In early November, J’s eczema became really inflamed, especially on his cheeks. The skin was broken and there was a yellow discharge. We decided to take him to Pediatrics & Adolescent (PA) Care in Gaithersburg. This is the practice that one of my co-workers recommended.
First impressions: they only had 1 waiting room, and Alan thought the office was rather small. To weigh J, we had to carry him undressed from the examination room to a scale in another part of the office – I didn’t like this. Pennridge had a scale inside the exam room. We were seen by a nurse practitioner, who was helpful in answering our questions, but who still made me feel rushed. Dr. Taylor saw us briefly, just to confirm the need for an antibiotic (they said Jacob had a staph infection on his cheeks, causing the discharge). They also prescribed a steroid cream for his face and other rough spots. We were only supposed to use the steroid cream sparingly on his face, and then only for like 10 days.
After 10 days, the antibiotic was finished, and his face and body had cleared up using the steroid cream. But then it all came back again in a few days. Alan took J back to the doctor, who then prescribed a 2% hydrocortisone, which the doctor said was safe for his face. Did this mean that the other cream wasn’t safe for his face?! Alan also mentioned that Jacob had a little cold. The doctor said we could give him infant Tylenol. A also said that this visit felt even more rushed than the last. At Pennridge, the doctors repeatedly asked if you had more questions. At PA Care, the doctor only seemed to have time to address the concern that brought you into the office.
The 2% hydrocortisone cream we used on and off, but his cold didn’t seem to be getting any better. One Sunday morning we called the doctor to find out how much Tylenol we could give Jacob. The nurse on the phone said that since J had been sick for 2 weeks already, it was best to bring him in. At the office, Dr. Taylor told us that sometimes colds develop into something more serious. He checked J’s ears for infection, and they were clear. He said Tylenol was only appropriate if J had a fever (which he didn’t). So why did the other doctor tell us to give Jacob infant Tylenol?!
Over Thanksgiving, J’s cold hit its peak. His nose was very runny, and we had to use the nasal aspirator before every feeding. Poor guy – he was so uncomfortable! By the end of the weekend though, it was clearing up.
A and I decided that we didn’t appreciate the conflicting advice we were receiving a PA Care. I went on DC Urban Moms and Dads to find a new pediatrician. I read that the doctors at THH Pediatrics were affiliated with Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. And that their office had well and sick waiting rooms (yay!). We made Jacob’s 4-month wellness check up with them. I wasn’t able to go because of work, but from what Alan told me later, it seemed that Dr. Hsu at THH spent a lot of time addressing A’s concerns/questions and was very gentle with J during the visit.
They discussed J’s growth, sleeping patterns, eczema, and cold. Dr. Hsu said that Jacob being able to sleep 6 hours at night is very good for his age. He told us that we should stick with a routine each night before bed – bath, lotion (for his eczema especially), and feed. And you know what, last night Jacob slept from 10pm until at least 7:30am, when I left for work!
As for Jacob’s eczema, Dr. Hsu prescribed us 2% hydrocortisone and advised us to use it only on his body. For his face, Dr. Hsu recommended over-the-counter (OTC) 1% hydrocortisone. Dr. Hsu said that the OTC version is better for his face because the 2% hydrocortisone can thin out the skin on J’s cheeks. Why didn’t PA Care mention this?! Dr. Hsu also gave us two cans of soy formula to see if that would also help. We haven’t used either hydrocortisone cream, just switched to soy formula, and I think J’s skin is much clearer. Dr. Hsu also told us to not completely dry J after a bath and to rub Aquaphor on him before the skin dries.
And lastly, about J’s cold. Even though Dr. Taylor said J didn’t have an ear infection, Dr. Hsu mentioned that colds usually only last a few days. Any longer than that and it could be a sinus infection. Why didn’t PA Care mention this?! Argggh…Dr. Hsu prescribed Amoxicillin and told us to give it to Jacob if his runny nose didn’t clear up in a few more days. So GLAD we have and like the new pediatrician.
Does Jacob still have eczema? Alex has it on his upper body. We've been using aquaphor on him for as long as we can remember, but it was mostly under control until this year's allergy season. We've used the prescribed steroid cream on and off. I've tried cetaphil, eucerin, 1% hydrocortizone cream and his eczema is still there. Did you find anything that works for Jacob?
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