School questioning child over ezcema

[skinschool]

My DC has eczema. They first got it as a toddler, it went away, then seemed to appear in their scalp. They are now nearly 11 and it reappeared (to start with on face) about 6 weeks ago.

It has spread quickly. It starts as small 'spots', which grow to about a 1-2p coin size. They have several over both arms, over their face (including eyelids now).

I've been in touch several times with the GP over this (not in person, via consult, which allows me to upload several photos).

We've been given hydrocortisone for the face and Eumovate for the body, we found E45 cream worked well, so had that too.

We were told to wean off the steroids on Friday, due to their long use, despite new 'spots' appearing.

I put on steroid cream last night (we are using EOD for the next week), and this morning when I put on the E45 they cried and I noticed the patches were far more red (and new ones on the face).

The school phoned me, concerned about the red patches they have and wanted me to look. I explained they were eczema and we were following medical advice. I went in and they just got me to look at the patches. DC told me they felt uncomfortable as they were asked lots of questions, I don't know what, but DC said they were "interrogated" and feel bad. We couldn't talk as were accompanied.

I don't know what they could be thinking? I suppose they may be thinking cigarette burns? Ringworm (a couple look similar, but they are NOT - I think it may be Discoid Eczema, but the GP has put Atopic on their notes).

I will ask DC when they get home, but I feel judged and a bit worried.

For context I do have severe anxiety and MH problems, which I've always worried could be used against me. I've also got a lot of bereavement with more expected in next few months, along with DC changing schools and wanting their face to look 'normal' before transition day, I'm jumping to conclusions.

@Maggiesfarm Two (well three but youngest died). They're not twins, I was trying to be deliberately ambiguous, but then I wanted to mention puberty so had to confirm the sex. My DS is over 18 years older than DD. Love the tip on Evening Primrose Oil tip, I have lots so will try that.

I will also try antihistamines.

The cat is not allowed in DD's room, she is only allowed in our bedroom (I don't have eczema but have severe asthma and nasal polyps as well as hayfever, but grew up with 4 cats and 2 dogs, so never, ever thought about pets being allergens).

My brother had eczema, so hope it's not passed to her, his was so severe that he had to take immunosuppressants permanently and spent four months in hospital for it once.

So sad to see so many sufferers. Thank you all for your advice

[quote skinschool]@Dilbertian We do have a cat, but we've had her for years, I guess she could have developed a sensitivity. She is allergic to penicillin (diagnosed after she developed a rash after every dose), so she may be prone to allergies.[/quote]
For me it was allergies to several chemicals, against which antihistamines have no effect. It was confirmed by a series of patch tests and prick tests.

@Dilbertian Ah OK, I will have to push for dermatology, hopefully they will do allergy tests.

They mostly want to check it’s not catching and it’s being treated.
Two of my own children have had eczema on and off since very small. Often we found a bit of a “withdrawal” reaction when we stopped steroids, things would suddenly get very angry! So it could be worse because of that. I keep meaning to dilute the hydrocortisone with an emoillent to go with a more gentle weaning off, but I forget!
And we always found E45 rubbish, honestly.

Are you anywhere near London? Could you afford to go private? We saw Dr Helen Cox who completely cured my DS severe eczema through a strict regime of creams. She works for the NHS but also has a private pratice in Harley Street. We only needed 2 appointments to get him sorted, when GPs had just dismissed us. His eczema was truly dreadful, used to wake up with blood all over his sheets, red raw skin. Worth a mention.
www.childrensallergyclinic.com/

Op I have eczema all my life since then. It is mild/manageable with a few bad flare ups in my twenties.
My son unfortunately had very severe infected eczema as a baby and still has it ( but managed) now.
Can’t stress enough the importance of getting a good dermatologist to steer you through.