Eczema in 12yr old DD, does anyone have any advice, I'm at wits end!

[shadypines]

DD 12yrs has suffered on and off with eczema, mainly on her arms since she was a toddler. That said I think she was hardly troubled with it from the age of about 3yr to 10 or 11 yrs old.

It seems to have been worse since she started high school although she has settled into the high school life quickly and seems happy there on the whole. That said, she does tend to easily get stressed (sometimes very stressed) about things, worse now that she is hormonal!

I am sick of using strong creams/antibiotics. My GP yest prescribed antibiotics both topically and systemically again which I think is OTT and I am desperately trying to find other ways to tackle it. Has anyone had any success with dietary things or anti dust mite products? Also which anti- itch medicine have you used, has anyone used loratidine (this has been advised by a doctor friend but the GP prescribed something called alimemazine)

I would be so grateful for any advice or just someone to 'talk' to who is going through the same thing, I feel so helpless, alone and desparate with it all at times.

I'm mostly dairy free, following a self prescribed elimination (or whatever it's called) diet.
Only use non bio, usually Ecover. Never wash in soap. Have started using Aveeno creams. Oliatum makes mine worse.
Sort of manage it.

Your poor dd she does sound like age has it bad.
I my experience the steroids and antibiotics are needed to get things under control. I haven't found anything else that really kicks it when it flares badly.
Daily tho I use surcare washing powder, I can't even use the liquid form of it, my skin can tell!
Oilatum and dermal hand wash are good and epaderm as a moisturiser. Push your GPtorefer you to a dermatologist too, I've found them very understanding and the GPs do get it wrong in how to use newer eczema treatments (mine did anyway) keep at it, it will improve. Sorry this is long

When I was about 13 I went all natural food - no E numbers or preservatives but kept the dairy in.

It did work but it was a lot of drama, E numbers are in everything! There are lists online I think of the ones that affect skin the most. I don't bother anymore and just deal with the consequences....

I get particularly itchy when stressed or unwell. Then I get all good and slather on some form of nice mostly unperfumed lotion a few times a day (I change it all the time because my skin seems to 'get used to it' and for some reason when I switch it starts working again!) At the moment I'm liking Miamoo which is all natural and for babies but seems to work a treat.

Also yes to a bit of Loradatine - I think my eczema is usually better when I'm daily daily Loratadine for hayfever...

Meant to add, dust is a big trigger for my eczema. I have to keep on top of it and couldn't have cuddly toys or anything that isn't frequently washed on my bed.

Does the school have a counsellor that could teach your dd some relaxation techniques? I've found it can help during stress induced activities such as exams and new experiences.

My dd had it as a young child and it returned in patches in her teenage years. She has grown out of it now she's older.

I've had eczema since same age as your DD and I'm now 28. It comes in phases but found it worse durinh teenage years (as you say, hormones) and when I'm stressed. I recommend aveeno cream/lotions. Found in most chemists/super markets. I found it was a good alternative to the steroid creams prescribed by GP. As I got older the flare ups decreased dramatically and I find now I sometimes see a mild flare up at change of seasons but daily it has become much more manageable.

Exs nephew has dramatic improvement with elimination diet, especially after cutting dairy (alth reintroduced goats milk products with much less reactuon), and change to all natural and organic washing powders / shampoos etc

Thank you all so much for taking the time and effort to reply and I have read all with interest. I will definitely be looking into your suggestions.

Since seeing GP I have not yet started the antibiotics and strong creams but I have tried to blitz any dust where I can (exhausting!) and commenced a daily dose of loratidine.

We'll see...........

My brother suffers and has since a small child. He swears by Epsom salts bath to relax him and ease it.