My first brush with (mild) eczema - what can I reasonably expect?

[Miaou]

Ds1 has developed a patch of eczema on the inside of his elbow, about 5cm across. Wearing long-sleeved tops is currently enough to prevent him scratching at it. The GP has prescribed diprobase to see if that will control it rather than going straight to steroid cream.

I've been putting the diprobase on his arm twice a day and it's certainly stopping it from getting worse - if I miss an application it does get worse but then reverts back after a couple of days of lathering liberally with cream again!

However, it doesn't get rid of it completely and I'm not sure if that is what should be happening. Should I go back to the GP with the idea of trying steroid cream, or do I just accept that he will always have a "red patch" on his arm? Just not sure what to expect really.

[hunkermunker]

Aveeno.

And hydrocotrisone if it flares up.

You can get Aveeno on prescription too.

[Miaou]

is that a steroid cream hunker? Will it clear it up entirely?

[tizzwhizz]

Hi Miao,

Have you tried putting aqueous cream in his bath and using that as a soap. Am a mild eczema sufferer myself and have found that helps. Also used it on my ds he had mild eczema patches at 18mths old.

[tizzwhizz]

Sorry just read post again about what you can expect. My eczema used to seem to come up in phases. Always seemed to be worse in winter. Used to flare up then go down. Not sure if all eczema works the same.

[StrawberryMartini]

I am surprised at how many of you advocate petroleum based products and steroid creams. Especially seeing as I got such a lashing for giving my ds medised the other day (sorry slight tangent).

Have you changed anything lately - washing powder, diet, bath stuff? I would really try and stay as natural as possible. Olive oil, paraben-free bath stuff etc. Diprobase is just like smearing vaseline on it. And please don't use hydrocortisone unless it's really sore.

[TheBlonde]

I'd go back to the GP and ask for the Hydrocortisone

[pagwatch]

My DD has had eczema since about 6 months and it has gone from being so bad that people asked if she had chicken pox to so mild ( just now) that it is barely an issue.
I tried all the emolients the dr recommended ( with a slightly heavy heart ) but actually none of them made any difference at all - except to make worse. I stick with coconut oil if she is sore but i have found through trial and error that certain foods make her flare so we avoid them. I can tell the second she has had a problem food as she starts raking at the skin behind her knees. I think it is also subsiding as she gets older and her immune system improves.

[ratfly]

eczema is a right pain - there isn't a cure, but it can be managed, just like asthma.

From what I know, you need to stop the skin drying out - this is what emmolients are for. If it becomes dry, it can crack and then it can get infected (with just normal skin bacteria). Also if it's dry I think it itches more, and so is (again) more likely to become open and infected. I have found using emmolient more often than I think is necessary (iyswim) keeps ds's skin nice and soft.

Steroids are like Ventolin inhalers for asthma. When it gets bad, steroids help to calm it down. As long as you aren't applying a strong steroid daily, I think they are ok to use to tackle red spots of eczema. With ds, I use a 1% on spots on his legs and arms.

Some children DO react to petroleum based products, but personally I have found they work well on my ds. Particularly ointments (I LOVE ointments!)

PErsonally, I would go for a 1% steroid on it for 5 days if it is bad. You want to aim to just be using emmolient on it, but his skin might need a steroid to kick start the healing.

[ratfly]

Also, every child is different.

DS reacts to Aveeno, and stuff in baths. strawberrymartini's ds looks like he reacts to petroleum.

It is trial and error in finding out what will work with YOUR ds.

[StrawberryMartini]

He doesn't react to it, I just don't like putting stuff on him that's so full of chemicals.

[hunkermunker]

SM, I advocated Aveeno because I have eczema myself and it has helped me (and DS1). I use hydrocortisone (v mild) when mine flares up and when DS1's flares up too (his v rare - possibly three times ever, if that). I have no problem with Medised either and wasn't part of any bashing you got for using that, so I'm not sure how that's relevant.

I've tried all SORTS of products for my skin over the years - some chemically, some v natural. The worst ever reaction I had was to some bollocks I did with marigold flowers iirc. Looked like I had burns on my arms.

[hunkermunker]

And no, what news, Miaou?

[Miaou]

I've got a council house! Just moved in today

Thanks for all the advice, btw. I'm a bit like strawberrymartini, don't want to use "chemicals" if I can avoid it (have watched dh suffer so much over the years as a result of having to take steroids so am a bit paranoid about them), but hunker etc I think your advice is the sort of thing I was thinking of doing - thank you all.

[hunkermunker]

Oh, Miaou! That's fantastic!