Eczema suggestions needed - DDs keep developing reaction to creams

[FiveStar]

Hi I have twin DDs (3 yo) who both have eczema, one more severe than the other. We have tried numerous creams over last few years including steroids. Then started with Aveeno just as a moisturiser and it was like a MIRACLE ! Everything cleared. However now after a few months of being clear they seem to have developed immunity to that cream and eczema is getting v bad again. Can anyone suggest alternative emollients that have worked for their children?

(We have previously been through cetraben, diprobase, a gel type cream whose name I can't remember and various forms of hydrocortisone plus some with antifungals in them. We use aqueous cream in bath. I don't want to go back to steroids if can avoid them as didn't work.)

If topical corticosteroids didn't work I would query the diagnosis of eczema. Have they seen a dermatologist?

I find Dermol 500 good, as well as Epaderm.

Hi we asked for a referral ages ago before Aveeno worked and I believe the GP wrote it but your question has reminded me that we never heard back...will chase it up. We had epiderm before (it's like lard isn't it) but not Dermol 500 so might try that, thanks

Yes I would advise chasing it up; things do go astray!

I doubt the skin is becoming immune to the Aveeno, it may be that you need to apply it more frequently. I find with eczema (assuming it is that) it goes through spells where you need far more emollient far more frequently, then it can calm down again.

Have you tried the Aveeno sachets for the bath? Expensive and make a disgusting mess of the bath but work brilliantly.

Aveeno worked for us too. We also used Dermol.

Have you considered getting a water softener? The daughter of a friend of mine had very bad eczema as a baby and they were advised to get one. It worked a treat and she was clear within a couple of weeks of having it installed.

We are big Aveeno fans in our house too - just putting some on my hands after scrubbing the floor!

DD1 had excema from tiny but it is so much better after we used FreeDerm from the US. I won't link to the site as it would be exdorsing it (and the website is cringworthy!) but it definately worked for us.

We use this for flare ups but Aveeno and Diprobase for moisturiser, especially after bath (only 2 or 3 a week). Epaderm is awful greasy stuuf - glad those days are gone .

Good luck with your twins.

50/50 cream was a lifesaver for us when DD1 was a baby. It is 50% soft paraffin (vaseline) 50% liquid paraffin. So it is like vaseline but much softer. DD had reacted to quite few others but there's very little to react to in this one. You can get it on prescription but I just used to order it from the pharmacy because it's quite cheap.

I put it on her twice a day for months and my hands have never been in better condition never mind her skin.

It is an emollient rather than a treatment but well worth a try.

Hi,

Can I just thank you for this post, I have been having a terrible time with my DD's excema, it has been getting worse and worse, luckily she only has it on her legs but this has been bad enough and the itching has been driving her crazy. The cetraban was not working and the hydrocortisone works but only for a short while. I read this thread on Friday and ended up getting some Aveeno in Boots and it has been like a miracle cure, her legs are amazing! So thank you very much. Went to drs today to get some aveeno bath stuff and Dr says its very much a case of trial and error with the creams. THANKS YOU!

Cetraban and Diprobase made DD's much worse. Currently this regime is working: Doublebase 3x per day as all over moisturiser, Oilatum in bath, Epaderm as soap substitute in bath (baths only every other day, used to be even less, water fairly cool now it's summer), lowest dose hydrocortisone only on flareups 3x per day and once per day for a couple of days after it's gone. Surcare laundry liquid, hot steam iron on clothing/ bedding (apparently kills dust mites). We are beautifully excema free at the moment, so I'm loathe to stop any of the above!

another one to try is elenas nature collection. i get it on prescription for ds and its helped - shampoo/body wash + oil + day and night cream
also use dermol too sometimes

Thanks for all these replies, still issues here so following up with GP this week.

CharlieBoo glad to have alerted you to Aveeno, it is really amazing stuff