Please someone help me with my daughters skin

[storypushers]

We have tried so many creams and we are getting nowhere. This is how she's woken up so no cream on yet. GP has referred us to dermatologist but that appointment isn't until June. My daughter (6) isn't wanting to go to school. And refuses to have her arms and legs out at all. Her face is so so dry. Please does anyone have any ideas?

We've tried these but can try them again if anyone thinks there're a miracle cure.
Zero base
Diprobase
Epiderm
E45
Lanisoh
Vaseline
Coconut oil
Aveeno

You don't know that. My eczema is from alkali exposure like washing up liquid, washing powde, bleach, shampoo etc. Other people's will have different sources including acid exposure. And I don't mean an acid or alkali diet, I mean skin exposure. Pets may be wholly irrelevant.

sunflower oil four or five times a day. Just get a small amount on clean hands and rub it in for her. Do it for the next four days and you will see if it improves.

Another option would be to see if any of the GPs at your practice have a special interest or have further training in dermatology.

Have a look on the practice website where they list all the GPs and you are looking for Dip Derm or PGDip Derm in the pile of initials after their names.

There might not be one, but if there is, it's that GP you want to see rather than any of the others.

Dr Latheef sorted us out as well when many others had tried and was exceptionally lovely to my then 5 year old.

Try Cerave, particularly at night. It's greasy so works well. Also, when your daughter washes, she needs to PAT her skin, not rub it. Laundry balls instead of detergent, OR Surcare.

My son had Eczema from being about 2 weeks old (he's an adult now with kids of his own but still gets it)

If you need to go private, OP, a couple of the best dermatologists at my NHS dermatology service also work for the local Spire Hospital.

Best of luck.

I would be doing a good diary and eliminating diet starting with dairy.

Eczema is often linked to food intolerances and other allergies such as house dust mites.

I agree with organic sunflower preferably with added vitamin E - this is most similar to our natural skin oil and a lot of baby massage classes recommend it.

I have similar skin on my face unfortunately but not on my body. I use La Roche posay cicaplast Baumé and it helps. It's £10, might be worth a try

Your skin is an organ of your body and built out of what you eat.
What is your skin made of- proteins and fats. So, increase intake of animal protein and natural animal fats.
Many skin problems are caused/made worse by inflammation from foods eaten.
What causes dietary inflammation- processed foods, grains, sugars etc, so cut them out.

My DS has had skin issues similar to this & whilst I would say definitely try to get a consultation, in the meantime the best thing for soothing his skin was an oat bath. So regular porridge oats put into a sock or tights, tied in a knot & put in the bath & squeezed.

It helps ease the itch & years later if he has a flare up this still helps.

If you live in the north west I would go see Dr Tim Clayton, pediatric consultant dermatologist based in salford.

Read sone research by Hywell Williams whilst you're waiting for support
Good luck

@storypushers have you tried the unscented 'Child's farm' baby moisturiser? It's inexpensive and is brilliant for dry and eczema prone skin. They also do a mild unscented body wash. I would definitely stub to baby products as anything else has too many ingredients in them for potential reactions. Another thing I recommend is to have warm showers instead of baths and also don't have the shower on high pressure, turn it to low as it's less harsh on the skin. Keep hair off face and again use baby shampoo and conditioner.

Did this start suddenly or has your DD always had sensitive / dry skin since babyhood?

Diary allergy can cause symptoms like this. If you're getting nowhere with the creams, could you try eliminating dairy from her diet and see if it helps. We have this in my family (me, my daughter and my nephew) and restricting dairy really helps.

Looks like Ichthyosis to me too (DS has it).

See if you can get some of these Dead Sea Salts and pop her in the bath then let her have a good soak. Once she's dried off, then lotion.

Tomorrow take her to the GP. Say that you think she's had Ichthyosis and is school refusing because it's affecting her mental health.

Ask to see a Dermatologist and also ask for a Genetic test to see why type of Ichthyosis it might be.

There are several Ichthyosis support groups on FB

I don't think there's much point trying loads of different creams as you don't know what's causing this.

You need to see a proper dermatologist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Aw bless her, that looks really uncomfortable. It looks a bit like cradle cap to me. Is it on her scalp too? I wonder if there’s a fungal element to it?

you’ve had some really good advice here, especially about using an emollient as a soap substitute.

Definitely pursue a private dermatology consultation if you can (but don’t give up your NHS referral unless it completely resolves!), they will put their suspected diagnosis in writing and recommended treatments and make it a lot easier to access certain prescriptions through the GP.

That's the one our DS uses.

Unless of course it's genetic like Ichthyosis. Then it has nothing to do with what she's eating.

I just wanted to add that really you shouldn’t be cutting out whole food groups unless it’s under the supervision of a dietician or dr so if you do make sure you research it thoroughly and make sure that your making up any vitamins/minerals in other ways.

Pls don’t use hydrocortisone on DD’s face unless it is prescribed. It can lead to other, hard to resolve problems like perioral dermatitis. If Dr thinks it is an inflammatory problem they may prescribe a cream that suppresses the response rather than treats the symptom.