How much do you trust doctors advice?

[AussieSim]

I got a new script for my DS's eczema yesterday from a new dermatologist. I picked it up from the chemist, applied the cream as he had instructed and put DS to bed and later came to the computer to do a bit of research on the cream (even though my last 2 dermatologist have told me I shouldn't) and to translate the leaflet in the box.

It turns out that both the information that came with the cream plus info on the web (FDA etc) says that the cream shouldn't be used on babies DS's age, or on his face, or on the nappy area etc etc. The doctor specifically told me - in english - that tests had been conducted on babies half DS's age, with no side effects.

I want to trust the doctor and am feeling a little bit desperate to 'fix' my DS, but can he really know better than the company that produces it or organisations that approve the use of drugs?

Yes I agree about the water. We have lovely clear mountain water here in Christchurch NZ, but when we went to Auckland my ds had a terrible outbreak.

I'm not sure what emollients might be called here in Deutschland, but do you mean like heavy duty moisturisers, or something that forms a barrier on the skin, or something more oily? What are the igredients of the most common/successful emollients, so I can look for something here. Non of the names mentioned so far ring a bell from my look around the Apothekes or the DM. TIA

They are like heavy duty moisturisers. If you go to www.eczema.org and look at the article on aqueous cream, there is a link at the bottom that gives a list of all the emmollients available on prescription in the UK. You could also try www.talkeczema.com which is more of a commercial site but also gives details of emmollients not available on prescription.

I would suggest that you steer clear of E45 as it has lanolin in it. Also your pharmacy or dermatologist might be able to give you some free samples once you know what you're looking for. I found that it was best to try them on a patch of clear skin first ( if you can find one ) just to see that your ds isn't reacting to any of the ingreedients.

Once you manage to get hold of some you should try to apply it as often as you need to to keep your ds' skin feeling moisturised. I say try as it can be a very time consuming process if you need to do it frequently! We still do it about 5 times a day.

As I remember we were meant to apply the steroids either 20 minutes before, or 20 minutes after the emollients, depending on which dermatologist I spoke to.

I'd be amazed if they don't use emollients in Germany. Perhaps if you printed off the list from the eczema society and took it to a pharmacy they might recognise some of the brand names and be able to point you in the right direction.

Hope that helps.

Thanks CER. I've dug out a jar of cream I bought in Australia in a health food store and done some research on it before applying to the bits of DS which are in pretty good condition. It is called Calendulis Plus Cream and is promoted as a natural alternative to steroids. The website isn't too bad either eczemasite.com

If he doesn't respond to this one I will do as you suggest with the list - except I will take it to the dermatologist (it is nearly impossible to get anything here without a prescription). Thanks Again.

An update and maybe you can help. My DS's eczema that cleared up beautifully with the Elocon and antibiotics is now starting to deteriorate again. The bad areas on his back that had faded to a light pink but were smooth are now developing spots in them again.

I wonder what the Dr will do now. Any ideas? Do you think it was the antibiotics that kept it at bay. The spots don't seem to be responding at all to the cream anymore even though I have been applying twice per day as the dr originally instructed. His face and his thumbs are still OK, although not completely healed but it is his back that I am worried about flaring up first.

Any eczema experts?

Hi AussieSim

Sorry to hear about your ds. It does sound similar to what happened to my ds though.

I think in our case it was at least partly because there were so many things, food and environmental, that ds was reacting to that until we managed to identify those, the steroids didn't really do any good.

The difficult thing about eczema is that everyone's seems to be so individual that what worked for us won't necessarily work for you.

One thing that I have found recently though is that the soap I use to wash my hands can affect ds if I put his emollients on straight afterwards and I've had to change to washing my hands with one of his emollients. Then there's dust mites, food, and I feel sure that some brands of nappies in particular affect his skin.

What does your dermatologist say?

sorry to hear your still having problems.

have you got emoillants sorted yet? i can recommend a quick list of several to try of the top of my head, dermol5000 lotion, eurcerin 5 or 10%, aquous cream, emulysifying ointment. will come to you with more later. try the links below for some more info as well. hth

www.dermatology.co.uk/eczema/index.asp
www.talkeczema.com/