Giving up - going back to docs - what to ask

[Kel25]

I have had eczema in some form or another since early teens - I'm nearly 35 now.
I have been to docs a hundred times, got different creams and lotions and potions, referred to a dermatologist, had patch tests - still not much further forward than before.
I have had a patch on the side of my hand now since before xmas which has split repeatedly, got infected, got a bit better then flared back up again and now I'm finally throwing the towel in and going to the docs.
What I want to know though is if theres any suggestion that where on your body you have eczema can determine what causes it?
I currently have it on one finger on my left hand, the bottom of my wrist, one finger of my right hand, the patch on the side of my hand, around my eyes and lips off and on and then a few tiny patches sprinkled randomly around my body - one on my chest, one in the small of my back.
In the past though I've not had it on my face but I have had huge patches on my shins or in my arm pit or on my fore arms.
Why is it not always the same place?
I guess what I'm saying, in my rambly kind of way, is I dont just want another tube of cream to try, I want to know what might be causing it, to prevent it rather than just treat it. I know thats a bog ask - if it was curable there wouldnt be a need for this lovely site, but
Anyone suggest what I can ask for, how to ask etc

Many thanks

[Coldbolt]

Hello,

I am no professional but I was sick and tired of listening to the doctors and put it to my own hands and I have been very lucky to be able to control my Eczema since. So lets see what's going on.

Firstly you need to know what your allergic to. Eczema is cause you are allergic to something, that's a fact. If I drink Milk and i'm allergic to it, the area which eczema is most prone to attack will attack that area first (obviously..) so you have to find out what your allergic to. Now to fight what you allergic to, it is logical to believe that COD Liver Oil, Primrose Oil, Multi Vitamins, Antioxidants and Amino Acids will help you. Going through it fast the GLA helps breaks up Vitamins and EPA and DHA (COD Liver Oil) generally help with the symptoms of Eczema. Vitamin A-B-C-D-E are vitamins you need to help your skin in general to repair it and give it resistance. Antioxidants helps your gut and starts to repair it and help fight against allergies and Amino Acids does something of the sort to combat allergies also. It would be logical to believe that this would be the internal solution after two weeks where some sort of improvement should be seen.

Externally you wanna start looking at the creams you do have. I will personally talk about the creams I use. As a moisturizer I use E45 cream whenever my skin is not exposed (patches) as it's alot lighter and seems to work better with me whilst when it is patchy here and there, i'll revert to Diprobase or Boots Emollient as it doesn't sting me. If there is a patch, I will lightly put on E45 Itch Relief as it numbs the area, which should help with any scratching as well you can't feel the area which is Itchy. Also if it's red and patchy I'll use a Steroid Cream, Fucibet as it's better to use a Steroid cream than suffer the skin and pain which Eczema gives. If it gets infected, by all means get antibiotics. After the redness goes away, take one more day with the Steroid Cream for good measures and keep going with the moisturizer. Never stop with the moisturizer and use it religiously as patches happen when the skin gets dry and it's also a layer of protection.

I hope this helps

Alan Reid: http://www.stopeczema.info

[Kel25]

Thank you very much for your reply, thats really helpful.
I already take EPO and multivits but will look into the other suggestions for sure.
The allergy part is a little harder to sort.
I've had patch test which showed the only thing i was allergic to is a mercury derivative called Thimerosol which isnt licenced for use any more. I didnt respond to the latex test even though blowing up a balloon will immediately cause a reaction though.
Also - many say that I should avoid soap (incredibly hard for me as I'm a toilettries junky!!!) but if it was soap that was the problem then surely I'd have problems all the time?

Anyway - will see how I go at docs tomorrow and with my my new supplements and thanks again x

[Coldbolt]

Hello,

Avoid soap like it was the plague, switch to Emu Oils as this will assist you to help eczema and also is very delightful to have. Make sure the Multi Vitamins is from a good brand. If you have the money and want to take care of the issue, this is what I would be taking in your shoes.http://www.naturesbest.co.uk/multi-max-complete-p604/

In respect to your Infections, I would advise taking Fucibet or a similar steroid cream which helps you.

Hope to keep in touch,
Alan Reid: http://www.stopeczema.info

[Kel25]

Aww, a life without bubbles - appreciate its better not to have indescribably painful skin but still sobbing at the thought!!!
And again, many thanks, will be back to post tomorrow

[talkhealth]

@MarcieMom says on twitter in response to your question on preventing flares "No conclusive prevention becos no conclusive cause - multi-factoral makes it difficult!"

You can read more from Mei (@MarcieMom) on our talkhealth blog where she talks about her daughters eczema http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/blog/

[Kel25]

Wow - cool, thanks!
And I've been to doc, got Dermol, Haelan tape (after I asked for it following reading stuff on here so huge thanks for that) and a sympathetic pat on the knee that I just need to cope with it.
Am pledging not to use soap on my hands any more though and will keep on reading on here - and thanks again for all your help, really very much appreciated

[Coldbolt]

Hello,

In response to the follow quote;

@MarcieMom says on twitter in response to your question on preventing flares "No conclusive prevention becos no conclusive cause - multi-factoral makes it difficult!"

You can read more from Mei (@MarcieMom) on our talkhealth blog where she talks about her daughters eczema http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/blog/

We understand that Eczema is to do with the immune system and therefore using drugs which surpress the immune system is one way for inflammatory reactions to happen, it's not preventing it to the degree we can prevent alot of diseases but it's side stepping the case. I have suggested using fatty oils because of the properties which they have to fight against inflammatory reactions. There are huge amount of feedback regarding this and a simple google search is all you need. Just look at how Argon Oil is helping people.

The thing which I'm suggesting is to build up the immune system to tackle the root of the problem, which is when you eat something you are allergic to are get in contact with that allergen, then you can actually fight that allergen before it passes your digestive system. In theroy this is how Eczema occurs as Histamine, the bodies response to the allergens responds and well we all know the story of how fire circle occurs. If we take Probiotics which again, has thousands of people giving feedback about how it's helped with their allergies, then clearly there is some sort of connection. Putting in simple terms;

Lets say I was allergic badly to food colourings and I ate a microwave mail. Since I take probiotics, my body is able to fight of allergens alot better than joe blogs who doesn't have a clue what probiotics. His body will not fight them and it will pass the digestive system where his immune system will fire out, histamine. My body since the allergens have been dealt, should not. So saying this, surely there should be heavy research into Probiotics yes?

Also with Argon Oil, if you physically apply this religiously, your body will start to combat the signs of itching as well it's nice and supple and the properties of Argon oil (the EPA and DHA) and therefore, your body shouldn't react half, if not more as it would without my suggestions.

For goodness sake Eczema is a problem which derives from an Allergy. Treat it like one. If you go to the gym, your body becomes more bulk, if you take probiotics, your body starts to react to allergens alot better and there's hundreds of studies to explain the only core route to how histamine is deployed and that's via an Allergen. Beat the Allergen or give it a good punch and let will power take over.

Hope this hasn't offended anyone,
Alan Reid: http://www.stopeczema.info

[Kel25]

Probiotics on my shopping list, along with soap free hand wash and a bucket of fish oil - I really appreciate everyones help, even if some of elements of it differs.
The thing for me is that I sometimes let it overpower me, a lot of my eczema is down to emotional reactions but then I dont deal with my skin well and get into a vicious cycle.
Having new things to try feels like I'm taking a bit more control and thats empowering but also knowing that there are millions of people all trying new things and often not getting anywhere with it and being reminded that its a chronic condition with no quick fix eases some of the stress and despair I an feel about it.

Much love to you all, we're all fighting a good fight and I'm so pleased I found a virtual shoulder to lean on ((()))

[AnnaB]

Hi Kel25
You don't need to buy any soap free handwash use your Dermol. Most emollients can be used as a soap alternative and dermol is a very good one. In fact they have brought out a specific dermol wash which both my kids use at home and in school. Maybe give up the bubbles for 6 months and give yourself chance to gain control, the Haelan tape works brilliantly for us how are you finding it?
Anna