Eczema attack

LaComadreja14

Not sure this goes here but... maybe?

When I first started on FP in August I was also battling a terrible Eczema break out, everything that the fam. physician I work with prescribed either made it worse, did nothing or worked for a while and then stopped. I had lost 8lbs with FP, my body looked freaking wonderful, I was feeling amazing all the time, but my skin just kept getting worse. Finally the fam. physician said that working out was probably not a good idea until I could get to a dermatologist because sweat makes eczema worse. I finally got to see him last week. He has me on a new coritcosteriod + a special soap and a special moisturizer. I have had eczema my whole life but never this bad until last feb when I moved into my apartment, we think there is something here that is triggering it... I asked him about exercise he said that once I get my skin under control I can start exersizing again, little by little but I am supposed to try to stop for a good break before I start sweating. I kinda feel like its going to take forever to get anywhere with that technique... once I get my new apartment end of this feb/begining march I may be able to start exersizing regularly again but as for now... I am stuck with the "little by little" thing. Which feels like its not going to get me anywhere. I am excited and motivated to start exersizing again, however I am really nervous. I feel like I am finally, for the first time in nearly a year, getting my skin under control and I don't want to ruin it... However, in my frustration about giving up exersise I also gave up healthy eating and I've gained back 5lbs but it feels like 20 or more. I really want to get back into it but I am really nervous....
Any eczema sufferers have advice? I was never a gym girl.. I work out at home, mostly belly dance but a little jogging and weight lifting too. I take adderall so I am constantly drinking water to stay hydrated.... What do u guys do?

LaComadreja14

No one has any tips?

aoife234

I haven't had severe eczema since I was a kid, but I get small outbreaks from time to time. My doctor recommended Aveeno to me to keep psoriasis in check, and I've found it really helpful, particularly the Shea butter one. http://www.directchemist.com/aveeno-skin-relief-body-lotion-with-shea-butter_1_4425.html

If it's too far gone for that, I used to have a friend eczema on 70% of her body, she used to get light therapy. I don't know if you've tried that?

Diet can help too, avoiding dairy, coffee... you could try hemp oil and oral anti histamines for the itching?

If you've just moved, maybe something in the garden triggered it? I used to be allergic to certain ferns that would bring it out, and hedges... so random! Or a new laundry detergent?

Hikaru37

Severe eczema sufferer here too!

I've noticed my arms look quite red and sore after exercising and sweating but they tend to go down shortly after, after I've had a shower and put cream on

I have really bad outbreaks over my whole body if I'm sick, cos when my immune systems being crappy the eczema decides to pop up and say HI GUYS

I'd suggest omega 3 fish oil capsules, eating lots of oily fish and food good for skin (I've been doing this daily for a few months and noticed less bad outbreaks)

Medicine wise balneum, diprobase (whenever I get out of a shower or bath I smoooother myself in this and other unperfumed moisterisers -neutrogina every day repair body lotion is really good- and let it sink in for about half an hour, cos my skin always dries out after showers and stuff DX) and use teeny tiny ammounts of hydrocortisone OR betnovate OR eumovate

My mum got some stuff online for me ages ago which was quite good, called cardiospermum or something like that
I remember the name cos I was like LOLOLOL SPERM

LaComadreja14

Sadly, I tried aveeno and it didn't do much for me. I'm using cetaphil which helps... but sometimes it burns which i think is normal but not definately not comfortable lol.

I've already cut out any dairy (lactose intolerant).. but coffee.. ohh man. I really don't wanna get rid of coffee. Is it because of cafine (if you know) because I take adderall for ADHD which im pretty sure has caffine. And me with out addys is like a ferret on stimulants... not pretty.

I am doing the anti histamines, it helps a lot but I've never heard of hemp oil. Do you have to order it? Whats it used for?

I actually moved in here last feb and this has been going on since shortly after we moved in. Our lease is up in feb and we're looking for a new place, I am hoping to track down my irritant before then so I can keep away from it.
I am also looking into organic laundrt detergent, but we've been using the same one for at least 5 years and I never had a problem with it before. Although, at this point I am willing to try almost anything that might, in some way, make me less "allergic" to my own sweat lolol.

I haven't had severe eczema since I was a kid, but I get small outbreaks from time to time. My doctor recommended Aveeno to me to keep psoriasis in check, and I've found it really helpful, particularly the Shea butter one. http://www.directchemist.com/aveeno-skin-relief-body-lotion-with-shea-butter_1_4425.html

If it's too far gone for that, I used to have a friend eczema on 70% of her body, she used to get light therapy. I don't know if you've tried that?

Diet can help too, avoiding dairy, coffee... you could try hemp oil and oral anti histamines for the itching?

If you've just moved, maybe something in the garden triggered it? I used to be allergic to certain ferns that would bring it out, and hedges... so random! Or a new laundry detergent?

LaComadreja14

I just now read about the fish oil capsules on another site and am happy to hear that its helped you. I am soooo going to go buy some now. As soon as I read it was like, fish oil is probably a good idea anyway my triglycerides are high haha. So yay for double benefits!

I was using neutrogina for a while and I am not sure what happened. It had helped for nearly a month, nothing was cleared up but it certainly helped a lot.. then out of nowhere, I got out of the shower one day and slathered up and I felt like I had covered myself in hot oil instead of neutrogina. It was painful. I am using cetaphil (moisturizer and their cleanser that is especially made for exzema sufferers) now which helps a lot. It hurts sometimes but no where near as bad as neutrogina did and it didn't suffocate my skin as bad as vasiline intensive healing cream did.

Hydrocortizone cream doesnt work for me (except generic), the ointment does though. My derm told me to stop using it now that I have the RX he gave me.

So showering after exersize and lathering up helps?

Severe eczema sufferer here too!

I've noticed my arms look quite red and sore after exercising and sweating but they tend to go down shortly after, after I've had a shower and put cream on

I have really bad outbreaks over my whole body if I'm sick, cos when my immune systems being crappy the eczema decides to pop up and say HI GUYS

I'd suggest omega 3 fish oil capsules, eating lots of oily fish and food good for skin (I've been doing this daily for a few months and noticed less bad outbreaks)

Medicine wise balneum, diprobase (whenever I get out of a shower or bath I smoooother myself in this and other unperfumed moisterisers -neutrogina every day repair body lotion is really good- and let it sink in for about half an hour, cos my skin always dries out after showers and stuff DX) and use teeny tiny ammounts of hydrocortisone OR betnovate OR eumovate

My mum got some stuff online for me ages ago which was quite good, called cardiospermum or something like that
I remember the name cos I was like LOLOLOL SPERM

AudgePaudge

I used to have it really bad until I moved from AZ to CO. Not much helped for me so I really don't have any tips. I just feel your pain! Good luck with finding a solution :flowerforyou:

mammafrog

Suffered from it all my life! Have you tried baths in baking soda. Also, if what the dermatoglist puts you doesn't work I have something they may work. Its by surprise parties (yes they are an adult toy company but here me out) They sell a pheromone after shower body mist. I spray it on me and my 3 kids after every bath and we have not had a break out in 8 months and my kids almost always have one.

LaComadreja14

@audgepaudge- thank you! I am glad you found a good climate for yourself! That is awesome to hear. My fiancee and I plan on going to his country, honduras, soon and my derm thinks it will be beneficial

@mammafrog- So far what the derm has me on is working well, I am really interseted in the pheromone stuff though! I am going to look into that, thank you!

packer33

As I child I had eczema and over time it developed into psoriasis. I think it varies person to person in terms of severity, and luckily mine is kept pretty under control using psoriasis & eczema cream. The stuff I use is called Fluticasone Propionate (.05%), which I believe is a topical steroid, and it typically clears it up in a couple days. Sorry its become such an issue for you, its the quality of life things like this that can really take a toll on you over time.

TavistockToad

packer33 wrote: »

As I child I had eczema and over time it developed into psoriasis. I think it varies person to person in terms of severity, and luckily mine is kept pretty under control using psoriasis & eczema cream. The stuff I use is called Fluticasone Propionate (.05%), which I believe is a topical steroid, and it typically clears it up in a couple days. Sorry its become such an issue for you, its the quality of life things like this that can really take a toll on you over time.

Well done on finding a 7 year old thread @packer33

SpicyWater

I've had my eczema since I was 7 - the only medication that's ever helped it is topical Fluticasone cream. It's a strong topical steroid so I use it very sparingly, and only for my worst breakouts. Other than that I use plain Cetaphil, any gentle moisturizer, Shea butter on top, and try to avoid harsh fragrances and fabrics that irritate it. So far I haven't noticed any dietary triggers.
Have you tried Eucrisa? I tell anyone who has eczema about it because it's a non-steroid cream that inhibits certain receptors on your skin and is safe as young as 2 years old. Unfortunately it didn't do much for me but it's worth looking into. I wish it had worked for me.

try2again

Fortunately, we are having a mild winter, so my eczema hasn't been too bad. I'm sure with such a severe case you probably need to rely on prescription medicines, but something I've found helpful is Aquaphilic. I hadn't heard that about fish oil. I've been taking a substantial dosage of that for many years for a different reason... maybe that's why my eczema seems fairly well-controlled?

One thing I was curious about is what exactly your goals are when it comes to exercise? You make the comment that "it's going to take forever to get anywhere" with your current limitations... where are you trying to get? Granted, improving cardio fitness would be difficult without sweat, but general health and weight loss is not dependent on high-intensity workouts. I would think walking and some weight lifting would keep you relatively fit & healthy.

allisonwalkernj

Severe eczema sufferer over here as well! I have had it my entire life and sadly no medication has worked well for me. I use steroids when my flare ups get really bad but even they don't really do to much. Woking out/sweating definitely makes it worse for me. I try to bring a small towel with me to the gym and wipe myself off as much as possible during my work out. I also find that if I instantly shower as soon as I get home and moisturize right away it helps a little bit. Be careful with the moisturizer you use because I find if they are to thick (like many of the ones made for eczema are), they actually irritate my skin as well.

Dietary wise triggers for me are sodium (in a BIG way) and soy. To much salt destroys my skin for days. Also, stress is a big trigger as well. I actually had one dermatologist tell me to quite my job because the stress was to much for my body to handle. Also, time of the month and time of year impact the flare ups.

Exercise wise, you can try some new types of exercise that don't make you sweat as much as some of the cardio based ones. I love strength training. Sure you will ultimately get a little sweaty but nothing like running on the treadmill. Also, barre classes and pilates give a great full body workout and don't make you sweat as much.

Hope this helps a bit! Sorry to hear you are suffering so much!

MostlyWater

I don't have that but I do have very sensitive skin. I bring my own soap to the gym and shower and change right after my workouts.

What about doing classes in which you don't sweat - swimming, pilates, etc?

NSthingoldline

Just started suffering from eczema last year and my break out is top thigh/below the glutes and bottom of my left foot (which is weird). Steroid ointment from my family physician didn't work. I am now using an all natural homemade cream I made with Shea butter, calendula oil (homemade), honey (from my bees) and tea tree oil. It helps calm the itch/burn during a flare-up. I'm seeing a Naturopath next week to see about doing an elimination diet. I suspect I've developed some kind of food allergy. I've already eliminated dairy and most sugars from my diet and I've swapped my detergents and soaps to unscented, all natural ones

concordancia

For me, the water I bathe in is usually the worst trigger, especially softened water, but some entire cities seem to be bad for me. Something about the additives. As a teenager, my family switched from a softener to a whole house filter for other reasons and I had clear skin for the first time in years!

Since it can be hard to switch the water, I have found that bathing less frequently can also help, especially in the winter. Sounds like an odd solution, but my acne prone husband was so jealous of my clear skin that he stopped washing at night with his special oatmeal soap and his face cleared up. I cannot use bar soap at all, only sensitive skin liquids. For me, that does not include the Aveeno liquids. Currently, I use the CVS version of Dove sensitive skin or Bonner's unscented baby soap. Remember your shampoo can also be a trigger.

Nothing the doctors gave me ever helped, more moisture never helped, except when I stopped stripping it away daily. Even if I sweat, I will sometimes just jump in the shower immediately to rinse it off without soap. That way the stinky bacteria don't have a chance to grow, much less cause a break out.