Eczema?

[Kayelinht]

I used my beautician’s moisturizer, it is expensive but it really worked for my youngest. I checked with the doctor and she said it was fine for my boy. His dry skin really flaked off and did not come back…

[baglady]

Oh I tried a moisturiser that my mum passed me. It’s called Cetaphil. It’s v gentle and works well. My mum has sensitive skin and she can only use Cetaphil cleansers. It was recommended by her doctor at National Skin Centre. Can buy from pharmacies and I think Watsons also has some products.

[liz2010]

if your child has sensitive skin, change his toilettries to natural and organic skincare because other type of skincare can contain sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate (SLS). This can cause skin irritation. You can find affordable skincare products on the following website: http://ginko-shop.com/


If he has eczema, try the Weleda Baby brand. It's recommended to heal and prevent eczema. It's a Swiss brand that's funded in the 1920's! very well known in Europe.

[cherrygal]

I have eczema myself. The allergy tablet or syrup someone mentioned earlier is spelt "Zyrtec". It is not effective for skin eczema but ok for runny nose or allergic reactions such as sneezing, watery eyes or hives. You can also try Dimetapp (a grape flavored syrup). These are anti-histamines.


For eczema skin, you can use Egoderm cream as a preventive (non-steroidal). You can get it from the shelves and it has helped me prevent major flare ups. I don’t find Cetaphil cream or normal moisturizers effective as a prevention. But for normal moisturizing on my baby, I use Physiogel cream instead of Cetaphil. The consistency is better.

To bring down bad inflammation, I took a short course of Dhasalone (prednisalone) tablets (very strong steroids that can cause osteoporosis in the long term) but the effect is not longlasting. I find Betamethasone cream (only from doc) a better alternative for controlling the flare-ups. I guess it is better for kids to start with the mildest hydrocortisone. There is an even milder one at 0.5% from Guardian or Watson’s Pharmacy. Unity only sells the 1% type.

Personally, I get flare-ups whenever I change the bedsheets (dust), cook oily food, touch harsh detergents or when the weather is hot n humid. To find out exactly what causes the itch, you got to go to the dermatologist for a skin analysis.

My son kept scratching after his bath when he used Life Buoy shower gel. We then changed him back to J&J kids shower gel and he was fine. So, do look at the soaps your kids are using. An aircon environment also helps.

[vksmums]

Is it true that eczema cannot be cured? It can only be brought under control? My cousin’s kid has quite bad eczema, her face and neck is discoloured and always flaking, she has quite low self-esteem because of this. Our hearts really ache when we see her condition but no matter what my cousin uses, it is best brought under control- her flaking stops for a while but the dryness and the discolouring is still there. Anyone knows if eczema can be totally cured?

[jen18j]

I use the Avene or Vichy Thermal Water for my DD’s skin… available at Guardian.

[cnimed]

Vksmum,

I’ve never heard of anyone who overcome eczema through application of western drugs alone. All those who have overcome it or has it under control (ie no visible signs) have either used TMC, homeopathy, nutritional therapy, elimination diet etc etc. Generally most of them take at least half a year to resolve the skin problems. So far I’ve only done elimination diet for my son and his skin cleared after some weeks, however it is a lot of hard work as some mothers here already know. I am considering taking him to an alternative nutritionist to adjust his constitution.

[cherrygal]

vksmums:

Is it true that eczema cannot be cured? It can only be brought under control? My cousin's kid has quite bad eczema, her face and neck is discoloured and always flaking, she has quite low self-esteem because of this. Our hearts really ache when we see her condition but no matter what my cousin uses, it is best brought under control- her flaking stops for a while but the dryness and the discolouring is still there. Anyone knows if eczema can be totally cured?

Yup, no cure. I have had it since the age of 7 where both my arms would get really itchy and I would scratch till there was blood. It became better with puberty but I still get inflammations now and then when the weather is hot or when I touch certain irritants. Once you bring down the inflammation with the steroidal creams, you need to make sure you moisturize and maintain the skin with the non-steroidal ones I mentioned. It gets itchy when it is dry. And the whole vicious cycle repeats. The discolouration will take time to heal. Just don't agitate the area anymore once the inflammation stops. I know, easier said than done.

[vksmums]

deminc:

Vksmum,

I've never heard of anyone who overcome eczema through application of western drugs alone. All those who have overcome it or has it under control (ie no visible signs) have either used TMC, homeopathy, nutritional therapy, elimination diet etc etc. Generally most of them take at least half a year to resolve the skin problems. So far I've only done elimination diet for my son and his skin cleared after some weeks, however it is a lot of hard work as some mothers here already know. I am considering taking him to an alternative nutritionist to adjust his constitution.

Hi deminic,

Thanks so much for your info, what really is an elimination diet? How do you what to eliminate. How do you get info on alternative nutritionists? Can find on the web? Which ones are good? Sorry for the barrage of questions, just very worried about my cousins kid and want to really provide some help.

[vksmums]

cherrygal:

vksmums:

Is it true that eczema cannot be cured? It can only be brought under control? My cousin's kid has quite bad eczema, her face and neck is discoloured and always flaking, she has quite low self-esteem because of this. Our hearts really ache when we see her condition but no matter what my cousin uses, it is best brought under control- her flaking stops for a while but the dryness and the discolouring is still there. Anyone knows if eczema can be totally cured?

Yup, no cure. I have had it since the age of 7 where both my arms would get really itchy and I would scratch till there was blood. It became better with puberty but I still get inflammations now and then when the weather is hot or when I touch certain irritants. Once you bring down the inflammation with the steroidal creams, you need to make sure you moisturize and maintain the skin with the non-steroidal ones I mentioned. It gets itchy when it is dry. And the whole vicious cycle repeats. The discolouration will take time to heal. Just don't agitate the area anymore once the inflammation stops. I know, easier said than done.

We have tried quite a lot of moisturisers but not steroidal creams. Do you get these from doctors?