To be concerned this isn't eczema?? Help!

[Rash1192]

My son has been having an issue with his ear where it occasionally splits where the lobe joins his face causing it to bleed. It wasn't too bad at first but got worse suddenly in the last week (pic attached was how it was when I took him to the GP late last week).

They said just dry skin and gave us some cream (epaderm) which I have used on it before.

Anyway I'm just a bit concerned now as over the weekend a rash seems to have began spreading from the original place and is now onto his face and down under his chin.

Does this look lile normal eczema or should I be taking him again somewhere over the weekend?

He's okay in himself other than saying it's sore sometimes.

This is then earlier today

And now.

I'm not a dermatologist but i do suffer from eczema. That last pic looks fungal to me. I'd take him to the pharmacy and ask if they have any over the counter anti fungal cream to try.

Needs a steroid cream I would say.

Maybe stop using epaderm, it could be causing a reaction.
The split under his ear does just look like it’s split and dry. Maybe put some barrier cream one -bepanthen is good, or even Vaseline-make sure it’s dried properly after bathing and reapply barrier cream a few times a day.

I asked for a steroid cream but they said they don't like giving them to young ones 🙄 (he is 2). They did say they have an antibiotic cream they could give us which is stronger but they don't think it's infected so to just carry on with the epaderm for now.

I haven't used it today since it started getting worse. I've tried vaseline before but it doesn't really seem to be making a difference this time. Always managed the split on the earlobe with either epaderm or vaseline before. This time it just seems a lot more persistent annoyingly.

I'd buy hc and don't tell them it's for him, a tiny bit should clear it up.

I get myself in a panic because I've had cellulitis before from a cut on my ear that landed me on a drip in hospital! Although admittedly these aren't the same symptoms!

How old is he? I think if it's been going on for a while, ask for a dermatology referral or even pay to see one if finances permit.

It doesn't look 'urgent' unless he's unwell in himself or something?

I had eczema in between my earlobes and my jaw when I was a child. This was back in the day when children were given steroid cream right from the off. If you were told it was dry skin and it has since got worse plus it has spread, then I’d definitely go back to the GP (as I hope they suggested you do if the cream didn’t improve things).

Hi OP.
It sounds like you're panicking a bit because you ended up in hospital due to cellulitis. That's understandable, but I'm sure your little boy can wait till tomorrow if he isn't generally unwell.
There may be a fungal infection going on there but you're doctor or practice nurse can advise you when you see them.
I hope it gets better soon.

There may be something fungal going on there. Epaderm won't touch bad eczema I use it every day as moisturiser. Go buy some eumovate (strongest thing u can get otc) say it is for you, and put it on him. If it is eczema, this will help. Its what I use for flare ups.

Did the pharmacist see him in person?

I wonder, does your little one suck on a bottle to sleep? I ask, because it is a typical place where milk can collect as it runs from the mouth whilst lying down.

I would treat as fungal until seeing gp again. If you already have some Canesten cream, you can try this. I probably wouldn't volunteer the info that it's for a toddler, but I've been approved by a paediatrician to use this on a baby's fungal nappy rash in the past. He was allergic to the cream they had prescribed, so when I asked if canesten might help, they said it certainly wouldn't do any harm. (It worked a treat.)

It was the GP who saw him last week not the pharmacist. I actually have some canesten so I will give that a go!

He has milk before bed but he doesn't have it in bed with him. I suffered from similar as a child so just been passed on to him I think unfortunately.