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Children's health

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Original poster

Child itchy/knicker problem

33 replies

Crumpetzoo · 19/04/2023 21:42

Anybody have some advice for sensitive skin or recommendations. My child suffers from eczema so changing to 'surcare' wahing powder has helped with all other areas of the body as well as using hydromol in the bath. But she has persistent eczema type rash on her knicker line and itchy vulva. Dr prescribed Canesten which helps whilst using but issue never really goes away and is only meant to be for 7days. I am convinced it is a reaction to the washing powder but at a loss of what else to try. Have tried persil non bio liquid and ecover liquid fragrance free both in small amounts. Now on surcare which like I say helps everywhere but the vagina area. Short of having single use knickers or washing knickers in the sink with no soap I don't know what else to try.

Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 19/04/2023 21:45

What does she use for washing the area?
Might be useful to try an emollient cream instead of soap/shower gel

dementedpixie · 19/04/2023 21:46

Ah you said you use hydromol in the bath already

Original poster
Crumpetzoo · 19/04/2023 21:49

@dementedpixie tbh we don't wash the area...she has a bath every night and I just let her sit in the water, I don't wash with any soap as always believed that would cause more problems, so yes just the hydromol.

OP posts:
mrwalkensir · 19/04/2023 21:49

ecoballs for washing clothes

wobblymum1 · 19/04/2023 21:50

My DD has similar.
i found using any emollient in the bath irritated her vulva so I stopped- i now bathe her just in water (not daily) and while this negatively affects the rest of her eczema which I now have to treat after Bath with zero base+ steroid……
basically all bath exzema additions irritated her vulva ☹️

Original poster
Crumpetzoo · 19/04/2023 21:51

@mrwalkensir thank you. Is this something you have had success with?

OP posts:
wobblymum1 · 19/04/2023 21:51

Also with washing: anything other than fairy capsules and my DD gets itchy

HerNameIsIncontinentiaButtocks · 19/04/2023 21:52

Try shorts instead? Wish they'd been available when I was tiny, my skin was really sensitive at the crotch-leg elastic, I always had itchy lines there.

Original poster
Crumpetzoo · 19/04/2023 21:57

Thank you for everyone's replies. I will try the shorts as it is definitely an eczema type rash there. Do you think I could use an over the counter type steroid cream (such as daktarin) on the perinium area as that seems to be itchy but they all say don't use on the genitals

OP posts:
elaeocarpus · 19/04/2023 22:05

Daktarin is NOT a steroid cream for eczema its an antifungal.
Try boys boxer briefs or girls short pants - perhaps nothing under pjs at night

AndrexPuppy · 19/04/2023 22:07

Go back to your GP for advice.

dementedpixie · 19/04/2023 22:08

You do get combined antifungal/hydrocortisone creams as I've used canesten HC before.

I was prescribed dermol 500 to use for washing my leg creases (instead of soap) as I was getting a lot of itching in that area. I've just bought myself some more so I can keep using it

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 19/04/2023 22:12

No knickers when possible such as at home when she's in her nightie. The rest of the time loose boxer style shorts.

You could try washing her knickers in plain hot water.

My sister had problems with wash powder and particularly what her knickers and socks were washed in.

CorsicaDreaming · 19/04/2023 22:17

Have you tried these, @Crumpetzoo ?

Qualtex Eco-Friendly Magic Laundry Washing Machine Clean & Soften Clothes Wash Ball - 1000 Washes amzn.eu/d/dmGhLZo

Pearfacebananapoop · 19/04/2023 22:29

Could be fungal and need stronger cream than canesten.

Original poster
Crumpetzoo · 19/04/2023 22:47

Ok thank you everyone
I have ordered some shorts style knickers and the ball you linked to @CorsicaDreaming
I will try the above and if no success will go back to the GP

OP posts:
newtolineofduty · 19/04/2023 23:24

I wonder if bepanthen might help? My baby has severe eczema but we've started using bepanthen on his neck (constantly red and sore due to drool and the friction of bibs) after being on and off canisten and steroids for weeks and it's really helped x

Mingeater · 19/04/2023 23:32

Doesn’t sudacream heal everything? It should be ok around genitals as I am sure I used it for nappy rash many year ago.

margegunderson · 19/04/2023 23:57

Don't want to worry you but girls and women of any age can get an autoimmune condition called lichen sclerosis which flares every so often and causes a really itchy vulva and permanent scarring. It's more common in women especially post 40 but possible though rare in children. GPs are often not well informed on it. If the rash is outside her vulva this is less likely but it's good to be aware. Also if this persists consider asking for a dermatology referral.

ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 20/04/2023 00:05

Do you shampoo her hair while she's sitting in the bath?

I've found with DD that even the gentle, organic shampoos caused mild fungal infections around her vulva if she was sitting in the bath while having her hair washed. The simple solution to this has been to rinse her bottom/vulva with the shower standing up at the end of her bath so any residue of products is washed off.

Also Boden knickers with thick cotton seams rather than elastic are another positive change we've made.

Justathrowawaycomment · 20/04/2023 00:09

HerNameIsIncontinentiaButtocks · 19/04/2023 21:52

Try shorts instead? Wish they'd been available when I was tiny, my skin was really sensitive at the crotch-leg elastic, I always had itchy lines there.

Me too. I'm a eczemy sort. And knicker elastic was a core culprit as a child. Seamless or shorts style knickers helped a lot.

As sitting in a cool bowl of water with a table spoon of bicarb in it (it was the 80's, there may be better solutions now).

BornBlonde · 20/04/2023 00:34

My kids have super sensitive skin but no reactions to using the Aldi or Lidl non-bio

ouch44 · 20/04/2023 00:42

I second the ecoball. See you’ve bought similar. My teen DD can tell if I’ve forgotten to use them especially in winter as her inner thighs start to flare up.
I am allergic to latex and sometimes get red marks from elastic. Broody bamboo pants are fab. Not sure you’ll find kids ones. But could she also be allergic. Is there any in Lycra?

ouch44 · 20/04/2023 00:44

Should add she never has baths. Just showers. Not so easy with young kids I know but limits contact with any nasties. We suspect SLS is one

VanillaImpulse · 20/04/2023 01:12

Please don't use any steroid creams which haven't been prescribed