Mum claims £4 bubble bath is ‘miracle cure’ for her kids’ agonising eczema
A MUM claims a £4 bubble bath proved a "miracle cure" for her kids' agonising eczema.
Fergus Littlejohn, two, and his eight-month-old brother Harris both suffer from the itchy skin condition.
The common condition left Harris's skin dry and flakey, causing him lots of pain.
While Fergus would suffer with rashes over his entire body.
He was prescribed emollients for bath time and steroid creams to try and control his flare-ups, but still his eczema persisted.
Mum Lydia, 33, said: "Fergus has suffered from bouts of dermatitis (also known as eczema) since he was one, but it took a while for him to get properly diagnosed.
"We eventually learned he has an intolerance to dairy and soya.
"His skin gets very itchy and he scratches. It’s awful to have to watch him go through it.
"Last March we were referred to a dermatologist at a children’s hospital.
"When his skin flares up it gets extremely dry and he does get quite irritable.
"We were referred to a dietician last year and we started using coconut based food products and almond milk.
"The dermatologist told us a bubble bath was off the cards because she worried about his skin becoming irritated."
As well as the pain, Fergus hated missing out on bath time with his brothers Archie, six, and Harris, eight months, but had to avoid it as harsh soaps would irritate his skin.
Then Lydia, from Aberdeenshire in Scotland, was told about Childs Farm products by a friend last year.
"My friend told me about Childs Farm products when Fergus’ skin was really bad," Lydia said.
"We did some research online and I decided to buy the bubble bath and moisturiser.
"The first time Fergus had a bubble bath he was so excited.
"It has just been amazing. It lets him have a bit more fun at bath time and he absolutely loves having a bath now.
"We use them on all three of our boys, and we even used the baby moisturiser and sensitive scalp shampoo to relieve Harris’ cradle cap."
Also known as dermatitis, eczema is a common dry skin condition.
In mild cases, a sufferer's skin is dry, scaly, red and itchy.
But, in more severe cases there can be weeping, crusting and bleeding sores as a result.
The constant compulsion to itch can leave the skin split and bleeding and also leaves it open to infection.
According to the British Association of Dermatologist: "Complete emollient therapy is the mainstay of treatment for all patients with eczema - this means regular application of a moisturiser [also known as an emollient] and washing with a moisturiser instead of soap.
"These should be applied several times every day to help the outer layer of your skin function better as a barrier to your environment.
"The drier your skin, the more frequently you should apply a moisturiser. Many different ones are available, varying in their degree of greasiness, and it is important that you choose one you like to use.
"Moisturisers containing an antiseptic may be useful if repeated infections are a problem."
Childs Farm’s consultant dermatologist Dr Jennifer Crawley said: “Dermatitis is a type of eczema triggered by contact with a particular substance.
MORE ON ECZEMA
"The condition causes the skin to become red, blistered, dry and cracked.
"This reaction usually occurs within a few hours or days of exposure to an irritant or allergen.
"Symptoms can affect any part of the body, but most commonly affect the hands and face."
Childs Farm is a British brand that claims to use natural products with no artificial colours and is free from parabens.
AN ITCHY SKIN CONDITION THAT CAUSES DRY, CRACKED SKIN
Eczema is a condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked.
Atopic eczema (the most common form of the condition) is more common in children, often developing before their first birthday.
However, it may also develop for the first time in adults.
It's usually a long-term condition, although it can improve significantly, or even clear completely, in some children as they get older.
The exact cause of eczema is not known.
Symptoms:
Some people only have small patches of dry skin, but others may experience widespread red, inflamed skin all over the body.
It can affect any part of the body but it most often affects the hands, insides of the elbows, backs of the knees and the face and scalp in children.
Treatment:
There are many different treatments to help control eczema, including:
- self-care techniques, such as reducing scratching and avoiding triggers
- moisturising treatments used on a daily basis
- topical corticosteroids to reduce swelling, redness and itching during flare-ups
Source: NHS Choices
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