unrelenting eczema

[cuncernedmama]

My 3 year old son has been suffering from progressively worsening eczema since he was 6 months old. It mainly occurs in the posterior folds of his legs, inner thighs and calves. Originally it started out as an isolated dry patch on his elbow, but now it has progressed to excoriated and sometimes
bleeding leg lesions. He is on Dermatop ointment two times a day, every other 2 weeks. The Dermatop does control the eczema, however, on his 2 weeks off off it, the eczema makes a fierce comeback, and we can't seem to do anything about it. Emollients like Vaseline, Aquaphor, Eucerin cream don't do anything for it. He has already once been on antibiotics for skin infection. I regularly give him oatmeal baths, but I've been told by his pediatrician not to bathe him too often. The itching interferes with his sleep, and causes terrible temper tantrums. I insisted that a fungus test be done, and the KOH scraping came back negative (the dermatology PA that treats him insists that his skin condition looks like typical eczema). He does have environmental and food allergies to: molds, ragweed, cedar, cow's milk, orange juice, strawberries, and red meat. He takes 2.5 cc of Zyrtec every day for the environmental allergies.He also had skin allergy tests done, but he seemed to have had a positive reaction to every antigen tested: dog, cat, and ragweed.

I have a couple of questions
1) should I insist that a skin biopsy be done?
2) can we give him the dermatop all the time without worring about side effects?
3) can you suggest anything else?

[cura]

I have severe skin problems on the palms of my hands. Possible psoriasis buy some Drs say eczema. I met someone else who has the same. He solved his problem completely after many consultations with many medical centers. He suggested this to me two years ago. I have been following this since. It helps me when I keep to it, (but I don't always):

No additives, no preservatives (ie sodium benzoate is the worst), no artificial sweeteners or no artificial flavorings, no sulfites or sulfates (found in wine or beer) no junk food, and almost no fast food.

You have to start reading the labels on everything, even vitamins and spices. I buy pure food.  I also make stuff from scratch instead of buying it already prepared or processed. (Like bread,cookies, spagetti sauce, pizza etc) Now I'm finding more places where you can buy products that are natural, or pure food with nothing added.
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What I can eat:

Natural cheese, dairy products (not processed)
The only soda that doesn't have the above is coke. It is ok.
Natural cerials are good, shredded wheat, oatmeal
plane nuts, beans, rice (not pre flavored.)
fruit is good, wash it very well on the outside, read all juice labels, only the pure with nothing added it ones are good.
all vegtables, rinse several time really really well
chicken, meat, fish that doesn't have additives
candy that doesn't have the above stuff is ok too
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If I cheat and have say, a small cherry pie for example or a soda, within 45 minutes I'm itching and the next day skin is peeling, cracked, bleeding, in pain etc. If I'm good most of the day it is manageble, I can have a little cheat. Sometimes almost normal if I'm good for a few days in a row. I think I'm allergic to these things. Seven up, mountain dew, and spagetti sauce are the worst. Have an apple instead of apple pie, a bananna instead of colored cereal. Have fresh orange juice instead of concentrated with preservatives.

Its worth a try, its nutritious, and delicious... (smile)Mom of three.  

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

This does indeed sound like typical childhood eczema.  No biopsy should be needed.  There's no need for your son to use a medication with a two-week limit.  Weak cortisones like desonide 0.05% and non-cortisones like Protopic 0.03% can be used with no break, which is important for rashes like eczema that don't take a break themselves.  You should check with your doctor about using one of these.  Moisturizers and antihistamines are OK, but don't add much.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff