Getting so desperate over DD's skin, its flared up badly and I don't know what to try next

[used2bthin]

She had a patch like a sore on her cheek aged three months which gradually got bigger and now covers bith cheeks, its raised red patches on a red background. Tried various things, it wastreated as excema then it kept getting infected so we were referred to a dematologist who said to treat it as excema so she had very strong steroids which cleared it up so that it just looked red not raised and was fairly ok. Then the dermatologist said we should try to use it less so I did and t flared up again so we had a few months using pro topic. Then DD developed psoriasis on her elbows and thigh and the dermatologist said that although that was definately psoriasis, she was reluctant to label what is on DD's face as anything and just wants to continue treatment, so epiderm for everyday, eumovate for bad flare ups and elidel for in between with dactocort for the psoriasis and for the face if needed. The problem is its suddenly and for no reason I can think of, flared up badly. Her face is worst but her elbows look pretty bad too. Sorry that was so long I just am putting it all down in the hope that someone will come up with something new, poor poor DD looks terrible and it must be uncomfortable. Sh'e 20m btw.

Hi used2bthin, my friends little girl suffers dreadfully with excema, she tried several creams with no improvement. The only thing that works is limiting her diet. No citric acid or citrus fruits, berries. No tomatoes or tomato products. Its made a vast difference to her skin. Just thought I would mention it.

Thanks again oneliein I will keep you posted on whether the vit e stuff works, hope it at least soothes it a bit for her. The milk thing I will consider too if all else fails. She's quite high maintenence bless her as she is steroid dependant for a genetic condition so I worry about making her feel more"different"by having a specail diet too. But if it worked then its completely worth it so I will definately think about doing, like you did a two week trial and see what happens. Tidgypuds, thanks, I had heard that citrus could aggravate it and DD loves tomatoes and strawberries. Its such a shame to limit something so healthy that she loves but it sounds like I should. Saying that, it only seems to make her skin bad if she gets the food actually on her cheeks. Could be wrong about that though.

Kerrymum where would you get the allergy test done at the GPs or did you pay privately?

I think a RAST may be what she had done in hospital though actually. They were ruling things out when she was extremely sicky. It came back negative for all the things they tested for. I use the steroids too much though I think. I just worry about the thinning of the skin and scarring as it covers such a large area of her face poor girl.

We saw the derm three times before the psoriasis came so still have the creams from then(eumovate, dactocort and pro topic) but then last time they said to use dactocort on her elbows and on face if needed(it always seems to make her face worse though)and to use elidel on her face as an alternative to the pro topic which didnt work that well anyway. But she said to use eumovate when I really had to. The problem is, whenever I stop using it for a few days it gets bad again.None of the other things seem to really work. Oh and the coal tar for her body but thats out of the country.

Just seen the time! So late I must go and try to sleep before its time to get up and do it all again! Thanks for your help everyone.

Sorry must answer that kerrymum, no pets but my mum has a cat who we avoid as even being in the house makes her skin bad. Pro topic is non steroidal as is elidel. They just don't work like steroids on dd though. Although nothing works for long.

Also recommend using highest possible dose of vit E /omega oils orally (starflower/evening primrose/fish oils)

That's what cleared my psoriasis in the long run.
I was prescribed vitamin D ointment a few years back for flare ups , and that worked better than steroids.

For both ask a pharmacist/Dr for guidance on dose for children.

second use of Aveeno or Aderma oatmeal soap free washes.
Do not use soap. Use oatmeal in a muslin to soften bath water.
Sesame oil (from health shop) on damp skin works really well to moisturize.

Thanks Slim that is intersting. I got some aveeno from someone at toddlers today so can try that out on her elbows before buying. I've never heard of the vit D ointment or of treating with vitamins so I'll ask at the dermatologists when we next go. I got some vit e capsules today and DD seems to like having the oil put onto her skin it probably feels soothing.