Eczema still infected -what now?

[GosfordGlover]

I've had eczema on my hands for months now and have just finished a week of double dose antibiotics because GP said it had a bacterial infection, quite a bad one. Woke up this morning and new areas of my eczema have the same signs of infection. Has anyone experienced this before? Obviously I'll try to go back to doctors but they haven't always been very proactive so far so I want to know what I can ask for.

A referral to a dermatologist?

Hi, yes agree referral to dermatologist but to start with you could try washing/bathing with "bleach bath" mix. https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/resources/bleach-baths-for-eczema/ www.southtees.nhs.uk/resources/bleach-baths-for-eczema/]]]] . DS had terrible infected eczema that wouldn't go away and dermatologist suggested bleach bath. Basically bath with Milton sterilising solution in. It's similar level to swimming pool. We used along with an anti bacterial cream, fucidin I think and it cleared up.

Hydrocortisone over the counter can help. Eczema is fundamentally an overactive immune system. I'm on biologic injections now, which are life changing but you only get those in serious cases

Another vote for bleach baths. My husband has to take them quite regularly to stay on top of his skin health

Did they take a swab of the infected site last time, or just prescribe an antibiotic based on the usual effective one for the condition? If they didn’t, it might be worth requesting they do so this time, so the lab can run a culture and sensitivity test to see what antibiotic might best work on the particular bacterium causing the problem.

As others have mentioned if this is an ongoing issue then request a dermatology referral. They might have quite a long waiting list, so the sooner they refer the better really.

No they didn't. I can ask but just think they will say no to everything.

Oh no, what a pain. There are NICE guidelines they are meant to follow, it might be worth having a read and reminding them if they are dismissive.
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/eczema-atopic/management/infected-eczema/

Sorry to hear this, OP.

The trouble with biologics (I’m on Adalimumab) is that they are an immune-suppressant and can make you more prone to viral, bacterial and fungal infections.

Anyway, I get both psoriasis and eczema #LuckyOldMe. I’m still recovering from a lengthy infection which seems to have involved everything, all together.

My GP fortunately picked this up. She’s a dermatology-trained GP specialist. (Worth asking if your GP surgery has one.)

She prescribed anti-fungal cream and then tablets, a moderate steroid cream*, and I also find Hibiscrub/Hibiwash an absolute godsend for bacterial and fungal treatment and prevention. (The latter is available online.)

*GP described OTC hydrocortisone as ‘like water’; and we both agreed my normal Enstilar etc would be too strong and impede healing.

Good luck with your treatment(s). It can be very demoralising at times 💐

Contact the National Eczema Society Helpline. They will have a good understanding about infected eczema and probably have a more specific idea than your GP of what would be likely to help. If you go back to your GP and can show that you have done your research they are much more likely to prescribe the right drug.
https://eczema.org/contact/

You've all been so helpful, thank you. It is incredibly demoralising: taking the antibiotics was horrible but it never crossed my mind it wouldn't work. All this information is a godsend.

With my Mum it took steroids and anti biotics to get infection under control. A spell and n isolation in hospital too.

What was horrible about the anti biotics?

@Liondoesntsleepatnight that's awful about your mum. Was it an MRSA infection?
I react pretty badly to systematic antibiotics generally.