To be upset at the GPs comment

[Element4056]

A month ago I noticed a rash forming on my now 17 week old son's forehead. I applied organic coconut oil twice daily to see if it would help. After a few days of this it hadn't cleared, so I called my GP.
GP asked me to bring my son in and after checking him over, prescribed some cream to apply for a week. After a week I noticed that the rash hasn't cleared and in fact spread down his face and across his cheeks. I called and spoke a different GP, and again was prescribed different cream to apply for a week.
Yesterday I noticed that he has a rash all over his back. Clusters of this and different to the rash on his face. I also noticed a rash on his stomach. This morning I called the GP and also mentioned that my son is restless when feeding (he is EBF). We have had issues with feeding for the last two weeks of which I have been in touch with my health visitor. GP asked to bring him in.
My husband went in to see the GP with my son and the GP made a comment towards the end that I feel was unfair. He told my husband in an annoyed voice that he has seen our son plenty of times in such a short time. Suggested that I called often about him. My husband commented that as a new mother I do worry about our son.
I feel really annoyed the GP commented this. As though I've been ringing in for a common cold or a sniffle! I've been made to feel like I shouldn't be calling in and I'm wasting their time.
Any parent with unexplained rashes on their 4 month old would also call their GP for advice. Especially rashes all his back, stomach and face.
Sorry for the rant. It has made me upset and questioning myself.

I’d be more annoyed at your husband for telling you, he had no need to do that when it was going to upset you. You weren’t there to hear the real tone that the doctor used or the exact context, and the doctor might not even have said it if it had been you that took the appointment, so you shouldn’t need to feel upset about such a minor comment.

You have done the right thing. Forget that comment.

Kids do get rashes. But as you've not seen it clear and apparently spread of course you would raise it. But the GP might have just been commenting to see if your husband shares your anxieties or has concerns about your state of mind. Difficult but it doesn't hurt to be able to be honest about about any concerns for everyone involved.

YANBU. I'd complain.

Also, have you tried non-bio washing powder and not using any bath or skin products at all? If you have to put something on, I think I read that vaseline is the safest, although I know some people who've had success with aveeno.

Oh, also some people swear by Child's Farm moisturiser.

Yeah I agree about tone, this is your husband's interpretation and could it be your husband feels you "fuss" too much? Also the dr could have been subtlety enquiring about your mental health to you husband to check you weren't over anxious about things as a new mother.

I will try to put the comment aside, but now I feel like I will be questioning myself. I really did think I was doing the right thing instead of guessing (googling) and trying to treat it myself.

The GP is a dickhead, just ignore it. Have the HV or GP considered if it could be a dairy allergy? I’d cut out dairy and soya very strictly from your diet for 10 days. If that is the cause you would soon see a difference. The fussing over feeding and rash made me wonder.

Please don’t put coconut oil on your child’s skin. It is comedogenic and will block his pores, making the problem worse.

I also exclusively only use non-bio washing powder for his clothes.
I would say my husband is probably more "fussy" than I am to be honest!

I’m assuming there’s no possibility your husband is putting words on the doctors mouth that are his own? Does he support you in your concerns?

I reckon it's something you're eating. Why didn't you go into see doctor?

On a side note coconut oil is not for use on new born rashes.

Just ignore the gp and call when you’re worried, my husband used to joke our Friday night outs were down the doctors when our daughter was born, I was always in a panic about something, always mad stuff like “ wtf is that soft spot on her head, what’s wrong with her” kinda thing. Fortunately the doctors were very sweet to me. 😃

Yes, husband fully supports my concerns. He is the one who first noticed the rash on son's back and said we must call GP about it tomorrow.
Re the coconut oil, didn't realise it wouldn't be safe to use; I've been using kokoso baby organic coconut oil which is dermatological tested and suitable for sensitive and eczema prone skin. Will stop using it incase it is related.

I’d also suspect your child is reacting to the breast milk. Is it possible it’s eczema?

www.happyfamilyorganics.com/learning-center/mama/is-your-baby-reacting-to-something-in-your-milk/

Skin stuff is so difficult to diagnose - when I developed eczema in my late 20s its took years to get the correct treatment for it. You do need to keep going back if current treatment isn't working and your GP sounds like a bit of a prick.

I don’t know if this would help or not, but I use it on my child’s eczema. It has chamomile, calendula and finger lime caviar which are all good for skin conditions. And it’s formulated especially for children.

samanthasona.com/ols/products/calming-cream

Thank you so much @ClareVH for the suggestion. I will definitely be purchasing and giving this a go.

As you’re breast feeding id look at your diet.

Yanbu to be concerned as a first time mum but skin rashes are hard to diagnose and babies get them a lot. The GP was a test though and your husband shouldn’t have mentioned it.

*was a twat

It's hard to judge on third hand information - there's your husband's interpretation of what was said and then your interpretation of your husband's interpretation. Not sure our interpretation of your interpretation of his interpretation will help.

The important thing is not to let this put you off seeking help for your baby. Ask for another GP if you no longer feel comfortable with this one. I hope it clears up soon!

My daughter had child hood eczema and is now lactose intolerant as a young adult. We used acqeous cream as recommended by the doctors but it’s no longer recommended,

This is the one that is

www.amazon.co.uk/Cetaphil-Eczema-Soothing-Moisturizer-Ounce/dp/B07CY1HNH7/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Cetaphil+Baby+Eczema+Soothing+Lotion&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1617712359&sr=8-3

Your GP sounds like an arsehole, ours is too when it comes to DC.

It’s difficult for anyone to say without seeing the rash but I’d defo have a look at the link bluntness posted, our DC had rashes and turned out to be CMPA. Doctor just kept saying it was eczema and giving us steroids.

I found MN far more useful than our GP

It's hard to tell if the GP said that word for word or if your OH is recollecting it poorly. Try to put it out your mind, you've done the right thing getting in touch with your GP.

Well you only have your DH's opinion that it was said 'in an annoyed tone'

It's possible that the GP was trying to probe about how you are coping in general as a new mother (PND etc) and whether you need any extra support and your DH has misinterpreted the GP's reason for making the comment