Eczema Misdiagnosis

[redbaby]

Hi Guys,... My 15month old daughter was diagnosed by her paeditrician with eczema when she was 4months old and since then we have all been miserable due to her scratching and itching red skin. I have tried many different creams , potions and cortizone ointments - to no avail. Last week I finally went to a paediatric dermatologist who recommended she be given a small dose of Claratyne Syrup (a mild non drowsy antihistamine) once a day to reduce the itching. After giving her the syrup, her red rash disappeared completely! Within 20minutes! It appears that her 'eczema' was infact an allergy rash and we have been covering her in all sorts of creams for nothing.... I feel terrible,..but thank god that the rash is gone! Sorry for the ramble,..but my point is,...if you have tried everything with eczema, then get your paeditrician to give you a referral to a paediatric dermatologist, as the skin condition may have been misdiagnosed.

[WeThree]

hi jane! my thomas has to have zyrtec twice a day due to terrible allergies to all grasses, dust etc. it really helps, the poor kid is an absolute mess otherwise, he cant even play in the school playground without it!

:)

[Jessicasmum]

Hi

Your post was interesting I have a question, how long should I persist for? DD almost always has a red rash on legs, she scratches at one leg even if there isn't a rash there - creating a rash almost.

I have tried sigmacort, sorbelene, nothing etc, GP said it was exzema, but it just doesn't ever seem to leave. I don't know what to do. Her face breaks out in what almost looks like little pimples after eating. This has been going on for about 3 months. I haven't been to see a dermatologist, should it clear up ever, or does exzema just hang around waiting to erupt??

Mel

[nemosmum]

Eczema is a symptom of an allergy.

Often giving your bub sometimg like claratyne (sp) or Zyrtec or Phenergen will ease the reaction in the body and the rash then goes away.

Im not an expert or anything but DS has had allergies and eczema (so have I)

We had DS skin pric tested which confirmed his allergies and when we stopped giving him the foods he was allergic too and minimising things in the environment that trigger an allergic reaction he no longer gets the eczema.

If he is exposed to something by accident then the rash (eczema) comes back.

Being diagnosed with eczema is like diagnosing a symptom you need to discover the cause of the allergy.

[WeThree]

great explanation Sarah :)

[nemosmum]

Thanks Erin ;)

[redbaby]

Ohh,..Very good explanation Sarah,..and interesting about the Zertex Erin - does that come in a kiddie syrup? And how long has your bubba been taking it? Eczema would have to be one of the most frustrating conditions I have ever come across,...... Does anyone know how long I should give Scarlett the Claratyne for? She is currently on 2mls every 24hours,.... I can find no info on whether this med. could do her long term damage, and really don;t like to medicate her un-necessarily,....but as it has taken away all her itching, I am reluctant to take her off it,.. She has been on it for about 4 days now,... any suggestions?

Oh,..and Jessicasmum, Scarlett had a similar red blotchy patch on the top of her foot which was not like the rest of the eczema. Her Dr suggested it may be a sort of fungal thing due to crawling with eczema on her foot, and to use an antifungal cream (like canesten) and it cleared up overnight! Amazing!

I still wouldn't use soap on her, or dress her in wool etc though,...I think she has just got very sensitive skin.

[Mum2Tyla]

Hi,
I have a an hereditary skin conditon that did'nt develope until puberty, your child may grow out of it as they get older or they may not be grateful that you are able to control it with antihistamines which are ok long term i think as it was one of the things i was allowed to use for my skin when i was pregnant, I would always say take them to a dermatologist as most GP's have no idea what I have and just give me cortisone cream or I tell thewm what I need. Skin conditons can be so frustrating, I am also a vet nurse so see so many dogs with skin problems some are contolled easily and some never get under sontrol but it is worthwhile going to a specialist, because if it is allergies and you find the cause you can keep it under control and limit the amount of medications used. Good luck all the parents with skin problems. My baby has a 50/50 chance of getting my skin condition but I won't know until she hits puberty.
:) :)
Kelly

[Notchalk]

Hi - my lil guy is just over 5 months and we are treating for eczema with cortisone now, as he has had a big flare-up. We are using Kenacomb for the ?thrush under his neck, and advantin for the rest of his redness (chin and chest). The rest of his body is itchy, but it's just really dry, not red. Dr said the cortisone is systemic, so no need to use it everywhere else - just moisturise. I am REALLY interested in the skin prick test though, as I agree, eczema is the symptom of the allergy, and it's better to avoid allergens than to cover it up. Can someone tell me how to go about getting one? Is it by referral from GP or something? Is there a cost? Can I get it done in Perth somewhere?

Thanks :)

Jo (Mum to Will)

[nemosmum]

Hi Jo,

Its so hard when you see your little one in obvious pain and discomfort and nothing seems to work! I know as we went thru alot with O when he was little.
I am in Sydney so I cant help out with an allergy clinic but if you go to your GP or health care nurse they will I am sure be able to refer you.
We went through RPA Hospital and it was a free clinic but we had to wait 5 months to get an appointment (lucky for us we made the appointment when O was only 2 months old). He was pric tested at 7 months. If you dont want to wait I am sure there are private clincs that do it also (as there are in Syd)

The pric test is not nice and bubs may get a little distressed so I just bf after it, we also noticed O was unsettled for about 3 days afterwards. But I am 110% happy we got it done.

I hope your bub gets better soon :)
Feel free to pm me any time to chat.
Sarah

[vonnie100]

hi,
wanted to share the magic cure for my dd eczema. I was told by a friend who has an eczema child that in the hospitals they wrap kids in wet cloth for an hour and then the eczema will clear up. I was a little sceptical at this but when i found out form a few others to do this i gave it a shot. I didnt know really what i was doing but I wet one of her winter long sleeve skivies and put it on her (not dripping wet) and then put another top on her so she wouldnt get chilled and left her to run around for an hour. When i took it off it didnt look as though anything had worked but the next day the eczema was fading and after an other day it was gone!!! Her skin felt smooth and she had no rash. I was told that the skin absorbes the moisture. I was told that it may flare up again but not for a while, and just to do the same thing as last time. Amazing. I am thrilled as I had been trying all sorts of creams and lotions and seeeing alsorts of speciallists.
A nice natural way to help prevent itching!

[nemosmum]

Thats great Vonnie I have heard the same thing :D

Its also great to find the cause of the eczema and that way you dont get more flare ups. DS hasnt had any eczema for ages because we know how to prevent him from having an allergic reaction :)

[redbaby]

Hi sarah,... That is really interesting about the skin prick test,. I am trying to get Scarlett an appointment with a Paediatric Dermatologist out at Westmead...but she is proving difficult to get into,.. (private patient),.. can you give me the name of the Dr you saw at RPA? We are just down the road from there, and it would be great if I could get on a list or something?! Also,..whereabouts are you in Sydney? We could link up for a coffee or something? Our kids are the same age and sound a bit similar!

[nemosmum]

Hi Jane,

We went to Dr Velencia Soutter at the Allergy consulting rooms RPA.
Phone: 95153300
They have recently moved from RPA and are now located at 9/11 Layton street Camperdown. If you call MON/WED/FRI between 9-12 or 2-4.30 you'll be able to make an appointment but you do need a referal from you GP. The wait list is long (5 months for us) but they might get a cancellation and then they can fit you in earlier.

I would love to catch up with you, i have no idea where stanmore is lol Ive lived in sydney all my life but wouldnt have a clue where everything is :p
I live in the St George area, Im going to the mothers meet next tuesday at cronulla, are you going to that?

pm me and will organise something otherwise :)