Childrens eczema

[jamest1988]

I’d be very interested in anyone that has experienced bad eczema in a child.

My son is 3 and a half, for at least the last two years we’ve been backwards and forwards to the Dr’s for eczema and skin infections. This culminated in them referring us to dermatology in November (for an April appointment). There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to what makes a particularly bad episode, other than it seems to clear up significantly in the Summer.

After another very broken nights sleep last night where he was scratching his sores until they bleed, I have broken and booked a private appointment for a couple of weeks time.

Its impacting us all as a family hugely and is very upsetting, particularly for my wife.

Id be very grateful if anyone else has experienced similar and would share what worked (if it did) and their experiences.

We’re currently applying Dermol cream twice a day which is an experience but we’ve been told to avoid steroid for the time being because the eczema is open. We’ve tried a long list of other things, steroids, 50/50, emuovate, diprobase etc etc

Thank you in advance!

[Wombat3]

jamest1988 said:

I’d be very interested in anyone that has experienced bad eczema in a child.

My son is 3 and a half, for at least the last two years we’ve been backwards and forwards to the Dr’s for eczema and skin infections. This culminated in them referring us to dermatology in November (for an April appointment). There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to what makes a particularly bad episode, other than it seems to clear up significantly in the Summer.

After another very broken nights sleep last night where he was scratching his sores until they bleed, I have broken and booked a private appointment for a couple of weeks time.

Its impacting us all as a family hugely and is very upsetting, particularly for my wife.

Id be very grateful if anyone else has experienced similar and would share what worked (if it did) and their experiences.

We’re currently applying Dermol cream twice a day which is an experience but we’ve been told to avoid steroid for the time being because the eczema is open. We’ve tried a long list of other things, steroids, 50/50, emuovate, diprobase etc etc

Thank you in advance!

It can be very difficult to deal with & you have my sympathy. There is also no magic bullet (otherwise nobody would have it!)

Eczema is an imbalance in the skin that causes the protective layer to degrade - and then infections find their way in.

Start with diet

Both of mine had it, both were (still are) gluten intolerant. Start by cutting out Gluten/wheat, then try Dairy. Cut out anything with additives as far as you can - crisps etc . Take photos to remind you of the condition before & after. Keep a diary.

Avoid using steroids as far as you possibly can, they weaken the skin over time. They appear to clear everything up - but then it comes back worse.

Avoid harsh soaps etc.

The good news is that a lot of them grow out of it (my daughter pretty much did by the time she was 6). Still does a bit of Asthma though & arguably that has got worse.

My son is now in his 20s & it has steadily got worse over time. Some of it possibly stress related as well. He's had some phototherapy that seems to have helped a lot as well over the last year (related to why your son's condition is better in the summer).

[sherman]

I had Eczema as a child and still get breakouts.
Moisturers can not be under rated.

Dermol is pretty crap.
Make sure you are using Non Bio washing powder. The brand to this day that doesnt bring me out in a rash is Airel.
I can only use liquid fabric conditikners from Comfort. Lenor brings out a rash.

Try changing bath soaps too. Radox brings me out in a rash. Proper soap like imperial leather does not.

Currently I have Zerobase emoliant cream and also Cetaphil Moistuising lotion.
Zerobase is from the doctors
Cetaphil from Boots.

I find changing the emoliants frequently helps. They all seem to do slightly different things so changing daily can make it better drpending on how the persons feeling.

Depending on where the eczema is try just before bed adding a proper thick emoliant lije Hydromol ointment. Its like the consistency of Vaseline and wrap the area in cotton bandage/tubigrip/glove and let it soak in over night. Wash off in the morning.

[MentalSarcasm]

I've had eczema from the age of 3. I still get it as an adult, often in spring and autumn but also during very hot summer weather.

Mine is almost certainly a contact allergy rather than a dietary one. So I stick to non-bio washing powder, try to keep my clothes and bedding to cotton fabric as much as possible (polymide once set it off really badly and my first ever allergy was wool), and once I find a soap or shampoo that doesn't trigger a flare up then I stick to it.

Because mine is quite mild, by most standards, I generally just need a topical hydrocortisone from the pharmacy. In the past I've used aqueous cream after bathing (outside of prescriptions I've only really seen it on the shelves in Lloyds pharmacies), E45 used to work but last time it made a flare up worse so I've had to avoid that since. I use a hand cream off Etsy that is mostly natural ingredients.

Sadly in many cases it is simply trial and error, which is not what you want when dealing with a sobbing 3 year old. Sometimes I can neutralise a bad itch by running the area under cold water for a few minutes. If it gets hot then it itches, so you scratch it which not only risks making it bleed but also makes it hotter, so it itches more etc. Breaking that cycle is the key to healing it up. I've seen people recommend wet wrapping with cold wet bandages etc but for me just a run under cold water is more effective.

[Pistom]

There are several potential causes for infant eczema including genetic, climate, environment, reaction to medication or certain vaccinations or combinations of, resulting in immune dysfunction or allergies caused by any of the above.

Sadly, some of these will become lifelong but the symptoms can be eased however it's often trial and error to find what's effective.

[The Gauge]

I get eczema but not in a really bad way, comes and goes and I have tried all sorts of creams. If it flares up I have some steroid cream my Dr prescribed me, but it's not meant for the face as it can make the skin thin and should only be applied sparingly and infrequently, so a tube lasts me over a year. I had to promise my Dr I wouldn't use it on my face, which was a lie! If you want the name of it let me know.

One good product I've found recently is Jojoba oil, if I first wipe away any dead skin and apply the oil it really helps keep it away for a few days. It's not too oily ether so soon absorbs into the skin. Just dab some on a finger tip and apply. I sometimes apply some Cetraben moisturising cream over the area afterwards.

This is the current Jojoba brand I'm using..

Edited by The Gauge on Wednesday 28th February 18:05

[mike9009]

My sister had really bad eczema as a child. Now generally okay. From memory the things that had some impact....

Hydrocortisone cream
Scratch mitts at night
Change in washing powder
Cotton only clothing
Dairy free


But it was a long journey for my parents trying to find the triggers and I suspect each individual has a different combination of triggers, hence the no 'silver bullet'.

[Sevenon]

Get an appointment for a food allergy skin prick test. This will show what (if any) foods your son is allergic to which may cause or make worse the eczema. Try Cerave moisturising cream.

[GrantD5]

Have a 10 month old with pretty much all the symptoms you mention, we finally have a dermatology referral and an appointment now in July! We are also waiting on allergy, but been told to change nothing in the mean time.

Short term we have been using calmolile lotion that seems to reduce the itching and allows the skin to heal somewhat, but still have a bad itch moment here and there. Hoping summer clears up.

Also using baby grows from a company called happy skin, and also a cream from them that doesnt contain parrafin. Of course babygrows no good for you now I'm assuming!

We have another baby due in a few weeks and hoping it's not the same

[DaveH23]

I suffered severe eczema from being a child through to teenage years. My mother seen an article in the Paper about someone who made her own cream for her daughter after nothing the doctors could prescribe worked, this was the same for me so we got some thinking we can only but try.

This stuff not only cured it but I've never had it since and I'm 38 this year.

The company is now called Balmonds and I'd highly recommend them.

Alot of their product stain bed sheets and clothes so bare that in mind. I'd definitely try them and hopefully it works for you.

https://balmonds.co.uk/

[asfault]

Part of the problem is everyone reacts differently. Some people dairy is terrible. For me dairy makes no difference.
As most have said though cotton everything.
Wool bad
Latex or rubber usually awful.
Heat makes it itchy yes but scratch enough and do enough damage and pain is much more bareable than itch. Heart breaking to hear that one I know.

[asfault]

Oh and excess sugar seems to be a trigger. Especially late on in the evening

[unbound]

Give your son 400IU of Vitamin D daily. Lots of research showing Vitamin D deficiency, Omega 3 deficiency tied to Eczema. The fish oil they suggest is a good source of Omega 3’s.

[malks222]

my 4yr old sometimes suffers from flare ups (mainly behind her knees/ hand/ wrists), our doctor was brilliant with a referral and we have an assortment of creams. we have 3 different strength steroids depending on how bad it is.

we also use ‘QV gentle wash’ in the shower, which seems to have helped a lot as it doesn’t seem to be as harsh on the skin. we also don’t shower her every day, again this had a decent impact

oh and we also got given little body suit things, like this stretchy cotton thermals (long sleeve top with thumb loops, and leggings) and we just smothered her in thick ‘zero base emollient’ and put the little top/ leggings on.

hope some of this helps

[TGCOTF-dewey]

You in a hard water area? That can be a cause of eczema in kids.

[stackmonkey]

Lots of very good advice above.
I've had eczema to varying degrees of severity my whole life (i'm 54 now) and it's never really gone away.

I'll back up all the people saying avoid harsh soaps, to use non-bio washing powder / liquid etc.
And all those saying do gradual food elimination tests.

And all those saying avoid too much steroids as they thin the skin.
The skin on my hands, in particular, is very thin from years of use when young (before the thinning effect was known about).
My skin is much more prone to scratches, tearing etc and hence more prone to infections.
Most adults can tolerate about 60C heat against their skin. I can only take about 45C...

I would recommend anti-itch such as Eurax (Boots, supermarkets etc). It does nothing for the eczema itself, but applied where required at least 30 mins before going to bed (to avoid heat-change itch), or before work/school and it works for a few hours.

[isaldiri]

stackmonkey said:

Lots of very good advice above.
I've had eczema to varying degrees of severity my whole life (i'm 54 now) and it's never really gone away.

I'll back up all the people saying avoid harsh soaps, to use non-bio washing powder / liquid etc.
And all those saying do gradual food elimination tests.

And all those saying avoid too much steroids as they thin the skin.
The skin on my hands, in particular, is very thin from years of use when young (before the thinning effect was known about).
My skin is much more prone to scratches, tearing etc and hence more prone to infections.
Most adults can tolerate about 60C heat against their skin. I can only take about 45C...

I would recommend anti-itch such as Eurax (Boots, supermarkets etc). It does nothing for the eczema itself, but applied where required at least 30 mins before going to bed (to avoid heat-change itch), or before work/school and it works for a few hours.

My brother has had it pretty badly from very young, I only got it less badly at around 10 or so on much less areas. Would agree with the above and the other posts. A mix of a (very) creamy moisturiser and steroids (mix up a couple of jars in different steroid strength to use on different severity is useful) and being very diligent with application has helped a lot, as in generally trying to maintain clothing/bedding to be dirty free has helped him a lot. Antihistamines can help for itching as well.

One further thing I'd like to mention that my mum told me about before that she was told for us, realise it's very hard but she was told by the paediatricians that trying not to be constantly telling a child not to scratch was something she should try to do and use distractions to try to take their attention off scratching instead if possible as it was very easy for the kid to build up resentment over time constantly being told to stop doing something. Best of luck.

Edited by isaldiri on Monday 4th March 22:30

[Getragdogleg]

I had it as a child, it was probably triggered initially by soap or clothing or possibly diet but my diet in the 70s as a child was pretty decent.
In the end it was stress, the hassle of having it and the itchyness made me worried and that made it worse. I found that it was worse in school term time and better during holidays, as I grew up it would flare up and down and was a general pest to live with.

[Disastrous]

Not much advice to add but my 3.5 year old son has a few wee patches (worst behind his knees) that come and go so interested to read the responses.

We’ve got Eumovate cream at the moment which seems to be helping a lot but we’ll see how it goes…

[butch_]

Good advice above, only a few thoughts to add:

The seasonal nature of the eczema could mean there's a pollen allergy in spring and autumn. So go to the allergy clinic and do tests for allergens.

We have found shea butter to help, it's quite a thick consistency, it works better if you warm and melt it in your fingers before applying it on the skin. We buy it bulk from https://www.greenwichmarket.london/guide/detail/sh...

Also installed a water softner. I don't know which brand is better, we have a Kinetico. I feel it has made a big difference.