How to pursaude GP to get DS a patch test?

[madmumNika]

Apologies, this is a little long...

DS is now just over 2 yrs old. He developed excema about this time last year, mainly behind his knees, on his ankles & in his elbow crease. He was breastfed exclusively for 6 months and partly until 10.5 months. I was v careful with his diet (partly as he was premature) and he showed no reactions to foods as they were introduced.

BUT his excema has progressively got worse, with frequent flare ups which result in rashes all over his chest/tummy/neck/behind ears etc. And he is at the moment ALWAYS scratching, and as a result no matter what I seem to do he breaks the skin on his bad patches. The GP has prescribed us the normal hydrocortisone & emollient creams, I wash him in dermol, and he only wears cotton which is washed in non-bio etc. (no conditioner). But I find if we don't use the steroid creams nearly every week his excema becomes infected etc. and really nasty. The GP also prescribed Piriton for itching which I am beginning to give him just before bedtime to help him stop scratching (he is particularly bad at night).

DP & I think he must have some sort of allergy...and we would really like to get him properly tested but the GP is loathed to refer us on.... Any tips on how we can get him referred? DS is waking quite often due to being so itchy & we have another baby due in July so I am getting to my wits end and hate having to rely on hydrocortisone cream so much

Any suggestions? Many thanks xxxxx

bump

Your poor son!
Just wondering if you could try a different emoilient, and bath stuff, etc...because it can sometimes take time to find the one that suits. For example me and my son used to get Oilatum prescribed and it made us worse, but Diprocase and Emulsiderm Bath emoilient, forinstance are superb and really help!
As for referral...I would talk to GP again and if he isn't going to refer you, maybe changing a GP or getting a second opinion by seeing a different GP from the surgery might be the way to go.
Have you got any idea what it possibly could be? I.e.food, dust, or whatever? Mihgt be worth keeping a little diary in which you write down what he is eating, etc...and also write into if the eczema is better or worse, etc...that might be able to pinpoint the cause.

Thanks 3andnomore-

I do think Dermol in his baths is possibly making it worse as he was really scratching while in his bath last night, which is unlike him....

I've made an appt to see another GP with DS on Thurs so will raise these points.

We have sort of been keeping a diary and think possibly he could be allergic to tomatoes. We have pretty much cut them out at home but he goes to a day care nursery part of the week and I know they would use them a lot (e.g. spag bol, lasagne, baked beans etc.).

Hope we get some answers somehow soon! xx

defiantely get maybe a differnt bath...there is some other stuff, can't rememebr it's name now, that a lot of mumsnetters swear on...possibly something with aloe vera...but might got that wrong.
Oh, and now, we mostly use Grapeseed oil with a few drops of Lavender in the Bath, which works just aswell as the emoilients.
Also, if you think it's Tomatoes, could you mention it to Nursery, I am sure they would cater for your son...pretty sure they do that with other allergies, so, why not Tomotoe one.

MadmumNika, How did you get on with your GP? I am in the same boot, my son and daughter have both had blood tests which show they have high level of allergy antibodies but to what I don't know. The GP is not willing to investigate any further. I am going to push things though with my GP as I won't give up, my kids are to important and neither have the exact same reactions. Just to make my life more interesting!!! We already know we can't do wheat, eggs and dairy.
It would be great to know how you got on, in case it can help me with my kids!!!

aveeno cream is often recommended. You may want to ask for a different antihistamine. Piriton is the fastest acting but tends to wear off after a few hours. Some other antihistamines last longer. Have you tried probiotics as they can be very good for eczema (health food store or live yoghurt).

If you do manage to get any tests done you will have to stop the antihistamine for several days before you have them done. Won't affect blood tests but does affect skin prick testing.

Detailed diaries are essential to give suggestions for tests.