Don't believe in it but... good homeopath anyone???

[Azrael]

I've search on mumsnet talk, on mumsnet local, I've read countless threads but can't seem to find recommendation for a good homeopath (in west London if possible, but I'll go anywhere really).

So there it is: anyone who's had luck with homeopathy in treating ECZEMA (of the stubborn kind: discoid eczema), please let me know...

DS is 10 months, been having discoid eczema for 5 months (it was initially misdiagnosed as fungal, sigh), and no matter what steroid we use (HC 1%, HC 2.5%, Eumovate ointment), no matter how slowly we wean him off, it comes back within days of stopping. Note that I've researched a lot and I've joined the Eczema Education Programme organised by St Thomas'.

He has also been diagnosed with a slight milk allergy, but he seems to grow out of it (he eats yoghurts now), and his eczema seems to be unrelated to it (I cut diary out of his diet for 4 weeks and nothing changed). We saw Prof Gideon Lack for his allergies, and Dr. Mayou for his skin.

We're having no luck with conventional medicine so thinking of trying anything else!

Personally, I would see a private consultant at the Portland Hospital and save your money on a homoeopath.

Sigh, that's what we did - we've got full BUPA cover.

Prof Gideon Lack saw us at the Portland Hospital.

The problem is that he doesn't have any course of action other than steroid creams (apart from diagnosing allergies and being a really nice, friendly and thorough doctor!).

Same with Dr Mayou (consultant dermatologist at Cromwell Hospital).

I think I would go with their advice TBH. Homoeopathy doesn't work, it is a placebo.

You could consider phytotherapy. This actually does involve significant amounts of active plant ingredients. However, they may have an adverse effect ... If you want to consider this you could contact Jan de Vries, he is quite well known and used to work with Dr Alfred Vogel. Not sure if he still has an office in London, he also has a clinic in Scotland I believe. Maybe google him if you are interested.

He is 10 months, a lot of children outgrow or simply improve with age. Without other atopic concens ( Prof lack was our sons doc for a few years) I suspect the outgrowing may happen for you.

what is your eczema routine?

my son needed his steriod up until 5 twice daily. That improved with time. he has a few food allergies, and all enviromental ones etc. But doesnt have severe milk allergies. Those with severe milk allergy tend to keep the ezcema for some reason so I have heard.

Hi Azrael, sorry to read your DS s suffering, I didn't find homeopathy was hugely beneficial in the treatment of eczema for my DS, who was so severe at 10mo we had sedation, hospital stays and steroids :-( but we have had great results with acupuncture, have you considered this?

Steroid creams don't work on me either. The joy of eczema is that different things work on different people. My particular saviour is Lush's Dream Cream.

The weather at the mo is a bugger too, sometimes you just have to ride it out as best you can.

Try LUSH dream cream, alot of people have had very good results with this. It doesn't work for everyone but it did for my dd and even if it doesn't shift the ezcema it's very soothing and has tea tree in it so antibacterial too.

Well, I'm going out on a limb here and going to suggest that you do indeed try a homeopath.
Whether it cures your DS by placebo or because of itself isn't important.

I've had great success with my allergies and excema with homeopathy.
Once my homeopath and I discovered ( through questioning) my personality and constitution type, and she found a remedy which corresponded to my type, all sorts of ailments cleared up.

If you could travel to Ham or Wimbledon there is a good homeopath there www.familyhomeopathy.co.uk/

Good luck with it. I've had allergies and excema for years and years, have gone up and down conventional routes with creams inhalers steroids etc and after a himeopathic remedy I'm now fine.
As I say it doesn't matter if it is placebo or not, as it works anyway.

Look at the Society of Homeopaths register. If someone is qualified with them they'll have RSHom at the end of their name. Homeopathy works very well for me and my family.

Oh what would I do without the MN community??! Thank you everyone for your words of wisdom, I'm going to try the various things highlighted in the thread.

I'm also bracing for impact - we may be with this for a few more years...

Thanks!

Thekitchenfairy - regarding the acupuncture, where did you go? would you recommend someone?

Eragon - I apply ointment (to his face and his shoulders) every time I change his nappy. Bath once a day, with Cetraben. Steroid morning and evening. Whether the patches disappear completely or not, they come back.

Prof Lack said that DS had a low milk allergy. He's probably already growing out of it ie he eats yoghurts now.

As you suggest, hopefully he'll grow out of his eczema too!

Hi, my baby has had the same sort of excema, it was also misdiagnosed as fungal. He is 14 months now and apart from the occasional dry patch on his cheek and his lower leg his skin is marvellous now. We found double base gel the absolute best treatment, and betnovate for flare ups. Only cream him up after bathing now ( only bath him once a week as this wrecks his skin)

He was far worse at 10 months, it seemed to peak. I remember feeling desperate to try anything, so can understand your seeking homeopathy, but please take heart. I wish I could have seen into the future and seen how his skin would improve with age!

azrael sorry missed your Q yesterday, where are you? I used a brilliant acupuncturist in Brighton, she is a paediatric specialist and found me a paediatric alternative when we located to the West Country! I could ask her for recommendation if you like?

Just a thought, especially if it is around the face, I love Argan oil, v expensive and it needs to be pure but it is lovely stuff, Jason's Organics make a vitamin E oil which is also fab, especially in this cold weather...it is £6.99 for 15oml.

Just re read your post... Have you considered goats milk? Cutting out dairy made a massive difference and if you have a look around online there is lots to support switching to goats milk for eczema sufferers.

My friend swears by DermaSilk pj's for her DS - he was ravaged by excema from soon after birth and she discovered DermaSilk when he was about 18 months....... He is rising 4 and although not completely clear it is much more manageable.

Hth's

Azrael, bless you for this post!

DS has been having the same problem. Was diagnosed as a fungal infection at 6 months and we were prescribed a steroid cream and cetrabens. I came on to mumsnet today to search for reviews of homeopaths because I just couldn't believe that he has so many recurrent fungal infections!

What a coincidence on the post!

Thanks to you, I'm now educating myself on discoid eczema. (in his case I'm suspecting an egg allergy)

Anyway I'm still researching but two homeopaths that I've found through references are:

www.homeopathlondon.co.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/julian?opendocument&part=3

www.khushmark.me/site/

No idea how they are but I'm thinking of following up with Khush Mark. Please do pm me how your research goes. Would love to hear your experience....

Lovingbeingmum, I have used Khush mark to treat my daughters chronic constipation and she is excellent! I can highly recommend her :)

thanks for the tip miarosemum saw her this weekend. she's given us quite a few suggestions.....let's see how it goes....

unfortunately we do have to stay away from egg white...it does make breakfasts a tad more difficult (DS not into cereal :/ )

My dd has eczema, at one point fairly bad - i found the dermatology doctors at the hospital to be useless. When she started having scary allergic reactions i went to see a consultant privately about that and he advised dairy free which probably did help her eczema.

I came across this website from a family who's son had a severe allergy to detergent causing terrible eczema, www.solveeczema.org/problem.html they arent trying to sell anything on their website but they have done a lot of research into eczema.

Also - Jennifer Worth (author of call the midwife) wrote a book on having eczema caused by food allergies and being treated by homeopathic remedies www.amazon.co.uk/Eczema-Food-Allergy-Hidden-Cause/dp/1872560180/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358816069&sr=8-1

Thekitchenfairy - sorry i wasn't around recently. Thanks for your posts! Oh that would be fabulous if you could ask your acupuncturist for a recommendation in West London! Or anywhere in London for that matter. Thanks so much. DS's been having diarrhoea for a week without looking unwell which seems to indicate a sensitivity to lactose - or so the GP thinks (getting a poo analysis). Think we're going to cut dairy out for some time! Will try the oil you mention.

Barleysugar, simlondon - thanks for the encouragement and insight. Read about Jennifer Worth, interesting to read about the link btw food and eczema.

lovinbeingmum - so good to hear i helped you! As you've started seeing a homeopath you're now one step ahead of me. Do you mind keeping us posted on the success of treatment? I saw that Kush Mark has a clinic in Harley Street - are her consultations expensive?

I'm keeping this on the thread so that everyone can benefit from the knowledge, but i'll also be pm'ing you to catch-up separately.