Should I apply for DLA for my child?

[gabrielle1201]

My second child has severe eczema on her legs mainly but she will constantly be scratching regardless of any of the creams the doctor has given me. She scratches her legs so hard they will bleed and they look so so bad but doctors aren't helping me at all with her. They give me cream after cream after cream and nothing is working for her I bought her the different bath creams and she's still constantly scratching to a point she will cry because she has scratched so hard it's defiantly going to scar. Her upper body looks like she's ran through a nettles or brambles just scratches upon scratches. I try to ease the itching with the cream used for chicken pox but it isn't helping her at all. I'm constantly having to sleep in her bed at night to ensure she doesn't take her bottoms off to scratch at night and constantly cleaning her sheets as she's bleeding onto them. I am at my wits end. I don't want me daughter to be in pain and to be crying about her legs mainly and I am worried they are going to scar with all the excessive itching. My friends child gets DLA for having the same condition but I don't know if she is eligible and don't wanna to apply if I am not supposed to be either.

Feeling stuck as nothing works and I really don't know what to do for her. Feel like I am failing her.

I'm so sorry to read what you're going through - I couldn't just read and run away.

You mentioned you've tried changing bath foams - have you looked into what washing powder (for clothes/towels) you're using? It could also be your hand cream that you're using. She could be allergic to house dust mites - any chance she could have an allergy test?

Were looking to do an allergy test to see if she's possibly allergic to something and is enhancing the eczema.

I always wash in non bio and high temperatures too. It's been like this for nearly 2 years and is showing no signs of settling down at all.

What helps my DS:

Steroid cream prescribed by GP. He's on a repeat prescription.

When eczema was very bad when having a bath I was adding a cup full of special bath liquid for eczema. Sorry I can't remember what it was called but it really helped and we got it from pharmacy.

Only use gentle shower gel on hands and bottom, if really have to. At worst my DS was only bathing in water with the above liquid in, no shower gel at all.

AquaMax cream for whole body. As well as the steroid cream prescribed by GP for worst bits.

It's on going as every time I think his eczema has cleared and stop creams it flares up again. So have to apply cream twice a day every day.

Sorry not sure about DLA but might be worth going to CAB and asking about it.

Hi, I've heard about a gel that is now available that is meant to be really good. The reasoning behind the gel is because with creams, the skin absorbs the cream after a short length of time and makes it ineffective as eczema is a surface skin problem, not a deep skin problem.

The gel lies on the skin and stays on the skin treating the rashes for hours longer than the cream and also soothes the itching really well.

It's to be applied a few times a week and you've to stay unclothed for a couple of hours afterwards.

I can't remember the name. I'll go through my browsing history and see if I can find the article.

As for claiming DLA, that is really your choice. You probably have more bedding and clothing costs than a parent who has a child without eczema and you also have to buy specialist (as in not cheap) toiletries for her. You have extra costs so claiming DLA may help will help with this

How old is your child ? I think the DLA is about proving your child needs more care than the average child their age. It's harder to prove in young babies (unless very severe issues) as most need a level of round the clock care.

On the eczema have you tried showering? Sitting in hot baths can be very drying and a very quick rinse with just water is would be fine to freshen up.

I had good success with child's farm newborn moisturiser ( the pump one, I can buy this is big Tesco's) but had to reapply a lot. My son reacted to all their other shower gels and bath products and other creams though so it's hit and miss.

I've the moisturizer from child's farm. Doesn't work. Got her E45 itchy cream and she squealed for it to be taken off and to get a bath. I tried chicken pox cream for the itch and normal moisturizers but doesn't seem to work on her skin. It's constantly irritating her where she's just not for having any cream now. I usually bath is like warm water and moisturize her legs before bed and she's still crying at night with itch.

What names are those creams as I will try ANYTHING for a good nights sleep for her.

My DD and I both have horrible eczema, aveeno baby emollient cream and emollient wash work well when we have flare ups. It has to be the more expensive emollient type though, the daily care range does nothing.

I ended getting a prescription privately from a consultant derm which cured my little boys eczema, previously i think the creams the GP gave were to mild and didn't do anything.

I don't think you will get DLA for this though.

www.draron.com/ this was the consultant.

How often do you apply cream OP?

My DS has bad eczema and I applied a combination of Epaderm and Cetraben up to 10 times a day. I only use Dermol 500 in the bath (and only bathe him once per week as advised by the dermatologist). I also use Elocon steroid cream which is fantastic. It’s prescription only, and very strong, so you can only use it for up to 7 days at a time. However it really does help.
My DS’s eczema is under control now but it too trial and error getting there.

We also give him Piriton to help with the itching at night.

Have you seen a dermatologist?

if you don't apply, you won't find out if you get it. applying doesn't mean getting DLA. many are turned down.

to get DLA, you need to demonstrate that your DC has significantly higher care and supervision needs than a child without the same condition. E.g. my DC has severe learning difficulties, limited communication, no sense of danger. so I have to demonstrate what extra care my DC needs. It's relatively straightforward.

I know nothing about your DC's condition but you will have to show that your child will need pretty much constant help and support to manage the condition. If your DC is older, the Dwp will expect the child to manage it. Only you know how much extra care is needed.

Well went to my 4th doctor and actually got some medication and her skin seems to be not as bad. Hoping this is it sorted. Thank you for all your advice.