daughters exczema… steriod creams on not??

[bumbleandbumble]

People keep telling me not to used the prescribed steroid ointments, because they 'thin the skin' and its terrible for young children…

but its the only thing that works when it gets bad. I have tried coconut oil, shea butter, almond oil…and a variety of creams from the GP

does anyone else fear using the steroids? what on earth is the natural equivalent? please help

[DoolallyMarjorie]

I had eczema as a child, and mum would smear a very thin amount of steroid cream on my eczema, I'm in my forties now and I can't see any difference in the areas where mum put the cream. The itch from eczema is horrible, and steroid cream was the only thing that stopped it for me.

[Takver]

As a life long eczema sufferer, I think you just have to really quiz your GP / dermatologist as to exactly what is OK and what is not.

I know it's hard when they say 'not too often' or 'not too much' - just really pin them down to exactly what that means in terms of amount of cream! Maybe worth asking for a referral to a dermatologist if you've only seen the GP and your dd's eczema is bad?

So for example, I just got vague 'not too much' from the GP regarding bad eczema near my labia - whereas the dermatologist was really helpful in terms of saying 'right, you definitely need to use enough cream to clear it up properly to start with, so about X amount of cream twice a day for a fortnight'

[freefrommum]

My son's dermatologist told us that the 'safe' amount of steroid ointments is actually far more than most of realise or are led to believe. She said it's better to use the right amount of a fairly strong steroid for a short amount of time than have to use a useless low-dose steroid like hydrocortisone 1% for long periods of time. She told me to measure it by putting a line of ointment from the tip of my finger to the first crease/joint and that much is enough to cover an area the size of my hand. This works for everyone as the longer your finger, the bigger your hand. You shouldn't fear the steroids and you need to keep using them for at least a few days after the eczema disappears as it takes the lower layers of skin longer to heal so if you stop too soon it just comes straight back. The other really important thing is to use the emollient (non-steroid moisturiser eg Diprobase) as often as possible. When DS was little we had to apply his 5 times a day. We now only apply it 2-3 times a day as his eczema is under control these days thanks to regular steroid use.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I never feared the steroids, they were the only thing to treat my DS's eczema. He was four months old when it started.

Our dermatologist told us the same thing about using a stronger steroid for a shorter amount of time. Also, steroids treat the inflammation and redness rather than the dryness.

Are these 'people' dermatologists? No, well I would take what they say with a pinch of salt. Get referred to a good paediatric dermatologist who will reassure you and know far more than the GP who often just guess (or refuse to treat in out experience).

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

*our

[sideshowbob2]

having had eczema since i was weaned at 6 months i would look at diet (i.e diary products), washing powder and bathing products first to see if there's a link, also use lots of moisturise morning and night, doublebase and epaderm both come in a large pump, also diprobase, all can be plastered on a thick as you with no problem and all you can get from the g.p, also get bath olimatuim until skin calms down, cut finger nails short on a regular basis and use gloves at night, also make sure bedroom is well ventilated and the room or bedding are not to hot, avoid e45 and aqueous cream

[ukey]

as others have said don't worry about the steroid creams, as you will have to use these. ur child will be a lot worse off with sore, bleeding, infected eczema. x

allergy testing could also help

avoiding soap, shampoo, etc

[DrewsWife]

i have had excema all of my life. im 37. my skin is not thin. its a disclaimer something thay might happen.

if medics advise the use make her more comfortable then say thanks and use them.

one thing that took me years to learn. over moisturise. get epaderm as a washing soap and emollient. the sheets will get stained but its not a major issue.

[Booboostoo]

I've had eczema for the last 20 years and it's a case of having a couple of line of defences. When things are grim I do need steroids otherwise it just gets out of control, but my dermatologist prescribes the lowest cortisone dose that is still effective so that sets my mind at rest, for mild to light problem days I use something called Anti-cor by Fusiderm, it's the only non-steroid that has ever made a difference, ask your dermatologist about it, for good days Sudacream seems to help keep things calm.

[tacal]

I have had terrible problems controlling my Ds' eczema on his hands, knees and wrists for the past year and a half. I have often turned to steroid cream to get it under control.

But, the steroid cream never cured it. 3 weeks ago I stopped using everything the doctor had given me. Bought some other products, was very careful with diet and the fabrics next to his skin. And now the eczema is completely gone!! After a year and a half of constant scratching and bleeding, sleepless nights and it has completely healed in three weeks!!! Can't believe it. Not sure which thing made the biggest difference but we shall continue with the new regime and no emollient, bath oil, steroid cream from doctor.

Finding the cause and removing it seems to be what makes the difference but this can be very difficult.

[JennyZ1]

Hubby is on strong steroid for this. I know where you are coming from. It is the only thing that does help him. I have tried lotions, creams, powders, coconut oil, even hydrogen peroxide to no avail.

[bumbleandbumble]

i cant figure out what causes it...being going crazy.

I do think the shampoo/hair conditioner doesnt help...but she has curly hair and simply cannot go without conditioning.

has anyone found hair products that don't irritate?

I have had grown ups show me the places where their skin is ruined...they all told me it was because of steriods.

[bumbleandbumble]

i am using epaderm...but it just doesnt seem to help...neither do any of the others.

[RebekahMacd]

You could try using baking soda & white vinegar/Apple Cider Vinegar for her hair? (The "no poo" method.) Or some people just use ACV. It's meant to be very gentle and leaves the hair looking beautiful.

My DD has mild eczema that flares up when it's warm or we use laundry powders. I just wash with baking soda now, and give oilatum baths a couple of times a week. We use Aveeno cream on her skin after baths, and oilatum cream when the eczema patches look a little red. This seems to do well.

[littone]

When I have had bad flare ups I have used the allergenics wash and shampoo, no soap products at all.

www.hollandandbarrett.com/search?query=Allergenics&isSearch=true#totalNumRecs=5&rpp=15

[bumbleandbumble]

i have seen the allergenics..but the cost!!
also my GP seems very unhelpful, I cannot afford all the creams/bath products and nice shampoo but the only want to prescribe certain things...not aveeno (too expensive) even though I find it works great.

[Georgethesecond]

We have found the best emollient to be aveeno

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I hate to say but not one cream I got from the dr worked. The steroid creams are short term use and once that was done with it came straight back as the creams were all crap.

Unfortunately a lot of the ones from drs still contain parabans or silicones etc that are likely to cause reactions.

It took years for me to find one that worked and I can't get it on prescription. I use special shampoos and stuff and it's all very costly.

Worth looking at diet too. Dairy can make it worse.

[andmyunpopularopionis]

I have had eczema my whole life. You need to use a strong steroid cream once or twice and clear it and it is the only thing that will work. I rarely use steroids creams anymore. Mine is so bad that I now get steroid tablets if it flares up but I only moisturize with coconut oil and, sometimes, liquid paraffin or other oil/Shea butter based products like Palmers. You need to vary a bit or the skin adjusts to whatever product you use abd ut will stop working. Although coconut oil is my Go-to product. After 40 years of experimentation ... coconut oil is awesome. Since religiously using coconut oil I have not had a serious flare up. But you do need the steroid to get it under control in the first place.

[andmyunpopularopionis]

Oh. And I use Seba-med for washing. I was my hair with it too (I don't buy the shampoo I use the body wash for my hair as well) and then coconut oil for conditioning.

[tacal]

simple shampoo for babies was recommended to me. My ds seems ok with it so far.

[bumbleandbumble]

I dont need shampoo, I need conditioner...
yes I have liked coconut oil, but again its expensive and GP wont prescribe anything holistic.

I also was wondering about food. But so far the doctors seem to keep telling me there is no link.

Food is the same as steroids...doctors say one thing and the whole world seems to say something else.

[GrouchyKiwi]

Your GP sounds fairly useless. Can you see another?

Does your local Boots have the Minor Ailments Clinic, or is that a Scottish thing? If it does, you could register your child there and it might make the costs of the specialist creams lower. (In Scotland it's free because of the free prescription things, so I don't know what it would be like in England/Wales.)

[GrouchyKiwi]

Here's info about it: www.boots.com/en/Minor-Ailments-Service_1049427/