Steroid creams

[Becky Dennis]

Hi there

I keep reading a lot about how the wrong use of steroid creams can damage the skin. And can i ask.. what is the wrong use of them? My GP says just keep slapping it on whenever the skin is red. So i really don't know if i'm doing it right.

I use a finger tip amount on the worst red patches (skin creases) but not on the all over body rash. But the minute i see the red bit going i stop using it. Is that right? Just using it 2 days here, 2 days there, is that ok? I really don't want to cause their skin to thin. But then i don't want then to be red raw and itchy either. But the red patches just flare right back again.

Incidently the red rash all over the baby just won't go. It did respond to 2 weeks Timodine cream (they said it was fungal) but now that i've stopped that her skin is completley coverered in a red rash again and bumpy from head to toe and very red raw/dry cracked face. 5 times a day double base cream doesn't seem to be helping. I just don't know what to do.

I feel at my wits end :0(

I have just starting weaning with the baby but am going to do a complete elimination diet for me (dairy, wheat, egg, fish, nut) etc then slowly re introduce to my diet to see if it makes any difference (i breast feed). And maybe just give the baby root veg and no citrus fruits. But i've got to be honest i feel like i'm feeling my way in the dark.
b

[AnnaB]

Hi Becky

I too have had 2 breast fed babies with severe eczema. I was advised to only introduce one new food per week which made introducing food a slow process, along with this I kept a diary of which foods they ate each day and any flares.
Pro longed use of steroids will thin the skin. You should use steroid until the surface of the skin is healed and continue for a few more days to heal the under layers. As long as 5 days on 5 days off or 10 days on 10 off then should be ok. You want a steroid strong enough to give good contol and give a suitable break before next use. If you cannot control flares with say 5 on 5 off or 10 on 10 off then you may need a stronger steroid? Also there are so so many emollients to try ask for somethingother than double base. Also have you been refered to a dermatologist?? Well worth the push and fight for this.

Keep up the battle. and keep in touch

Anna

[Becky Dennis]

Thanks Anna. You are always such a help and it is so good to know you are there. Thank you.

I have been given a referral for the 3 year old but not for the 5 month old. I'm hoping when we see the dermatologist on July 13th i can get him to look the baby over too.....(is that wishful thinking??!). The GP is reluctant to make referrals it seems.

Thanks for the advice on the steroid i will try that. I only have Betnovate and Eumovate which i have for the 3 year old. Is it ok to try this on the baby i wonder. I am going to the chemist (again!) today so will ask for some over the counter hydrocortisone cream too.

When we were out in the states i did try something called Aveeno Baby oat collodial eczema cream and it seemed to work well on the toddler (although sticky). I have seen posts about it here too. Do you know if you can get this on prescription?

How are your children doing Anna? It is so hard isn't it. I find bedtime really hard and lonely. I just find the screaming of the baby so hard while i cream her, and really hope it's not traumitising her too much.... I so so so hope they will grow out of it. And your children too.
Stay in touch and thanks again
B

[Jimbob]

I am not sure about eumovate as not used that for a while now but I know betnovate should not be used on a child under 12 months. We have always been advised to use nothing stronger than 1% HC for the face. I will have a quick look to see what I can find out about eumovate.

Kelly

[Jimbob]

From what I could find eumovate seems to be ok to use on babies, but not on their face. I would check with your doctor first though.

Kelly

[Becky Dennis]

Thanks Kelly.
I bought some 1% today so have tried that out. I can't get to see the GP until tuesday afternoon. I really hope her skin will ease a bit by then as it really does look shocking.
Thanks for your help
b

[Jimbob]

I really hope the 1% HC helps your baby to feel more comfortable. It is heartbreaking watching them suffer.

Kelly x

[AnnaB]

Hi Becky

Yes only use hydrocortizone on the face, but eumovate for everywhere else should be ok. I was given this as a plan if my second baby was suffering when born until I could get her seen by our dermatologist.

Yes we get the aveeno cream on prescription. When you meet your dermatologist take a list of questions/information as you will not remember everything. I'd take someone with you also as I found juggling 2 kids getting them undressed to be examined and take in the advice and treatments was all such a juggle. You will want to grasp every bit of advice you can get. They probably won't look at baby but ask if you can ask for a referal to the same person as the baby is suffering in line with family history. All our appointments are joint both kids are seen together wherever we go.

Anna

[Becky Dennis]

Hi Anna

The Specialist prescribed a steroid cream for the 6 month old baby, Propaderm 1 in 10 ointment and i am applying it all over including the face, have been for the last 5 days. He didn't say i needed to stop or not do the face and to just keep applying while its red (its always red, flaring up and down all day long). Do you think i shouldn't be putting this on her face? I feel pretty nervous about it as i really don't want her skin to thin or for her to have problems because of it.
Thanks for any advice you girls can give
b x

[AnnaB]

Hi
I am so pleased the specialist helped your daughter too. that is a good doctor. I have never heard of the cream so maybe someone else can advise what they have found. Is it working??
Anna