living with Eczema
Like us, do you live with Eczema? Eczema is a chronic itchy skin condition. It started for Evan in the first six months of his life. Eczema tends to be more common in families that have a history of eczema, hay fever, and asthma. These disorders are all a part of what is called the “atopic triad.” Craig has atopic dermatitis & I suffer from hayfever so the poor kid didn't stand a chance. Eczema is a terrible irritant, it tends to wax and wane. There are periods of time where the skin appears mildly affected or even normal, alternating with periods of moderate to severe involvement. At the moment we are having a particulary bad bout. As you can see from the photos above, it's gets very dry, very red, very sore & very itchy!
Daily bathing is recommended with a child who has eczema. We have a very strict routine. 10 mins max in a warm tepid bath, containing Oilatum a liquid cream that stops the eczema getting infected. It is most important to moisturise the skin immediately after bathing (within 3 minutes) to prevent evaporation of moisture from the skin. We do this with Diprobase. Treating eczema requires treating both skin dryness and skin inflammation. We use anti-inflammatory medications, like topical steroids (Eumovate & Hydrocortizone) to treat inflammation. Occasionally, we give Evan oral anti-inflammatory to stop him itching like anti hystimine.
It really is an uncomfortable condition & I pray our little man grows out it. All the signs are telling us that he will, he used to have it all over his body, but now it's mostly on his hands, arms & legs. Craigs eczema started later in childhood for him, he really does suffer with it. I feel so sorry for him when he's all red & itchy. But I am so proud of the routine he has in place to manage it.
At the end of it all though, I do realise that I could be a lot worse. I mean to neither trivialise the condition nor play victim by whining about how it is. It is what it is, and the best we can do for Evan is stick to a routine that makes his skin healthier and less prone to itchiness.
If you have any questions about how we help Evan with his condition, then I'm happy to share our experiences.
I can really relate to this. My son who is 5 has suffered from eczema (in varying degrees) since very tiny, and his baby sister is now showing signs of being prone to it too. It really is a misery for little ones. And its a never ending cycle of lotions and potions, and no fun bubbles in the bath. Although we do get away with E45 Junior Bubbles which is foaming but non drying. I hope our children grow out of it - certainly Archies is much milder now than it was 2 years ago x
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reply. I'm sorry to read that your LO's suffer too, but its encouraging to read that your son is getting better.
DeleteI like the sound of E45 Junior Bubbles - will search for that on my next trip to Boots x
Eczema is horrible. I am 27 and still suffer with it - it wasn't as bad in childhood (backs of knees, elbows etc.) but has gradually got worse. My sister grew up with it to the extreme (had to be wrapped up in cling film before bed etc.) and so mine never really got looked into because in comparison it was so mild.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 25 I went to a dermatologist and she was shocked that I had never seen a specialist and was just continuing with hydrocortizone and diprobase! If it gets bad, a good routine of Oilatum is the best. I found that cutting out dairy made the world of difference, but by doing that I actually developed a dairy allergy (so don't try it unless advised by a pro!)!
Dermatologists nowadays don't think that Eczema is related to food anyway but from my own family's experience it did make a huge difference. Now I've got my own bubs on the way I'm just praying that she doesn't suffer from it, and that she doesn't develop a dairy allergy because I don't eat it!
Hope Evan grows out of it!
WOW! poor you - my husband suffers too, & he's 41!
DeleteIt's not nice. I hope your LO doesn't develop it.
We don't give Evan dairy or tomatoes. Both seem to flair up his eczema. It's always pretty bad in the winter - so hope we get some sun this year so it can clear it up a bit. Thanks for commmenting x