DS's eczema is getting worse. Do you know of any alternative treatments?

[intergalacticwalrus]

We currently use Epaderm emollient on his skin (he's 18mo, btw) and Oilatum in his bath. The emollients are great as prevention, but for some reason, it's getting really bad on his legs especially and it's making him miserable.

I'd quite like to look into alternative treatments for it, as I am not over keen on shoving loads of chemicals on his skin. Can anyone recommend something thet they tried with their child?

Is he getting hot and sweaty?
What washing powder do you use?

We use Fairy Non Bio. Is there a better one we can get?

I have been leaving him out of his clothes when we are at home, but it hasn't really helped matters tbh.

I have heard the a product called "Guardian Angel" from Virgin Vie is excellent for exzema infact a friend of mine tried it on her son who was having to use steroid cream and it worked a whole lot better, maybe worth a try??

Surcare - they sell it in Sains & tesco
If you can set your washing machine to do an extra rinse cycle too

If he's scratching I'd go for loose clothes, baggy tops etc

We use hydrocortizone on DS (16 mths) but only occasionally when it flares up.

DH has just brouight me back from the states a load of Aveeno products. The have worked wonders for dd skin and they are all oatmeal based. Aveeno is available in Boots. I use it as a prevention and it works great. you might need to clear up your ds's skin before it can work?

Have heard Aveeno is good, but have never tried it. I'll have a look into it.

Walrus, try the Allergy topic, is full of advice regarding eczema and different treatments for it. Most mums there swear by Aveeno.

I found it really good for DS and use it twice a day (much better than 8 times a day we had to when using Diprobase). When Aveeno is not enough we use Eucerin 10% Urea. For the bath we use Oilatum Plus (no visible changes with regular Oilatum but all depends on the kid's characteristics).

Considering the time of the year, has he been to the swimming pool?, the chemics they put on them are a disaster for eczema, if you have, try to rinse all the swimming pool's water and cover him in emollient right afterwards.

Janbo, regarding steroids... it is not the same steroids than emollients,the emollient keep the skin hidrated and prevents flares, but won't do much for a bad flare episode. They are for different things.

I also use Halo n Horn shower gel on my son which is recommended for children with eczema

Are you geting some help on this - my daughter has bad eczema which has got so much better in the last few months - we've been using Unguentum M as emollient twice daily and bath in Oilatum. Under the care of GOSH we've been prescribed Synalar 1 in 4 to use as and when it flares (sparingly) and it really does the trick. Also, she goes to sleep in sleepsuit with just a holey/breathable blanket on - the doc said no to a sleeping bag thing because she can't kick it off and hotness/sweatiness can really make the eczema worsen. Sorry, know you were looking for alternatives but these things have really helped (as well as working out what foods she's allergic too - eg milk, eggs and peas amongst others! - the less we give her that her body doesn't like, the less she flares). Hope this helps

I have been using Oilatum Junior in the bath, epaderm with wet wraps for night time only, several applications of diprobase during the day. To treat flare-ups (cause still unknown) I use eumovate steriod cream which I only obtained after a referral to a dermatologist. Gps can't prescribe a steriod stronger than hydrocortisone and HC may work in the beginning, but something stronger needed eventually. I am not keen on using steriods but also appreciate that if used initially intensively eg twice daily for 2 weeks following a flare-up then I don't need to use it for long periods of time off and on. I also tried Aalgo bathing as they claim to ease eczema, but my daughter's skin got very dry and as a result she got flare-ups. However it may be worth trying as there is a money back guarantee.

Try aloe vera. I use an aloe vera moisturiser on my little patch and it has gone. I also drink the aloe vera juice every morning before breakfast and have found my asthma has also improved.

intergalacticus have u tried an naturopath/homeopath for him regarding his diet?
my dd had a bit on her body and i have been twice to a naturopath who has a paeditric background and am v happy with the results.

sometimes what u put on the skin makes no diff if whats going on behind isnt affected topically.
this is what she highlighted to me.

intergalacticwalrus I'd go and see a homeopath too, there have been numerous media investigations recently regarding the effectiveness of homeopathy with generally good results. I've also heard reports from many of my patients (I'm an OT) about the positive effects of homeopathy.

My SIL also has very sever eczema and she recently had a prick test to see which foods she might be allergic to. It turned out she's alergic to fungi including yeast which as you know is in most ready made food as well as bread and cakes. She started making most of her own food from scratch and cutting out all mushrooms and yeastand is now lots better, just tiny patches left. She wishes she'd found out years ago because she's been left with scars. Could be worth a try?

PS - would advise against changing diet especially with a toddler unless you are absolutely sure there is a genuine allergy and you've spoken to a professional dietician (NOT a nutritionist - they do not have to have a professional qualification).