Any ideas on skin condition please (picture)

[Claw001]

In early December my son had a tiny patch of dry skin on his face. Late December i made a GP appointment. Before appointment my sons face flared up really severely. Swollen, hives etc.

Managed to get same day appointment. GP didn’t know what it was, said definitely not Dermatitis. Called in a 2nd GP for opinion, didn’t know either. Gave my son anti allergy meds and made appointment to see GP, who specialises in skin.

Anti allergy meds, didn’t help. GP who specialises then gave antibiotics, steroid tablets, steroid cream and more anti allergy meds. It cleared up within 3 days.

The minute he stopped taking meds, it flared up again. Back to GP, who just gave a moisturer on Thursday.

Today, it is getting worse. The whole of my sons face is like this.

Any ideas please?

• [Message from MNHQ: the pic has now been removed at OP's request as she's concerned for her DS's privacy]

Hi @Claw001

My DH had a small eczema flare which was treated with steroid cream, it came back so they upped the strength, after many months of increasing strength plus other oral drugs he was diagnosed eventually as topical steroid withdrawal. Hope you don't mind but I showed him the photo and it looks very similar. There is a Facebook group that will be able to support if it is this. It's not that well known.

I will have a google thanks.

My son has never had eczema before or used steroid cream. Can you get this after only using steroid cream for 7 days?

On the box for his cream, it states ‘steroid potency moderate’. Eumovate 0.05% if that’s any help!

Oh and he had 3 days worth of steroid tablets. I’ve thrown the box now, but GP did say it was quite a high dose, hence only 3 days worth.

@Claw001 Is he any better?

king hi, thanks for asking.

It is looking much better after 7 days of steroid cream, but not totally gone. GP appointment tomorrow for a plan of what to do in the meantime, while waiting for Dermatologist appointment.