Mometasone for baby?

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

DS is 13mo with severe eczema. We are seeing a dermatologist in two weeks. He has just been prescribed Mometasone steroid cream by the GP who has advised us to apply it to the affected areas, leave for half an hour and then apply Unguentum thickly all over and then wrap a layer of clingfilm around his torso with a vest on top overnight.

The Mometasone leaflet says it shouldn't be used on children under 2 and reading a bit more about it, I am a bit worried that about its potency on such a young baby. Has anyone used it on an under-2? I have to apply it over most of his back, his chest, his elbows, wrists, knees and calves so it is a large area of his body. He has hydrocortisone for his face and neck.

As we see the dermatologist in a fortnight, I'm wondering if I should follow the GP's advice until then as two weeks is a short period of time and my understanding is that a steroid cream will only be damaging if used heavily over a long period of time. I want to do everything possible to alleviate his suffering, which is severe. However, it seemed the cream was really stinging him when I applied it tonight - he's usually soothed by the application of the various creams and ointments we have for him but he screamed like he was in pain when I put this on. I'd appreciate any advice!

[ppeatfruit]

I don't know about Mometasoneb but if the hydrocortisone works well, and that's steroidal then there's no reason why it shouldn't. BUT when ds1 had it badly we bathed him in quite warm SOFTENED water and that made a lot of difference, also we used chickweed herbal cream and I took him to a homeopath which cured him (I know someone will say he would've got better anyway) I don't care he got better quickly (the remedy was sulphur btw).

Somethings you may prefer if you 'like me' don't want to smother your ds in steroids.

[greencybermummy]

Gosh have you had clobetasone (eumovate) strength which is in between? Mometasone is strong and I was under the impression they should prescribe lower potency first to see if problem can be controlled by that. Does the gp you saw have a special interest in eczema etc? Is he following NICE guidelines?

I have recently used Mometasone on my DD who is nearly 7 but only for very stubborn areas and that is after a long time using lesser strength on a very strict schedule prescribed by a Consultant.
Difficult call for you. I think I'd be tempted to wait until you see the consultant as it's only 2 weeks. I can confirm my DD says the Mometasone stings if there's any broken skin.
Hope things pick up for your DC soon.

[5madthings]

I use mometosone on my eczema very sparingly. I would be wary of using it on a bay. can you call the consultants secretary and check with them.

Abd why did gp recommend wrapping with cling film baby will get hot and horribly itchy, that would be awful.

[5madthings]

I use eumovate /clobetasone as wrll but it's unavailable at the moment due to a problem with the manufacturing process, that may be why the gp didn't prescribe it.

[seaoflove]

Don't worry too much about the leaflet. My DD has been on a medication since she was seven months, but the box doesn't provide any dosage instructions for the under twos. I'm sure your GP checked the BNF which will have said it's safe for a baby of your son's age.

[ppeatfruit]

Also prevention is better than cure, I find not eating oranges or tomatoes works for most dcs and for me. You can get good amounts of vit.C from lemons and grapefruits oh and fresh veg. Add some omega 3 to their diet, hide olive oil in their food!