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Ichthyosis and irritant dermatitis

Posted , 4 users are following.

nicole22603
nicole22603

Does anyone have experience on this.

Have been patch tested twice and both came back negative. 

My dermatologist just tells me it's the ichthyosis that's producing the scales.

I had not bathed for 3 weeks and although my skin was dry and tight was not scaly and falling off like snow. The moment I put on an emollient (arms, legs, buttocks and stomach) the skin it irritated, flaking, burning and red looking. 

Why is this happening and what is the next step to take.

This has been happening for the past year and I'm now extremely frustrated and depressed about it. 

I hope someone can help me. 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • mrsmop
    mrsmop nicole22603

    Posted

    Hello Nicole, I'm sorry you are having such a bad time  http://www.ichthyosis.org.uk/

    This gives you the support group web address

    • nicole22603
      nicole22603 mrsmop

      Posted

      There is not much info on the website relating to my problem. 

      The only solution is to use emollients but I am absolutely certain these emollients are irritating my skin.

      Trying to find out what and why is becoming exhausting financially and emotionally. 

    • mrsmop
      mrsmop nicole22603

      Posted

      I have a different skin problem but they gave me the standard emollients, which also irritated me.  I have found that Nivea works just as well as anything

      Have you tried contacting the support group?  

    • nicole22603
      nicole22603 mrsmop

      Posted

      Not contacted the support group yet. Even having a bath severely irritates my skin now. 

      I'm 38 and have had the condition all my life, it has been in remission for 20 years. 

      I used fairy washing powder 1 year ago and it had flared the ichthyosis up.

      Untill then I used surf lavender liquid, dove soap and vacaeline derma care body moisturiser.

      If I used anything else it irritated my skin, but then I could always go back to what I usually used and my skin would calm down.

  • lilsky
    lilsky nicole22603

    Posted

    Hi, I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis couple of years ago and I suffer badly with my skin itching and rashes etc if I have a bath and use certain emollients and washing powder etc. I was advised to have showers instead and before I get out turn it to cold and make sure the cold water touches every part of my skin only for seconds. This closes the pores apparently. Then I use cheap emollients, diprobase or bio oil depending on how my skin is. It does itch only now and again but nothing like it use to. I also use unbranded washing powder.
  • nicole22603
    nicole22603

    Posted

    Since both patch tests came back negative the specialist in allergy dermatitis does not want to see me in her clinic. I am struggling day to day with my skin condition. The dermatologist does not seem to know what to do. This is a picture of my face 20 mins after using cereben lotion. I then had to use a potent steroid to calm the redness down. Somehow dermatology does not seem to see this as a problem. Nor can come up with a plan. I still am unable to use washing detergent to wash clothes, bedding, towels etc. Cant use emollients to moisturise my ichthyosis skin condition. I am really p*ssed off 
  • nicole22603
    nicole22603

    Posted

    Update is that the dermatologist can do no more. 

    So I just have to manage. I currently had a reaction to my hair dye and toothpaste. The stuff I have a reaction to is getting longer. I guess they won't be satisfied until I end up in hospital with a severe reaction. 

    NHS is a joke! 

    • mrsmop
      mrsmop nicole22603

      Posted

      I'm sorry to hear that Nicole

      I have just started to use Corsodyl toothpaste, it is SLS free and, so far, seems ok.  It has a baking soda base

      I don't know about hair dyes, I have never used them

      Can you try using washing soda to wash your clothes?  I know that white vinegar makes them very soft and removes all residues,  you use about a cup to a wash.

       

    • kyera84884
      kyera84884 nicole22603

      Posted

      A question, do you take a multi-vitamin or any other non-prescribed supplement.  I was taking a kids multi and had to quit to do a test.  The test was delayed so I had to stop taking the multi vitamin longer.  The multi-vitamin caused a lot of my allergies.  Chances are it wasn't the vitamins, but whatever they used to bind the vitamin pill together.  I think my body was so busy combatting the "vitamins" that my regular body defences couldn't combat hair dye, etc.  Also not all hair dyes are the same.  My reaction to hair dye was extreme itchiness and my head swelled. I could do hennas.  Hope you are doing much better.
  • kyera84884
    kyera84884 nicole22603

    Posted

    I have eczema from birth (now 58). I developed dermatitis later in life.  I noticed on my legs that the skin was really dry and starting to show a hatched pattern.  Then on my left arm I developed a scaly patch of dry bumpy skin that my dermatologist said was dermatitis.  I decided to go naturopath.  I can't do multi-vitamins or vitamin D tablets, and I don't do well with most oils (vegetable or ointments) and sometimes react to petroleum jelly.  What worked for me was taking 1 teaspoon of cod liver oil in 2 oz. orange juice taken on an empty stomach (late at night or first thing in the morning).  They recommended thourough mixing before drinking.  I usually use a paper cup, pour in the orange juice and top with cod liver oil.  I swish it through my teeth and swallow.  Tried several cod liver oils to get a mild smelling / tasting one.  Don't take too much cod liver oil as it is high in Vitamin A as well as D.  Made a huge difference on my skin. This may not work for all types of dermatitis but my type was Ichthyosis.  Don't know how this affects the rest of the body or the long term effects, but worked on my dermatitis and mild arthritis.  After 6 months cut back on dosage. I used the "codfather's book".
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