Another Eczema thread

[Missy]

So I know there are a number of eczema threads here but I am looking for anything new or helpful so I am reaching out here. PSers are so knowledgable about many topics.

If you have eczema what has worked for you?

I am already following an auto immune paleo diet so basically eschew most inflammatory foods.
I cannot do patch testing til after Covid as it involves too many follow up visits and it's too uncomfortable. We have too much going on right now so I need to put that off til after Covid.
I have tried Elidel, Protopic and topical steroids.
I find moisturizing the area (behind my knees) makes it worse. A conundrum for sure.

I am looking into bleach baths (tho it's not (yet) infected with Staph so not sure it will be helpful.

I am looking into wet wraps but moisture and water make the area worse.

I am looking into photo therapy. Does anyone have any experience with this?

And lastly I am exploring Dupixent. Which comes with a whole set of other problems but if it could help I am willing to risk it. If my dermatologist is willing to prescribe it.

What I hate about the topical meds I am applying is it could be one into withdrawal or rebound and make it much much worse. Google TSW if you are interested. I have a good friend who is going through this (and has been for years) and it is truly hell on earth. My dermatologist has me on topical steroids only once a day for the weekends (2 days) and Elidel for the rest of the week. He feels this way I am less likely to go into TSW but I am not confident about that because one can go into withdrawal with Elidel and Protopic as well because all of these meds are immunosuppressive. And who knows how much one has to apply for how long to get this reaction. It varies so there are no guarantees.

However, at the moment, I am applying these topical as per my dermatologist instructions but it isn't even helping much at all. But my dermatologist wanted me to do it this way so I am. I am seeing him next week and would love to hear what has worked for you re your eczema.

Thanks for reading and thank you for sharing your thoughts.

 

[Austina]

You know @missy, I’ve just remembered someone I knew who had horrendous eczema, it was so bad it looked like psoriasis. They tried all sorts of things, including steroids which made them swell up like a balloon, and the only thing that eventually worked was unrefined petroleum jelly. It didn’t look like Vaseline (do you have that in the US?)

 

[Dancing Fire]

Missy, the timing of this post...

Think I have eczema for the past month or so. In the beginning the rashes comes and go every half hour, but the past couple of days the rashes only re-appears 3 times a day, so is gotten better. I applied Hydrocortisone cream with aloe from Walgreens.

The cream doesn't stop the rashes from popping up, but it does stop the rashes from itching. I hope it'll go away soon. I have no idea what cause the eczema on my body. I haven't eaten any unusual foods that I can think of.

 

[PintoBean]

I don't see eucrisa on the list. Give it a whirl.

 

[pearlsngems]

I had some eczematous patches on my face over the summer. (I've had these kinds of patches crop up maybe half a dozen times total in my life, always near my jawline or on my cheeks.)

I used generic 1% hydrocortisone cream initially, then switched to HobaCare jojoba, which finally got my skin back to normal. When everything else I tried on it was irritating, the jojoba was not.

 

[stepcutnut]

@missy I feel for you as I have suffered since infancy. I am in the run, so will post some things a bit later when I get a chance-hugs to you!

 

[Bluemuse]

This may be a long shot and I haven’t dealt with eczema personally, but could salt water, (thinking ocean water since it’s ready available to you) help? I just remember that salt water bathing seemed to clear up any skin ailments I had at the moment. I know it has antiseptic properties. Sending as much healing vibes as I can, Missy. I can see how frustrating it must be, especially when you just want to enjoy moving outdoors.

 

[seaurchin]

I am no expert on either skin conditions or diets so just a thought here.

In the rankings of diets I've found, the paleo diet didn't rate very well. I haven't researched the details of who did these studies etc. but IF that's accurate, then I assume the same applies to variants of it, like the anti-inflammatory paleo diet, and I wouldn't expect it to help a skin condition. In fact, it makes sense that it could even worsen a skin condition. Therefore, maybe trying a different diet would help.

https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/best-diets-overall

 

[stepcutnut]

@missy a couple of quick thoughts since you mentioned patch testing-please look into LRA testing (lymphoctye response assay) from

ELISA/ACT Biotechnologies | ELISA / ACT Biotechnologies

* a much more informative look at both food, chemical, drugs, and environmental irritants.

I would look further at the possible rebound effects of bleach baths, many have initial success, but have issues with rebound rashes as they slow or stop the baths.

Make sure your gut health is up to par as many eczema issues are from leaky gut or other autoimmune issues. There are several great probiotics that help with tight junctions in the GI tract.

Try adding in some skin healing supplements-zinc, Vit C, VitD ( all at levels above RDA). Also, making sure you also have a proper lipid profile.

Will be back with more thoughts

 

[Tartansparkles]

I drink kefir which is fermented milk and if diary isn't an option then there is kombucha which is a fermented tea. Don't worry I'm not going to go all hippy-dippy on you. I have a form of eczema which mostly affects my hairline, I also get patches on the sides of my nose and cracked lips like you wouldn't believe. I read somewhere that skin conditions can be a result of a digestive issue and since live cultures are overall good for you, I reckoned I didn't have anything to lose. Drinking kefir works for me, it initially took some weeks to have an effect but now I drink on average one bottle per week (250ml) and mostly no issues. If I forget to drink the kefir and I have a flare up it settles within a day or two with nothing more than a couple of gulps of funny tasting milk (and if the flare up is beyond itchy, I apply the milk directly to my skins).

You can buy kefir grains or a scoby to make kombucha. The home made stuff is strong but barely palatable so now I cheat - I buy a bottle of shop-bought stuff which tastes nicer but isn't as strong and I add in the homemade stuff to up the count of live bacteria.

 

[Ally T]

@missy I have never thankfully had eczema, but I believe it's pretty awful. However, a couple of years ago here in the UK, there was huge publicity about a child's moisturiser that had cured many, many people's condition. As in completely, discovered by chance after years of suffering. It's a brand called Childs Farm. I am attaching their website, but have a read up about it. If they don't ship to the US, I will happy get you some & send it - drop me a message if you need me to to.

Sensitive skin products by Childs Farm

Childs Farm is an award winning British brand that uses naturally derived ingredients and essential oils to produce a range of mild, kind and delicious smelling toiletries for newborns, babies and children.

www.childsfarm.com

 

[Demon]

I have not been formally diagnosed with eczema, but my internist looked at an outbreak and said that's what it was. Mine seems to be weird in that I have outbreaks in just one spot and when that spot clears up, I get an outbreak somewhere else. I was about to try eucrisa, because its topical and not internal, but mine seems to be under control now. I take 30mg of cbd from Uncanny Wellness 3 day a week - its water soluble and you're supposed to actually get more of it than when you take oil based cbd (the Uncanny Wellness website explains it). I was wondering myself if it was really helping or if it was just a coincidence, so I stopped taking it for a month or 2, and started really itching again in the spot that was my latest outbreak. After going back on it for a few weeks, the itching subsided. I really couldn't say whether that's from the cbd actually helping the skin, or helping with stress, but it is helping. That last outbreak is a little itchy once in a while, especially after I have any alcohol, and I use a cbd/thc salve on it (from Mary Jane's Medicinals) to both moisturize and stop if from itching. It isn't red or 'broken out', just a little itchy now and then. And I have had no new outbreaks since I started the cbd. Take it for what its worth, and as I said - I don't know if the cbd helped with the eczema directly, or helped with the stress that is a part of eczema, but its working for me. I hope you find relief.

 

[doberman]

Have you tried colloidal oatmeal baths? I recommend them for skin issues.

 

[lyra]

I have psoriasis, but my biologic infusions help with that. I have extremely reactive skin too. I can only use paper tape to do the IVs, and even that leaves me with a patch of eczema that I can't get rid of. Nothing helps it. Most things just irritate it. It's so hard to get to solutions when we still can't actually see doctors. I need a new dermatologist--no way to do that right now. I hope you find something that works for you.

 

[distracts]

The best lotion I ever found for eczema is Nutratopic Pro-AMP - https://skincolor.net/isdin-nutratopic-pro-amp-facial-cream-atopic-skin/

 

[Missy]

You know @missy, I’ve just remembered someone I knew who had horrendous eczema, it was so bad it looked like psoriasis. They tried all sorts of things, including steroids which made them swell up like a balloon, and the only thing that eventually worked was unrefined petroleum jelly. It didn’t look like Vaseline (do you have that in the US?)

I don't know if we have that. I will search for it. Thank you @Austina!

Missy, the timing of this post...

Think I have eczema for the past month or so. In the beginning the rashes comes and go every half hour, but the past couple of days the rashes only re-appears 3 times a day, so is gotten better. I applied Hydrocortisone cream with aloe from Walgreens.

The cream doesn't stop the rashes from popping up, but it does stop the rashes from itching. I hope it'll go away soon. I have no idea what cause the eczema on my body. I haven't eaten any unusual foods that I can think of.

I am glad the hydrocortisone helps the itching for you. Have you changed laundry detergent? Or any changes to anything touching your skin?

Weird for me because the eczema behind my knees is the only eczema that isn't itchy. My neck eczema was very itchy but thankfully I haven't experienced it on the neck for years. But this behind the knee eczema is just irritated and hurts. No itching whatsoever.

I had some eczematous patches on my face over the summer. (I've had these kinds of patches crop up maybe half a dozen times total in my life, always near my jawline or on my cheeks.)

I used generic 1% hydrocortisone cream initially, then switched to HobaCare jojoba, which finally got my skin back to normal. When everything else I tried on it was irritating, the jojoba was not.

Glad it worked for you. I have tried jojoba in the past but not recently. Maybe I will give the HobaCare Jojoba a whirl. It's just anything touching that area burns it. That's why I stopped trying to moisturize there. Thanks very much for your recommendation.

I don't see eucrisa on the list. Give it a whirl.

Yeah I did try Eucrisa for a few years through last year. Didn't do a thing for me.

This may be a long shot and I haven’t dealt with eczema personally, but could salt water, (thinking ocean water since it’s ready available to you) help? I just remember that salt water bathing seemed to clear up any skin ailments I had at the moment. I know it has antiseptic properties. Sending as much healing vibes as I can, Missy. I can see how frustrating it must be, especially when you just want to enjoy moving outdoors.

Thanks for that suggestion. It's a good one. I am apprehensive about getting it wet. Water irritates it and I have been taking super fast showers and no baths. Before this I took lots of epsom salt baths and I wonder if that would be helpful? Thanks for chiming in and for your empathy. You are so right. I just want to be able to cycle without constant discomfort.

I am no expert on either skin conditions or diets so just a thought here.

In the rankings of diets I've found, the paleo diet didn't rate very well. I haven't researched the details of who did these studies etc. but IF that's accurate, then I assume the same applies to variants of it, like the anti-inflammatory paleo diet, and I wouldn't expect it to help a skin condition. In fact, it makes sense that it could even worsen a skin condition. Therefore, maybe trying a different diet would help.

https://health.usnews.com/best-diet/best-diets-overall

Thank you @seaurchin I do eat basically a mediterranean diet minus the inflammatory foods like nuts, seeds, etc. I have been adding back (as one is supposed to do with AIP) and reintroduced chic peas and almonds. That link is very interesting and I will read it in full later. Thank you.

 

[Missy]

@missy a couple of quick thoughts since you mentioned patch testing-please look into LRA testing (lymphoctye response assay) from

ELISA/ACT Biotechnologies | ELISA / ACT Biotechnologies

* a much more informative look at both food, chemical, drugs, and environmental irritants.

I would look further at the possible rebound effects of bleach baths, many have initial success, but have issues with rebound rashes as they slow or stop the baths.

Make sure your gut health is up to par as many eczema issues are from leaky gut or other autoimmune issues. There are several great probiotics that help with tight junctions in the GI tract.

Try adding in some skin healing supplements-zinc, Vit C, VitD ( all at levels above RDA). Also, making sure you also have a proper lipid profile.

Will be back with more thoughts

Thank you so much @stepcutnut for all this info. I will definitely read more about bleach baths and had no idea about the possible rebound! I do take lots of supplements due to my genetic mutation (the genetic defect which also contributes to eczema) and my Hashimoto's and hypothryodisim. I take C and D and Zinc and lots more. Are there specific probiotics you recommend? I cannot do dairy. I take Lactorpime plus probiotic and that is the only one because of my allergies but if you have any (dairy free) you could recommend that would be great, thanks!

I drink kefir which is fermented milk and if diary isn't an option then there is kombucha which is a fermented tea. Don't worry I'm not going to go all hippy-dippy on you. I have a form of eczema which mostly affects my hairline, I also get patches on the sides of my nose and cracked lips like you wouldn't believe. I read somewhere that skin conditions can be a result of a digestive issue and since live cultures are overall good for you, I reckoned I didn't have anything to lose. Drinking kefir works for me, it initially took some weeks to have an effect but now I drink on average one bottle per week (250ml) and mostly no issues. If I forget to drink the kefir and I have a flare up it settles within a day or two with nothing more than a couple of gulps of funny tasting milk (and if the flare up is beyond itchy, I apply the milk directly to my skins).

You can buy kefir grains or a scoby to make kombucha. The home made stuff is strong but barely palatable so now I cheat - I buy a bottle of shop-bought stuff which tastes nicer but isn't as strong and I add in the homemade stuff to up the count of live bacteria.

Haha feel free to go hippy dippy on me. Some of my closest friends are hippy dippy and I love them. I am sorry you deal with eczema to and yes for sure it is related to digestive issues I agree. I eat cultured veggies and take a probiotic but it might not be enough. Due to my dietary restrictions I am limited but definitely will look into kefir and see if it is dairy free or comes in a dairy free version. Thanks. I am glad you found what works for you!

 

[Missy]

@Austina is this it?

Amazon.com

 

[Missy]

@missy I have never thankfully had eczema, but I believe it's pretty awful. However, a couple of years ago here in the UK, there was huge publicity about a child's moisturiser that had cured many, many people's condition. As in completely, discovered by chance after years of suffering. It's a brand called Childs Farm. I am attaching their website, but have a read up about it. If they don't ship to the US, I will happy get you some & send it - drop me a message if you need me to to.

Sensitive skin products by Childs Farm

Childs Farm is an award winning British brand that uses naturally derived ingredients and essential oils to produce a range of mild, kind and delicious smelling toiletries for newborns, babies and children.

www.childsfarm.com

Thank you @Alex T ! I am going to see if they ship here. Appreciate your kind and generous offer. So much. XO.

 

[Missy]

I have not been formally diagnosed with eczema, but my internist looked at an outbreak and said that's what it was. Mine seems to be weird in that I have outbreaks in just one spot and when that spot clears up, I get an outbreak somewhere else. I was about to try eucrisa, because its topical and not internal, but mine seems to be under control now. I take 30mg of cbd from Uncanny Wellness 3 day a week - its water soluble and you're supposed to actually get more of it than when you take oil based cbd (the Uncanny Wellness website explains it). I was wondering myself if it was really helping or if it was just a coincidence, so I stopped taking it for a month or 2, and started really itching again in the spot that was my latest outbreak. After going back on it for a few weeks, the itching subsided. I really couldn't say whether that's from the cbd actually helping the skin, or helping with stress, but it is helping. That last outbreak is a little itchy once in a while, especially after I have any alcohol, and I use a cbd/thc salve on it (from Mary Jane's Medicinals) to both moisturize and stop if from itching. It isn't red or 'broken out', just a little itchy now and then. And I have had no new outbreaks since I started the cbd. Take it for what its worth, and as I said - I don't know if the cbd helped with the eczema directly, or helped with the stress that is a part of eczema, but its working for me. I hope you find relief.

Thank you and I am glad you found what works well for you!
I will look up the CBD you are taking and see if it is a potential for me. Thanks.

Have you tried colloidal oatmeal baths? I recommend them for skin issues.

I haven't. I used to take epsom salt baths and found it soothing but right now I am hesitant to take any baths due to water aggravating the eczema behind my knees. I will keep that in mind however and ask my derm if he thinks it is safe to resume baths and if so I will try the colloidal oatmeal baths. I have moisturized with colloidal oatmeal however and it feels nice. Thanks.

I have psoriasis, but my biologic infusions help with that. I have extremely reactive skin too. I can only use paper tape to do the IVs, and even that leaves me with a patch of eczema that I can't get rid of. Nothing helps it. Most things just irritate it. It's so hard to get to solutions when we still can't actually see doctors. I need a new dermatologist--no way to do that right now. I hope you find something that works for you.

Ugh I am sorry @lyra. You poor thing. I think you and I are very similar in many ways. I also get reactions with so many things and bandaids and at the doctor's office they have to use paper tape on me too. I am sorry you still cannot see your doctors in person. Sending you lots of good wishes and healing vibes. And hugs.

The best lotion I ever found for eczema is Nutratopic Pro-AMP - https://skincolor.net/isdin-nutratopic-pro-amp-facial-cream-atopic-skin/

Thank you @distracts! I am going to order it. Nothing to lose. Appreciate your recommendation and link.

 

[dk168]

I only have very mild eczema in a couple of small patches only. However, they are on parts of my body that I can't really scratch in public!

I was prescribed 0.5% Hydrocortisone Ointment and it worked. It is prescription only, and I did not wish to pay the high prescription price in the days when I had to pay for prescription charges, so I mixed over the counter 1% Hydrocortisone Cream with equal part of Vaseline as in White Soft Paraffin that I keep in the house to make a 0.5% half and half, and it works for me.

My brother also has mild eczema, and he has to avoid shell fish as they would make it worse for him.

Good luck @missy!

DK

 

[distracts]

Thanks for that suggestion. It's a good one. I am apprehensive about getting it wet. Water irritates it and I have been taking super fast showers and no baths. Before this I took lots of epsom salt baths and I wonder if that would be helpful? Thanks for chiming in and for your empathy. You are so right. I just want to be able to cycle without constant discomfort.

Do you usually use soap/shampoo/conditioner? Could it be that it is not water that irritates it, but a product you use in the shower? I had to stop using soap entirely because I'm allergic to, like, the category of ingredients that makes things soap. I thought it was eczema but it was a skin allergy. I'm sorry if this is a super simple thing that you thought of ages ago and have already ruled out - just that for me it was the problem of years of skin issues.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Missy I used to work for a rural supplies company
We had this stuff for cows teats that was very popular for people with eczema
Ask your sister if she knows what it might be
It was thick and waxy and pale yellow sold in a tub

 

[Missy]

Do you usually use soap/shampoo/conditioner? Could it be that it is not water that irritates it, but a product you use in the shower? I had to stop using soap entirely because I'm allergic to, like, the category of ingredients that makes things soap. I thought it was eczema but it was a skin allergy. I'm sorry if this is a super simple thing that you thought of ages ago and have already ruled out - just that for me it was the problem of years of skin issues.

Thanks for brainstorming. I appreciate any and all thoughts! But no, sadly it’s the water. Every product I use is hypoallergenic with a minimum of ingredients.

Plus I know it’s water because I spray water on my body when it’s warm due to a condition I have that causes capillaries to burst under my skin when I’m warm. So that’s how I realized the water was exacerbating my eczema. And at that point showers became painful. Luckily at the moment I can tolerate showers but I keep it under 5 minutes.

 

[Missy]

Missy I used to work for a rural supplies company
We had this stuff for cows teats that was very popular for people with eczema
Ask your sister if she knows what it might be
It was thick and waxy and pale yellow sold in a tub

I will, thank you Daisy!

 

[Missy]

I only have very mild eczema in a couple of small patches only. However, they are on parts of my body that I can't really scratch in public!

I was prescribed 0.5% Hydrocortisone Ointment and it worked. It is prescription only, and I did not wish to pay the high prescription price in the days when I had to pay for prescription charges, so I mixed over the counter 1% Hydrocortisone Cream with equal part of Vaseline as in White Soft Paraffin that I keep in the house to make a 0.5% half and half, and it works for me.

My brother also has mild eczema, and he has to avoid shell fish as they would make it worse for him.

Good luck @missy!

DK

Thank you @dk168!

 

[Musia]

@missy sorry you have it. Older granddaughter had pretty big and bad red/dry spots on her belly when she was N/B and up to our visit to dermatologist who recommended to change body wash and after wash ointment to something else. Specific brands that most kids don't have bad experience with. Before that visit we were buying everything super expensive, only made in Western and Central Europe for the baby. And she had bad reactions to these exceptional quality fancy products. The dermatologist also prescribed 2.5% Hydrocortisone ointment. The girl is still having some rash from time to time, just a few little spots, but nothing scary like she had when she was younger. Her mommy applies hydrocortisone and the rash usually is gone in a few days. But nothing like it was when we were buying only "the best"! And the doctor said that if Hydrocortisone doesn't help, we should try the bleach bath.

I am looking into bleach baths (tho it's not (yet) infected with Staph so not sure it will be helpful.

Our poor doggie is a different story. He had seen his dermatologist several times per month since he was 11m.o. He was on antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines as well as on oral and topical steroids since the young age until September 2018 when he was finally healed. And he was on allergy shots also. He still is, but now it is only once a month as well as once a moths bath/shower with medicated shampoo. So after 3 long years of trying "everything", his dermatologist changed his diet to strict fish/sweet potato/carrots/blueberries and nothing else even in smallest amounts (our doggie is willing to eat everything, he is unique because he is not hungry, just loves food!) and she ordered soaking affected areas in bleach for some period of time (I forgot for how long but I will never forget the smell of the bleach). I don't know why she had waited for 3 years, is such treatment a new discovery or it has potential bad side effects and is recommended only after anything else has failed? I don't know. In case of my granddaughter we heard about bleach at a time of her first (and last) visit to the specialist.

Also when I have any health related question, I usually google Dr.Weil on... Right now I googled ...on eczema and would like to post several links here. My daughter was studying Dr. Weil's works when she attended liberal University of California, Berkeley, so I think they may be useful, not at all harmful. Interesting and highly informative for sure.

Eczema Treatment | Condition Care Guide | Andrew Weil, M.D.

Eczema is a chronic skin condition. Fortunately, there are several gentle, natural therapies, such as evening primrose oil, that may bring relief.

www.drweil.com

Itching to Beat Eczema? - DrWeil.com

How can I get rid of arm eczema without using steroids?

www.drweil.com

Dermatitis - Dr. Weil's Condition Care Guide

Dermatitis is an umbrella term referring to any kind of skin inflammation. There are many types of dermatitis including eczema (atopic dermatitis), contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis.

www.drweil.com

I would personally try to use this, or products containing oatmeal extract.

Have you tried colloidal oatmeal baths? I recommend them for skin issues.

Hope you find the cure soon!

 

[PintoBean]

Missy I used to work for a rural supplies company
We had this stuff for cows teats that was very popular for people with eczema
Ask your sister if she knows what it might be
It was thick and waxy and pale yellow sold in a tub

Was it BAG BALM?

 

[pearlsngems]

There is also a product called Udderly Smooth.

Products

Udderly Smooth® has been a fan-favorite for over 40 years – loved by families, healthcare workers, cyclists, knitters, celebrities, stylists and so many more for its 24-hour moisturizing, ultra-healing, non-greasy formula.

udderlysmooth.com

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Was it BAG BALM?

I dont think it has such a catchy name but it was 25 years ago and it was marketed for dairy farmers - it may be called something else now or in other counties. It had a pleasant smell - not like alot of ointment. The smallest size was a 1l tube.