Coping with the pain caused by eczema
Parents speak out over anguish
WATCHING a child suffer is heart-breaking for anyone.
For parents of youngsters with eczema, the pain is constant, and there's no cure.
A recent survey showed that children with eczema and other skin conditions have their lives impaired to the same extent as youngsters with chronic illnesses such as epilepsy and diabetes.
Approximately 10 per cent of children are affected by the condition, and the incidence has significantly increased in the past three decades.
The severity can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, but, in more severe cases, the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding.
Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, it is not contagious.
Little Ciara Robertson has suffered from eczema since she was born.
She lives in Falkirk with mum Amanda, dad Iain and brother Logan, who is 19 months.
Amanda said: "It causes her a lot of pain.
"She has it all over her body, but mainly on her legs and arms.''
Ciara (3) has a whole range of products to help soothe her skin, including oatmeal bath cream and lotions and hydrocortisone lotion.
She uses steroids when the skin flares up and antibiotics when it gets really bad to stop it becoming infected.
Amanda said: "We've tried so many different things to try to help her – even rubbing banana skins on her to try and soothe it.
"Ciara finds it really difficult not to scratch it. In the morning her skin will be bleeding from her scratching it during the night.
"Some nights she will be screaming in pain.
"The doctor gave her a sedative to help her sleep at night and not scratch, but it doesn't always work and it makes her very hyperactive during the day."
The cause of eczema is unknown, however, in some patients a food allergy may be an exacerbating factor.
Pollen and the house dust mite may also be implicated.
With treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.
Treatment focuses on rehydrating the skin and trying to identify and eliminate triggering factors.
Secondary infections may require therapy with antibiotics.
Doctors say Ciara will grow out of the condition, but, if anything, Amanda says it's getting worse as she gets older.
She said: "We've tried to change her diet, and not give her dairy products.
"She has soya milk, and we've cut down on sweeties too. She also eats a lot of fruit."
Many patients turn to complementary therapies to try to soothe the condition.
Dr Paul Lim runs Ochilview Complementary Clinic in Reddingmuirhead.
He said: "The two methods of treatment are homeopathic and herbal. Most children will have homeopathic treatments. I don't tend to use acupuncture on children – they don't like it!"
Dr Lim believes the younger the patient, the more effective the treatment will be.
He added: "There is quite a good success rate – national statistics show that 25 per cent of children get completely better, 50 per cent show some improvement, and for 25 per cent it doesn't work at all.
"The problem with homeopathic remedies is that sometimes it gets worse before it gets better.
"As a GP I can prescribe dressings and bandages which soothe the skin, and can stop them scratching too."
If you would like more information about Dr Lim's treatments, contact the Ochilview Complementary Clinic on (01324) 715876.
Eczema is the most common inflammatory disease of the skin and affects many millions of adults and children worldwide.
Eczema is a general term for any type of dermatitis or inflammation and itching of the skin, characterised by red, dry scaly skin.
Atopic dermatitis is the most common and severe form of eczema, so the general term eczema is often specifically applied to this.
The exact cause of excema is not known, but genetic factors are thought to play a role in the development of this disease.
Those with eczema often have allergies or asthma as well. Various materials such as wool can cause a worsening of symptoms.
Eczema nearly always begins within the first five years of life. Up to 50 per cent of cases will be outgrown, but the remainder can persist throughout a lifetime.
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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