Ladies, I need to vent - so apologies for the dreadful language.

[puffylovett]

I FUCKING HATE eczema. It's making my DS2's short life a FUCKING misery. He's gone from sleeping well to hardly sleeping because he's so bloody itchy and he looks like a burns victim.

Plus it's affecting mine and DP's relationship with him because we're frustrated with trying to get him to sleep in the middle of the night & are totally sleep deprived . and then wind up feeling guilty.

He's currently wriggling like a snake on the floor trying to scratch his back.

My poor little monkey. He's only 4 months old. Arrrrgh !!!!!!!!!! FUCK FUCK FUCKETY FUCK !!!!

Have you been referred to the Eczema clinic??
We were and it was a god sent! We initially were fobbed of with the usual creams that didnt work! They used a stronger steriod, aquaderm and bath emolients plus i changed my diet and this made a good improvement (by no way free of eczema) and by the time they were 3 both of them had outgrown it. |Still comes back now and again but it is nowhere near as bad as it was.

BTW we really had to push to get them referred to the clinic!

Good luck

My DS2 when she very small had this too - horrible and all over her face with red raw cheeks - People used to stare at her

I cannot say what sorted it but she grew out of it by 18 months, now she has scratchy inner arms and behind her knees and occasionally a bit of a break out but really is under control. Have you treid wet wrapping, we found it really helped both for immediate relief and for long term healing.

Wish all the best - I know how horrible it is.

Vent away.

Are you seeing anyone? Using eczema friendly clothing? Applied for DLA (if he is severe enough that you are doing lots of eczema related care for him).

ooh no not my DS my DD -

[SMILE] tarty

Just back from the GP, I need to give him antibiotics for this current breakout then we're back again on Tuesday to ensure it's responding and discuss a management plan. My GP is very good, but I do need referring.

I thought I was a bloody eczema expert after 2 years of it with DS1, but DS2 has very wet and weepy eczema compared to DS1's discoid eczema. He reacts to creams far worse than DS1 ever did. I've got lots of creams / lotions / emollients / steroids in my arsenal but he's not really responding well. W're going back onto an elimination diet on monday (have fallen off this week due to sleep deprivation - catch 22 ) Am pumpin self full of fish oil (bfing), airing the house well, not hoovering as much as I should - again sleep deprivation ! and I've now got him sleeping on a sheepskin. Cue best nights sleep for a while, thanks to another mner who recommended it.

I just need someone to talk to I think, no-one in RL really understands how fucking horrible and time consuming it is having a DS suffer so badly with it. You get comments like 'Oh baby eczema is really common though'. Yes, and ? I'd like to see your response when your DS2 has ripped half the skin off his head because he managed to get the sock off his hand

Plus it's the 2nd child I've had with it so badly, which makes me think it's me, maybe I should just put him on formula and have done with bfing because it's obviously something from me that's causing him to suffer

Anyway, we're off out for some fresh air now, but thanks for letting me vent. Any other tips welcome particularly where wet eczema is concerned

It sounds awful and forgive me if this isn't helpful as I don't know much about eczema - but have you considered acupuncture? I have a friend who does this and understand that children can respond very well to this treatment.

Not as scary as it sounds. They just prick them quickly with the needle (doesn't hurt them as needles very fine) and remove it immediately. If you can afford to try it, I don't think you'd have much to lose by the sounds of it. Maybe mention to your GP if they are sympathetic too as NHS sometimes can offer it.

Both my poor nephews have suffered with terrible excema from a young age.

Both of them have quite a few food allergies. SIL took the older one for allergy testing when he was 3 and a half and was given a long list of foods he tested allergic to. SHe radically changed his diet and within a month his skin was just beautiful. SHe had the younger one tested very young and so long as she is careful with what he eats- his skin is lovely too.

I know your poor little mite is much younger but it might be worth considering food allergies- as you say there might be something you are eating that he is sensitive to.

Lactose is often the most common suspect.

The excema clinics are fantastic. The nurses have seen just about everything and know exactly the best treatments.

We were only referred when DD1's excema became infected and she looked like a a little burns victim too

She was diagnosed as lactose intolerant.

Have you tried porridge oats in the bath. You put them in a sock then tie onto the tap so the bath water runs through it. This brought DD some relief. I take it you are using non-fragranced washing powder, bath products and stuff.

You can buy special babygros too and there are loads of things you can buy over-the-counter such as emolients (the chemist will be able to tell you the best ones).

Olive oil can help the dryness - just pour it on and rub it in.

Hope you get a referral soon.

Hi sb. I tried porridge oats with DS1 but they made him itchier so I've steered clear with DS2. However it's a different type of eczema so maybe I should give it a whirl.

Having said that - he only gets a bath once per week

Brigit - I suspect foods are playing a major part. DS1 reacted badly to wheat, dairy, tomatoes, citrus and potatoes for a long time.

I'm working up the strength to cut all these out

Daffodilly - I had considered acupuncture actually, I had it toward the end of my pregnancy to induce him / for spd. Currently trying Homeopathy and also Bowen as my friend is a practitioner (very similar to acupuncture)