bleeding eczema - help!

[MacMomo]

At least we think it's eczema but I have psoriasis so I worry that it might be that instead.

DD is 7 months, CMP allergy diagnosed by Paed (referred due reflux), EBF to 6 months now weaning slowly. The eczema has been good but not gone since I eliminated CMP from my diet at 10 weeks.

Suddenly a small patch on her chest has flared and become itchy and she's scratched it til it bled, I'm quite distressed. It hasn't seemed itchy before or she's not been aware of it before.

All she's had to eat: carrots, parsnip, apple, pear, butternut squash. I had been giving her some baby rice with BM but stopped a few days ago.

She also has a cold at the moment. Not sure if that's relevant but it's her first so I wondered if it was triggering the immune system?

Haven't changed the brand or amount of washing powder (fairy non-bio).

Any suggestions? We use Oilatum in the bath and Diprobase ointment twice a day.

Many thanks, sorry it's so long.

It may not be diet related if she is generally prone to allergies, eczema tends to come as part of that package.
I'd go back to the GP for something stronger than diprobase.

Eczema flare ups can happen at any time sadly but particularly when they have colds or are unwell at all. You need to go back to the GP for a steriod ointment. Don't be scared of steriods, they get a very bad press but dermatologists will tell you they're quite safe when used correctly. I would also suggest applying the Diprobase 4-5 times a day if possible - not easy I know but worth it in the long run.

I agree with trying something different. She may also react to either one of the creams/bath oils you use. DD (2.8) has had eczema since 8 weeks old and is highly reactive - she can only have epaderm as an emollient and has steroid cream every 10 days for a week to keep vaguely on top of it. She regularly scratches herself til she bleeds. We wash clothes with eco-balls and only dress her in cotton/linen with no synthetics and it helps.
It is a nightmare tbh, I hope you find something that works for your DD and that this is something she grows out of quickly!

thanks, will go to the GP tomorrow but he's been totally useless in the past. I have used steroid creams in the past for my psoriasis so at least I know what you're suggesting. Will try the ecoballs too. I just can't believe how aggressive it got overnight.

Ime a lot of GPs are totally useless when it comes to eczema, mainly I think because everyone is different. I always get 'but no one reacts to diprobase/E45/Oilatum/dermol!' well, slap some on her then and wait erm...30 seconds for the hives and then tell me that no one reacts to it (over her screams as I scrub it off in your sink) Just keep asking for different things and make sure if you get anything new you test it on a small area first.
Another thing that helps a flare-up in DD is filling a sock full of oats, tying it off and putting it in the bath, something in the oats seems to calm things down a bit.
Hope you get somewhere with it!

When you go to the GP ask for a ref to a dermatology. You are not really going to get anywhere till you see a specialist.

No disrespect to GPs intended but they just do not have the time to keep up to date with the developements and research into eczema.

Aqueous cream for example is now not recommended for eczema but I would be suprised if GPs had stopped prescribing it as first line treatment.

If the patch is red and angry it could be infected. You may need antibiotic cream.

There is hope. My DS has very severe eczema. It has taken us a very long time but we seem to have it under control. He will always have it - his skin feels like sandpaper a lot of the time - but it is managable now (fingers and everything crossed)

It might be worth trying scratchsleeves (can get the website via google) - like a cardigan with silk mitts built in, stops babies scractching at night.

Asda do character pjs with roll down mits on them. I bought DS4 a pair of Mr Men ones the other day. He doesnt need the mitts though.

DS2's pjs cost me a fortune from Cotton comforts. They were fab and lasted for ages except that he chewed through the hands within a few weeks

Can i give you good news? Both my DC have had pretty nasty bouts of eczema. My DS was nearly covered head to toe at one point, including bleeding batches. With a bit of reservation, I used a steroid cream to clear up the eczema when it became inflamed and infected. Then DS had/has Doublebase and DD has/had Oilatum just to keep things in check. Now at 8 and nearly 7 they practical eczema free! Just back from a week by the sea and there are patches which have been irritated by the sea water and sand but they'll be calmed down soon. My GP was, I hope yours is too.