Is this still eczema (photo), please?

[womblewise]

I will try and go to the GP again this week, but wanted to check here in hope someone might have a miracle cure, because I feel I've tried everything! Nothing makes any difference - sensitive washing powders, bath emollients and endless moisturiser etc.

GP is sympathetic but says the same things: sparing steroid cream and moisturiser. But the eczema seems to have changed from patches to permanant itchy dry spots really, all over her body. I think she has been permanently itching since she was born!

My eczema looks like that. I have if from head to toe. Horrible and itchy all the time. I have to slather on 50 50 but it’s very messy. I take antihistamines. They help with itching.

Sorry - it seems I have used all the spellings of permanent!

And I should also have said, this is my DD aged 6.

I haven't even had any wine to make so many mistakes tonight!

Could it possibly be fungal? I get spots like that on the underside of my left arm where I rest it on the table/desk and it turned out to be a minor fungal sweat rash rather than the eczema I've been treating for 40 years with steroids - cleared up within a week with anti-fungal cream.

Has your GP referred you to a specialist eczema clinic/nurse? My DS1 had severe eczema (woke up every morning with sheets covered in blood - we used to sellotape the sleeves if his pajamas to stop him scratching).
When it flares up it looks very much like your photo. We struggled for a long time to get on top of it and he was consistently getting strep infections from the scratching.
We found out about the eczema clinic from a friend and pushed for a referral. They put DS1 on a 5:2 treatment. Which is when you treat hotspot areas on the weekend even when there are no visible symptoms. They also directed the GP to prescribe elecon (I think that's how it's spelt). The branded rather than generic version.
A few years on and we still have flare ups but it feels under control. It felt out of control for a long term so completely understand your desperation to get it sorted.

Don't be afraid of steroid creams. As long as they are used as directed and under the instruction of the doctor they are safe. Eczema itself gradually damages the skin, so not using steroids out of fear of damaging the skin is likely to be harmful.

Also, anyone that uses an inhaler for asthma is making use of steroids, and no one would suggest it sensible not to do that.

Skin damage from steroid use is actually quite rare and mostly documented when using very potent steroids for long periods. Mild and moderate creams are safe, as long as used as directed.

As above, we use the 5-2 approach and it has allowed us to regain some control.

Have you tried stopping milk for a week or two?

My DD is covered in it if she has milk. Her skin goes back to normal after about 3 days of stopping milk.

Its worth a try,

Some info here about food allergy and eczema.

www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/eczema

Thank you for your replies everyone. It's so frustrating!

@Suzie81 I used to put the steroid cream on the really bad bits (behind her knees etc.) and moisturise everywhere else, and the dr did suggest the 5:2 idea too. But now the bad eczema parts seem to have spread over her whole body, can I put steroid cream on all over her legs, arms, torso etc? I worried it would be too much, especially as it comes in such small tubes, if that makes sense.

@IwishIcan The milk idea is interesting. Do you restrict all products containing milk, or just actual milk itself? Sorry if that's a silly question!

And also thank you for the link, @IwishIcan - I've learnt that the type of eczema she has is called follicular. That explains why it's sort of all over and not in specific hot spots, I suppose.

I'd certainly speak to your GP before doing anything, but generally speaking applications on large parts of the body aren't a problem. The actual amount absorbed is minimal, so there's no danger of "overdose". Equally I'm assuming you're using either a mild or moderate steroid, so we're not talking super potency to begin with.

But do speak to your doctor to ensure it's a suitable treatment option.

Oh, and they do bigger tubes. A little can go a long way, and you only need to apply thinly. But bigger tubes are available or they'll just prescribe more. They're right to be careful with steroid creams and you wouldn't want the population slapping the stuff on willy nilly, but when there's a clear clinical need and the creams are used appropriately, that's what they are there for.

There are some good academic papers looking at the impact of regular steroid cream use, and the results are pretty reassuring. There are sadly lots of misconceptions and myths surrounding them.

If it's dairy allergy you must cut out all dairy (milk, cheese, butter, whey etc) for at least a couple of weeks to see much of a difference. You could also try cutting out egg (maybe in a month's time if you see no difference with milk). Other common triggers are nuts and soya, or contact with pet fur. Have you asked for a referral for skin prick test?