Abido Cream - Potent Steroid

Hi!
My boy was diagnosed with eczema when he was only four weeks old. He was prescribed oilatum cream and oilatum emollient bath. Since, I couldn;t see much improvement I took a friends advice to use a eczema cream called abido that claims to be a herbal cream (shea butter, sulphur, petroleum jelly and special herbs extracted from a plant found in Ghana). I was using the cream whereever I saw the dry patches, even on his face. I used it for 6-8 weeks almost daily. I stopped using the cream and was only using the Oilatum cream and the emollient. The eczema flared up all over his body, prickly rashes, really bad itchiness. Now his skin is extremly dry from on his face and the rest of his body, the skin has become really rough like sandpaper and the complexion seems darker on his body. The skin on his face, though, seems thinner, lighter, he had a red rash mainly on his face, which settled after two days. I did some research after stop using the Abido cream, and was shocked that the cream contains potent steroids. I am afraid that the cream might of had absorbed into his bloodstream! I did see the GP who told me to continue oilatum bath and use emulsifying ointment BP. I explained to the Gp i am very concerned how it might affected him, not only his skin but also internally. The Gp didnt seems concerned.

My question is, if a potent steroid been used on a baby, for 6-8 weeks, would it be possible to run test to see if his organs have been affected? Will his skin be smooth again or will he always have dry skin since it is steroid induced dry skin? My baby always rub his face, except the dry skin, can the steroid maybe made the skin feel like a burning sensation?
I must add his growth has been just fine, but I've noticed two small lumps on his right nipple, can it be related?

Thank You

[maatson]

Hello,The important thing here is the area of application of the potent steroid. Smaller area, lesser the likelyhood of systemic reactions. Indeed your child is safe in this point since the drug has been withdrawn. The HPO Axis supression which is the worst one has not occured and thank God for that.
The dry skin or icthyosis is apart and parcel of the atopic child and he should get it over with your applying moisturizers.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
When topical potent steroids are used, it is first the skin that shows the side effects and then the systemic symptoms appear. These skin side effects include telangiectasia, thinning skin, rosacea and steroid induced atrophy.

In most cases of eczema no one treatment will be effective. Medical research shows that the most effective treatment plan for eczema involves using a combination of therapies to treat the skin and making lifestyle changes(prevention of triggers and application of lots of moisturizers) to control flare-ups. Doing so tends to increase effectiveness and reduce side effects from medications.

You can apply plenty of good emollients and lubricate the skin frequently and if the symptoms persist then get an evaluation done from a dermatologist as oral antihistaminics may be needed.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Faith1107]

I have a lot of friends who used Abido on their children also. My baby also has Eczema and I believe that I have found a good natural product range that might help. I especially like them because they are safe and are unlikely to cause a reaction. I share my daughter's journey here:******. What I found that works is to moisturize my baby's skin very frequently! That is why a safe effective all natural moisturizer is better. Look at the ingredients of the washing powder, body wash, creams etc for possible skin irritants. I believe that your child's skin can be soft again and can go back to be normal looking; you have to encourage skin healing with a good very good, healing skin care products like California baby products. I use these for my baby, together with coconut oil and dead sea salts. Feel free to find out How I keep her eczema away on my website. I hope it helps, good luck!

Faith