Any advice appreciated on eczema and hayfever

[kentmamma]

I took DS to GP today as he has developed eczema and it is getting worse.

GP has given me aveno cream but also said DS has hayfever as his eyes have been swelling up and he has now got conjuctavitus as well.

DS keeps scratching at eczema and only seems to want to sit and watch T.V

I am new to mumsnet and any advice on how to deal with the eczema and hayfever would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Kentmamma, both my sons have excema, DS1 has it pretty bad and is basically covered from neck to ankles. He also has hayfever and his kicked in last week.

How old is your DS?
For the hayfever you really need an antihistamine, I'm surprised the doctor didn't prescribe one. The antihistamine should help reduce some of the itching from his excema too.
Piriton Syrup is OK but you need to tell the pharmacist how old your DS is because the syrup for age 6+ contains a different antihistamine to the one for age 1+.

With his excema the best thing to do for the moment is try to keep him cool, the heat could make it worse, keep his fingernails as short as you can, and if he has problem areas like the backs of his knees or in side of his arms try to keep them covered so that he can't get at them as easily. When you bath him don't put anything in the water like bubblebath, and use a very mild soap. I've never heard of aveno cream but if you check the instruction leaflet it may say that you can use it as an alternative to soap. I'd give it a week or so and if he's still suffering take him back to the GP, we tried about 5 different creams before we found one that actually helped.
HTH, Tracey

Hi kentmamma, in addition to metalmummys advice I would also check your washing powder - make sure it is non-bio, even better to use something like surcare washing powder. Also, try to make sure he is dressing in 100% cotton if you can as manmade fibres can irritate. Aveeno is good and if the skin is very dry just use something like oilatum junior in the bath, no need for soap as it also cleanses. How old is ds?

Thanks for your advice it is much appreciated. Ds is 17 months.

Went back to G.P and he has prescribed an antihistamine which seems to be working. His swollen eyes have gone down now.