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.