Confused about skincare for eczema

shopndrop

I have just come out of hospital after being treated for eczema and psoriasis. The thing that worked best for me is Emollient Ointment, nearly all of the other products they tried on me either brought me out in a rash or irritated me. It really is trial and error. I did however find after having allergy tests that I am allergic to some of the preservatives that are used in many of these products. Go with what suits your skin best.

snit_girl

I also have severe eczema and I've found that vitamin e cream suits me best. I used to use a massive tub from Holland and Barrett until they stopped stocking it so now use the Asda one, tried boots and superdrug and they're fine too. A massive tub of aqueous cream from the pound shop goes a long way too, great for usuing on your body and in the bath.

I have tried the original source shower gel and while it doesn't irritate it does dry out my skin quite badly.

oldandhappy

shopndrop wrote: »

I have just come out of hospital after being treated for eczema and psoriasis. The thing that worked best for me is Emollient Ointment, nearly all of the other products they tried on me either brought me out in a rash or irritated me. It really is trial and error. I did however find after having allergy tests that I am allergic to some of the preservatives that are used in many of these products. Go with what suits your skin best.

I have used the emollient cream version for many years and recently Aveena Lotion which my Doctor also perscribed as somebody else mentioned, I find it so cools the skin if its itchy or sore feeling but by the end of the day it actually can feel slightly uncomfortable and the skin can feel heavy and cold..so its nice to shower it off with emollient ointment and lots of water to rinse it all off. Certainly true that some suits some and not so easy to find what helps your skin disorders. Dianne

Loopy_Girl

I have a real battle with my daughter's eczema *sigh* especially at this time of year:mad:

She is 9 but was more or less born with it so I have used creams all her life.

At the moment we are on eumovate for the 'not too bad areas', fucibet for the 'bad areas' and at night, she gets an all over slathering of diprobase.

In the morning I use E45 as the diprobase is so thick and gloopy and takes ages to sink it, it was getting all over her uniform.

I get it all on prescription for her. Recently though she was very bad in a few areas (cold weather, central heating and clawing at night) and in desperation I tried my Elizabeth Arden 8 hour Cream - OMG:eek: what a differnence in her skin - even after 1 application. It had calmed right down and didn't look nearly so angry, was very soft and my daughter said it wasn't itchy. After a few applications, the change was remarkable..sadly I asked my GP and it doesn't come on prescription!!!:rotfl:

I only shower her once a week and we get a 'special shower cream' (that Mummy is NOT allowed to use:cool:) from GP called Dermol 500 and if she wants a bath, I put Infacare bubble bath in it.

I really feel for her to be honest. Apart from the itching which drives her crazy (though I thank god she has never had a patch on her face...she did on her scalp and her hair fell out for about the shape of an old fashioned 50p - took a bit disguising that one!!) she is desperate to be like any other girly and use lots of nice shower gels etc. I have to admit I am a complete beauty and make up junkie and I usually have at least 7 shower gels on the go (for different moods you see!!) and of course at this time of year she tends to get sets of bath stuff which I can't risk her using...sometimes in the summer if she is clear I will allow her to use one...but I will let her try the Tea Tree - I have a bottle in the bathroom (naturally!!)

Savvy_Sue

yup, DH's has also flared again. he swears by taking a regular sauna, btw, and really suffers if he can't get one. this might not suit everyone of course but could be worth a try for adults. essential that you cool off thoroughly between the hot bits and at the end though! rolling in the snow really is best ...

GeorgieW

For the last 2 years I have really bad skin on my hands (and smaller patches in other places, legs, elbows etc) that is sore, red, swollen, dry, flakey, cracks, peels, itches, basically you name it, it does it! I have to moisturise straight away after washing them (with E45 emollient handwash) and have to limit contact with water and everything else from toiletries & cleaning products to clothes/fabric.

As a result I have to cream them constantly, at least every hour. I have tried many different brands and ranges within brands including E45 (not much help) and Eucerin (started well but soon it wasn't working as well and is v. expensive). I found the emollients with highest urea to be most effective.

However the reason for posting is to let you know about my current wonder cream! Simple has a newish cream which I have been using for about 6 months. It's called Simple Derma Intensive Relief Cream (for v. dry, sensitive skin prone to eczema & dermatitis) which you can get in small tubes, medium pot or now the large 350ml pot. The pot also says "Results in just 4 days". I have bought it in Superdrug, Sainsburys and Boots. I haven't tried the lotion so don't know if that is as good. There have been many offers so don't think I've had to buy it full price yet and I literally do not go anywhere without it.

The weird thing is it's not an emollient. Although it bigs up having natural aquaxyl & canola oil...aqua, petrolatum, paraffinum & alcohol are the first listed ingredients which I know sound like the worst things but for some reason it works for me. Previously I have tried aqueous cream (which I now know can make things worse) and other lotions & creams that have had similar ingredients and all have been useless. I have no idea why this works tbh but I think it must be worth a try for anyone else with similar issues.

Just for info I use Lush's Dream Cream on unaffected areas as I have always been prone to dry skin and this has always left my skin lovely