talkhealth forums

Hi everyone, i've been reading these forums for years and it always makes me feel better to see that there are other people struggling with eczema.
I dont usually post on the site, but recently my eczema has been so irritating that i thought i might as well have a rant online. I dont know anyone else with eczema, and my friends dont understand, so its difficult to talk about it otherwise.
I'm 17 and i've had eczema all my life. It used to be quite mild, but since i turned about 14 its been really troubling me.
I used to be very self conscious about it, as i had it all up my arms and down my back and all over my hands, but recently i've adopted a "don't care" attitude. I've had enough of having to remember to moisturize daily, having to wear clothes to cover it up and having to plan my activities around what i can do so as not to exacerbate my eczema. This approach was all well and good, (i got lots more stares at work and school, but i shrugged them off with the "i promise its not contagious" line,) until the eczema (yet again) spread to my face.
Its been patchy around my mouth, upper lip and forehead for about 2 months now, and whilst i am trying to control it, i dont want to use steriods becuase of the associated side effects. I'm sticking to using moisturizers, so obviously its taking ages to heal. its SO frustrating having eczema on your face!
i find it very difficult to make eye contact with people, or relax with my friends, as i'm constantly thinking that they must be looking at my eczema.
The constat itching is also making me very bad tempered, as i spend most of my time trying not to scratch the skin off my face! Its annoying trying to explain to friends who are getting tired of me being unsociable and irritable, that it is to do with my skin. They just dont understand, as to them, i've always looked like that.
Its also annoying being a teenager growing up with eczema. I cant wear make up to cover up the eczmea as it makes it worse, and I find it very difficult to talk to new people, until i've told them i have eczema ( i feel like they are just staring at the eczema patches.) I'm going to Uni soon, and the thought that i'm going to have to start telling everyone that i have eczema (so i feel more comfortable talking to them), and warning flatmates that i sleep with gloves on, and covered in thick creams is just another hassle.
Ok, rant over. I feel surprisingly better now, so i'm going to grit my teeth and go back to college tomorrow for yet another itchy day with eczema

I understand exactly how you feel.
I'm 18 and also have had it all my life just like you constantly on my face.
im also trying to avoid steriod but the confidence i lose is to much as i just get so down with it. I am looking for loads of possible alternatives though.
I take vitamin D supplements through the winter because sun helps mine. I am also looking for more natural treatments so have been using liz earle but my skin didnt work with it however you might have more luck.
I also use 'faith in nature' shampoo because it is a lot better than chemical shampoos.
Im in the same boat and looking for alternatives to so if i find a good one i will let you know

Hi moo118
As your friendship groups change you will find you come across other students/lecturers who have eczema or have close family or friends with it. I was new to the area when I had my children and none of my friends or their babies suffered but on starting school I am now great friends with 2 mums who's sons also have eczema and are actually under the same hopsital specialist. I also through this site met and made a lovely frindship with a fellow mum who used to use our same pre school but moved away as we started. We have met up twice and the children have all enjoyed each others company.
Which Uni are you going to?? You must approach this as a positive step. New friends should be concerned although won't understand, but not understanding does not mean they cannot be of great support to you. Lets hope as your life widens you meet many people who can support you as an adult moving through life. Good luck

Hi guys,
Ive had eczema all of my life. Im 30 (ugh! i sound well old compared to you guys!)
Well, all i can say is, when people stare - just think to yourselves, you stare at me today because im different, I wont give you a second look tomorrow (WHEN my eczema is gone) because you aint worth it.
Not everyone is so judging, Im happily married, Ive had girlfriends who were understanding, my wife literally hits me at night when i scratch, as you know, its very hard to control.. but over the years I have learnt - moisturising after scratching has little benefit..

IF YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR ITCH FOR 10 SECONDS, YOU WILL HAVE THE CONFIDENCE, THAT 10 SECONDS WILL BUY YOU TIME TO MOISTURISE.. I keep the cream next to my bed!

Cool SHORT showers, plenty of greens in your diet with a mixture of fruits..

I wish you all the very best!!
PEACE!

Hi,

Ive had eczema since 2, I am now 30. And I really do feel your pain, but some of the other posts on here are right. What we need to remember as sufferers is that eczema and psoriasis are quite common. Most people know at least one person who has the condition. Throughout my teenage years I remember the stares, and the offhand comments. cant believe you used the 'its not contagious line' (lol). I used to get really touchy about it, and Id go off at people, to the point where violence would ensue. I think my condition bread behavioural problems, and Ive tried seeing a psychiatrist to deal with this. However, people arent all cruel. ive had relationships with women who dont have condition and were understanding, so it is possible. My missus now barks at me to stop scratching, and my 2 yr old has picked it up, so she tells me to stop as well, which makes me blush every time. Its impossible to control tho, after 30 years I still havent got the hang of it - will I ever?

@Moo118, my friends were the same, the problem is they dont notice when your skin is worse, to them you always look the same. My friends were actually quite supportive now i look back. And I had the condition bad, as in puss and weeping, all over, the only clean parts of me were my palms and feet.

In essence, little things help, dont be fooled, there is no cure. Ive wanted nothing more than clean skin, but after 30 years I have to accept its about containment now, and not cure. Plenty of water, as adults were supposed to drink alot anyway, but to keep the skin moist is more important. Cotton clothing, im sure you do anyway, and use steroids to clear flare ups, then moisturise often. In terms of the face, i have the same problem, I dont like using steroids, but I have recently which has resulted in molluscum which you dont want I assure you. hang in there xx

Well im adam, I've had eczema for my whole god damn hell rigid life, Its not as bad as some peoples storys but mine is pretty bad in my opinion,
Lets say im around 14.

I am asking if there is a way to permantly get rid of eczema, i've started high school and its going to be hell if i cant clean up my eczema
ALL over both my hands are scalier then a crocodile, Dry and irriated, Right up to my wrists palm, fingers, ALL my hands.
I have not to be eczema on my arms, but it stings while showering.
My legs are a nuclear apocolypse, I've never woren shorts in over 3 years because of it.
I have ashma, Hayfever and food allergys.
Im shy (not on the internet) insecure, Fragile and alot of the time i feel like bursting out crying, Even writing this.
I REALLY need to get this off my chest.

Well, For as long as i can remember i've had eczema, Maybe about 2 i got it? maybe before, its so long i cant remember.
I've been to the NHS doctor that cant do jack squatt (and this is me keeping profanity to a limit) i mean he's a good doctor and all, But NO DOCTOR in the WORLD understands what people with eczema are going through. I mean the doctor has prosedures to give out this garbage E45 cream and steriods, Really it makes it worse.
And now here comes the rage.

THE FACES CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY ECZEMA FOR MORE THEN 7 GOD DAMN YEARS, AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER I'VE HAD HANDS THAT MAKE ME LOOK LIKE A BLOODY CROCODILE!
AND IM SICK WITH MY ECZEMA, EVERYDAY WITH IT IS THE SAME! GET UP, ITCH, ITCH, ITCH... GO TO BED... ITCH ITCH ITCH... LAG SLEEP, GET UP... START FEELING SAD AND POINTLESS!
IM NOT ASKING THEM TO WAVE A GOD DAMN MAGIC WAND, IM ASKING THEM TO HELP ME CLEAR IT UP EVEN A BIT SO I DONT GET NAME CALLED, AWKWARD CONVOSATIONS, ETC, ETC BUT NOOO THE *SS FACES AT THE HIGH END ARE LIV'IN IT UP IN THERE MANSION, BEING .........! NOT DOING JACK ****, NO WONDER, THEY DONT HAVE A PROBLEM, THEY DIDNT HAVE TO LIVE AWKWARD LIVES, CANT GO SWIMMING, CANT DO ANYTHING WITHOUT SOMEONE ASKING OR RIDICULING!

I've never been bullied by my eczema, but because of that i am (^^^ look at the start) and dont like taking part, i dont like doing anything, i feel like everytime i get a best friend, they move or do something else so it seems like only my family cares, And they do all they can.

Theres this place, i can never remember the name of it, but its really good and a person there tells me my allergies, gives me creams and they work fabulously but i cant have permantly gone eczema, And its a real pain now starting high school and coming into contact with "new people"
I just want to have my visible eczema gone from my hands and legs, I know there isnt a miracle cure, but is there really anything i can do or can my eczema be "incurable" so to speak??

To be honest, I dont know why i even wrote this now, because i'll probably never cure it anyway, I've thought about deleting it and moving on because really i dont think anyone here will be able to actually help very much :/
But i've gone through the trouble of writing this and signing up, so i posted this.
There has to be something..
Because im properly loosing hope now i can do anything against this... disease.
Or is there something i can do to take the rage out and the depression and the sadness... Or is there anyway i can feel more confident...
Please something, I feel that im never going to be cured.
Im crying now, So im ending this here and waiting for replies.

Hi there l cannot use E45 as it made me have a major flare up. There used to be athing called parabens in E45 and it seemed to cause me great trouble. It would be good to maybe try another emollient. To be honest eczema is more to be managed than completely cured. Please see all my other posts . l am glad you have found this site as most people have been were you are at in your emotions right now. My friends changed during school years but l now have a good set of friends that have been very longstanding. l am glad you find support from your family. Do keep in touch with us here at the forum, l only joined last week. Best wishes J

Hey Adam
I couldn't read your post and not comment. I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time. Eczema sucks.
Do you have a cream that helps at all? Have you tried Probiotics? There is some thinking that suggests they may help.... I have started using a brand called Solgar for my 2 kids. It can't do any harm.
Have you tried any more natural creams? I did a stint with Pure Potions Skin Salvation that seemed to work well. But at the moment we are back on the steroids...
I'm sorry that there is no curative answer.
Have you changed your diet at all in relation to your allergies? Do you keep a food diary?
I'm not sure if this reply will be helpful but wanted you to know you're not alone, if it helps...
Hang in there
b

Gahhhhh I'm 19 I totally get the Its not contagious line especially when going swimming, its terrible!
i have tiny scars at the corner of where my lips meet my cheeks, Dont use steroids!
After you eat, pat each side of your lips with a little bit of a wet napkin, it cleans it real quick and it also adds moisture to help your skin regenerate, the tip is always let your skin regenerate, whenever i get an itch attack i breathe in and out and find a distraction, allergy meds (over the counter) help controll itch attacks

Hi Adam,

I'm so sorry you're struggling like this. I'm on my iPod so I can't write much, but I did want to say hello. I've had this my whole life as well, and it's rough... I have to say that it's gotten easier, but mostly because I've gotten more practice dealing with it over the years (I'm 26). Therapy has helped me a ton in the past 3 years, because stress is a trigger, so I get in a cycle of worrying about my skin, which makes the skin worse, which makes the stress worse, and so on. It's also helped me to deal with past trauma about my health - this disease truly is *traumatic* and that's important to remember - and on how to deal with life on a daily basis with eczema affecting me in so many ways. It takes it's toll and you've been through a lot.

I don't want to give you false hope by saying your eczema will go away, but I will say that by being willing to work hard and walk through this a day at a time, it's gotten a lot easier for me. It IS still hard, though. But it's WAY better than it used to be.

S