Eczema - how bad does is have to be to see a dermatologist?

[greeneone12]

Hi All

I have been told that my LO's eczema isn't that bad by the nurse at my surgery but I am very worried as my LO seems to itch alot, especially her wrists. Doublebase did clear it for a while but all of a sudden it is back and spreading outwards from her elbows and knees and spreading round her tummy onto her back. I want to try and nip it in the bud but a tear filled chat at the surgery just resulted in some more emmolient and piriton for the itching.

If I book to see a dermatologist will they think I am wasting their time as it 'really isn't that bad'? She doesn't scratch to the point of bleeding yet but I am worried if I don't get in top of it now....

I am sure it's putting her off her food too as she is so grumpy and grizzly all day long. I broke down the other day as I was exhausted from no sleep and being with a very un-happy little lady for days on end.

Thanks for your time.

My DD had eczema when she was younger (under 5). To look at it wasn't that bad and generally responded to treatment but there was one largish thick patch behind one knee that would not respond to anything. GP tried loads of combinations and in the end referred her to a dermatologist who came up with a treatment that worked - so my point is it's not always the severity as in how much of the body is covered it's also whether or not it can be controlled.

Are you thinking of going privately? I don't think a dermatologist will think you are wasting his/her time. Can you book an appointment to see your GP and ask for a referral? Would it help to write down all her symptoms beforehand, how it is affecting her everything life?

I am thinking private yes. I have seen GP 5x and every time results in a hydrocortisone cream or more gerenal emmolient. She itches all day long, her body and head, and is being woken up by it at night. She has patches that are quite bad behind her knees that have cleared up on a few rare occasions but can't figure out why they did at those particular times. It doesn't look that bad but she is so grumpy and paired with teething it's horrible :(

My ds has had eczema for months and my GP has only just referred him to a dermatologist. I wish I'd pushed for it much earlier as it has got really out of hand and he is really suffering now. I did mention dermatologists a while ago but because my GP is a skin specialist he wanted to deal it himself. We have our appointment next week. I think it is more about how much they are in discomfort than how bad it looks.

Ok thanks. In that case I might go private. Thanks so much! Really don't want it getting out of hand.

Hi
My DD's eczema never looked that bad but it got to the point where I had to sleep holding her hands all night to stop her scratching before we finally saw a lovely GP who referred her and she is now a totally different baby.
Could you try a different GP (one with kids themselves, or who have a paediatric background - my health visitor pointed out the best one to see)?
I think NICE guidelines say that if a child'a quality of life is affected by eczema they should be referred to a dermatologist which is worth knowing and tactfully pointing out to a GP??
OOh and have you tried scratchsleeves (I don't know how to link but you could google them!) - silky mittens joined together at the back so babies can't get them off and don't hurt themselves scratching, they are a godsend for nightimes, car journeys etc!

Definitely go and see a dermatologist. With the greatest repect to GPs, their understanding of these things sometimes isn't all that strong, and even when eczema doesn't look too bad it can be so distracting that it really affects everyday life. Be quite insistent if necessary.

Don't go private - stand your ground. A lot of people don't know that you don't have to ASK your doctor to be referred - You TELL them you want to be referred. It is your right! If they can't fix it, tell them to find someone who can! Be bold - you know your child better than anyone.

Regards

June

Also some health care trusts have dermatology specialist nurses who work in the community who may have shorter waiting times than a referral to a hospital dermatologist but who are ime very knowledgeable.

I spoke to them yesterday and they said that it'S not that bad :(