Eczema, steroids and chicken pox

[Chan620]

My 6 year old has had severe eczema since he was 6weeks old and now is on a 4 week course of oral steroids. He has 9 days left to take and I've been informed by his school that a boy in the year above him is off school with chicken pox. Last time this happened the eczema nurse advised I kept him at home until he had finished his steroids, but He had only just started the medication then. I would like some advice on whether or not I should send him to school, what the risks may be. He has not had chicken pox yet and his eczema is still fairly flared, despite the steroids. Many thanks for any advice

[Dr Anton Alexandroff]

Hello

patients with eczema may have a more severe chicken pox, and steroids (topical or taken by mouth) may also increase severity of chicken pox. Perhaps it might be best to wait until your boy finishes steroids.
with best wishes,

[Chan620]

Thank you for your help, I will keep him at home till he's finished the medication

[Dr Jonathan Bowling]

Dear Chan620,

It may be also worth discussing the merits of vaccination against chicken pox for your child in view of your child's severe eczema. Although the vaccination may not be widely available on the NHS it is worth discussing the pros and cons in your case. The vaccine is not 100% successful in stopping an infection, however the resulting infection if it occurs is usually a lot milder. As chicken pox is highly infectious amongst school children with a period of incubation it is difficult, if not impossible to stop childhood infection at some point.

I had my 4 small children all vaccinated at the same time, (all aged 5 and below) and we were lucky that only my oldest had any sign of chicken pox which was only a handful of spots.

Good luck

Dr Jonathan Bowling

www.mydermatologist.co.uk