Any eczema sufferers?

Hi everyone,
I have suffered from eczema and extremely dry and sensitive skin since I was a baby and it's getting to the point where I need to do something about it that will make a difference in the long run, I'm 22 now and fed up of worrying about flare ups, not being able to control anything and going through trial and error stages in order to find something that works!
I've gone to countless Drs and Skin Specialists regarding it and I'm always just put on steroid creams to control it, but no one ever tells me how I may be able to get to the root of the problem and heal myself from the inside out.
Has anyone who does suffer with eczema tried things like ancupuncture, or herbal/Chinese medicines and if so which ones worked for you...if any?
I do eat manuka honey daily, and drink lots of green tea as these are known for their healing qualities for skin conditions but I just wondered if anyone on here had any more advice or tips on what you have done to combat your conditions...?
Thank you :)
«1

Replies

  • Snow3y
    Snow3y Posts: 1,412 Member
    I'd personally look into some dieting tips that would help with it... Any issues that I've had regarding skin, hair or such, has been diet related.. By simply eating more of one food could make the biggest difference :)
  • I notice that my eczema flares up when I eat a lot of milk products & eggs; I try and limit the amount I eat & that mostly keeps it at bay.
  • medavidcook
    medavidcook Posts: 129 Member
    I suffer with it solely on my fingers, i have numerous test done and cant point out what causes it to flare up, I have tried a lot of things and only thing that seems to control it and helps prevent flare up is Hydromol Ointment, it is a perscription product so need to see you dr. Dieting wont necesserly help unless you know what causes your flare ups.

    Mine seems to flare up more with dust to the point it cracks and bleeds.

    Hope this helps.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    my husband has eczema and has tried all kinds of herbal stuff, none of it works. eating too much sugary stuff like cake and chocolate seems to make it worse, as does beer - though that might be the dehydration not the beer itself.

    Make sure you're using a good moisturiser regularly and steroid cream as and when you need it. stress causes it to get worse for my husband as well.

    make sure you're getting enough good fat in your diet, salmon and olives or olive oil, apparently you shouldnt eat tomatoes as they can cause inflamation.
  • tattygun
    tattygun Posts: 447 Member
    In to see replies
  • All I can offer is the suggestion that you avoid all artificial ingredients and additives. i have never found a food allergy or other basis for my eczema and nothing topical (OTC or from a dermatologist) has ever done anything for me. I guess a lot depends on the kind of eczema you have. My feet and hands are mostly affected (right now just my feet) by pompholyx eczema and I have found that avoiding food additives keeps blisters at bay. Applying olive oil or a heavy, hypoallergenic moisturizer and wearing socks to bed helps keep my skin soft. Good luck - I read somewhere that a third of the population has one form of eczema or another (don't know if that's true or not).
  • peacefrog08109
    peacefrog08109 Posts: 44 Member
    My eczema is pretty bad too. The backs of my knees look like I've taken a cheese grater to them in the summer. I have found physical and emotional stress will trigger flares as well as my seasonal allergies. Sweating doesn't help either. I have heard that trying elimination diets will help as eczema can be a sign of a food allergy. I haven't tried this yet though mainly because I'm lazy.
  • aquarabbit
    aquarabbit Posts: 1,622 Member
    I only have a few patches, but I agree that certain foods set it off. I switched to Almond Milk, which has helped a ton. I'm not a true clean eater, but I did go gluten free after finding out I shouldn't have it (:sad:), and that seems to have helped a lot. As far as skincare products, I'm also extremely sensitive. I try not to use things that don't have fragrance or dyes. I also add a little bit of honey to my lotions. Since you're already eating some, try adding a LITTLE bit to your cream. You don't want to be sticky, but it's great if you're dry. And I try to use only physical sunscreens instead of chemical ones. Oh, and as far as the fragrance free products go, I try to do that with all my cleaning and laundry products too. Makes a big difference in my skin and my allergies.
  • RamonaFr
    RamonaFr Posts: 112
    Mine flares up more during allergy season, and when I'm under stress. Reducing stress helps, taking allergy meds during allergy season seems to reduce the intensity, although that's just my observation.
  • amyfullbrook
    amyfullbrook Posts: 97 Member
    Thanks for all your replies it's nice to know (well not nice but you know what I mean!!) to see that I'm not alone and so many people suffer with the same thing I do.
    Been doing a bit of digging, has anyone tried Emu Oil? It sounds completely weird, but I might give it a go!
  • medavidcook
    medavidcook Posts: 129 Member
    Thanks for all your replies it's nice to know (well not nice but you know what I mean!!) to see that I'm not alone and so many people suffer with the same thing I do.
    Been doing a bit of digging, has anyone tried Emu Oil? It sounds completely weird, but I might give it a go!

    Emu oil can work, i have not tried it but know someone who did and it made the flare up worse so be careful.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I had this problem for most of my life until I had a really bad flare up and got referred to a dermatologist at the hospital.

    Steroid creams are just to get flare-ups under control, unfortunately a lot of GPs/non specialist doctors prescribe steroid creams to control the condition. What it needs is the right emollient (most GPs just prescribe the same one to everyone) and then the emollient (which doesn't contain drugs it's just a mix of oils) is used for long term control, in addition to certain measures to protect the skin's barrier, e.g. what kinds of cosmetics and skincare products you use.

    Seeing this particular dermatologist was probably the best thing I ever did for my skin because after a few months of the prescribed treatment, it's completely cleared up. I still have to be careful with skincare products, I still use pH balanced ones suitable for eczema (even many things labelled as suitable for sensitive skin are not, and it can be individuals so a list of what kinds of products I should avoid won't necessarily help you, other than anything alkaline or containing detergent is pretty bad for most people with eczema). The problem with eczema is that the skin's protective barrier gets washed away easily, leaving the skin open to irritation from allergens, and can even cause you to become sensitised to things you weren't allergic to before and can even leave it open to infection. You don't need to heal yourself from the inside... you need to rebuild your skin's protective barrier.

    Anyway, my point is ask to be referred to a dermatologist and don't accept being treated by a non-specialist. If what the non-specialist was doing had helped you wouldn't be making this post. Overuse of steroid creams is not good for you, and the dermatologist I saw explained how the wrong steroid cream does more harm than good, yet the right one in combination with the right emollients can help get the condition under control within a couple of months. I basically used the prescribed steroid creams for a few weeks and kept them in case of flare ups but almost never have to use them. Even the emollients i don't need to use them one tenth as much as I used to, because I know how to keep my skin's barrier protected where before it was constantly being washed away.
  • peachstategal
    peachstategal Posts: 398 Member
    I did not develop eczema until 4 yrs ago when I got a Pomeranian puppy. Evidently, the fur irritated my skin. It's been worse this past winter and I think all the cold weather might have contributed. Steroid cream helps.
  • highlanderthedog
    highlanderthedog Posts: 14 Member
    I am currently healing from a very bad flare up of eczema on my right index finger . My skin was so dry it was peeling and got cracked and started to bleed in a few areas. At the height of it I couldn't even bend it the skin was so tight and swollen. I am moisturizing with Eucerin calming cream and wear a cotton glove at night and it seemed to help. I am going to switch shampoos to one with no SLSs since I read that strips your skin. I have hydrocortisone valerate (Rx) that I occasionally use but try to stay away from it as much as I can. My husband thinks my eczema is seasonal but I think it may be diet related so I need to start eliminating a few things to see if it makes a difference. I do not eat artificial sweeteners anymore but still have it. I will try dairy first for a week and then eggs. I would love to get to the root cause of it.
  • amyfullbrook
    amyfullbrook Posts: 97 Member
    Thanks for all your replies it's nice to know (well not nice but you know what I mean!!) to see that I'm not alone and so many people suffer with the same thing I do.
    Been doing a bit of digging, has anyone tried Emu Oil? It sounds completely weird, but I might give it a go!

    Emu oil can work, i have not tried it but know someone who did and it made the flare up worse so be careful.

    Ahhh ok, I suppose it's the same with everything...trial and error! I only ever buy small tubs and try it in patches around my body to see if it causes a reaction or not...then I move around to see if it works. :)

    The best oil I have found, which helped for months but after using it for so long it seemed by skin became immune to it, was Argan Oil. I used it morning and night every day, so maybe this is why but I haven't used it for around a year now so I'm going to buy some more and see if it works again :)

    Almond Oil is also good, as is Coconut Oil but in small quantities.
  • donthesitate
    donthesitate Posts: 255 Member
    I dont have eczema, i have kp, which is similar and they look the same. I find moisturizing and sun exposure helps a lot. In the shower i use pure coconut oil all over and just kinda rinse it, some of it soaks in and it is really moisturizing compared to just lotion.
  • heel_striker
    heel_striker Posts: 32 Member
    I used to have bad flare ups on the palms of my hands and my fingers, especially in the winter months. I cut out dairy and it completely went away. I eat only a little bit of dairy now and I haven't had a flare up all winter long. I would suggest playing with your diet first.
  • mortuseon
    mortuseon Posts: 579 Member
    Just constant emollients (Dermol is great), replacing soap with lotions you can get from the doctor - some people find by cutting various things out from the diet you may identify a trigger (see 'elimination diets'). Have you had a patch test to check for allergies? Mine is mostly gone now and although it does occasionally flare up, I'm not bleeding everywhere like before-!!

    Edit: don't use the steroids all the time. They're quite harsh on your skin ad tehy're deisnged to take inflammation down once or twice a day, then the emollient does the rest. Without an emollient (e.g. Diprobase, Doublebase, Dermol, Epaderm...I went through a lot as a child!) you won't see results. I would try these before a 'natural' remedy as 'herbal' remedies are often code for 'snake oil'.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    My son has eczema pretty bad. Creams, special soaps, etc; nothing really helped. Then we went on vacation. After 2 days in the ocean, it was gone. When we got home I started putting epsom salt in his bathwater. It's better now (this was 3 years ago), but that's what helped him. I think he's grown out of it now.
  • micheleld73
    micheleld73 Posts: 914 Member
    My eczema travels as I do. When I lived in CO it was on my arms and extremely severe (the doctors had me on anti itch meds as will as a prescription cream). When I moved to FL I was clear for the first few years then got it really bad on my hands (my fingers would swell and split - I would have band aids on every finger!!). Now I'm in TX and I get mild patches, most recently on my upper lip. It's mostly related to allergies. As it is not as dry here as in CO and not as much pine here as FL I don't have it as severe here. I use Eucerin lotion when I get flare ups. I never really thought about how foods effect it, but that is something to consider!!
  • mortuseon
    mortuseon Posts: 579 Member
    I had this problem for most of my life until I had a really bad flare up and got referred to a dermatologist at the hospital.

    Steroid creams are just to get flare-ups under control, unfortunately a lot of GPs/non specialist doctors prescribe steroid creams to control the condition. What it needs is the right emollient (most GPs just prescribe the same one to everyone) and then the emollient (which doesn't contain drugs it's just a mix of oils) is used for long term control, in addition to certain measures to protect the skin's barrier, e.g. what kinds of cosmetics and skincare products you use.

    Seeing this particular dermatologist was probably the best thing I ever did for my skin because after a few months of the prescribed treatment, it's completely cleared up. I still have to be careful with skincare products, I still use pH balanced ones suitable for eczema (even many things labelled as suitable for sensitive skin are not, and it can be individuals so a list of what kinds of products I should avoid won't necessarily help you, other than anything alkaline or containing detergent is pretty bad for most people with eczema). The problem with eczema is that the skin's protective barrier gets washed away easily, leaving the skin open to irritation from allergens, and can even cause you to become sensitised to things you weren't allergic to before and can even leave it open to infection. You don't need to heal yourself from the inside... you need to rebuild your skin's protective barrier.

    Anyway, my point is ask to be referred to a dermatologist and don't accept being treated by a non-specialist. If what the non-specialist was doing had helped you wouldn't be making this post. Overuse of steroid creams is not good for you, and the dermatologist I saw explained how the wrong steroid cream does more harm than good, yet the right one in combination with the right emollients can help get the condition under control within a couple of months. I basically used the prescribed steroid creams for a few weeks and kept them in case of flare ups but almost never have to use them. Even the emollients i don't need to use them one tenth as much as I used to, because I know how to keep my skin's barrier protected where before it was constantly being washed away.

    I totally agree with this.
  • krystina_letitia9
    krystina_letitia9 Posts: 697 Member
    Food allergies can cause eczema. Try eliminating certain food groups from your diet for a while, then reintroduce them back in - if you don't get your answer, try eliminating something else. May not be the cause but it can't hurt to try! My eczema is caused by dairy (which I haven't successfully cut out yet, haha).

    Another thing to look at is the products you use. My husband has severe eczema and he was resistant to trying a food elimination. His dermatologist said that a lot of people with eczema have an allergy to lanolin, which is in tons of lotions - and he bought all types to try. He started looking at labels of products and his skin has cleared up dramatically.
  • Ditto the ocean - I failed to mention that. One day at Jones Beach (Long Island) and my feet are 90% improved. And it isn't the salt in the water, it must be something else because I've tried foot baths with various salts, even Dead Sea salt doesn't help. But the Atlantic can cure me :)
  • amyfullbrook
    amyfullbrook Posts: 97 Member
    Just constant emollients (Dermol is great), replacing soap with lotions you can get from the doctor - some people find by cutting various things out from the diet you may identify a trigger (see 'elimination diets'). Have you had a patch test to check for allergies? Mine is mostly gone now and although it does occasionally flare up, I'm not bleeding everywhere like before-!!

    Edit: don't use the steroids all the time. They're quite harsh on your skin ad tehy're deisnged to take inflammation down once or twice a day, then the emollient does the rest. Without an emollient (e.g. Diprobase, Doublebase, Dermol, Epaderm...I went through a lot as a child!) you won't see results. I would try these before a 'natural' remedy as 'herbal' remedies are often code for 'snake oil'.

    You're like me I went through them all as a kid! Diprobase, Doublebase, Epaderm...everything! I try not to use the steroids too often once a day at most, it's the places I put it that I'm aware of. Like some areas of my face that get sore etc...I don't like using them on my face! And chest as the skin there is thin anyway!

    I haven't had an allergy test yet, I was told I needed to pay to have one and didn't have the money at the time but I will have one of those soon I think. I have tried cutting out certain foods from my diet ie dairy and gluten and nothing happened but I may do it again to see if that does anything.

    I also only ever use Liz Earle shower gel as it doesn't contain any artificial soaps or lathering agents, this is the only one I can use :) and it's lovely! It's expensive, about 12 quid a bottle but obviously so worth it.

    To those of you of have been helped by the ocean I'm very jealous!! I used to be able to swim in the sea all day on holidays but now it just kills me if I even go near further than knee deep in it and my skin looks like it's had a chemical burn!! Not cool when you're in Greece on a romantic holiday I'm telling you!! :)

    Glad to hear peoples babies have grown out of it also, that's one thing I'm terrified of with having children is that I will pass this onto them and they'll suffer as babies, children and never grow out of it like me. It's always nice to hear people actually do grow out of it :)
  • EmmieBaby
    EmmieBaby Posts: 1,235 Member
    I have eczema on my scalp, fun fun, I noticed that tomatoes are a big flare fruit so I tend to avoid it.

    I also noticed when I work out regularly it goes away, thinking maybe because I am sweating toxins out maybe? not sure...just know it helps me lol.
  • amyfullbrook
    amyfullbrook Posts: 97 Member
    Food allergies can cause eczema. Try eliminating certain food groups from your diet for a while, then reintroduce them back in - if you don't get your answer, try eliminating something else. May not be the cause but it can't hurt to try! My eczema is caused by dairy (which I haven't successfully cut out yet, haha).

    Another thing to look at is the products you use. My husband has severe eczema and he was resistant to trying a food elimination. His dermatologist said that a lot of people with eczema have an allergy to lanolin, which is in tons of lotions - and he bought all types to try. He started looking at labels of products and his skin has cleared up dramatically.

    Lanolin...one thing I'm also allergic to!!! And it's in everything!!

    Have you had any good changes with decreasing your intake of dairy? I'm going to try to do this for a few weeks to see if it helps at all and try to get my calcium from elseware. :)
  • amyfullbrook
    amyfullbrook Posts: 97 Member
    I have eczema on my scalp, fun fun, I noticed that tomatoes are a big flare fruit so I tend to avoid it.

    I also noticed when I work out regularly it goes away, thinking maybe because I am sweating toxins out maybe? not sure...just know it helps me lol.

    So do I!! Scalp eczema is not good!! :(

    Tomatoes are a flammatory food yes, as is pineapple to my utter dismay I love the stuff!! When I have proper, fresh tomato soup my skin goes crazy!

    I also find when I work out my skin is better so you're probably right!! If only we could constantly work out eh!! ;)
  • tiggerhammon
    tiggerhammon Posts: 2,211 Member
    I will have to go back later and read other people's replies, don't have time right now.

    My daughter has eczema and for us the solution was in finding what was causing it. Rrrr, I wouldn't say solution as we haven't found a 'cure' for it. But, we have discovered she only flares up by certain things (grass mostly) coming in contact with her skin.
  • chin_chilla
    chin_chilla Posts: 1 Member
    Mine gets really bad with chocolate, whey products (those milkshakes devastated me... they also caused me horrible cystic acne. The dermatologist prohibited it ), lack of activity, stress and heat.

    I stay almost a 100% eczema free when I swim daily. It must be a combination of chlorine + sweating toxins + keeping the skin working.

    I also get relief from glycerin body creams + green and oolong tea + water. Ocean water or cold temperature are good, too.

    Right now I have a flare caused by an ant!
  • tracydr
    tracydr Posts: 528 Member
    I have three types of eczema. Dyshydrotic, regular and nummulite. The nummular doesn't usually cause issues but the other two are a constant issue. I use Eucerin cream or lotion for extremely dry skin. I also use fluconilide ointment. My eczema is driving me crazy this month and our air is down to 5% humidity! plus hay fever.
    If I go on a scuba trip to a tropical island or CA, it always gets better.
    Maybe I should move to Bonaire and become an instructor?