daughters exczema… steriod creams on not??

[bumbleandbumble]

People keep telling me not to used the prescribed steroid ointments, because they 'thin the skin' and its terrible for young children…

but its the only thing that works when it gets bad. I have tried coconut oil, shea butter, almond oil…and a variety of creams from the GP

does anyone else fear using the steroids? what on earth is the natural equivalent? please help

Another one with lifelong eczema - I have found that when I have an outbreak I have to treat it with steroid cream to get it under control. The best way for me to avoid outbreaks is to moisturise religiously. It took quite a while for me to find the best moisturiser - I use Aveeno too, which I pay for myself, but my gp prescribes me a good shower wash. I use Simple conditioner.

Have you tried contacting the National Eczema Society? They might be able to give you some help in finding a more sympathetic gp, or advice on how to get your daughter tested for allergies. They also have local support groups.

ds 15 has had it all his life , even now he has really bad flare ups
and has needed the steroid cream, we have noticed that the patches that always flare up (so needs the cream) doesnt tan.
it is noticable on him as he goes as brown as a berry, but the alternative is weeping,infected ,painful skin.

Frances - I had patches like that in my teens and maybe early twenties. They tan normally now I am old.

I would also recommend contacting the Eczema Society.

I have heard that when steroid creams were first used they were a lot stronger than the ones we use today. They appeared to be a miracle cure so they were also used more regularly in a high dosage and that is why some of the older generations have thin skin.

Now the risks are known, strength is lower and they aren't used all the time.

Don't be afraid of steroids, but do treat them with respect.

If the eczema is flaring up now it could be that pollen is a trigger. Don't line dry her washing outside and where possible try to keep skin covered.

This time of year I find more baths for DS helps (in winter bathing less is best). A quick bath or shower will wash pollen off. If you decide to use the steroid cream then putting it on as soon after a bath as possible is supposed to be best.

I have thinner skin on my hand from 7 years of steroid use.

I would look at the cause- too much hand washing in my case- & treat that.

In the mean time, don't use anything which has any sort of alcohol. I use diprobase ointment (check ingredients as 2 types) & it's mad a massive difference. You need a tiny bit, which stops the itch scratch cycle. I'd also look at using something like surcare fragrance free washing powder & condition & sanex 0% in bath.

No one is mentioning moisturising skin & waiting 30 mins before using steroids ?

I am trying out a product I brought back from the USA called the Belly Bar on my sons eczema. It is made of natural ingredients and I have had good results so far. It has calmed down the itching, which was causing him to wake through the and his skin is looking so much better. I believe they have just started to sell it in the UK too.

removing cows milk is what made the biggest difference to ds. He was referred to a skin specialist at the hospital because the eczema was so bad. While I was waiting for the appointment I went to see Jan de Vrise who told me to take cows milk out of ds' diet and use goats milk instead. I decided to try it because he had head to toe eczema and I was desperate to find a cure. I stuck with it and after four months his skin was perfect.

By the time his hospital appointment came up there was no sign of the eczema. The doctor at the hospital did not believe cows milk had caused it. She sent me to a dietician who gave me a plan to reintroduce cows milk into ds' diet.

I followed the plan and the eczema came back.

I don't take advice from doctors any more regarding eczema.

Had excellent advice from nurse specialists in dermatology clinic. Try and speak to someone similar.

Lots and lots of moisturiser, one that works for you, twice a day minimum.

You may well need to use moisturisers in rotation e.g. 2 bottles of Oilatum, then 2 tubs of Unguentum M. And repeat. You need to make sure you get enough volume prescribed.

If excema is still an issue, steroid, at lowest strength but in a visible, greasy smear over the patches. Put it on after a bath with an emollient (e.g. Diprobath oil, and no soap), and leave it alone, without dressing, for 10 minutes. Then PAT moisturiser over the excematous, and normal skin. (so you don't smear the steroid over onto skin that doesnt need it). A week of diligent routine, if its not working step up the steroid strength, but use the same sort of quantities - ie, every patch of excema should be covered with a visible greasy smear of steroid.

And then, the thing that really cracked it for us - Tubigrip garments. Available on prescription, a very tight top/tights, they hold the moisturiser on the skin over night. Brilliant brilliant brilliant.

The idea is to use steroid regularly for flare ups, but not daily endlessly.

I really recommend the La Roche Posay Lipikar range, particularly the Baume AP.

It worked wonders on my DD who developed really bad eczema at a few months old, (it completely cleared up never to return!) and I know several other families who have used it and found it made a real difference. It's quite expensive but definitely worth a try.

hey everyone, for ezcema i have products i recommended to a friend of mine. She used an aloe vera drinking gel to help the body deal with the symptoms on the inside and then a highly moisturising cream called bee propelis creme. within a few weeks the itch, sore broken skin had healed.

My little sister suffered from bad eczema and I have her some of my Forever products to try! They are all natural and made from Aloe Vera!! I would use the hand and face soap, perfect for the body as well, along with the Aloe Propolis cream on the effected areas and it cleared up straight away!! I would also recommend the Aloe Vera Gel Juice as this helps in maintaining healthy skin and the body!! Have a look at my website www.ledgerbeauty.myforever.biz/store. Don't hesitate to message me or email me for any further information! [email protected]. Hope this helps! Charlotte x