massive eczema flare up, we're going abroad day after tomorrow!

[Heathcliffscathy]

ds has had v mild eczema since he was 3 1/2 months, which we found went when we cut out cows milk products. we haven't had any worries really about it, he is now 16 months old.

now he has a massive flare up of proper eczema (not just behind the knees/ankles as before) all over his body arms legs, not face. really really dry, patches of raised red, he is scratching it too ...i'm beside myself. the dr gave me a prescription for betnovate (steroid cream) originally, which i never needed to use, but still have in the house. i will use it if he looks like breaking the skin/getting infected but would really rather not.

have seen a homeopath, but can't get to speak to her til tomorrow am. we're leaving for the states on wednesday...

i don't have a clue what's caused this. it maybe a new washing powder, i've been using ecover liquid, which has been fine (altho not brilliant for cleaning the clothes) and recently started adding the whitening ecover powder...obviously i've thrown that away now in case it's the culprit...

but last night i put him in a new long sleeved vest thinking that if it was the powder, it should definitely make it calm down, but it's worse than ever today.

could it be honey? that's the only thing that he's been eating recently that is relatively new?

what is the best thing to put on his skin? i'm using aloe vera and e45, neither of which seem to be doing much. the airplane will make it worse won't it? what can i slaver on that might help?

any help on this gratefully received...misdee? anyone?

[hunkermunker]

blush blush blush!

[hunkermunker]

OMG OMG! WAS MEANT TO BE ON THE EBAY THREAD!!!!! I'm so sorry, sophable again!

Hae you tried Aveeno?

[sacha3taylor]

I have terrible exzma(sorry cant spell it)and if it gets really bad I use piriton tablets. You can get this in a syrup for children which would probebly help. It is anti histimine based so has no steroids or anything in it. Hope this helps

[Heathcliffscathy]

hunkermunker pmsl, will go to ebay thread post haste...

thanks both of you...i never thought of piriton syrup, has anyone else used this?

[CountessDracula]

Oh no

Get some Aveeno cream, that worked wonders for dd. Also, get some milder steriod cream than betnovate, you can get 0.1 % hydrocortisone from Boots. Then you could try that and up it to the Betnovate if all else failed.

Bloody hell

[CountessDracula]

Yes I ahve used piriton too. Is good, but donm't give for first time on the plane as small percantage of kids go hyper on it!

[Heathcliffscathy]

wtf is aveeno? is it over the counter?

the betnovate is .25 i think...it was for when he was 3 months old ffs so it had better be mild.

bloody dh's genes...all his fing fault

cd it is really horrible, i've never seen his skin like this...

[CountessDracula]

just slaver the betnovate on then!

Poor little thing. You can get aveeno otc at boots, you ahve to ask behind the pharmacy. It is collodial oatmeal, nothing sinister but does work wonders.

[CountessDracula]

oi msn now

[ediemay]

another vote for Aveeno, it's amazing and no horrible ingredients - good luck

[Heathcliffscathy]

could this be teething related, he has cut two upper molars this weekend with bottom ones coming...anyone heard of this?

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[HappyMumof2]

Message withdrawn

[Heathcliffscathy]

am getting aveeno this pm. anyone have any exp of teething causing flare ups?

i've binned the whitener

[CountessDracula]

only on the arse generally

[Heathcliffscathy]

go to bed!

[CountessDracula]

yes mum

[Heathcliffscathy]

anyone else?

[Potty1]

We use Aveeno too sophable and loratadine (Clarytin) to stop the itching. My dd is 11 though so not sure if Clarytin is suitable for a little one. The Aveeno is a great moisturiser - you can get it over the counter but if it works ask for it on prescription as its not cheap. We also use Balnuem in the bath and 1% hydrocortisone on flares. I can understand your worries about using steroid creams but they really do make a difference.

Dd's is ezcema is 'discoid' which is raised circles of eczema all over rather than just in the creases. Neither aqueous or E45 cream suit her....both make it more red and angry.

[Heathcliffscathy]

potty, same with ds this time, not just in creases but patches that are raised all over.

have bought aveeno, piriton syrup, calendula cream, basically the whole of boots. he is so chirpy and sweet, but really itching.

do you think piriton syrup before bed?

[jabberwocky]

HAve you tried jojoba oil? Has worked beautifully for a friend of mine who has psoriasis and I use it for all sorts of skin irritations.

[bunny3]

dose him up with piriton or phenergan before the journey so he will be more relaxed and comfortable. Also, E45 can be a nightmare, it contains lanolin which exaccerbates eczema. I'd stop using it and go for Aveeno products (we get them on prescription for ds eczema) or betnovate plus diprobase as a moisteriser.

[sacha3taylor]

Good luck for the flight, hope the exzma goes away, have a lovely holiday and i hope that DS is as happy while you are away

[Heathcliffscathy]

thanks everyone. didn't give him piriton as wasn't scratching too badly tbh. used aveeno. will see what happens tomorrow. speaking to homeopath (who helped clear his first, much milder bout, of eczema) tomorrow morning...

it just looks so sore and awful. but he seems ok (having said that is taking his time to settle tonight).

will not be using e45 or greasy stuff again, as potty's post really sounded right re ds.

x

[misdee]

can u get to the gp's tomorrow? i'd use the steroid cream to get it under control, and make him comfortable, as you really dont want him getting infected on holiday, eczema has ruined all our holidays for years.

Ask the GP for bath additive to take with you, some more creams and an anti-histimine. there is one thats better than piriton but off the top of my head cant remember what it is. remember to ask for a doctors letter for perscription items only. just in case you have any problems taking them out there. (i dont know how it works)