DD suddenly developed atopic eczema, she is 4.7 years.. have been to docs 3 times now....

[Lulumama]

DD has always had slightly dry skin, but in November , she developed eczema, which has got worse. I have been prescribed diprobase, hydrocortisone, oilatum for in or after the bath and cetirizine to help her at night.

she has scratched herself raw in places, she has bled onto her clothes

she fights with me to get the cream on

why would this suddenly start? could it have been triggered by low immune system as it developed when she had had a run of illnesses

is this it now for ever?

My mum reminded me I had v sensitive skin as a child ,sometimes even bathing in plain water would make me madly itchy. I have coincidentally developed eczema patches inside my elbows now ! I do have sensitive skin, and often have odd rashes/flare ups/ blotches... not sounding great is it !?

i suppose the question is, do i just keep slathering her in cream, for as long as it takes, can i expect her to grow out of this... or is taht it?

[Carameli]

I don't know the answer about whether its likely to last or not but dd(now 6) and ds(now 3) had eczema as babies and dd outgrew it and ds only gets in now and again really. Such as the other night when I mistakenly used a baby wipe on his leg and the next thing it flared up all red and sore.

I have been through so many different creams so if the ones you are using don't take effect soon go back and ask for something different.
I found with ds that ultrabase and aveeno worked best for him. Each worked great for a while and then not so great so we switched to the other one.

I am sure you have probably thought of this but have you changed your washing powder/liquid? I know it really effects ds.

[EldonAve]

patient.co.uk suggests 2/3 grow out of it

Illness could have triggered it

You may find different emoillents work better - it's all a bit hit and miss finding those that suit

[PigeonPie]

Poor DD and poor you Lulumama, Eczema is grim and I'm afraid that it appears that atopic eczema can appear at any time.

For me it suddenly appeared in my early twenties and was all over me. I still believe that there must have been a trigger (I moved into a basement flat in London shortly before), but the docs at the time were completely unhelpful with suggestions, even when I was referred to hospital.

My skin has gradually improved and, funnily enough, has been best while I was pregnant and still fully bfing, although I'm getting small patches of it back now.

One emmolient which my DSis recommended and which I now use for DS1 is Cetraben, which might be worth a try.

Have you looked at the National Eczema Society? They might have some suggestions.

I do hope it improves.

[Lulumama]

thank you all very much for your advice and kind words..


have been using the same creams etc since novemeber, so if no improvemetn in another month or so , i will take her back and ask for something different.

been using same washing liquid etc for ages

didn't know about the website, will have a look now

thanks very very much

[EldonAve]

Check you are using enough of the hydrocortisone - my GP gave me a printout with fingertip measurements and how much to put on - I wasn't using enough on DS

You could try doing an extra rinse on the laundry
Also washing her duvet to kill off any dust mites

[Lulumama]

thanks, will check on taht

have washed her duvet already and will do super rinse cycle

thanks very much

[PigeonPie]

Also, can you put her cuddlies in the freezer for a few hours? That would kill the mites, but I know that it might be a huge trauma for her.

[Lulumama]

had not thought of that, she does have a few special teddies. i'll have to clear out the freezer first

[rubyslippers]

as you know DS is terrible with his eczema and it came out of the blue 16 months ago

we have tried loads of creams - you need to slather them on, and not just once per day

try to bandage the worst bits up so she can't scratch and some piriton to stop her itching so much

bath only every other day so her skin doesn't really dry out

also, our GP also recommended hoovering the mattress and putting soft toys in the freezer (as a PP has said)

[Lulumama]

yes, she is slathered in cream ! and she has the cetirizine, piriton was not helping.. have also reduced bathing

thanks xxxxx

[puremum]

Eczema is a horrible thing, as a mum I know all to well which is why I started a website with information and articles about skin problems and have sourced natural and active products from around the world. Dermasilk is very good, this is a clothing range which you can get on the NHS for children. We have a selection of creams. But don't put to much on - less is more, as children hate the cream being put on, I've been there. Have a look at our site www.pureandgentle.com

[Lulumama]

thanks puremum.. but i should point out you need to pay to advertise on MN

[belgo]

Do you live in a hard water area? Apparently soft water is better for eczema.

Lots of good advice here, has anyone mentioned Aveeno cream? That is very popular amoungst mumsnetters and I like it for my own dry skin, but I don't find it's good enough for ds's skin.

Has your dd been assessed for allergies? In my ds allergies combined with dry sensitive skin is the cause of his eczema. I have the dry sensitive skin and dh has the allergies; unfortunately ds has ended up with both.