2 yo eczema. Driving me (and him) crazy

[Giddypants]

Ds2 has had eczema since around 6 months old.
He has had all the lotions and potions going and not much has helped.
He is currently having eumovate twice a day which initially cleared it up in the first week, but it's now flaring up again.
I've been putting emulsion on 3 times a day but it's just getting worse.
He appears to be scratching mostly in the night when he's half asleep.
I'm really at my wits end with it any ideas how I can help him?

What emulsion?

*epiderm not emulsion. I've not been painting my child!

Haha!
I don't know epiderm. Try another emollient? Diprobase suits me but dermol for the kids. Apply much more often.
I was told to apply steroid, leave for half an hour and then emollient. Lots of it. I have been known to cream DD once an hour during the day.
Cotton clothes
Don't bathe too frequently. Keep water tepid. No bubbles. Aqueous cream or similar to wash.
Don't allow them to overheat.
Gloves at night?!

Oo keep nails short too!

Giddy. I have a very useful troubleshooting checklist for eczema.

DD is asleep in my arms at the moment but I'll copy and paste it onto this thread once she wakes and I get a chance.

I knew someone more knowledgable than me would be along in a bit!
Also:
Oats in bath
Watch perfumes
Choose washing powders with care

Lovely thanks.
I've restricted bathing to once a week. I'm allergic to biological washing powder so only have persil non bio.
I'll try oats in the bath I've bought e45 wash when he does go in.
I'll go back to the gp and ask about diprobase or dermol.
I was applying steroid and then emollient straight away. So will give it a half hour to sink in.
Is aveeno any good?

needs to be moisturized about 4 times a day all over.
give more water as people with eczema are dehydrated .
central heating which will irritate/dry skin.

Checklist is attached. It's from a paediatric dermatologist.

Interestingly it recommends very short daily baths when the eczema is flaring...

Damn, I can't attach. Will try copy and paste- apologies, it's long.

Atopic Dermatitis Checklist

1. Bathing correctly? Daily Emollient Baths are recommended for acute flares, with products such as EO, Oilatum or Aveeno. The duration of the bath should be limited to 5-7 minutes.

1. Applying sufficient topical steroid? Apply directly after bathing. The skin should be shiny - ointment preparations, avoid creams. The average infant less than 1 year requires 5g of steroid per application, 3-5 years: 10g per application, 6-10 years: 12.5g and adolescents : 15g per application.

1. Are there any signs of infection? Signs can be very subtle: broken skin initially, then weeping, crusting, clothes sticking to skin. A combined steroid and topical antibiotic is required as steroids will not work with even low grade infection. Fucibet lipid- BD body or Fucidin H BD for the face for 7-14 days.

1. Don’t stop topical steroids too soon. Body: During flares, always treat with topical steroid continued for at least 7 days after clinically clear, then step down to treatment twice a week (Saturday and Sunday) for three months when clear with the same steroid to prevent flares. If flares again when on weekend therapy, step back up to daily use for two weeks. Avoid using potent steroids on face, axillae, groin. Face: Hydrocortisone 1% is safe for ongoing use on the face.

1. Applying sufficient emollient? Use up to 4 times per day (250g infants- 500g adolescents / week)

1. Applying it in the right way? in a downwards direction along hair growth.

Tip: Never put your hand directly into open tubs of moisturisers and then onto the skin- use a spatula or spoon to dispense as tubs quickly become contaminated with bacteria. If recurrent infections are a problem, then switch to pump-action dispensers.

1. Adding Milton to the bath twice a week? If infection is driving flares: 1/2 a capful to ½ a baby bath, or 4 capfuls (120mls) to ½ adult bath- Milton alone- do not add Oliatum or Emulsifying ointment.

1. Used medicated bandages? eg viscopaste to problem areas eg wrists/ elbows/ ankles.

1. Tried wet-wraps? Essentially applying two layers of clothing after applying topical steroids and emollients; the contact layer should be soaked in luke-warm water and wrung dry, a second dry layer of clothing locks the moisture in and increases hydration of the skin.

10. Considered allergies? Food allergies occur relatively commonly but are typically associated with a sudden onset of symptoms such as lip or tongue swelling, hives, vomiting, wheezing or a dramatic flare of eczema- without that history a food allergy is very unlikely. Airborne allergies to the house dust mite and pollen are common and usually present with symptoms of hay fever and eyelid or neck eczema. Removing carpets and damp dusting may reduce airborne allergens.

BD means twice daily in reference to the Fucidin.

here's what worked for us.

ditching drs creams- load of shit makes it worse (use any steroid or antibiotic cream though if needed)

use SLS and paraben free vegan products. (creams shampoos conditioner bodywash etc)

have recently changed to a vegan washing powder and softener too

cut out dairy

still get flare ups sonetimes due to overheating in classrooms combined with having to wear unifirm which isn't good for eczema . but it has got measurably better.

Silcock's base was the only thing that worked for my dd. We cut out dairy recently and that seems to have an effect - but she's a teenager now. We tried no dairy when she was small and it didn't work but it did migrate and stay in crooks of arms, face and knees so I used to bandage it. She had a steroid cream for when it got really bad.

Aveeno lotion completely cleared our son's eczema up where all other emollients had failed...

Daily quick baths with dermol 600, reduces soreness and bacterial loading.

Pat dry skin, leave a bit wet, apply Epiderm (makes it easier to apply and increases moisture barrier). Apply epiderm

Eumovate when needed. Antibiotics when needed.

Scratchsleeves on at night and nails cut right down. www.scratchsleeves.co.uk/shop/products?gclid=CjwKEAiAoIK1BRCRiMqphvnlwlwSJAAOebPMD31qGKEZv35Lr6YUaOHF8-jxyTGCL3gu5Y171NTmEBoCUpvw_wcB

Ask for allergy tests from a consultant.

Sorry for noting them down - short of time, hope it helps!

Thank you all. We got the scratch sleeves pj top (fab service) and just that alone made a Big difference.
The advice about putting the steroid on half hour before the cream was the turning point. His skin is so much better already.
Thanks again

This is really helpful and can be used as well as the usual steroid treatments - totally natural

www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/pure-potions-skin-salvation-60077040?istCompanyId=8b7eb14d-bd9c-4f8a-aec2-4349bbabb5a0&istItemId=irrirlxrm&istBid=tztx&gclid=CNXIy7StysoCFQkIwwod2m0POg

Clicky link wont work but its called pure potion skin salvation - holland and barrett sell it

Glad things are working out. We were using surcare for washing clothes - but I have found using method laundry liquid and a smidge of comfort pure, with an extra rinse works better for us.

The scratch sleeves were a big find for us too!