at my witts end HELP!!

[SammiArmani]

my youngest boy is 10 months old, since he was born he's suffered from eczema. Its just getting worse and worse. Ive tried absolutely everything the doctors have prescribed and recommended (aqueous cream,epiderm cream, epiderm ointment, E45 cream, oilatum cream, oilatum emollient, aveeno cream) we also use hydrocortisone 1% regularly and eumovate 0.5 but I can only use that when its really bad. Ive tried wet wrapping with the bandages too. But nothing is working at all. He lies on the floor and wriggles about on his back cos hes itchy, he scratches all the time and all the docs keep saying is to carry on with what im doing and there's nothing more they can do with him being so young!!! Is there any natural remedies you lovely ladies could recommend or what could be triggering it? I feel so helpless

[Raeray]

Ahh your poor little one, the itching must be driving him mad!
My advice would be to see if there's a paediatric eczema nurse specialist linked either to your local children's ward or children's community nurses. They will be the most up to date with tricks, tips and medications to help your little one

[Goldmandra]

Has he seen an eczema specialist? Your GP will have limited knowledge so, if you haven't seen one, ask for a referral.

I guess you thought of the obvious things like using fragrance-free washing powder, keeping dust mites under control, not using bubbles in the bath. etc.

Has anyone checked to see if it is infected at any point?

[Mama1980]

Goats milk cream, elegance skincare sell it you can buy online. Was recommended me by a friend who had really bad eczema for my son whose was awful- worked amazingly!

[Goldmandra]

You can buy goats milk soap from this site. The lady who runs it is a friend of a friend and is a very principled, honest and kind person. She swears goats milk made an enormous difference to her children's eczema.

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

www.mypure.co.uk/akin-body-care-b101/unscented-replenishing-body-moist-p39

This stuff worked wonders on my dd's skin. Went while hog and bought shampoo conditioner and shower gel too. Cutting dairy also helped alot with dd's eczema although that might not be something u want to try as I know it scares some people to cut out food groups. But the cream worked well for us and there is also a same brand emergency gel.

[SammiArmani]

Ive asked to see a dermatologist but the docs always try to steer me away from that saying he'll grow out of it. Some days I think its getting better, then it comes back worse than ever.
I use fairy non bio washing powder and non bio fabric softener, the only stuff I use in his bath is the oilatum emollient the docs prescribed and I even use coal tar shampoo that was prescribed for his cradlecap.
Ive been trying to do some research because my house is prone to damp and condensation which I try to keep under control, Ive read this can contribute to it but the doctor said it doesn't :-/
Im at the doctors atleast once a fortnight and there's never been a mention of infection, however one occasion it was so bad and he developed a rash that i took him to a&e and they gave him antibiotics then.

[SammiArmani]

Thanks for the recommendations, im willing to give anything a try. The only thing with him being 10 month is I dont want to cut his dairy out just yet, unless there's a dairy free formula??

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

There is but ideally it's on prescription. I was happy to try it on my dd as she is older . Dd2 is also dairy free from a baby as she was intolerant and her skin is lovely despite eczema running in family. But again that's not a decision to take lightly really. The website link sells everything u might need with no allergens. It's not a miracle cure but I have noticed a marked improvement. I have tried many a cream from drs and they made it worse. The steroid cream did clear it up but has discoloured her skin in places and thinned it so much it's easily broken and scratched. This stuff has been the only stuff I have found that helped at all. I'm sorry ur dc is so bad with it :(

[Iatemyskinnyperson]

There is a goats milk formula - Nanny Goat. My niece was on it and it helped a lot

[nursingdreams]

Have you only ever seen your GP? Next time maybe try seeing the practice nurse as they may be able to do a nursing referral to a dermatology nurse specialist clinic in the area. It's better if you can keep getting things on prescription as you don't want to end up spending a fortune on creams that aren't working for your DS. I hope things get better for you both soon.

[EldritchCleavage]

Try switching to Surcare Powder for laundry and reducing the amount you use.

[girlsyearapart]

I completely and utterly feel your pain.

My dd2 was awful until around 7/8 months when we finally got a referral to a dietician and she was diagnosed as cmp (cows milk protein) allergic.

They put her on nutramigen AA hypo allergenic formula. Also wet wrapping really helped her to sleep.

You're welcome to pm me if you d like to discuss things

[SammiArmani]

The health visitor comes out quite a bit to see how were doing but shes not really suggesting anything else either. Im gunna have to definitely look into this goats milk, both formula and creams! The steroid creams are great for a bit but like you said it makes the skin thin and gets broken easily.
thank you all so much. I think im going to give my Hv a call Monday morning x

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Goats milk can also be quite reactive. I would say ur best bet if u wanted to try the dairy thing would be to see if ur dr would approve a trial of a pepti formula. Dd2 had aptamil pepti and it was fab! There r shop bought alternatives that r suitable from a yr when they can switch over.

[girlsyearapart]

Keep pushing for a referral to a specialist & a dietician

[Goldmandra]

I second the vote for Surcare powder or liquid and fabric conditioner. If I try switching to anything else DD1 skin starts breaking down within days. You can get it in Tesco and lots of other supermarkets.

You need to push your GP into making the referral. Eczema isn't just itchy, although that is bad enough to endure on its own, it is also painful. It is not fair to leave a baby suffering. My DD is 15 and has not grown out of it yet.

[Goldmandra]

Sorry, OP. That was meant to be a criticism of your GP, not you

[cedmonds]

Hi ds had bad skin as a little one we found the only then that worked was dermol bath and double base cream. Maybe worth asking your GP.

[Wolfiefan]

FWIW. Both my kids use Dermol. You can get cream and a bath additive. GPs may not want to try it as it is pricey. It has an anti microbial agent that literally kills the itch. My DD went from infected eczema to never even needing hydrocortisone.
Remember. Bath little. Emollient cream as often as poss. Slather it on. I used to put a vest on them to stop it seeping through clothes. Avoid them getting hot.
Good luck.

[MrsCantSayAnything]

Ask to see a different GP! Poor little DS. I hope the goats stuff works.

[SammiArmani]

Ahhh I just want to say a huge thank you for all the recommendations and advice, were at GP Monday and I've wrote all the stuff been suggested down and a shopping list for the washing powder n that :) thanks ladies xxxx

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Good luck!!! I hope ur little dc can get something that helps!!! :)

[beautifulgirls]

Referral all the way here, don't let your GP fob you off.