Not to use this steroid cream on my 7 month old?

[bluejeanswhiteshirt]

My 7 month old DD has developed a red rash on her cheek which is slightly raised and bumpy. It looked worse this morning so took her to the pharmacist who said see a GP so took her to out of hours with suspected impetigo.

After waiting 2 hours a nurse saw us and said she had a bit of a fungal infection and prescribed Fucibet antibiotic and steroid cream to use twice a day. Just got home and read up about it and I'm not sure I want to use such a strong cream on her delicate skin. Would it go away on its own it I keep it clean and dry or should I use the steroid cream??

It doesn't look like ringworm to me... It doesn't look pronounced enough. But honestly? Just use the cream. They won't prescribe it if it isn't safe. Baby I care for had extremely pronounced eczema on his cheeks for months until it was diagnosed by a dermotologist (gp had fobbed off with an allergy- it wasn't) he now has special creams to apply daily and an incredibly strong steroid cream to be iused no more than once a day when necessary.

Well done for getting it sorted hope it goes soon

I am sure the doctor wouldn't prescribe something for the fun of it. It is obviously necessary. I am also sure your DC 'delicate skin' will recover.

Well the cream obviously wasn't necessary because it's a fungal infection not a bacterial one so no need for steroids.

The rash doesn't look half as bad today so really not sure it is ringworm

Might just be a reaction to dribbling that keeping dry and a bit of Vaseline might fix!

I hope so! I'm worried about using the bloody Canesten now. I just don't want to leave it and make things worse but I'm also wondering whether to leave it another day and see if it improves on its own.

I wondered about dribbling as well due to the fact it's by the side of her mouth.

However if it isn't....I'd use the cream. Yes steroid creams have side effects but this is usually if they are used long term. Hopefully it should clear up in a few days of using the cream so the side effects shouldn't happen x

It could possibly be due to dribble. After her dinner the other night I left her dad in charge of cleaning her up and the next morning the poor girl still had bits of food round her mouth so I'm wondering whether that's related.

It's not as red today and looks less like ringworm IMO, I'm not a doctor of course.

I don't want to seem rude and understand your initial concerns about the steriod cream but you've seen another professional (OOH as well) and you now won't use that cream. Makes no sense to me.

Actually ignore me, I came across rude there (sleepless night). You should do what you think is best for your baby

I really don't understand your concerns now OP; that's two different professionals, two different prescriptions and you are no happier to use the second! That's quite a bit of NHS cash spent unnecessarily if you were just going to adopt a wait and see approach anyway. I would use something today, if you don't want this to spread...

Sorry I just get really worried when it comes to my baby's health. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal but it's really upsetting me and I can't work out what the best decision would be.

I don't understand, you do seem a bit over anxious about this, but also unwilling to take any hcp advice so I don't know what to say.

I'm a GP.

It looks fungal to me. Canesten is an anti-fungal, perfectly safe to use at any age. Fungal skin infections often benefit from a weak steroid cream too, something like hydrocortisone. Fucibet is a mixture of fucidin (an antibiotic for bacterial skin infections) and betnovate (a very potent steroid which should only be used on babies in extreme circumstances under close supervision when nothing else has worked.)

Don't use the fucibet. What was the other steroid cream you were given? If it was hydrocortisone then use that. And definitely use the Canesten.

Thank you Jollyphonics. They prescribed the Fucibet first and then when I went again they gave me the Canesten. Will Canesten alone clear it up do you think? And it's completely safe to use near her mouth?

yes, completely safe. I'm sure the canesten will work. To be honest if it's fading anyway it may just clear up on its own, so don't worry if you forget the canesten now and then, or if it gets rubbed off.

Ahh thanks so much. I'll try the Canesten and stop being a wuss! After searching on the internet I've not seen many similar cases unless they've had ringworm but I'll trust the doctor I saw last night. She said its the safest thing they can prescribe for a baby this young.

Just to say, I've suffered from various skin things like this (Mrs Over Sensitive) and ringworm etc can feel incredibly itchy and sore. Your DD will be very grateful for some relief.

Looks like what iv had on my face for months. It was from moisture. I dribble in my sleep and put too much lipbalm on! i wouldn't recommend Vaseline as it's more moisture. My mil has the same things from where she has been putting Vaseline on!
I was prescribed canasten to begin with. Went less red but never went away fully till i was prescribed a cream with a steroid in.

Thanks everyone