atopic dermatitis and steroid induced folliculitis

[Sharmila]

my husband is suffering from a case of eczema. it started recently with discoid eczema ( as diagnosed by a specialist) which became infected on his wrist. It became so badly infected that there was no end to the yellow fluid that was seeping from the wound. This went on for several weeks. He went through all the GPs at the surgery and they finally referred him to a dermatologist (NHS) who prescribed a cream for the wrist( Fucibet) and emollient called Dermol. But there were similar patches on his chest, stomach, and back. There was swelling, itchiness, inflammation, and yellow fluid under these angry red inflamed skin areas. The specialist advised applying the cream once daily for 2 weeks. The wrist began to improve almost immediately but next day several flares of angry red itchy hives appeared sporadically all over the body, they sprung up like little papules, pinprick size boils and quite itchy. The itching was quite bad and we thought it might be an allergic reaction, returned to the GP who was unable to diagnose if it was an allergy or eczema. The Dermol did not help. He went to a private dermatologist who prescribed Dermovate ointment for the condition, which was widespread across the body. He also prescribed a stronger antibiotic called Flucloxaxillin for 1 week. After the antibiotic was stopped at the end of the course, the steroid cream continued and eczema seemed to subside- tiny pinprick sized papules begin to appear, first in smaller numbers than increased. he went to the 2nd specialist who said it was steroid-induced folliculitis and should go in a week. However, it do not. Now as things stand, the eczema is widespread, it is quite itchy, the skin is angry red scaly, the folliculitis is all over and new pinpoints keeps popping up, he went back to GPs, who prescribed the antibiotic Flucloxaxillin for 4 weeks 4 times a day, prescribed Dermol Cream for the infection and as a moisturiser. Nothing seems to work and eczema is spreading on a daily basis. The folliculitis has started to weep. Is there any advice you can give (general). Could you recommend a dermatologist who can diagnose his condition, conducts tests if necessary and recommend a treatment?
We would be very grateful

[talkhealth]

Hi Sharmila,

Sorry to hear of your husband's frustrating journey with atopic dermatitis and steroid induced folliculitis.

Unfortunately we are unable to give specific medical advice on individual conditions here, but we have an 'ask the the expert' skin clinic between 9th-12th March.

BSF and talkhealth are teaming up to offer our community the opportunity to put their questions to our panel of dermatology experts. Dr Anton Alexandroff and Dr Sarita Singh will be kindly joining us to give us their advice and support on Thursday 12th March. The clinic will be open from Monday 9th March for you to post your questions in advance.

Please click on the link below for information on the clinic:

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... n_2020.php

Kind regards
talk health