At Christmas time, we noticed a few small blisters on Gaelle's left thigh. We thought it was a bit strange, but assumed that was just another rash that would go away quickly. Then the blisters grew and multiplied. I looked it up on the web and identified a textbook viral infection called Molluscum Contagiosum. Robyn and Alice happened to catch it too (as implied by its name!), but only very mildly compared to Gaelle's case. It is a typical childhood infection which people hardly notice but of course, in the case of atopic kids, it is much nastier.

Early January, as the rash was getting worse, we saw the GP, who offcially diagnosed the Molluscum and stated there was nothing to do, that they used to treat it but found out treatments weren't necessarely more effective. We had to wait for the immunity against it to build up and then it would disappear. This could take months, though. So we went home, a little worried, I must admit, but prepared to 'wait for a natural clear-up' of the virus in Gaelle's body.

Then came the routine dermatologist appointment and she agreed that we were to wait and see. She did seemed a little surprised by the look of the rash, though, and I could tell she thought that was quite a bad case of Molluscum!

Came March and the spots had really spread out, reaching the back of the leg, the other leg and the torso. Some were bleeding, some were so big they were touching eachother. You get the idea. Not the nicest rash to look at. I took a few pictures, but to be honest, they are not doing any justice to Mr Molloscum, which actually looks quite impressive and a little scary now, even for a mum used to skin conditions...

We decided that we could not wait anymore and something had to be done to stop the autoinoculation and avoid a secondary infection, especially after learning that it could take up to two years to clear! In the meantime, Gaelle is also becoming self-conscious and worried about it.

I phoned up the dermatologist secretary to try and get an emergency appointment  before our routine one at the end of May. I tried several times, even emailed the dermatologist directly with some photographs but no luck. All clinics are fully booked until then and of course, there are no appts on bank holidays... They won't transfer Gaelle to another clinic or consultant either.

So I phoned A&E, but they don't have specialists, so there is no point going there. They told me to ring NHS 24. Which I did straight away. They took all my details for about 20 minutes, phoned me back after another 20 minutes and ended up telling that they don't have any specialists either and anyway, they only give advice anyway, not treatments. They told me to try and see the GP again, he might be able to refer Gaelle to another dermatologist who will see her quicker. So I emailed the GP and got an appointment the day after (I can be pushy when necessary). He tried again to convince me to 'do nothing', 'less is more in most cases', etc. But Gaelle is NOT most cases, her immune system is poor, we know it, so I beleive we must do something for her before the rash reaches all other parts of her body, including her face, and before bacteria gets in through the bleeding spots.

Finally, the GP agreed to speak to the dermatologist (same one) by the end of next week, which is this week. It is now Thursday night and still no news......

I had another close look at the rash tonight, it's not good.

I really feel like no health professional cares at all about Gaelle right now. They're just leaving her to suffer (the rash is itchy and uncomfortable), while it is getting worse by the hour. I just can't believe they don't see that prevention is key. It is too late now for it anyway, but surely there must something they can do and I will get it for my daughter. I will email the GP yet again tomorrow...