It is important that you say your issues " would only be considered mild " - and " this is affecting my confidence and my conduct ", because a mild skin condition is definitely a major problem for some of us, and needs to be taken seriously and properly tackled. Stress makes matt...

The long and short of it is that nothing can heal while it is being scratched. The skin needs 3 weeks of absolutely no scratching to allow it to heal. Steroid creams and moisturiser will help this, but it is eventually no scratching that will heal. Very tough, I know, but essential. Dr Webberley Ha...

Hello Kerry Vitiligo is a depressing illness and you deserve a better deal! As a next step I suggest you get advice from The Vitiligo Society: http://www.vitiligosociety.org.uk - they will guide you and offer support I am sure. Phototherapy should be available throughout the country, but some places...

Thank you both for your replies. I will ask my doctor to refer me again to a dermatologist. I have also put my name down for a two day stress management course. I do realise that because I suffer from depression that this probably makes the psoriasis worse. I would be interested to know if you feel...

:( Very sorry to hear about your life with psoriasis. The physical treatments for psoriasis can be very effective, but when this is not the case having a review of the psychological side of things may be important. There is now much research evidence that better results in treating psoriasis are ach...

Hey J Great question. I have been often asked to help with the treatment of lichen simplex - a patch or scattered patches of itchy skin that get scratched and rubbed so much that the skin thickens up with what is called "lichenification" (see below* for more on this). Treatment with emolli...

Hey Amy Good that you contact the clinic with this as there is a lot that will help you and there is no need to give up and get depressed! I suggest you start of by finding out more about atopic eczema from your GP: ask for some extra time with someone at the surgery to take you through the basics s...

Thank you !
For more on Going to University with atopic eczema, see http://www.atopicskindisease.com/articl ... pic-eczema

In clinic we regularly hear how going to Uni makes eczema worse! :( We agree with Mei that student accommodation can be hazardous for those prone to atopic eczema, as it is difficult to keep clean. I have recently recommended that a patient is allocated a room without soft furnishings, to reduce he...

Skin problems can be embarrassing, but it really is worth getting them checked out and treated properly. My hunch is that your GP needs to see it!