Do anti histimines exist for under 1yr old?

[ElBombero]

My DS's eczema is driving him mad at night, keeping him awake and so so frustrated. Third night on the run I've probably only had 2 hours sleep :( I have bad eczema and take daily piriton and have bought something similar for my older DD (2yo) who gets hay ever but packaging says over 1yr...

Yes - piriton can be given if a Dr prescribes it. It's not licensed for over the counter use for younger children though.

Thanks I'll make an appointment

I was prescribed the Piriton for food allergies when DS was six months old. It says it's for 1-6 years but given the directions I had was to give it every single night for a month, we got through it quickly. I then also had another bottle prescribed for heat rashes he had during the summer. They were encouraging about using it even though he was under a year so I was pretty reassured it was OK to use it. Since then, I've periodically given it to him - before he reached 12 months - when he had a sudden reaction to something he'd ingest accidentally. He's now 15 months and we keep a bottle just in case.

Just wanted to add a note of allergy geekiness here, as my DS is very atopic and has food allergies as well as eczema, so I've looked into this quite thoroughly over the years...

Piriton (chlorphenamine maleate) isn't appropriate to give to children as an everyday medicine. If you do want to use something every day, it's best to ask your GP for cetirizine hydrochloride (or Benadryl). But in any case, steroids should be the first line of attack. The allergy specialist we see told us that any long-term damage to skin is caused by the eczema itself rather than the steroids, so it's best to use a stronger steroid for a short amount of time rather than a weak one on a long-term basis. We now use Elocon for flare-ups for two days, then Eumovate for a further four, and then hydrocortisone for a week. Important to keep using them in decreasing strengths until well after the flare up disappears as you have to treat the skin underneath as well to prevent future flare ups. Then everyday management with emollients at least twice a day.

Sorry to drone on, especially as you probably know all this already, but worried about a baby having Piriton every day! I hope your nights get better soon!

We have eumovate too for DS's eczema and synalar. Agree about using a stronger steroid for a shorter amount of time, it's what our dermatologist said too.

When DS first had eczema we gave a dose of Piriton at night to stop the scratching, but you have to get it from the GP. Once we got on top of it using steroids and diprobase we cut out the Piriton, and we rarely use the steroids now as his skin is much better.

Thanks everyone, he's just 5 months, I've made an appointment but can't fit me in till Monday he's never been prescribed anything other than emollient for his skin. Doesn't seem to bother him at all during day, he doesn't even reach for his chest (that's the problem area) it's just at night... He's drawn blood last night. Only thing that settles him is being BF n held.

I think you should get referred to a dermatologist to be honest. Emollient creams won't help the inflammation, only steroids will and GPs don't have the knowledge to know which steroids to use or they prescribe some generic hydrocortisone.

Our DS started with eczema at four months, the GP just told us to moisturise him and told us there was nothing they could do and that he was too young for steroids, which is rubbish. He was top to toe covered so we paid privately to see a dermatologist, best money we ever spent. The dermatologist was horrified at what the GP told us, gave us steroids and an emollient cream regime and we never looked back. His skin looked better after one application. He is 23 months now and has lovely skin. We also use oilatum bath and shampoo. I would never let a GP treat my sons eczema, personally. He also has reflux and a cows milk allergy.

cameorole Cetirizine is not licensed for under 2's although can be prescribed for over 1's out of its license - I don't think the GP would prescribe it to a 5 month old.
Piriton (chlorphenamine) is licensed for over 1's but can be used outside its license from 1 month. GP probably more likely to prescribe Piriton.
elbombero could you ask for a referral to a dermatologist?

Just to add that piriton makes my DD very very drowsy (falling asleep in bath type drowsy) so time it carefully! She has it for food allergies so we obviously have no choice when to use it and it makes me sad when she's so sleepy.

I could try but my GPs seem far to up their own ass/I'll informed/in the know to refer!!!

The side effect of abit of drowsiness sounds a tempting one!!!

What you need to do us go armed with info, the eczema society have a website and helpline you can phone plus leaflets they will send you.

www.eczema.org/

I think NICE have some eczema guidelines too.

Unfortunately it doesn't last all night!

I'm gonna him with some piriton I think. 1mg for 1month-1year

Piriton made my dd hyper, I was really looking forward to getting some sleep and instead got a mental whizzing baby

Yeah did nothing last night in regards to sleep but he didn't itch yay!!!