Ugh....eczema.........

**cab54** · 03-04-2009, 07:28 PM

Anybody have this? What do you do for it? I have had this itchy rash on my left shin and scalp for about 10 years. But lately....OMG. For the past year, it has gotten worse and I finally went to a dermatologist in January. Got some creams that did wonders (SHOULD--they cost an arm and leg!) on my shin. It wasn't on the scalp at that time.

But as soon as it disappeared on the shin---it came out on the scalp with a vengeance! And on my right abdomen in a 2x2" spot, and a little on the right ankle, --well, you get the idea... It all itches like crazy!

When I suppress it in one area, it just moves somewhere else! I was doing condiitoner-only washing, and had to go out and buy Nizoral shampoo. I can only use that every 3 days or so, so I use T-gel in between. We'll see what happens with that....

I have been doing a lot of reading online about anger and resentment having a lot to do with exzema. And anxiety. And stress. I am ON an anti-anxiety med. and think it's working pretty well, I'm not particularly angry or reentful just now. I've had more of that in the past than NOW.

Am I just suppressing the anger? Is it not emotional at all? (the cause). I believe a lot in emotional causes for illness. I can see it everywhere with people.

Anyway, the creams are not working, the shampoo is not working that much. What IS effective for ezcema? Anybody? Bueller?

**thefrug** · 03-04-2009, 07:33 PM

I don't have it that bad. Just small patches and when it starts to itch, I just otc anti-itch cream with moisturizers.
I wonder if there could be natural treatments? I know Pappy's Pine Tar soap takes care of dandruff. hmmmm....
maybe you could google: natural treatments eczema

**savvymom** · 03-04-2009, 07:43 PM

I get it off and on, and it's usually during the REALLY cold or REALLY hot months. I use Euricin lotion. I get it from Walmart in the lotion section, it's around $6, but you don't need to use much and works well for me (and my daughter). We also have sensitive skin, and my DD's doctor recommended it when she was an infant.

I've never heard of it flaring up with stress, but haven't done much research either. Good luck!

**thesightofoneself** · 03-04-2009, 07:48 PM

got it. i use hydrocortisone cream every once in a while. nothing works for me. the cold lately has my hands bleeding. does anyone else get pissed off that eczema also screws with skin tone?

**tverhoeff** · 03-04-2009, 09:38 PM

My 4th child has it awful. She was born with it and has been on steroids to Elidel. We thought she was finally out growing it but...it is now on her beautiful little 8 year old face. We have gotten her some Avenno lotion that comes in a jar from CVS that is natural and is for extremely dry skin. It has helped some. She gets it from genetics. My grandmother had it so bad that my dad said he'd never seen her without it from head to toe until they had her on the intravenous liquids, etc. before her passing. I hope you find some relief. I know it sure does worry and aggravate our daughter.

**imagine** · 03-05-2009, 05:03 AM

My children are third generation Eczema sufferers, maybe more generations than that.

Yes eczema is "caused" by many different things or made worse by many different things.

I have mine under control most of the time. Son seems to have outgrown his, this happened when he outgrew his milk allergy. Daughter's is okay most of the time now.

All three of us do different things to keep it under control and they all seem to be triggered by different things and different things all seem to help us.

The best advice I received is that things shouldn't make you itch (if they do avoid them) and that medication and lotions to help your eczema should not burn.

In my opinion it takes lots of detective work to find out what causes each persons eczema and detective work to find out what helps.

Good luck

**Momto2Boyz** · 03-05-2009, 08:28 AM

Stop using the medicated shampoos! We used to have an "old school" doctor (and I mean old school...he was almost 80 when he finally retired).

Anyhoo, DH used to have horrible eczema on his scalp. Our doctor told him to stop using the medicated shampoos, in that they actually can make it worse.

His solution...MUSTARD! Use mustard to wash your hair once a week. DH has been doing this for a few years and it has never returned. When I get dandruff, I use a yellow mustard wash, and it's gone instantly!

**ritabelle** · 03-05-2009, 09:37 AM

My daughter has eczema and her doc says it's allergy related. So we keep her on allergy meds (zyrtec and singulair) and try to keep her hydrated. They also told us to not rub her dry with a towel after a bath, but pat dry gently and then after bath use lotion - vanicream lite was recommended, it used to be prescription but is now otc.

It's very hard to keep her good and hydrated -- she doesn't like to drink a lot of water.

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-05-2009, 11:48 AM

I swear by Elidel.( you need a prescription) Used to use hydrocortizone, but it stopped working for me decades ago, and it really isn't a long term solution anyway.

Elidel is a preventative cream. You use a little bit each morning on areas prone to breakout, or when it first starts to act up. I've gone as long as a year between breakouts since I've been on it.

I've also found that for itchiness and dry skin in general it helps to have enough vegetable fat in your diet. I try to get a couple tablespoons of either olive oil or nut butter every day.

**HomeschoolMom** · 03-05-2009, 12:12 PM

I have eczema too. I usually get it on my lower legs and scalp. Worse in the winter and usually goes away in the summer.

I attribute it to the dryer air in winter, milk issues, and stress. I have heard that allergies, especially hidden food allergies, can be the culprit as well.

If I can stay away from dairy, completely, for 6 months or more my eczema will go away.

I've also used coconut oil and that helps as well. You can put it directly on your skin and you can cook with it.

I am going to try the mustard idea for my scalp. I hope it helps.

**cab54** · 03-05-2009, 12:41 PM

Wow, lots of great ideas here. I did the whole drugstore products thing, and natural remedy thing for 10 years before I gave up and went to a doc.

I tried Cortisone (OTC), and coconut oil, aloe gel, tea tree oil, ....you name it. Haven't tried mustard. May try that.

The creams the doc gave me are Vanos for 2 weeks during flare ups, and then Cloderm for a month after that to keep it from coming back. I end up going back to the Vanos because the flareups return constantly.

I really should give up dairy, also. I have asthma (most eczema sufferers do) and it flares with dairy. I am NEVER hydrated enough, either. I drink coffee until late afternoon (makes you put OUT more water), and then I drink very little fluids after that. I should increase water intake.

Momto2boyz--thanks for warning me off about the shampoos. I haven't had any relief yet, and probably won't, LOL. I'll try mustard.