AIBU to think that there must be something more we can do for this eczema

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Hello! Posting here for traffic.

Our two year old has always had mild eczema but over the last month it's got significantly worse... The itching all through the night is unbearable for us all.

We've tried all potions and lotions available both over the counter and prescribed and now the GP has said that he has no further solutions but that lots of children live with and then grow out of this type of eczema... We've booked to see a dermatologist privately but can't be seen until the New Year.

Does anyone have any advice?

Fully agree with the need for strong steroids used properly. My son had terrible eczema when he was a baby, finally almost completely cleared up by finding the right steroid and emollient combo - for us Fucibert and Cetraben. Get the steroid cream on as soon as you see red skin.

We use Persil non-bio tablets and no fabric conditioner. Rinse after washing. Keep cool (in fact I need to go and open a window in his room now, as it's 22 degrees in there and he'll be too hot). No fleecy clothes next to his skin.

I have two DC with terrible eczema, I was told about The Childrens' Farm products. They are amazing. They've worked wonders on both of mine.

I have very bad eczema since childhood. When I need to get it under control I use steroid cream at night and wrap in pb7 bandages with cotton Bandages over the top. Need to do this for a few nights until
It settles and then keep on top of it with something like diprobase

Fucibet is the steroid cream I like but the PB7 wet bandages are amazing. I always have such a nice sleep when I’ve done it because it’s so soothing

Have you got central heating? If so, is it left on at night? A bedroom that's too hot at night is often a trigger for night time itching. This would explain why it's flared over the past month or so, since winter began.

Fairy non bio might be better than the bio formula but is still highly perfumed. Allergies can begin at any point to things that have previously not caused problems. I would recommend one of the many unscented laundry liquids, advertised for sensitive skin (Morrisons is good). Also, you can often use less laundry liquid than recommended by the manufacturer - about half measure should get the job done and will mean less residue on bedding and clothes.

I'd suggest you look at the various online forums where people are discussing allergies and eczema for further help. Often people who have lived with eczema for years have found things that work for them, and can sometimes be more useful than GPs, who don't have the time to do the detective work sometimes required to eliminate/reduce triggers (my experience from a lifetime of eczema).

I'm coming at this from a different angle as I used to work in the water industry and its something I heard about anecdotally.
Do you live in a hard water area?

The soap scum that forms a tide mark around a bath will also leave a residue on your skin. If you rinse the skin with more water it should help.

The soap scum th

Central heating can make it worse as can lots of warm layers of clothing. You could try dropping the temperature in her bedroom a little overnight, a longer cotton nightdress rather than pjs so that her legs aren’t being irritated by fabric, scratch mitts and a cotton flat sheet between her and any bedding. For the day time, it might be an idea to avoid tights or leggings for a while.

As everyone has said, a finding a regime that works and sticking to it religiously seems to be the best way to manage eczema. Emollient in baths rather than suds, being ridiculously generous with the amount of whichever cream you use on her skin and never skipping it and using steroid cream for flare ups.

Apologies I haven’t read all the other comments but I see you have ordered cotton onesie to sleep in and gloves - that was very helpful for us.

A Dr explained the itch/scratch cycle and how you just need to break that cycle by not scratching, allow the skin to heal and then the itch from the dry scabs etc is gone.

Slather in cream - we had big pump bottles, steriod cream as needed, bath oil, antihistamines & the cotton night wear

I remember it so well it’s upsetting and hard work x

I’d strongly suspect the washing powder, it looks like there’s an element of contact allergy to me and the distribution suggests it too. Have you seen the washing balls that you can get that use no detergent whatsoever? I’d try those. Do you have an extra rinse cycle on your machine?
Creams contain preservatives which can also cause a contact reaction. If you have eczema you lose the top, protective layer so you will react to lots of things that you wouldn’t react to if your skin was intact. Ointments don’t contain preservatives so I’d try some emulsifying ointment for moisturising and you can use a small amount to wash with too.

Please be very careful using steroid creams. They have ruined years of many peoples lives by causing the skin to become addicted (Topical Steroid Addiction). The 'eczema' then becomes worse when they are stopped, stronger one's prescribed and cycle repeat. Topical steroid withdrawal is pretty awful- red skin, severe itching and extreme sensitivity to creams are key symptoms. Facebook groups are super useful for more information.

I had this as a small child and it just suddenly got worse one day. I had dairy and wheat intolerances. Cutting them out and Oulatum Bath Additive (it’s like a bath oil that sits on the skin all day and creates a barrier to stop the air drying it out) were game changers. It got much better at puberty and I can now tolerate moderate levels of dairy and wheat. Good luck, it’s bloody miserable.

Honey in bath water twice a day works a treat.

It could be to do with heating. I've got a humidity monitor and the humidity has gone down hugely in the last month due to heating I assume

To keep it moist dermatology nurse advised me to apply liquid paragon gel…2 hourly.. for my neck to ankles excema baby. I put a generous half cup of thick bleach in the bath to prevent infection, as advised by my gP. I greased our child in haldens base ointment pre bath. I applied the liquid paraffin gel 2 hourly and used cotton baby grows. 2 weeks after stopping all dairy and switching to soya, his skin cleared up.

@happydramatic

Please be very careful using steroid creams. They have ruined years of many peoples lives by causing the skin to become addicted (Topical Steroid Addiction). The 'eczema' then becomes worse when they are stopped, stronger one's prescribed and cycle repeat. Topical steroid withdrawal is pretty awful- red skin, severe itching and extreme sensitivity to creams are key symptoms. Facebook groups are super useful for more information.

"Facebook groups" are rarely useful as a substitute for actual medical advice

Properly prescribed and correctly used topical steroids are absolutely essential in the treatment of eczema with the severity shown in the OP's photo.

If you've stopped breastfeeding her, what milk are you giving her instead?

Are you using Fairy non bio gel or liquid? And definitely on all laundry?
I find the gel really harsh and over-perfumed and I can't tolerate it.
Always do an extra rinse with all your laundry, even your own clothes/bedding/towels etc. not just hers.

Poor little thing - I'm nearly 60 and have had it all my life so I know how awful it can be when it's bad, and unfortunately some people just don't grow out of it.

Agree what others have said about allergy tests - I react to one specific ingredient (limonene) which was in the shower gel, shampoo, conditioner etc. that I was using. Changing all of those has helped a bit but it's still flares up.....

Vaseline

Has she switched from breast to cows milk quickly then?

My tips :

Eirn use shower gel or soap, just shampoo
Very short showers
Keep cool
Push to see a dermatologist ASAP

I should say, I completely avoid all cows milk/cheese etc. as I had a severe reaction the first time my mum gave me cow's milk.

And I do use strong steroid ointments, but only when really really needed - I try to stick to emollients as much as I can and only use the strong stuff when I need to face people.

Lockdown has been a bonus for my skin, not having to face people....

You have to find the trigger/s. Please push for a referral to an allergy clinic where they can test for all the most common allergens and anything else you think could possibly be triggering. In the meantjmr I woukd cut out the 12 most common exacerbators of eczema www.eczemalife.com/pages/top-12-eczema-itchy-foods-to-avoid&ved=2ahUKEwj44bb50_j0AhUHhv0HHe7ID4oQFnoECAQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0OvARiqPf8nu-WsSntGaa7
And stop using any washing powder or soap. Use an eco egg and just wash her with water. Make sure you apply emollient religiously, so four times a day. That acts as a skin barrier so is preventative - then the steroid cream is to treat the flare ups.

@Wolfiefan

Finding the right emollient is key. As is hitting it sharpish with decent strength steroid cream. Also ditch products with MI. Including shampoo and shower gel and washing liquid.

This.

Short sharp course of steroid cream to get it under control and break the cycle.

Then maintain with the right emollients. Balneum oil in the bath followed by Doublebase worked the best for us.

Find a washing powder/liquid that works for you and stick to it. No fabric conditioner or heavily scented Bold or similar.

Cotton and natural fibres as much as possible for clothing.

Mild and pure shampoo etc, nothing perfumed.

Firstly either change GP’s or see a different one at your practice and if they are at a loss of what to do they can make a dermatology referral. Secondly trying cutting dairy and changing to a non bio washing powder (extra rinse in wash for good measure, no fabric softener at all). Thirdly moisturise moisturise moisturise. I really hope it gets sorted quickly it’s so uncomfortable the itchiness can be very painful! I’m an eczema sufferer my self I think it’s bad enough for an adult it must be worse for children.

Eirn? Don't use shower gel

Poor little love 😔
I have suffered with really severe eczema my entire life and it’s miserable; I’m so sorry for your poor baby. My elder son is a GP and when he had his son he was worried about the eczema family connection. He and his wife really only wipe any grubby bits on my grandson, he is not bathed. Water is very drying and little people don’t need to be regularly dunked in drying water and detergent. Additionally your baby needs to be kept moisturised your GP can offer you this on the NHS.
Non bio washing liquid/powder
No fabric conditioner
Cotton clothing if possible
Cotton bedding
Don’t let them overheat.
Watch for reactions to things in the environment and foods.
Lots of children seem to grow out of eczema, some don’t; I didn’t. So my final word, I’d find a moisturiser which suits your baby and moisturise, moisturise, moisturise.

Wishing you well. X

Aveeno or vegetable oil for skin
No bubble bath or shower gel
Use non bio without fabric softener
Long sleeve cotton clothes to avoid scratching
Bath less than daily