For parents of children with eczema

August 29th, 2005

Hannah, our two year old daughter, has eczema and she is having a pretty bad flare up right now which has lasted for several days. We are using the creams prescribed by our doctor, but as they seemed to have little impact, I searched for eczema resources on Google and found two that we are using now.

First is this useful worksheet to record what your child eats and what ointments / creams you use (pdf) , so that you can build up a list of those things which are safe and those which trigger flare ups.

Second is Coping with eczema: common questions from a Great Ormond Street consultant. In particular, this suggested bathing and creaming routine is helpful (we had been bathing only once per day and applying steroid and moisturiser simultaneously - wrong!). The advice on what “apply sparingly” really means is useful, too.

Recommended daily skincare regime

Early am
Bath/wash containing an oily bath additive
Application of treatment cream (usually a topical steroid)
Mid-am
Application of moisturiser
Mid-day
Application of moisturiser
Mid-pm
Application of moisturiser
Evening
Bath containing an oily additive
Application of treatment cream (usually a topical steroid)
30 mins before bed
Antihistamine medicine

How much steroid ointment should I put on the skin?

Cover the eczema (the red and pink areas of the skin) evenly with a fine film of ointment so that the surface of the skin glistens in the light. The words “use sparingly” on tubes of steroid creams or ointments worry parents and can lead to under-usage. It is important to use steroid preparations “appropriately.”

Since the suggested routine doesn’t quite tally with the worksheet linked above, I created my own worksheet which you can download in MS Word or in pdf.

It may be coincidence, but having started the skincare regime yesterday, there has been a marked improvement in Hannah’s skin. Also, we have been replacing dairy with goats’ milk and dairy free spread for more than a month, but that doesn’t seem to have had an impact, so we have reintroduced dairy yoghurt and we will be monitoring progress on our modified worksheet. If you request it in the comments, I will post periodically about how we are getting on. Also, if you have youngsters in a similar predicament, then please comment, especially if you can share something that has worked for you and your child.

You need to know I am not a medical practitioner. This is just parents talking. What works for us might not work for you. Consult your doctor if you are in doubt. Don’t sue me if this doesn’t work for you. Don’t sue me if the comments don’t work for you.

I need to work out a better disclaimer, don’t I?

Modified eczema worksheet (MS Word)
Modified eczema worksheet (pdf)

Update: four days into this new regime and Hannah’s skin is almost completely clear. This may be coincidence, but we will be continuing with this routine from now on.

Entry Filed under: Personal

9 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Rosa Say  |  September 1st, 2005 at 4:13 am

    This is very thoughtful sharing Adrian: my husband has eczema, and understanding how miserable he is when he has a flare up I can only imagine how brave a child Hannah’s age must learn to be, and how taxing this is for you and Donna. I was happy to see your update today to hear that she is better.
    My aloha to all of you, Rosa

  • 2. Susan Percy  |  September 9th, 2005 at 5:46 pm

    I have been using Wau Wa cream, which I was told was an African herbal cream. I really liked it and only needed to use a tiny bit to keep my small eczema problem at bay. I was just about to comment and recommend it you, but then I did a search and found this article on BBC that says it is actually a steroid! By the way, I am new to commenting on blogs, so my apologies if the link doesn’t work properly!

    Susan
    Synergee - for Mind Mapping, Speed Reading and Memory Training and Consultancy

  • 3. chantelle  |  February 17th, 2007 at 8:30 pm

    wau wa cream may have cortisone in it, but i believe by using it in moderation it will improve the eczema they you or the person may have.

    so what if it hs cortisone, doctors prescribe drugs for eczema which are more dangeroue take a look at protopic, that damaged by daughter skin leaving behing dark scrring , very darker than her skin.

    i have been using wau wu cream for 6 months and my daughter is cleared of eczema, she not long takes time off school and sleeps very well at time now.

    it is because someone had actual come up with a solution which has to be brought on the black market, why there is something wrong with it, before the BBC INVESTIGATES wau wa cream investigate all the eczema medicines and there affect because my daughter had suffered for 6 years and this is the only thing that works

    bathe child in balneum plus, damp dry and then in moderatation use wau wa cream……… IT WORKS!!!!

  • 4. chantelle  |  February 17th, 2007 at 8:33 pm

    SORRY FOR THE SPELLING IT WAS A QUICK MESSAGE

  • 5. suvanna  |  March 21st, 2007 at 11:02 pm

    i have used wau wa cream on my son but ater a while it stopped working, i have now turned to natural shea butter which not only mosturises the skin but also gets rid of the dark marking the eczema leaves behind

  • 6. samantha chase  |  March 24th, 2007 at 1:06 pm

    i was introduced to Wau wa cream two years ago when i was pregnant with my son. It worked for the short period that i used it. I also used it on my son and now my daughter. It definately took the eczema away, but had also lightened their skin. I have stopped using it now.

  • 7. abdur rasheed  |  May 21st, 2007 at 12:16 pm

    I’ve been suffering from eczema for 22 years now, and my parents have spent more than 15k (private medication)on trying to get me cured. I have eczema 96% over my body and its only getting better now as i am using wau wa cream, to be honest i could’nt care less about the side effects as its only now i can carry on with my life. i have been told by my doctors that on record there is only like 32 of us in uk who have the worsest ezema you can get. but now i am in a situation i can no longer get hold of wau wa cream. if someone could please help me in locating wau wah cream i would be very greatfull thank you.

  • 8. abdur rasheed  |  May 21st, 2007 at 12:30 pm

    thats my e mail add

    and when i said 15k on medication

    which includes going to the dead sea
    chineses medication
    indian medication
    medication from bupa
    steroids
    and the list can go on………………..

    but the best avice i can give anyone insteead of scratching either pinch yourself or hit yourself gently

    and eczema flares up due to heat and depression so try your best not to get frustrated

  • 9. Olusiji Belo  |  July 11th, 2007 at 3:38 pm

    Wau wa cream is GREEEEEAT !!. It cured my fungal foot infection.I was in hospital for a week and off work for five months.Doctors perscribed all sorts of creams and antibiotics which did not clear it. I discovered it through my step-daughter who used is using it for her eczma covering her whole body.Its working a dream .l

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