Talk to me about eczema

[NotSoThinLizzy]

So DS is nearly 2 has some nasty eczema on his hand and the crook of his elbow. We've been doing the steroid cream and it's not working. Diprobase every 30 mins. Also given piriton for itching. Oat baths and oilatum. Have doc appointment on the 1st. Any ideas to help hes up at night scratching. Will attach pics of flare ups. 2nd pic is after a a week healing.

So thought I'd update everyone. Of course the day of appointment and its looking not too bad.

show them the previous photos you've taken too

fingers crossed they give you some better cream and remember to tell them how distressing he's finding it at night

My son had Chronic exczema until I was prescribed avenno bath oil and cream. I also bought Robertsons relief creme online which really helped x

I think everyone has different remedies that works for them. Personally I find a combination of Childs Farm moisturiser plus Sudocream keeps mine at bay.
My instinct is there is something in his diet that is affecting his skin (I am affected by tapwater!) Dairy is a common trigger with many sufferers

Definitely going to ask about cutting dairy out as his (sorry tmi) poops are not as normal as they should be. He still has reflux too.

DD was like this all over her body as a young baby, it was months of hell.

The thinking now is that too much emollient can sometimes hinder healing. We were told to bath DD once a day in Dermol 500, use a steroid cream called Elocon (hydrocortisone didn't touch it) once a day and moisturise twice a day using Epaderm cream. Sorted within days.

And yes, she is allergic to cows milk and egg, discovered during weaning. She was (and still is) breastfed and the proteins were passing into my milk right from the start.

I'm a lifelong eczema sufferer. Had it for 60 years all over my body including my face.
I live in a very hard water area; we had a water softener installed five years ago and my eczema cleared up completely within three months and it hasn't come back.
Not cheap and I lost half a cupboard space under the kitchen sink, but so worth it.
Before the water softener, the best cream I ever tried is Fucibet.
All the best to you and your son.

Been given stronger steroid cream and another cream. But she has said keep a food dairy and to see how we get on away from the cats when we are off. Have to go back in September

What helped for me when I had chronic eczema on my hands (so bad I’d wake up crying with bleeding hands, doc was not helpful)

• fucidin for when it was infected
• hydrocortisone for when itchy and inflamed but NOT infected
• medihoney ALL THE TIME - it’s non-medicated but really really helped me. I got mine on prescription
• I had a medicated tape, literally like scotch tape, that when it was at its worst was the only thing that helped. I’d wrap my fingers in it, then plasters on the top, then gloves as that was the only way I wouldn’t rip it off in my sleep

15 or so years later I rarely get such bad flare ups but I always have some hydrocortisone about and Aveeno or any plain cream.

Absolutely horrid tho, feel so much for you and your little boy.

I had a blanket with a wide silky band on it when I was a kid, I liked wrapping my sore bits in the cool silky bits.

My DS had severe Reflux and his Paed suggested he had CMPA and to try going dairy free, which I did for a while.

What I didn't know was the two are linked so I do think this is what flared his eczema

Glad she gave you stronger steriods. Good luck

So hi everyone thought I'd give another update. Can you believe this is the same hand? So happy and wee man is back sleeping through the night 😊

So happy for you both OP

Topical steroid use is important & effective in controlling flare-ups when used typically for 1-2 weeks at a time as advised by health care professionals, addiction is very rare - patient.info/news-and-features/topical-steroid-withdrawal-addiction-red-skin-syndrome.

Use finger tip units (FTU/FTUs) as a guide to applying the right amount/dose of steroid - see leaflets on patient UK & DermNet NZ.

I had to fight to get DD a referral to dermatology and it took months.

Top tips...

It looks like you need a stronger steroid cream. Your GP should be able to prescribe this if you can get an appointment.

Dont use childs farm or anything other than what you have been prescribed.

Stop him scratching however you can. Keep his nails short, use scratch mitts etc.

If you do think it's an allergy then give up whatever you suspect it might be for a month and see if it makes a difference. Most eczema is not caused by allergies though so don't drive yourself crazy looking for a cause when there may not be one.

Egg and eczema are often linked so do consider that.

Dairy is often wrongly suggested as the cause. If you do give up dairy for a while also give up soy as some people are allergic to soy proteins too. Make sure your child gets enough calcium.

@NotSoThinLizzy, glad to see your little ones skin looking more comfortable. Did you get a chance to tell the GP about him getting a sore belly when he eats wheat produce. He may need testing for coeliac disease if you think there's a link

I suffer with eczema at 22 and have had it since birth. Had an especially bad breakout about a year ago due to the hot weather and it obviously making me sweat. My entire back top to bottom became scabby and would bleed constantly. I used to have to turn the shower on hot without any cold and blast the scorching water onto my back just to take the itch away. The only thing i found worked was after pestering my doctor for an appointment and saying that Diprobase didn't work at all (as well as everything else) they finally prescribed me with Betnovate. This had to be prescribed as a one off as i couldn't have it on prescription due to it being a skin-thinner as its a steroid cream but it completely cleared the scabbing. I do still suffer badly with my eczema at times but that cream was such a relief to my back. I hope you do find a solution but if you are persistent with your doctors they should at least be willing to see your child as it is a medical condition that is painful and irritating.

@Rosebud21 I did and she suggested trying the cream before making big changes to his diet felt like she kinda glossed over the sore belly part. But sooo happy its obviously not a reaction to the cats.