Eczema

Patronus

I really hope this is the right place for this, it's the only place I can think of really. I had eczema as a child and then grew out of it in my teens, when I reached about 19 though, it came back. It's horrendous on my hands, it itches like crazy, it's been so bad on my middle finger on my left hand that I can't straighten it out properly and I'm struggling to hold a pen!

It disrupts my sleep because I'm just so itchy, every thing irritates my skin even more - being in bed, being in clothes, being in the bath/shower. I don't get a moments peace from it. I broke my toes a couple of years back and since they healed I've had eczema all over them too and it gets so itchy sometimes I just want to cry.

I've tried a million and one creams - I know it can't be cured. The only cream I found that worked was Fucibet, it really helped with the itching. I can't have that anymore because I can't have antibiotics. I've asked my doctor numerous times if he can refer me to a dermatologist but he just keeps giving me more and more creams.

I asked him if I could try Epaderm which has really cleared up the milder bits of the eczema across my knuckles but it still doesn't do anything for the itch. It's driving me crackers and it's so sore, I can't even wear my rings anymore or anything.

I wear gloves as much as I can because I care for my Mother and have to carry shopping bags and stuff for her. I don't use any soaps on my hands at all, I use Epaderm in my baths and everything.

Does anyone have any suggestions at all? I feel like such a bother to my doctor with one thing and another this year but where do I stand on the dermatology thing? Is it worth asking him again? Would it be pointless seeing a dermatologist? Anyone found any miracles creams?

Savvy_Sue

There are no miracles, and what works for one makes another's eczema flare, but yes, it is worth asking for a referral to dermatology. Maybe take the line that you don't want to be a bother, but you NEED another opinion.

And National Eczema Society are your friends. They may help you ask.

Actually, it could be worth asking if there is a local nurse led clinic you could attend: we found that way more helpful than the Great Man Himself, whose view was that as DH's eczema was much improved by the time he saw him, there was nothing further he could do. Yeah, that would be the 6 month waiting list, wouldn't it?

Sadly I think the nurse clinic has now been stopped, but she was very knowledgeable, had various suggestions, and got DH a referral for light treatment, which DID help once he'd worked out how to answer their questions. "Is your skin red and itchy?" err yes, I have eczema ... oh, you mean is it MORE red and itchy than it was before the last treatment? No, it's a bit better thank you.

jackieb

Have you tried antihistamines for the itch? What about applying the cream and sleeping with white cotton gloves on? You can buy them from the chemist.

You have my sympathies. My 19yo son's eczema flared up 3 years ago and i've never seen anything like it. He's been to the dermatology clinic 3 times this week and was to be admitted today to the dermatology ward for 5 days, but when we got there we were told the ward was closing for the weekend and have to back on Monday instead.

Patronus

Many thanks to both of you. I realise there is no cure, I just hope I will grow out of it again. I do sleep with Epaderm ointment on with the white gloves, it does help and cleared up some of the more minor spots.

However, it does nothing for the really bad spots. I will try and pluck up the courage to see my doctor again. Thanks.

mucklebones

After battling with my daughters eczema I have finally got on top of it using organic creams. The preservatives and synthetic ingredients in prescription creams were actually making it worse. Since changing nearly everything in our house to organic too and eliminating a few foods we are nearly cleared up here. Its been a nightmare especially at nights, she sleeps bad anyway so this I needed to get sorted. I found that moisturising after a bath with an organic body cream really helps lock in mouisture. I then use a balm to seal problem areas.

Its not been cheap finding the right creams but definately worth it. On most of the organic sites you can shop by solution and many products are made for eczema sufferers.

Goodluck finding a solution.

Thriftkitten

Hi I am a Community carer for the elderly and come across many itchy skin conditions, one thing that I find really helps is to wash your body with only aqueous cream and NOT use any kind of soap products at all. This eliminates the junk and perfumes they put in soap and also stops the skin from drying out, which in itself can be a trigger.
Also my friends daughter has terrible eczema and when she is particularly bad we run a bath and put porridge oats in an old stocking leaving it to sit in the bath for 10 mins before getting in and soaking, you can also squeeze the stocking to get the oatmeal out and rub it over you, this really relieves her and she seems to sleep a lot better if done before bed. Hope this helps a little you have my sympathies x

Savvy_Sue

Patronus wrote: »

I will try and pluck up the courage to see my doctor again. Thanks.

It could be worth doing a bit of research in advance to find out where the local dermatology services are. You could check with the National Eczema Society to build up a bit of ammunition, as it were.

Then instead of going in and asking to be referred just because it's not getting any better, you go in and say "I've been in touch with the NES, and I understand there's a nurse-led clinic at x, I wonder if you would refer me because I feel I'm taking up a lot of your time with my eczema."

Mind you, if you join NES you might also get other ideas, they have a helpline and although they (obviously) can't give medical advice they are full of suggestions, like the oats suggestion.

Another one from me for sleeping is to ask your pharmacist about drowsy antihistamines, which you can still get OTC but obviously for hayfever most people want the non-drowsy ones. I say ask your pharmacist both because they're not always on display, but also because they can check for interactions with other drugs you may be taking.

lollipopsarah

You poor thing, I,m now almost clear for the first time in 30 years -agh.
But, don't panic it's a s*d which flares up when you least expect it - for me it was when I had my 2 boys,I've done all the steroids/PUVA/chinese treatment etc, and eventually gave up and let nature take its course and am much better for it.
Personally I cannot bear the aqueous stuff, and found cheap baby bath stuff to be good (just a little bit in the bath) or even camomile tea bags in the bath very soothing.
A few years back I would flare up as soon as I got to work (in a shop) and I blamed the heating/lighting etc, but strangely since not licking my fingers to open bags (I have a wet thing by the till) I've cleared up, honestly, no more awful sore red face (yes it was really bad).
I agree about the gloves, and just a little tip, when we were kids and our fingers cracked mum used to smear on the horrid greasy ointments and put our hands into plastic gloves (like the ones you can buy or ask for at a petrol station - or sandwich bags at a pinch) for as long as we could take it until our fingers got wrinkled and smelly, but it helped a lot.
Good luck please ask for a referral to a specialist.
xx

Tiddlywinks

Juat a thought but mine flares up when I get really stressed - I'm not saying it's all in the mind - I'm just saying that sometimes the body does strange things when under pressure.

If you are more stressed than usual you maybe could do with looking at that and seeing if you can do anything to help that situation.

Good luck - the itching can be absolute hell can't it?

Savvy_Sue

lollipopsarah wrote: »

I agree about the gloves, and just a little tip, when we were kids and our fingers cracked mum used to smear on the horrid greasy ointments and put our hands into plastic gloves (like the ones you can buy or ask for at a petrol station - or sandwich bags at a pinch) for as long as we could take it until our fingers got wrinkled and smelly, but it helped a lot.

Do NOT do this with steroid creams / ointments!

BTW DH - a lifelong sufferer - reckons that his eczema has been at its best when his stress levels have been at their highest! Not that I'm suggesting anyone should increase their stress levels.

jackieb

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Juat a thought but mine flares up when I get really stressed - I'm not saying it's all in the mind - I'm just saying that sometimes the body does strange things when under pressure.

If you are more stressed than usual you maybe could do with looking at that and seeing if you can do anything to help that situation.

Good luck - the itching can be absolute hell can't it?

It's a vicious circle. You're stressed and the eczema flares up, which in itself causes more stress and lack of sleep. I've seen how much it affects my son's mood - he's totally changed in the 3 years since it's flared up.

My husband also had pretty bad eczema when he was in his early twenties and everytime he went to the doctor, he would ask him what was stressing him out this time.