CRAP DOCTORS- WORRIED ABOUT 10 WK DD1

[MollyMooMin]

Afew weeks ago, my DD1 got REALLY bad dry skin, mostly on legs & arms. Bathed her every night in Oilatum & used Aquaeus cream on her. I wash all clothes in Surcare. It never got better so I took her to G.P. They never even LOOKED at it let alone advise!
She never slept at all yesterday, and she's been screaming all day today & scratching at her tummy where a rash has now developed. I don't know whether she has a temperature or it's because it's hot today. PLEASE HELP!

[Marina]

If she's only 10 weeks do you have a Health Visitor? I know they get a slating sometimes but there are very good ones out there and as they have all qualified as nurses should be able to give you some pointers about the poor little thing's rash. Or take her back and insist on an appointment for dd as soon as possible. I am assuming you have her dressed lightly - funny thing to do in March but toddler dd went off to nursery in a t-shirt and cropped trousers today. Warm weather will not cause a fever in a healthy baby though, I don't think - what is her actual temp?

[MollyMooMin]

Not sure. Husband gone to get thermometer. My HV is actually worse than useless. Half the time she doesn't know whether I have a girl or boy! I've been rubbing in Oilatum junior cream after baths & I do believe her arms & legs are getting better, but her stomach definitely worse. Do you think this is eczema & will it ever go?

[LIZS]

Is it just dry or is it inflamed at all ? She may simply be overtired if she didn't sleep yesterday rather than unwell. However if she has a temperature she may have a viral rash with it.

It isn't that uncommon for babies and tots to get relaly dry skin during the winter due to lack of humidity and being indoors more with central heating on, which may be why the gp was offhand (not that it is a good reason). Presumably you are already using pure cotton clothes to minimise any irritation.

[Marina]

There are loads of people on here with experience of eczema, MollyMooMin...I'm really sorry, I'm not one of them . It does sound quite possible. Try also posting in the Allergies thread, some of the expert mums might be able to advise.
Sorry your HV is rubbish, doesn't help, does it. No chance of switching practice to find someone better, I suppose?

[MollyMooMin]

The rash looks a little like prickly heat. I make sure all her clothes are cotton. I just don't know why she won't sleep either. Took her out in pram earlier but even that never worked. As soon as she dozes off, she wakes up screaming.

[misdee]

change the aquous cream to something with more 'substance' to it. i am currently using doublebase on my kids (including dd3 who is 3 weeks old). aquous cream is good as soap substitute, but generally found it rubbish for moisterising and it irrated dd1 skin more and made her more inflammed.

go back to the gp and make them look at her skin. if it doesnt get under control within a few weeks and your gp is useless ask to be referred to a dermotologist.

[MollyMooMin]

Thanks, I will.

[NotQuiteCockney]

A fast and easy way to check a child's temperature: Kiss her on the forehead. If she's feverish, she'll feel "wrong".

(Obviously a thermometer is more precise, but this still lets you know if there's a problem ... assuming, of course, that you're not feverish.)