Any eczema sufferers?

mortuseon

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

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.

RiverRun61

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

Mrs_Brigham

I developed eczema later in life and have found that taking Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg's, but I'm sure any ACV that still has the "Mother" in it will do.) has been a great help. I take 2 tablespoons in the morning and 2 in the evening, diluted in my drinking water. The ACV should be cloudy and should fizz when you shake it.

I also use coconut oil all the time. I have a couple teaspoons in the morning, and have a separate container of the stuff that I use for my skin. When I get out of the shower, I rub some coconut oil on the affected areas--I use it for makeup removal...it's some handy stuff, and it doesn't cause my flare-ups to be worsened by dyes and perfumes (one of my triggers)

Hope this helps!