Severe eczema resistant to super-potent steroids

I have a 3-year-old son who has had chronic eczema since he was 6 months.  Treatment initialy started with a skin biopsy, as the derm. had no idea what was affecting his skin.  It turned out to be eczema.  In the past 2.5 years, we have tried everything to eliminate his flare ups.  Normally, we treat patches with protopic .1% on a daily basis.  However, he often gets various patches that don't respond, and we then have to go to clobex or psorcon.  His fingers are never clear of eczema - they waver between mild to severe/bledding.  We put cotton gloves on at night with either protopic or clobex.  He has had staph infection.  We use vanicream soap and moisturize him every night.  We have tried UV treatments, but as soon as we stop, the eczema is back.  He has mild asthma (off and on flovent inhalers depending on the season) and mild milk allergy.  He is so small, he is off the growth chart.  I worry that these super potent steroids are affecting his growth. His fingernails are deformed from constantly exposing him to these creams.  We have consulted 2 dermatologists, and no one can seem to help.  Both are satisfied with the protopic, clobex regimen.  What is there left to try.  Are the steroids affecting his size?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I doubt that Clobex is affecting his size, because you seem to be putting it only on a small surface area.  However, I don;t think a 3-year-old should be using Clobex anyway.  Regular use of that strong a cream can thin the skin and make it crack, so that you end up making the condition progressively worse.  I therefore think that your son have a steroid holiday so the skin can thicken back up and then use only weak steroids, plus Protopic.  Eczema can be very hard to control, so you'll need a lot of patience, but you should keep in mind that eczema often gets milder as kids get older.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[lpack18498]

My mother went through the exact same thing with my brother when he was little - the only thing that worked for him was to eliminate all foods with high fructose corn sirup & preservatives.  Then you basically have to start from scratch introducing one food at a time for a few days & track the reaction like when he was an infint.  The other thing is use only free detergent, fabric softner, shampoo, soaps & things.  Do not under any cercomstance wear any sort of perfum or colone near him cause that can also caues a reaction on some people. I know this sounds like a lot but some times its the only way to figure out the cause.

[jmmorris79]

My daughter had exczema (eczema) when she was about 6 months old. Now hers wasnt severe by any means but she did have it all over her back.  I know you may be looking for medical things, but I have found that the Aveeno baby wash, and the adult Aveeno stress relief lotion has done wonders.  She does not have it any more at all.

[pmzito]

yikes.  i have the strangest rash on my arm.  i saw a physician yesterday who just wasn't a good physician.  i dont know if it is eczema but the corticosteroids make it worse.  my assumption is the glucocorticoids made it so a fungal or bacterial infection could take place.  this physician said to use the steroids and lamisil (terbinafine).  i dont know if this could help maybe he doesnt have eczema or maybe the steroids allowed an infection to set in.  i will post pictures of my rash and you can see if it is similar.  i am going to culture my own skin and hopefully get some answers this way.

[Lee_cooper]

hi my names lee

im 18 years old and have had eczema on my face for about a year, its a strange one, my cheeks get very flushed and red and my forehead is sore and the skin seems to be very tight, my cheeks always seem to look red, and i dont seem to know what to do. my doctor subscribed me with Betnovate cream and said use it sparingly on my face, and it seems to help sometimes, but doesnt get rid of the redness and flushness

steroid creams cant permonantly damage my face can it,

anybody help me?

thankyou very much

Lee x

[shadowdancr]

I was told by specialist that hydrotherapy was good for eczema which is trying to keep the skin wet. and after a bath use vasoline it helps some.

[Lissy1]

I would get him tested for allergies, more than just the milk allergies. Then I would eliminate all the foods. Many foods have hidden ingrediants. My son had similar symptoms as your son, but since we completely eliminated milk, eggs, peanuts he is almost 100% better. Eczema generally = food allergies. We also use All free and Clear on all our clothing.

[Lissy1]

I would get him tested for allergies, more than just the milk allergies. Then I would eliminate all the foods. Many foods have hidden ingrediants. My son had similar symptoms as your son, but since we completely eliminated milk, eggs, peanuts he is almost 100% better. Eczema generally = food allergies. We also use All free and Clear on all our clothing.

[eczemamom]

My daughter has it on her arms and legs really bad. We just discovered the milk allergy problem. Dermatologist recommended her taking a "bleach" bath. I thought she was crazy, but we realized that when our daughter goes swimming in pools, it starts to dry up. It hasn't gone away completely, but it has helped. Put 1/4 cup of any bleach in bath water, stay no longer than 10 min. (keep bleach out of hair, eyes)pat dry and put a vaseline type ointment on ASAP. She wears only cotton clothing washed in "free" detergent and rinsed twice (clothers, bedding, towels, etc.)Mattress/pillow covers help because dust mites irritate her too.