Eczema?! Please help!

gsarro

I have suffered from eczema for a number of years now. It first started on my breast and than went away only to pop up on my ankle. I scratched it so bad I took skin out and left an open sore. I went to a dermatologist and received some cream and another cream to help with the itching. The cream he gave me has helped immensely with making it go away. However, it seems to come back when I am stressed or sick. I haven't been able to completely get rid of but I have been able to get the redness down. It still isn't the most attractive spot on my leg. My diet really doesn't seem to be a factor on the breakouts.

You should go to a dr and see what he can give you. The amount of cream I use is less than a small nail full. They want you to use it sparingly.

Hope this helps one sufferer to another.

rjbrowne

I would definitely get it diagnosed. My kids get eczema patches. If we are consistent with the cetaphil cream(the one in the tub) it goes away. We just have to use it frequently.

luv_lea

African black soap (found on Amazon/ebay/natural health food stores?).

It's worked wonders for me!

Also 100% Shea Butter. They also sell shea butter soap on Amazon that some reviewers have claimed helped their eczema, but I have not tried it yet.

LisamarieBond14

The doctors' patch test works completely differently to the way you do it at home. They put a concentrated spot of something on your back and cover it. You have to leave it for around 3 days and then they measure the size, shape and colour of the reaction you have to it... Uncomfortable and you can't shower and you feel like a robot!

EDIT - I didn't finish your response - sorry! I believe that I'm allergic to other things that didn't come up in the patch test, too... My dermatologist said not to worry about foods though so I don't know if I'm allergic to a food source.

jrose74

This is coming from someone that suffers from psoriasis my whole life.......There are several natural healing books that deal with eczema and psoriais that I have read over the years. One in particular states that there are several trigger foods that causes inflamation of both skin conditions. Tomatoes and tomatoe based anything is extremely toxic for ppl who suffer from this, along with black pepper and any white starches.
I am one that has every treatment in the world (including natural ones) I have decided after suffering for years and now with having psoriatic arthritis from having psoriasis for years I would highly recommend seeking medical advice for the Dx and then make your determination about what Tx would be best for you. Unfortunately there is NO natural healing for myself at this point, not if I want to keep my ability to move. Good Luck on finding out what works.

jcnuebel

My doctor suggested taking a soaking bath with a quarter cup of olive oil. It worked well. I wish they had a lavender smelling olive oil though...LOL. Soaking in olive oil just made me think of supper. It makes your tub slippery too. After the soak, pat dry and apply your moisturizer right away. The doctor recommended Cere Ve, but I found Cetaphil works best for me. It is no fun. The bilateralness of it makes me think it is systemic, not from contact dermatitis, but hey...I'm not a doctor. Good luck at the appointment.

AgnesMangles

Go to a doctor to have it diagnosed, but you may not have to use the steroid cream they may prescribe. I have eczema on my hands and face and Cetaphil cream really makes an outbreak go down. You have to use it every time you get the area wet until the eczema heals, but it works wonders. Just be sure to by the cream in the jar, not the moisturizer in the bottle.

72MonteCarla

Ok, so I found a dermatologist that would see me today. I was told that it is contact dermatitis. "Use a steroidal cream to clear it up, and an over-the-counter cream that I just happen to have a whole pad of coupons for..." Blah, blah, blah. Treat the symptom... Just as I knew would happen. Western medicine is so screwed up. I explained my concerns with steroidal medications. She insisted that I trust her. After all, she uses the same steroidal ointment, and she is pregnant. This was supposed to make trust her? It just made me think she is nuts. I'm supposed to go back in a week. If it isn't cleared up, then we'll do patch testing. But if it is cleared up, then we just ignore that it ever happened? Pretty much. That was that. No time for discussion, time to make $ treating the next person's symptoms... If I didn't have to take a half day off work for every appointment, I would shop around for a better doctor, but I have to work so I can keep getting this insurance to pay the ****ty doctors, and to get my paycheck so I can pay the ****ty doctors the chunk that isn't covered by insurance. Grrrrrrrr.....

jjblogs

Ok, so I found a dermatologist that would see me today. I was told that it is contact dermatitis. "Use a steroidal cream to clear it up, and an over-the-counter cream that I just happen to have a whole pad of coupons for..." Blah, blah, blah. Treat the symptom... Just as I knew would happen. Western medicine is so screwed up. I explained my concerns with steroidal medications. She insisted that I trust her. After all, she uses the same steroidal ointment, and she is pregnant. This was supposed to make trust her? It just made me think she is nuts. I'm supposed to go back in a week. If it isn't cleared up, then we'll do patch testing. But if it is cleared up, then we just ignore that it ever happened? Pretty much. That was that. No time for discussion, time to make $ treating the next person's symptoms... If I didn't have to take a half day off work for every appointment, I would shop around for a better doctor, but I have to work so I can keep getting this insurance to pay the ****ty doctors, and to get my paycheck so I can pay the ****ty doctors the chunk that isn't covered by insurance. Grrrrrrrr.....

My doctor did warn me that the steroid creme would thin out the skin where you are using it. Need to be very careful. I decided against it. Still think you should try my suggestion early in the thread before you consider a prescription. After a few weeks of using the Raileigh salve, I rarely have to use it anymore, and my hands were a total mess...basically open sores because of having to wash during the day so much. Very painful. They cleared right up.

bkandisjj29

I have had eczema in small patches all my life but it never bothered me until 2006. That year, my skin exploded. I got it all over my body. I looked like a monster. It was horrifying. I went to several doctors and tried everything. Finally, an esthetician told me to request a prescription of triamcinolone. I did, and there was an immediate improvement. By a week, it was gone. I am the same as you, I had no desire to be on steriods the rest of my life, so I sought a more natural remedy. What I finally found is to use two things at the same time. First put Pevonia's Dry Skin Lotion on the area, and then the basic original Eucerin over that. I now use my prescription like maybe four times a year or so. You might have to do a steriod for a short period of time just to get it under control initially.

Also, I finally figured out what was triggering mine, it was my shampoo.

I hope you get relief soon! It is absolutely awful, I feel for you! Saying a prayer for you!

withervein

I have several friends who have had success easing the symptoms of eczema with aloe based moisturizers. I sell a brand they really love. Most skin diseases of this nature don't have a cure, but there are ways to improve the look and ease the symptoms.

A good mineral oil free, aloe base moisturizer can really help. If you are interested in what I sell, I would be happy to tell more or gather testimonials, but I don't want to advertise and get into trouble.

kmozymoz

I've had eczema since I was born, and I've been using small amounts of prescribed triamcinolone cream for upwards of 7 or 8 years with no harmful effects. That's just me though. I have a nickel allergy, so I use it where it breaks out on occasion.

With that said, make absolutely sure you shower after swimming, and lotion up. There's nothing that irritates my skin more than if I don't shower immediately afterward, and shea butter lotion works wonders. I recommend Gold Bond.

DianeG213

bump - My son has Eczema - so many helpful suggestions here.

LisamarieBond14

From age 7 I used a high dosage steroid cream everyday, applying it 4 or 5 times every day too, on instructions from my dermatologist. When I was 20, they told me that it's really bad to use it more than 2 or three times a week as it significantly thins the skin... That'll explain my transparent skin then!

veganbaum

Ok, so I found a dermatologist that would see me today. I was told that it is contact dermatitis. "Use a steroidal cream to clear it up, and an over-the-counter cream that I just happen to have a whole pad of coupons for..." Blah, blah, blah. Treat the symptom... Just as I knew would happen. Western medicine is so screwed up. I explained my concerns with steroidal medications. She insisted that I trust her. After all, she uses the same steroidal ointment, and she is pregnant. This was supposed to make trust her? It just made me think she is nuts. I'm supposed to go back in a week. If it isn't cleared up, then we'll do patch testing. But if it is cleared up, then we just ignore that it ever happened? Pretty much. That was that. No time for discussion, time to make $ treating the next person's symptoms... If I didn't have to take a half day off work for every appointment, I would shop around for a better doctor, but I have to work so I can keep getting this insurance to pay the ****ty doctors, and to get my paycheck so I can pay the ****ty doctors the chunk that isn't covered by insurance. Grrrrrrrr.....

Okay, but now at least you know it is indeed eczema. So start researching. I agree it's a ridiculous and backwards system in many ways. I had to do the same thing with migraines. I've always had migraines, when I was younger I just suffered through them (pressing my head against the wall and trying to fall asleep in a dark, quiet room). The first doctor I asked talked to about them tried me on a couple of different medications - all of which were new and just on the market. They made me ill, sure the migraine pain would be gone in about an hour, but in the meantime I was shaky and nauseous, sometimes vomited, and couldn't do anything but lay there - might as well have just had the migraine. But they got really bad for a couple of years and I read up a lot about them on my own and was able to find ways to diminish them somewhat and then found a new doctor who was more willing to work with things the natural way, but I still knew more about migraines than she did. It's just the way things currently are. It's still better that you know what it is for sure. I hope you find a way to treat it!

bio_fit

Western medicine is so screwed up............. No time for discussion, time to make $ treating the next person's symptoms... If I didn't have to take a half day off work for every appointment, I would shop around for a better doctor, but I have to work so I can keep getting this insurance to pay the ****ty doctors, and to get my paycheck so I can pay the ****ty doctors the chunk that isn't covered by insurance. Grrrrrrrr.....

Not all 'Western' health care is delivered in the USA style, don't lump as all in together

trudy45

I have suffered from this my whole life and I am not on tablets that keeps it clear, but when I went swimming and I was broke out we used to put vaseline all over my body to keep the cholrine from getting onto my skin x

mickipedia

I've had eczema all my life.. Was really bad when I was young and has started breaking out again in the last few months, please don't refer to it as a disease.. I feel gross enough as it is.

I think its the cold weather/chlorine in the pool that has been making mine come up again as I was fine for years and its only recently started again. I find that a decent covering in unscented moisturiser keeps it under control.. I doubt if you'll need stereroid cream as that is for really bad cases.

Try moisturising every day (or twice, once in the morning and once before bed) and put a very thick layer on to make sure your skin has plenty.

If this doesn't help then go to the doctors, as I've found there is only so much you can do and a decent moisturising routine works best for me

netchik

I get it a lot, and if it's bad, something that works for me is baby oil gel applied to wet skin, straight out of the shower. It really helps with the tightness and stinking when it cracks etc, because I find the skin is softened by my shower, and the baby oil gel retains the elasticity that the moisture gives. Because it's a gel, it's not greasy either. And my skin is super soft afterwards

Look for your triggers as well and learn to avoid them. For me it's stress. And if that happens when the seasons change, I break out in the most horrible way (big weather changes always make me break out)

WingMan380

Ok, so I found a dermatologist that would see me today. I was told that it is contact dermatitis. "Use a steroidal cream to clear it up, and an over-the-counter cream that I just happen to have a whole pad of coupons for..." Blah, blah, blah. Treat the symptom... Just as I knew would happen. Western medicine is so screwed up. I explained my concerns with steroidal medications. She insisted that I trust her. After all, she uses the same steroidal ointment, and she is pregnant. This was supposed to make trust her? It just made me think she is nuts. I'm supposed to go back in a week. If it isn't cleared up, then we'll do patch testing. But if it is cleared up, then we just ignore that it ever happened? Pretty much. That was that. No time for discussion, time to make $ treating the next person's symptoms... If I didn't have to take a half day off work for every appointment, I would shop around for a better doctor, but I have to work so I can keep getting this insurance to pay the ****ty doctors, and to get my paycheck so I can pay the ****ty doctors the chunk that isn't covered by insurance. Grrrrrrrr.....

^^This pisses me off to no end!! My wife is in the medical profession, I have worked in the medical business as well, your stereotype of doctors is so wrong on so many levels it isn't funny at all. I agree that there are some doctors out there that are not as good as others, but there are plenty of physicians that do take the time and interest in their patients to properly diagnose and treat the issue. The first step in your treatment process is to change your not so pleasant attitude toward the medical profession and those who work in it!!

Sorry I clicked on this thread.

bio_fit

^^This pisses me off to no end!! My wife is in the medical profession, I have worked in the medical business as well, your stereotype of doctors is so wrong on so many levels it isn't funny at all. I agree that there are some doctors out there that are not as good as others, but there are plenty of physicians that do take the time and interest in their patients to properly diagnose and treat the issue. The first step in your treatment process is to change your not so pleasant attitude toward the medical profession and those who work in it!!

Sorry I clicked on this thread.

To be fair - they are talking about a specific doctor, not a stereotype, and have said they would like to look for a better doctor. Implying she is fully aware there are good doctors around.

goodasgoldilox165

Any sudden change that is a worry is well worth checking with a doctor. (Don't worry about being forced into using steroids etc. - only you decide whether to accept the Dr.s suggested treatment.) However eczema can be caused by all sorts of things. It is common in one branch of our family. Some 'citrus flavouring' or whatever is in jelly sweets sets off many of us. Clorine - washing powders - shampoos - (with or without perfume!) can be trouble for others. Natural things can be just as inflamatory - sitting on grass in shorts sets off the legs of many children. A change of diet can be a temporary irritant. (Eating less oil/fat does dry out the skin and make it more likely to be irritated) Even the arrival of spring can do it! Most of my family will tell you that a major cause is stress. (My Dad has a little patch on one ankle - he would bend to scratch it and we would guess which of us had set it off this time... was it my brothers 'exciting' driving lesson - or my sister's late night party - or my accidental weeding of all his new baby carrots?) My daughter has a patch on her arm at the moment - and is preparing for an exam. You can use it as a marker to relax a little - so perhaps it helps save your heart and blood pressure? Keeping skin moist and staying calm/cool helps the symptoms.

Tiff587

I've suffered bad eczema my whole life. Evening primrose is supposed to help though I've had little success. Steroids don't even work well for me.

I'm with you, my brother and I both had it bad as kids, but we have conquered it.
We take Evening primrose and cod liver oil. Stay away form any cream with chemicals in them. When it flairs up best thing I have ever found is Oilatum Emollients, it so cheep and usually gives me perfect skin in 48 hours!

:flowerforyou:

WingMan380

^^This pisses me off to no end!! My wife is in the medical profession, I have worked in the medical business as well, your stereotype of doctors is so wrong on so many levels it isn't funny at all. I agree that there are some doctors out there that are not as good as others, but there are plenty of physicians that do take the time and interest in their patients to properly diagnose and treat the issue. The first step in your treatment process is to change your not so pleasant attitude toward the medical profession and those who work in it!!

Sorry I clicked on this thread.

To be fair - they are talking about a specific doctor, not a stereotype, and have said they would like to look for a better doctor. Implying she is fully aware there are good doctors around.

I for sure did not get that reading the post or the origional post either. Her comment "Treat the symptom... Just as I knew would happen. Western medicine is so screwed up." Everything that was said was generalized talking about how doctors are just interested in making $$ and getting kickbacks. Doctors do not get kickbacks, they are illegal and are forbidden by the drug companies. I know, I have worked in a medical clinic as an accountant.

Neonazu

Try Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar for both external application and internal consumption. I'm trying it cause there has been many benefits associated with it.

I had eczema for ~12 years. 17 now. My worst was at my primary-secondary school age where I would eat whatever in the day and suffer at night.

I would recommend you to not eat fast food, not drink soft drinks and to add more fruits and vegetable into your diet.

I got better because of the anti-biotics medicine and steroid cream that my doctor gave me because at that time, it was absolutely terrible. Of course, I've reduced the intake now but it really helps in controlling and subsiding it when I really really need it.

Don't EVER let this overcome you.

almonds1

I tried a tanning bed and it worked for me... I was using cream and still getting it. I tried tanning 1 or 2 times a week and bam!! gone

JadeRabbit08

Not the same thing but I suffered from very bad psoriasis for many years. It completely covered my scalp and when really bad (when under stress) part of my face as well.
I can't tell you how that effected me socially to be that disfigured. Its is incredibly itchy and torturous because you always want to scratch it. Just touching you scalp or effected skin causes the flaky skin to fall off into super dandruff so there is always a charming cover of skin flakes on your shoulders. Under the skin flakes the skin is red and sore, sometimes it will bleed.
I spent years trying to get it fixed and using whatever was recommended by doctors and dermatologists.

Finally what did work was recommended by a new hairdresser that I went to. Neem oil. Its very very cheap to buy. I think it is not well known by the medical professional because drug companies haven't worked out how to make money from it so it isn't pushed forward as a treatment to medical personel. I put this on my scalp and felt very quick relief from the itching. After wearing it overnight with a towel wrapped around my head I washed my hair. Repeated this 3 times that week although after the first treatment my scalp looked clean and the itchyness has disappeared and then that was it for 2 years it was gone. If I start to see it coming back (slight bit of flakyness) I do one treatment and that lasts me another year or so. Its like a miracle. I don't know how it works as I believe psoriasis is an autoimmune problem, but it did dramatically for me.

I have heard that it works on eczema as well although I don't know anyone personally who has used it for this. Remember to patch test anything in case of a reaction.

This site has information on it and you can order from them as well. They make alot of claims I can only vouch for it freeing me from psoriasis outbreaks.

http://www.neemoil.com.au/index.php?_a=product&product_id=22

Any doctors or medical scientists out there this stuff is amazing and worth looking into.

beckystephens

Thank you guys for all of the info. I never knew what the itchy scaly patches were until i started googling it the other day. I so far have only gotten it on the inside of my thumb - and trailing down to the web of my hand in between the thumb and forefinger. I have wanted to get a manicure done for the last few weeks but was too embarassed to go. Hopefully some of these fixes will help!

chrissytrivette

i have eczema on my hands. it is annoying when it happens but the cremes are absolutely not affordable in the slightest so I just deal with it.

doctor recommended dove soaps, or 'the least harsh you can find' as he said. try not to use alcohol products on your skin as they will dry it out and make the itching worse.

get it looked at by the doc. it might be eczema, might not! you can't know til they check it out.

^^ This! I have eczema on my hands as well. I freaked out because I had a bad rash and it kept spreading. I went to the doctor who couldn't come up with a diagnosis so I was referred to a dermatologist. I was given a steroid shot to help the redness and itching and a cream to get rid of the rash. I was told to use Dove soap, avoid coming in contact with any chemicals or cleaners (even dish soap breaks my hands out so I wear gloves while doing any kind of cleaning), and avoid any lotions and body sprays that aren't designed specifically for people with skin conditions. I also have rosacea so I have to be super careful what goes near my face or I look like a tomato for a few hours.

newata

I've had eczema for most my life and the last couple years it's been really bad. I'm thankful that I made it to the dermatologist, they're not bad people. Yeah the creams can be bad if you use them everyday for years but it seems like you have a mild case so treat it aggressively, don't miss applications of the cream and it should go away and you should be fine. My dermatologist also recommended getting Cetaphil skin cleanser, clean your body and hands with that and then apply vanicream to the dry areas (you can purchase this at either a dermatologist office or at target) and it should help keep your skin from having eczema break outs.