frustrated

[Janice1230]

I have a 14 year old son who has a problem itching in his private area and anal area.  This has been going on for a year and a half.  I have taken him to the doctor twice who has dignosed him with eczema.  He has never had a rash and his skin looks normal.  He gave him a steriod cream to use for one week which did nothing.  It was fluticasone ointment 0.005.  I took him to the dermatolgist and she gave him hylira which has not helped.  I have tried cortizone and avena creams as well as some over the counter anti itch lotions which have not helped.  I have been recently using detergent for his clothes, tide for sensitive skin and he washes with dove soap.  He gets seasonal allergies usually in the fall and spring which sometimes causes a really bad cough.  He has to use inhalers during those periods of time.  My question is that I am not sure if this is eczema because there is never a rash or anything diffrent with his skin.  Could this be allergies?  Maybe food allergies?  What can I use to treat this or should I go back to a dermatolagist or allergy specialist?  Any information will be helpful as he is very embarressed about this and the itching is sometimes uncontrollable.


thanks,
Janice

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

'Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a flare up of eczema, and the reduced scratching in turn reduces damage and irritation to the skin.

They do not cure eczema, but are highly effective in controlling or suppressing symptoms in most cases.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone or desonide), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Keeping the affected area moistened can promote skin healing and relief of symptoms.

Light therapy using ultraviolet light can help control eczema. UVA is mostly used, but UVB and Narrow Band UVB are also used. Ultraviolet light exposure carries its own risks, particularly eventual skin cancer from exposure.

The first and primary recommendation is that people suffering from eczema shouldn't use detergents of any kind on their skin unless absolutely necessary.

Dermatological recommendations in choosing a soap generally include:[citation needed]

* Avoid harsh detergents or drying soaps
* Choose a soap that has an oil or fat base; a "superfatted" goat milk soap is best
* Use an unscented soap
* Patch test your soap choice, by using it only on a small area until you are sure of its results
* Use a non-soap based cleanser
* Use plain yogurt instead of soap'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eczema

Let us know if you need any further information.

Post us about how is doing and what the skin specialist advises.

Regards.

[PlateletGal]

I would schedule him an appointment with a Dermatologist.