Eczema

Google searches for creams/ointments for relief from eczema seems to throw up my blog at times. (It is interesting to note the kind of searchwords that throw up my blog.) So if it helps people, here is what I know from our experience in providing relief to our eczemic son.

Atogla: a skin emollient that soothes and nourishes the skin. We apply it on his face and body soon after bath, without towelling him too much. A dermatologist told us that eczemic people have less moisture content (than the usual 10% ) in their bodies, so moisture retention is a must. Not all medicals shops have it though it is manufactured in Chennai. I get my stock from 7 Hills Medicals in Anna Nagar. It costs Rs.100 for the cream; the lotion is more expensive. The cream is what Ash's dermatologist has recommended.
Eumosone M has also been recommended by paediatricians but I guess it has steroid/cortesone content and not too good for long-term, daily use.
Right now we use an ointment called HHsone, mixed in liquid paraffin at bed time or if he itches real bad. There is also a teaspoon of a syrup called Lormeg to be taken at bedtime.
Ever since we found this wonderful doctor called Patrick Yesudian on PH Road (behind Kumaran hospital, though getting his stupid secretary to give an appointment is a feat), Ash has found great relief from his affliction. Until then he had been a dermatologist's delight. He told us not to stop any food - seafood, egg, citric fruits whatever - unless he shows an allergy/itching within two hours of consuming it. So nowadays Ash takes everything except cocoa products. He still itches when he takes chocolates but I cant deprive him of the pleasure of having them once in a while, itching or no itching. When he is old enough to understand that it is not right for him, let him stop of his own accord.
Ash's skin condition had flared up sometime back - probably caused by the Bournvita and other cocoa-based health drinks we were giving him. I think there has been a miraculous change once we stopped that. But it must be a different thing that causes allergy in another eczemic person.
The doctor also recommended that we let him wear full-sleeved shirts and trousers - something like a night suit so that he wont scratch himself pink. We are yet to do that - still looking out for night suits. We also needs to prevent him from playing in sand/mud - which is not difficult living in an apartment.
And I didnt know until recently that eczema was the same, age-old disease called karappan in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. That means there will be a cure in Ayurveda too. To think I had baffled elders in Kerala by calling it eczema!