Would you use betnovate every day?

[crayon]

I have had incredibly itchy skin on my right hand for nearly two years now. I use aqueous cream when I can instead of soap, wear (non-rubber) gloves for jobs where I am in contact with detergent/shampoos etc, avoid key foods I think make it worse, and have nine pots of cream under my bed (from Itch relief E45, emulsifying ointment, aveeno, aqueous cream (was making it worse I think), savlon, sudocrem etc).

The only thing that regularly brings it down is betnovate, and even then the effect lasts just 24 hours. I know regular use causes skin thining, so I put it on thinly, esp as I am breastfeeding (though apparently it is OK to use and feed).

The more I scratch, the more it spreads as I assume I am stratching a bigger area than the actual itch. I am tempted to use betnovate every day, but does anyone know just how much is too much?

At the moment it is so sore, cracked, red and itchy. At any one point in time I have various pus filled spots where infection has started (these seem to go after a few days) which is hardly hygenic when looking after children and cooking .

Any help would be appreciated. I am planning to visit my GP for allergy test referral, but I expect her to say not until I finish breastfeeding in another 6-12 months.

[misdee]

try dermol500 lotion in place of aquous cream.

[crayon]

Thanks Misdee. We get through pots of the stuff as a family and bulk buy (DS2 has allergies too) - is it expensive? Can I get it on prescription if so?

[foxinsocks]

I think it is quite strong - my only concern would be that dh has terrible thinning of his skin where he overused steroid creams when he was younger (one of them being betnovate).

I didn't realise you could use it while breastfeeding.

To be perfectly honest, I think if you need to use it every day, you should go and speak to the doctor again because I'm not sure if it's intended to be used every day over a long period of time. I think it's fine over flares but I'm not sure about how long it can be used iyswim.

[foxinsocks]

I just wonder if it is infected (as you are talking about the spots) and you need antibiotics (in cream or whatever).

[misdee]

its quite pricey but a huge bottle, but available on perscription. dd1 used it for many years, as she kept getting infetions, its antimicrobial, not a steroid, and really helped her. i cried when she started having allergic reactions to it, as it helped save my sanity.

£11.13 on this site but any pharmacy should be able to get it around the same price.

[misdee]

yes, see GP for infection and ask for dermol500 as well.

[crayon]

Foxinsocks my Dr is hopeless; a little too budget conscious for my liking (in fact, I should probably change my doctor, not my cream!). I have asked for tests before and been turned down. She just says that it is due to washing hands too much having had a baby. She's clearly never had any sort of eczema type problem because it is so so itchy it drives me potty.

What happens to your DH's skin? Does it just split?

I have checked with the Dr who prescribed it and two pharmacists and each says it is OK to use with breastfeeding, so I hope it is OK.

[bewilderbeast]

no never, I had to use it every day on my skin as a child and in the places where I used it my skin is noticeably thinner, of a different texture and colour, more prone to cuts and splits. It works really well but its best in my opinion used infrequently in combination with non-steroidal treatments or less concentrated ones.

[bewilderbeast]

no never, I had to use it every day on my skin as a child and in the places where I used it my skin is noticeably thinner, of a different texture and colour, more prone to cuts and splits. It works really well but its best in my opinion used infrequently in combination with non-steroidal treatments or less concentrated ones.

[Dabbles]

Crayon! I ahve exactly this! on my right hand too! (little black dot under the skin that turns to flui filled spot then skin craks and it spreads, surface of palms and fingers get all flaky...) ergh yuck! also insode forearms look as if thye have benn scalded! used betnovate, agree its fab, but also thins skin so u havce to be careful...

However I think I have found the main culprit and the cure... Anti bacterial!!!

especially washing up liquid!

I have changed to a vegetable soap which has nothign in it (tried everywhere and everythig and its morrisons! own brand, costs abnout £30p a bar pure veg soap! bizarre)
but more importantly, I changed to Ecover washing up liquid, and (touch wood,) hand has completely cleared up! for weeks now!!!!!


good luck...

[crayon]

Thanks Dabbles. I'll try and track down that soap. I think it's a variety of things with me. For instance, I realised today that one of the sore bits could be where my hand grips DS's buggy, which has rubberish handles!

I get the fluid filled bubbles too. It feels like there is something under my skin trying to get out. I half expect to look down and see a little bug crawling out .

[Gingermonkey]

the eczema you have is like mine and I can't for the life of me remeber what it is called exactly. I have tried every cream going and the steroid I use is dermovate for chronic flare ups and HC45 as a deterrent once the flare up looks like it is gone to prevent a new one whilst the skin hasn't healed properly (I kind of use it as an emolliant). That does work and I don't care what anyone says about herbal natural things, I have tried so much and for me the only thing that works consistently is a steroid cream and then staying away from allergens! . I find that non latex gloves make me worse so try cotton gloves underneath the plastic ones (the sweat that is collected in the rubbery gloves irritates your skin). That's what I do and it helps. Also wrap some bandage or something around DS's pushchair so you don't touch the rubber as much. The emolliant I use is Unguentum M, it is very good - really thick. It's the only one that has helped with my skin.I also paid for food sensitivity testing (which I got slated for on here somewhere, told it was a waste of money and wouldn't help) I didn't think it would work at all, you hold on to a metal rod and the woman pokes your finger with an electrode. I came back as having a lactose intolerence and when I gave up dairy my skin was amazing. I've lapsed lately and have a flare up at the minute, so no more milk and cheese for me for a bit!!!! Mostly I think with eczema it's trial and error but if your steroid works keep with it, use it until your flare up goes and then be vigilant to avoid it coming back.

[pointydog]

I'd use it every day for three to four days.

[crayon]

Thanks all. Gingermonkey, where do you buy your cotton gloves?

[Gingermonkey]

boots, they sell them in packs of 2. They are also useful to sleep in so you don't scratch all night!

[crayon]

Thank you

[littlemisssensible]

I have suffered with excema all my life, mainly in the joint creases (elbows and knees) but also behind my ears, on my head and face and very occasionally the backs of my hands.

I've always used betnovate or similar steroid creams because they've been the best control for me.

In times of high stress (when I tend to suffer more!) I have used the creams for prolonged periods. At 46 whilst I've seen a slight thinning of skin particularly on my arms, it isn't too bad.

I think I've been lucky because my doctor prescribed Betnovate RD when I was in my teens. Thats a betnovate cream diluted 1 in 4 with simle cream so its less likely to cause problems than the undiluted version.

It might not be strong enough for you, (I get dry, scaly, split skin but no spots under the skin)but if it isn't what you're using currently it might be worth asking for. you can only get it on prescription.

[crayon]

Thanks Littlemisssensible. I really feel for anyone who has had eczema their entire lives, because it really is the pits.

I used to get bad hayfever but strangely I haven't any this year. It is as though all my symptoms are being shown on my one hand instead. In a way I'm grateful for that as hayfever is even worse!

[Dabbles]

Dont forget the Ecover washign up liquid!!!

adn also i totally agree with coverin g up the rubber on the pram, and the fact that 'sensitive' washing up gloves make me worse!

[Dabbles]

Ojh and also I DO not think it is a great coincidence that patch seems to be whre hand rests on computer mouse!1 so try to hold it up off of it!

[crayon]

Just on Sainsbury's site ordering the Ecover stuff! I think it might be easier just to wear the cotton glove the whole time if I am avoiding washing up gloves, the buggy handle and the mouse!

[Ceolas]

Would ditch the aqueous cream too. My DD reacted badly to this and our pharmacist said there's a preservative in it that often irritates skin conditions.

[crayon]

Kerrysmum thanks for the warning. I've not tried Epiderm, I'm currently mainly using diprobase and emulsifying ointment.