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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Hi All, I have lived with eczema all my life also (ha! over 50 years) I realized that most the chemicals in lotions and potions, both over the counter and prescribed by every doctor in the country, agitated my skin. This included cortizones and prescription lotions. At that point I created my own lotion and have been free of symptons. In addition, the lotion also clears up cradle cap and most dry skin issues. It's safe to use even on babies! A couple of years ago I created a cream that I can use on my face without clogging the pores or creating a rashy breakout. I am a legally licensed business and am posting this not as an advertizement but because I know the pain! Priced very reasonably, I'll never be rich but am hoping the world will be a softer place :-) Lotions are cocoa butter based and creams are shea butter based. Please feel free to email me if you want further information. gaiabody@comcast.net
Itch and scale free in WA state :-)
Nancy
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Judy (Guest Post)
(10/08/2008)
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I am 62 years old and just got eczema for the first time, I thought I had a bad reaction to a pedicure. It is over my entire body and I cannot get rid of it or even find some relief from it. Any suggestions will help?
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Erica (Guest Post)
(10/04/2008)
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I've been eczema-free for about 2 years now, but I've had eczema since I was about 10 or so. My eczema emerged from the bad decision to use Nair. From the moment I put it on, it completely fried my skin. Thinking that it was supposed to be burning like that, I left it on for the recommended time. My legs were on fire for the next couple days (oh, and not to mention hairy). Eventually, it turned into eczema. I wish I would have just risked getting cut by shaving!
I've been to countless dermatologists and I've been on so many prescriptions for this, none of which worked. I've tried every home-remedy in the book. It got so bad on my arms a couple years ago that my skin was literally hot pink. Finally, I bought Cortizone 10 Plus. It healed my skin within a matter of a week. I've been flare-up free for a good 2 years now.
Once I get out of the shower and dry off, I immediately apply a generous amount of Johnson's Bedtime Baby Lotion to my arms and legs. And that's it until my next shower. The key to keeping eczema under control is to never over moisturize, as you'll trap sweat in the skin and cause a rash, and to never under moisturize, as that will cause dry itchy skin, leading to a flare-up.
NEVER SCRATCH your itchy skin! It might be the most uncomfortable feeling in the world, and the itchiest-itch you've ever had. And it's going to feel great while you're scratching, but just think about how it feels when you're done- the stinging, burning, peeling, and even worse itching than before. I've gotten to the point now where I can completely ignore any itches I might have. It's all mind over matter. If you MUST scratch, use the back of your nails or lightly rub your skin. It's far less damaging.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Im fifteen and I've had terrible eczema since I was two I only had in certain spots like were my joints are but they were so severely torn op from scratching it would bleed and the pain would make me cry not to mention the annoying people wouldnt go near me because they thought it was contagious. I thought it was as bad as it could get at a certain point. I was wrong, last winter I broke out on my face, legs, arms, stomach, neck, and face. It was horrible and painfull i couldnt even straighting out my arms because my skin would rip, I couldnt bathe cause the water stung all my baths had to be oat meal so my skin could stay moisturized. It still didnt help as much as I would like then one day my mom suggeseted a curandera (witch doctor). It was expensive around 400 dollars but it worked I only break out on the back of my legs and a little above my lip to get rid of them I just moiturize and I also own and amazing product Bare Minerals I put it on when im a little red on my lip and by the end of the day I look fine with out the make up. it all came ot to about 472$ but it was worth it. but it you cant afford that I suggested Aveeno lotions not steroid creams there are also herbs you can use to stop the itching and to get rid of redness you can use DERMATEST PSORIASIS yeah I know were talking about eczema but if your broken out really bad it may sting for ten seconds when you first put it on but it goes away.
AND THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOUR CAN BUY SOME NEOSPRORIN PUT IT ON AND INFECTION OF YOUR ECZEMA CAN GET INTO THE BLOOD STREAM.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Jenny (Guest Post)
(07/28/2008)
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I have had chronic eczema for 14 years and terrible patches on my legs if I'm exposed to poison oak (not touch, just in the vicinity) which triggered permanent eczema. I recently went on vacation to Italy and after a week of swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, my eczema completely cleared up. I've been back home for 4 weeks and so far I might get minor spots that itch but it goes away quickly. Before my Italy trip, I've been to dermatologists, allergists, and a homeopathic doctor. Nothing they suggested led to any significant improvement. I was following the conventional method with prescription cortisone cream, taking oral allergy medication. The homopathic doctor had me on various "remedies" and going without lotions. I had given up.
I've looked on the internet and noticed that some other folks have described significant improvement after swimming in the Mediterranean and there are companies out there selling Dead Sea bath salts for treating eczema and psoriasis. Both seas have high salt and mineral content.
I'm going to try the Dead Sea salts since I can't afford a Mediterranean vacation every year (though it'd be nice!).
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Tracy (Guest Post)
(07/23/2008)
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Hi, I am an eczema sufferer myself (have had it since I was a few months old).
Last year, I had the worst eczema I could possibly imagine - I was unable to sit properly (because of the eczema on my back), to lie down and sleep (slept in a praying position for 3-4 months every night) and eat (because every time I opened my mouth, my skin would crack and yellow "water" would ooze out).
Luckily I found a doctor that helped me. He didn't believe in steroids either. What I had was called "chelation", and I still go and get treatments 1-2 times a week. It's extremely expensive, but I'm all cured now except for a little stubborn eczema on my arms, legs and neck. It's tolerable though because I can fall asleep for the entire night within no time now.
I highly recommend you to try out chelation treatments. You can google "EDTA" or "chelation" for more information. Good luck to you on your search for a cure!
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Cindy (Guest Post)
(07/21/2008)
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I came across this site by accident today because I have really bad itchy red chapped lips and the doctor gave me some dental paste called Triamcinolone, hope it helps but somehow I ended up on this site after typing it in google
Anyways I started reading some of these posts and it was like a major flashback of just how bad Eczema was for me. I basically had it all my life but now I only get it rarely on one hand I can thankfully say.
Let me tell you a few stories of my experience with Eczema then I will tell you THE ONLY thing I SWEAR BY that helped me.
I can go on and on but will only give a few examples of how bad mine was. Mostly on my hands and arms up to my elbow. I feel lucky after reading some of these stories hearing some of you have it all over your body. My heart goes out to you. Eczema is HELL!!
I use to share a room with my sister growing up and when I was sleeping i would scratch my arms so hard all night not even knowing I was doing it and wake up with my arms covered with sores, blood and just a painful mess. I would wrap my arms in High School a lot and say I sprained *them*... well can only use that excuse for so long so I would wear long sleeves during the summer and I live in Southern Calif so I looked pretty crazy half the time.
I also worked in fast food to help my family with income when I was young and one horror story comes to mind. The old days when the fast food chains served REAL ONIONS, one day I went to work and don't worry I wasn't the one cooking the food but was still humiliated collecting peoples money but I did everything in my power to hide it which really didn't work well.
But this day was like hell on earth for me, the boss told me I was going to be PEELING and SLICING onions for my 8 hour shift..... well not sure if any of you have ever had onion juice in areas where you have Eczema but the pain was so intense I stood there crying and peeling those stupid onions wanting to just shoot myself! When co workers asked me why I was crying I blamed it on the onions...
My mom and dad took me to doctors on and off for years and nothing seemed to help I would die of embarrassment to put either hand out to collect change so a lot of times I would just say its ok keep the change to people in the stores and practically run out of the store. Then they came out with those change dispensers and I use to know which places had them and didn't and that is where I would go...
Oh and snow skiing I had to give up, I would take the gloves off and my hands would look crippled up because I knew when I opened them the cracks would break and my hands would bleed.
Anyways I could go on and on but to this day the ONLY THING THAT HAS EVER WORKED FOR ME AND I CONSIDER A MIRACLE IS LIDEX CREAM!! I SWEAR BY IT AND HECK IF MY SKIN GETS THIN BECAUSE OF IT OH WELL! (my opinion) LIDEX, LIDEX , LIDEX!
My hands would be soooooooooooooo bad and I would be in so much pain and when my mom would take me to the doctor (which by the way I would even hide the Eczema from my family if I could) but my sister would be screaming at me yelling stop scratchinggggggggggg your driving me nuts so it was hard to hide but getting LIDEX cream to me was like winning the lottery.
My parents couldn't always afford to take me to the doctor or pay for the medicine so I couldn't have it all the time but when I had it, honestly in one day my Eczema would be practically gone To this day I still get it when my hand not hands breaks out which it still does
So anyone if you haven't tried Lidex cream , ask your doctor, mine didn't want to give it to me because I think their office sponsors another pharmaceutical company but I told her it is the ONLY THING that works for me and I won't take no for an answer.
Hope this helps at least one person who reads this. If it does please post something and I will come back to read it..... again my heart TRULY goes out to all of you but there is hope..... don't give up. I can honestly say when I was young if I had a gun I might have even shot myself because of the pain due to Eczema. I know that sounds extreme and crazy but it truly to me was like hell on earth.
Whether it be Lidex cream or something else , something will help you.... we are all different and our bodies react differently but hang in there....... :)
Thanks for letting me type all of this .....take care all
Cindy
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Brent (Guest Post)
(07/18/2008)
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It is so nice to see all these posts. I am 36 and have had severe eczema my entire life. A word of warning, try to limit your steroid use. After years of using those creams, I have extremely think skin that will tear and bruise terribly. The side effects will happen. I'm still looking for a way to end this misery, and will try several of your ideas. I tried UV therapy years ago, but honestly didn't give it much time. I will try that again. I'll even try the noxema.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Ashley (Guest Post)
(07/07/2008)
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Well I have been having eczema ALL my life & I really wish it would go away ): During school in P.E. I would dislike when people staring at my skin asking what is that? I would just say oh.. It's nothing. It's not getting better. My family has many "skin diseases" and I don't like it. I dislike when people are like is it contagious? & we all know it's not. I have "it" ALL OVER my body it has gotten better with prescriptions. I thank all dermatologist that have helped with eczema.
I'm still young, but I hope it will go away. Now I realize I'm not the only one with eczema. I have many scars and now I'm using something called "mederma" for the scars. It's still the first month using it, but I hope it will work. THANK YOU! You made feel like I'm not the only one to have "it". My eczema was very bad when I was 10 and now it's not that bad. I don't want to feel bad about myself. Thank you. (:
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Brittney (Guest Post)
(06/22/2008)
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I just was diagnosed with eczema, although I've had it for the past 12 years. My previous dermatologist misdiagnosed it as psoriasis. It's horrible, and I feel all of your pain. I can't swim at all. I can get in a pool for 5 minutes and be miserable for a month after... my body will be covered in little bumps that ooze clear stuff, I'll have fever in the areas and I ache all over. Same with if I swim in the lake, only less severe. The ocean seems to help clear up the breakouts. I also break out if I get too hot and sweaty. It's gross, miserable, just horrible. I've got a mixture with steroids in it that really help, and my new doctor has just started me drenching myself in Cetaphil twice a day. Don't know how well that's helping yet. Good luck to everyone with getting this under control. I start college in August, and chose a school on the coast so that I mught can swim. It's too far away from home, but I will try anything to control the eczema.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I am 46 years old and have had allergic eczema forever. I never had any breakouts, I have only had the itching from the inside of my skin until a month ago. For the first time I broke out in weeping eczema (like poison ivy). I itched for a month. It was awful. I had allergy testing done again and the derm did an environmental allergy test (still waiting for the results on that).
I stopped taking my vitamins. They are red and I don't eat anything that has red dye in it. The itching has stopped dramatically! Also, I started using Cerave. You can get it at CVS or Walgreens, or you can go to their website and find the stores in your area. Cerave is different from Eucerin or Cetaphil in that it helps to repair and rebuild the skin barrier that is problematic for people with eczema. It has made a huge difference! The skin that had the little bumps on it is now smooth after two days of using it. They have a cleanser, lotion, and cream. I use the cream on the parts of my body that have the weeping eczema. I use the cleanser all over, except for my hair, and I use the lotion all over, even my face. The price is $11.99-$12.99 for a 12 oz bottle. It is fantastic! I hope this helps someone! :)
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
My son is 3 and has severe eczema. We are scheduled to see an allergist that specializes in pediatric patients, we have to go to Boston for this. We've found out a few things about this condition that some doctors don't mention and that is that after being on a cortizone cream for a long time the patient gets used to it and it no longer works. Which is what happened in my sons case.
There is a prescription called atopiclare that is not a steriod instead it's a cream meant for eczema. Atopiclare is very expensive 150.00 I found that it works well on moderate eczema but on the realy bad spots it does not help. Flair ups from Eczema are usualy caused from an allergy. I believe it's best to figure out the cause first and try to avoid those things. Try visiting an Alergist and get tested for what might be causing your flair ups. Also I've had people recomend Naturopathic specialist. We have one not far from us you might want to check for one in your area. We plan on visiting one if we can't get a solution from the allergist. Hope this helps
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By jill (Guest Post)
(04/12/2008)
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I firmly believe in treating eczema internally rather than topically. From the research I have done, treating this disease topically only pushes the problem deeper into your system, meaning it will reappear later on. Topical Creams will only treat the symptoms and not the disease. I suggest finding a detox program that works for you. Depending on your current diet, fasting on fresh vegetable juices may be very helpful. I personally did a series of Colonics (I know many people will not be open to this treatment, but for me it was absolutely the most effective) and consumed 4 ounces of fresh wheat grass juice daily when dealing with an outbreak. As a maintenance program I try to take 2 ounces a day. Dr. Shulze American Botanical Pharmacy has a very good regime for treating eczema, it begins with a five day bowel cleanse, followed with kidney strengthening herbs. He also makes a jojoba and tea tree oil cream to soothe the skin.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I have been plagued with eczema for all of my life. I am now 45 years old. I remember as a young child my father putting cortisone cream on my hand and covering it with saran wrap to help with absorbtion. I have tried everything: essential fatty acid supplements, antihistamines, tanning beds, and Elidel/Protopic. When I have a really bad flare-up there is no way I can even shower. Winter of course tends to be worse, and I smoother my skin with a lotion called Sarna (bought over the counter) - it contains pramosone which is like a numbing agent so you don't feel the itch and burning so much. I've been told that cortisone creams thin out the skin, so I am really trying to use less of them as I get older. After some research, I have learned that vitamin B12 cream/lotion can be quite effective. I searched the internet and found one called BioEntopic B12 creme that I ordered from Valley Farm. It wasn't cheap, but when you are in misery everyday, you will try anything. I am experiencing success! As far as the tanning bed is concerned, I would like to know if anyone has had real success from it. I am so pale that I get burned even if I just do five minutes. This just adds salt to the wound, so to speak. My dermatologist swears by it, but I hate to think I am wasting my time, money, and perhaps contributing to skin cancer. Any feedback would be appreciated!
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
(submitted via email)
Wow.... your story sounds like my life story completely and exactly! I in the mean time have also had facial cellulitis at least twice in the last year also because of it. Have you found anything that works? I have 3 children and work full time so as you can understand I have little time for myself let alone bathing etc. My dr's and specialists will prescribe something and its great while I'm using it... as soon as I come off it it my excema comes back within 2 days.
Thanks, Theresa
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Eunice (Guest Post)
(03/06/2008)
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Not only is Eczema painful and embarrassing, but it can also be very difficult to work with. I have had eczema since birth (over 55 years). It was pretty bad as a very young child and later it came back in my teens. I never used anything in those years it just went away by itself. However, about 10 years ago I started having extreme problems with hypoglycemia migraines, allergies and asthma. I started using medication for the asthma and the migraines went away.
I then took 5 years of allergy shots and my eczema came back. First it started on my fingers on one hand then worked up to the wrists, then it started on the second hand at the fingers and slowly up to my wrists. I asked my Allergist if this could be related to the allergy shots I was receiving, he said no, but he did think it was quite amazing that he took allergy shots and also developed eczema.
After a couple of years it started on my feet. It started at my toes and slowly worked up to my ankles. My dermatologist gave me cortisone shots and medication and told me to come back for more cortisone shots any time it got bad. After a year I changed dermatologist and this one prescribed a new medication that literally got my feet so raw that I could barely walk. I had to start wearing very soft open shoes to work, and than the real problems started with my boss. She felt that it was undignified and we had some major problems which ended with me telling her that until you have this stuff you have NO earthly idea how bad it is.
I finally just quit going to doctors for this problem and found a product online called Anastasia. They have a few skin care products, but the best for the eczema is the body cream(anastasia.com). It is rather expensive, but no more so than the medication I was paying for from the doctor. I use it immediately after taking my bath or soaking my feet. I also use fish oil and borage oil 1000mg per day, and have found that I have to AVOID ALL products with high fructose corn syrup. It is not gone, but it is SOO much better. Hopes this helps some others that are having the same or similar problems
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severe eczema scars
I had mild eczema on my inner arms when I was around 7 years old. It only lasted about a year and never came back after that, until now. I am now 22 and this past year it came back and was very severe. At first I didnt think it was eczema because it had been so long since I had had it and I guess I didnt realize that eczema could be as bad as this was. I went to a doctor and they thought it was just a normal allergic reaction, so the treatment she gave me didnt work. I went to a dermatologist who told me that he was 100% sure that it was a skin fungus. He was wrong too. Finally I found another dermatologist who assured me that he knew exactly what it was-eczema. He told me that the most important thing is to stay moisturized. Basically I have to drench myself in lotion 3-4 times a day. Cetaphil is what he recommended and seems to work great. At that point I had had HUGE patches of it on my arms, legs, all over my neck and 2 little patches on my face. It was HORRIBLE and extremely uncomfortable and depressing. He said that he had never seen a case so bad. I figured the treatment would take weeks or months to work but it was all clear in FIVE days! He prescribed me a cream, Triamcinolone .1%, which I put on red areas and seemed to work over night. I also took oral pills for 3 weeks as well as itch pills -Hydroxyzine, to stop the itching at night. I have to say that I am extremely happy that it went away so fast and completely. The problem is that now I have terrible scars from it. In all of the areas where I had the eczema I am left with very white skin. The doctor said that it will eventually turn back to its normal color, but I was wondering if anyone else has this and if they know anything that could quicken the process of turning back to normal? Its better than being red, but its still awkward for me to go out in short sleeves when my arms are all splotchy looking with big pale patches.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Aurora (Guest Post)
(02/05/2008)
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Hello...reading all of your comments has really given me hope, and let me know that i am not alone in this. I had a severe allergic reaction on my skin (contact dermatitis) to products that I used at work, and after the allergic reaction cleared up, i was left with terrible eczema! Which i have never had.
Ive always been an allergic person, but my skin has always been fine. I have two patches on my arms that are horribly scarred and have developed eczema on my neck, arms, face, and eyelids. I used aveeno oatmeal bath and the lotion. as well as a steriod cream for my arms. I don't know what to do about the spots on my eyes and neck. i used vit E oil, and it worked the first few times..but after a week it started to irritate me! i have heard tanning helps? but I'm scared to try anything. please help!
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Ashley M (Guest Post)
(02/05/2008)
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Hey everyone,
Im 19 and I've had eczema my whole life and for the last 5 months it has been the worse its ever been.
I went to my family doctor that has tried everything with me since i was a baby and he prescribed my "Singulair" its a asthma medicine but honestly it works, it cleared my eczema right up and if i dont take it it comes back.
I use Glaxal Base religiously as well as bath in Doak Oil.
Shea butter helps too.
Elidel does not work. Tanning is good,
when your really itchy and cant stop but an ice pack on your icthy spot and the feeling will go away. putting vaseline over the cream will help it lock in the cream.
and of course 100% cotton. Wool is the worst.
Oh and i also got acrylic nails so i wouldnt break the skin when scratching.
I also use baby shampoo and baby wash and try to avoid showers, and definately no hot showers or baths.
I also have extremely dry lips that peel Alot! and the only thing that works for me is to always have vaseline on them.
anyways hopefully i help someone because i know how bad it feels, i am imbarassed to have it and to go into public, people are always asking "What happened!?!" "Did you have an allergic reaction?!" and staring! i hate it! anyways this stuff has really helped me!
Good Luck!
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
hi, I'm 14 years old and i had severe eczema for 8 months. it was the worst time of my life, and for the people that suffer it now, I know what u are going through.
i had been to over 10 specialists for treatment, and some of them had no clue what it was and put me on useless diets and medication. i advise to people NOT to use prednisone, it is an oral steroid that is bad for your inner body, and does NOT help eczema one bit, it just makes things worse.
I have useful information that will help eczema, that I learned in hospitals and good doctors:
Eczema is a case of severely dry skin, and since it is so dry, it gets extremely inflamed which can lead to it getting open and infected, with mainly infections like staphylococcus auerous. That infection leaves your skin weepy with a yellow substance. So if you experience this, you have to take keflex antibiotics, which is mainly the antibiotic for that sort of infection.
I suffered from eczema the worst on my face, and the whole rest of my body, except my nose.
I had to use a topical steroid ointment called advantan on my body, and sigmacort 1% on my face, and sigmacort 0.5% on my eyelids. after i put this on i had to put an extremely thick layer of emulslifying ointment on top of this. once that was done i would get wet bandages and wrap myself up like a mummy.
the wet bandages make the ointments sink in deeper to your skin.
I can guarantee on my life that in 48 hours after wearing it (all day changing it 3 times a day) u will have a MASSIVE improvement.
this has helped me so much and I thank God for helping me every step of the way.
My skin is back to pretty much normal now, if I get stressed I get flare ups, but I just wrap myself up again, and I will be better :)
I hope if anyone suffers from eczema, that you will read this and use my advice because I promise it will work. Also salt water isn't good for eczema as salt dries out your skin... and eczema is dry skin, but if it works for you.. go ahead.
God Bless, xoxo
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By (Guest Post)
(12/30/2007)
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I have had exzema all my life on my inner arms and i am now contracting it on my groin area. After much trial and error i have found that keeping the area dry helps to stop itching i.e. using baby powder.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Alex (Guest Post)
(11/25/2007)
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I am still a teenager, and people keep telling me,"You will grow out of it," and I've had this my whole life, and cry almost every day, and nothing i do makes it better. It is really hard to have this the way kids are today. Right now I am in the middle of the worst outbreak I've ever had, and everything is only making it worse.
Something I have learned over the years is that sweat really makes me break out, so my years of being a cheerleader and a softball player are out of the question. Vaseline is what I have decided to stick to, since everything my dermatologist has prescribed to me hasn't worked. I was using elidel about a year ago, and used it for about 4 years.
I had always told my parents it bugged my skin worse, especially when i would be physically active, buy they never listened. I was extremely happy when my dermatologist said not to ever use it again. So i defiantly wouldn't use eleidel. I have al ot of food allergies, and always try to stay away from detergents. I know when I'm at school, and a girl walks in with perfume, I defiantly know it, and my skin shows. If anyone has any other advice, I have SEVERE eczema, everywhere! I really need to know what to do!
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Jennifer403 (Guest Post)
(11/23/2007)
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I haven't been through the whole process yet, but the people who are doing this are confident that this will clear my eczema that I just got summer of 2007. I have it only on my right hand. This technique is with a Electromagnetic Biofeedback machine that reads all of the cells in your body and then sends messages back to your cells that are asleep so to say and rejuvenates them. Its kind of like defraging your computer or giving your vehicle a diagnostic test. Its a bit costly (525.00-6 sessions) but the success rate is high. Visit their website at www.biofeedbacklifestyles.com I've only had 1 treatment but I'm confident. Hope this helps.
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Post By Rose (Guest Post)
(11/09/2007)
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I've had eczema my whole life. I suggest Melaleuca brand lotion. I've tried various Melaleuca (tea tree oil) products, but this lotion works wonders. All natural and is long-lasting. They have a website, I think it's Melaleuca.com.
Anyway, I had a horrible outbreak of eczema a couple years ago (brought on by my allergies to cats and cigarette smoke) and it took me a year to get it under control. I tried steriods and everything, but this Melaleuca lotion was the only thing that actually worked and KEPT working. I still use it every day.
Other tips avoid hot water, heat, sweat, anything that you have allergies to, itchy materials, etc. I found that I'm not allergic to our dogs, but one of them has a short, prickly coat. If I hold or play with him too long my arms start to get little bumps on them and itch. His rough coat just irritates my skin.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Heidi Madery (Guest Post)
(10/22/2007)
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For all those who have and deal with Eczema, my son has eczema all over his body and I started researching so many ingredients and came up with my "Soy Body Tarts". Since I have started making these I have not had to use any cortizone cream on him in the last year! So far I have them on line on my site and we have been doing festivals and they are also in several stores in my area. These really do work amazingly! There are 6 different moisturizing oils that target eczema and the ratio of soy wax that I use seals these moisturizers into the skin. You can use the tarts solid by rubbing directly on heels or in hands, or put them in a small dish and put on a candle warmer and use melted(lavender and melted is the best for eczema). I also sell them in candle form so you light the candle, let the meltpool form blow out candle and use the melted wax mixture to soothe the eczema. PLEASE visit my site and read more about it. All natural and it works! essentiallysoy.com
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Ann (Guest Post)
(10/10/2007)
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Someone recommended using aloe vera juice topically and also drinking it to help eczema. If you are pregnant, please research the effects of drinking it, as I've heard that it may harm the baby.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I had mild bouts of excema off & on when I was younger, then got it on my hands really bad after my daughter was born. The sking between my fingers would crack & bleed. My step-dad told me to use Bag Balm & I never had another problem.
When my son was going through chemo for Leukemia, he got excema really bad the first year, especially on his poor little face. Sometimes people would give me dirty looks & ask me if he was contagious because it was so bad.
The Bag Balm helped sometimes, but not when it was really bad. Finally, a Dermatologist told me first of all, not to use soap on him every time I bathed him, because it was the worse thing I could do. He said to only bathe him with soap once weak & if I felt I had to bathe him more often, use plain water. Boy that part was rough, I bathed my kids every day!
Next, he told me to use Crisco (Vaseline has petroleum, not good for your skin). I got a small can of Crisco & kept it in the bathroom. Whenever I bathed him, instead of rubbing him down with baby oil or lotion, I used a light coating of Crisco. His skin was nice & soft & his clothes didn't get greasy. Best of all, his excema went away. For the next 1 1/2 years of his chemo, he had very little trouble with the excema.
Oh yeah, most doctors also tell you to use Ivory or Dove soap if you have excema or sensitive skin. I have always had a really bad reaction to those & so do my mom & kids. We break out in horrible itchy rashes from it!
I think everyone reacts differently, & you might just have to try all the remedies listed to find one that works fdor you -but boy what a list, I'm coing to copy it into a file for future use!
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By anglfrmhevn (Guest Post)
(07/16/2007)
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i have eczema. my father had eczema.my father used Right Guard on his arm because it stinged and it would stop the itching. however, since i am only 10 years old i am afraid of the sting as most people are. i suggest going swimming from 6 to 9 o clock so there wont be so much heat and the chlorine will kill the germs. it will clear up the infection and redness a little bit.
anglfrmhevn
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Brianne (Guest Post)
(07/05/2007)
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I have eczema too and have since I was a teenager. In seeing numerous dr.'s and using lots of creams I finally ran into a dr. that treated the problem not just with topical creams. What you need to look at is food allergies. Wheat and dairy are a major trigger for eczema, it's also considered an autoimmune disease. When I finally was diagnosed with Celiac disease (wheat itollerance that 1 in 5 people have but don't know it) and dairy allergy my eczema seemed to go away. I'l also an esthetician and run into this problem with clients all the time. Try Cetiphil cleanser, stay away from almost all drug store brands. They all contain high levels of Alchohol that will just irritate the eczema. The tanning bed does usually work for someone with psoriasis but not usually eczema. The other thing is that you need to treat it from the inside out and that means taking suppliments like fish oil (pure that you have to refrigerate and not from costco), evening primrose oil and borage oil. A lot of companies sell it as a trio so you only have to take one pill. You could also try www.eminence.com they have the most amazing hungarian organic skin care products. They smell amazing and most of them won't irritate your skin.
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
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Post By Tammy (Guest Post)
(07/04/2007)
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I have had extremely horrible excema for about 10 years now. My right breast is completely covered in red, dry , sore inflamation and there are literally hundreds of small red circular patches covering 90 percent of my body. I have tried so many "cures" including zinc skin systems etc. None and I mean NONE of this has worked.
A friend of mine recommended Pumpkin Patch soap and Unscented Body Butter from the Rocky Mountain Soap Company. They make natural handmade soaps and "creams". I've applied my first application tonight and already my skin feels less itchy and irritated. I think, if it does work, that it will take a while for it to take affect, but already I feel a difference in my skin.
I have read, through research that a chemical called SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE is something that really causes skin irritations and excema. It is in almost everything you use that needs to foam. Soap, Shampoo, toothpast...to name a few. I have decided that I am going to try to cut that out of my life and see if that helps to reduce my excema.
I will update if the Pumpkin Patch soap and body butter work
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RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Thanks for the responses, but I did not get a clear answer on the Noxema, do you leave it on or do you just wash with it? I bought some because I am willing to try anything. Thank you
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Request: Help For Severe Eczema
I have had allergies, asthma, and eczema my whole life. I just celebrated my 28th birthday by staying home because I am embarrassed to be seen in public. My eczema was very severe from birth until I was about 5. In my teenage years, it was bad on the back of my legs only.
About 4 years ago, I got a severe sunburn on my face, neck, chest, and shoulders. I had to go to the hospital to be treated for it. Now, my eczema is all over my body but the most prominent spot where I was sunburned. I have been prescribed lots of creams and ointments and I am allergic to everything I have tried. Even if something works at first, I seem to develop an allergy to it.
My face just looks terrible all the time. I can't wear makeup anymore. I can apply moisturizer 7 times within 1 hour of getting out of the shower and my face still dries right up. It is flaky and red and I have scratched sores in it from itching so bad. If my face sweats, it instantly makes my eczema go crazy. The dryness in my face has started to cause deep wrinkles and I look much older than I am.
The only medication I have taken that clears it up and makes me look normal is prednisone. I know it is bad for me in the long run and in the past it made me gain a lot of weight but I don't know what to do now. When I take the last prednisone pill, I feel like I start itching from the inside out. My skin will still look normal from the prednisone treatment but it will be burning and itching so badly I can't stand it!
I have done elidel, protopic, cortisone, eucerin, Lubriderm, Crisco, dermatop, mineral oil, olive oil, and a million other things I can't even think of. I also have a baby girl who will be 2 next month. I don't want her to suffer because of my skin. It is not a vanity thing although I would like to feel presentable, it hurts all the time.
There are no more good days and it seems like no one can help me. Please help me if you have any ideas or advice. It is getting very depressing.
Kori
Answers:
RE: Eczema Help
My son had the same thing when he was an infant. Oddly, the breakouts would be confined to small areas of his hand and side of his face. My pediatrician recommended an over-the-counter cream called Eucerin...worked wonders!! (03/04/2005)
By Patti C
RE: Eczema Help
Two suggestions to try that may at least help with the itching: 1) Crisco solid shortening, and 2) Noxzema cream. Good luck!
Tori (03/04/2005)
By truerblue
RE: Eczema Help
Here is some information that may help you. I will try to find some more. You may try putting some Noxzema on the itchy ear, or don't laugh, Vick's salve can help alleviate the itching.
Prevention
To prevent or reduce eczema flare-ups, avoid exposure to extreme temperatures, dry air, harsh soaps and bubble baths. Use blankets and clothing made of cotton instead of more irritating fabrics, such as wool, or stiff synthetics, such as polyester. After showering or bathing, pat dry (rather than rub) so you leave a little moisture on your skin. Then apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to trap moisture in the skin. Use a humidifier to add moisture to indoor air during the winter heating season.
To help to prevent contact dermatitis, avoid skin contact with irritating chemicals, plants, jewelry and substances that trigger skin allergies. If you have severe varicose veins, you can help prevent stasis dermatitis by wearing compression stockings and by elevating your legs if you sit for long periods. Be alert for any reactions within 48 hours of using a medication. Antibiotics applied to the skin and taken by mouth can trigger a skin reaction such as hives on more sensitive skin. If this happens, call your doctor to get a substitute medication.
Treatment
Your doctor usually will review your skin care routine to make sure you are doing everything possible to prevent symptoms. If, despite these measures, your eczema is bothersome, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid ointment or cream for you to use on the affected area. In atopic dermatitis, mild or medium strength topical (applied to the skin) steroids generally are used, while the strongest steroids may be needed to treat allergic contact dermatitis. To relieve severe itching, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine. If there are signs of bacterial skin infection, antibiotics usually are needed.
Sometimes, in very severe cases of eczema, your doctor will prescribe a short course of oral steroids or stronger medications that decrease the activity of the immune system. However, steroids taken for prolonged periods and other drugs that suppress the immune system can have serious side effects. They must be used cautiously. In some people, treatment with ultraviolet (UV) light is another option.
Seborrhea in adults is best treated with dandruff shampoo and, occasionally, with prescription antifungal facial creams or rinses. Cradle cap in infants eventually clears up without treatment, though it can last several months. The crust usually can be loosened by applying baby oil to the scalp 30 to 60 minutes before brushing with a soft brush and then washing with baby shampoo.
When treating a contact allergy in a child, avoid topical treatments containing antihistamines (such as calamine lotion with diphenhydramine) because too much antihistamine can be absorbed through the skin. Some children have a skin reaction to these treatments.
When To Call A Professional
Call your doctor if you have an area of skin that is red and very itchy, or skin that is cracked, blistered or painfully dry. Ask your doctor for an urgent evaluation if you have signs of infection an area of skin that is painful, has yellow drainage or has streaking or spreading redness.
Prognosis
The prognosis varies from person to person, depending on the type of eczema and its response to treatment. For example, most contact dermatitis heals within two to three weeks, while most stasis dermatitis lasts for years. Among children affected by atopic eczema, about half still will have the problem as adults.
Additional Info
(03/04/2005)
By Kentucky-lass
RE: Eczema Help
My daughter had eczema right under her eyes and in her eyelash line. Her doc told us to try baby shampoo. It doesn't have to be an expensive brand, any baby shampoo will do (I used some unknown brand that was less than $1). She washed under her eyes, as close to the lash line as she dared, and within 2 weeks it was completely gone, and it hasn't come back in the 2 months since. I don't know how or why, but it worked wonders! I really hope this helps.
terry (03/04/2005)
By terdralynn
RE: Eczema Help
i am 42 yrs old and also right now have a outbreak of eczema ,around my eyelids. the best stuff to use is aveeno. i use the bar soap and lotion on my face. it seems that he could be alergic to maybe a certain shampoo or maybe a deodorant soap you are using.or maybe hot showers could trigger it also. also another lotion is aquaphor, over the counter.and is the makers of eucerin lotion. (03/04/2005)
By soccermom1019
RE: Eczema Help
This condition varies from person to person. Tough call! Cetaphil
to wash and I believe they do make a lotion. Trying so many products could be the source of the problem. My son had white/pink spot on his eye lid and cheek under eye area about the size of a rectangle. It is now more like a square. We used hydrocortizone. We avoided sun when possible and never forgot the sunblock. He still has it but it is more noticiable in the summer as skin darkens. My advice is to seek a dermatologist. skin conditions vary so much individually. I suffer from acne and I use absolutely no lotion on my face, neck or back but I can on my arms, legs, sides,feet and buttocks. Go figure! I use Eucerin lotion and cetaphil wash for face and body. I can use Dove White. But no product with perfumes. Avoid those products. Go with basic products.Good luck! Skin conditions are difficult to control (03/04/2005)
By jjager
RE: Eczema Help
As a baby I was covered with exzema. The pediatrician told my parents to bathe me in epsom salts water. My friends father was told by an old country doctor to mix boracic acid in vaseline and use as a salve.
Sometimes the old remedies are as good as the new ones. (03/04/2005)
By shirley
RE: Eczema Help
www.aloetherapy.com has a cream called Relief cream. The base of this cream is whole leaf Aloe Vera. Aloe has been used for centuries as a medecional plant. Relief cream is very good and inexpensive. good luck. jmouse (03/05/2005)
By jmouse
RE: Eczema Help
Perhaps you could try an antifungal, such as athletes foot cream. (03/05/2005)
By Judy
RE: Eczema Help
I too was recommended Eucerin - over the counter and used on newborns in the hospital, or so my Dr. told me. Also, nivea cream in the small round container is thick and works well. I've also found that St. Ives collegin elastin works wonders. (03/05/2005)
By Kelly
RE: Eczema Help
AVEENO is a great non-stinging lotion. I have a skin disease and this is the only thing I've found that doesn't hurt. It doesn' "cure" anything, but it helps with itching and drying (03/05/2005)
By Mae
RE: Eczema Help
Lynne,
Red Clover is a good substance for skin problems. I am an Independent Watkins Associate, and we carry a product called Red Clover Salve. It contains Red Clover Extract, Bee Pollen Extract, Vitamin E, and Beeswax (to help prevent reopening of any healing tissue) and these are in a base of olive and safflower oils. Lots of folks use this product for eczema or other skin rashes/problems, and it really helps. It's also good for cracked or chapped skin, cuticles, etc. It has a really nice smell to it as well. Let me know if you would like me to send you a catalog.
Trudy Powell
trudypowell@sbcglobal.net (03/05/2005)
By Trudy Powell
RE: Eczema Help
I get eczema on my chin. The Dr. prescribed Desonide Ointment 0.05%. This has cleared my eczema completely. (03/05/2005)
By Lois
RE: Eczema Help
My daughter has eczema and the doctor told me to use reguar old petroleum jelly. It worked well, but she has it all over though and the Vaseline would stain her clothes and mine. So I have tried other things and found that Aquaphor and Corn Huskers oil work pretty good as well. (03/06/2005)
By Jennifer
RE: Eczema Help
I am intrigued by Terry's daughter's experience with baby shampoo. This sounds like it's worth a try...so easy, cheap, and harmless.
I'll tell you what worked for me. I lived with mild but persistent eczema on my abdomen for about a year before I decided (having read that sunlight helped) to try a tanning bed. I saw an immediate improvement, and after my third visit, it was completely gone. (I stayed in only about ten minutes each time; the goal is not to get an actual tan.) That was nine years ago, and it hasn't returned. I haven't been back in a tanning bed, either. I know they are not considered safe, which is why I suggest this only as a last resort. (03/07/2005)
By Papillon
RE: Eczema Help
Try" Willard Water", they have a website you can check out. (03/11/2005)
By darween
RE: Eczema Help
TANNING BED, it really does work! I have mild eczema and it of course gets worse every winter to the point where I scratch in my sleep. 10 minutes 3 times a week in a bed will definitly do the trick. Start off with 7 minutes as gradually move up. Just be sure your not in a ULTRA bed that will burn your son. Another helpful hint, avoid hot water. It makes it worse. In fact my dr. suggested avoiding a "complete" bath everyday. (03/23/2005)
By shaun
RE: Eczema Help
If everything else fails. You gotta try (b)Skin-E-Dip(/b).
I know it sounds like a funky name but it reallyreally works. They have incredible results and testimonials. Its also very safe and has no steriod or antibiotic ingredients.
(03/23/2005)
By Taylor Shane
RE: Eczema Help
I have exzema on my scalp. Anybody have any ideas to treat it without staining all of my bedding? Thanks, Authumn (04/08/2005)
By Authumn
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I've had the same skin condition for years. Ive had it on my back, arm, legs, ankles & head. When i was a infant my parents would take me to the hospital for ultra violet treatments. That helped but not for long. I was also given shots & creams but that too didnt last long. At one time the doctor told my parents to give me once a day some cooking oil to drink thinking that would help my skin. That didnt work. All that did was make me feel ill. Now iam 48 years old & only have a touch of eczema on my hand & finger. My doctor perscribed something new to me. Its called Clobetasol Propionate Ointment. Its amazing how fast this stuff worked for me. There is such a change in the appearence of my skin in one application. It takes so much redness out & smoothes the skin out. Hope this helps. (05/16/2005)
By sandy
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I hope this helps. I have eczema and all 3 of my kids have it. The doctor told me to limit the amount of acidic foods you eat. We don't eat a lot of high acid foods like anything made with tomatoes-- ketchup, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce. And don't eat too many oranges,lemons, limes, grapefruit and limit the juice you drink from these fruits. You can still eat them but don't eat them or drink them in excess. Maybe you could try it. It worked for us. (05/17/2005)
By luv2craft
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
This link has a lot of information on possible things that are aggravating the problem that you might want to look into:
http://www.health-report.co.uk/eczema_natural_treatment.html
Susan from ThriftyFun (05/17/2005)
By ThriftyFun
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Are you sure it's eczema? It might be psoriasis. My sister has had that since she was 11 years old. There are special medications and treatments available for psoriasis - ask your dermatologist about it. (05/17/2005)
By tedsmom
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I've read that soaking in a bath with dead sea salts in it is very helpful ... (05/17/2005)
By Ela
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
When I was 2 or 3, I had it so bad on my feet i had to wear plastic bags on my feet to keep the ointment on. Don't remember how it went away, but when I was 18, after Mother passed away, it came back with a vengence on hands and feet. Treated it with cortisone shots, about twice a year, but that just made it bearable. Then when I was 23, Dad passed away, and it came back again (ya think it may have something to do with stress?) on my feet. My dermatologist suggested putting smaller injections of the cortisone in the wounds themselves. I had nearly 100 shots on my toes and feet. Yes it was difficult and mildly painful, but nothing compared to what the scratching was doing. I had no top layer of skin. It has been 13 years now, and I have gone thru many more stressful times in my life, but it has not been back. Hope maybe this helps.
(05/17/2005)
By Julie
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I had severe exzema as a baby. My parents just didn't have the money to keep experimenting with meds. An old country doctor said to bathe me in epsom salts.(worked for me). My friends father was told to put boracic acid powder in vaseline and mix thoroughtly. It worked for him. (05/17/2005)
By siris
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Try a nutritional treatment. I have had allergies all my life. That changed when I discovered megadoses of Vitamin C. Check http://www.doctoryourself.com for more info.
Vitamin A is also important for healthy skin. You need to look into the possiblity of spreading an A preparation on the skin. It is possible to overdose on Vitamin A taken orally. Good luck to you (05/17/2005)
By Barbaral
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
My friend got rid off hers in a tanning salon. The heat must have done it (05/17/2005)
By
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Kori,
Try castor oil!
Laww (05/17/2005)
By ThriftyFun
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I would like to suggest that you use coconut oil.
http://www.coconut-info.com/
http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm
Read what they have to say about the type of coconut oil needed.
And if you find it doesn't work, you can always cook with it! The stuff lasts a loooong time on the shelf. (05/17/2005)
By Holly
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Another thing that helps my husb. who came back from the Gulf War with skin problems, flakes and dry, red, itchy. He has 4 prescription shampoos,
lotions gazillions...what helps sometimes when it is
really bad: Oatmeal buy generic oatmeal and put some in a clean white sock and use it while in shower
and in bath use. He gets it wet in bath and applies
it to his arms and such, we buy Aveno too but Oatmeal is cheap and helps.
I had a prescrip. meds called Attarax something like that really helped I scratched my face, arms raw, lots of stress did it to me this med helped and I keep the bottle for emergency.
GOOD LUCK! Let us know if anything helps we are
rooting for you!
Annie (05/17/2005)
By meoowmom
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
try http://www.mercola.com I pulled up 10 pages of articles on eczema on this doctor's site, he is a nutritional expert, very highly regarded. I have gotten his newsletter for years. If I had your condition, I think I would try the fish oil capsules. (05/18/2005)
By Levada
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I have tried many of the suggested treatments, some worked temporarily some didn't. The vaseline made mine much worse,since it has a petroleum base. Hot showers are bad.Zinc supplements work well, my zinc level was very low when tested. Noxzema has worked well for me.Found out I was allergic to soy, much better since eliminating that.Selsun Blue has cleared up my scalp completely, what a joy!Expensive prescriptions did nothing for my psoriasis. (05/18/2005)
By ScotFinn
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Have You tried Aloe Vera? http://www.aloetherapy.com sells several products that will help. There Aloe is grown in green houses and say that you cannot be alergic to it. They also have several Tree Tea Oil products in an Aloe base. Tree Tea is anti fungal and anti bacterial. One of the owners of the Company is a Nurse and practices Holistic and natural healing. They also have a money back if it don't help. Look them up, you can't loose. good luck and god be ith you. (05/18/2005)
By jmouse13
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I too, have had eczema all my life. I find it is definitely stress related. Also, I have seasonal allergies and I find it is worst this time of year as my body is busy fighting off the pollen I am allergic too.
Visit http://www.ahava.com -- this is a company that sells lotions and body washes made with Dead Sea salt. Always helps me. Also, I find if I am able to visit the beach and stay out in the ocean for a while my skin is always soothed. Good Luck! (05/18/2005)
By Valerie
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Try Elocom. (05/18/2005)
By Lorz
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Hi. I'm 40 years old and have had really bad eczema, allergies and asthma all through my life. I know what you are going through because I was there too. I tried everything and nothing ever seemed to work and got really sick and tired of everyone telling me to try Product X or technique Y because "it works miracles". My only advice is to hang in there. Stress definitely exacerbates eczema. I finally found a regimen that works for me. Keep looking for better doctors who understand the problem and that it's just not a 'skin rash'. I finally found one and it was night and day. Good luck.
Oh yeah, in really really bad eczema, staph infections are a severe problem and can keep the eczema going. If your doctor doesnt' know this, get another one. (06/08/2005)
By Steve
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I'm 19 and I have had eczema off and on for a while. It gets so bad I can't wear anything short sleeved or short pants. I have sores all over my body. I find that neosporin works wonders no joke. It helps clear it up and it moisturizes. After I clear it up I go tanning regularly because the heat keeps my skin from being itchy. Anyways cover your face so you don't get wrinkles. Also use a lotion because it cooks it into your skin. Then moisturize afterwards. Also try removing foods from your diet like milk, eggs, and flour. Do this slowly and see if it makes a difference. Using steriods on your skin only causes it to thin and have stretch marks remember that and use it only as a last resort. OH another thing is I know this sounds dumb. But if scratching is a must either wear gloves to bed or go get acrylic nails. They won't break the skin when you scratch. Satin sheets also help. (06/14/2005)
By Nicole
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I've had eczema now for 17 years. Seems during stressful times or when I get an injury (like a rash, callus, scrap, or sunburn) I develop a new patch. I had one large patch all down my right leg that lasted for over 6 years. I finally go rid of it (all any my new patches) by getting some sun on my leg. It's the UV that does it, so don't use sunblock! I have to be REALLY careful not to burn myself because that would just make it worse, but by getting just a little bit of sun each day (or you can use a tanning salon in winter) and keeping it moisturized, it is completely gone and I have no scars. (06/15/2005)
By Trix
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
i know how you feel, and it can be awful. i have had eczema my whole life. i am 37. it was very severe and spent much of my life on creams and oral steroids and light treatments, naturopaths, you name it, i tried it. at last i have found my answer, sounds weird, but it's noxzema! i wash with noxzema triple clean in the shower and then use the original noxzema as a moisterizer afterwards. i have been almost completely clear for 2 1/2 years now. i am not the only one, i have other friends who are also finding relief with this. as for the prednisone, try getting your dr. to prescribe you a antibiotic instead, i used to get both at the same time but hated the side effects of the steroids i thought i'd just try the antibiotics alone and what do you know, everything cleared up. i believe eczema has more to do with dealing with a skin bacteria rather than trying to suppress our immune system. so i can see there has been alot of ideas floating around here which is great, i hope one of them works for you and you find some relief as i did. good luck and you are not alone. (07/02/2005)
By nicola
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I use unrefined shea butter (make sure it's unrefined - basically just scraped out of the nut and plopped in the jar. do a google search and you'll find a number of places that sell it). It was like a miracle after years of steroids and other lotions and therapies. I've also found that noxzema helps if I get itchy. I do still break out occasionally, mainly from stress, and both of these methods have worked for me. Neither of which were mentioned by my dermatologists over the years. (07/28/2005)
By hennessey
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I understand the embarrassment and frustration you feel. For me Noxema wasn't good and I was severely allergic to that as a child. I recommend staying natural if possible. The pure Shea butter soap and moisturizer are great for the skin. Also, I swear by FRESH ALOE. Cut of a piece and rub your skin topically with the aloe, the gel part inside the plant. It'll sooth, peel the dead, damaged skin off. Do that until it heals. You can also use it as a part of your daily skin regimen. NOte you can take the aloe leaf and blend it in some juice, it's bitter but it serves to clean you internally including the blood, which people with eczema need. If you want add a little sugar and other fruits to mask the bitter taste. I hope this helps. You can e-mail @ g_davis32@hotmail.com if you want to talk further about these methods. I know this works but I'm using the aloe now on my skin and it's health and peeling the dead skin off, including any discoloration from the damage of be scratching etc.
If possible try and soak in a warm bath with dead sea salt, if you live near the ocean, then soak in the water for awhile. I find that this is extremely soothing for the skin, along with the aloe externally and internally. If you take it internally 2x daily for 5 to max. 10 days. If possible try and do it for the maximum time.
Best wishes (08/04/2005)
By Gina
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Dear Kori,
I have a friend who used to have very bad eczema for about 10 years. Recently, she has recovered from it, its amazing! She was so relief at last! She has been feeding herself with probiotic and it works wonders. It not only helped her with her eczema problem but also with her overall health and especially it has improved her immune system tremendously. Remember, powder and liquid form does not work, only the live one works ya. If you want, you can write to celinelimwk @ gmail.com (remove spaces). She can give you more details. Hope you will recover soon! Cheers! (09/13/2005)
By Angeline
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I have eczema on my eyes as well. It is totally different from eczema on any other part of the body. The skin is sooo sensitive!! As of right now I have a horrible patch on my eye, I REALLY sympathize with you. I too have tried simply every remedy. I have found that long term treatment with hydrocotizone will thin the skin, so it is not good to use around the eyes, in fact many eczema products should not be used around the eyes. I am allergic to vitamin E and cannot use one product for too long because my skin will develop a dislike for it. I have been doing this for so long, if there were a cure I would know about it. Prednisone is horrible!! I also have asthma and have taken it every year. I cried when my doctor prescribed it for me again. I will never take it again, I feel like I am not in my own skin. The best thing has been mentioned and that is not to stress, or at least find a way that you can destress. It will have to be your own way. I like yoga, cooking and drawing. Especially cooking ; ) I also like a topical with SMALL amounts of menthol or camphor to help cool it, being very careful not to get it in my eye. Plain yogart also helped me, in fact for a while that was all I could wash my face with. I do Vippassana meditation as well. http://www.dhamma.org/ is where I heard about it. These are things that help me. The nicest thing to know is that we are made up of trillions of atoms that are are rising and passing a trillion times a second. We are constantly changing. This will not last forever.
Drink LOTS of water eat your veggies and fruits and do something you love. It really does help. If you would like to just chat you and e-mail me at nkzaccari @ msn.com (remove spaces). I hope you find some relief.
(09/28/2005)
By Natalie
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
wow, I'm sorry that you have such skin..my daughter is 13 and her eczema gets so bad when she sweats~she is a extreme athlete and it is hard on her~I;m wondering if tanning booths help~ (10/21/2005)
By
help for eczema
im only twelve and i have had exzema my whole life. my skin gets great during the summer but during the winter its horrible. my skin gets itchy and so dry that the skin will start flaking. i started going to a homopathic doctor who has helped me he gives out remedies that work just for you. my skin still isnt as good as i hope it would be but ive been hearing that tanning beds really help so i plan to go to one soon. to help u should shorten showers and make sure they arent real hot, the cooler they are the better and use greasy moisturisers. (11/01/2005)
By Rhiley
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I also suffered with allergies, asthma, and horrific eczema. The eczema haunted me into my late teens. I never eat eggs and I don't drink milk very often. This was true with my late teens so it makes me wonder if I have or had an allergy to them.
My son started out just like me with allergies, asthma, and eczema from birth. Not wanting him to suffer I had him tested for the causes of his allergies. He has quite a list but at the top were eggs and dairy products. He just turned 11 yesterday and has outgrown the dairy allergy but the eggs will set off the sneezing, itching, and a severe eczema break out.
I suppose my point to all this is have you had your allergies diagnosed? Maybe changing your diet will help? Best of luck. (11/02/2005)
By TCL
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I do vinegar baths(sometimes infused with helpful herbs)
and alternate with salt baths ---
vinegar also relieves itching --I have a history of autoimmune problems (11/15/2005)
By patricia
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Hi Kori,
I know about eczema and have had a bit of it myself (not as bad as you though) It is uncomfortable and for you i understand it hurts your self esteem.
The reason I am responding is that there is a product in canada Called UMAC, it is 100% natural and from the pacific ocean! It has worked for MANY others with eczema and psoriasis.
I stumbled on this site because I am on the USA marketing team for this product, at this stage I am sure you are wanting anything to help you out. I am positive this will work for you please visit our website www.umacworks.com (it will redirect you to the canadian site) but I would love to hear from you call me at 1(250).244.3517 Or email me at jesse@umacworks.com
I know I can help!
Jesse
UMAC Rep. (11/18/2005)
By Jesse
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
i can just say that i have been there. it helps me to go to the tanner for a few minutes...at first skin is more inflamed, but next day better. exercise helps too. i also get worse with sweat, but after exercising for a week, and just trudging through the worsening, it really gets better. my thought is that the exercise helps with the stress (life stress or just stress of dealing with eczema). also, confronting and dealing with any anger in your life, is necessary to truly recover for long periods of time. i really think that some people get ulcers, some heart disease, some eczema, as a result of genetics and stress. we can't control genetics (at this point), but we can deal with negative stress to at least somewhat help our eczema. it is not ever really curable, but manageable.
you will wear makeup again someday, i know it! (11/19/2005)
By
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I am 23 and just got diagnosed with having eczema....I can not believe that there are so many of you that have lived with it for years on end. I can not stand the discomfort. I am lucky as I work in a tanning salon and there fore can go whenever I can (as I've heard this helps) They just gave a a cream called elecom but i can only use it once a day!!!! it works for the first hour but the other 23 hrs are terrible my back will NOT stop itching. Are there certain creams that u can use to releive the itch???? and my big question is when tanning are you supposed to use lotion or would that make my sores more sensitive? If any one has the answer to that question pls let me know....u can email bernadett_p @ hotmail.com (remove spaces)
Thank you, and good luck to all of you that are dealing with this and hats off to those that have dealt with it for years......YOU ARE STRONG!!! (11/24/2005)
By bp
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
My mom was told by a friend to try selson blue shampoo. All you do is rub some on the area, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off. You can do it as often as you need. I don't know if it gets rid of the problem, but it really relieves the itching. Also, aveeno oatmeal bath works. I used that for my baby when she had eczema. (11/27/2005)
By sweetiekayk
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
That is great to hear...I have found the same thing - with no doctor to explain why...it is amazing. It probably numbs the skin...but it must do more..it is better than steroids...and even helps in scalp problems. And for sun burns it is the best too. Really amazing how it works...wonder if it has any negative effects - although I really doubt it is worse than cortisone which is the only other thing which works for eczema. BUT watch out the new "normal/dry skin moisturizer" in the same container and print and everything...is a disaster for someone with sensitive skin. It burns off the top layer of my skin. OUCH. The burn lasted about three days...so I tired to figure out why this had happened. First I thought they had changed the recipe once they finally gave the ingredients... ...but then I found out the real reason. I had been fooled into buying something I had not intended. Original on the label is what one has to look for...NOT Normal. You must carefully read the base of the label to tell the difference. It is very difficult to read even though I have good eyesight. I hope the company changes their labeling of this new and inferior ("normal/dry..")product. I do not know why they replace a great Original product with a terrible one...I guess they do not know - or respect their long-term satisfied customers with very sensitive skin. There must be someone in the medical field out there smart enough to know why for decades Noxzema has worked so well for those with dermatitis ...especially eczema. I have yet to find a doctor world-wide who really understands this problem...although they are learning lots...such as the impact our nerves, stress and allergies and dry skin and opportunistic staph or fungal infections. Most of the doctors seem to still disregard how well Noxzema Original cream works in resolving eczema and preventing breakouts - and easing the itching and quickly healing the broken skin. It allows the skin to heal back to the barrier it should be...and prevents other problems. Customers should be aware that "normal" formula is not the same at all as the "original" version. Why did a good company create this confusing labeling? Go figure. The "Normal" is simply terrible for me...and likely others too. I shudder to think what happens when a busy mom who puts this caustic :normal" formula on their child (who would start screaming!) and did not notice the difference in labeling..and then elderly? Well there is no way they will notice the difference...fully expecting the soothing effect of Original Noxzema...and then wondering why they got burned...literally. It is really easy to make this mistake right now with their present labeling as of Dec 2005. There are so many Noxzema no-name clones that I have had problems with due to their ingredients...but unfortunately now I do not even trust Noxzema due to their "normal" problem. I have requested Noxzema correct the labeling...and hope they do. But in the meantime be careful not to mistake these products. Use original.
cheers...and merry Christmas or whatever is your thing.
(12/23/2005)
By Dog Patch
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Your story is mine.
I understand. (01/13/2006)
By Guest
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I suffer severe eczema, which gets worse in the winter of course. It gets so bad i bleed all over the place. After 3 weeks of tanning the eczema is almost completely gone as well as my acne. Not only has my eczema improved the tan looks great. It works everytime just takes a little time. Each time I tan and take a break the eczema comes back, but not as severe... I wonder if I can kill it off once and for all? Good luck everyone, hang in there. (01/23/2006)
By Jeff
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I am 14 and in highschool. I had eczema as a baby and it came back again last year. I know how it feels, everyone looks at me passing by in the hallway. I using a really strong oil based steroid cream for about 3 days and my eczema has almost completely cleared up. I've stopped using it now and only put some vaseline on my face about twice a day. It hasn't come back yet and I hope it doesn't decide to anytime soon. Good luck everyone! (02/01/2006)
By Krista
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
I am so relieved to finally find other people with my same problem! I have had eczema my entire life. I'll be thirty this year. I used to only get it inside my elbows and knees, my doctor always told me it would go away when I got older. He was wrong! Right now I have it on my eyes, mouth, neck, arms, chest, hands and legs. I have to wait a month to finally see an allergist and see what I am allergic to. I have tried all kinds of steroid creams, elidel, mymix( a new one), everything! I can't wear my contact lenses so I'm wearing my glasses and not wearing make-up right now. I know the feeling of being miserable and feeling unattractive. I'm going to try the probiotics. I live in south florida and this is still following me throughout my life! I wish all of you luck, and the sun really does help. (02/15/2006)
By Amanda
Sun & Salt Water
When my sister was married, I talked to her make-up artist who suffered from eczema. He had a dermatologist who very honestly told him there was no real "cure" for it -- it would most likely recur -- but the best thing for eczema was sun and salt water. Because of this, the man took up surfing (we were in CA, so the Pacific Ocean) and his eczema pretty much disappeared. I also suffer from eczema, which is triggered mostly by stress though I also have allergies and asthma. Since moving to the Midwest, I have started taking baths with Dead Sea salts and it's very helpful. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do in the winter to help the fact that the sun doesn't shine as much and I'm layered with clothing. I thought this might be helpful, though, to those of you with access to sunny weather and salt water.
Also, I wanted to add that more than one dermatologist has recommended Vaseline (petroleum jelly) and Cetaphil cleansers to me during flare-ups. These are two products that are extremely gentle and have no allergic side effects. If the itching is unbearable, you might also want to mix a bit of hydrocortisone with the Vaseline in the palm of your hand before applying it. I'm very careful not to use many steriod creams bc prolonged use or use of very strong steroid creams can cause skin discoloration -- after awhile, they even become less effective. I also like Mymix quite a bit. It has to be prescribed but it's non-steroid and the first two ingredients listed are purified water and olive oil.
Some people may also want to experiment with their diet by eliminating sugar and dairy. I've heard it helps some.
Good luck. :)
(02/27/2006)
By MM
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
i just recently got eczema all over my face. at first i thought it was acne which was strange because my skin is typicaly flawless. now my pores are clogged and yellow, my skin looks and feels rough and uneven, and to top it all off, im oily and heavy moistuizing gives me more pimples. nothing has worked yet (elidel, tanning, lotions and herbal remedys) but i'm still hoping for the best, but i think the worst part is how bad my pores looks. has anyone else had that problem? (03/09/2006)
By Steph C
RE: Help For Severe Eczema
Hi,
I just wanted to say don't give up! It sounds like this must be hard to deal with on a social or emotional level. I know some days when my acne is bad and I can't get my makeup to cover it with out making myself totally orange I either don't go or arrive late to class. So silly of | | |
