Eczema cures! So incredibly desperate!!!!

[Kissmenever]

Hi all,

My lovely dd (5) has suffered from eczema from the age of 3 months, but recently has an awful flare up to the point it’s causing her so much distress, she will cry and say “I don’t want this skin anymore mummy, I want skin like yours” this is breaking my heart so much.

We have tried:
Hydrocortisone creams / steroid creams
So many ointments and creams
Several different non bio washing detergents
Cutting out dairy

Her school teacher has even called me up saying DD is struggling to concentrate in class!
Drs just fob us off with creams and washing lotions, I have asked drs for a referral to a dermatologist, but they say it isn’t “bad enough” yet.
I have attached a photo of the eczema on her neck currently.
I’ve also heard good things about “happy skin” eczema clothes, can anyone vouch?

Thank you so much.

My son is now 15 and had eczema from the age of 8 weeks. It was like your daughters

I didn't use creams or lotions - just kept it all 'wet' and sore. I used steroid cream when a flare up was bad. Always cotton soft clothing and non bio washing gel

You have pets? Sorry but do look into it this is making it worse. She shouldn't be touching animal fur and you do need to look at your environment too - animal fur or dander anywhere?

Don't go dairy free - it's unwise to do this without consulting a HCP

Oh and you need to carry on with the steroid cream for weeks after it's all gone. This is because the 'flare' is still there despite it looking better to the naked eye.

I have been fobbed off by various healthcare professionals who also say “it isn’t bad enough”. Tried various creams, antibiotics. Keeps coming back. Almost got signed off work because I was an infection risk. It’s actually ridiculous these people are making this call. As a healthcare professional myself, I just don’t understand thar reason for declining a referral. Surely if it is greatly affecting someone’s life it is “bad enough”, and they are not the person living with it. I really think it must come down to a money thing regarding these types of referrals. If my patient complains about something I try my best to help but if I feel they need to see a specialist in that area I refer them.

The NHS is on its knees, it’s really only going one way and the quality of care is really diminishing too. I work for it.

Honestly, if you can. Go private. Seen a dermatologist who will arrange allergy testing. What is the point in constantly treating something with creams etc, once you know the source of the flare up you can actively avoid it (if possible). There are so many things, some we probably don’t even know about that cause flare ups.

I have chronic eczema. I currently have to take methotrexate it’s so bad.

That looks so painful. I’m allergic to dust, mites, lots of chemicals. I removed any perfume from shampoo or creams I use.

Look for treatments with the least ingredients. For example, to keep it moisturised try 50/50 ointment. When my skin is really sore I have to bandage it with ichtopaste bandages ( you can get them on Amazon). I appreciate its more difficult on that location though.

Cold pressed coconut oil occasionally helps me.

The dermatologist told me not to give up dairy as there is only a casual link between that and eczema. I appreciate it can make it worse though.

I hope you find something that works soon. It must be hard to watch them suffer.

My son has eczema - improving with age - but other than steroid the one cream/salve that has worked for him is Rescue Salve from Honey & Rose skincare - it’s a tiny company set up
By a lady with awful psoriasis. It’s been amazing for him. I know everyone is different but could be worth a try. It’s not £££s like some options.

If you live in a hard water area, invest in a good water softener. They aren’t cheap but it cured our child’s eczema.

Poor mite. I have suffered from it all my life and my kids had it when young, but luckily much milder than me. However when my DS had a particularly bad stage I paid private and went to a paediatric dermatologist. I only paid for the appointment. She wrote a plan and various prescriptions which I then converted into nhs prescriptions at the doctor. It wasn’t expensive and really helped him.

I have dishydrotic eczema and was desperate. I had suffered for years, outbreak to outbreak. Eczema comes from within, so no topical cream can help, as it can’t reach the source. The dermatologist offered a steroid, which I did not want. I happened upon an article that said evening primrose oil ( yes, in the vitamin aisle) had helped some sufferers. I had been bleeding, scabbing, peeling on my hand for about two years and was ready to try anything. It cured mine. I mean, totally. I went back to that dermatologist and told him. He said he had heard of some success with EPO, and when I asked why he didn’t tell me, he said he couldn’t because of “liability” issues. I have taken it every day now for about 15 years and I have not had any further outbreaks. My gynecologist says her husband takes it, same reason. It is non toxic, OTC capsules. Oh-and it’s marketed for “women’s problems”, whatever that means. But, when I went through menopause, the only way I knew was looking at the calendar and realizing I’d stopped. Never had a hot flash or anything. Anyway, it is a safe supplement but I’m sure you should speak to a doctor or nutritionist before trying it.

Bioskin junior flare up cream worked wonders for my son aswell. I had tried childs farm and many others plus all prescribed emollients but sadly didn't work for us. I got all the bioskin products and we now seem to have it under control. I like the daily protection spray aswell. Good luck op

So many wonderful replies and ideas to try. Thank you so much. I will keep pushing for a dermatologist. Poor DD is seriously suffering with it at the moment and dreads bath times and bed times as that’s when she itches more.

Does anyone have any ideas on where I can get some eczema gloves to stop her itching at night??

The Eczema Society have details of clothing/mitts etc.

Dream Cream at Lush

Ds had similar (not quite as red though) on his arms. Things we did (I'm so sorry they all overlapped so we don't know which if any helped)
Hydrating (drank more water)
Cut down on dairy and wheat
Started taking antihistamine (Zirtek)
Used moogoo cream, washed with Roche posay lipikar ap+ (only thing he showers with)
Sometimes soothed with cicaplast (DIDN'T soothe my friend's child in the same way when my son used some of the creams she used they really aggravated it)
Just the best of luck, it's a horror movie of an ailment

Oh and we use non bio powder

I'm in the same position with my daughter - it's on her face. This week I've moved to alternating hydrocortisone cream with cold pressed organic coconut oil. It's a total nightmare, you and your daughter have my sympathy!

Just wondering if people suggesting lots of different things have tried getting a water softener.

As I and a pp mentioned, it totally solved the problem for my son and I've recommended it to lots of people who found similar. We do live in a very hard water area though. And maybe it doesn't work for all?

poor thing.
that does look painful.

I'm sure you have tried many mant things already.

I'm thinking due to were is is, could it be cold triggered? might covering it up with a bandana help?

also, the worst area looks llike it has been scratched. can dc wear cotton gloves at night?

I have a relative with really bad eczema and the parents got her a 'scratch toy'. a small pillow/stuffed toy thingy with a leather belly. the child was encouraged to scratch the toy instead if they got the urge to scratch. it helped a little breaking that awful cycle of broken skin.

@kissmenever feel free to dm Mr but fight hard to get your dd seen at a proper children's hospital. I had 6 years of being fobbed off until we got referred to one. Dd is now on methotrexate and it has been a game changer. However the specialist kids dermatology teams can prescribe stronger creams and less greasy ones which for my dd make her so much worse. The emollients (look like vaseline) are awful. They trap sweat near her skin and make her worse.

You may have tried this but from your pic alone on top of eczema it looks like she has had an urticaria reaction. This is often to the histamine her body naturally produced against heat. Dd suffers terribly. Have they recommended antihistamine?

Don't spend a fortune on things like happy clothes. Ime they make the situation worse.

Light weight cotton ... thing the organic stuff h&m do or John lewis

Keep her cool

Windows open at night, if you have trv's on her bedroom radiator turn them to low.

I have attached a pic of dds legs for you to show how bad they used to be. They are completely clear now and have been for 2 years.

There is hope but you have to fight

@Kissmenever

So many wonderful replies and ideas to try. Thank you so much. I will keep pushing for a dermatologist. Poor DD is seriously suffering with it at the moment and dreads bath times and bed times as that’s when she itches more.

Does anyone have any ideas on where I can get some eczema gloves to stop her itching at night??

I otder mine off ebay. The hospital recommended them

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dermatological-100-COTTON-GLOVES-SEAMLESS-Dry-Skin-Eczema-Cream-Moisturising-/282110175093?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

Water softener worked wonders for us and we still have one but have also recommended a product called Stinky stuff to friends recently and it’s having a very positive effect. It was originally developed for dogs and horses I think but their owners were using it too and raving about it so they’ve now developed a human range too.

Food diary.

I would see a nutritionist - BANT registered - for proper guidance

@Jobseeker19

Poor thing 😢 looks so sore.

My son had it really bad under his knee and we use to give him porridge baths which helped.

Another thing that helped a lot was going to the sea, which I know isn't a good suggestion atm. But when we went on holiday a few years ago his eczema went and didn't come back. This was after he had suffered with it for 2 years

It might have got better from the extra sunshine. There's something in strong sun that helps clear it up - most people say their kids' eczema is always worse in the winter, and mention the central heating, but I reckon it's the lack of sun that makes it flare up.

That's not very helpful in this benighted cloudy country, sorry OP ... (if you're in the UK)

Do you know anyone that is breastfeeding? When my son has a flare up i put breastmilk in his bath and it helps soooo much!

Dream Cream from Lush x

My son had this. It's so sore. You absolutely need to be in front of a dermatologist. Complain to the practice manager nicely if needed. Good luck.