| Product: |
My Experience of Eczema |
| Date: |
16/03/01 (298 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Don't be stupid
Disadvantages: Others perceptions
I've had eczema for 20 years now in varying degrees of severity. It started when I was about 7 and had my ears pierced but didn't get really bad until I was about 19 and suffering really badly from stress.
Although, it's no longer as severe as it used to be it still interferes with my life and is incredibly painful. It did make my feel negative about my appearance and other people find it hard to understand it is debilitating and very painful!
Having gone to lots of consultants I have found that they are only able to alleviate the problems rather than cure them. And in some cases they make it worse, one doctor came up with this regime of treatment which led to a total skin infection. I do think that the sufferer is the best person to understand how to treat the condition. The only amazing cure I have found was quite expensive and involves travel to Israel.
My skin was cured for about 10-12 months after a trip to the Dead Sea (Israel). I did think it was all rather suspect that a dip in a rather slimy looking sea would do anything. But a week later my skin cleared up amazingly and from having eczema all over my body, and waking up every morning with sheets covered in bloodI had some mild dry skin. Sadly the effects only last for about a year and I haven't been able to return. There are lots of spas at the dead sea where lots of people with skin problems stay and bathe here. It is very painful as the sea is incredibly salty, so you feel it! But it's important to NOT shower for as long as possible after you come out for it to have any effect. Also rememeber never to put your face in the water (due to the salt). As I say it is very expensive but worth it if you find nothing else works. Though of course there are always concerns about the volatile political nature of Israel.
From a more day to day point of view, the best thing docotrs ever recommended is aqueos cream which is a cheap and far more eff
ective moisturiser than E45. I find the Boots version to be the best, it's £2.45 for a 500g tub, though annoyingly they were redesigned a while ago and it's impossible to shut them properly. If you are travelling then they sell a 100g tube for about £1.40 which is more convenient. The brands sold by other chemists are thinner and have the rather horrible habit of separating if they get hot which is just gross, so you need to keep them in the fridge.
Much as I hate it, I use a bath oil (E45) which is ok and occasionally steroid cream. But whatever your doctor says, never never use it on your hands or face. My consultant said it would be ok but the skin on my hands has thinned to the extent that if I scratch or rub my hand the skin will tear.
I have tried chinese herbal medicine but it wasn't very effective, it was very expensive and tasted foul! Evening primrose capsules can work if you find your skin is flaring up.
But if anyone can recommend something for eczema on your scalp I would be very happy to hear it!
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Last comments:
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- 22/05/01 Thanks for suggestions Sue.51 will speak to you re websites! Admitedly a trip to Israel is expensive but cheaper than some alternative medicines. Chinese herbal medicine did nothing and cost 100s |
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- 18/05/01 Wow - I never thought of the Dead Sea. Actually come to think of it when I've holiday's in Cornwall/Scotland and swam in the sea aa lot my skin has cleared up. Interesting, eh? Try the Nizorelle on your scalp - it may work. |
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- 02/05/01 Pretty expensive to travel to Israel every time to sort your skin. Joking aside, I assume when you were there that the weather was dry and hot, there is a direct link in many sufferers between their eczema clearing up and the sun, I know there certainly is with mine. If your skin does flare up badly, talk to your dermatologist about UVB treatment, but be aware of the potential risks.
In respect of the scalp, mine 'disappeared' quite suddenly. I had tried all the treatments under the sun, the best of which I found to be 'Betnovate Scalp Lotion', which burns like hell when you first put it on, but then turns quite soothing, it also doesn't smell very nice, and is flammable (you've been warned), but it does work. I believe the same product is available in dermovate, if it is that severe. Once I had used this to get it under control, I ceased trying to change my shampoos, rarely use conditioners, and avoid Mousse, although I do use hairsprays, which do not actually have any contact with the scalp. I have also stopped wearing make up, and jewellery and the aggravation can spread, and unfortunately the scalp offers ideal conditions.
Usin g topical steroids on the facial area is OK, for no more than 5 days at a time, and should be used sparingly, avoiding the mouth. Yes there are risks, but sometimes the effect of having severe eczema on your face can cause more psychological problems than using these creams for a short period, again, talk to the derm about using things such as Eumovate, HC45, Betovate RD and Synalar 1:4, which have limited potency. I too suffer from the same problem with my hands after years of using the stronger versions of this stuff.
I have also found Hemp Oil tablets(available from health food shops) to be very good for the eczema (and lifting the spirits - not sure why!!!!!!!)
Hope you sort if out - good luck. I have a lot of links on my web-site to outstanding eczema sites.
Sue
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