Could puberty be affecting my eczema?

[cantThinkOfAName]

Hi, over the past few months I've posted several questions on here trying to get to the bottom of whats causing my eczema, since I was 13 I've had eczema on my hands, and it then went on my face, a couple of months afterwards, we got two cats, I can't really recall but I think around a couple of months after we got cats, my eczema started going from very dry to red. I used many steroid creams on both my hands and face and I also tried antifungal tablets and creams just incase it wasn't eczema.I had eczema when I was a baby but it went when I was young. I thought that the steroid creams might be the cause between my red irritated skin as I heard they do more harm than good so I stopped using them two months ago but seemingly no improvement. I am 15 now and until the other day my eczema on my hands wasn't too bad but when I look at my hands for some reason the eczema is practically gone after 2 years of trying! I am really happy but recently my face went from being mildly and barely red to extremely red, then flaky and now flaky, dry, red and sore. I thought the cats caused my eczema but surely if they did, my hands would be bad? I think puberty may be the cause behind my eczema. My doctor put me down for a refferal to a dermatologist a couple of weeks ago but I have yet to find out a date. I'm really worried that the dermatologist won't know anything about my eczema and I'll be practically alone. Anyway, my question considering all that has happened is: Could puberty be affecting my eczema and does the fact that it's gone on my hands mean it could soon go on my face/ I am a male 15 year old BTW. Thank you for your time.

[Marcie Mom]

Puberty does affect eczema, but I think as to how and where on the body is not very clear.. I can think of maybe it is reaction to some ingredients in the products you use? Like hair gel/dye? Not much help but do see a dermatologist.. and explore using a non-steroidal cream (like TCI cream) for the face.

A little of what a dermatologist shared on my blog relating to puberty:
Marcie Mom: As children move into pre-teen years and into puberty, what are some of the body changes that may trigger eczema? Are there certain parts of the body that are more prone to eczema at the onset of puberty? And is there any difference noted between eczema in a teenage boy versus a teenage girl?

Dr Lynn Chiam: As young children move into pre-teen and pubertal years, there are changes in the body’s hormonal profile and maturing of the sexual characteristics of the body. Sex steroids modulate skin thickness as well as immune function. It had been noted that under the age of 10, eczema occurs equally among boys and girls. However, from 10-18 years, eczema becomes more prevalent among girls. During adolescence, more girls develop eczema and more boys outgrow it. This suggests a role for gender-specific pubertal factors.

As they mature, it has been noted that females with eczema had more problems with issues of clothes and shoes than boys. Significant itch and sleep disturbance affected both genders. The areas of the body affected by eczema remain similar between the two genders during puberty. More studies are needed evaluate the effects of hormonal changes on eczema.

Take care!
Mei