Experience of using Elidel cream on a child under 2?

[BelfastSmile]

DS is 17 months old and has fairly bad eczema on his face. It's basically constantly red and sometimes flares up. We can't find any cause at the moment. He's had steroid creams (Fucidin-H and occasionally Eumovate), which calm it down a bit. However, nothing works to remove it entirely (we've tried everything: Aveeno, Diprobase, petroleum jelly, Epaderm, Cetraben and a few others I can't remember).

The Dermatologist has now suggested using Elidel cream. She has prescribed it fairly widely for under-2s, but off-licence, as it hasn't been fully tested for that age. DH and I are nervous about using something unlicenced, but at the same time, it's not doing his skin any good to be constantly inflamed and red. She encouraged us to have a think about it, but I've looked online and can't find much.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Many medications aren't licensed in children because the drug companies aren't able to perform clinical trials in children. This doesn't mean they're unsafe as the drugs are widely used.
My DS has eczema although I haven't heard of that cream, we had various steroids and moisturisers prescribed by the dermatologist but luckily they worked a treat.

Thanks, Jibber. The dermatologist said it's an immune suppressant, so it stops the skin from reacting, or something.

Yes my ds had it prescribed at about the same age as yours. Cleared it up almost overnight, it was like a miracle cure. No ill effects, only on it for a short time and closely monitored. I would go for it. Drugs are prescribed off-license all the time, especially for children.

That's good to know. DS has a terrible time sleeping because he's so itchy. I'm strongly tempted by anything that might help!

I hope you'll see this. My daughter is 15 months. We are about to start Elidel. How did it go for your son?
She has very sever eczema. We've tried so many medicines. Do you have any advice from your experience?