Question My 9 yr. son is having skin problems from last 2 years (or maybe more). Some rashes will start near his ear pinna(where it connects to face), then this rash turns to something like wound, little bit watery. He gets similar rashes on the upper eye lid between eye brows and the eye line, few on cheeks. They are not painful. Doctor recommended Elidel, but it has not gone. Elidel application continuously make rashes/wounds-like to go but it reappears after few days. Sometimes they are a little bit itchy. I have stopped Elidel as the reports are not good for long term application. He also has lot of rashes/red dots on the outer side of elbow, lower arm, on fingers especially knucles and they are increasing. Please help us understand them and the possible causes/treatments.
Answer There are a number of skin conditions your son could have. You son could have a form of eczema called atopic dermatitis. The treatment for this is topical steroids or the new non-steroids like elidel or protopic. There is no increase in malignancy with both of these drugs. Read the AAD response to the new FDA guide lines at www.aad.org .
Now your son could also have psoriasis. Did your son recenlty have a strep throat. If so then your son has Guttate Psoriasis which is treated with oral antibiotics like Keflex. Your son could also be very allergic to agents that come in contact with his skin. Thus, your child could have what is called a contact dermatitis or allergic reaction. Since I cannot see your child's skin. I cannot be totally sure of the diagnosis.
