2 year old

[Laura27w]

My 2 year old son has ezcema I've tried various creams off the doctors and also supermarket ones. His skin isn't too bad but the creases behind his knees and arms get so bad! The doctor always tries giving steroid cream but i dont like using it on him. He itches it especially in bed it wakes him up. Is there anything at all that would help him please

[Dr Anton Alexandroff]

Dear Laura,

I am so sorry to hear about your son trouble. If you do not like steroid creams ask you GP or dermatology to try Pimecrolimus cream or Tacrolimus ointment. Sometimes, emollients alone is not enough.

I hope this is helpful.
With Best Wishes,

Dr Anton Alexandroff FRCP(UK) PhD CCT(Derm) FRSM FAAD
Consultant Dermatologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer
The British Skin Foundation Spokesperson
London, Cambridge, Leicester and Bedford

http://www.alexandroff.org.uk
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[Wendy Green]

Hi Laura,

I'm sorry to hear about your son's eczema.

Eczema flare-ups can be triggered by skin irritation caused by chemicals, such as the detergents, perfumes and other chemicals in bubble baths, shampoos, washing powders and fabric softeners. I would recommend using emollient soap substitutes (e.g. Aquamax Wash, E45 Emollient Wash Cream and Doublebase Emollient Wash Gel) rather than soaps and detergents for washing his hands and face and in the bath/shower. You could also try swapping your washing detergent/fabric softener for non-biological ones, to see if this improves your son's eczema.

Also, I note that you're not keen on using steroid cream but, provided you use no more than 1% hydrocortisone cream sparingly, no more than twice a day - and only when needed, it should be safe and should bring relief. You can also use emollient creams several times a day to keep your son's skin soft and supple and help prevent further flare-ups .

I hope the combination of avoiding possible irritants, using steroid cream sparingly and emollient cream quite liberally will help bring your son some relief.