Doctor's advice on creams that treat eczema

Are there any complications from using steroid creams on children, infants or babies?

Use of strong topical steroids for long durations can lead to local skin side effects like skin thinning, easy bruising and straie (stretch marks). Use of strong topical steroids on large areas of the body for prolonged periods can lead to systemic side effects like poor growth, osteoporosis, hypertension and diabetes.

Are there any effective non-steroid creams for eczema? If so, what are they?

Moisturisers, when used daily, have been shown to reduce the severity and flares of eczema. It has also been shown to reduce the use of topical steroid creams in patients with eczema.

Topical calcineurin inhibitors (Protopic and Elidel) are non-steroid creams that can be used in place of topical steroids in eczema.

Look out for next week’s topic– Can goat’s milk/organic cotton/seawater help children with eczema?

Dr. Mark Koh Jean Aan

Consultant Dermatologist

Changi General Hospital, Dept of Dermatology

Visiting Consultant Paediatric Dermatologist

KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Paediatric Dermatology Service

For more related articles on your child and health, see:

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Doctor’s answers: Does swimming help eczema?

Doctor answers your questions on eczema and food