the room to the washing basket and returned to find her stirring the bath with the toilet brush

(this was just a few days after she'd found my Clarins foundation and smeared most of the tube on her legs saying "look mummy, my have brown legs like you do" )

We've used Infacare and E45 do one too. Both bit pricier but do produce bubbles. They were fine for our dd but she only has mild eczema.

we've had no problems with Johnson's baby softwash (amazingly) loads of problems with others.

Go to doc and get some stuff on prescription. I would say no bubble bath with troubled skin. We use oilatum junior in the bath and slap on the diprobase.

You could try short showers?

Theres a cream called something like aquaous cream, its an emolient, I had excema as a child and still get it a bit now. You can use this cream to keep the skin moisturised and use it in the bath also although not bubbly... Can get it in big tubs from chemists or on prescription.

I'm sorry to hear your ds has developed this condition must be awful to suddenly find yourself having to deal with this now. I'm afraid I can't give you any advise on 'bubbles' I really wish I could. My ds, aged nearly 4 and and a mild eczema sufferer, has been nagging me for bubble bath from the moment he could talk and saw it at his cousins house! I think he's finally accepted it's a non starter! Anyhow, I just wanted to tell you about rolled oats, it's a fantastic soother when they are really itchy. You put some rolled oats (I splash out on organic ones) in a, well it's supposed to be muslin bag, but I use a white pillow case and hold it under the tap as the bath runs squeezing it out lots, this is incredably soothing on the skin. It makes the water cloudy so we play toy hiding games and avoid toys which are hard to clean as it leavesa residue which is abit yucky. Hope it helps and I shall be watching the thread for 'bubble' suggestions, good luck

just thought we sometimes use epaderm in the bath-we whisk it up with some water. this creates a 'froth' not really bubbles but its the closest thing mine will get to a bubble bath!

After many years using all prescribed and over the counter emolients for eczema, the best one for my family's delicate skin is Sanex - lots of bubbles too. Just smear on a good emolient afterwards too

I am getting good bubbles with E45 junior foaming bath milk (i think that's the name)- got it on script from GP. E45 cream is very good for the sore patches.

my ds also has eczema and we've been through everything! Through trial and elimination we now use porridge oats in the bath - I buy cheap stockings and cut them up, fill them with a handful of oats, tie it up and chuck it in the bath. It makes the water really silky and creamy. I also put in E45junior foaming bath milk to satisfy his craving for bubbles. I wash him in Epaderm, an emollient I get on prescription, and he has only 2 baths a week.
As kjaysmim said the oats do leave a residue so rinse the bath and any toys out shortly after.
HTH

infaderm do a bubble bath and shampoo. Specifically for exzma (sorry sp) my ds has it bad and this doesnt effect it at all. The bubbles dont stay the whole of the bath but that is prob a good thing as whatever makes the bubbles last is drying. Youcan buy it in chemist or supermarkets

Hi RubberDuck.

Have just seen this.

Regarding bubble bath, the sodium laureth sulphate and parabens that are in them can really make the eczema worse. These are found in most bubble bath and shampoo, even some that are for eczema and sensitive skin.

I use the Halo and Horns range for DD. The baby bath is more moisturising than the kids orange bath. They do shampoo as well. DD's skin improved almost from the first time I used this. Tesco and Asda sell it.

Hope this helps.