Jumping on the bandwagon

The blogging bandwagon that is. Even though I don't personally know anyone who blogs, I have read a few...and it seems like fun. So tonight I decided to get myself one. Good way to record some of our life here in Switzerland and stuff with the kids if nothing else.

Speaking of, the big issue at the moment is Charlotte and her excema. Not that we knew it was excema last Wednesday when she first came out in a rash. Dr thought it might have been Scarlet Fever (scarlatine in French, I think) but the mouth swab test came back negative. She had a shocking night Wed, vomitting and itching, miserable all night (3.5 hours sleep for me) so took her back to the pediatrician (unfortunatley not Dr C, our regular, but Dr T her colleague who just isn't as nice). Once again she ruled out Scarlet Fever as she had no fever and her mouth didn't have the white dots. Allergic reaction, was her tentative diagnosis. Towards what, who knows (although after we returned from Prague last Sat night I did use a new washing powder, one that's been stuck in the back of the cupboard for yonks, which turns out, Michael tells me, not to be washing powder. Not sure what it is as it's all in French - something to help with washing your colours??).

Anywho, she had another terrible night last night (Fri) with Michael and I taking turns holding her nearly the whole night. When she woke before 6am I thought 'bugger this, we're going to the Children's Hospital (hopital des enfantes, or something similar). Dr T had said on Thurs that if Charlotte wasn't better by Sunday to take her to the hospital. Based on Fri night, I didn't want to wait an extra day.

Well, the dr at the hospital was very thorough and kind. Asked all the right questions and said it was excema. Poor kid, she hasn't been able to stop scratching and has been miserable and all we've given her is Fenistil drops (anti-histamine) and pain killers. With this diagnosis she was prescribed a liquid for the bath for calming her skin, cortisone cream (morning and midday) and a thick unguent cream for prevention (night). And she recommended we go back to the Dr's on Monday to check the medication is working.

I started the regime this morning and so far she hates the cortisone cream and doesn't mind the rest. Unfortunately tonight has started off like most other nights this week with her crying and miserable and me holding her. I wasn't able to put her into bed till after 10pm. I really really hope she sleeps the rest of the night. I so need a good night's sleep.