Child with extremely dry skin

[Phoebebe]

Ds 12 has dandruff and very dry skin on his face chest & upper arms

The dandruff is better after using T-Gel but e45 the doctor gave us just doesn't work in fact I think it's worse! He has dry red patches round his nose and cheeks where its especially bad

Any tips? I feel like bathing him in olive oil or something!

I've got extremely dry skin, only thing that has worked for me is no sulphates in bath stuff/shower gel, not having baths too hot, lanolin cracked nipple balm (I know it sounds mad but it really works) on the worst bits overnight. And oil in the bath, almond oil, and I use facial oils on my face.

What other creams have you tried using? Usually with eczema it's a process of trial and error as what works for one child may not for another. I'd give Aveeno a go if you haven't alrewady, and if no luck with that perhaps try a urea cream. Also baths with no bubbles and minimal amounts of soap and shampoo - and try oats in the bath too, they've made a huge difference for my daughters eczema (put them in a sieve and run the water through them). But really it's a process of trial and error til you find what works for him.

Aveeno

Thanks I have just been to get Aveeno we'll try that

Only started recently!

Have you tried the Eucerin range, including the oil body cleanser?

www.eucerin.co.uk

DD recommended Aveeno by dermatologist.

Aveeno, Aveeno, Aveeno! E45 type creams can make dry skin worse as some people react to ingredients. Its all trail and error. If Aveeno works, go back and tell GP and ask for it on prescription. Its the only way poor GP knows what is helping and s/he might suggest it to someone else in the same situation.

A pop sock full of oats in the bath is good to help dry skin. My DS loves squishing it which helps get oils out and amuses him.

Aveeno, Eucerin and Zerocream are the best for my DD, who has eczema and dry skin.

We found physiogel to be really good but don't seem to get it in uk .. link from Amazon link

Something I keep seeing is itchy baby co. I don't know if they're suitable for people older, but could be worth a look. They are Australia based but I'm sure there would be something similar here

itchybabyco.com.au/shop/

Oilatum bath oil and oilatum moisturiser work really well for my two

Dr Bronners (fragrance free) is amazing stuff, seriously worth a look as a soap alternative

Coconut oil, warm (not hot) baths (and only short ideally) is the only thing that has worked for us. Tried everything else.

I came on to say Aveeno and see I've been beaten to it. Love the stuff, works for me and my ds.

Agree 100% with Aveeno, and E 45 doesn't work for me, but back to GP if it gets too bad.
And is he drinking enough water? Makes a big difference to mine if I forget to drink

Aveeno

And he needs to apply the aveeno several times a day to get on top of it. Once or twice a day won't cut it at all. Aim for about 8 initially. The more the better.

Cetraban. It's an emollient. Slather on after a bath. It used to be prescription only but now can otc.
Oat baths as pp mentioned are also good for relieving itching.

Moo goo shampoo also fab.
Hope it gets better for your dc. And if it doesn't get a referral to dermatologist.

Aim for lubricating the 'insides' too.

Avocados on toast and flaxseed oil mixed into fruit yoghurt? Lots of salmon and oily fish. Keep fresh tuna down to once or twice a month.

Drink plenty of fluids esp water

are you sure it is not seborrheic dermatitis in which case moisturising will make it worse?

Would you be able to get a referral to see a dermatologist? I find that GPs tend to dismiss skin or scalp issues as trivial. If you have diagnosis, it's easier to find the right products.
I second the nutrition advice. Avocados, oily fish, omega 3 supplements and Vitamin D3, lots of water. This was recommended to me by Dr Sam Bunting when I had a particularly bad eczema outbreak and it did make a difference. I now take VitaminD3 daily and did not have any bad breakouts since.
Gentle scalp massage with almond oil or coconut oil might help to soothe the scalp.
Also go with gentle skincare like Aveeno or Mustela. Mustela is a baby skincare brand but it is brilliant for adult eczema and irritated skin as it does not contain fragrance.
Moisturiser:
www.escentual.com/mustela/daily-baby-care/skincare/mustelaskin004/
Bath oil
www.escentual.com/mustela/skin-care/dry-skin-with-atopic-tendencies/mustelapediatrics002/
Body moisturiser:
www.escentual.com/mustela/skin-care/dry-skin-with-atopic-tendencies/mustelapediatrics004/
Gentle shampoo
www.escentual.com/mustela/daily-baby-care/bath-time/mustelabath012/

I like Aveeno too, it's great stuff. You could also try Skin Salvation They also do a bath oil and scalp oil - very good reviews - I use it sometimes on my skin but mostly as a lip balm. Worth a try, it certainly won't do any harm.

Has he recently changed his shampoo, started using a different hair styling product or anything like that?