17/06/2011 by spindlygiraffe.

On a positive note, James’ creams seem to be doing the trick.  He has been scratching a lot today but his skin does not look too bad and his face (notoriously bad for him) is pretty clear.

We’ve still made it to the doctor though.  He’s had a cough for a couple of weeks, at night.  Last week there were a couple of days when I noticed it and then this week the wheeze is there.  Thankfully he takes his inhaler with no fuss.  He is not officially asthmatic.  Unfortunately I feel it is only a matter of time until he will be officially asthmatic.  He’s not on regular inhalers although there was talk of it.  It is so rare that he takes a puff I don’t think it is an issue.

The doctor commented on how his eczema was good at the moment.  I agreed.  She was confused that we used both Epaderm and Diprobase, some days the Epaderm is too sticky, particularly in the heat.  We have both.

As a natural worrier I can see the pattern of eczema good = breathing(asthma) bad.

Anyway, antibiotic tends to help skin and chest infection so next few days should be good!

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14/06/2011 by spindlygiraffe.

James is starting school in September.  I am looking to return to work.  He doesn’t want me to work.  All change, he does not like change… Stress = scratch.

His teacher for next year seems really good.  James went for his second trial session this morning and went in happily.  I have written an info sheet of my own, including a photo of his wee face in April when it was really severe.  So many children have eczema, it’s not life threatening… it is just one of those things.

The NES have some info that I have printed out and will sort what is appropriate for his school and what I can leave.  As a teacher you get so much paper it is easy to ‘read it later’.  I thought the photo with the info I handed in today might give more impact.

I just wanted to let them know how he feels about it.  To be covered in eczema is normal, as is clear skin.  However, if he falls and cuts his knee he wants it covered over… in case people see.  This is the case even when is skin is covered in eczema, but that is him.

Also requesting people not to say ‘Don’t scratch’ ‘Isn’t your skin good today?’ (implying that it is bad other days)  ‘Isn’t your skin bad today?’ but rather comment on itchiness - good that you are not itchy/ you seem very itchy.

I also said about sleep, a bit about creams and wearing gloves.  I noted that if you are too busy scratching your work will not get done.  Also, I commented how James will do anything that others are doing - even when an adult will think it would be painful on his wee hands.

In no way am I excusing James from work, he is willing and wanting to do well.

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05/06/2011 by spindlygiraffe.

Thinking back to the first time we went to see a dermatologist makes me chuckle.  We were full of expectation - ‘the miracle cure’ was going to be handed to us.  Easter holidays had been miserable with James on so much piriton he just slept.  A blessing that he could sleep, but not our 4 month old son.

The appointment came and, as I should have anticipated, his skin was clear that day.  I could almost hear the dermatologist saying ‘Nutty woman calling fire because someone lit a match’.  She told us that there was no need to make another appointment because it had obviously cleared up.  Timing!

We had a year of almost living at the GPs until I asked would it be worth going for another referral?  The doctor said she was happy to refer.  (Why is it always my suggestion for the referral and not their advice?  You really do need to push!).  This time we came  armed with photos.  With our evidence in hand, naturally his skin was bad.  I felt justified for requesting the referral.

Just yesterday James was playing, with his cars, on the living room floor.  His t shirt had shifted up away from his jeans.  His skin was perfect, so beautiful and smooth.  My husband and I remarked on it to each other.

Today, a similar situation arose.  Yet this time there are big, raised eczema patches.  How?  Why?  What caused them?

I do recommend photographic evidence if anyone is going to see a different specialist.  I will even be bringing photos to the teacher when my son starts school as I just let them know that eczema, although very common, can have very detrimental aspects - especially when he is tired and not because he has been up late.

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