Hyper-sensitive child: any tips on coping with putting cream on her?

[morningpaper]

My 7 year old is definitely a "highly sensitive child" and while normally very sweet and basically sits reading all day, she freaks out with certain sensory input - one of which is the sensation of cream.

She's been diagnosed with pompholyx eczema and I have to put cream on her 3 or 4 times a day - she is totally freaking out, lying utterly rigid and screaming hysterically. It's like some sort of brain overload.

Any suggestions?

Could you get her to put some on herself? Or put it on her when she's gone to sleep?

I grew up with eczema- aged 7- could she apply it herself with supervision? Is it too cold or too warm? Perhaps colder or warmer may be more bearable. You can hardly feel cream if its body temperature. Not sure what that particular type of eczema is, but perhaps you could approach the doc for an alternative, like something to put in the bath? Do ask her if she'd apply it herself though, it might work- unless she can't reach?

DS1 used to be a nightmare to get his eczema cream on, then I hit on the wheeze of having a special DVD to put on (at the moment it's Mr Men) while he has his creams put on. Most of the time it's enough enticement to get it done reasonably calmly.

For DS we warm it up (set bottle on heat vent while in bath) and then I put it on his tummy and he puts it where it is needed (with supervision and a little assistance). The combination has made a huge difference...good luck!

It's the feeling of cream on her hands especially that freaks her out - so she won't touch it

She goes rigid and screams

So far I am using a DVD as a distraction - screaming takes less time then but she lies with all her hands/feet in the air and as far away from her as possible, poor thing

her throat is sore from the screaming

That must make it tough for you, mp. Does it help if it's warmed up? Is there a time when you could "sneak" it on - ie. after bathtime when getting dried off, etc.? Grasping at straws, wish I could be more helpful.

Hi Morningpapar

This a weird suggestion but have you tried warming the cream up first. I leave my cream on a radiator for 10 minutes before putting it on and it ended all screaming and fussing. Maybe I was just lucky but maybe the cream is cold and uncomfortable. I also gave DS same of the cream in his hands and made a game of it so it was fun to do. The cream went everywhere but it was worth it. He relaxed and enjoyed helping put the cream on in the end.

Sorry if this seems a totally useless idea but it's an idea all the same. It would be great if it helped.