Icky sheets - what to do?

Gingham_Ribbon

When we go on holiday, we don't take washing powder. We just put a fairly generous squirt of washing up liquid in the drum with the sheets/clothes. It doesn't bubble too much in the caravan site machine so I presume it should be fine in an ordinary one.

It's not perfect, but it's very good on oily stains like butter etc (for obvious reasons.)

Good luck anyway. There are always so many bits and bobs associated with illnesses/medical conditions that you'd never think of if you weren't going through it!

Gingham_Ribbon

Oh, and you could always test it first by putting some on a corner of the sheet and giving it a quick rub and rinse. If it seems to lift it a bit it might be worth giving it a go.

Careful_girl

I use Persil non bio and Comfort Pure. I also use the bio Persil though for my sheets becuase I scratch at night. I have found I have cotton white sheets which can be washed at 60'c to kill the dustmites and they come clean. I find if the lard as I call it is too thick it makes me itch. I haven't had it coming off on the sheets so badly because I must put less on. I prefer Diprobase to the lardy ones use them on my face. Also Oilatum is helpful in the bath (watch makes the bath slippy!) I have found wrapping up in bandages can aid the healing but it depends on the heat. Heat makes me itch. Sweat stings.
Poor little mite. I know what it is like. Hassle the docs.
I was allergic to green veg at one point. I know it sounds wierd but if something works.... I would try lots of things out. We react pretty quick and antihistamines are there for a bad reaction.
Loads of people have suggested the dairy free diet. I cannot bear the thought of no choc and no cheese. I have done the goats milk thing and hated it. Organic is helpful, grow your own is cheap!!
I really feel for you and your child. I have written all the things I can think of. Have you contacted the Eczema society? They have lots of info and some free stuff. Very MSE!!
Very best wishes,
CG:j

newmoneysaver_2

i would say no the the washing up liquid idea. Doing the washing up can kill my hands, let alone sleeping a full night in sheets that misgt have a slight bit of residue left... washing up liquid is one of them stuburn things to get out of things...just my personal thoughts tho!

I have the same thing happen with my black work trousers, the insides are always still covered in flaky skin, even after a go through the washing machine inside out. TBH i just find its one of them things!

Savvy_Sue

Thanks again everyone.

Careful_girl wrote:

Poor little mite. I know what it is like. Hassle the docs.

The poor little mite giving me all this hassle is 49! And has had eczema all his life, sorry to depress anyone who's hoping a child will grow out of it - although of course some of them do. He had so many things tried out on him as a child that he's a bit resistant to change these days. However a couple of years ago he had another bad flare-up, and was referred to the Dermatology Nurse. She HAS been excellent, pointed us to Emulsifying Ointment (very cheap and cheerful but nice enough to use myself!) He had some light treatment last year, and that helped a lot as well. Tried dairy free, with good results, but we were able to re-introduce milk after a while.

DS2 is also mildly affected, rarely enough to want to DO anything about it - and he's 16 now so according to the GP it's up to him! His isn't too itchy, and even when it is we brought him up to stroke rather than scratch and that helps a lot. The strange thing is that with him I was on a dairy free diet while pregnant and breast-feeding: helping with a trial. And he is the ONLY one of our 3 to be at all affected!

Yes, we're members of National Eczema Society. Very wonderful people.

newmoneysaver wrote:

I have the same thing happen with my black work trousers, the insides are always still covered in flaky skin, even after a go through the washing machine inside out. TBH i just find its one of them things!

I feel a lot better about the white flakes now I know they're not dead skin. :eek: As you say, sometimes with eczema you have to accept it's just one of those things!

newleaf

Firstly, Re the oats, you can put them in a drawstring bag and use as a sponge in the shower. They are extremely soothing for troubled skin. (I speak as a former dermatological nurse).
Secondly, re sheets, you could use a Bio powder on them and then run them through a second full wash cycle without any detergent, but it isn't exactly moneysaving, and to be honest, who sees them (or cares) besides you?

Careful_girl

Sorry Sue If I wasn't reading and thinking!! Still poor 49yr old mite. Sorry to hear he had a flare up. It is so horrible. Has he tried Doublebase? It stung me. Then there is Protopic. I was given this a month ago. It is supposed to burn a bit when you drink alcohol :mad:. went out in the sun to put the washing out and thought I was going to catch alight. I will try it in the winter again.
I got burned with the light treatment. A good holiday by the sea helps me.
Again sorry to get it wrong and if I was patronising at all. I am constantly helping the mums at school with eczema probs so just went hell for leather!!
All the best,
CG:j

Savvy_Sue

newleaf wrote:

Firstly, Re the oats, you can put them in a drawstring bag and use as a sponge in the shower. They are extremely soothing for troubled skin. (I speak as a former dermatological nurse).

I had wondered about that. Although because he so much prefers the sauna, he rarely showers at home. Takes too long for his skin to calm down ...

newleaf wrote:

Secondly, re sheets, you could use a Bio powder on them and then run them through a second full wash cycle without any detergent, but it isn't exactly moneysaving, and to be honest, who sees them (or cares) besides you?

I know, I'm feeling much better now I know it's NOT dead skin that hasn't come off. And it only shows because the sheets are terracotta! Might have to go back to a lighter colour and put up with the bloodstains ... which TBH might be a good thing because at least then I'd probably change the sheets more often ...

And don't worry, Careful girl, your post made me laugh, didn't come across as patronising, he needs the sympathy 'cos he ain't getting any from me right now!

Wingman

Just a thought, you could try soaking them in Lux powder, then rinsing through the washer without any soap in Its worth a try.

My daughter has eczma and we also have trouble with washing powder.

iwanttosave_2

Gingham_Ribbon wrote:

What about running it through the machine with washing up liquid first, then doing your usual wash?

Sorry, can't think of anything else.

I thought that as well because its a degreasent, maybe getting some of that ecover one or something equally sansative, or doing a wash with the washing up liquid then doing a normal wash to rince the washing up liquid out properly?