Dry, Itchy Skin On Child

[Baby_Sham]

My daughter (6 yrs old) has been complaining of itchy skin. It's mainly on her sides, but I see her also scratching at her arms.
Should I take her to the doctors, or is there something I can buy over the counter that would relieve her of this.

Thanks :-)

[kendra20]

E 45 cream is very good for dry skin, but it could be anything maybe a trip to docs would put your mind at rest.

[sherrardk]

It could be anything, thing 2 had skin peeling off his palms and fingers. Took him to the docs, got special cream and non-soap soap and it started to clear up before I had chance to use it.

[Baby_Sham]

Ok, so a trip to the docs it is.
There's nothing 'obvious' there, just looks normal, but she's clearly scratching away at it.
Ok, thanks :-)

[pond50]

Have you changed soap or detergent recently?

[pixie373]

If there's nothing visible, I'd try an antihistamine first, to see if it's an allergy, then E45in case it is dry skin. If neither of those help, hydrocortisone is good for eczema, but i would expect that to be visible.

[Baby_Sham]

I've changed our usual detergent to Ecover liquid soap, which I thought would be ok.

[sherrardk]

Switch back, bet it's the washing powder.

[pixie373]

Yes, switch back and see if that helps.

[Baby_Sham]

Thank you very much :-)

[B00]

Mine has developed what I think is ringworm, im 99.9% sure that's what it is, but the sake of that 1% i've got an appointment with her doc tomorrow- mind you took some fighting to get past the receptionist I can tell you!

[Tilly2]

Maybe it's something to do with your washing machine not rinsing properly due to the muddy boots clog.

[Sqad]

No rash...then no ringworm or eczema

I cannot offer a diagnosis except a suggestion to give her Syrup of phenergan at night and monitor the situation.

[Baby_Sham]

Thanks for the further responses, and suggestions - good think about the washing machine.

I've managed to get an appointment this afternoon, but my god was it difficult!
Why are doctors receptionists so bloody rude and difficult? :-/

[Hopkirk]

There's a doctors' receptionist training school, run by East Germans.

[woofgang]

my docs must have cornered the market on lovely receptionists. one and all they are brilliant.

[Baby_Sham]

Thanks for the advice.
I took her to the doctors yesterday evening, and the doctor said it was nothing more than dry skin, and gave me a prescription for some cream.
She has got some eczema on her arms, but he didn't think the itching on her sides was that. He just said it was dry, scaly (?) skin.

Thanks again.

[Sqad]

Feedback much appreciated.

[boxtops]

Still could be the washing power - worth changing and seeing if it helps. My skin gets dry through being in woolies and central heating at this time of year....

[Baby_Sham]

The washing liquid I use is Ecover, so I wouldn't have thought there'd be anything in there that would irritate her skin.

Thanks for all your help. Much appreciated :-)

[jkelly24]

my son used to be the same had to be careful which detergents I used and conditioner and also what I bathed him in. Sanex bathing products worked for him and E45 cream.