Eczema Creams

[melon1]

I have found out loads of useful information from Mumsnet regarding eczema and I need some more help! I've posted this message in the health and allergies section - can anyone give me any feedback on these creams - calendula cream, tea tree cream, aloe vera gel, lush dream cream and sk cream?

we love diprobase but the ointment NOT the cream, we use it on ds who has horrendously sensitive skin and reacts to most things. Doublebase is also v good - am using it on my dd (3 months) and it is improving her dry skin.

i was advised to use, balneum in the bath and use aqueous cream instead of soap in the bath and then diprobase rubbed on after, it worked very well with no skin reaction, i also omitted certain suspect food from babys diet avocado we think was culprit! health visitor shouldb be able to prescribe them all

I've found the only thing that works for my two eczema prone girls is a steroid cream called Fucibet. It's nasty stuff and I don't like using it but if I apply it as soon as a an attack comes it staves off the worst. Also NEVER put any Johnson/so-called baby products in the bath, I use almond/olive oil if anything and I don't bath them or wash their hair every day.

My doctor prescribed some hydrocortiszone cream for dd yesterday because her eczema is weeping and horrible. He said there were no side effects, but reading this thinks there might be more to using a steriod than he said. What are the problems with using a steriod cream?

Felt I would dip into this thread as I have had have had eczema, since birth now 25 and its still going strong! The problem with HC creams is that they thin the skin, particularly after consistant usage. I have fine scarring on arms, face and back of legs. I don't want to concern anybody over this in my view the HC allowed me to be feel more comfortable in my skin and I still use HC when I get a flare up. However I do so sparingly and as a last resort. A real life saver for me was Epaderm (SP?) developed by skin specialists from RVI hospital in Newcastle specifically for babies. It is great Docs will prescribe if you ask them to. You can use it in the bath and as an all over cream.

The problem with steroid cream is that with very long-term use it thins the skin. But it is the only thing that really works. We tried everything for DS1 who had very bad eczema on his legs and arms from about 4 months old (he had to have his legs bandaged when it was at its worst) and in the end I found the steroid cream was the best -- I used it very sparingly and it usually cleared up the eczema within 24 hours. The best moisturizer I found is Epaderm. DS1 had completely grown out of the eczema by the time he was 2 1/2.

posts crossed ark -- interesting we are saying same thing though!

there is an alternative to steroids - tacrolimus cream (Protopic is the brand name). It is only prescribed when steroids are inefective or when the eczema is extremely bad and needs long term use of steroids. Ds has it and it does work really well, calming down any dness and itchiness overnight. If the eczema is really bad, it may be owrth enquiring about, we originally got it prescribed at the hospital but now our gp can prescribe it. They are reluctant though as it is an expensive treatment.

be warned, eapderm makes the kids very slippery!!! its like lard. i used it on dd1 but it didnt work for her. but others used it with success with wetwrapping.

Thats is interesting Bunny, I think that goes to show that it really depends on your GP. I have a huge red dry and scabby mark above my lip(I am gorgeous!), have had since infection 4 years ago. Kids ask why that lady has a mostache! (LOL) But my GP says this does not warrant any treatment and will go away! I am becoming apathetic about eczema (people take me as they find me ) maybe I should go and be more forceful!

Sophy - I have found that most people I know who use Epaderm rave about it after!

sorry Misdee, posts crossed - just goes to show what works for one doesn't always work for another.

ark, that is appalling. Try another gp. Ours was reluctant to prescribe it as it is @£95 a tube but after using stroids every on ds for 18 months we finally got a protopic prescription. You would need such a tiny amount for your face anyway, a tube would last for ages. Let me know if you manage to get some, if not, I'll send you one of our half used tubes so you can see if it works.

ark, my dd started off with atopic eczema and now has sebhorric eczema. her dermotologist perscribed lighter lotions and ointments rather than creams as its more suited to her skin type.

Oh bunny t hat is really sweet. I am going to go to GP and try again! Perhaps I will refuse to move until she does something!

Ark, you can always ask to see another gp or get a referrla to a specialist - you might find them more willing to prescibe it.

How much is too much steroid use?

10 month old ds (recently diagnosed) has balneum oil in his bath and twice daily applications of acqueous cream. On this regime his skin gradually deteriorates so I find that I am using hc for 24-48 hours at 6-7 day intervals. I then stop, go back to the balneum and acqueous regime, and then 6 or 7 days later have to resort to hc again.

Is this too much?

Just logged on to look at any posts on this very topic - aren't mumsnetters helpful.

My dd (5 months) has just started getting eczema and my GP has prescribed some epaderm pointing out that it doesn't contain any steroids and that some babies can grow out of eczema.

This seems a good emollient judging by your posts. Are there any recommendations on what brand of products are best to avoid in terms of exacerbating sensitive skin conditions?

Snap hotmama!!!
I have just made a third appointment for dd with a second doctor because I just can't seem to get on top of her scratching. The previous doctor has said it's only infant dry skin. I don't care of that's true but it doesn't help me!
The poor mite (11 months) has been absolutely tortured by her 'dry skin' for the last few weeks, waking up in the night crying and scratching until she bleeds
I have cetraben and dermol on prescription and I have used double base but nothing seems to really help!

Hi there, I have just joined this group and would like to introduce myself as Akua. I make natural products . I am passionate about one particular ingredient which has been successful for a lot of customers who suffer from eczema. You can read a lot about this ingredient

Hi, am new to mumsnet but just read this thread. We use a mixture of creams on dd 2.4 - Aveeno, a neem cream, borage cream, and E45. Also use Oilatum in her bath but it does leave her v slippery - best if rub it into the rough areas and then let her splash in the bath for a while to soak in. She is definitely worse when a cold is hitting so hoping is just infant dry skin.

hiya!!
poor ds1 is having such a bad time and says the hc stings.
I'm going to go to doc and see if i can get something else. this thread has really helped. forgot about aveeno was recomended before.

Ilanak and alibo , you can buy Aderma online here

we get on very well with 'ultrabase', good without being too lardy.

A non steroid cream called Elidel worked wonders for my neighbours daughter - there's info on it on the internet

We used calendula cream, we needed two tubes per day just to keep the skin as healthy as when using diprobase (which was not that good either...)

Wow - interesting re. HC cream. I have used it for 24 hours on DD and it has worked wonders but am worried by the skin thinning issue.

Lots of votes for Aveeno on here - can you buy it or do you need a prescription.

Same question also for Epaderm.