Steroid cream before emolient, or vice versa?

[Rolf]

My DS1 (10) has had eczema for a number of years, but this was our first visit to our GP. We've been trying to manage it ourselves for a few years, but last night he woke up and couldn't get back to sleep as he was so sore and itchy.

We've been given:
oilatum bath formula
dermol lotion to use twice daily and as a soap substitute
clobestasone butyrate cream 0.05% to apply 12 times daily

He's in the bath now, laced with oilatum and with the dermol to use instead of soap. When he gets out, do I put the clobestasone on him first, or the dermol? And do I wait before applying each "layer"?

Thanks

I would put the steroid cream on first and after half an hour or so the emoillent cream.
you may find that you need to experiment with creams, which will suit you ds best.
for us a very rich cream mornings and evenings and lighter creams throughout the day work best. we use weleda skin food and almond intensive moisturiser, but it is a matter of finding something that works for you.

No, emollient first after bath (within three minutes of getting out, this is vital to keep the oils in the skin. Then wait half an hour or as close as possible before applying the steroid cream (too soon and it will be diluted by the emollient so less effective).

I read Mousymouse's post and then raced upstairs to put the steroid cream on him after the bath. Then came down and saw Meg's post. Oh well, thank you to both of you . I'll put on the emolient now and see how he goes and next time I'll try the other way round.

We've tried homeopathy and that seemed to keep it under control, although it didn't get rid of it entirely, but that doesn't seem to help him any more. The best thing we've tried has been a Weleda nappy cream which was lovely and thick and soothing. He hates the feeling of lotions and potions, and confirms to the cliches about 10 year old boys by shunning personal hygiene. I think he's so uncomfortable now that he'll agree to anything, poor boy.

Just been to the National Eczema Society website to check this, as I can never remember which way round it's supposed to be (I do moisturiser-steroid).

They say it doesn't matter as long as you leave at least 15 mins between them, like MegBusset says. This is news to me, and I've had eczema all my life. Wonder why you need the gap..?

...because the moisturiser dilutes the steroid cream...

I have been given different advice on this. Eczema can be trial and error I think.