DS 4yrs skin infection around one eye...4 weeks now, what do you think?

[bottletopbill]

took him to docs as the skin around one eye was very red...got some ointment and told it was a skin infection used ointment 3 times a day.

After 2 weeks still not clear, back to another dr who said it was exzema told her it def wasnt so she perscribed me a cream that was an antibiotic and steriod in she said use it twice a day and it will clear in a couple of days.

Well it hasnt,Im really worried now.

What do you think? Im fretting now as a local child has been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer aroudn eye socket - dr's thought it was a stye!

[Lauree]

maybe you could ask GP for a referral to the paediatric dermatologist at your local hospital?

personally I wouldn't keep using steroid cream around the eye area for too long. good luck!

[dietqueen]

Well we are 4 days in and his skin around he eye is still red - should I stop using this cream do you think?

Can I ask why you said you wouldnt keep using steriod cream...youve put the frighteners up me now!!!

[Lauree]

I'm sorry, didn't mean to frighten you! Just passing on info that when my son saw the hosp dermatologist, for patchy red skin, he said prolonged use of steroid creams which the GP prescribed can cause the skin to become permanently thinner. I can't imagine 4 days is any where near 'prolonged', and perhaps you should keep it up a bit longer in case it takes a while to work.

But the most useful advice for us from the hospital consultant was to just try very basic emmoillents ( probably spelt wrong)like E45 or diprobase - both readily available from the chemist - for both washing instead of soap (it's a bit strange at first because it goes all globby inthe bath) and moisturising, and it worked wonders, for both my son and also for me when I tried it.

Hope the redness clears up soon x

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

Could it be impetigo?
I'd pop back and see another doctor.

[dietqueen]

Still no better - I havent used steriod cream today. after 5 days of using it the skin aroudn his eye has started to peel leaving his skin all flakey and sore looking, really not happy with this at all.

The last doc said she thought it was exzema but he's never had this in his life! Plus no where else on his body is affect just the area around one of his eyes.

Taking him back tomorrow to see one of the good doc's down at the surgery if I can get in as its half day.

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

Is it swollen and hot?

[dietqueen]

not swollen but before use of the steriod cream, it was red and noticeable.

The antibiotic and steriod cream seems to have made the whole skin area flakey as if it has burnt the skin.

Not hot and it doesnt hurt him he says but it looks terrible, pull down his bottom lid today and it looks red inside. Its now getting on for 5 weeks

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

Poor mite, it sounds really painful. I'm not sure what it is, it doesn't sound like cellulitis, it could be eczema and requires a different cream. Has he been rubbing it? Ingrowing eyelash?
I'd be tempted to ask for a dermatologist referal.

[dietqueen]

If it was eczema would he have other areas? its just one area on one eye. He says it doesnt hurt and I havent seen him rubbing it.

IF it was surely the cream and the steriod cream would of cleared it?

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

Not really. Ds used to have eczema, it was only ever on his back though, never anywhere else. Steriod cream doesn't heal all types of eczema.

Is it weeping? any gunk coming out of it?

[dietqueen]

no but still very unsure as I know of someone whose ds age 2 has just been diagnosed with bone cancer (eye socket) Dr's thought it was a stye!

Off to Dr's tom to get another opinion and raise my concerns

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

I think that there are other symptoms to bone cancer, it's incredibly rare. Try not to panic.

GP's in the morning is a good idea.