Would you say something?

lostinrates

DH uses some of the medicines mentioned for psoriasis. (Pro topic and betnovate certainly)

Yes its itchy and uncomfortable, but......as he and i joke, if he were a Queens Guard at Buckingham pAlace he wouldn't be able to scratch so....he tries to apply the same discipline to daily life. Easy, no. Possible......yes.

Dh's psoriasis doesn't sound half as bad as your son's skin op, but tbh I'd find the lack of motivation and self discipline , that his mum was changing his bed more off putting than a non contagious skin condition in a guy, .

The huge positive is he has a long list of things he can do to improve his skin.

dandy-candy

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

Totally agree with whoever mentioned it flaring up with stress, that can be a trigger for me too.

Stress is definitely a problem for him. He missed a few lectures last term as he didn't want to be seen, and then when he tried to catch up on work he couldn't get to grips with it and got worse, missed more classes, got worse etc.

I hope this isn't a daft question, but has any other eczema sufferers tried meditation/yoga? I'm wondering if that would help? If he could sort of zone out when he was feeling itchy, I mean?

paulineb_2

Didnt work for me, but I have read of someone I think using hypnotherapy or similar, I'll try and dig out the link.

Beckyy

Would immuno-suppressants be something he could try or suggest to his GP for trying?

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/skin_hair/eczema_immunosuppressants_003765.htm

I know of somebody with terrible eczema which improved when they were prescribed these.

paulineb_2

http://www.justbewell.com/eczema-psoriasis.html

I struggle with meditation but I have done other complementary therapies and theres no harm in trying something that might help stress, reiki might be an idea as he would be fully covered (I mean if hes concerned about having to show his skin as opposed to massage).

I do sympathise because its all very well people saying dont scratch, if you are itching like mad, thats what you want to do, as a kid I would scratch myself till I bled, Id do it in my sleep.

partialycloudy

dandy-candy wrote: »

This sounds very much like DS1. It is such a shame because he has such a great personality, very witty, loving, kind, moral & aside from his eczema he is a good looking guy. The creams he's been on for so long that the skin on his knees, elbows and wrists are really thick like elephant hide.

That is the hard part for me, if I say it's gross and I'm his mum, then he really will feel unlovable. The thing is I know it doesn't have to be as bad as it is with a bit more attention and effort on his part.

Exactly the same for my bro, its awful. And i know it can be manageble if he eats the right thing and looks after himself. But I think my brother has got to the age where he thinks, he will itch and scratch no matter what he does as eating right won't cure it...it fact it might just make it more bareable for you too see but not to how he feels if you see what I mean.

On the plus side, my brother has two gorgoeus little girls and never has any problems getting girlfriends....His youngest is showing signs of having ezcema too but thankfully not as bad!
I think there are support groups he could go to, maybe meeting others would help him.

Prothet_of_Doom

dandy-candy wrote: »

Oh you poor thing! That did make me laugh tho (I hope that's what you intended)

Yes, but if your mother can't tell you like it is, who can.

My mum had a way of being very angry and emotional but at the same time in an assertive way. You were left feeling very guilty, but well aware what it would take to fix it.

She still refers to the emotional pain we all put her through when we were growing up, if we ever dare to ask advise about our own children.

Although to be honest, it was my wife who took control of my skin, after we married, but then being a nurse she got the British National Formulae and worked out what medicines I should be prescribed.

She's pretty good with DD (17 who has the same issues I had) too.

JimmyTheWig

One other tip...

Some people have said that to say "don't scratch" really doesn't help. I agree.
There are times when you scratch and you don't need to, but other times when you really just need to scratch.

But something that I have found is that you can scratch with your knuckles rather than fingernails. It gives almost the same instant relief but doesn't do the same damage.

lostinrates

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

One other tip...

Some people have said that to say "don't scratch" really doesn't help. I agree.
There are times when you scratch and you don't need to, but other times when you really just need to scratch.

But something that I have found is that you can scratch with your knuckles rather than fingernails. It gives almost the same instant relief but doesn't do the same damage.

Yep, DH does that . sometimes just rubs his patches for some partial relief too. but there are times however crazy you feel its not appropriate or helpful. Its horrid, I'm not suggesting its not.

Jobseeeker

I don't know if this helps but one of my friends was exactly the same as your son. She cut out wheat and gluten and it went away completely, no cream/steroids etc ever again. Its worth a try.