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Children's health

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Original poster

could my DD1 be suffering with eczema?

31 replies

HeinzSight · 28/12/2009 14:18

She's 2 and has always had quite rough skin, on her cheeks, the backs of her arms and down the sides of her legs, they almost look like lots and lots of tiny red pimples. I use Oilatum in her bath and moisturise with organic babies baby salve but it never seems to make much difference to her skin.

This morning I noticed a big angry red patch on the outside of her elbow, it's about 6" long and 3" wide. She was complaining that it hurt earlier. We haven't changed detergent or anything for a while.

The doctors are closed today so I can't have it looked at.

I was wondering if there was anything I could do at home or get from the chemist to help her symptoms

Does this sound like eczema?

OP posts:
alypaly · 28/12/2009 15:01

www.emedicinehealth.com/slideshow_psoriasis/article_em.htmis it like slide 5 of 22

alypaly · 28/12/2009 15:03

dont know what the pimply bits are but the larger area sounds like psoriasis.

Original poster
HeinzSight · 28/12/2009 15:22

Oh no my Dad suffers from TERRIBLY psoriasis, it's now gone to his joints (psoriatic arthritis)

Her skin isn't anywhere near as bad as the pictures on that website, so I guess taht's something.

I'm off out now to get some E45

OP posts:
alypaly · 28/12/2009 15:27

what about picture no 5. the area you described sounded quite big.

emollients will be fine but if it is sore the doc may give her a mild steroid cream to take the redness down (somethibg like 0.5 % hydrocortisone perhaps)

alypaly · 28/12/2009 15:29

sorry about your dad,PA is awful. there is a genetic familial link so i would get it checked out as soon as you can. But try not to worry if it is only in one area it can be treated easily.

BlauerWeihnachtsengel · 28/12/2009 16:00

Sounds like neurodermatitis, which covers all sorts of auto-immune (am I right there?) skin issues such as excema, rashes, allergies, psoriasis and poor circulation. I have that pimply skin on my upper arms and have kindly passed it on to both dc - it's genetic, as alypaly says - along with the perpetually cold feet.

Luckily there are no serious allergies for us, but some products (eg one particular suncream and a shampoo by Schwartzkopf) as well as stress set off localised bad skin reactions - but much smaller than on the picture, usually about an inch in diameter.

It can also be triggered by certain food products, often in the dairy group. We have a tube of hydrocortisone prescribed by the doctor for these flare-ups. E45 is better than nothing, but I think you need to go to the doctor soon.

Original poster
HeinzSight · 28/12/2009 16:49

I will take her to the doctors tomorrow.

The areas on her arm are big, but not as angry looking as the photos. I've been to the shop to get E45, apparently while I was out, she kept complaining about her arms. I've put tonnes of the stuff on her.

I have some 0.5% hydrocortisone in the cupboard, would it be safe to use it, or should I wait until she's seen the doctor?

OP posts:
Original poster
HeinzSight · 28/12/2009 16:55

I've jsut taken some photos, give me a minute and I'll upload them to my profile

OP posts:
alypaly · 28/12/2009 17:06

did you carve that pumpkin{impressed)

foxinsocks · 28/12/2009 17:13

lol aly

my eczema is murderous at the moment - the combination of lots of heating and cold weather can make eczema/skin conditions flare up

I find Epaderm the best emollient (you can buy it in the pharmacy - it's for eczema/dematitis and psoriasis) but if you can get a doctors appointment maybe get the emollients prescribed as they are expensive and you will probably have to go through a few before you find one that suits

you may need to use a stronger/regular emollient on her skin to try and keep it hydrated and stop it being so rough

Original poster
HeinzSight · 28/12/2009 17:36

argh, it's only let me upload two photos and they don't show it very well!!

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 28/12/2009 17:39

aaah she has cute toddler arms that make you want to go and give them a squeeze!

Original poster
HeinzSight · 28/12/2009 17:42

lol

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 28/12/2009 17:45

it's pretty hard to tell from that

could she have rubbed a plant or got too hot and got prickly heat?

either way, I think you are right to take her to the doctor and get it looked at.

I probably would put a bit of hydrocortisone on if it's bothering her (just a small bit) but we are an eczema family so I probably wouldn't be second guessing what it was iyswim. Don't put it on if her skin is broken.

hope you get an appointment soon and can sort out what it is!

Snorter · 28/12/2009 17:52

Looks like eczema to me, NOT psoriasis, so please don't worry.

I think pimply skin on upper arms/top of thighs/face cheeks is something else called keratosis pilaris. And yes, it's generic. Emollients, like foxinsocks suggested, help that too.

alypaly · 28/12/2009 18:06

i can see the pimply bits but not the red area as you described.it doesnt show up very well. as fox says as long as skin is not broken or infected mild hydrocortisone for no longer then five days,but dont occlude it under any dressings.

Original poster
HeinzSight · 28/12/2009 18:13

Thank you xx I'll try and upload some more photos later. I'll also report back once she's seen the doctor

OP posts:
alypaly · 28/12/2009 18:23

i would mention the your dad has psoriasis just so that it is in her notes.

Original poster
HeinzSight · 29/12/2009 14:04

thanks alypaly

I took her to see the doctor this morning and she said it looks like the beginnings of ezcema. I told her that my Dad has psoriasis and she said DD1 is too young for proriasis.

She's given me a prescription for a cream but I can't remember what it's called, I have to pick it up later this afternoon because the chemist has had to order it in.

OP posts:
alypaly · 29/12/2009 16:34

was it eumovate... was hoping it was just a rash...

but i have to say your doc is completely wrong with his statement about psoriasis in infants. It is less common in babies but is nevertheless still seen in dermatology clinics regularly.I worked in dermatology for many years ...see website on psoriasis in www.dermnet.com/Psoriasis-Infants/picture/6568

Kbear · 29/12/2009 17:02

My DD has rough skin generally despite using moisturiser and exfoliating (she's nearly 11). This winter she has flared up with ezcema for some reason - the heating doesn't help and I keep her bedroom cool for this reason. Doc prescribed eumovate and moisturiser like vaseline - greasy but does the trick and within a couple of days it has become manageable and she is no longer scratching until she bleeds.

Use non-bio, keep her cool and well moisturised and it should help.

Original poster
HeinzSight · 29/12/2009 21:07

thanks kbear

alypaly, I have to admit I'm not keen on the doctor I saw today, she didn't offer to give DD1 a cream or anything, but when I asked if there was anything I could get on prescription, her face just dropped, she's renowned for trying to save money by cutting back on presriptions.

She prescribed her Balneum Cream.

But on the directions on teh back it says not to use on red inflamed skin

OP posts:
SleighGirl · 29/12/2009 21:10

My dd developed psorasis when she was 2 - the first attack was when she was coming down with chicken pox. Dh has psorasis as does my uncle.

It is unusual but it does happen. Generally dd has very very very few lessions.

Kbear · 29/12/2009 21:30

diprobase cream or gel is good for moisturising too - cream less greasy than the gel.

alypaly · 29/12/2009 21:33

is it the balneum plus cream. It cant be used on broken skin because the urea in it will sting on broken skin. What a donkey the doc is.

Double base or diprobase would be better as an emollient.( you can buy a tube of diprobase for approx £2.80) Sometimes patients have said E45 stings so take care with that.

If its just dry, emollients are fine,but i would go and see another doc to see if they would give you a mild steroid for flare ups

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