Alternative therapies for excema and psoriasis?

[used2bthin]

I am posting here because psoriasis seems to more usually affect adults but my DD is 2.3 and has bad excema on her face, two very bright red raised patches. And she also has psoriasis on her elbows and thighs. She sees a dermatologist and it all seemed to be under control but now that it is winter again she is having a really bad flare up. I will ring the consultant but the very strong creams she prescribed only seem to be effective for so long and I was wondering if any alternative therapies or treatments were worth looking into. Homeopathy or similar?

Does anyone have any stories of this sort of thing working or not working for them? I am getting desperate as nothing seems to help when it is this bad.

Sounds good. What about the other one the pure potion?

I was so desperate I took dd2 to a homeopathist when she was 6 months (about 10 years ago now). I was told that I would have to completely stop all steroids for the homeopathy tablets to work. This is what eventually made me stop the homeopathy as I couldn't bear to take the risk of stopping the steroid creams. This might be something to bear in mind if your dd is steroid dependent.

(Plus I can think more logically now and consider homeopathy to be bunkum )

Sorry, that wasn't very clear was it?

Fucibet is the steroid from the GP and I use the Pure Potions (this one) instead of the doublebase/diprobase/dermol type emollients originally prescribed by the GP.

pointydog she is steroid dependant as in oral steroids but for a completely different reason, not because of her skin its her kidneys. Sorry, confusing as the cream is steroid too! However I don't think I would be brave enough to stop the steroid cream completely and would be worried she'd have a really bad flare up and the dermatologist would be very unimpressed if I had to return with DD worse and hadnt been doing what she said so thanks for the warning I may give that a miss then.

Olihan thanks for the link, there is a stockist near the hospital so will defiately go and get a trial size pot and try it.

There is another thread currently about TCM for eczema. My own feeling is not to touch it unless you have really carefully researched it - it can be very dangerous. I'm cynical about homoeopathy but many people swear by it, and its potential for harm is so much less.

My dd had eczema and dairy allergy and, though the paediatrician was cynical about the link between the two, she grew out of them both at about the same time (2.5). I found these things helpful: limited contact with soft toys (none in the cot), no fabric conditioner, no carpets, cotton clothing, Aveeno cream, no bubble bath.

Thanks hester, I am not sure anyone would touch her tbh with her medical history anyway. Even the GP has to ring the consultant about prescribing anything half the time so probably rule that out.

The Aveeno I have got and it is great for general moisturising though not strong enough for her patches unless there are different preparations of it.

Very good to hear that your DD grew out of her excema I have high hopes of DD doing the same although sadly I know it won't happen with the psoriasis so am hoping whats on her face is excema as opposed to that.

Hi silk cushion, no bicarb is not drying to the skin, thats why calamine is not recommended and this is for children with skin problems. Baths are really easy but they do have to spend a good 30mins in it. My DD loved putting it in herself as she has never been able to tolerate bubbles or anything and this stuff fizzes. Great child appeal. Need about half a cup tho.

Used2bthin, if you can't tolerate milk the chances of you DD not being able to are much higher. Im dairy intolerant as are both of my girls!! Both have been thoroughly allergy tested and have the all clear on everything!!
Yet they can't eat dairy, wheat, salicylates (a naturally occuring chemical in fruit and vegetables) or histamines (in aged meat, eggs and cheese) They are intolerant which will NOT show up on any test and can only be identified by removing the food for 3 weeks and then challenging it again to see if anything happens.

Dairy free seems like an absolute nightmare to start, but is actually really easy (especially for a girl) All dairy products can be substituted for a Soya alternative which is calcium fortified. If you find Soya causes problems then Rice or oat milk are often fortified if you buy the correct ones. Pure sunflower spread would substitute any butter used.

A quick note that lots of intolerant or allergic people 'crave' what they are intolerant to. My DD1 in particular will drink milk till it comes out of her ears!! Once the cravings are broken (first week can be a bit tough with withdrawals, and symptoms can get worse) she would never bother about it again unless she actually tasted it!!

Lots of children outgrow dairy intolerance by about 4, and my DD1 is just showing signs of this now. She can't eat ANYTHING any one else eats at school, yet is one of the most outgoing, popular and vibrant children in her class. This has always been a worry for me too, but it seems that happy, contented children will always fit in, no matter what they eat.

HTH and congratulations for being such a fantastically caring parent that is so willing to get to the bottom of these problems for her daughter. It's much easier to pretend thats just the way it is.

Thank you Snozcumber, very interesting to hear your story and you have been really helpful. Maybe me and DD should both go without dairy to see how we go for a few weeks. So three weeks is what I would need to do to see whether it has made a difference do you think?

Very reassuring to hear of how happy and confident your DD is and that she hasn't been affected by having a different diet to others. Funny you said about craving the thing they are intolerant to, I have had to stop buying babybels andyogurts because my DD would literally be wailing by the fridge door till she had devoured them all!

Glad to have been some help, we did a full elimination diet and the cleansing period was 3 weeks, but it can take longer for wheat and dairy.

Still you should be able to see some improvement in that time. It will also be easier for your daughter to understand if she's not doing it on her own. When we did our elim diet, we all did it and was really surprised by the result both for myself and my previously 'no-food intolerant' DH.

Let me know how you get on, and remember you may need to just grin and bear the first week!!

Good Luck