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Original poster

Am I being a bad mum ??

16 replies

mumtosp · 11/03/2013 14:02

Hi all,

DS is 5 mo and has terrible eczema almost all over his body (except for his back) and everyday is a struggle trying to make sure he doesn't scratch himself :(
Nappy changes are getting extremely difficult as the moment he realises he is open he goes crazy trying to scratch anywhere his hands can get to... and I am unable to control him as my hands are busy in the nappy area (he manages to do a lot of damage in the few minutes it takes to change his nappy)
So for the past few days I've been letting him watch the telly or some random video on my phone while changing his nappy....
Am I being a bad mother for already letting my child watch TV !??!

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Dolallytats · 11/03/2013 14:11

No!! You have found a way to distract the poor thing. I had eczema when I was young (not so much now, thank goodness) and the itching drove me crazy. Whatever you can find to help in any little way is fine.

I hope you can find something to ease it for him, from my experience it's a 'trial and error' kind of a thing and can take a while!!

JandT · 11/03/2013 14:15

Surely you are being a good mother by distracting him so that he doesn't hurt himself?! If he scratches himself that could lead to other problems.

I reckon you're a clever Mum for finding a distraction that means he doesn't move and you still get to change the nappy. In fact I may steal your idea and my children don't have eczema.

PearlyWhites · 11/03/2013 14:19

No it's a brilliant idea to distract him, off topic but if your ds is severe and you are having to apply creams/ bandages frequently its worth applying for dla for him

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PearlyWhites · 11/03/2013 14:20

Sorry meant if your ds eczema is severe

TheBakeryQueen · 11/03/2013 18:56

No you're an inventive mum. Really good idea.

Can you use e45 anti itch cream on a 5mth old? I found that brilliant.

Original poster

mumtosp · 11/03/2013 22:00

Thanks for the support !! :)

BakeryQueen I'll ask the gp if we can use e45... Right now we are using epad3m and Aveeno... And he's on homeopathy treatment...

PearlyWhites his eczema is bad but thankfully not severe enough to be eligible for dla

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Original poster

mumtosp · 11/03/2013 22:01

*epaderm

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BanjoPlayingTiger · 11/03/2013 22:06

Just to warn you, what works for one person won't necessarily work for another where eczema is concerned. For my DS E45 cream was just awful and made his skin worse. You'll have to find out what works and use that.

As regards the TV, if it means your ds isn't scratching and is more comfortable then you are doing great as a mum!

gymboywalton · 11/03/2013 22:09

socks on his hands!!!!
harder to get off than scratch mitts and means they can't scratch AS MUCH!!

see if you can get hold of a liquid for the bath called emulsiderm- comes in a blue bottle and makes the bathwater less drying.

don't be afraid to use mild steroid cream, make sure he only has cotton next to his skin and use that tv !!!! You sound like a great mum!

MajaBiene · 11/03/2013 22:13

I was told E45 and aqueous creams are no longer used for childhood eczema.

mumtosp - his eczema sounds really bad, I would try to get a referral and get it treated properly, homeopathy is sugar and water. Have you tried dairy free for him? Also if epaderm isn't working go back and get something else - I found hydromol in the end really worked for DS, any creams just made him worse.

gymboywalton · 11/03/2013 22:18

got to say homepathy worked for my son
he was 5 months old and his little face a was a mess of weeping rawness and the homepathy dried it out so we were able to get it under control.

even if you don't believe in it, it does no harm and is worth a go when you have the reached the stage where you will try anything.

MajaBiene · 11/03/2013 22:19

It can't do any harm as it is just sugar and water, but must never replace real treatment.

HumphreyCobbler · 11/03/2013 22:27

aqueous cream has a perfume and is not that effective as an emollient. I always want to say this on these threads as many GPs still prescribe it and it can be very unhelpful, making it a lot worse.

Are you using any steroid cream on him at all OP? I know it seems drastic on such a little baby, but used correctly it could really help get it under control so that it can be managed with other stuff.

My DS had bad eczema from about 1 year. It is really distressing but he has pretty much grown out of it now thank goodness. I think distracting using tv is a very sensible plan.

I agree with MajaBiene about the homeopathy.

StillStuck · 11/03/2013 22:33

of course you aren't, poor you, I have been there, ds was the same at that age you have to whatever helps. but.... you definitely need these:

www.scratchsleeves.co.uk/

they saved my life and my sanity when DS was so scratchy! he could tear at himself in moments and it always got infected. with scratchleeves he couldn't hurt or scratch but could still play

also, push for a referral. in my experience gp's are not very good at treating severe eczema. turned out ds had multiple allergies, when we got these diagnosed his eczema improved rapidly. also dont be afraid of steroids. and agree, not aqueous cream, ask for a proper emollient (cetraben, dermol, doublebase or similar)

(took me till ds was 6 months and a severe allergic reaction to find all the above out, by the way, and the mumsnet allergies board is brilliant for advice on eczema too)

HorraceTheOtter · 11/03/2013 22:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

mumtosp · 12/03/2013 12:36

StillStuck I've just received a pair of scratchsleeves in the mail... will see how I get on with them. DS is a thumb sucker so he may hate having his hands closed at all times....

MajaBiene and Humphrey I really don't want to start a debate on homeopathy vs allopathy.... all I can say is that I have suffered frm eczema and asthma and the only thing that completely cured me was homeopathy. Allopathy did work, but it only suppressed my symptoms which eventually came back... also in my case asthma and eczema have been closely related... the moment I used to take allopathy or steroids for my eczema I would get an asthma attack... so I am very worried that DS may take after me as we have a very strong history of asthma in the family... I really don't want DS to get asthma... I have spent most of my childhood being breathless and I wouldn't want that for anyone... :(

Anyways, he has improved quite a lot since we started the homeo meds :)

Thanks again for all your support !!

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