I don't know where I get the strength.

[hidro]

I am actually grateful that I was able to find a website like this and know that I am not alone.

I am currently 19 years old and in my second year of College. I have been suffering from Eczema as long as I can remember, even back to when I was about 3 years old. Going to school and as well for work is very difficult for me because of the dry scales, I usually wear longsleeves, a hoodie, or a turtle neck to cover up majority of the areas, but just began wearing my glasses more often to cover up most of my eyelids.

I took my first visit to a dermatologist last year of April, she had prescribed me Protopic and Elidel, when I had first used Elidel it seemed to work fine but then over time I realized my skin began to darken so I stopped using it. As for Protopic I did not really use it a lot due to the fact of a burning sensation which increased my urge to scratch the area where it was applied.

A couple months later I had stopped using both products and began searching up natural ways to fight against this skin disease.

To present time, the eczema had moved up to my Neck and Face, as well as my wrists. The inside of my elbows have subsided in terms of itchiness but has now left dark brown skin, it is to the fact that I am ashamed to wear short sleeves in public so I always wear longsleeves regardless of the weather. Overtime my neck will dry up and become flakey and when I am in the shower I will be able to rub off the dead skin and after applying lotion it will feel smooth. This is like an on going cycle, sometimes I think I'm part snake(just kidding).

Right now my eye lids, underneath my eyes, my jaw bone, and left temple has been the most recent areas that have been effected. As I write this I can barely open my eyes due to my skin, and my eyebrows have suffered and unable to grow back. Especially when I first wake up it is very difficult to even open my eyes fully, leaving me to squint.

I am going to see an allergist this Thursday for my first time, to see what triggers any itch due to a reaction of any product. I am also scheduled to see my dermatologist in November.

If anyone has input on how I can counter this condition feel free to leave a comment.

[Marcie Mom]

Hi Hidro,

How did the allergy appointment go? Had an allergy test? Helpful to identify/ eliminate tirggers?

Take care!
mei

[hidro]

The appointment went great. I had a reaction to Soy, Peanuts, Mustard, Beans and Grass, with a reaction size about 3-5mm.

My specialist also does research about Eczema and deals with many patients who have Eczema. For me he gave me a quick prescription of Epiceram, and it was my first time hearing of it. So I did some research on the product before actually going to the pharmacy to pick it up, and from what I read it had great responses.

At the moment my condition on my face has worsen to the point where I can barely open my eyes in the morning. It actually has developed to the point where I cannot open my eyelids all the way and my forehead and temples have suffered as well. It is very terrifying to look in the mirror and see that my whole face has been consumed by this condition, and just today one of my co-workers had noticed my face looked like it was 'burnt' or I had an allergic reaction to something (which was my excuse).

I'm quite sad that the condition has worsen up to this point that I have to decline or come up with an excuse that I wont be able to see a couple friends that are coming back to town from school for a bit.

[Marcie Mom]

Hi Hidro,

Have avoiding the foods and grass that you're allergic to helps with your eczema?

Hope your eyes are a little better now, take care,
mei

[ckbridgett]

Hi Hidro
I think the most natural healing is already in the skin itself. The itch-scratch-itch cycle is the problem that prevents this natural healing potential of skin to have its impact.
To find out more see http://atopicskindisease.com/articles/HR13.
Chronic eczema - that is, longstanding eczema, that has been present for longer than a couple of weeks, despite active topical treatment - is very unstable, and acute flare-up eczema is easily triggered on top of it.
Chronic eczema can be due mostly to a combination of under-treatment and habitual scratching: The Combined Approach to treatment tackles both of these, and is a real life changer. I hope you can find out more about it. See the slide show at
http://atopicskindisease.com/articles/SlideShow
Best wishes
DrB