Well we had an interesting appointment with the dermatologist today. NOW I think i get it.
I have a boy with food allergies, MILD eczema, PLUS chronic hives and dermatagraphia (I have this last one myself too). So that explains all the itching, and when the itching is bad enough, it exacerbates the eczema. And triggers-wise, well yes, he talked about all the usual stuff - overheating, environmental triggers but also explained that he might easily get worse due to a virus or a food sensitivity. He wasn't saying that we need to do an elimination diet per se, but suggested we keep an eye on the really acidic things, plus the sulfites, nitrates, nitrites, salicylates and amines (which I'm watching out for with hubby anyway). And interestingly my son will not eat pizza for love or money and I reckon it's the tomato paste. Plus he does tend to get a bit of eczema just under his bottom lip which is very indicative of something bothering him intolerance-wise. So I think I will definitely do some playing around with that. The dr also suggested a cotton mattress protector rather than rubber backed one, I'm going to try a different doona (the asthma foundation says feather is great but mightn't be good from a skin perspective).
So I'm thinking of either artificial type one (that sounds awful, but you know - those allergenic ones), cotton or bamboo... thoughts on that? I can't stand wool myself so I'm really disinclined to go near that. And my DD will need a doona soon enough anyway, so I don't mind buying a second one).
And the good old moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. And keep him on Zyrtec for as long as we have to - that the 3-6mths timeframe provided by my allergist has no real relevance. It makes the food challenges a bit trickier but fundamentally it makes me feel quite validated to keep him on it to keep him more comfortable. He said for every year he's taking it, he'll be 50% likely to have to do another year. So hopefully he'll grow out of it, but in the meantime he doesn't have to keep suffering as much with the itching. He's also upped the dose too. Interestingly he didn't think my lipstick or skin care products would be playing a part. Hmm I'm still not sure about that. And suggested that if we need an asthma preventer we should go for singulair as it both does that and is an antihistamine as well - might consider it for winter.
Kmn - kindy sandpit and soap residue could definitely be a factor, however he hasn't seemed to be that much worse since starting kindy this year (and toilet training was only in Jan) - he's been worse since sept last year at which point nothing really had changed (that I can remember!). RE the dishes, well we tend to eat things that are dish-independant IYKWIM (muesli bar etc) or I make things in my Thermomix but I nearly always (but not 100%!!!!) handwash dishes that I've cooked allergens in - so I might continue doing that. And oh... toenails! He's never done that one. Ouch!
Jackrose - I'm so glad you commented about the sulfites cos we know my DH doesn't do so well with them, so makes sense they could be a trigger... and TOTALLY agree with what you said about Pholi's comments, it was really informative.
Leckert - pls don't apologist for hijacking at all, if it helps us then that's fantastic. I wished I'd posted earlier because I've found the entire discussion very interesting, thought provoking and informative.
Lenny - where did you get hte silk duvet inner from? That's another interesting possibility for us.
Pholi - seriously I'm looking for the *bow down* emoticon, AWESOME post, thank you so much. IT's funny sometimes I've felt guilty, do I use the steroid creams too much, do I dose him on antihistamines too much. Felt totally validated that I AM trying to help minimise his suffering. It's funny he's such a cruisey little dude, a great sleeper - which is really a miracle for an itchy kid I think. This is a 3yo who happily puts himself to bed when he's tired! Or maybe he suffered so much he could deal with anything now?
Does anyone else find their kids get flared up massively in different places? I can't take him down to Tassie without him looking terrible (my family is there), so now I know, so I always just get preventative - full zyrtec and constant moisturising to keep it more controlled before it can flare up.
We're lucky in that we've not had to deal with wet wrapping or bandaids - he doesn't get that bad. And when he does scratch himself till he bleeds it's usually my sign to cut his nails so he can't damage himself too much. Ah, it's heartbreaking stuff isn't it. Well onwards & upwards. SEnding non-itchy vibes too all.
and this summer hasn't been it's normal self.
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