epaderm-when and how best to apply

[Jem01]

For the last 4 months my 7 month old son has had very itchy dry skin with red patches. GP suspected eczema and whilst we await our appointment with the dermatologist at the hospital, we've been given epaderm to use.

For those who have used epaderm how often do you apply it? Is it always after bathing? Im reading so much conflicting information about how best to apply it after baths, throughout the day etc. Interested to hear what has worked best for others.

We've cut down on twice daily baths (he loves baths!) and now only bathe once (in the morning) a day, and apply the epaderm cream after. Should I try applying more throughout the day? And maybe bathe every other day?

Any suggestions welcome!
Thanks.

[BingoBingoBingoBango]

Is it just an emollient cream? If so you can apply it as much as you like. You can't over moisturise. We were applying diprobase four times a day which is what the dermatologist told us.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Epaderm has been fab for my DS who had severe eczema when he was little. Advice about applying is as often as possible and as thickly as possible! The biggest mistake people make is just applying a thin layer once or twice a day. You need to slather it on frequently, thick enough to write your name in, in the direction of the hair growth ie down the body.
In the bath we use dermol 600, and when he was very bad we also applied dermol 500 all over before he got in the bath.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

And to answer your question about baths, definitely apply after a bath, and one bath a day should be fine if you use the dermol or another emmolient in the bath. I should add we had a water softener fitted which might be worth considering if you are in a hard water area.

[StrartinngfromHere]

Epaderm is the only thing which works for my DS eczema. After the bath whilst he is still wet, slather it on all over. You don't need masses but you do need to make sure you have a decent film of it. Then wrap him in a towel and let him sit in it for 10 minutes or so before putting on night clothes.

Done this way the Epaderm traps moisture into the skin and my DS skin is always much better the next morning. In the morning rub a light film onto any specially eczema area e.g. insides of elbows or behind knees.

[Jem01]

Thank you all so much for your tips and advice will give it a try! :-)