Lesson learned: get a second opinion!

Poor DD. I feel terrible.

A few months ago, DD had a cough and we went to the GP to get it checked out. Atypical chest infection, antibiotics, etc, all good. Well not all good but diagnosed, treated, eventually cleared. Took a while but it did. While we were there, the GP commented on a slight rash around DD's mouth, which she said was a contact dermatitis, from licking/wiping her lips. Prescribed a steriod cream and antibiotics for that as well, as it had gotten a slight infection.

Said to use the steriod cream sparingly for a few days to clear it, then use paw paw cream to keep it at bay and ensure she stops licking/rubbing/wiping her lips. Yeah, good luck with that one with a 3yo! :rolleyes:

Anyway, days roll by. Steriod cream in the morning clears it, but by the end of the day it's back, regardless of how much paw paw I slather on and how many times I tell/ask/beg/plead with her not to wipe/lick her lips. Even my 4yo niece is telling her "DD, don't lick your lips!" Eventually take her back to the GP as it just won't clear and it's now looking red, angry and overnight dries to such a point that it cracks, no matter how much paw paw or vasoline I put on. :(

Poor possum. GP says take her to a dermatologist. This is Tuesday. Tells me to keep using the steriod cream, just first thing in the morning, that it's ok to keep using it as I'm only putting a tiny amount on once a day (which is true). Keep using the paw paw. Get to the dermatologist.

Manage to get an appointment Thursday with the specialist, woo. They had a cancellation. Take her in this morning. Dermatologist takes one look and says "Are you using paw paw cream? Stop. She's allergic."

Apparently they are seeing an increase in kids developing an allergy to paw paw cream because it is not as "natural" as we are lead to believe - they put a fragrance in it, which reacts with kids skin, but it isn't listed in the ingredients because it is such a small amount :wall:

So the paw paw cream is contributing to worsening the skin, not improving it. It's also too greasy. Strike one.

Then she asks me how long I've been using the steriod cream? And I say at least a month, possibly more like two, just once a day. Apparently that is way too long - that type of cream, around the mouth, shouldn't be used for longer than 5 days :o Strike two.

And in part we used it for too long, she has developed a really nasty type of dermatitis called perioral dermatitis, which has now become infected. It's like a reaction to overuse of the steriod cream :( So we have switched to a different, non-steriodal anti-inflammatory cream, plus she has to be on antibiotics for 6 weeks. 6 weeks!!!! :(

My poor baby. I wish I'd gotten a second opinion sooner. My GP is generally great but was off the mark with this one and my poor DD has paid the price.

Wow, poor poppet!!
I hope it clears up soon.
How horrible.

Oh that's awful! I'm so sorry! :hug:

:( poor chook

Oh wow, your poor DD :(

If it were me, I'd go back and tell your GP what the dermatologist told you so she knows for next time.

Oh no :( Poor little thing! I would be giving the feedback to your GP when you see them next as well.

I hadn't thought of that - maybe I should...

Oh no :hug: hun I hope she's on the mend ASAP!


Sent from my iPhone, more than likely while I should be doing something else!

poor bubba, hope she feels better soon.

I had peri oral dermatitis around my eye when pregnant and it did sting at times (and yes it is possible to get peri ORAL dermatitis by your eye according to the dermatologist)

Yeah DD1 is allergic to the paw paw cream, breaks out in rash and ppl were surprised some even commented was I sure! sucks tho you guys had to go for so long dealing. Would think your GP would know better bout the steroid cream.

Poor possum hope she is better soon and all clears up.

Definatly give feedback to GP as they don't know if they aren't told.

Poor thing :(

I'm allergic to paw paw cream. I hate the stuff.

Are you all talking about the paw paw stuff in the red tube??

Awww no, poor little thing, allergies to things are so hard to pinpoint sometimes, we use pawpaw here for things and it works a treat so I would never have even considered that to be the issue either

Poor munchkin. Hope she's now on the mend. At least you have an answer :hug:

OP two of my sons do the lip licking thing too. Ashton's has really flared up again at the moment, so I know your frustration at trying to tell them to stop it. Lachlan is 8 and keeps doing it as well, although he can go long periods of not having a flare up.

oh! what a horrible experience for you all.

Best thing to focus on is that you are on the right track now and you know a lot more about treatments and your daughter!

I had a problem with my DDs skin when she was a baby with eczema and needing a pure balm for her to keep her skin treated between steroid applications and found a recipe for a beeswax balm. I have made some with calendula flowers seeped in olive oil and beeswax. It is really easy to make and is beautiful on skin, lips, bums etc. I'd be happy to send you the recipe or even a jar of the stuff I have made. I have heaps as I just made it with the beeswax I had and have more than I need and can use.

Otherwise, I hope you see a really quick improvement for your DD. :hug:

Oh dear OP, I am glad that you have found the right answer, its just so unfortunate that it took so long to come about and has been causing you all so much distress. Hope DD heals quickly, and I would definitely be giving the gp some "feedback".

How frustrating, glad you know now and your DD is now on the mend. We found pure coconut oil the best for DS eczema which is mainly around his mouth.

sent from my watzamajig so may not make sense....

Poor DD! Glad it's sorted now tho!


Cat xox

My heart lept into my mouth when I read about the steroidal cream. I got done over with the same thing when I was 18, except mine went on for months and resulted in some permanent skin changes on my face. I'm glad you saw a dermatologist, it was a relatively short period of time so her skin should heal up nicely. Don't be afraid to go back after a couple of weeks if it's not responding to the new treatment. And whatever you do, don't feel bad, you did what you knew to do at the time :hug:

Another one here with the reation to paw paw (yes the one in the red tube/container).
I now use rosehip oil for everthing! As a moisturiser, when I have a reaction to something, use it on both DD's when their eczema flares up, skin breakouts.

Hope your DD is feeling better soon. x

Paw paw in the red tube, well, most of the paw paw products on the market are petroleum based… They do not need to make note of it on the packaging (as it is not an active ingredient) but you will find a lot of info online about it. There are some brands that are petroleum free, but definitely avoid the red one ;)

poor little darlin'. glad you've got a new plan though :hug:

Yep, the one in the red tube. I bought the little pot of it too - guess I'll be using it for a while ;)

Someone else mentioned rosehip... might look into that.

The dermatologist was really good, she said if we don't start seeing improvement soon to call her and she'll happily have a quick chat on the phone. Thought that was nice, I won't have to stump up for another consult fee.

It already looks better except she says the new cream stings. I wonder if it is stinging in the little cracks? Poor love.

:

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OP two of my sons do the lip licking thing too. Ashton's has really flared up again at the moment, so I know your frustration at trying to tell them to stop it. Lachlan is 8 and keeps doing it as well, although he can go long periods of not having a flare up.

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Astro what do you do for it?? How do you treat it?

so glad you got some answers today hun
you had no reason to doubt what you doctor had said in the past, so no reason to think so this time
i am sure the dematogist would inform the doctor of your consultation anyway so perhaps discuss it next time you see your GP

if she is going to be on AB's for ages, perhaps so pro-biotics would help as well hun
some in-liven would help restore her flora
also switch her to a natural toothpaste as the commercial brands of toothpaste can actually make perioral dematitis worse!
washing with goats milk based products can also help even more so that QV and other soapless washing products- you can get goat based products at priceline now!!

also extra vitamin B and Magnesium and zinc will help the body repair- you can get chewables
flaxseed oil in her diet can also help and is an awesome source of Omega 3,6 and 9- flaxseed also aids the skin to revitalise ( you buy it in an oil and can drizzle it on greens, and hide it in food- you dont need much per day- just dont cook with it

Interistingly skin inflammation (such as dermatitis) and gastrointestional symptoms (such as diarrohea) can go together and be a sign of a food allergy!!!!
common foods that are culprits include eggs, milk, nuts, soy, fish and WHEAT!!!!
sounding familar??????????
I really think it is worth checking the link between her dermatitis and gut issues in the past!!
A natropath may be a good practioner to seek help from for both of these concerns

so glad you have got some answers to treat the problem, the hard bit now is to try and find out why the problem occurred to start with so you know what to avoid!!
hugs hun!!!

glad you got it sorted in good time.
We use bio-oil alot.
Won't be using my red tub on the kids anymore and will sadly put the word out as i know alot if people who use it on their kids

Sent from my Galaxy with the barefoot princess covering me in kisses, so please forgive the mistakes

:hug: how annoying!!

OP and Astro my eldest is 12 and he toohas the same problem. It gets so bad at times it bleeds from the cracks. I was using paw paw cream...thinkging im going to swap now. We were suggested the steroid cream too BUT our doctor did warn us it was only a short quick fix as we should only use it for a few days and no longer than 5 she also explained it could make it was as yes it will heal it but that it also thins the sking so each outbreak we use it on it will thin his skin which can be bad if it gets too then.
He does it so much for weeks then will go ages with no problem then bam its back.


pls excuse the spelling mistakes on my galaxcy

poor sweetheart ...

and poor mumma! you were doing everything right, how frustrating. but thank goodness you have answers, solutions and already some results now!

years ago, I got windburn in NZ, and then my skin reacted really badly to the alow vera cream we got, to soothe it! I was a red, shiny mess for weeks ... but it healed up.

one of my brothers had a constant rash over his upper lip from licking/sucking. nothing ever helped, but he grew out of it when he went to school. possibly not the solution you want, but he DID grow out of it, and there was no permanent damage. just lots of photos where it looks like he has enormous lips ...

:hug: