Eczema on 5 month old

[totallyaddictedtocheese]

About a month ago my baby was struggling with dribble rash. This seemed to turn in to eczema overnight and ever since we have had a total nightmare trying to treat it. I've been back and forth to the doctors and nothing seems to be working. We've tried Aveeno, a steroid cream (fucidin), antibiotics (flucloxacillin which gave him the runs), anti fungal cream (clotrimazole), oilatum bath soap and double base cream. The oilatum and double base cream seem to calm the eczema but nothing is getting rid of it altogether.

Has anyone else had the same issue? The eczema is spreading further down his body now and I just don't know how to help! Its red and raw and I'm constantly trying to stop him from scratching. I'm going to ring the doctors again but I just feel like nothing they prescribe is helping ☹

Ask for a referral to dermatology, does eczema run in the family?

My daughter developed eczema at about 4 weeks old and it took a lot to get her onto treatment that worked as it unfortunately can be trial and error but I'd get the GP to refer to specialist.

We use aproderm, but their eczema isn’t too bad. We also make sure it’s fully dry before putting clothes on. We also don’t bath them too often as that can cause a flare up.

Second Aproderm

Had all the same issues and then was watching an interview with a paed dermatologist on the tele and he recommended Aproderm and we haven't looked back since

My daughter developed eczema about the same age (she's now 3 and still suffers). We found that Eumovate ointment (steroid) worked for the flare ups and besides that we use Epimax moisturiser cream. We had tried a few of the other things you mentioned but for us, only these worked.

I had eczema on the back of my knees as a child but nothing like how my little boy is. The eczema is on his cheeks, neck, chest and legs. I'll definitely try the Aproderm though! I think Eumovate is only on prescription though so I'll check with a doctor for that.

He's seemed slightly better today so I haven't rang the doctors again yet but I think asking for a referral to a dermatologist is a good idea. Thanks!

Hi!
just wondering how you’re getting on? You’ve literally described the battle I’m having with my little one at the moment. Have you found anything that’s helped?

If you add an extra wash onto the rinse cycle and stop using fabric conditioner that could very possibly help. I find persil non bio powder the best for my kids, powder seems to wash off better than the gel or liquid.

An extra rinse onto the wash cycle that should read, sorry

Vaseline. This worked a treat for my friends son. His skin kept drying out.

Please look up all the research on steroids before you use them on children….they have lots of side effects, so you need to know what they are before using them.

You need a proper steroid. Fucidin is an anti fungal plus weak steroid. Ask the doctor to prescribe Eumovate. It is much better to use a stronger steroid for a short time than use a weaker one like hydrocortisone or Fucidin for ages and have it not work. Damage to the skin by all the scratching is far greater than anything steroids can do. It has now been proven in clinical trials that steroids do not thin the skin unless very high potency ones are used for a long period under a tight wrapping.

Along with steroid twice a day you need emollient four times a day, using way more than you think and applying in smooth downward motions rather than rubbing it all about which simply leaves it more on your hands than on the child's body. Do steroid and emollient at separate times as if you apply steroid after emollient the emollient acts as a barrier (as it's supposed to).

A proper steroid twice a day will clear up the eczema flare, and regular emollient will lessen the chance and severity of new flares. Then you need to find the triggers. Ask for an allergy testing referral. And in the meantime stop using washing powder, unless it's Surcare, (you can use an eco egg instead to wash clothes) and stop using soap/shampoo, just water is fine for a baby. Hoover cot mattress and any soft furnishings, wash sheets at high temperature. Make sure all clothes are 100% cotton and get some scratch sleeves for sleeping in.

There is long history of eczema in my family and my 5 year old son has had it since he was about 5 months, he's been under allergy and dermatology care since then. It is under control with all the above measures. Good luck, it's the worst thing watching them suffer with it.

Make sure you only read peer reviewed research as there is a lot of misinformation out there.

Recent guidance is that young children in particular are susceptible to the side affects of steroid use.
Use Emollient as much as possible; aproderm, hydromol, diprobase, 50/50 etc.

www.gov.uk/guidance/topical-corticosteroids-and-withdrawal-reactions

My son was born with inflamed red cheeks which did clear up with hydrocortisone cream, but by 6 months old was very bad. Our GP put him on steroid cream called Elocon, whilst yes, they say steroid cream makes the skin thin, he is now 26 still has flare ups and still on the same cream. He has 500g tube every 18 months or so, his skin is fine. He has all the creams and shower gels to keep it under control, but the steroid cream is the only thing that properly clears it up. The GP’s have tried over the years to get him on something else, so presume it’s quite expensive, but he won’t budge and try anything else, as this works and you only need a small amount.

we had similar - started on the neck then spreader- it looked so sore that people actually commented! Went private as got fobbed off by GP at 3 then 6 mo, got prescribed elocon. Cleared up in a matter of days and never came back (Yet) to the extent it was. We use hydromol to manage day to day.

You may know there already but my friends baby (also 5m at the time) had bad eczema and it was because he had a cows milk allergy . It is one of the main symptoms of it

Since I made this post we have tried another steroid cream (I can't remember the name) and Epaderm cream. This completely cleared up his eczema and we've continued using it daily. However, last week he had a nasty cold and the eczema has returned on his cheeks and neck. We're trying to keep it under control with the Epaderm and Oilatum Plus in the bath. Trying to avoid steroids again if possible as I have read about the possible long term effects.

I think the cold weather and being poorly has caused this flare up so I'm hoping it's not allergy related. Thank you for all your advice!