Post # 1
Member
1748 posts
Bumble bee
How long have you had Eczema? I first got Eczema in the 6th grade. Since I’ve had a patch test done and found that I have a terrible allergy to nickel and the appearance of my Eczema coincides with me getting a mouth full of braces.
Where is it currently plagueing you? Currently I have a few little spots on both shins, but they’re not bothering me. My hands are KILLING me. Predominantly between my right index and middle finger, on my thumb and right ring finger, and on my wrist. When I go to shake someone’s hand I notice them eyeing it 🙁
What sets it off most? Water and cold weather. I’ve never noticed it getting worse when stressed.
What products do you use to decrease itching? Currently loving Cerave moisturizing cream and Eucerin Professional Repair
What products do you use to make it go away? An assortment of drugs and steroids have worked in the past, but the second I stop using them it comes back.
Does/did your Eczema concern you for your wedding day? Not really. Because I’ve had it for so long and I’ll be wearing bracelets on my right wrist it’s not too big of an issue for me.
Post # 3
Member
1583 posts
Bumble bee
@caits615: Ive had it my whole life. I used to use expensive medical grade products. Now that I’m grown and would have to foot the bill myself i use natural stuff. I start right out of the bath with cocoa butter while still wet then i seal with vaseline or a light layer of coconut oil. i’ve heard shea butter is good too but its hard to spread imho and is a bit greasier than i like. This is cheap and i havent had an outbreak in almost ten years (plus i alway get compliments on how soft my skin is and how good i smell)
Post # 4
Member
7770 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I have developed some on my hands (I think! Well, severe dry skin patches?) with my pregnancy – at least – it is less bearable. I first got it when I was a goldsmith and had different metals on my skin all the time and was washing my hands all the time.
Coconut oil makes it worse- I break out in a rash. Same with aloe. My GODSEND is Argan oil. I am so thankful for it, it is the only thing that has helped! I cannot recommend it enough. I also switched to coconut oil soap and that has helped a lot.
Post # 5
Member
540 posts
Busy bee
How long have you had Eczema? I only started getting since adulthood, just in the last few years.
Where is it currently plagueing you? It has always been only on my arms.
What sets it off most? I really haven’t figured that out, but so far it only happens in spring and summer months.
What products do you use to decrease itching? Cortisone cream.
What products do you use to make it go away? I have no idea what to use to make it go away, but I did read one time that eczema is commonly found in celiac/gluten intolerant people. I went gluten free last year, for a different health reason, so I guess I’ll see what happens this summer with outbreaks.
Does/did your Eczema concern you for your wedding day? Nope. But mine is pretty small areas when it breaks out.
Post # 6
Member
1748 posts
Bumble bee
@cbee: It’s funny because some people love using coconut oil on their eczema. The one thing I’ve found since being an adult and searching for natural rememdies and moisturizers to use is that what will work for one person will make another person’s skin go crazy. For example, I tried using Aveeno in the shower and my skin went insane- I began getting it up and down my arms and had never had it there before. Once I stopped using it the eczema went away.
Post # 7
Member
4047 posts
Honey bee
How long have you had Eczema? I first noticed it around the time of my high school graduation a few years ago.
Where is it currently plagueing you? I currently have a small patch by my mouth/chin. This is where I have always gotten it (though on various sides).
What sets it off most? No idea. I’ve only gotten it a few times. I suppose it has been in stressful times – graduation for example, and now my recent engagement, new semester, start of wedding planning, etc.
What products do you use to decrease itching? I don’t have much of a problem with it itching.
What products do you use to make it go away? I put on some sort of cream my mom got me. No idea what it is, and I am too lazy to go get it and see. Haha. I am of no help!
Does/did your Eczema concern you for your wedding day? Nope because I don’t get it often.
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My Fiance also has eczema, and his is much worse and regular. He tends to get it on his legs in rather large patches. He does nothing for it since he has not found anything that worked previously, and he just can’t be bothered.
Post # 8
Member
480 posts
Helper bee
How long have you had Eczema? I’ve had eczema since I was about 18. I’ve got really extreme combination skin. I’ve got oily spots as well as dry, red and flaky spots grr!
Where is it currently plagueing you? My inner fore arms and behind my knees as I’ve just had a shower. I’ve also got some around my nose.
What sets it off most? Hot water, perfume, air conditioning/heating, sweat and heat.
What products do you use to decrease itching? Epsom salts, QV and aqeus creams and soap subsitutes. Also, Health Basics soap substitutes
What products do you use to make it go away? nothing. It comes and goes.
Does/did your Eczema concern you for your wedding day? I’m not married yet, but I hope it won’t!!
Post # 9
Member
169 posts
Blushing bee
How long have you had Eczema? For as long as I can remember
Where is it currently plagueing you? Hands, around my mouth, always my hands nearly every finger, then it cracks
What sets it off most? I am not sure, I just get good days and bad days
What products do you use to decrease itching? I dont have anything for the itch
What products do you use to make it go away? creams from the doctor but it never goes away
Does/did your Eczema concern you for your wedding day? It will do if I get it around my mouth near the wedding day cause it takes a long time for it go away, my hands not so much cause Im used to it, there will just be no hand/ring shots!
Post # 10
Member
1748 posts
Bumble bee
Oh I should also add that perfumed laundry detergent use to make my skin go CRAZY. Now I do all the non scented boring stuff, but my skin appreciates it.
Post # 11
Member
484 posts
Helper bee
How long have you had Eczema? Since childhood although it really spiralled out of control last year due to extremely stressful times.
Where is it currently plagueing you? Corners of my mouth, eyelids, neck, fingers (especially knuckles), little bit on my wrist.
What sets it off most? Stress. No contest. Although changes in weather and water quality (if I travel) don’t help). Also, wash bedding often, leaving it too long exacerbates eczema too.
What products do you use to decrease itching? Steroid cream, moisturizer. And cutting my nails really really short to avoid scratching myself open (I’ve got more than a few bloodstained shirts and sheets due to sleep-scratching).
What products do you use to make it go away? Steriod cream, moisturizing shower gel (prescription). But the best thing ever was special UV-B treatment I got in the hospital! I used to have eczema all over, especially my upper legs and back, the kind where you can’t move anymore because the skin hurts so much and is weeping. 3 months of 3 times a week UVB radiation treatment has performed an actual miracle. It’s a bit like a sunbed (I had a really healthy glow and everyone was asking me if I’d been on holiday) but targets the skin to become more resilient and calm down.
Does/did your Eczema concern you for your wedding day? YES. I think I would rank waking up covered in eczema again above the chapel burning down in terms of relative disaster. So I’m being even more dilligent now than usual.
Post # 12
Member
1748 posts
Bumble bee
@Oxfordnerd: When I was first diagnosed when I was 10 I had it all over, but fortunately never had to be hospitalized. That’s awful 🙁 Are you going to do anything to help with wedding stress so it doesn’t get bad?
Post # 13
Member
245 posts
Helper bee
ACIDOPHILUS!!!!!!!
Please please please buy some acidophilus! (Any brand is fine) I had excema for 3 years (it came on all of a sudden as an adult) It was so bad, inside my elbows, wrists, hands, neck and eyes! I was so miserable.
I tried:
Cortizone (cream and ointment) and went through a tube a week
Steroid creams and hated them, made my skin thin and old looking
I read an article one day that talked about a study that was done regarding eating Stoneyfield organic yogurt and it cleared up excema. I don’t really like yogurt so I did some research on what was in the yogurt that was helping and it’s acidophilus (not just any of the probiotics but specifically this one)
I take 3 BILLION (Billion with a B!) a day in liquid form (it was the cheapest I could find) but you can also get it in pill form at any drugstore/Target/Walmart. Just make sure you get one that says Billions and not Millions (it’s not enough) within 3 days of taking the acidophilus I was so much better and within a week or so it was completely gone and as long as I continue with the pills I have no issues (7 years later)
Post # 14
Member
245 posts
Helper bee
Oh and a side note. Acidophilus also helps keep your digestive tract healthy so since I’ve been taking it (7 years or so) I hardly ever get sick. Bonus side effect!
Post # 15
Member
979 posts
Busy bee
How long have you had Eczema? Since I was a teen, I’m 38
Where is it currently plagueing you? My upper arms and neck sometimes
What sets it off most? Winter. Showers anytime. When I get out of the shower, I see all the red blotches on my arms from it. If I don’t moisturize or add cream, it’s dry and itchy all day
What products do you use to decrease itching? prescription from the doctor.
What products do you use to make it go away? Nothing, just a prescription
Post # 16
Member
1748 posts
Bumble bee
@FarleyNish: How did you determine your dosage? And billions isn’t an overdose? I’m reading up on it. I hate that I’ve never heard of this! There’s tons of info on it working for eczema!
