Ezcema help!!!

[CHST]

We recently came out of months and months of itch scratch cycle with ds. I had been using aveeno and lavender but that stopped working. Steroid cream cleared it up though I was reluctant to use. We were on holiday and I did not need to use any cream once. Less than a week back and he has already scratched a layer of skin or two off. It is open and sore :( what can I use to heal it? I guess steroid cream would sting like a bitch on cut open skin?Gaaah so frustrated!!!! I wonder how much hard water is ti blame?

[frazzeled]

Speaking as one who experiences quite severe eczema, as does my DD you need to get steroid cream on at this stage (it doesn't sting - creams with lavender and scents will)to get on top of it, then emollient/moisturise twice daily even if there is not even a hint of dry skin in between breakouts.

The key is managing dry flare ups before they get red and sore (I know easier said than done!). What steroid cream have you got? Also aveno is ok in between flare ups as a moisturiser, but you need a really good emollient (currently like cetraben) which you can get on repeat script from GP. Also get stuff for bath water, and stuff to wash with. Gp should give it all to you.

If the skin is broken and weepy just be careful it is not infected - if it is you will need something a bit stronger with antibacterial stuff in it.

[frazzeled]

Ps good luck!

[CHST]

Thanks frazzled. We have eumovate. Thanks for the emolient and moisturizing tips

[greencybermummy]

Brilliant advice from frazzled. It is bloody hard work but get on top of it with steroid, step down then moisturise moisturise moisturise even when skin is looking good. It can go downhill so quickly. I don't think jo public realises how much effort you have to put in to maintain good unbroken skin.

[TheWorldAccordingToJC]

You need to use the steroid cream for a period of time .

[FreeButtonBee]

I saw a fabulous Harley st dermatologist last week (she is also an NHS consultant) for my dd's ezcema and she said that actually most people underuse steroid cream rather than over use because they're so scared of the side effects. Very difficult to cause skin thinning with mild or moderate steroids and even then it can be reversed. Best to use it properly and thoroughly on the bad bits until they are well under control, than apply piecemeal and inconsistently and for a too short a period as the skin will flare right back up and you wil have to start all over again.

Twice a day on the bad bits with the eumovate, then step down to a less strong steriod (eg HC2.5 or HC1) twice a day once it is under control, then once a day then it is completely fine to use a low dose twice a week for maintenance. Moisturizer all the time, although at least 20 mins before applying steriod so you don't dilute it. she recommended double base dayleve as a moisturizer. I have tried the standard double base before and it was rubbish but this is fabulous stuff. T has something that locks the moisture into the skin in an amazing way. Can buy OTC. It looks like some sort of space jelly!

Good luck - I was in despair but actually in 3 weeks, it has completely turned around with serious dedication to applying the steriod really consistently

[marne2]

I have suffered with this for most of my life, have used so many different creams and now use strong steroid creams, my hands are the worse but if I use the steroid cream for too long it causes warts ( had to have 100's frozen a couple years ago ) so I now only use the steroid cream when I really have to. In between I use Epiderm which is fab! I use it on my face at night and wake up with super soft skin ( even though the cream is greasy ), it's the best rehydration cream I have used and one of the only ones that does not sting.

[CHST]

Thank you so much for the tips everybody, so helpful. It really is hard work keeping on top of it

[MummaT83]

Your poor little man! Must be awful!

I have become a recent convert to aloe vera and think it's amazing for so many conditions. I haven't used it for eczema but this is the advice from someone who has on which products may help:

"Aloe First, Gelly (for wet eczema), propolis crème (for dry eczema), gel drink, liquid soap, Arctic sea(helps with skin). Additional info – try sieving 150ml gel drink and put into bath water (good for chickenpox and measles too), use liquid soap, bath gelée, shampoo + put activator onto skin prior to use of gelly and moisturising lotion (this doesn’t contain lanolin) or aloe lotion, also, MSM gel is v good. Use MPD instead of washing powder (which will irritate skin). Try Alpha-E Factor oil on stubborn patches of eczema. Remember that SOME people go through a ‘healing crisis’ occasionally when using the combination of gel drink and propolis cream – this is the body saying ‘it’s working’! by pushing out all the rubbish through the skin; this may happen during the first few days but will then stop and start to heal – PLEASE go through that healing crisis and then you’ll enjoy the benefits (this does NOT happen to everyone; most people start getting some benefit immediately)1 in 3 children under the age of 3 ½ and 1 in 12 adults suffer from eczema.
Arctic sea, B12 (zinc deficiency)
Tip: If you have scalp psoriasis or eczema that gets sore and itchy, soak your scalp in the veterinary spray before you go to bed then wash it off in the morning with the shampoo; it’s fantastic, it dries up any sore bits and really moisturises your hair"

All products can be purchased through this website:

www.foreverliving.com/retail/shop/shopping.do?itemCode=354&task=viewProductDetail

Good luck and hope it heals soon xx

[Emsd1]

Can I throw something wild into the mix? My 4 year old has ezcema and this week I took him to see a kinesiologist. We have been through so many creams and steroids, although v v effective , are just very bad news for thinning the skin we had to try something else. Anyhow, the conclusion drawn was actual his ezcema is flaring due to a fungal infection in the gut. He craves sugary things all the time. Sugar feeds the fungal infection and in turn this imbalance flares the ezcema. Also often if you were low in zinc during your pregnancy this can be a contributing factor. Biocare do a child safe zinc - could be worth checking out ? We are 10 days in to no sugar diet ( we have to do this for a month to " kill the fungus" - so gross) along with taking the child zinc supplement as mentioned.
It's incredibly hard as everything does have sugar in, but do you know what? His skin is miles better already. We are all cutting down on sugar with him ( we are family of 6) and are all feeling much brighter! It does take some planning but you can do it and I am certain it must must have benefits other than improving the state of his ezcema. Good luck!

[Littlef00t]

My brother was massively affected by hard water. He lived in a soft water area then when we visited family for a week in the summer in a hard water area it would really flare. Unfortunately chose a uni in a hard water area, not great.

[Discopanda]

My 2 and a half year old has literally just got eczema, never had it before, never reacted to anything, the only change is a change in washing gel so stopped using that on her stuff. The doc prescribed some emollient cream but Boots STILL haven't got her prescription in so I've been using olive oil mixed with coconut oil the last couple of days as well as prescribed steroid cream, it's stopped her scratching a LOT. She has a bath every day as part of her bedtime routine and because she loves paint and dirt so tonight I'm going to try oats in her bath, fingers crossed it makes a difference!

[Lucyadams184]

I have eczema as does my son. I would stop using soap and bubble bath as it could irritate the skin. The doctors can prescribe bath stuff I forget what it's called. We use an emollient cream to help with dry skin and it does help. I would go to the doctors though as they will prescribe these for you and will then be free as otherwise it all adds up. I understand what you mean about not wanting to use steroid creams but they do work and once the eczema is controlled you will find you need it less.

[Discopanda]

I wasn't keen on the idea of using steroid cream either but today's the fourth and last day and it has made so much difference.

[jkp67]

When my dd first had eczema and i was looking for natural products to use on her a friend of mine recommended a product that was great for bathing her in. It's www.homescents.co.uk/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=10693326 they do a really good range and its helped as we were at a wits end trying to soothe her skin. Have a look