"wet" eczema - what is it?

[kittyb]

saw this on another thread - I couldnt understand why gp, hv etc all said ds had eczema in elbows, backs of knees, wrists because it was wet and shiny, not dry and scaly which is what I thought eczema looked like. Why is it "wet"? Is it an infection?

yep infected. Normally treated with something like fucidin h or even oral antibiotics. Never wet wrap infected eczema as it makes it worse.

thanks for this - at last, a straightforward answer - is it just normal skin bacteria (I'm guessing here!) that multiplies because its in cosy places? I take it theres nothing I can do to stop the infections starting (he's a relatively clean little boy!)

often its something like staph- which is everywhere. It is important to try to keep it under control or it can rapidly multiply. Needs to be bathed every day with emollient of some sort in the bath. Make sure you dry it well after bathing etc.

Have you been given anything to help it? When my son had severe eczema the hospital gave us dermol to use whenever an infection started along with oilatum plus (think that's what it was called- it's white, not clear like normal oilatum and which unlike regular oilatum contains antibacterial stuff). We had both on prescription.

friend of a friend told me to ask gp for fucibet cream which works well. over winter only needed to use it once a month or so. But in hot weather needing it about once a week, which still isnt too bad I suppose. When it flares up its so "wet" that my gut reaction is to try to dry it out not moisturise it which is why I found the normal "dry" eczema advice so confusing. Am currently not bathing him every night (he's 2 1/2)but I'll make a point of washing and drying his inside elbows before he goes to bed. (is "inside elbows" the right word or am I having a maternal moment!)

it is probably an infection. the fucibet should be used for around 7days tapering off as it needs to fight the infection. using it once a week wont really do the job. Get the dermol500 lotion which is an antimicrobial emollient, and can be used as a soap subsitute as well. as for the oilatum plus, works very well. also ask for fucibet, fuciden H or another hydrocortisone which has anti biotci effect in it. once the infection is cleared up, then see if you can carry on with the dermol alone to keep it under control.

this may not work btw, just basing it on what worked with dd1.

yep- we did exactly the same as misdee. Bathing doesn't matter as long as the eczema is washed- but must use emollient tyoe soap substitute.

My son has bad exzema at the back of legs. Wet horrible, it gets better for 2-3 days and then we're back to the awful bleeding mess! I have been told not to bath too often as long baths (and believe me once I get him and sister in, it;s about half an hour before I can drag them, ((kicking and screaming in his case)) out).

Have not noticed a difference. I would love to bath them every day.

PS I use fucidin H EVERY DAY on bad days, and would love to stop.

kalex. what else do u do to combat it? have u changed soap powder? apply emolliants thro out the day, or just twice a day? (belive me some people think 2 dabs a day will help). nails trimmed? how hot is the bath? i assume u are using o soap at all in the bath, not even shampoo. the bath should be warm. one thing i found good for tackiling the itch once it started was to apply cold flannels to the itch. if i can upload some pic later of my dd2 when she was 2, the back of her legs were awful, i'll post a link up.

Please, what is o soap?

Hav to admit that he occasionally nags me into letting hm into my bath. Very small hot water tank so no chance of nice fresh bath.

Soap powder no effect, use the ecover,

nails short, but not too short try not to create raggy points.

Bad point though he like really hot baths, and complains if they are not at the required temp!

sorry meant to be just soap. its best to avoid soap and shampoos asw the detergant can irratant the skin.

what emoillants are you using? try to keep the nails as short as possible. dd1 nails are trimmed every other day.

use epiderm, and nothing in bath apart from epiderm

epiderm, thats the thick lard-like substance isnt it? thats a good one for use under wetwraps. it may be wise to speak to your gp about switching to a lotion, with a short burst of hydrocortisone 1% to start with. we use emulysifying ointment on dd1 at times, but only under clingfilm as this seeps into the skin deeper and leaves it nice and soft. I can recommend the oilatum bath additives, the dermol500 (which can be used as a soap as well). it literally gave dd1 a life back. Eucerin 10% is also good, but at first when dd1 was younger she couldnt stand it as it left her skin feeling odd, and very shiney. some people swear by Aveeno products as well. Speak to your gp about this and if possible get referred to a specialist. you need to find a combination of lotion/creams/ointments which work best for your ds and they can really find out whats going on. sorry if i seem to be going on and on, but just over 2yrs ago dd1 legs were just a mass of scabs and weeping sores. she would scream if i tried to touch them. heartbreaking. let us know how u get on.

Took to doctor today, and they have now presribed Trimovate. Has anybody else had this? Have been told to used for no more the seven days, and to go back to doctor if not cleared.

Thanks for helping.

have they given u any other emoillants? i think that trimovate is on the same level as emouvate, which is great for clearing it initially but i really do think u need a different emolliant as the one you are using doesnt seem to be keeping it under control.

trimovate information

Misdee,

Would just like to say thank you so much for your help with this. DS skin looking fab, the best it been in about 8 months, have stopped using the trimovate, and am lasinh on the epiderm, but if it breaks out again, I'll be straight down to the dr's looking for a different emolient.

I really believed that it was just going to be something we had to deal with. What would I do without mn

i'm glad his skin is improving. it used to make me so pleased when dd1 skin clerared after months of hard work. unfortunatly we have hit a brick wall with dd2 treatment. i have to make another appointment with the gp, as it appears that what worked brillinatly with dd1 isnt having much effect on dd2.