And here's why.
Maile and Kainoa both have eczema. We've been dealing with eczema in this house for the last five years and I still don't know how to spell it correctly. Isn't there an 'x' in there somewhere.
Anyways it doesn't affect either of their faces, mostly just behind their legs, the inside of their elbows, armpits...and then odd and ends places all over. Lots of patches of red irritated skin, and if they scratch too much they bleed and break out even more. It's a vicious cycle.
We've tried everything. Lots of baths. No baths. No soap. Light detergent for sensitive skin. Extra rinse cycles. Vaseline. Aquafor. Aveeno. Oatmeal. Baking Soda. Jergens. Aloe Vera. Protopic. Eucerin. Lanolin. Benadryl spray. Shea butter. Baby oil. Drink more water. Don't drink milk. Dust more often. Only wear cotton. Blah blah blah. Nothing really works and I feel like a crappy mom because my kids are itchy I can't make it go away.
I'm an ass.
Maile: I don LIKE myself.
Me: Why would you say something like that?
Maile: Cause I'm itchy. Jesus made me itchy.
And in just five years of life my daughter has learned to blame Jesus for her shortcomings. Awesome. I guess when you tell your kids Jesus made the moon and sun and stars, it's only natural for them to think Jesus is also responsible for your eczema. Don't know quite what to do about that.
We've gotten to the point with Maile that we don't even really do ANYTHING. The excema is still there, she still itches, but she doesn't cry and complain so I don't touch it. In the past I would put lotion on her and she would go into a screaming fit that sounded like she was being burned. It was awful. So I just gave up. Hoping it will go away on it's own.
Kainoa is a little worse at this point. He's a baby so he doesn't realize he's scratching the crap out of himself half the time. There are scratch marks all over his little hiney and on his shoulders and on his elbows. It's sad.
The dermatologist was never very helpful with Maile. He told us excema is genetic and he taught us about the itch-scratch-break out cycle of excema, but he doesn't have a cure. Maile was prescribed with a steroid cream called desonide that we use sparingly and only during an outbreak on the most painful spots. One bottle will last us about a year. I've never taken Kainoa in to the dermatologist. I just took the information I got when we were going with Maile and applied it to him. When he has horrible outbreaks we use the desonide on him and it goes away.
Last week we ran out of the good stuff and I called for a re-fill.
receptionist: Yeah...the doctor is denying your request for a re-fill.
Me: So what does that mean? I need to take them in???
receptionsist: Mmm-hmmm.
Me: Ok well I'm off during such-and-such week in November, can we fit them in at that time?
receptionist: Noooo. I'm afraid not. We're looking at the next opening to beeeeeee......December 9th.
Sigh.
Why are they always so busy!?! I instantly flash back to a time two years ago when Maile was just three. I had put lotion on her after her bath and she started screaming as if she were burning alive. She was jumping up and down and scratching all over, red faced SHRIEKING.
I hurried and called her dermatologist for an appointment because I had NO idea what was going on. I needed an appointment THAT second, but they didn't have an opening until the next month. What is that? I'm calling you with a baby who is being eaten alive by SOMETHING and you can't get her in??
Why do they book themselves so solid that they can't fit in a dying three year old? Tell that pimply teenager to throw some Proactiv on his face and call it a day. I was seriously irritated they were making me wait that long. I ended up being able to help Maile myself and by "help" her I mean I threw her in the bath and we both cried through it. The lotion I had put on her was basically like putting acid on an open sore.
I'm an ass.
The conversation I was having with the receptionist took me right back to that moment.
me: December 9th is just not going to work for me. My kids are breaking out and they need to be seen sooner than that if he's not going to re-fill the prescription.
receptionist: I'm sorry maam that's his next available appointment.
me: Well I don't know what else I'm supposed to do. My kids need some relief, we're just going to have to find a different doctor because that doesn't work.
And at that we parted ways.
Our pediatrician recently gave us a new referral to a dermatologist who is a bit closer to our house. Aha! I thought...I'll call HER! The sucky part about switching is that I have to do all the paperwork again and transfer Maile's info from the one dr. to the other...but for a closer appointment I suppose it's worth it.
I called the new doctor's office.
me: Hi, I'm hoping to make an appointment for my kids, they've never visited this dr. before.
receptionist: ok well let's get them in!
me: Great...such-and-such week in November works best for me since I won't be working.
receptionist: Hmmmm.....it looks like the soonest we can get them in is....December 15th.
December 15th.
A week LATER than the original doctor.
Awesome.
I'm an ass.
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85 comments:
Your pediatrician won't give you a new prescription for the same stuff? My kids have mild eczema as do I. I'm sorry you are an ass ;-)
I am so with you! What is with the fully blocked up appts?! I rang a new Dr. the other week, on the edge and in tears. I needed a Dr that day and hadn't found one in our area yet (we moved a couple of months ago and have still be travelling back to our old dr for appts as I am over there a couple times a week anyway) I digress...called said new dr.s and made an appt for 3pm that day. YAY! No. When I gave my name the receptionist asked "Have you been here before?" When I said no she said "Oh, we don't take new patients". And that was it. No I'm sorry we don't take new patients, here's another Dr you could try. Just "we don't take new patients". ARGH! Did I mention she'd already booked me in or 2hrs time?? Oh my goodness. I got off the phone and cried!
p.s. you're NOT an ass!
Wow. Even a children's dermatologist can't get them in sooner? I must be lucky. I've never had a problem getting my sick kids in to see the dr.
Poor Maile and Kainoa. My boy has skin problems too. He had contact dermatitis so bad when he was a baby that he got a secondary staph infection. To this day I still have to sew fabric over the nickel buttons on jeans. Thankfully the eczema got better with age. For both my kids.
Hope they feel better soon. The itchies suck.
Ugh, I'm with you. I don't understand why they don't give themselves a little leeway in the day for emergencies?! I think it's especially ridiculous that they couldn't just approve the refill and make an appointment for a later date. You're not an ass... it's them! It's all of them!
They're the ass. es. HATE THAT!!! Dermatologists always seem to take the longest to get in. WHY WHY WHY?
Poor babies.
152 followers?! HOLY...!!! I have two. I bow to your blogginess, Queen Bloggyprettyface. :)
I read a story online a few months ago about why dermatologists are so busy. With all the laser skin treatments and chemical peels, etc., dermatologists can make more money than with a regular patient visit, so they are booking more and more beautification visits and less and less actual skin patients who need help. I don't know how much truth there is to that, but your pediatrician should be able to give you a prescription for the same meds. My pediatrician gave me a prescription for my son's eczema. It's a tube of ointment called Nystatin and Triamcinolone Cream.
Doctors piss me off. You'd think with all that schooling they'd be smart enough to know to have some free time built in everyday to accomodate "can't wait" appts (like yours). Oh wait, then they aren't gauranteed tons o'money. Yeah, it boils down the the $.
My latest Dr gripe is that my insurance won't take effect for a couple months. So, until then I told them we'd pay cash for my first couple OB appts. No, sorry, they don't accept MONEY. WTF??? As far as they were concerned, if I didn't have some insurance I could just deliver the baby myself. Aholes. I found a DR with a SOUL that is working with us.
So, sorry to ramble, but I feel your pain.
The best is when you have an appointment with a doctor that you scheduled 3 months ago, and then as the appointment day approaches, they cancel on you ... and then, you have to find another time ... event though you took the day off of work for that specific purpose ... sigh.
have you tried pine tar soap? it worked for my sister. we were desperate. I have a bar if you want it...
What a pain! I remember calling one once and the appt. was so far away that my issue cleared up on its own. Go figure. Saved myself some money I guess.
I have a patch of exczema on my elbow nad Eucerin -intensive repair body creme- the fragrance free, non irritating one helps without burning. I was told to get it from my daughters dr. because she has really bad dry skin. Its the really thick one. If it isn't on your list of tried things, maybe give it a shot until the appt.
That ain't nuttin'...I called the Dermatologist here back in September and the earliest they could take me in was MARCH of 2009!!! Mama say wuuuut? I went ahead and took the appointment...I dont even know what's going on in March. I cant think that far ahead. Oh...my son's 12th birthday is in March.
Well.
We will just have to schedule the birthday AROUND the Derm Appt. I'm an ass.
On and...have you ever heard of Arbonne? It is a swiss skin care line. It is pricey but they have a baby/bigkid line that works wonders on exzema. I'll post the link. (NOTE:I am not a consultant of this product)
http://www.arbonneinternational.com.au/products/baby/set.asp
or just go to arbonne.com
Burt's Bees products were miracle-workers for us. My youngest daughter had terrible eczema, and their salve products (much thicker than lotion) were fantastic. Here's a link:
http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=-82&catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1
I am sure you will be inundated with suggestions and cures for exczema (sp??) but my local medical herbalist has created a productr specifically for exczema that a friend uses on her two y.o. and swears by. I would be more than happy to send you some.
It wouldn't be with you by tomorrow but definitely by Dec!
see if you can get them in to their regular dr, not pediatrician. i used to have eczema on the inside of my elbows reeeeeeeeeally bad & my pediatrician at the time gave me some weird thick cream lotion along with some other more liquid-y one. worked GREAT...when i actually used it. poor babies :(
You're not an ass. You're trying to fight for your kids, and that's awesome. Don't beat yourself up over something that's not in your control.
I've heard great things about The Body Shop's Hemp Hand Cream and excema. Some of my mommy friends use it on their infants red, awful looking spots on the backs of knees and inside of elbows and swear it's better than the steroid creams. If you ordered it online it would get to you a lot faster than Dec. 15th--and you could give it a shot. (And if it doesn't work, you can always use it yourself.)
Don't feel bad, sweetie! We all go through issues with our kids and doctors. Gah.
Kat-
I can tell you from experience that if you call them and throw a queen sized fit, they will get you in sooner. I work in the business, and I know this...
If you threaten to go postal, they will accommodate you. And dont talk to the $6.95/hr scheduler, demand to talk to the office manager.
Seriously...secure the perimeter, and start your offensive. Derms are notoriously hard to see, but if you throw a MamaKat-sized fit, they will budge.
J
Oops...I was fixing something on Deb's blog, and was still logged in as her...
It's not her, it's meeeee...
Jay
Nope. No x in eczema. And I can sympathize with you! My middle one has this and she is scratching CONSTANTLY! I don't know who is more 'irritated' her or me! lol
My mom's Goddaughter has eczema so bad she gets hospitalized! Can you imagine?? That little tidbit was your ray of sunshine for today. It could always be worse, right?
HA!
That sucks!
You are not an ass. :) My children have eczema also. Because my kids' eczema isn't as bad, unfortunately I don't have a solution like some of the others.. We just use the ointment their pediatrician prescribed- Mometasone Furoate- when they have an outbreak. (Did you try to get the pediatrician to fill the prescription?? They can usually get you in quickly.)
If a doctor can't fit us in, I talk to the nurse.
that many people go to a dermatologist? I've never seen one...but man, that's worse than a dentist! Oh those poor babies.
I really hope you find someone who can squeeze them in.
Oh, and I really like your new "meet the fam" picture.
Our pedeatrician is really good, we can get the kids in pretty quick if need be....but a specialist, holy crap!!! Yeah, you're waiting forever. And, in your case, it's not like you're going to take the refill and get stoned on it, it's a friggin lotion!! Not sure why they would deny a refill request, cept to zap you for the $100 office visit.
I hate doctors. I hate health insurance companies.
they never give themselves any space when booking appointments. so when you have a 2pm appointment you don't get called til 3 and then you sit in the room for another 30 minutes! UGHHHH
I hope it gets better for you and the kiddies!
Definitely sounds like it's not you, it's THEM! How lame that they would fill up with no room to fit in a kiddo in pain. And then if you tell them, "I'm sorry, but by December 15th it is likely that my children will no longer have flesh on their bones for you to check out, so how about we make this happen sooner?" they tell you to go to the ER and everyone knows how much that place blows.
No ma'am, you are not the ass, it's the system.
You are not an ass. I'm glad you're switching dermatologists; it might be good to get a second opinion on this. I have eczema and know there are different creams that give different levels of relief. If it's really eczema, then no over-the-counter remedies will work for any length of time. See what the new doctor can do. And in the meantime, you can always ask the pediatrician if he or she will prescribe the existing medicine just to give the kids some relief while you wait to be seen.
Your old dermatologist is an ass. If the kids have active patches of eczema and he wants to see them, yjrn he should schedule you in to the December slot but also give you a prescription for a small amount of the cream to tide you over until then, just to keep the kids comfortable. What a jerk!
So sorry you and your kiddos are suffering!
My youngest has eczema and his pediatrician prescribed Elidel. Non steroidal and the most amazing cream EVER (for him at least). Now we only deal with an outbreak when the weather gets really cold.
Good luck to you!
I'm sorry- I may be an ass for saying this.
Cannon has it on his face.... only in the winter. Summer months and he's fine.
His ENT (who also specializes in allergies or someting) took one look and said "wheat allergy. Cut out his wheat."
Dumb ass. I wanted to punch him. He's fine in the summer, he just has winter dry skin....
I cut the wheat and his face cleared up.
Summer- he eats wheat and his face is fine.
I can't explain it, but.... it works.
Assvice for you.
You sucky mom, you! Hehe... Just joshin' ya. My kids have it, too... I know you've tried a lot, but maybe give Elidel a try... It's a non-steroid, too... We use that, Aveeno Baby lotion for eczema and just regular ole hydrocortisone cream. It sucks. Good luck! Maybe Jesus can help you be a better mommy in the future... I'll pray for you.
You're not an ass!! Your doctors and their staff are asses.
Jesus wants Maile to find a magical cure so she won't be itchy. What could it be? Only the brave princess Maile will be able to find the cure and save herself and her baby brother.
I watch a lot of Dora Saves the Snow Princess.
Anyway, I want you to go postal on them and get in sooner. And why can't your pediatrician help? Or your grown-up family doctor? Call your insurance company and tell them your troubles and ask if they'd give you permission to take the kids to an Urgent Care to be seen sooner.
I'm sorry!!! You're not an ass!
my pediatricians office has emergency spots left open throughout the day for these types of situations. sometimes they are hard to get, especially during cold and flu season, but they will usually see them if it's an "almost emergency" where they don't need the ER but they need to be seen ASAP. As for the Derms...I hate them and the Allergy guys!! They take FOREVER to get you in, they suck!!
My experience with excema is that it is 99% diet and/or stress related.Unfortunately its hard to pinpoint which foods cause it, but dairy is often a likely cause. Also any bath and body products with fragrances, preservatives, sulfates, and parabens will irritate it. All of the otc lotions you mentioned that docs normally suggest have those things in it. Although my son gets it (minor and no itching) I believe with him its soy. In any case I treat it naturally and make an essential oil blend that includes evening primrose oil and german chamomile. Tag me if you want some. I also make a "tea" of hibiscus flowers and let it cool and apply. It will turn them red but its very helpful.Unfortunately these are not preventatives just relievers. I would also strongly suggest you supplement their diets with a powdered, non-dairy, probiotic for children.
Ok I feel like a broken record here...but...even though my baby is 15 now, we went through the same nightmare!! It was awful!! Except I was newly divorced and the ex was sure it was my fault!! that's a whole other story! Search out a holistic doc...I know...some of them can be weird...Here in Houston Dr Hotze is really good. There is something wrong inside not outside!! Creams are treating the symptom not the cause!! Look into Gluten Free diets....I know it sound extreme but I swear it is soooooo worth it! Once their immune system is better they will be able to handle it much better. My daughter eats pretty normal "bad for you" teen diet and only when her skin acts up do we realize her defense system is down and have to go stricter on her diet!
sorry didn't mean to write a novel...You are not an ass!
HUGS!
Tracey
My son has the same stuff. It is always on his arms and his face. Like you, I have tried everything and the dr always acts like it is no big deal. It is a BIG deal! Its on his face! I have a swim student that has the samething. They put him on allergy meds and that cleared it up.
I feel horrible. You little ones need those meds - You're not an ass - you're one awesome/cool mom!!!
I just don't understand why they don't give you girls refill? Does it contain some kind of norco? That's the only reason I could think of.... Dec 9 or 15th is way to far for your kids to scratch their skin to bleed! How about trying ER?
I hope the relief will be on its way to your little ones soon!!!
ps - i think they'll grow out of it as they get older. my younger sis had it and she's fine now.
You bad Mama you!
Dr's TICK me off. I had an issue. I knew what was wrong, and I called the Dr to see if he would call in the $4 prescription, rather than the $25 OTC stuff. Well. "He needs to see you first." Wait . . . I have to take off from work, drive 30 minutes, so you can tell me what I already know, drive BACK 30 minutes, to pick up the $4 drug after paying you $30 for an office visit??" Well, did you TRY the OTC stuff? Lady, just call it in already! After getting a tiny (lot) hateful, I got my $4 non-narcotic/addictive drug. Grr.
On the gluten free stuff. My best friend has had problems from migraines to eczema. She eliminated wheat, and all of her problems went away.
How's THAT for a novel?
It always amazes me...how sick does one need to be to get to see a dr...I'm mean really, do you know in advance that you will be sick??
My dd suffered the same...at 8 she was finally over it...Some of the perscriptions at the time had horrible side effects...so I stopped using them...
I found bath, warm, no bubbles, no soap...Aquaphor after bath, before bed, or whenever you can pin them down...If I did it daily, it wouldn't flare up...
I feel your pain..my dd would scream bloody murder when ever I tried lotion...
That really is ridiculous. Most offices I know keep one of two appointments open a day just for such last minute emergencies. I say the doctors are asses, not you.
can your regular pediatrician write you an RX?
That just sucks that they will not fit you in when obviously they Need to get in NOW.
I'm sick so didn't read all of your comments so if someone already suggested this, Sorry. Did you ask about samples to get you threw to next month and tell them to call you if they have a cancelation? My doc is supper good about samples. Good luck and your not an ass.
What a pain. Maybe we need to start a blog of good doctors throughout the country. Because it's nearly impossible to find one! From reading most of the comments, it sounds like excema typically affects kids, but I started getting it around 20 and it hasn't cleared up since. Sometimes it'll go away for a few months, but it always comes back. I too have tried various steroid creams prescribed by dermatolgists that are always too busy to actually talk to me, but nothing has seemed to work. If any of your readers give you a miracle cure, please share it!
I love your blog and have stalked it regularly after being referred to it by a mutual friend. I have never commented, but thought I might be able to help a little. My daughter had a really bad problem with eczema and we constantly struggled with it. We finally decided to take her to an allergist. They took blood to see what she was allergic to. By changing some foods in her diet we were able to clear up her eczema. The Dr was really helpful. If you would like her number and info I can give the info to said friend and she can send it your way. I don't know where you live but the Dr. does have offices in our area. Let me know.
Toni
Getting into a specialist can be such a pain. Just this past year I learned that if I really need to see the specialist I call my family doc and let them run interference.
I hear you. We choose all our doctors based on how responsive they are to getting us in when we need to be seen that second. I don't care if we have to drive further. When you have a toothache or a child with a problem, you do not want to wait.
My son has mild eczema that hasn't been much of a problem but earlier this year he got something called Molluscum Contagiosum, which is a "harmless" virus that causes little tiny bumps to grow and multiply and multiply and multiply and multiply. It will go away on its own usually--but it could take up to 2 years!!! In the meantime, he could literally have had 100s of these things. He was so ashamed and I felt like an ass too. The first doctor prescribed a medicine that cost $250 for a 12 tiny little packets and told me to apply it daily for week and weeks and weeks. The next doctor we tried used some kind of extract from a beetle and busted up the bumps into huge disgusting blisters. Finally, after 8 months, it seems like it has gone away. I hope.
I hope you can find some relief. And you're not an ass...the doctors' offices are.
Grr. I hate it when professional people mkae you feel insignificant. Here, take my money and make me feel like crap, thanks. Your poor babies =(
Don't have any suggestions except, you're not an ass. You are being proactive and trying. Gotta love doctors, eh?
That's stupid and I don't mean you... the appointment thing. Can you take them to a walk-in just to get the prescription again?
By the way, you know how sometimes you get random songs stuck in your head for no reason? I randomly hear your children chanting "Barack Obama" over and over and I only watched that video clip once. Thanks.
your not the ass....the dermatoligists are the asses.....why they can't take the dec 9th appt. and give you a script to last till then is beyond me. makes too much sense I guess.
Have a great day!
My youngest daughter has eczema pretty bad, especially at this time of year. SHe even gets it on her bottom. Thankfully her doc will refill or prescribe when I call and we don't have to do appts.
Good Luck
Well, crap. That just sucks big time. And, you're not an ass. You are just surrounded by doctors that happen to be. I hope you and your kiddos can find some relief soon.
i hate those receptionist...sorry to anyone who might be one! ok, my #2 and #4 are covered right now...and my hands are eaten up. my pediatrician does our refill...call and bug them. see if that will work! i assume you are getting the prescription "el" cream...that's worked for years for b-ster.
Oh girl!
Don't you just want to jump through the phone? Grrrr!
Like you can "schedule" your sickness?
I only call the dr. when I am SICK - and get the same $#*(! answer. Very frustrating.
I don't go there to chit chat or to catch up ~ it is to get well. Last time I puked in his exam room sink to which he replied, "Man, you ARE sick!"
Uh, yeah, last time I checked this WAS a clinic. FIX ME!
Even the ER is a sit and wait. I think folks now go there in lieu of the dr for any and everything. I say slide your car in there sideways, throw open the door, and scream "We're loosing her!" and see if that get's you a response!
Sorry for the cynicism, but it is aggravating!
You're not an ass. Just need a service and I certainly don't think your expectations are too high for you kids to get in and be seen when they are in need.
Best of luck for a speedy recovery!
Do you have walk-in centers by you? I know they aren't the best, but I have used them in the past to get an instant prescription for whatever is wrong with me or my kids, and then I still take the appt with my doc a few weeks later to follow up with someone I am more comfortable with. Just an idea.
you are not the ass, they are! There has got to be a key phrase to get past the bitchy receptionist. I have used, 'I have spoken to my doctor and he/she said I need to be seen with in the week'. Usually they find an appointment sooner. Magic, I guess.
Have you tried the Aveno Ezema(can't spell it either) lotion??? My son has sufferd as well for years and I got sick of all the steroid creams and on a whim tried it and IT IS AWESOME!!!! Good luck!
My daughter suffers from eczema too. Try calling back to the dr and telling them you need a small Rx for the medicine to get you through until your appt. Have all three of your kids lined up right next to you complaining/crying about their itchies (even have Pat join in).
The thing that helps us the most is eliminating allergens. We are currently on a mega-allergen-free diet looking for the latest cause. I'm thinking wheat, like the above commenters, is our latest culprit. The last problem we found was dairy.
I'd also say to try Lush brand Dream Cream lotion. It is out-of-stock right now, but here is the link. http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/body/hand-body-creams/dream-cream
Lush's products have been lifesavers in our house. My daughter was covered head to toe with hives, and I was about to rush her to the dr (for hives all over her face, she has an epi-pen because it can affect her breathing) when I decided to try Lush's Fresh Farmacy (calamine) soap. It literally stopped the outbreak in its tracks and all the hives disappeared immediately, much faster than Benadryl ever has. Amazing stuff...
Wow. Ummm keep calling dermatologists? That's bad. Our opthamologist is booked up way far out BUT if it's an emergency (like my neighbor's kid who was seeing double), he gets you in next day. Keep looking to find a doctor that fits you in sooner. If we all do that, eventually they'll wise up. They'll have to, won't they?
Good luck. I just thank my lucky stars I don't have that issue with the wee ones. An ex had it, and it wasn't fun for him. Poor kids!
the dermatologists are the WORST. here's my trick... whenever i need an immediate appt, i call and tell them i need to be seen for whatever it is i actually need to be seen for AND i have a growth that looks suspicious. that usually bumps me up the line, then when i am there, i show them some random freckle or mole so they don't catch on to the fact that i was completely lying.
Ohhhh sad! down with dermatologists who don't see itchy red babies on the spot! That reminds me of me and my siblings as kids - we all went through eczema - to this day my sisters and I compare our "sensitive skin" episodes. (Tip: don't use make-up remover cloths at hotels regardless how nice the hotel - ick!) I hope your babies outgrow it soon. Ask around for good docs - there have to be some excellent pediatricians out there who deal with this - not just dermatologists!
That is crappy, try calling the pediatrician and see if they will give you the desonide, that is what my pedi prescribed for my kids, we didn't need the dermatologist unless it gets worse. And this might sound bizarre but my pedi suggest to put vegetable shortening on over the spots, we haven't tried it yet, but its because the baby gets eczema on his face.
That is so shitty...my step-daughter has ezcema (she's 17) but at that age, she hates having blotches all over her face and body. She knows not to scratch, but still, can't they find a cure for this stuff?
Good luck and hugz,
Michele
You are not an ass :) I had eczema as a baby and grew INTO it. I remember screaming and crying as my mom tried to cream me, but I know my mom wouldve taken my eczema as her own if she could have. I was hospitalized because of it at 22, my entire body was covered and I was going into shock.
I spent 2 yrs on prednisone (not recommended!) It has been under control, with minimal use of cortizone creams, for 10yrs now. I am very aware that my eczema is definitely an inside-out problem, but have yet to pinpoint the problem (not good with the whole food-elimination thing)
I do have a couple of suggestions, I hope you don't mind.
only SHORT, LUKEWARM BATHS/SHOWERS are recommended. I have also found that I need to bathe every day. If I miss a day, my skin definitely feels worse.
I love GLAXO BASE. It's available over the counter and contains NO IRRITANTS (check the labels on almost every cream, soap, shampoo and you will see some kind of acid or alcohol related ingredient listed). Apply IMMEDIATELY after a bath/shower. Drip dry, don't towel dry. leave the moisture. GLAXO BASE is a barrier cream, so thick it feels wonderful to just lay on the bed, read and let it soak in.
CLINIDERM also has a great line of IRRITANT FREE products, including creams, shampoo & conditioner.
I have to wear cotton when my skin is bad, remove tags and beware of seams. During a particularily extreme flare up, I bought silk long underwear and undershirts (expensive but heavenly)
My favorite product is a cream called PROTOPIC. It's very expensive, by prescription only. It is NOT a steriod or cortisone cream, but works wonders on my bad spots. very soothing!
yeah! I hate it when you NEED a dr and they act completely unconcerned. can you say God Complex?
specialists are ALWAYS harder to get into. I think regular doc leave sick openings. Specialist think no one gets sick.
I have to deal w/ezcema w/my kids. Tried the steriods and lotions. Not as bad as yours sounds. But aveeno baby lotion worked the best. I have also used that eucerin calming lotion for my 8yr old. I hate it when I can't find their usual lotion and try a new one and it burns after the bath.
And your not an ass.
Oh wow. You are waaaayyy more pleasant and patient than I would've been. I would've been all over that first receptionist. The kids would've gotten in if it meant I showed up at the doc's office and refused to leave until they'd been seen!
Aww, your poor itchy babies! That would suck to be itchy. I hope the new Dermatologist can give them some relief.
I totally feel ya. I called to schedule AJ's pulmonary apt. They had 2 dates Dec 23rd and Feb 5th. Umm WTF?
You are not an ass - The doctor and insurance companies are.
GO to regular pediatrician , play dumb - sick visits are seen same day. Play dumb. Or better yet- ask your pediatrician's nurse to renew the prescription directly to your pharmacy! If they say - you need a dermatologists appt, make one and explain that relief is needed now, but you'll keep the appt.
If that doesn't work...go to a walk in medical center (around here they are called Urgent Care Centers) and pay the $75 for the visit (send the bill to your insurance company) and get your prescription...then find new doctors.
I swear - Insurance companies are why there are so many problems with health care.
Your kids are so funny!!!
At my doctor's office, the only way to get a reasonable appointment is to DEMAND to talk to your doctor specifically. Even if he has to call you back. That's my two cents.
I'm laughing at the humor in your writing, however I feel for you on the eczema front. My little guy suffers so bad with it. The whole torn up bleeding skin and all. Nothing helped him until we found out he was eating things he was allergic to that was causing the eczema breakouts.
I sure feel for you, those rashes are tough to deal with.
Ughhh Im so sorry for the kiddos...but I have been battling it for quite some time now and its terrible. Its awful in the winter and i can never seem to get relief no matter how much cream i use...but what does help is to take a bag of frozen peas or a bag of ice i guess and apply it where it's itching...its not a cure, but it sure does help when its uncontrollably itching...
Bummer! Yeah, the only luck I've had getting into a dermatologist fast is when I went to the "wrong doctor" who told his nurse to "work her magic" to get me in with the derm. Next day. Gotta work the system, sadly.
Wow let me just tell you that reading this blog is just like a page out of my life!! Eczma is the most awful thing.. I swear it is straight from the DEVIL himself. Our son has it so bad on his belly and there are days where he just crys it hurts so bad... poor little guy he's 3! We are about to take him to an alergist and see if there is anything they can do for him, you know aside from throw some new steroid cream that has caused cancer in lab rats at the problem.
Good luck with your two, please let me know if you get any good info!!!
Your ped can't just call something in for you? It's not that serious; my kids' ped handles their eczema. They've never even seen a dermatologist for it.
Maile's comment broke my heart. =(
Hi there!
Man, a lot of your readers deal with eczema! Craziness. I will throw my suggestions your way as well... because it looks like you need just one more!
Have allergy testing done. My little boy has dealt with eczema from day one. After discovering his food and animal allergies, the eczema was more under control but we still deal with it.
After a bath, without drying off completely, apply aquaphor or vaseline (way cheaper)to lock in moisture.
I have also had success with Dermarest (for trouble spots) and Vanicream (for all over)lotions. My allergist said the goal was to keep the skin moist. So I try to apply lotion often, usually during diaper changes.
I hope you find something that works for your kiddos! I sure learned a lot from all the comments!
You're not an ass! An ass is someone who could do something better, nicer, sweeter or what have you and chooses not to! If you ask me, those people at the dermatologist office are the reall asses. You? You're doing the best you can do. Definately not an ass.
I remember when I was in HS and using Noxzema for zits and stuff on my face (and by stuff I mean zits) and it said to use it for eczema. No-eczema is how I always remembered this handy tid bit. Maybe it's worth a try? It's a quick remedy to get you through the next month.
MamaKat - My girls have eczema, - I have had it my entire life - it sucks - it is genetic and they will always have it.
I wonder why your Ped doesn't just give you a prescription? I think that is odd that he/she would send you off to another dr (NOT EASY WITH 3 kids).
We use a creme called Alclometasone (by fougera), yes it has steriods - so it can not be applied to the hands or face. But for that I use Aquaphor healing ointment - advanced therapy - not the white creme or they will be screaming in burning pain. This is the only stuff that keeps the tears and itchies away. I slather it on in a huge layer!!!!
Hope this helps and hope you find new Drs!!
You're not an ass, doctors can be asses.
I hurt my back at work last August and called to get an appointment. This was an 'I need to be seen right now' thing, because I couldn't go back to work until seen. They told me there closest appointment was 6 weeks away, even for a slight emergency like mine. :( Yeah, they suck.
have you thought of taking them to a homeopath? I have never been, but my boss has 5 kids and he swears by his homeopath. Not for the same issue, but they've had other things the Dr. could not help with, but the homeopath was able to help. Just a thought. Good luck!
I stopped reading your comments at about #4 but felt inclined to add one more person spouting advice. My son also suffers, a LOT. At any given time he has at least a dozen open wounds from scratching the dry spots. We use Triamcinolone Cream when it's not too bad and betasol when it's really bad. Nothing else works. He too has mostly learned to live with it. But it does cause him to wear long pants and sleeves year round because he's embarrased. You do what you can and then cry when you can't do anything more. What a vicious cycle motherhood is.
im sooo sorry to hear about your childrens i just discover my 4 month doughter have eczema doctors dont know nothing i search in the internet couse the doctor only told me she had a dry skin only i wasnt to convence so i went back and told them i dont think she have a dry skin only and thats when they told me she have eczema i already knew thank to the internet, they prescribe me a medication not sure what the name is but first i went to cvs and found DERMAREST LOTION i just put it on my baby im hoping it will work but sometimes we cant depend on the sucky doctors and we should search on our own, maybe this will help for you childerns is not fair for them to continue feeling itchi poor babys.
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