Ichthyosis and Eczema - Which causes the Itching?

[Frankk1974]

Hi!

Thanks for giving me this platform.

My 6 year old daughter has Ichthyosis. It was never properly diagnosed but were told that it was a form of Ichthyosis CIE - luckily for her it's a very mild form of the condition.

She also has eczema.

She gets very little respite from the itching and scratches all the time. I'm not sure if its primarily a symptom of the ichthyosis or the eczema?

Her hands, feet and legs bear the brunt but her torso is also prone. We apply steroid cream when it flares-up but its a never ending cycle.

As an aside we've noticed that, at times, the scratching is becoming a habit she does subconsciously. Are there any behavioural techniques you could recommend?


Regards

[Dr Mary Glover]

I suspect that your daughter does not scratch out of habit, but becuase her eczema is genuinely very itchy, and needs more intensive treatment. Does she have a good moisturiser applied several times a day? And an emollient added to her bathwater and a cream to use for washing instead of soap? (For any child with skin like this it is very important that soap based products, bath bubbles and shampoos are not in contact with the areas of skin affected by eczema).
It is also helpful for children with eczema to be kept very cool, and to wear 100% cotton clothing.
Even with very careful skin care there will be times when steroid ointments are requried. the specific type of steroid cream and the amount you should apply will depend on the severity of the condition, and will need to be based on the advice of a specialist nurse or dermatologist.