Cortisone duration?

[splishy]

Hi everyone,

Has any of the Mum's out there used creams alone to resolve their bub's eczema?

Maybe initially? What about when it is getting better with the help of cortisone cream and then ceasing the cortisone and using creams alone?

Is it usual to use a cortisone cream (mild strength) for 4 weeks continuously? ....

I imagine I keep applying it until the skin returns to normal.....and maybe 3 more days post? I read in another post that a Doctor said 3 weeks. Has anyone else heard the same thing?
My dr said "my choice of creams won't make a difference, it is the cortisone doing the work so don't worry about changing creams. Still to the one." I personally don't entirely agree. There are creams that can further irritate.

I suppose i'm not doing my DD any favours if I miss a treatment when she is getting better.

Mind you, in the mornings I think it has almost cleared but then it flares up again. IN new spots too.

But it would be nice to know if other parents have experienced their bub's eczema resolve with the barrier creams and bath oils.

I am also wondering, how long I can expect this first flare up to last? 4 weeks seems like such a long time. I question if I can do something else or if I can manage it differently. I have cleaned my house non-stop, no permanent mats left in the house, washed every 2nd day, Bath bub every 2nd day (dr's orders), bub is in the snugglebum sleepsuit, my wet wraps are a messy event but i'm trying, I'm using the recommended creams, we stay away from irritants. She might be teething her canines so this doesn't help running a little warmer than usual but I keep her cool.

I'm okay but it would be nice to know this is kind of normal for eczema sufferers or am i missing something.

[UmmInayah]

I think it depends on the strength of the cortisone cream.

I have been told my dad and sis who are doctors not to use it for more than 5-7 days continuously. Sis told me to stop for a week and then go again if need be. Having said that, I am only using .5% cortisone as well.

I think if it isn't clearing up with cortisone, you're probably better of going to the GP and getting something else like stigmacort or something like that. Cortisone is really bad if used long term as it can cause things like glaucoma and cataracts, and not to mention thinning of the skin.

Don't mean to scare you, but I think you should get another doctors opinion.

[mumofjmc]

We have just taken my 2yo and nearly 4yo to a dermatologist as they have just recently developed severe etopic eczema.

The specialist advised us to use dermeeze (from chemist) first on the effected areas then sparingly use elecon (cortisone cream) over the top. The dermeeze ensures the skin is kept moisturised and assists with the spread and absorbtion of the cortizone cream. We were told not to use it for more than 5 days in a row then give it a break for about a week.

Definately get a second or even third opinion.

We have battled with eczema all my sons life and have tried numerous things, both perscription and over the counter, and the dermeeze is the only thing that helps keep his skin under control :smiliedance:.

Good luck :fingerscrossed:.

[punkbaby]

I usually find if i use elocon along with cold wraps its eased in 2 days, naturally after about 4 days its back but it seems to really nip it if i use the wraps as well. if i dont do the cold wraps it takes about a week to clear up, I was told to use mine for 10 days then stop for 5 days from my gp for both ds and dd3.

Usualy i can do the cold wraps alone with either qv or dermeeze and it works but i have to get to it before it really flares up, but if its really bad i use the elocon as well. Thankfully i think i have worked out what causes their excema still a few things ihave to work out but finally i feel like i am nearly beating it

[splishy]

Thank you girls. (ps i started this post at midday..)

The prescription cream DD has been on is Celestone-M .02%/100g

I forgot to mention....Rather major. My DD has had a 4 day course of Prednisone 5mg a day.
After day 3 when DD wasn't any better, I called on the 24th to enquire/clarify the number of doses/days.

I will visit the dr Monday.

May I ask fellow Mums/parents, sorry more questions, do you just get used to/adjust to seeing red dots on your child? Meaning you don't worry about using cortisone unless it is bad/angry/skin blotchy etc.? And just use various creams?

I have lost track of days but I have been using Dermeze but on top of the Celestone-M (smear).

Today I have gone back to using Graham's cream (and instead of Celestone-M) three times a day. Thanks to your feedback I did this application of the two creams the other way around. I'm finding the Graham's cream good for relieving the itch...I did want to find an alternative as Graham's cream is so expensive but I had a small amount left in the tube and cut it open to finish it off.

It is amazing how there is nothing like true empathy for our fellow humans. I know in the past when people have shared their experiences and I've thought/said "oh, bless him/her and how health conditions can cause anxieties/worries" but it is different to truly empathise. Today, I had feelings/considerations for other children and parents out there too, b/c this is so mild (i know i should not compare b/c our pain is our pain....but I felt bad today b/c this is nothing REALLY in comparison...again i feel bad comparing but i feel bad for being a little frustrated and letting this get me down and/or negative at times). When I'm doing little ones cold wraps (three times a day b/c I notice the +ve effect) and she wants to move and be on the go AND DH WANTS TO ASK QUESTIONS...like where is something?

Thank you Punkbaby for your cold wrap advice. As i mentioned about little one on the move...i thought i'd just dress her in wet long sleeve/pants and bandage her up.
If you don't mind me asking...How do you dress your little one overnight with the wet wraps?
I might give it ago.

[splishy]

Punkbaby, maybe I need a stronger cortisone cream in the future, to 'nip it in the butt' sooner.

Anyway, we'll see how the Dr r/v goes.

Do you find that you adjust to seeing the eczema and not necessarily use the cortisone straight away?

[youngones]

hi splishy :wave:

Is your doc a specialist? I only ask that because the allergist we go to for DD said that OTC cortisone creams are safe to use long term and will not cause adrenal problems or thinning of the skin and we have been using Dermaid 1% soft on DD since 4mths, so for about 9 months now - every single day.

Give that your bub is on a prescription cream, I would be asking my doc for some more info on it, or else join a medical site like medscape to research it, rather than just googling - that way you get evidence based information, not just the frighteners!

I do have friends who use prescription cortisone for several weeks at a time to get flare ups under control, but remember to titrate down, don't just stop, as the skin will rebound on withdrawl. So if you're using it twice a day, go down to once, then once every other day, then every three etc until it is every 5, then you can stop.

We've tried just about every moisturiser and cream available, but nothing works like cortisone for us - but also knowing what she's allergic to helps a bit too, so we can avoid stuff in her diet (fortunately she's not allergic to much else other than mildly to dustmite).

The other thing that helps a lot is Zyrtec liquid. DD has 2mls morning and night and we really notice it when we've had to stop prior to an allergy test. Her dose is much higher than what is recommended on the bottle for her weight and age, but again, it is under the advice of a specialist and he has assured us that it is safe to use, long term, in the higher dose and I do trust this guy, as he backs up what he says with data.

Good luck and :hugs: - this really is a miserable condition and it really does make you want to reach out and hug people who are going through it too.

[splishy]

Supergirl I love you :hugs:

I'm going to write questions down for Monday.

I think DD triggers is clothing/dust mite related.

Currently cleaning (i'm like a woman possessed running around the house looking for items to be washed in Amolin or wiped) everything in site.

[punkbaby]

Most of the time i can do a cold wrap with qv moisturiser and it helps otherwise i have to use the elocin cream along with qv to kick it so to speak. As i can see when its about to flair up now i probably only use the elocin about 10 times a month now which is awesome (it used to be week on 4 days off week on etc etc) but this is only if i am really strict about things and keep on top of them both, its damn hard and i cry thinking sometimes at how much it must hurt and annoy them but i can only do what i can do to relieve things.
I do think though i would rather use the steroid cream for a day or two and have them comfy than not use it and have them in pain for a few days thats my theory anyhow :)

I get some chux wipes or those cheap homebrand liners from safeway and wet them and squeeze the excess water out of them i place a layer of elocon then a layer of qv moisteriser on the affected area then lay down a damp chux cloth, then wrap lightly to hold it in place and to stop fingers tearing it off basically i do this from bath time (before bed) to wake up time. I notice a huge difference the angryness has gone and if i do it again the next night its pretty much nearly gone, naturally if its really bad i usually need to do 4 nights but 2 usually works.

I find my kids are set off even by cuddling people that have washed in "bad stuff" as i call it LOL so i have to be pretty vigilant and make sure that anything that triggers it are avoided, good luck :)

[splishy]

Thank you Punkbaby. Thank you so much for your time.:hugs: You have been a bit help. And everyone else.

I must go mop quickly and take myself off to bed.
I'm first going to sneak into her room and smear Dermeze on and maybe file her nails to take the sharp bits off that her clippers leave behind.

[youngones]

Dee - I'm not sure if you're already doing it, but try adding about 1/4 cup of plain white vinegar to the wash where you would normally use fabric softener. It helps to bring the pH of clothes back to around the same as that of skin. I use it in every single wash now.

We've also been given (but haven't had the need to use yet) details of a clothing company in Australia who make sleepsuits for eczema kiddies in a special kind of silk. Apparently, even some cotton fibres can irritate delicate skin and these guys use a specially processed silk, that basically shaves off the microscopic fibres that stick out of regular silk fabric. I think they might be called Dermasilk or something like that, but if you want the details, pm me and I'll dig them out.

Like you, we use Snugglebum suits for DD - they are fantastic for us, but I'm peeved that I can't buy any in the 18-24mth size that we're going to need in about another month, except for the teddy bear one and we already have two of them in that size! I'm just fussy and want some variety! I wish they'd hurry up and release their new winter stock!!

We also make sure that the inside temp is never more than 24 degrees at night (using the air con), but if the air con is on, I hang a wet towel, wet washing or a wet cloth nappy in her room, so the air doesn't dry out too much. We haven't had the air on much lately, which is great - this rain and mild weather in Bris is a blessing!

[splishy]

Hello girls,

Just rereading all the posts, to rehash.

Dr visit today. We have seen three (4 is you include the hospital visit) so far. Today is one of the 3 at the clinic. I feel they are generally good dr's. They have a good rep. in the area and I have a good feel about them.

You have all been a BIG help. Not of 'bit' help.
Sometimes i wonder about my brain. I tough type but some connections/coordinations are developing senior moments.

DD has woken the previous 2 days looking really good, but then something happens and it flares up. At least I could probably rule out sleeping arrangements/paraphernalia. I just have to sort out LIFE outside her room LOL. Not this morning though. DD is covered. The Graham's cream is helping relieve the itch. If she's happy, I am now. I'm not as anxious about it now, thanks to your support/reassurance of what to expect.

Supergirl - Yes thank you, I have been doing the vinegar in the wash since eczema diagnosis b/c I read your post. That is when I sent you a pm early days thanking you for your huge post with this info. (and Snugglebum etc)
I just read your previous post this morning (i don't know how i missed it) I didn't know about the withdrawal of cortisone cream. That might be where i went wrong.

Punkbaby - It is amazing how the wet wraps help :-)

Happy New Year girls.

[Ana Gram]

One of DD's triggers is dustmites. I only use perscribed creams now. The only way I got on top of it was to move to a house with no carpet.

[youngones]

DD had a mild reaction to dust mites on her SPT - poor little darling would be a mess if it was any bigger a reaction, as our place is always full of dust, even though we don't have carpet!

chellegoth - I honestly don't know how you manage it! Even paying a cleaner once a week, plus what we do ourselves doesn't really make much difference. Our back yard is mostly dirt from some excavations and then months of drought. I hate having the windows closed, especially when the weather is so mild, like it is now. Dust is just next to impossible to keep from breeding in our house!!

[punkbaby]

I would write down everything shes on contact with each day, when it flares up etc, diet, drinks etc, weather etc, this is how i pin pointed most of dds and ds's. DD3s car seat flared her up till i bought a cotton cover for it, wish i knew it was causing most of her problems earlier though

[splishy]

Hi Girls, Yes 'touch' type!! see what i mean??

Well the dr first recognised that we are dealing with DD not the parents anxieties (thank goodness...i'm hiding it well). I communicated that I just need to have a consult r/v in regards to management to check we are doing right by DD. And another script for ???the same or alternative cream.

Dealing with parents anxieties he said is a large % of cases. Which I complete understand....I have been there. Thanks to everyone on Bub hub, all your support, i've come around.

I had resolved myself to to the bewildering/clueless nature of a newly diagnosed eczema patent and not getting completely on top of it for ???time. However it sort of takes away some parenting confidence.

Okay the outcome. A bit hazy. We are kind of going down a different path for a few weeks.

Due to myself presenting in raised red dots/pimples and being itchy ...even though I have been outside cleaning up a dirty area (cob webs/accumulated dog hair) last week.....The Dr considered Scabies. This is rather embarrassing given the theory's of this disease. It is not a dirty disease....LOL we have only been bathing DD every 2nd day since the Dr's advice. LOL.

DD clearly appears to have eczema, except given i've got the symptoms on areas of skin most in contact with DD...we are going to rule out scabies.

The mite can be undetected from skin scrapings and it presents the same as eczema. It is apparently hard to differentiate. An adult can take up to 4-6 weeks to present if he/she hasn't come in contact with it before.

Dr said there isn't any harm in trying the treatment.

I can still use creams in conjunction with the scabies treatment.

Dr said the predisone would have helped settle this too.....however i was puzzled with it's slowness to respond. ie 4 days of 5mg. When the pharmacist said 2-3 days.

Still wondering where she picked it up.
My parents do not have symptoms. I wonder if they could be carriers? Anyway i've spoken to them and they are aware of the details and the harmlessness of a treatment. :D My parents have been the least helpful. The 2 days DD spent at their place (when DD's skin condition started) was the first time they have been on their own with her....but it had to be on their terms...ie at their place. I resolved myself to be a good grandparent for my DD (one day if given the opportunity) given my circumstances. When ever i'm out and see grandparents with strollers ...I think..."oh i wish I had helpful parents." It would be nice just to have either MUM or Dad to come visit one day to give me an hour to achieve something. Anyway I just think they are slack...

a bit off the topic ...sorry that's my whinge.