Any dermatologists around please? Skin condition

[RickyGervaislovesdogs]

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This is a friend’s son’s skin.
Bleeding, prone to infection, so dry.
They have taken him to a G.P multiple times, best guess is eczema, but nothing is working.

G.P suggested my friend pay private, so they’ve tried this but been told he’s too young?
They don’t know what to do. Any suggestions please with what it is and / where to go. Much appreciated.

I didn't even know pediatric dermatology was a thing. Not in the UK but our dermatologists just do all ages. My children just went to a "regular" dermatologist.

The emollient could be making it worse.

Dd has eczema and when her flare ups are bad she can only use 2 things on her skin or her eczema gets worse. We found that out the hard way and went through countless prescription products before finding the right ones.

@Greategret No, neither did I.

@papadontpreach2me I needed steroid cream but mine was just on my hand mostly, the skin breaks there now if I damage it even slightly eg opening a bottle of drink. They’ll make a private appointment in the morning and go back to the GP for bloods and cut dairy to see if that helps.

Looks like PRP.

I have it. No cure. There's a FB page on it. It's an auto-immune disease.

It's awful, OP. Sorry you are going through this. You have my full sympathy.

I was in London and found an allergy test centre. They check 299 allergies. Mine were all clear.

I give up.

Please don’t self-diagnose. I suspect this child has ichthyosis and steroid creams will make it worse. (It’s a genetic condition.) Please ask for a referral to the paediatric dermatologists at the hospital. Poor kid is probably itchy and uncomfortable! In the mean time, just suggest cool baths in hot weather and nice, loose clothes in breathable fabrics that don’t rub wherever possible. (If this child is at school they are probably very self-conscious too!!!) Assuming it is thesis, they will need a strict regimen of emollients and bathing products (probably NHS provided). Soaps, etc should be avoided.

Have they tried natural remedies? https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/balmonds-skin-salvation-60033955

I use this on my little boys, it’s brilliant (also their bath oil). The emollient from the doc contained paraffin, which we all find drying.

Hi OP, yes to ask for a referral. Also:

Scratch mitts esp for night time. Nice silky ones.

What washing detergent being used and considering changing it. Non bio required and extra rinse cycle.

Is the house being damp dusted and hoovered enough? Are there pets?

Bathing with oats is good. Get pin head oatmeal and pop a handful into a pop sock or end of tights. Tie it up and use it like a sponge in the bath. No soap or anything like that. Not too long in water.

Common food based allergens are: dairy, egg whites, cod liver oil, nuts. Try excluding these and gradual reintroduction.

Stay away from essential oils etc… they will make things ever so much worse. Increase essential fatty acids in the diet. Fish oil tablets, evening primrose, etc, but only AFTER diagnosis from doctor.

My advice is not to try anything new until you have seen a specialist and received a proper diagnosis.