12-month-old Albie Litchfield has peach skin, the boy is radiant. “A completely different child,” says his mother, Milli. When he was six weeks old, he developed a milky rash and cradle cap, and a few days later the first severe bout of eczema.
By the time he was eight weeks old, he was showered, head to toe. The sight was terrifying. Albie’s face was flushed with purulent blisters, and his skin was peeling off. He looked like he was burned.
The aesthetic element is the least troublesome side of this disease. Five million adults and children in the UK struggle with eczema, also known as eczema, a condition caused by skin contact with an allergen or an irritant. In the mildest form, eczema can be controlled – provided that appropriate steroid drugs, emollients, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antiallergic drugs are selected by doctors at their discretion. In 75 percent. of cases, the children’s rash passes after several years.
But acute eczema is a devastating disease. It takes away the sleep and well-being of children and their parents. As one mother put it, “turns life into hell.”
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the UK’s public health agency, in its latest recommendations on this troublesome, chronic inflammatory skin disease admits that “not all doctors consider eczema a serious condition.”
“Albie was scratching himself all the time, it was so itchy that he couldn’t sleep,” remembers Milli. – At night, I lay down next to him and held his hands so that he wouldn’t scratch himself and wake him up in pain. I was awake most of the night, and in the morning I was covered in pus from his pimples. I was physically and emotionally exhausted. All the family suffered, my partner George, our daughters Bess, 6, and Ursula, 4.
The respite came thanks to Dr. Richard Aron, a 74-year-old dermatologist who admits patients in London and South Africa. His method is very slightly different from the typical treatment recommended by the British NHS (the national health service system), and yet it brings spectacular results. His parents cannot praise him highly, while the medical community is taking him cold.
“Most of the doctors I visited with my son reassured me that Albie would probably grow out of it,” says Milli. – But I wanted someone to finally help him.
The GP referred her to a pediatrician, but the oral antibiotics, steroid ointment and emollient he prescribed did not bring any relief. Milli, who breastfed her son, eliminated common allergens such as wheat and dairy from her diet. She also got rid of allergenic agents in the house, such as soap and softeners. Nothing helped.
Finally, on Facebook she found the page of the discussion group “Dr Aron Eczema Treatment Discussion Group”, where parents satisfied with the therapy shared their comments on the first effective therapy. Dr. Aron, a specialist in the treatment of atopic dermatitis, has learned to help over 4 patients. Parents posted pictures of their children before and after the treatment – all babies looked healthy, radiant, and had smooth, silky skin.
Initial skepticism quickly faded out of desperation. An online consultation cost £ 80 (that’s the only fee, Milli emphasizes). She sent the doctor photos with a description of the disease, he sent the treatment plan back. She paid £ 35 for making the ointment according to his prescription at a pharmacy in London.
“I remember the day the postman brought a tube,” he says. – We smeared our son at lunch. Dr. Aron recommended that you first rub your skin five times a day. In the evening you could see an improvement. On the second day, Albi’s face was beaming. Today, after seven months, my son has practically no rash anymore.
– Interestingly, every doctor I told about this reacted with contempt or showed no interest at all – adds Milli.
Contrary to fears, the miracle preparation does not contain “folk” ingredients such as toad’s saliva. On the contrary, Dr. Aron uses only the basic measures prescribed to treat childhood eczema – steroids, antibiotics and an emollient. The uniqueness of his therapy lies in the different method of administering drugs: all three elements are part of a custom-made ointment, the proportions being selected individually, depending on the severity of the symptoms of the disease as well as the age and weight of the patient.
British doctors usually prescribe patients a short course of oral antibiotics. Even if they recommend a topical treatment, it is usually short because of the risk of resistance to the antibiotic.
“It is known that topical steroids and an emollient should be used to treat eczema,” says Dr. Aron. – However, not everyone knows that at the same time you also need to apply topical antibiotics that fight bacteria that multiply on the skin. These bacteria produce a toxin that stimulates the release of histamine into the subcutaneous tissue, which irritates the nerve endings, causing pain and burning. Topical antibiotics deal very well with this problem, unfortunately oral antibiotics do not.
Many parents are concerned about taking steroids. The NICE report shows that in over 25 percent In cases, the therapy is discontinued before its completion because parents are concerned about skin thinning.
“Some doctors recommend taking steroids every day, others taking a break every five days,” says Milli. – Before, when we used Albi’s steroid ointment, everything was fine until we took a break. It was enough to discontinue the drug once, and the rash came back with redoubled strength.
According to Dr. Aron, it is the result of the constant presence of bacteria. The prescribed ointment usually consists of 30 g of mild corticosteroids per 300 g of emollient, the concentration may be lower depending on the age of the child. The ointment is applied up to six times a day, without interruptions. When the condition of the skin improves, the ointment is applied less often.
The simplicity of this therapy works to its advantage, says Margaret Cox, president of the UK National Eczema Association. – Patients are prescribed various ointments, creams and lotions. Patients are often not sure how to use them, which is why they apply them too rarely – he explains.
Cox knows Dr. Aron’s method. In her opinion, “this is nothing new”. – I suspect that its effectiveness is to some extent due to the fact that patients are simply patient with the therapy.
“I don’t mind using topical antibiotics for a short time to treat eczema,” he adds. – But you have to remember that you may develop resistance to antibiotics. Under no circumstances should they be used prophylactically.
Dr. Aron assures that he does not prescribe antibiotics prophylactically – research shows that 90 percent. eczema patients suffer from bacterial infections. Only long-term topical antibiotic therapy is able to successfully fight the bacteria.
Dr. Aron’s therapy changed the life of Elaine Richardson, 51, from Cumbria. Her daughter, 13-year-old Sophie, suffered from eczema from an early age. When the girl was eight years old, the disease got worse. Elaine had to quit her job to look after the baby. For four years, Sophie was stuffed with steroids, antibiotics, and strong immunosuppressants.
– My daughter felt worse and worse. Our life has turned into hell, says Elaine. – In the evenings, people didn’t want to go to bed. It was known that it was impossible to fall asleep for half the night because the sheets had to be changed, there was blood everywhere and whole patches of skin.
Elaine found out about Dr. Aron from Facebook. She contacted him immediately. An ointment was made at the pharmacy according to his prescription, and Sophie smeared it on Wednesday. – On Saturday, we noticed that the skin calms down, as if someone pressed a button and turned off the irritation. We got our daughter back.
The GP refused to prescribe the ointment, which would save Elaine £ 45 for each tube. “He said the topical use of antibiotics and steroids is against NICE recommendations,” he says. – I got angry. For 10 years they had the child smeared with steroids, there were times when they stuffed her with antibiotics for months! My daughter suffered so much. All these ingredients are available from us, and they don’t want to write me a prescription.
She got the prescription only when she showed the doctor an article from “The Daily Telegraph”, in which the head of NICE, prof. David Haslam said if patients are demanding NICE-approved drugs from the NHS, doctors should prescribe them.
Recently, an NHS doctor has issued a prescription to Elaine for ingredients in the treatments recommended by Dr. Aron. – We apply the ointment only once a day – says the happy mother. – Sophie is a completely different child today.
At Medonet Market you can buy a set of cannabis cosmetics for children and adults. The products soothe the symptoms of eczema and have a strong moisturizing effect. You can also reach for a creamy ointment with mummy, algae and urea or Herbamedicus aloe gel.
Atopic Dermatitis: The Common Treatment
Atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common form of eczema, usually affects children. It is manifested by redness and dryness of the skin, its itching and cracking. It is not known exactly what causes AD, although the disease often runs in families and attacks people prone to allergies.
Treatment varies according to the severity of symptoms, but usually consists of two components: an emollient (to keep the skin moisturized) and topical anti-inflammatory corticosteroids.
Additionally, antihistamines can be used to relieve itching; oral corticosteroids; and an oral antibiotic treatment that lasts from seven to fourteen days and is antibacterial. Healing bandages also soothe dry skin and itching.
Parents are advised to avoid common detonators such as soap, washing powders, and synthetic fabrics.
Tekst: Anna Maxted
For eczema skin care, it is best to use natural cosmetics without any chemical additives. A good choice will be a soothing cream and a milk for dry skin for children and babies Robatko.