Eczema!!

[crazyone1974]

My 5 year old has suffered badly with eczema since he was 9 months old.
We see dermatology every 2 weeks, sometimes more often but it's always 'here's another steroid cream' or 'continue with this steroid cream'
I'm now at the point where I feel I cannot keep using these steroid creams on him. His skin isn't getting any better.
We've tried oat baths, done nothing plus he doesn't like the smell 🙃
Lots and lots of moisturiser, antihistamines, zinc products, eumovate, trimovate, mometsone, it's never ending.

Anybody have any advice or products that you have found worked?
Also how accurate would an allergy test be (do allergies even cause eczema?)

I've just put him to bed scratching himself to bits with blood on his pyjamas I'm honestly at my wits end with it & I feel terrible for him 😭

Please don’t keep using steroid cream. Google steroid cream withdrawal. A family friend is really struggling after using to much steroid cream and her skin is now worse than ever.

That’s great.

My eczema has also reduced in my 30s too but it is still around which is very annoying.

Can I ask, are you able to get the washes on prescription where you live, I’m having a hard time getting hold of them?

How is he with dairy? My daughter had excema as a baby. I took her off dairy based formula and food and it cleared up. I’m an acupuncturist/TCM practitioner. I’d recommended you visit a herbalist to check for imbalances. It’s often lung related.

Thank you so much for all the replies, gonna have a read through and see if anything we haven't tried.

Dermotology today - said I was sick of no progress and they have offered to put him forward for phototherapy, does anyone have experience of this?

I had phototherapy for a while for my hands & feet, worked but not as well as they hoped.
i have heard of good results, so hopefully it will be good for him x

Yes, I do get the was on prescription but I only use a small amount on my face in the shower daily, so I’ve not had to order some for a while.
I think you can buy it online though

I had chronic eczema in chilhood. Have just learned to manage it over the years (am 53 now): what helps me:

Laundry bslls. Absolutely no washing detergent or fabric softener

Salt baths

I am allergic to so many moisturisers, they can make things worse especially the typical emollients GPs prescribe (double base, oilatum etc..)

Antihistamines. At the moment I’m taking 1 every night.

Steroid cream: a lifesaver, I am very grateful for steroid cream, there’s a lot of scaremongering online nowadays but I’d be an awful meds without it at times

No pets although I am fine with my shorthaired cats.

Ah ok, I’m struggling to get these on prescription where I live and they are so expensive to buy.

Lifetime eczema sufferer also (now 40). Doublebase was a godsend when I first tried it as a teenager and still use it now. It dries as a clear film on the skin creating an extra barrier. Add creams when skin is still slightly wet after washing to help them sink in, but don’t wash too frequently or for too long. I have seen special gentle scratch star tools recently advertised which might be worth trying. Diet and water intake does make a difference over time. I do find during a flare up that going out in the cold/placing ice packs briefly on the skin does help keep an intense scratching session at bay. Also, when you are able, get him into hobbies that occupy both hands.

Quick google throws up amazon
amzn.eu/d/ay3f6Kq

And yes to allergies. Dust is a trigger for me and we have a special hoover for it.

Stress and anxiety make mine worse and more sensitive to allergens

If steroids aren't working or it's coming back worse after stopping them, ask the dermatologist for protopic. It keeps my lo's eczema at bay. Have you tried scratch sleeves for bedtime?

My 1 year old has eczema and allergies. He had known Non-IGE dairy and soy allergy by the time we first saw the dermatologist but she ordered a skin prick test there and then at our first dermatology appointment. His eczema is managed by Eildel and 50/50 paraffin daily and Eumovate and hydrocortisone when needed.

Light therapy is the one thing I’ve never tried, I would love to know how you get on with that!

Dsis - dairy & sugar trigger her eczema
DS1 grew out of his dairy allergy by the time he was 2 but I was on high alert because of Dsis.
DD still mildy allergic to oranges. Too much juice or satsumas will bring up itchy skin.
My dad developed dairy eczema later in life.
Nobody was ever tested. It was just trial and error but dairy seems to be the most common culprit amongst friends and family for me.

He has agreed to try the phototherapy even though the machine looks scary to him, nurse says he can take a toy in 🤞🏼
Will update on results if I remember lol

God I feel your pain op, I really do

DD had bad eczema, we tried all the creams etc.

She's now taking Dupixent which is an auto injection, it has been really effective.

DD never had phototherapy , her eczema is actually worse in the summer. She's better when it's cold and dry.

She does also have allergies (grass, hay fever, birch)

@crazyone1974 How did he get on with the phototherapy?