Toddler with very itchy skin

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
I have a three year old boy who has always had sensitive and very dry skin. In the last few weeks it has become even more severe (pollen related?) with his torso, legs, arms, back, and anywhere he can reach now covered in bloody scratch marks. He scratches almost constantly and he even scratches at night in his sleep.

The most successful treatment to date from his paediatrician has been linola fett - but now this seems to be making very little impact.

Has anyone had a similar experience and can recommend a different approach / treatment? Perhaps a naturopath or skin specialist that you recommend? Should I be investigating food allergies?

Appreciate any feedback.

C

2
You should take him to a doctor. I read there might be a vitamin deficiency, or an allergy. In the meantime try this cream,

Excipal Pruri Lotio, 200 ml, made and sold by Spirig Pharma AG, CH-4622 Egerkingen

http://tel.local.ch/de/d/Egerkingen/...+AG&where=4622

3
Sounds like eczema, I would take him in to check for allergies. Try changing detergent, his soap, shampoo, go for something very mild and natural. My son used to itch the same way at that age, and is definitely allergic to some detergents. In the meantime, an over the counter antihistamine should help with the itching, especially at night.

4
Hi,

I'd highly recommend Dr. Thomas Jundt on Limmatquai in Zürich.

I've been seeing him for about a month now after one weekend when my eczema really flared up.

He has put me through an allergy blood test which identified a number of things I'm allergic to, only a very few of which I was aware of after the standard skin prick test I had done some years ago in London.

Additionally the creams and bath oils he has prescribed started working very quickly for me.

Good luck anyway. I fully sympathise. I actually had a 2 month stay in hospital across my 4th birthday because my eczema used to be so bad.

Snoops.

5
bring him to his doctor.

now, there's a few things I would do for itchy skin like putting some clays on it or some water where you diluted some magnesium chloride.

(two things we should all have at home because it's really useful.)

6
Are you sure it's magnesium chloride ? I know that magnesium helps blood circulation which can help itchy skin.

Filetti washing powder should be used.

Also cold camomile tea applied to the skin with cotton wool may help.

7
I've had wonderful results with Excipial Kids body lotion for my daughter's eczema.

For itchiness, kids can take drops of Feniallerg. But I wouldn't use it for more than a few days without a doctor's consent.

Could it be a sun allergy?

8
I would recommend taking it further than the general Paediatrician and get a consultation with a dermatologist and/or allergy specialist.

The most likely culprit will be allergies, and it could be something in the air, something they are touching or something they are eating.

In my experience, it's hard to find a product that really works, because you aren't treating the underlying cause.

My daughter and I both have a range of allergies and she is reacting particularly badly at the moment. We're not sure if it's a certain pollen in the air or a new skin product she is using. It was so bad last night I gave her an antihistamine tablet, which really helped (she was sneezing and sniffing continously yesterday)...

Good luck finding the culprit.

My daughters list includes: strawberries, tomatoes, too many stonefruit, elmex toothpaste, detergents, glue, formaldehyde. Those were tested by the dermatologist with skin pricks when she was about 11.

My list includes: cleaning products, detergent, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplant, floor cleaner, window cleaner, bleach (highly allergic), and a range of cosmetic products and perfumes. I don't use anything but plain soap, particular type of deoderant, cheap shampoo, cheap washing powder (the expensive ones tend to be loaded up with perfumes and other 'extra's')....

9
in french it's chlorure de magnésium.

10
When i was in Hong Kong the children i took care of, has an eczema. And they fou nd out they were allergies from dairy products such as butter, milk, eggs and youghurt. And also mushroom, carrots which is kind of strange. They had a oatmeal bath, and using some oil for dry skin. They also have some creams after bath.

11
You really must take the child to a specialist, trying to find a solution yourself is going to be very long-winded as there as simply too many possible causes; environmental allergies, food allergies, mites, being but three.

This link from a couple of years ago gives the name of one pediatric dermatologist in Zurich, you could try looking in the local Yellow Pages for others.

[Need Pediatric Dermatologist [Zurich area]](http://www.englishforum.ch/family-matters-health/122949-need-pediatric-dermatologist-zurich-area.html)

In the meantime; mild antihistermines, both tablet and cream forms, bathing the skin in dilute cold camomile tea, and wearing only cotton clothing should help ease the itching.

12
+1 for the oatmeal bath to help with symptoms, especially before bed. Also +1 for visiting a specialist rather than a regular doc.

Personal recommendation - even though it is warm right now, put mittens or gloves on him before he goes to bed. It may help with the at-night scratching.

Hope he feels better soon! It must be awful if he's scratching so much he bleeds!

13
Definitely the best advice. There are so many possible causes and self-diagnosis is not a good idea.

14
Hi there,

Had the same problem,

Take him to see a specialist, get some allergy tests done.

With excema it seems some creams work on some and not on others.

We went through lots that didn't work until a complete wierdo approached us and suggested we try avino - it has been brilliant - can't buy it in Switzerland unfortunately but you can get it in France and Germany.

Good luck.

Ps - best tip is to find a mild washing powder and dry clothes indoors so they don't pick up pollen

15
I agree with the concerns about eczema. My younger daughter had really terrible eczema, dry and sensitive, on her face and arms, from about 4 months onward. We were also advised to use linola fett and...she is allergic to it! It made things look maybe slightly better, but didn't seem like it was making things worse.

We switched to vaseline, which improved things over the course of about 5 days. Switching back to linola fett made the skin issues return within a single day (this was a mistake in communication, not an intentional experiment ). Her doctor had never heard of an allergy to linola fett, but allowed that it was possible.

So, we kept up with the vaseline. We also stopped using any soap in the bathtub, only cool water, to wash her, and greased her up after every bath as well as every morning and night.

For bad outbreaks, we also used cortisone cream (prescribed by the doctor). After about three months, she improved tremendously and, while she still has some eczema on her arms, her face at least is fine and has not needed cortisone intervention for over two years now.

16
My ward's eczema was really bad and also her brother. They have to use qv oil for bath, alternate with oilmeal and bleach bath. That was their specialist advice, then few creams for worst part and mild part of their eczema.

And also, the foods are gluten free.

It was kind of hard for me to find some recipes for them when i was working their, no eggs, butter, milk, no wheat. Some vegs are not advisible as well. It was an expensive allergies for employers.

I hope your kid will get better.

Cheers

17
Someone tell me this isn't really what it sounds like...

18
Different cases, maybe the one you know or have told you about this have not encountered a worst case.

19
"Appreciate any feedback."

Have you read about Glycerine and its use in this regard?

20
It is what the name suggests, but diluted down to slightly stronger than swimming pool chlorine levels..

I did it myself a couple of times a few months back...