Eczema

[Kayzr]

DS1(2.2yo) has eczema. He first got it at about 4 months old. It was mainly behind his knees and under his armpits. We were given Diprobase to help clear it up. It is brilliant stuff but we were told by GP to stop using it once it clears up. So we did and it just keeps coming back a few days later.

He has recently had a rash over his arms, legs and back. HV said it was just dry skin and to use a normal moisturiser. This hasn't cleared it up and today we took him to GP and it is a different type of eczema.

Will he always have to have cream applied for the rest of his life or is it likely to clear up?

It's difficult to say really,I've suffered on and off with eczema from a young age but never continually (alhough of course, plenty do develop it and have it constantly).

Best course of action is to have a plan,bath oils,creams and maybe if needed mild steroid creams and/or antihistamine if the itching is worse at night (of course when he's old enough to be prescribed).

Cotton clothes and unscented washing powders etc are a good habit too.

What types does he have?

My ds had bad eczema until he was about 16 months, then it just started to get better. I always found Aveeno cream worked best, and making sure I cleaned and dried him well, only ever used water. He's now 20 months and hardly any sign of it at all, I still only use non-bio washing powder and put nothing on his skin other than water and aveeno, but thankfully he seems to have grown out of it, fingers crossed!

I do hope you're little one does too, it is awful seeing that sore dry skin, especially when it really flares up or worse gets infected, my ds was prone to impetigo, very nasty.

Good luck.

Not sure what types he has. We've only been told he has eczema , I didn't know there were different types. We've also been given Oilatum to put in his bath.

We only use Non-bio washing powder. He is quite good at not scratching it but he is still very young and will scratch at it from time to time.

I've also just discovered my 5 month old has dry skin (raised red rash) under her chin. The health visitor says its ecczema. Any idea how long it takes to clear? Any advice how long i shoukd try each treatment to see if it works 1 week?? is that enought time?

Its impossible to tell really.

Some people never grow out of it.

Lots do though.

I have a feeling my DS wont. He has had it since birth and like the OP's dc, his eczema has changed.

He used to be our little sandpaper baby. Every bit of his skin was rough and dry. Now he is 6 the bits of his skin without red eczema on it is quite soft. But his allergies are taking over and his eczema is more 'hive' like.

I have found even really nice GPs dont know diddly about eczema. Its a bit silly to say use this cream until it clears up. Because you need to have a regime for eczema, once you stop it comes back. The skin doesnt function properly without the help of the medications.

I would always advise a dermatologist for persistant eczema.

Apologies for the amount of eczemas in my post, i am v.tired and should really log off now.

slyv007 If its under the chin its quite likely to be a sort of dribble rash. Once there is less dribble it should clear up.

If a treatment is making NO difference in a week or so it may be worth trying something else. But be careful. If it is atopic eczema your DD may well be sensitive to lots of things and you could make it worse.

If you dont mind using it, a very weak hydrocortisone cream would probably clear it up in a week.

Chegirl, you are spot-on. It is alarming how many GPs don't understand eczema.

You need to find one who specialises in skin problems and can explain it properly.

I am aghast at the advice to use moisturiser/ emollient and stop. That just ensures it comes back.

The key is to moisturise as often as necessary, ie, whenever the skin is dry, and to resort to a quick blast of a mild steroid if needed to get inflammation under control.