Milk is an important source of nutrients that you and your family shouldn’t miss out on. If someone in your family has lactose intolerance and the rest of the family still want to enjoy the taste of real milk, try Lactofree - the UK’s first virtually lactose-free dairy drink.
Help - my 5 year old dd1 has an infected patch of eczema on her leg - about the size of a twopence piece - which she won't stop scratching and making it bleed. Its been there nearly three years now and I'm worried that if she doesn't let it clear up then one day her leg will just fall off. Or get a bad scar at the least. She doesn't just scratch at night, but anytime she can get to it, e.g. yesterday the house looked liked a murder scene after she went in the bathroom for a sneaky scratch. We bandage it every night, keep her nails short, use aqueous cream twice a day, no soaps in the bath etc etc. We've tried explaining to her, and even bribing her but every time it gets a bit better she does it again. I'm getting very frustrated to say the least - any advice please!?!
My ds is like this with his legs.Cool packs ,you know the ones you put in picnics held against it help. Also I tell him to pat it instead of scratching to stop the bleeding.
I also use hydrocortisone cream when it flares up.I think your dd would probably benefit from some as well. It can be a vicious circle of scratching and endorphin release in the body from itching that can be quite addictive . You need to give a blast of steroid cream to get it under control and break the scratch itch cycle.
When we have patches like this, the only thing to break the itch/scratch cycle is to use Piriton. That, combined with a good steroid cream seems to help. We also used to put bandage tubes on his legs and arms during the day, with a lot of emollient. I think it is important to find the right cream to clear it once you have dealt with the scratching. Once it has cleared, it is 'just' a case of keeping the area moisturised.
Have you seen your gp about it? Recently, ds had horrible eczema on the bridge of his nose. He kept getting impetigo in it because he couldn't leave it alone. It was there for about 6 months and we thought the gp had given us the strongest cream (0.5% hydrocortisone ointment). It turned out that there were many more types of creams he could go with. We ended up with a 1% steroid cream and that, coupled with 10 days of ABs got rid of it. He is now clear and we are so relieved. I thought he would be scarred, but he doesn't seem to be.
Can you get a referral to an eczema clininc to help get it sorted, my GP is actually really good with DS1s eczema but the nurses at the eczema clinic were fantastic and gave us loads of different creams to try.
When DSs legs are really bad he lies on his front on the settee and I gently rub the backs of his legs, it soothes the itching without any scratching, it often puts him to sleep as well lol
Thanks everyone. Not currently treating it with anything. Went to buy some hydrocortisone cream from boots today (as thats all i've ever been prescribed from GP) but assistant advised me not to apply it to broken skin, so just came away with more aqueous cream and jumbo plasters!
Perhaps I ought to take her back to GP for more (and maybe stronger) steroid. Have some Piriton in the cupboard - may dose her up tonight! Will go and get some cool packs too.
MetalMummy - I feel really guilty now. I think I've lost sight of the fact that she is the one suffering with it, not me. I've been getting really ratty with her about it. It just seems such a vicious circle.
H scratched in his sleep last night and the half-asleep me thought it was ds! I said, 'Don't scratch poppet,' and ha said, 'It's ME!' . Shows how ingrained our responses to the scratching become!
When DSs skin is broken and weeping we use Fucidin H which contains antibiotics as well as steroids.
Don't feel guilty about it, I think it's really hard to understand how itchy it gets if you don't have eczema yourself. I had one small patch on my leg last year and it drove me mad, half the time I didn't even realise I was scratching it until somebody told me to stop.
when you see the GP ask for hydrocortisone ointment and not cream, i find it sits on the skin longer and works better.
also ask for some better cream, aquous cream is pretty poor IME, and found that aveeno works wonders.
try some porriage oats in a cloth, tied securely, and run under the bath tap. then get dd to wash with the oatbag, so all the 'milky ooze' as my dd's call it, goes on their skin. it does work
it's horrible isn't it...I know when I get any patches, I just cannot stop myself itching so it must be impossible for a child. Would agree with what everyone has said about GP and misdee re the ointments.
DD1 sitting in a porridgey bath as we speak, well, type. Seems to be enjoying it and has squeezed the bag so hard the oats have all come out - the minx.
DH convinced she does it all on purpose for the attention. Give me strength!
My youngest ds has flare ups and i have found using Oilatum in his bath helps, it stops his skin from drying out. Its available everywhere. I use this along with his prescribed cream, usually does the trick. Hope this helps
Wet wrapping works wonders too - long bath with emollient in the water, then slap on a really thick layer of cream (but not steroid), then use a wet crepe bandage to bandage over the cream, then put either a dry bandage or long cotton sock over.
You just can't stop scratching though - I've woken myself up scratching my legs on the side of the bed. And my mum can look like a massacre - and thats 65 years of eczema.
I would suggest trying something other than aqueous and heading to the doctor to try something stonger. The right cream should make a dramatic difference in a very short space of time. Then as others have said, maybe try something other than aqueous on it, aveeno seems very popular but I've never tried it. At the moment doc has prescribed me doublebase, which i don't think you can buy, and that's been really good for me but everyone's different of course!
I've always found that temp. plays a huge part in how itchy my eczema is, staying cool is key for me. I very rarely wear socks coz if I do I get too hot and it starts itching!
I agree with Calsworld, I've lost count of the different creams we had for DS1 before we found what worked for him. Aqueous cream was useless, we now use diprobase as his main cream and hydrocortisone, eumovate or fucidin H when he has a bad flare up (which one we use depends on how bad the flare up is).
As an eczema sufferer myself I agree that you have to scratch - to be somehow prevented from doing it would be torture.
But when mine is bad i sometimes cover it with light clothing (eg pjs) and scratch through it - you can still scratch but it avoids tearing the skin and might also make infection less likely. Mine is mainly hands and wrists but your DD might also be able to do this on her leg, if you explain to her why.
My DD had eczema from about 2 weeks after he was born and I tried absolutely everything. I don't think it was severe but he used to break the skin when he would itch it. I used everything the doctor prescribed me, steroids, hydrocortisone, oils equazen, etc loads but only steroids cleared it up and I got fed up of using them because I don't think they are good for the skin.
Anyway I started trying loads of natural creams and stuff and some worked for a little bit but not for long. Then my friend told me about this cream from Maples Street Organics called baby shea, it is a natural and 100% organic cream I think its made mainly from shea butter but it worked real well, within 2 days he had stopped itching, I think I applied it everytime I saw him itch and within a week you could see a remarkable difference.
I've been using this cream for just over a year now and he has only had one outbreak since I started so I would really recommend it. I think they have a website www.maplesstreetorganics.com I'm waiting for their full range to launch they said this summer but you never know. I would most definately recommend the cream though. Its a little more expensive then Boots stuff but is definatley worth it, especially as it has no artificial chemicals and stuff in and it lasts for ages.
lisabartandmaggie there is some great advice on here, but like most things in life, something that helps one person will not help another. I have been a severe sufferer my whole life and the majority of my body is scared because of it. There are 6 differant types of eczema ( i have 4 types on differant parts of my body) and the hardeset, yet the most helpful is to dicover which type it is. Sometimes it is hard to know if a certain product is working , because so many flare ups are enviromental. I found the best thing to do when trying something new is keep a notebook, take a photo of the area, try the product for a week or two and take another photo. If it is infected then you will need ab's. I would also reccomend not covering it up. Covering heats the area, bringing the blood to the surface and starts the iching cycle. OILATUM ( you can buy it over the counter) in the bath is fabulous and v soothing. E45 or diprobase are the best moistureisers I have found. Lastly, the best treatment for me ( other than steroids) sounds simple, but is sun and sea air. Get a good hypo suncream and get her on the beach this summer- works wonders. Hope this helps abit, sorry it's abit long winded. Good luck.
I've skimmed through the thread and thought I would post this as I can't see it mentioned already. It's a clothing company for children and adults with eczema. www.eczemaclothing.com.
What worked for us: Steroid cream with antibiotic (Fucidin H or Fucibet from the GP), and then lots of emollient (we use diprobase but whatever works for you. Never found aqueous cream much good tbh).
A week on Piriton help to ease the cycle of scratching/flaring too.
Also DD hasn't had a flare-up since using Lacto-free milk. And calendula cream also helps the dryness.
Lots of people don't like to use the steroid creams, as they are known to thin the skin, but if it's just to clear up the flare-up, it's worth it for a few days.
DD's eczema is now undre control, but we still have to slap loads of cream on every day, and careful not to give her too much dairy.
agree with everyone about aqueous cream a study at sheffield children's hospital showed that 50% of the children using it got worse not better try diprobase or doublebase instead gp or hv should eb able to prescribe
just a few things to add- the clothing company simply mentions has pyjamas with attachd mittens, also reinforced backs of knees, they are expensive but very good. The National eczema Soceity has helpful literature- including stuff for kids and schools (to give to teachers). Do get your GP to refer you, there are treatments that only consultants can prescribe, unfortunately I think some GPs don't appreciate how distressing and disruptive eczema can be for the whole family, not just the person affected. If you think your LOs eczema is infected, we were told to routinely handwash with an anti-bacterial handwash, you can get gentle ones, that has helped. DD's eczema is caused by house dust mite allergy, this was discovered by consultant (she was actually referred for nut allergy initially, hence blood tests)- if you can discover a cause, you may be able to take some preventative action. But trying to discover it for yourself can be a real minefield. You and your LO have all my sympathy, it's very hard. Good luck.
Haven't read through the thread so not sure it has been mentioned... My brother and sister suffered with awful eczema when they were younger (and still do). My mum thinks the only thing that helped them was bathing them in dead sea salt. She used to buy a big bag of this from the health shop.
and if it IS impetigo then PLEEEEASE get her sorted. my son got an impetigo infection IN his eczema from someone who hadn't been treated and he was in a terrible state. really bad. could hardly walk.
Hello all! Got her into the doc's last monday ("is this an emergency appointment madam? Hmmm... sort of!) Luckily doctor was sympathetic, as it did look pretty bad. I too had thought about impetigo getting in, if not there already. Got prescribed a mixture of things to use over the next new weeks: Fucidin H for 10 days, then Elocon (Mometasone Furoate) following that, plus Doublebase cream and Oilatum Plus for the bath. Have been using the Fucidin religiously morning and night since, but whilst its def better its still not looking as good as I hoped, largely as she's still having sneaky scratches. So the itch is still there... am encouraging her to pat it rather than scratch as others said. Think the most important thing I've learned is that eczema is something you live with and manage, rather than magically make go away. Don't think I got that before!
I think it has been mentioned before as well but an oatmeal bath is excellent, My son found it really soothing and his skin felt excellent afterwards. Helps with the drying effect that water can naturally have - especially in hard water areas.
Also instead of using washing detergents try eco balls. Even the most sensitive washing powders/liquid have chemicals that can aggravate the skin.
Hi, Started reading this thread and just thought I'd add my bit : after using loads of creams prescribed by the doctor I got a book out of the library 'Eczema and your child' and this recommends 1. Piriton at nighttime 2. OTC hydrocortisone (for up to a week at a time) 3. Moisturising frequently - the more often the better
so anyway, I have started this regime with my little one. and, yes, the hydrocortisone creams always say not to use on broken skin but what else is eczema after a good scratch if not broken !! I also thought I might try calamine cream on her wrists at night when she wakes me up scratching - I suffered with eczema when I was little and I remember my nan using this on me and it working. I've also used the oatmeal thing ( and yes, porridge oats are fine - the cheapest supermarket ones will do) and whilst I am not sure they do much for the eczema - they do leave the skin really lovely and soft !! Eczema is a nightmare - I've had it all my life and feel really guilty that my little girl now has it.
Hi, Started reading this thread and just thought I'd add my bit : after using loads of creams prescribed by the doctor I got a book out of the library 'Eczema and your child' and this recommends 1. Piriton at nighttime 2. OTC hydrocortisone 3. Moisturising frequently - the more often the better
so anyway, I have started this regime with my little one. and, yes, the hydrocortisone creams always say not to use on broken skin but what else is eczema after a good scratch if not broken !! I also thought I might try calamine cream on her wrists at night when she wakes me up scratching - I suffered with eczema when I was little and I remember my nan using this on me and it working. I've also used the oatmeal thing ( and yes, porridge oats are fine - the cheapest supermarket ones will do) and whilst I am not sure they do much for the eczema - they do leave the skin really lovely and soft !! Eczema is a nightmare - I've had it all my life and feel really guilty that my little girl now has it. Oh and FYIAD - I put some oats in a popsock and tie it over the tap as it runs the bath
Has anyone tried calendula cream??? my daughter gets excema after illness and I had a resistant patch and a couple weeks of applying this cleared it up. Her excema may not be as severe as others but it may help.
I have just sent off for some special thing for my baby ds to wear. It is from this website http://www.little-protechtor.com/ and she is able to wear it during the day and night. I haven't recieved them yet, but am holding out high hopes that it will stop the poor mite from scratching constantly day and night... {hmmm} Will let you know when they arrive and how ds get on...
like above i have skimmed through the above and have a good experience of skin disorders my son has a very rare skin condition that isnt treatable but i can give you guys his skin care routine which is applicalble to anyone withouth steroids of course he has a basic psoriasis,also guttate and erythodremic psoriasis,genital psoriasis(cannot irinate now)he has only 20% white normal skin on his body left its in his eyes cannot see in his ears anymore, as you can imagine he scratches he bleeds and is infected to combat this or as we have been told this is a basic home remedy treatment for skin disorders however minor or major AM bath in oilatum or dermaoil,no more than 10 mins pat dry,apply diprobase or double base or any plain moisturiser they can accept liberally as no steriods in these now my son is whole body wrapped in wet and dry tubi grip bandages 24 hrs a day wrap the affected area in a clean sterile tubi wrap (grip) re apply moisturiser twice a day depending how affected this stops the scratching (my son also wears gloves 24 hrs a day) piriton relieves the itch also shower or short evening bath and creams now is the problem is daytime and school is a issue i guess you can use the wrap then but ideally bath in oil pat dry moistiruse use the dry wrap give piriton now just a short treatment of this will clear up most skin condition then all you have to do is just moisturise also if your child is gettin worse take them to a dermatologist youd be suprised how many children we see there with eczema and only in small patches to short term steriod creams help also just to get rid of an annoying or flare up patch and i guess its just basic knowledge about the allegy side of washing powders sorry for the long post just giving my little bit of know how here my son has to be in hospital 3 times a week for treatment now i have been around dermatologists for years,even with eczema you can have the dry skin and the itch but when it gets worse there is usually a secondary reason (washing implements borowing there friends coat for the day trying a new food anything can start the skin of if its prone to be flare up) i know how annoying this can be for them poor little things and us parents well all we can do is try to help
just to say this was my self help regime and it works in a way for us of course my son is on strong steroid injections and uvb light therapy 3 times a week and doesnt go to school as he can get infected ever,but i just saw a post on infections,and if you ever suspect an infection get it seen to asap
disneystar - you have my utmost respect, thats quite a daily routine and certainly puts my dd's problem in perspective. I hope things improve for your son, maybe a treatment won't be too far away in the future x
my 2yrold has severe eczema. epaderm cream changed ourlives. she has wet wraps and dry. we use zirtek (cetrizine hydrochloride) anthistamine 24/7. does anyone have experience of long term use of this? worried as been 6mths now. would like to wean off but dont want to go back to those desperate times.. also snugglepaws sell very good eczema clothing. hats off to all of us who have kids with severe eczema it really is devastating to family life i just wish GPs and people generally had a better understanding of how life changing eczema can be.
also, does anyone have any advice on eczema on the scalp. hace been prescribed several things from dermatologists put they really sting and its like torture for her. very dry and scaly. really hard coz everythingmakes her hair so greasy. she constantly looks like she hasnt been washed for years!
Hey FYIAD its best to put the oats in like an old sock or muslin bag and then wrap this around the tap so that the water runs through the oats and into the bath. if you put the oats in the bath it aint bad but it's just like bathing in porridge. Also, when the bath has run, if you tie a knot in the sock or bag use it as a sponge to clean your child, it's really silky smooth (sometimes a little slimy) but the kids love it.!
Someone may have mentioned this already but I found with my dd that there are always times (even when her eczema is well under control) that she's itchy and in need of a scratch. We have now accepted this and told her to pat/hit/slap or pinch the area instead of scratching. This gives her the same relief without breaking the skin and getting into the whole infection cycle again. Pinching seems to work best for her (and doesn't look so strange!).
Mentioned this website before: http://www.little-protechtor.com/ I ordered two little "protechtors" from them and they arrived quickly. Baby is wearing one now as she sleeps. Doesn't stop her scratching, but does stop her from doing too much damage. It looks like a crop top,with mega long sleeves, with mits on the end! DD likes to wave her little arms around when wearing it as the mit bit flaps around lots and looks silly. She does look a bit daft, but she sleeps well in it and doesn't wake up looking like she has been dragged through a hedge backwards. Worth a go for those of you with little ones who won't stop scratching...
Oh yes, just wondering. Someone mentioned Piriton as part of their attempt to help treat itchy eczema. DD nearly 9 months. Can she have a tiny bit of Piriton when she is having a mega itchy day? And can a 9 month suffer from hayfever? DD streaming with clear snot all day today (pollen count high apparently) and sneezing when outside and even had teary eys. I get it badly, and reckon her symptoms today looked suspiciously like hayfever rather than just a cold. Sorry to keep asking questions. Don't want to keep bothering GP...
haven't read all of the thread but do you use Contton comfort sleepwear with integrated gloves? we use them for our 9 year old and it is reducing the infections caused by night scratching. (http://www.eczemaclothing.eu/productlist.php?catid=1&subid=44)
Hi If anyone is interested in clothing that may help protect skin from the constant itch/scratch of eczema please go to www.snugglepaws.com .I developed the clothes as my son developed severe eczema from 2 months old . I can relate to anyone who has or is going through the nightmare .All I can say is the clothes worked for him and now plenty of other peoples children . He is now under Great ormand street on immune suppresents .It was the turning point for us so please please try and get refered if you can . Protopic cream is brilliant ,50/50 cream and propederm cream . If you could see him now after 5 horrendous years he is a different child . I can give you hope . xxx
Milk is an important source of nutrients that you and your family shouldn’t miss out on. If someone in your family has lactose intolerance and the rest of the family still want to enjoy the taste of real milk, try Lactofree - the UK’s first virtually lactose-free dairy drink.
. Shows how ingrained our responses to the scratching become! 
