Has anyone had DermaSilk clothing on the NHS??

[thebluefoxategreensocks]

Just came across the DermaSilk range of clothing and see that you can get it on prescription with the NHS (well, at least some forms of it). So just wondering, has anyone done this? And if so, how can one go about doing it? Or is it necessary to have a long standing history of un-treatable eczema? My nearly 2yo little boy has had eczema since around May last year. I've been reluctant to take him to the GP as I didn't want to put my "baby" on steroids! However, it's just getting worse at the moment (and he's more and more capable and violent with the scratching)....so I've finally booked an appointment with the GP for today to see about some steroids. However, it would be great if you could get some clothing on prescription, as speciality clothing for eczema is soooo expensive!

Hi - I've had specialist clothing on prescription, for DS2 but I think it was called 'ComfiFit'. We were given it when he was around 2 months old and it's supposed to fit until they're two. The clothing was great for stopping scratching, due to built in mits, and it also seemed to alleviate the itch somewhat. At one point we used it to help with wet wrapping. We had it prescribed by the Dermatology unit at our local hospital. The only downside was I felt it was too warm for him to wear in Summer. I felt it more important to keep him cool in Summer so went without. We did use steroids to begin with the get the eczema under control however we now only ever need a tiny amount as it's pretty well managed through frequent use of the emolient. Hope that helps a little...

Hi,

I have a little slip with the things my DS2 needs on it. It was given to me by our derm nurse. I am building up the courage to take it to my gp! I am actually waiting till my son flares up again before I take him. There is no point at the moment. He looks ok and my GP doesnt have much of a clue about eczema. Our nurse understands the nature of the condition i.e. that my DS2 can look fine one day but be covered with red weeping eczema the next.

She seems keen that my DS2 has access to Derma Silk but yes it is very expensive.

I use DS2 DLA to buy PJs etc from Cotton comforts. They are excellent but dear(not as dear as the other stuff though!).

Have a look at their stuff.

I can understand your reluctance to put your LO on steroids but exczema care has moved on a bit recently and there are more non -steroidal treatments around. Good creams as well. I dont think we could keep my son's condition undercontrol without the help of our Dermatoligist.

Good luck

sorry - just checked and the name of my son's clothing is actually 'Comfort Fast'.

We have had the Dermasilk clothing prescribed by the hospital for my son. He is 2.5 and has eczema since he was 6 weeks old so we have a long standing relationship with the hospital but I did have to argue my case for the Dermasilk. I got the clothing but it didn't make any difference unfortunately . We use the Comfi fast clothing usually but it did have to be prescribed by the hospital, not the GP.

I understand your reluctance to use steroids but in my experience sometimes you do have to use medication to get the problem under control. My son only responds to the stronger steroids unfortunately but I use them reluctantly because I know how unbearably uncomfortable he can get if I leave it untreated. You might have more joy asking for the Comfi fast clothing it does provide a barrier to help with scratching damage. You usually use it together with a thick emollient to keep them hydrated rather than just a clothing layer.

Hope you can get the problem under control.

Thanks for the kind replies.

Ended up with prescriptions for Hydrocortisone cream, Oilatum for the bath & Oilatum cream. I must say that his itching has really improved since starting the Hydrocortisone, which is great - however, not sure how much he likes the Oilatum cream - doesn't seem very soothing, and wondering if his skin is a bit red from it this evening (certainly happened with Diprobase before). Seems odd to think of greasing up with liquid paraffin though (what Oilatum & Diprobase are) - just wondering if I can come up with something a bit more natural to add to the bath - like oats or some kind of mix of sorts! Will have to think about it!

Btw, can you buy the Comfifast clothing, or only get it through prescription? I see a few mentions of it on Google, but seems it's not something you can just buy yourself.

Have you tried Aveeno? It is based on oats and I know quite a few people who have had good results with it. Their lotions are good - slightly odd smell but not unpleasant - but their bath products have a scent added to perhaps avoid those. We just used to put a handful of porridge oats in an old odd sock (lots in our house!!) and put that it the bath, squeezing it from time to time or even washing down DSs skinwhen it wasn't great. Hope that helps! Good luck!

Not tried Aveeno yet - but I know it was always fab for helping the itch from "poison ivy" rash that I got every summer (from being outdoors) as a child in USA. So maybe I should try it! Certainly thinking of trying some oats in his next bath! I think I'd like to just try anything other than a bath soaking in liq paraffin! lol

I've also heard the oats in the bath can work a treat. Unfortunately DS2 is suspected allergic so we can't use them. I use Epaderm in the bath. I haven't heard of the ComfiFast clothing being available to buy, but your doctor should be able to prescribe them. It was the dermatology unit who gave us the prescription. I really had to push for the referral to dermatology though...even though DS2's skin looked like he'd been burned, it was so bad . Amazing improvement now though .

Comfifast (leggings, vest, sock and gloves ) is available to buy in a chemist, if you just ask for it. (not cheap though)
It is not "clothing" as such though, it is used for putting ontop of a thick layer of cream....(it is not the clothing that will help but the use of lots of emollient underneath) or otherwise for wet wrapping. As clothing alone, it might make them more itchy without lots of cream, it is not cotton and will make them hot and sweaty..... they are like the tubigrip bandages but just clothing sized.
As for bath oils....there are many other ones, Balneum, aveeno (there is an aveeno sachet of powder too that has oats in it) it is worth asking the pharmacist before you go to a GP to ask what there is available.

I have just used the dermasilk sleeves on DS's arms - in a week his eczema has improved dramatically. GP refused to prescribe it though, so we had to buy them. I am hoping to convince GP in future though!

Hi

We had dermasilk clothing prescribed at my old doctors surgery - we needed a referral note from our consultant dermatologist though. The only downside with dermasilk clothing is that you need to let the steroid cream / moisturiser soak in before you put them on. This was not practical when my son was ripping his skin to shreds as I waited for the creams to soak in. Also you should be moisturising your child at least 4 - 6 times a day and then having to wait to put the dermasilk on meant we spent most of the day waiting around!!

Now, I use Tubifast - they can be used for wet wrapping or dry and stop itching - these can be got through your gp. If this fails, then I used to use the Gap or Next pyjamas with elasticated cuffs and bottoms, tucked into socks with trousers over the top - my son was a master at scratching and could get into any clothing to itch!!

If the Oilatum is not working then go back to your GP and get it changed - it worked for my daughter, but not for my son. We have Aveeno bath oil on prescription from our GP. Also try and use a cream instead of soap - we use dermal 500 and even wash his hair with it - no soap at all.

Do not be afraid of using steriods - there is so much bad press around about it thinning the skin etc. I have spent a long time trying to find natural solutions to my sons eczema and spending many sleepless nights worrying over what I am doing to his skin. There is a place for steriods and if they are used correctly then they are safe and can help your child a lot. If you are worried then try to see a dermatologist - especially if you lack confidence in your gp. It is really important that you are happy and know exactly how steriods work and how they can help. I used to listen to people in shops, on sites etc. telling me that I was doing a dreadful thing to my son by using steriods, but I have seen a number of consultant dermatologists who have a lot more training and experience and they have all reassured me and put my mind at rest. They have also given me a good treatment regime.

Also the trouble with eczema is that what works for one, will not work for another - the hard part is trying to find out what does work for you - sorry that is not much help to you right now :-(

I wish you all the very best.

Regards,

Rebecca

Hi Rachel
I have used dermasilk clothing for my 4 year old since he was 2 and it did wonders to his eczema. we had to get it referred by our consultant so GP can prescribe it. for my 5 month old, I have managed to directly get one on prescription due to severe eczema history of my 4 year old, maybe GP was considerate enough.
one thing which you can buy yourself is scratch sleeves. they are cheap to buy and are quite good.
Also, please don't be afraid of using steroids to control eczema, it is important to keep eczema under control if you want your child to grow out of it. I was the same, tried everything under the sun but when met with the consultant (privately), came to terms that its important to use steroids in required quantity to control it and it lessens overtime. also, longer use doesn't do as much harm as eczema itself. but you would need to know how to use the right amounts. unfortunately, lot of GPs don't know a lot about eczema care.
DOn't be afraid to use paraffin based products. its like using vaseline for our lips. infact, as a matter of fact, paraffin based products are more free of bacterias than all natural ones. and paraffin is sea based natural resource.
we use 50-50 emollient for my son and that suits him the best.

good luck with your child's eczema, hope it comes under control soon.

Sorry for re-animating an old thread but....

AFAIK Oilatum is cream based, and many creams irritate broken skin. It is useful when the skin isnt broken,. but as a Nursery Nurse I wouldnt advise using it on weeping skin.

A number of products are available in either a "cream" or "ointment" form; the cream seems to be cheaper, so that is what is usually prescribed unless you specifically ASK for the ointment.

Ask your GP for Balnium Medicated bath oil and use it every night (dont accept a generic NHS version - it is nowhere near as good).

Bath your child for 20 minutes or more if possible - I climb in with my daughter and make it a play time so she doesnt get bored. PAT the skin dry, then use cream/ointment to keep the skin moisturised. Aloe Vera cream from Aromatics Ltd seems to work well, but is expensive - Starflower cream seems to work nearly as well and can be bought in larger pots - making it more cost effective..

Old hands like me used to use Boots "Aqueous Cream", but recent research suggests it thins babies skin and shouldnt be used.

I cam across this thread after searching for Dermasilk as it was suggested by the hospital; I have tried normal silk baby vests from "Patra Silk" and noticed a significant improvement where the skin is protected by the silk; if someone wants to try that instead of Dermasilk first, it IS a LOT cheaper, but they dont do anything for ~ 1-2 y/o children.

I am going to invest in some Dermasilk outfits - at least until my daughter is big enough for the Patra Silk long arm tops and leggings.