My severe Eczema is ruining my day to day life! Help.

Ok, my daughter is going through another flare-up, I believe was triggered by her stressful job, which she has had to stop and is even considering a career change... She is off all creams from the doctor and makes her own from coconut oil and shea butter; she has drastically changed her diet, drinking water/herb teas, and eating only ORGANIC foods, which are more expensive but then she's not tempted to waste money on junk, which balances out fine! She practices daily breathing/relaxation/meditation to help calm her and tries to keep stress balls at hand when the itch comes. And she has FAITH that her eczema will GO! Okay? 

Tom, have you tried natural remedies? (Worked for me, could for you too)

Hi Tom 

I totally sympathise with everything you've said. Unless you've ever been where we are ppl just don't know. 

Im 35 n had eczema my whole life, I'm fully aware of waking up with blood all over my sheets, my socks sticking to my feet, scratching n scratching n scratching my skin because the itch is unbearable! I would rather be clear without eczema failing that I'd rather be sore than itchy anyday. 

I use steroids cream when it's bad n they still work thankfully. I did use Doublebase as an emollient but now I use epaderm cream emollient n it glides on like silk I absolutely  love it,would never go back to doublebase now. I quite like aqueous for the shower. 

I was at the dermatogist for 5 years had the sunbeds which never done anything, I was given zinc bandages n tubey grip bandages for on top they were brilliant really helped, the zinc does dye ur skin white so no short sleeves whilst having these unless you want ppl to stare. Now's a good time to try them I used mine slap back in the middle of summer for the world to see when I wore t shirts or vests but didn't care a wink who looked their ignorance not mine  

I'd ask ur Dr to maybe try those. I'm also on strong antihistamines that knock you out at night when your most active to claw at yourself. 

Youll get there Tom will just take a wee while. I know it gets you down n it's so painful but you will get there. 

Chat soon

daryn 

Tom you sound to me like you need to be under the care of a good Dermatologist as there are many different medications and approaches to long term ezcema. I have the same problem as you and it was driving me nuts. I finally saw a very helpful Dermatologist who changed my medications, sent me off for allergy testing and is considering UVB treatment. Over the counter meds are not going to do it for you - sign on with a GP at your Uni and get a Derma referral. 

Hi there, I can feel your pain and frustration in your post. I have experienced the same frustration myself. I have very severe eczema for 45 years and can completely relate. 

Please understand that not everything works for everyone, we are all innately different. But, this what works for me when I am in a situation such as yourself. First I go to the doctor for a weeks dose of prednisone, I also ask for an antibiotic either Keflex or Clindamycin. The reason I ask for both prednisone and the antibiotic? If you have open wounds and you're that itchy (anything that has a yellow patch in the sore) almost guaranteed that you have a skin infection (this can lead to big trouble), Also prednisone lowers your immune system which makes you very susceptible to cellulite, shingles and other infections of the skin.

Once I'm clear, usually about 4-5 days. I use a soap with manuka honey and oatmeal.  I use a cream with tea tree oil and vitamin E and then I put a thick layer of vaseline on top (do this in the morning and at night). Manuka honey will remove bacteria from your skin and the tea tree oil cleans and vitamin E softens, the Vaseline keeps everything in. Once the barrier of your skin is compromised your body is open to a whole host of problems. Trust me I have learnt the hard way.

There are tons of people who are down on cortisone (probably for good reason), but desperate times call for desperate measures. When you unable to control your eczema you need to make some choices to ensure your healthy and it doesn't drive you crazy.

Good luck and I hope that you will feel better soon.

Best wishes to you,

Oxygen. 

I had the same problem all through my school years and after. Then my cat died and it all disappeared, I would seriously reccomend having some allergy testing because the that would have shown me the trigger. And it could have been sorted out all along. Have you just got a new pet?

A different approach to eczema treatment:

I started eliminating gluten from my diet around a year ago. I used to suffer reflux on a daily basis and take lots of anti-reflux medication. After going gluten free with my diet, my reflux along with other symptoms disappeared completely. I have to admit my energy levels improved amazingly, and as a consequence of my diet, I'm eating healthier now and it's all good now.

My 9 year old daughter started suffering terrible dermatitis 2 years ago which I have tried to manage with all sorts of medicated creams. Homeopaths, GPs and dermatologists have seen her without reaching any conclusion except prescribing more creams. However, I eventually realized that wasn't taking me anywhere. So I took my frustration to a new GP and asked him to order some blood tests to find out about my gluten intolerance just to confirm that I was gluten intolerant.

Following my visit to this "open-minded" GP, I mentioned to him my suspicion that my daughter may be gluten intolerant or celiac (at this point, I've already read enough paperwork and research from specialist doctors around the world). So he did, because he understood my desperation as a Mum.

In the mean time I put my daughter on a GF diet at the beginning of November 2015. After just 4 days of following the diet strictly, her skin improved dramatically, from severe eczema to a clearer skin. Still long way to go, but it seemed I was on the right track! However, her skin has continued to improve much to my relief and the whole entire family and her skin looks almost clean after 2 months.

Back to the blood tests and they arrived last week and they confirmed she is celiac. What a relief! At least I got an answer to my frustration. Being Celiac means that her life will change forever. No more normal foods loaded with gluten, no lollies, ice creams, biscuits or chocolate amongst others. These days it's easy to find these products in a healthier version, just have a look to the big supermarket chains and you'll find that the healthier food aisle is getting bigger and bigger, including all sort of healthy options for people with food intolerances.

I couldn't let this opportunity pass without recounting my personal experience on this forum. I've read about other parents’ experiences with their kids suffering, especially with skin diseases and after what I've learnt and experienced, I just want to pass the message to those who are going through the same frustrations. Best wishes in your journey.

Ana xx 

Tom if you are still out there and suffering. Please try this. After suffering as you are for many years a chance encounter with a skin specialist changed things for me,I was having an awful flare up and he came into the room SMELLED my hair and prescribed me a shampoo (apparently people with eczema produce a type yeast that can cause flare ups) I have not looked back. It is called nidrodal 2% use it as directed even on your eye brows and lashes. Also I use lactos free milk I think it helps

My daughter had eczema for a few years on her hands and around her mouth. I have tried lots of treatments (cortisone and others ointments prescribed by doctors). All this treatments were useful for a short period and after that the eczema reappeared and the previous treatment were no longer useful.

I have decided to prepare myself an ointment (I am chemist). She applied this ointment on her hands every night before going to sleep, and it is now under control. The skin is a little bit dry, but by applying this ointment things are under control. She depends on this ointment but is the most efficient treatment we have tried so far.

If you want, I could send you a sample and test it, you only have to pay for transportation.

You can trust that this ointment is made in safe conditions and contains natural ingredients.