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Allergies and intolerances

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Excema and help with Allergy to dust mites

22 replies

PussinJimmyChoos · 02/09/2010 12:20

A friends DS (2) has severe excema - to the point where he is waking several times in the night to scratch

My friend and her DH are doing everything to minimise his discomfort and are waiting for more allergy testing as they think its something stronger than dust mites, although dust mites do play a part

My friend found this online and wondered if anyone had used it and if so, was it any good:

www.primrose-london.co.uk/dust-mites-c-24_437.html?source=googleads&gclid=CJzngMik5qMCFVEA4wodg0ezXA

Any other tips would be appreciated - they are at their wits end with it

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themildmanneredjanitor · 02/09/2010 12:23

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PussinJimmyChoos · 02/09/2010 12:28

They tried him on an anti histamine - not sure which one and he went hyper with it rather than calming down and not scratching - poor wee mite

His IgE levels are very high as well so there is definately something irritating him more than the dust mites, but they are trying to minimise his suffering while they are trying to find out what the main factor is

He has carpet in his bedroom which they are going to take up asap and replace with laminate

OP posts:
PussinJimmyChoos · 02/09/2010 12:29

(ps been a while since I saw you Mild Smile)

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themildmanneredjanitor · 02/09/2010 12:31

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PussinJimmyChoos · 02/09/2010 12:44

What triggered the excema to stop in yours MMJ?

My friend is at rock bottom - they are not sleeping because their DS wakes in the night and wants to scratch, he then won't go back to sleep unless one of them is with him. He pulls gloves off so they put tights on him and keep his nails very very short

Its seriously taking its toll and his skin is not good

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themildmanneredjanitor · 02/09/2010 12:49

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themildmanneredjanitor · 02/09/2010 12:51

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PussinJimmyChoos · 02/09/2010 12:52

Really - what did the homeopath do? I think my friend is also considering the natural route

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themildmanneredjanitor · 02/09/2010 12:58

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themildmanneredjanitor · 02/09/2010 13:00

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MuckyDucky · 02/09/2010 13:01

Freeze soft toys for 48hours every month. it kills the dust mites and is especially good for those very helpful Hmm manufacturers who make toys that cant go through the washing machine. made a huge difference to ds' asthma.

Ds reacted badly to citerizine. in the end as his allergy was mostly setting off his asthma as a secondary response we got an intel inhaler. its very old version of medicine and it treats his hayfever, as well as his dust allergy. I believe intel is available in medicine rather then inhaler form and is less reactive then a lot of the antihistamines. Problem is a lot of doctors dont like to use it as it is not as effective and considered to be a old treatment. might be worth looking into.

themildmanneredjanitor · 02/09/2010 13:03

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Jaybird37 · 02/09/2010 13:09

Prof Gideon Lack is a highly recommended allergy specialist.

I found Diprobase helpful as an emollient.

As far as homeopathy goes, placebo can work on babies, children and animals if the parents believe in it.

It is an awful lot of money to spend on water and sugar pills.

Can I recommend the Bad Science blog for more info

www.badscience.net/category/complementary-medicine/homeopathy/

This a very very distressing You Tube post about a child dying from eczema after her parents went down the natural route

themildmanneredjanitor · 02/09/2010 13:20

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LambethWalk · 02/09/2010 13:36

My DS had eczema from 4 months till about 4 years old. I think it was mostly due to him inheriting it rather than any specific allergies.

His skin was hyper sensitive and white creams such as Diprobase, Cetraben etc didn't work, in fact made it worse. Epaderm which is like a greasy Vaseline cream worked OK.

In the bath I used a very very gentle apricot oil from Burts Bees - also for his scalp when he got cradle cap.

I am sceptical about all bath products and always check the label on the back. Sodium Laurel Sulphate is in all sorts of things and this irritated DS's skin - I still use a non-SLS shampoo for him by Halos & Horns.

The other important thing was learning how to apply creams - just putting it on the skin and not rubbing it in as this can also irritate. A lovely dermatology nurse really changed our lives by teaching me how to do this properly. I also used Tubigrip bandages (like pajamas) to cover the cream while it absorbed. See if they can get a referral to a dermatology nurse or children's eczema clinic - so much better than seeing doctors as she helped me with the practical things that made a difference.

ABitTipsy · 02/09/2010 13:42

Your friends might find it helpful to go to a local eczema support group. I have recently started going to one (look at the National Eczema Society for a list of local groups) and it is very useful for sharing tips and advice and getting support.

LambethWalk · 02/09/2010 13:54

I would add that each child is different in what works for them - with us it was very much trial and error and things that worked for other children didn't work for DS.

ABitTipsy · 02/09/2010 14:01

I am also SEVERELY allergic to house dust mite. The slightest contact with dust and I start itching madly. So don't underestimate the reaction they can cause. Your friends' DC may be allergic to only house dust mites, even though it seems hard to believe that these can cause such a severe and violent reaction.

I wash all bedding at 60 degrees and always wear gloves if I am touching anything even remotely dusty and this seems to help a lot.

themildmanneredjanitor · 02/09/2010 14:21

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Jaybird37 · 02/09/2010 15:20

Other important thing is not to use creas or oils with arachnis oil in the ingredients. This is peanut oil and can trigger a nut allergy if it is put on inflamed/ broken skin in a susceptible child. Stick to mineral based oils.

bridewolf · 03/09/2010 11:50

my son is severely allergic to dustmites, can wake up in the morning with swollen lip and tingly throat, and hives.

there are many, many 2nd generation antihistamines to try, any hyper behaviour can be the artifical dyes etc in the syrup.

but do try others.

other normal things to do in home.

dustmite covers on bed.
damp dusting bedroom.
all books, toys etc in plastic , lidded boxes.

teddies frozen over night, then washed at 40 will kill the bedmites.

no hanging washing on radiators to dry.

no hanging clothes outside if other environmental allergies suspected, esp bedding.

also, windows only opened midday, never morning or evening. due to higher levels of pollen.

cool baths at night. never warm nightware on radiator before wearing.

boil wash towels, and never put in airing cupboard, or leave with other towels that have not been boiled washed. otherwise you are rubbing dust mites in to skin after bath. we have had a good crop of hives doing that.

good hepra vacum , avoid if possible use with child in room.

boil wash bedding.

leather furniture, wooden flooring.

dustmite allergy is a very expensive allergy, and we melted our credit card ........
our home has two carpets the front room, and stairs.
leather sofas, wooden flooring, and his whole room changed to cope with this allergy. and is does help.

ABitTipsy · 03/09/2010 12:22

bridewolf, that is all excellent advice and I agree with you that if you take all these steps to completely minimise the amount of dust and dustmites in the house there is a dramatic improvement in allergic reactions.

I am so careful, I never touch eg a book that has been on the bookshelf for a while as even a tiny amount of dust on it will set me off.

Developing awareness of dust and where it lurks is really the key.

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