Excema - finally got a referral to hospital - what to expect

[thesockmonsterofdoom]

All in the title really, we have finally managed to convince the doctor to refer dd as we cant clear her excema up, will they do tests on allergens or what, will the first appointment just be to assess her?
I took an appointment at a hospital in the next town as they had one in 2 weeks, it would have been 2 months for the childrens hospital where we live.

bump and watch, as I am doing exactly the same this month (You're not me, are you sockmonster?)

bump.

My dd doesn't have skin allergies (she has asthma, chronic rhinitus and uriticaria etc.) but my sister does. She had skin patch testing which involves having allergens put in lines down the back, covered with tape or a disc of metal or plastic. They are then left for a few days and you go back to the hospital for the reactions to be assessed. These can be uncomfortable and you can't get them wet or use any antihistamines or creams. But it will be worthile because it will show exactly what your child is reacting to. My sister is severely allergic to formaldhyde and all parabens. She now knows what to look for on labels of cosmetics, creams, toiletries, wipes etc. Since she has found out she has got her skin under control and rarely gets an outbreak.

Hi, I think it will depend how old your DD is and how severe the eczema is. Will obviously vary from consultant to consultant too.

We got referred when DS was around 5mo and still fully BF. The first thing they did was chat about his eczema and suggest things that could be making it worse. They suggested taking eggs and dairy out of my diet for three/four weeks to see if that helped (it didn't) and gave advice on weaning. They also gave us a stronger steroid cream and talked about options like wet wrapping.

It wasn't until a later appt when we got sent for blood testing and then we had to wait several weeks for the results. He did turn out to be very allergic to eggs -- although cutting these out of his diet hasn't cured his eczema, it's certainly improved it.

In the end, we didn't get a miracle cure from the hospital -- DS's eczema has improved with time (he's now 2) and we can keep it under control with regular emollients and steroids for flare-ups. We haven't been back in about a year because there wasn't really anything more they could tell us.

she is 5 and her excema is severe, she looks like she has got chicken pox most of the time.
we have tried every cream going and nothing works excpet steroid which we cant just ise indefinatley.
What I want is to try and find out what causes it, or makes it worse so we can alter things here, she is coeliacs so already on a gluten free diet and I am not happy to have further things cut out of her diet without some knowledge that it will actually help iyswim.

Poor love I hope you get some answers.

Hi Sockmonster,

My DS2 also has v.bad eczema. He has had it all his life (nearly 6 now). It took me 4 years to get him to a dermatologist (and I am fairly pushy).

He was tested for allergies last year.

A warning - this can be a painful process and a bit shocking. I am not sure if all the test are done this way but this is how they did it with my DS: They use a v.sharp blade to scratch the skin along the forearm. Onto each scratch they put a couple of drops of the allergen and then they draw a ring around it. You then wait about half an hour to see how severe the reaction is.

The scratching bit is obviously painful but it doesnt seem to hurt afterwards. My DS was not pleased with me and still talks about it!

I am glad I had it done. It makes it a bit easier to predict when he will have a flare. I have redesigned the garden and also give him prophalatic antihistimines if he is going on an outdoor school trip for eg.

I would find out if this is the plan so you can prepare yourself. I doubt if they would do it on the first appointment but it maybe an option in the near future.

I really sympathise with you and your DD. Its awful when its this bad. We HAVE got DS's under control now but its hard work.

Just to let you know, we get Disability Living Allowance for DS. Its at the lower rate which is fine, and it helps us to buy his special PJs and laundry stuff etc.

Good luck.

i know im a bit late with this one but my son has been to a dermatologist and she just perscribed creams, suits and mittens which my doc would not give me and is going to see him again in 3 mths but to be honest the creams havent worked i TOLD my doctor I wanted my son to see one as it is your right and it is disgusting u have to beg!