16/07/2011 by spindlygiraffe.

James’ eczema is still ok on his face.  He was really crotchety on Friday coming home from pre-school.  Yesterday I noticed a couple of infected areas, on the back of his neck and his leg.  It really seems to drain his energy and he benefits from a multi vitamin boost to stave off tiredness.  I’m glad I can relate the two, even though Friday was tough I can now understand why it was and won’t get him doing so much activity.  Pre-school is a long way when you are under the weather - we might be lazy and drive on Monday!

My husband and I have got really frustrated by James biting / eating away at his hands.  I understand biting to stop an itch.  However biting off bits of skin seems a bit revolting.  He is always fiddling with his hands in his mouth trying to get loose bits of skin off.  It looks horrid, pulls more skin off than is necessary and a 4 year old certainly has no shame or embarrassment.  He could be talking to anyone or doing anything, find that little bit of skin and the hand will go in his mouth.

It was upsetting, frustrating, difficult to understand, I wanted to stop him, help him… lots of emotions, it even made me cross.  Then I realised I actually bite round my fingers too.  What a confession!  Writing this tonight, reminds me that when I was little, I too bit my hands.  Lol, I’ve just been reading over this and caught myself doing it!  How revolting - hide under the disguise of the computer!

So what can we do?  Wear gloves?  I think getting the air to his hands helps, so we only use them when he is really itchy.  Tape round each of his finger nails with micropore tape or a plaster? Seriously considered this, but he bites the palm of his hand.   Can I stop myself?  Having written this I will be much more aware of what I am doing!

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05/07/2011 by spindlygiraffe.

Please don’t take the title literally! I could imagine nothing worse than eczema having cotton wool stuck in it.

I was not planning to write but yesterday I was flummoxed by my little girl.  We were walking back from the library.  I had the pushchair and her hand whilst James held her other hand.  It was one of those proud Mummy moments when your kids are visibly the best thing in the world - how cute did they look!

Holding hands makes your hands hot though.  Soon James had to scratch between his thumb and first finger and then rub it on the edge of his pocket (works well at relieving itch, I do it too).  Anyway, that completed, they were holding hands again.

Suddenly my wee girl stopped and shook his hand away.  James just looked at me.  I asked her to hold his hand.  She said ‘No, hand sore… James hand sore’.  She is just 2 years old.  I never expected this.  It is just the way James is, nothing has changed.  I felt hurt and panic - what do I say?

‘James is your hand sore?’  He looked at me as if I was mad saying it wasn’t.  I’ve mentioned before he has a high pain threshold.  Eczema is life, accidents can cause pain.  I explained that his hand was not sore, but she was not having it.  She held his other hand (which looks equally as bad) for a while but the moment was gone.

Further up the road she went in the pushchair and I held his hand - loosely so we did not get too hot but still having the contact.  I remember as a child my Mum being too hot to hold my hand.  I never understood why she was too hot.  Now I seem to feel the heat more, I understand.

I’ve said on previous posts how James just accepts his eczema.  He is not ashamed or embarrassed by it.  I dread the day when he becomes self conscious.  I want to be there as a barrier to anything negative - wrap him up in cotton wool.  He is only 4 years old.  I know he has to grow up and face the world, but there can’t be anything wrong with letting him have as positive an experience to start with.

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02/07/2011 by spindlygiraffe.

Things aren’t too bad with us at the moment.  James and I are both still itchy but not really losing sleep over it…. so that has to be good.

We were at a children’s festival yesterday and one activity that we went in to do involved painting hands.  Admittedly, if James were to carry on picking and biting the skin on his hands I think he will soon be down to the bone.  Let’s hope the elocon kicks in soon!  Naturally he stood back and did not want to participate.  His brave little sister is not so timid and went straight in.

Seeing his sister was alright, James decided to have a go.  He sat down and the lady took his hand and went ‘Ohhh’ looked at me and I said he would be fine.  James looked puzzled as to what was wrong.  He really has no idea!  She could have held his hand really tentatively as, if he was not my son, it could appear quite repulsive.  However, she carried on as if it was all fine, then we washed his hands and put on cream.  Simple.

Full credit to the girl doing it…. initially she checked with me, not showing horror or repulsion and then did it.  James always gets involved, never complains.  He does have a high pain threshold hence he is able to play with salt dough - makes me wince inwardly but until he says something, I’ll certainly not stop him!

His head is really itchy too.  He gets so hot, easily.  Haircut is booked for Thursday so even though it looks ace that little bit longer, it is unfair to let him suffer!

Funny how I thought it was all ticking along nicely, until I started writing…. his hands, his head….. not to mention more patches appearing over his body.  However we have had a good spell for a couple of months.

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