Eczema Newbie!

[EmmaAndDave]

Hi,

My LO (4 months old) has had eczema for a few months now. it is pretty much over her whole body but doesnt seem to bother her, the doctors has classified it as "moderate"!?. We're currently using ZeroDerm Ointment three times a day all over her and sometimes a little bit of 1% HC where it goes really red (backs of knees usually)

It sounds stupid but i've never had eczema so dont really know how much better it should get with the use of emollients... i.e should she have no rough skin, should there be no redness at all. I've tried to look online for photos to get an idea of before/after but not found anything.

Also how long should it take for an emollient to work. should i see results in a few days or is it a few weeks?

Thanks All

Emma

P.S i think zeroderm ointment is quite new - www.trderma.co.uk/zeroderm.html

My DS also got eczema at four months, it was top to toe, awful!

Are you seeing a dermatologist or is your GP treating you? If its your GP I suggest you get a referral as you really need someone who knows what they are doing and can suggest a range of creams.

Our GP was useless and just told us to put Diprobase on our DS. When we saw the dermatologist he was furious! To treat the redness you need steroid creams as its an inflammation. You shouldn't use emollients and steroids together (I mean at the same time) as the emollients dilute the steroids. I think you have to wait at least half hour inbetween.

We have three steroid creams, two are different strengths depending on severity. For example we use Eumovate for small patches and Synalar for large areas. We use diprobase and have emollients for the bath and wash with aqueous. Our dermatologist gave us a creaming regime which worked brilliantly. Our DS is now 1 and has had only one flare up since.

Our dermatologist days it's not acceptable to have any patches or redness. The aim is clear skin. We saw results with the steroids in a day, currently we just use the emollients as his skin is just dry rather than red.

You may need more than hydrocortisone, there are many steroid creams. Emollients won't treat the red areas, like behind the legs.

If you aren't seeing a dermatologist than please see one. My experience is that GPs don't know about childhood eczema and don't like steroids, which again is rubbish. We paid to get a private appointment as I was at my wits end, best thing we ever ever did. I would never trust a GP with my son's eczema. (I'm a nurse so I don't generally hate GPs!).

Thanks pobblewhohasnotoes I think i will push for a referral and see what the GP says.... to be fair to her she has been quite helpful so far (has prescribed dairy free formula for the one bottle of formula she has a day and has talked about sending me to a dietician) but i know what you mean, unfortunately GPs are general so cant know everything and def dont have all the time in the world to help!

Thanks again
E