A good illustration of the fact that parents really need to do their homework is my latest little battle to get some new bandages for Gaelle.

I am on the web almost daily reading articles about new techniques and treatments of eczema, hoping to make my daughter's daily life a little easier. Last month, I read a thread on an American message board about this new-ish range of under-clothing which has fantastic added benefits. It is called Dermasilk and is designed to be worn under the clothes, daily ; it keeps the skin breathing while stopping bacteria and apparently, patients need a lot less cream (emollient and steroids) as the silky fabric makes the creams efficient for much longer hours. So I was immediately interested in trying some. Gaelle already wears under-clothing bandages 24/7, made of usual bandage-like fabric. They are good (and absolutely necessary) but if the new ones mean we can use less potent creams, avoid long-term effects, limit skin infections and reduce flares, I ABSOLUTELY WANT IT!

After reading a lot more about Dermasilk, I learnt that this was available on prescription in the UK since the start of the year. Why did my GP and my dermatologist not tell me about it?? My guess is that this is probably connected to their high price. Admittedly, Dermasilk is very expensive (£50 for a top, £80 for a pair of PJ's, £15 a pair of knickers, etc.) but if they mean less skin infections (hence less anti-biotics) and a better skin health (less steroids and emollients), surely it is worth it in the long-term for the NHS too?... When will the health services think of prevention as a cost effective measure? Soon I hope.

Anyway, I emailed my GP with all the info I had gathered and he ordered a sample of a few things for me to try out. I then selected 3 main items that work particularly well for Gaelle (polo neck top, leggings and gloves) x 5 to cover a school week. I did receive a couple of items, not even the right ones and not in the right quantities either. After asking why this was, my GP replied that as far as he was concerned, not all items could actually be prescribed and anyway only very small quantities can be ordered as 'they are not designed to be worn daily'. I can only assume my GP hasn't got much knowledge of the product as this is obviously contradicting the manufacturer's own advice! Besides, Gaelle really needs under-clothing 24/7, so what was his point?...

So here I am, having found a potentially brilliant product, but unsure whether I will have access to the right items and having to wash them almost daily because they won't give me 3 more of each..! I will nag and pester until I get the right quantities, though, as I believe it is worth fighting for. I have already started feeling some irritation in my GP's latest emails but we both know I won't give up!

Not all causes are worth a fight,  so you just have to pick the most promising and potentially life changing ones, I guess.

Good luck to all parents who just want the best care for their children. Is this an extraordinary and selfish demand? I have realised over the years that we, parents and care givers, truly are the experts when it comes to improving our kids' lives. No GP, teacher, specialist or health visitor will ever know better than us who our children are and what they need to live a happy life.