Eczema woes

[clocketpatch]

I’m lucky. Some people get eczema really badly. I’ve seen pictures during my google research for a cure, and mine is nothing so bad as some get. However, it’s still annoying.

It crops up every other winter and I’ve been getting it since I was six or seven.

This year the eczema has decided to cover new ground. It bit my knuckles around late November. This is its typical strike pattern. I used Vaseline and it was gone by Christmas. However, shortly thereafter the eczema returned, popping up in the crease of my right elbow of all places. At first I wasn’t quite sure what it was because, for all the years that I’ve been getting it, it’s never cropped up anyway other than my hands. 

So, once I figured out what it was I was off trying to figure out WHY. I’m relatively sure it’s an allergic reaction, but I have not the slightest clue what too. Anyway, I tried Vaseline and that didn’t work. Then I foolishly ignored the rash because it was tiny and not that bad. Well, now it’s spread over half my arm and is on the other elbow as well. I’m trying out a natural remedy of fresh aloe vera and olive oil, and that is working miracles so far. I’m curious though to know if anyone has any other cheap eczema remedies, or any idea of what might be causing it?

 I know it’s not laundry detergent.

Comments

[bewarethespork.livejournal.com]

Don't know about cheap, but you can get over-the-counter corticosteroids that should be enough to clear up very mild eczema. If it doesn't respond to that, head over to your doctor and get a script for a stronger topical corticosteroid. And if that doesn't work, get a script for a low-dose oral steroid.

(Why yes, I am a lifelong eczema sufferer, why do you ask?)

As for what you're allergic to, you can get a test from a dermatologist that will test you for allergies to the most common allergens, or you can get a skin biopsy and see if they can find anything that way. I did both of those things, which is how I found out what I was allergic to. I don't know about the health care system in the US, so I don't know how much this will cost you, but your insurance might cover it, I guess...

[clocketpatch]

Thanks for the advice, especially seeing as you're in training for the noble profession. I might stop being so stingy and shell out for the hydrocortisone cream if the rash persists, spreads, or the olive oil stops working. Or if I get fed-up with smelling like an Italian restaurant.

I wish you best of luck with your own eczema. Rashes are Not Fun.

Oh, and for the record, I live in Canada not the US, and our health care isn't half so awesome as some people seem to think (though it's better than a lot of places so I mustn't complain).

[bewarethespork.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. Even though I'm not a doctor yet, eczema is something with which I'm all too familiar, so I'm always happy to share my experiences.

Rashes are Not Fun indeed - and they can be very inconvenient, too!

Ah, sorry, my mistake. Our health system isn't fantastic, but there's decent cover for people who really need it, and most medications are subsidised by the government, making them affordable for everyone. I'm not a huge advocate for our public health care system in general, but there's no doubt that it provides some very useful services.

[thisbluespirit]

Poor you. I have no helpful advice (my only allergy is to that evil stuff, milk), but I hope it clears up soon and leaves you alone. :-(

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Yes, me too (and I know that wasn't in the slightest bit helpful).

[alto2.livejournal.com]

I used to get it every year when I was in high school and college, on the backs of my hands. Nearly drove me nuts. Cortisone helps, but I started religiously using hand lotion (Curel and Aveeno are my favorites) every time I wash my hands (or my dishes!) and any other time they feel dry. Haven't had it in years. Can't guarantee the same thing for you, but it can't hurt to give it a go. Good luck!

[clocketpatch]

Hmmm... I might try that. I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to lotions though. They're just so... slimy. But my hands are starting to dry up again as well so, desperate times and all that.

I'm thinking it might be the weather that's to blame now. There's been some very odd up and downs this week: from +6 to -20 in less than a day, which isn't nature me thinks. Or shouldn't be.

I might be exagerating slightly... (but not enough to make it any less painful, or less cold)

[alto2.livejournal.com]

I like those two brands because they absorb really well and don't leave you feeling like you have lotion all over your hands (I hate that, so it's my gold-standard test for hand lotion). You can get little trial sizes of them, which would tell you if you can abide the way they feel. The Aveeno is especially nice that way. I forgot to mention before that fragrance-free has always been important for me, too, because the fragrance would irritate the eczema.

The weather was definitely a factor for me. I'd be fine all summer and as soon as it would start to get cold, that was the end of me. I'd think, if you're in the Northeast where you'd think it was January again right now, it'd be especially cranky. Eeeee. I get all uncomfortable just thinking back to those days in the cold!

[solarflar3.livejournal.com]

Do you have a Lush store near you? They do Dream Cream which is fantastic. My daughter has eczema quite badly and has to have coal tar treatments. When the worst has cleared up, I use Dream Cream on the residual sore and flaky skin and it comes up a treat. It is far better than the heavy duty moisturises that a doctor prescribes such as diprobase etc.

The other thing to think about is dairy produce. Cows milk products aggravate my daughter's eczema. She drinks Goats milk and eats Goats milk cheese, butter, yoghurt etc. Apparently Goats milk is lower in an enzyme which can aggravate eczema in certain people.