My Little Granddaughter's Hands

[Samuraisan]

My little 5 year old Grandaughter has terrible rashes on her little hands. The dermatologist says it is Atopic. She has a cream which doesn't seem to make them any better, does anyone know of any natural treatment ? I had read somewhere about Tea Tree Oil, has anyone ever used that for skin ailments. Poor little thing.

[Mosaic]

Surely the doctor has given her parents a regime of things to do to ease this?
There's American advice here:
https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a---d/atopic-dermatitis/tips
But surely her own doctor had made recommendations?

[Sqad]

\\\\ I had read somewhere about Tea Tree Oil, has anyone ever used that for skin ailments.\\\\

You may rest assured that some ABer has indeed used Tea Tree Oil.

What cream has the Dermatologist prescribed?

Any other areas affected other than the hands?

[Retrochic]

Tea Tree oil has strong anti-bacterial properties and toxic in large amounts. Its far too harsh to apply neat and I would not use it for a child's hands especially if the skin is broken. I'm sure the Dermatologist knows what they are doing so rest assured she will be getting the correct treatments, but the Dermatologist will need to know if the prescribed cream is not working so they can try something different.

[Hypognosis]

Some basic questions

1) Is the rash on both the palms and the back of the hand?
- this could connect to immersion in liquid or an item of clothing, like a glove or a onesie.
If there is rash on face as well, i.e. only areas of skin exposed to sunlight, while outdoors but wrapped up in winterwear, the consult Sqad.

2) Palms only: it might be reaction to chemicals on a toy, pet fur or anything it can grip.

3) Backs of hands only: consult Sqad (I can't think of anything)

As you're here, asking about products, rather than consulting your general practitioner, can we assume that you are not a UK resident?

#NHS

[Samuraisan]

Hi Sqad et al, the dermo told my daughter to put Cicalfate by Avène on my grandaughter's hands. It is not a prescription cream, it's a Repair Cream. She only has it on her hand. It doesn't seem to itch, I don't see her scratching, but it looks so sore.

[Samuraisan]

Spot on Hypo. We are residents in Spain. The ironic thing is my daughter, her mother is a forensic doctor. But I am consulting you all secretly to see if there is a natural remedy you have tried and had success with.

[Sqad]

Hi! Sam.....first things first.

I agree with the post of Retrochic above.

I disagree with the post of Hypognosis to consult sqad ......I bloody hated skins....boring......and my knowledge is rudimentary.

Atopic dermatits is eczema......no cure for it, but on the positive side she may grow out of it.

You can Google the treatment yourself, but steroid creams may well be helpful...extremely helpful if the "going gets tough."

Cicalfate is just a sort of moisturising cream, which may or may not help.....if it does......fine.......but if it doesn't then one may have to move on to steroid creams.........or even antibiotic creams if it becomes infected.

Your Dermatologist is not playing his strong cards at the beginning of the game.........and i would agree.

She must have a follow up appointment for review.

Stick with the advice of your Dermatologist...........and sqad ;-)

[pastafreak]

Interestingly,when I was experiencng bouts of excema on my eyelids a few years ago,I tried Cicalfate(sold in boots here) and it did give relief. I was reluctant to try the recommended steroid cream because of the risked involved.
I've used tea tree oil for spots...usually with no problem. Yet at the time I was dealing with the eczema,it burned like crazy.

[Hypognosis]

I am not in a position to comment, regrettably. I'm old enough to remember things like Aloe Vera coming onto the market (80s, since I'm a long way from London).

I am wary, even prejudiced against, natural remedies. Because they've been used since antiquity, they're generally considered safe (stories of adverse reactions are not passed down, for obvious reasons) so no-one is willing to stump up the cash to put them through safety/efficacy trials, in the present day.
You will find testimonial-type websites, if you search for data, but that is the level they've operated at since antiquity too.

I understand how people reach for natural remedies as a last resort, in which case a list of the conventional meds you've tried and had fail would be educative. It might even be pertinent to a proper diagnosis.

Useage as a first resort would paint you as a character type who doesn't trust conventional medical science. We can respect your choices but we're not psychic, so you need no spell that out, if applicable.

[Samuraisan]

Thanks everyone. I will all your advice seriously.