Antibiotics to treat skin infection

[Blyton]

Per a thread i started a few wks ago, my 13 wk old keeps on scratching his face overnight thereby opening up his cheeks and causing them to weep. His body is also incredibly dry and scaly (mostly arms and legs) and i've tried most creams going. The latest is: was prescribed Diprobase yesterday, after 3 applications his body turned red (as if i'd boiled him and caused raised bumps all over his arms and legs, the back of his neck looked very sore and burnt). We washed him (at midnight!) in an attempt to get the stuff off him (after he woke up howling in some sort of pain). Took him to the dr today who said he has to take antibiotics (erythromycin) in case he had an infection from scratching his open cheeks etc ... and for the rash and dry skin that flared up on his body (which i still think is an allergic reaction to the Diprobase cream). Am very adverse to giving him antibiotics at 13 wks but the dr said i had to. She also said i had to rub Fucidin H on his sore red bits and face (once again am reluctant to do this but had to in the end as his cheeks & legs were so bad). Have also started him on the antibiotics. Is it bad to give a baby antibiotics (esp as the dr wasn't sure that he actually had an infection) ? Am torn as i don't want to give him the antibiotics but if he has an infection i want to help him clear it.

[TheArmadillo]

If the dr is that sure I would give them to him.

My ds had his first lot of anitbiotics at 48hrs old. MAny others have had them this early if not earlier. And more courses than my ds has had.

Antibiotics are necessary, it is when they are overused there can be a problem - but this doesn't mean we shouldn't use them altogether.

Follow your drs advice and try not to worry (easier said than done with a baby)

[pointydog]

I think in the circumstances you're best to go with the oral antibiotics. It's not 'bad'. Surprised you have to apply fucidin h at the same time, though.

Is it you with the baby who's failing hearing tests? This just sounds very like my dd2. Eczema from 5 weeks, always failing hearing tests. It's quite common for eczema kids to have blocked tubes in nose and ears (rhinitis - runny nose - and glue ear can be result.) Just mentioning in case these are things you want to look into/ask about.

dd2 had a lot of oral antibiotics as a baby due to rampant skin infections with no ill effects (now 8) so don;t worry too much.

[Blyton]

Pointydog: We ended up stopping the antibiotics as he was getting diahorrea. To be honest, i don't think he's got an infection purely because he seems to be feeding, sleeping fine (if not a little bit grouchy - but he's been grouchy ever since he had his 2nd lot of injections a wk friday ago). And where he's scratched himself, there doesn't seem to be any pus etc ... The Fucidin H seems to be working and, like you, am not sure why they've given me both things to use. Anyhows, am due to see the dr on Monday so will see what she says. Am not the one who's baby is the hearing tests. But thanks for the info about eczema affecting hearing in babies. What were the signs of skin infection in your dd2, just so i'm aware ? Thanks

[pointydog]

dd2's skin infections - crusty reddish sometimes seepy patches quickly spreading across her body.

All the best Mon