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Original poster

ok, what can I try now to tackle eczema?

33 replies

kittywits · 08/09/2006 20:35

I'd be really, really grateful for any tips to sooth my 2 year old dd's bad ezcema that doesn't involve steroids. Up until now I have tried:
dream cream, it stings her skin and makes her cry
Homeopathic oils in cream
oilatum
aqueous cream
It flares up occasionally, but when it does it's pretty bad, stops her from sleeping and she scratches until her body has open sores. It seems to be worse at the beginning of spring and autumn for some strange reason. I don't understand it really.
If anyone has trid something that has worked well for them I will certainly go out and get whatever it is. Thanks

OP posts:
misdee · 08/09/2006 20:37

aveeno!!!!

we are recent converts, its fabouslous stuff. now have it on repeat perscription.

caffeine · 08/09/2006 20:43

we used lavender balm from a pharmacist in Australia. was very good and brought dd's excema which admittedly was only in small patches, under control.
here

sallyrosie · 08/09/2006 20:47

Oilatum in bath. Lots of thick greasy cream - not lotion as too watery (also love Aveeno, and E45) applied liberally and frequently. If flares at certain times of year ?related to hayfever or airborne allergen like fungal spores or something - maybe worth trying antihistamine?

Monkeychopsmummy · 08/09/2006 21:04

We tried the standard greasy treatments when my DS first got eczema at 3 months old. I felt that they just sat on top of the skin and didn't sink in and moisturise although they prevented further moisture loss. We went to see a dermo who prescribed Balneum Plus bath oil which is a soya oil and has added anti itch ingredients. This can be obtained without a prescription and I find it much better than oilatum. He also prescribed Eucerin with Urea (again you can get this w/o prescription) which is an amazing moisturiser. He also prescribed Elidel cream which is prescription only and is a non-steroidal.

I had hoped to avoid steriod creams but DS got infected eczema on his face a few days ago and we have had to use an antibiotic with hydrocortisone.

Original poster
kittywits · 08/09/2006 21:09

thankyou all so much!
Sallyrosie you have a point about the antihistamines. I am giving piriton at night just to stop the terrible scratching and it does the job. Her skin is like a scaly lizard and although I know it could be so much worse I do think is related to spores in the air because of the spring autumn flare ups.

OP posts:
blossom2 · 08/09/2006 21:10

my recent prescription list was:
50/50, epiderm, dipobase, E45 and aveeno cream. and definitely like aveeno best - easy to apply and soaked in quicker than the others. although feel that epiderm is great its a nightmare because its pure grease and never really soaks in so you are putting their clothes on whilst it they are covered in oil but it is very good. after 1 week of using it twice a day, their skin fell almost normal.

so now we use oilatum bath (i rub it into their skins rather than pour it into the bath) followed by aveeno cream. they do smell like oatmeal though which is quite funny but it is very good.

when it has been really itchy, i've given DD1 some antishastime (?) 30 mins before bed (ie at beginning of bathtime) and that has helped her stop itching and sleep better.

Hope some of this helps.

Vikki · 08/09/2006 21:20

I haven't posted on Mumsnet before but felt I had to on this topic - to add to the virtues of Aveeno cream!

My son suffered quite badly from eczema from birth, the doctor gave him all sorts of hideous bath oils/creams that virtually dissolved our bathroom suite. When he was 3, my brother told me about Aveeno, I bought some and it provided IMMEDIATE and constant relief. I did ask my doctor to prescribe it but was told that could only be given on prescription through a dermatological referral (?!), but I bought it anyway, it was worth every penny.

I was told that DS would probably "grow out of it" and at the ripe old age of nearly 6, I can now almost believe it. He only has outbreaks when he is run down or unwell. I even used "proper" fabric conditioner and... biological washing powder!... the other day, with no side effects! Best of luck.
PS. I still buy Aveeno because it is a fantastic body moisturiser, lol!

blossom2 · 08/09/2006 21:24

do you guys use the lotion or the cream? my GP prescribed the lotion but apparently is out of order (went to 3 chemists) so now have the cream on repeat. anyone experienced this??

Vikki - thats crap about not being to get Aveeno on repeat prescription without referral, my GP did bat an eyelid when i ask for it. you must be having to get a second mortagage to pay for it - its bloody expensive stuff

Monkeychopsmummy · 08/09/2006 21:29

Is Aveeno suitable for very young babies?

Original poster
kittywits · 08/09/2006 21:31

So it looks like aveeno wins, I'll go to the gp next week. Hadn't thought about oilatum straight into the skin. I don't like putting it into the bath as it gets into their hair and makesit horribly greasy.

OP posts:
blossom2 · 08/09/2006 21:32

i used aveeno when DD2 was 9 mths. i'd check with GP, but its fairly natural as its made from oatmeal

blossom2 · 08/09/2006 21:35

yeah, DD1 likes to lie in the bath after i've applied it. so we now wash hair first, tie her hair up and then apply oilatum. they then have a play for 5-10 mins before getting out.

unfortunately DD2 likes to drink the bath water, and suck the toys so i'm a little worried that it gets into her system, but she's never shown any ill effects.

Monkeychopsmummy · 08/09/2006 21:53

The Balneum Plus bath oil is really good for itchy skin and doesn't feel as greasy as oilatum - just leaves skin feeling very soft. DS was scratching at his skin before I used it in his bath.

Original poster
kittywits · 08/09/2006 22:03

I think it's great that I can come on here and get all this advice, thankyou all

OP posts:
nixnoo · 11/09/2006 16:46

Hi,
Just looked at the Aveena website... which product do you use?
www.aveeno.co.uk/productrange.jhtml

misdee · 11/09/2006 16:47

just the plain aveeno cream

Aveeno® Cream
This cream actively moisturises dry and sensitive skin and helps to retain the body's natural moisturising oils. Perfect for smaller areas of the body and dry patches.

nixnoo · 11/09/2006 17:07

thank you! am going to try it too.

Groveregg · 11/09/2006 17:14

We were having similar problems with our ds and he was really suffering until we went on holiday to a house that had a water softener installed, it was like a miracle. Within 2 days it had cleared up. We came home and it came back! If you live in a hard water area I would definitely look into it. We have had one installed - ours was expensive in the extreme but I think you can get them from around £300 and I hardly ever need to use any steroid cream since then, and less than half the cream I used to use on him. The people that install the softeners are keen to stress that it will not work necessarily for everyone but I have since heard other miraculous reports from other people. I sound like a cheesy advert but...

Petall · 11/09/2006 17:58

Also a huge fan of Aveeno cream.

My children drink the bath water too, so a friend recommended putting porridge oats in an old stocking(and tying a knot in it) and putting that in the bath- it doesn't make as much mess as the bath oil does. I then put the cream on when they get out.

Just as a thought, but my daughter appeared to be allergic to lanolin and liquid parrafin, which is in most creams including oilatum and all the creams she was originally prescribed.You might want to check labels and see if there is a common ingredient that's a problem for your DD.

I also used to use Surcare washing powder and soya milk instead of cows. DD is now 4 and appears to have been fine for a while now, so I use any non biological powder and she can have dairy products, although by choice won't.

Good Luck

TheVoiceOfReasonQV · 11/09/2006 18:01

Aqueous cream has been found to make eczma worse.

We use diprobase with a great deal of success with DD. Oilatum oil in the bathwater. I've heard that Aveeno is very good but we havent needed to use it yet.

Try cutting out cows milk products from her diet too for a few weeks and see what happens (sheep and goats milk okay, just not cows milk).

PinkTulips · 11/09/2006 18:03

goats milkcontains something that helps exzema... not sure of the science of it but it's worked wonders for some people i know.

also Allergenics cream from the heath shop is fantastic, cleared my dps exzema in a few days when even steroid creams weren't helping

KBear · 11/09/2006 18:08

My DS had bad eczema as a baby and toddler until I cut bananas out of his diet. It cured it completely within a month. His face used to bleed it was so bad and now he has lovely peachy skin. He is now five and I let him have a banana occasionally as a treat (he loves them typically and pleads to be allowed them) but after he has had a banana once or twice he gets a little patch of eczema and we have to ban them again! Please try it, it might work - I wish you so much luck in finding a cure for your little one.

chestnutter · 11/09/2006 18:24

Emulsifying Ointment worked well for us - you can buy it in a small pot at any chemist

TOD · 11/09/2006 23:04

I find aveeno great for my little 21 month old. I also bath him every day with emulsifying ointment......mix emulsifying ointment with boiling water...whisk in to a liquid and add to bath water. Pat his skin dry and cover all skin in aveeno lotion.
However if your little ones skin is very red, inflamed and itchy....you may need to use steroid cream and antibiotic cream to get it under control first. Good luck i know it can be very upsetting and trying!

jellybellie · 12/09/2006 12:57

I swear by Aveeno cream applied liberally morning and night as a preventative measure. When ds had eczema/very dry skin all over originally we used the Aveeno bath preparation - a bit like putting porridge in the bath and also they do a heavier cream - this cleared it up in a matter of days - expensive but worth it (I didn't even realise you could get it on prescription!)