REAL LIFE: “Alivia’s fingers and feet are constantly oozing with blood and pus”
Crazy weather courtesy of La Nina causing massive spike in children's eczema.
By Niki Waldegrave
Scorching heat, humidity, cyclones and hailstones courtesy of the crazy La Nina weather system is causing a massive rise in allergies and eczema flare-ups, especially in children, say experts.
Eczema numbers are increasing quickly, with one in three Australian children, like four-year-old twin Alivia Johnson, now suffering with the debilitating skin condition.
Four-year-old Alivia Johnson suffers from severe childhood eczema, exacerbated by the La Nina weather system.
Alivia’s fingers and feet are constantly oozing with blood and pus.
Alivia Johnson suffered from such bad eczema this summer, she can’t even bend her index finger because it’s so infected, red and itchy.
It gets so severe, the Queensland tot has been hospitalised several times in the last year, where she underwent wet wraps. She’s also been on numerous courses of antibiotics, which haven’t helped – and her skin even reacted to some of them.
Alivia’s condition means that can’t even bend her index finger because it’s so infected, red and itchy.
Alivia has been hospitalised several times in the last year, where she underwent wet wraps.
Mum Ashlie Connolly, 31, says although three of her four children have eczema, little Alivia suffers the worst.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she tells Bounty Parents. “Alivia gets so itchy she uses the corner of the bench to scratch herself, and she scratches to the point she’s bleeding.
“Her hands are so bad she can’t even bend her index finger at the moment, and her fingers and feet are constantly oozing with blood and pus.
“Her body is rough and scaly. The minute you put cream on, it just sinks in and then it’s back to square one.
“We’ve been to the hospital several times in the past few months. They’ve given her wet wraps and antibiotics, but she was allergic to those as well.
“We don’t know what to do anymore.”
Alivia’s mum says although three of her four kids have eczema, Alivia suffers the worst.
No part of Alivia’s body escapes the pain.
The only thing that’s worked is an eczema and psoriasis cream from Australian natural skin care brand, MooGoo.
“Within minutes of applying it, the redness subsided,” says Ashlie. “We’ve been using it religiously since, and are also using the sunscreens and other products now as they’re all natural.”
MooGoo CEO, Melody Livingstone, says its social media pages have been “inundated” over the past few weeks with people struggling with skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and mosquito bites.
“The recent heat and humidity we have been seeing is causing people’s skin to sweat and that dries skin out further, causing it to get quite itchy and irritated,” says Melody.
MooGoo CEO, Melody Livingstone shares her tips for helping to manage childhood eczema.
“Most dermatologists say that humidity levels between 30 to 50 percent are most ideal for eczema-prone people, but it’s been extremely high this summer.
“We’ve had so many people contacting us asking what they can do to soothe their skin, reduce redness and alleviate the itch.”
Alivia’s body suffers in the weather.
Ms Livingstone suggested people with sensitive skin moisturise often to help protect the skin barrier, try to keep cool and avoid sweating, and to carefully look at the chemicals used in sunscreens and bug sprays.
“Australia has one of the highest incidences of eczema in the world, and it is only getting worse – 50 years ago only one in 10 Australian children suffered from eczema.
“In summer there is a lot more pollen in the air, it’s the time of year for tropical fruit (which can be problematic), and children are really susceptible to heat rash – all things that can trigger eczema flare ups.”
Help manage your child’s eczema with these expert tips
Ms Livingstone suggests these quick and easy tips parents can follow this summer to help manage their child’s eczema:
- Take a probiotic. Babies and children have immature immune systems and taking a probiotic can help boost their ability to ward off infections.
- Observe diet. Allergic reactions to food can mean an eczema flareup, and in summer babies and infants are often trying new foods for the first time. Remember, some people have reactions when they ingest certain foods, but others have contact reactions to things like mango syrup. Keep a diary of the food your child is eating and their flare-ups to help track the triggers.
- Keep cool. Babies and children are very susceptible to heat rash caused by sweating and so lots of cold baths and using wet washcloths can be a big help. Unfortunately, air conditioning does dry out the skin, so if it’s on, make sure to keep your child’s skin well moisturised.
- Patch test new products. Keeping your baby’s skin moist is essential to prevent eczema flare-ups, and you are likely to try multiple products to find the best for your child. But, before you do, always do a patch test on their upper forearm or eyelids – these sensitive skin areas will react to any allergens if the product is not right for your child and you can avoid a full-blown allergic reaction.
