Our youngest (3 and a bit) has really bad eczema - unlike his two older siblings.
It is particularly bad around the backs of his knees (in the creases) and is clearly uncomfortable for him as he is often scratching them.
Interestingly, it does seem to get worse when he is run-down, e.g. with a cold.
Now, childhood atopic dermatitis and eczema have been linked to longer term health problems, such as allergies and asthma due to heightened immune sensitivity. So the long-term effects are also of concern to us.
In an effort to reduce the impact on the little chap and reduce the risk of longer-term issues, we've been using emollients, but with little success. We're not particularly keen to use any heavy-duty products on him (e.g. topical steroids), so would welcome any advice from parents who've been through this and found successful cures/treatments, whether these be lifestyle modification or other treatments.
Do you know if available here in CH? My experience of asking for "foreign" things in CH is usually that if they don't know about it, they don't think it can possibly exist. So trying to get it could be a challenge...
Have you tried having a chat with his paedatrician? If he can't help you, they are pretty good at recommending a specialist that is used to dealing with kids.
There are some pretty good dermatologists in Zurich.
One of my daughters had really bad eczema at the same age. We went to a Naturarzt because tests at the pediatrician showed no allergies, and we were told she's intolerant to lots of things. It was recommended we start Bio-resonance, but we chose not to as it was very expensive and we were a bit sceptical. So we stopped giving her all the foods known to be allergenic (wheat, eggs, nuts, citrus fruit and so on) and we used a 2-phase cream by Siriderma. Within a few weeks there was no sign of eczema anywhere.
Now she's 6 and we still use the cream (has occasional outbreaks), she eats pretty much what she wants (although wheat seems to be a bit of a problem stlll).
This cream (Siriderma 2-phase intensive cream. There's a white pasty zinc cream for night for the red itchy, oozy bits, and a green tube for day that I use on her skin when it starts looking dry). It's the best I've ever tried (and we've tried them all!!)
Unfortunately, it's pretty expensive and you cna order it only over the internet as far as I know www.siriderma.ch . maybe you could ask for samples or buy the small tubes to see if it works for you.
Hope your little one gets over it soon. Does she have any other symptoms? (Digestion problems or anything else?)
We had good luck with almond oil. Sunlight helps, as well as Biokosma hair oil, which you can get at the apotheke. My son gets it on his scalp when allergy season rolls around and this seems to help a lot. Put it in before the bath, let it be a while and then wash out.
We also can't use any products but Avene on him, and the only laundry soap that doesn't make it worse but still gets clothes clean is Sonett, bought at a health food store.
I also think it gets worse if he is ill, or stressed, so I'll use a steroid almond creme to give him some relief if it gets too bad. Not my favorite either, but sometimes you have to get a jump on the patches and then go back to the natural route.
If you are willing to in the meantime, and perhaps after consultation with his doctor, you might want to give a diluted beach bath a try.
It was recommended to a friend for her baby by his doctor, and dermatologists alike. She didn't use this treatment, as a new cortisone cream she started did help, but it did work for a couple of adults I know.
Here are a couple of links, but there are many other articles out there regarding diluted bleach treatments for eczema.
I found the best thing for us was a combination of Evening Primrose oil internally, and bathing the area with Chamomile infusion (a strong tea)externally.
Look at what washing powder you're using for his clothes, and ensure that there are no harsh chemicals in it. - this is a biggie, many children react to cleaning products.
Weleda also have some really good products (can't remember what they're called off the top of my head, but I'm sure a salesperson could advise you).
Yes. This is just information I am sharing from a 2009 report published by the journal of pediatrics, and as recently suggested by doctors as well. As with an suggestion, it is advisable to research, talk to your doctor, etc, etc. The adults only used a wash to the affected area, and it was done/shown to them by a nurse at the doctors office.
I suffered from childhood eczema on the backs of my knees and remember my mother applying an unctuous coal tar cream, which did soothe the itching and soreness, but did not cure it.
However, as mentioned previously, the thing that really cured it, practically overnight, was moving to the tropics with my family - sunshine and salt water cleared up all traces in no time.
Our little one has it since she was born. It's something that comes and goes currently. It gets really bad in times of teething, fever or so.
We are currently applying a mix of the following: anti-dry with almond oil (that's the name of the product), for bathing anti-dry almond oil bath, linola (there are two versions fett and halb fett, in summer fett is not advisable because you sweat underneath it, but then again the outbreak is deciding which one we use)
Yes the cream is ZINC based, alaso you could look at the Eucerin product line, they are excellent as have an acid pH, above all do not use soap!! Use the Eucerin option
Be careful with the type of cream you use: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11564662 Some emollients, especially those containing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate can make it worse.
Bleach baths were also reported on the BBC . However the report does not state the dilution ratios so anyone contenplating this should get advice from an expert first.
My eldest suffered from excema when she was small and the 2 things that worked best were plain Vaseline and Sudocrem. Both are available over the counter in England, not sure about the sudocrem over here. We still use the sudocrem for any dry skin, minor cuts etc - it's our "magic cream"!! Also my eldests was very much diet related, too much dairy or bright coloured fruits and it appeared within minutes. Watch if there are any food triggers.
I used to suffer quite badly as a kid from Eczema. The tar treatment is one option (tar dandruff shampoo like the one by Neutrogena works). I also had to regularly take oatmeal baths (ask for it at your pharmacy, I know it exists in CH). With me it was really quite horrible, and can still be now. It also helps if you notice triggers that make the eczema worse.
I know you don't want steroids, but if the eczema does get worse, it really can make it a lot better. Really ask your pediatrician, since there are a huge variety of strengths out there from very little steroids to huge massive quantities. You might be able to just use the lowest concentration and really help out your kid a lot. It's something to think about.
These can be easily made with oats and some old stocking. There is lots of info on the net of how they work and how to do it properly and much cheaper than those sachets from the drogerie.