Out of control eczema on my hand.
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:06 pm
Hi there. I stumbled upon this site on an online search for something that will give me some relief for my eczema. So I'm a newbie here! I'm sharing my saga in hopes that someone out there can offer some suggestions. I've always had little patches of eczema on my hands/fingers. It was always easy to control with steriod creams until 2008. Something changed then, and for the life of me I can't figure it out. The eczema started getting out of control on my right hand. It got to the point where I was unable to move most of my fingers. My fingers and joints were swollen and red. The skin was broken and would bleed regularly. It went from being extremely itchy to very painful almost instantly. My dermatolgist refered me to a specialist that did patch testing on me. (I had to wait 6 months to even be seen!) The patch testing showed I was "allergic" to all kinds of additives and perservatives found in costmetics, soaps, shampoos etc. I went on a taper of predinsone and went "clean" for over a month. AFter the predinsone was over, my hand went right back to the way it was. I never saw any improvements in my hand when I wasn't using the products I was supposedly allergic to. The specialist suggested I try a diet that eliminated foods high in nickle, chrome,spices and flavorings, etc. I did try it but it was so extremly limiting that I ended up giving up. Shortly after all this, I got pregnant with spontaneous twins. My skin looked and felt amazing during my entire pregnancy. I didn't have to use any of my topical creams and ointments. But not long after the birth of my babies, the eczema started up again. It was horrible last Christmas. Bad enough to go back on predinsone to get it under control. I was perscribed halobetosal, protopic and an anti-fungal for around my nail beds. Although, it never completely cleared up, it did get better over the summer. Now, I'm right back to where I was. My hand gets so dry almost out of the blue and it will be difficult to move my fingers. I'm ridden with cracks and cuts all over it, my fingers are so swollen, wrinkled and ugly. I'm 32 and I have the hands of a 90 year old. My fingers are warped and deformed due to all this. I'm at my wits end! I feel like I have gotten no where with the dermatologists and allergists. (I should add I was also tested for food and environmental allergies which were all negative). I do feel that stress is a big trigger for me, but I just don't believe it is the only cause. I feel there has to be something inside me that just isn't working right. I'm done with allergists and dermatologists! I do feel like I need to see a doctor, but have no idea what type to see. I've been considering trying eastern medicine, but again...I'm not sure who I would see for this. I'm diligent about moisturizing. I use fragrence and dye free soaps and detergents. I tried cotton gloves and didn't have much luck. Is there anyone out there that has any ideas, suggestions, guidance, anything really? It would be much appreciated. Thank you!