2 yr old just doesn’t sleep / eczema

[howdoyousurvive]

Daughter turned 2 in November and I can say for the past 3/4 months, she’s slept through the night no more than a handful of times. She’s never been a good sleeper but it feels like we’re going back to newborn stages (awake every 2 hours) and I’m just hitting a wall now.

I work full time as a teacher and my partner also works full time. We also have a 3.5yr old son so life in general is busy and hectic.

she does suffer greatly with her skin and has regular flare ups with her eczema (esp in winter). But she also gets into habits of scratching. My question is what’s out there that’s helped?
We’re going cold turkey from the steroids now as we just go on and off them. She’s had antihistamines, the prescribed vests, the lot. We’ve now finally been referred for dermatology too.

I have ordered her a scratch mitt vest for bed to try to stop but any other recommendations are welcome.
please send help x

That sounds really tough for you all. Have you explored allergies/intolerances? My dc was similar but a bit younger when we discovered cows milk triggered their eczema

I have mentioned it to drs and community nurses but they all kind of told me it’s really rare for it to be a complete trigger.
it’s something we should probably explore but I know it’ll be tricky keeping track.

I just can’t handle the waking up anymore. It’s like having a newborn and I know it’s not her fault but it’s so tricky and draining on everyone

It might not help, but my 5 year old still wakes every night with various reasons. He also has allergies

Hes allergic to dust, cat, pollen and other environmental allergies that are found in most houses. Being on top of dusting, hoovering, no excess fabrics or teddies in his room, regular bedding wash, window mosquito pollen nets and a room air purifier have helped hugely.
Ie if we sleep away in a hotel he always ends up with far more symptoms.

Maybe yours isn’t but an allergy test could really help. As if it’s environmental or food based you can then have a plan of action for reducing symptoms

But regardless some also just sleep bad unfortunately. We are in hospital atm and I swear mines the only child up at 4am!

Your GP is really crap, there are very clear guidelines for GPs that children needing steroids like this for eczema should be referred to an allergy clinic. You can ask where would have the quickest waiting times for a referral. Your DC isn't in a 'habit' of scratching, they're itchy.

DD had allergies and the eczema and lack of sleep were awful, so I understand how exhausting it is. Allergy UK might be a good place to look for info.

I'm a bit embarrassed to mention this as I know I sound like a nutter. But here goes.

When my son was 1 he had horrific eczema. It was really bad. Also sorry of creams and it was always getting infected and just awful. A friend suggested safflower oil. Basically you give the child spoonfuls of it to drink/eat. Offering until they don't want more just once a day. The first day DS drank like 3 tablespoons but the following days he had less and less and then the eczema was gone.

I know it sound ridiculous. Anyway you could try that. If it doesn't work you can use it as salad dressing and it's pretty cheap.

Hope you find something that works.

thats horrendous of the GP - just because sometimes it isn’t one trigger doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for it!

my eczema is keeping me up at the moment - have you tried phenergan at night? It’s the only thing that stops me waking up itchy. I can’t take it every night but after a few nights of disturbed sleep I really need it. Just check its suitable for her age as it may need to come from the GP

I just checked the packet and it’s not suitable for 2 year olds. You have to be 6!

have you looked at washing powder/creams that may be triggering it?

do you have mould in your home?
what kind of bedding do you use?
pets in the house?

steroids are not the devil if they stop the itching use them. you dc is miserable.
also use moisturisers aplenty.

wash bedding and anything that touches dc skin in long wash cycles with waterplus or extra rinse.

for one of my dc excema turned out to be seasonal allergies & we had to switch to another antihistamine that works for it.

back to gp. ask for allergy testing.