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Suggest Treatment For Atopic Eczema

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Posted on Fri, 31 Oct 2014
Question: My son aged 9 yrs has been suffering from atopic eczema since he was 3 months old. He has big patches of eczema on his legs behind his knee, on his arms, around his eyes, neck and behind his ears followed by severe itching.. We tried homeopathy and it worsened his condition. I apply EUMOCREAM and EPADERM ointment. But when it becomes bad which is often followed by oozing of the skin I am forced to apply a steroid based cream FLUTIVATE or FOURDERM to control it.
Please suggest some remedy to reduce his itching/ irritation as my son is suffering a lot and in the bargain so are we the parents. Please suggest if we need to change this medication......
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
moisturize, avoid allergen,steroid cream

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Treatment of eczema can sometimes be difficult but involves the following:

(1) His reaction may be influenced by foods that he uses. Allergy testing (either by blood test or skin prick testing) can help to identify any trigger foods so that they can be avoided.

(2)moisturizing as you are doing is also important.

It is best done as soon as he bathes while the water is still on his skin. By applying a moisturizer at this time, you will trap the water to the skin and help to keep it moist

Use an emollient such as petroleum or aquaphor. Apply all over while his skin is wet.
On the days he is able to bathe more than 2 times daily eg weekends he should

(3)topical steroid creams are the mainstay of treatment.

The use of steroid creams is one of the main aspects of treatment. They should be started as soon as the lesions appear to prevent worsening and continued till the lesions resolved.
Should be applied twice daily

If the area or environment is dry , ask for an ointment instead of cream (flutivate ointment).

(4)for maintenance you can try using 1.25% hydrocortisone cream (very mild steroid) in acid mantle.
This can be used wide spread on the skin and because it is mid can be used for months at a time.
It will reduce break outs. If a break out does occur then you can consider obtaining a higher strength steroid cream that will stop in very quickly eg elocon, bethamethasone dipropionate

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Are Flutivate or Fourderm cream very high on steroids. I do not want to subject my young son to too much steroid at such a young age.
Please suggest some mild steroid base cream / ointment that can be purchased in the USA and also in XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it is medium strength

Detailed Answer:
Hi

It is understandable to be concerned about the persistent use of steroid creams.

Flutivate is medium strength, you can continue to use it.

If you use a cream that is too weak then you may have to use for a longer time before it has an effect.

A strong cream may need to be applied for only a few days but a weak cream may need to applied for a lot longer before it starts to work.

Please feel free to ask any additional questions
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Atopic Eczema

Brief Answer: moisturize, avoid allergen,steroid cream Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Treatment of eczema can sometimes be difficult but involves the following: (1) His reaction may be influenced by foods that he uses. Allergy testing (either by blood test or skin prick testing) can help to identify any trigger foods so that they can be avoided. (2)moisturizing as you are doing is also important. It is best done as soon as he bathes while the water is still on his skin. By applying a moisturizer at this time, you will trap the water to the skin and help to keep it moist Use an emollient such as petroleum or aquaphor. Apply all over while his skin is wet. On the days he is able to bathe more than 2 times daily eg weekends he should (3)topical steroid creams are the mainstay of treatment. The use of steroid creams is one of the main aspects of treatment. They should be started as soon as the lesions appear to prevent worsening and continued till the lesions resolved. Should be applied twice daily If the area or environment is dry , ask for an ointment instead of cream (flutivate ointment). (4)for maintenance you can try using 1.25% hydrocortisone cream (very mild steroid) in acid mantle. This can be used wide spread on the skin and because it is mid can be used for months at a time. It will reduce break outs. If a break out does occur then you can consider obtaining a higher strength steroid cream that will stop in very quickly eg elocon, bethamethasone dipropionate I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions