UPDATED AGAIN: Eczema - a very personal condition (My Experience of Eczema)

Member Name: sue.51

Product:	My Experience of Eczema
Date:	24/03/01 (760 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: A lot of pain, the attitudes of others when your skin is bad

Before I launch into my ever expanding op on eczema and available treatments, I would like to mention that through this column I have read some very real concerns about steroid treatments for the condition.

Firstly, as stated in the title, Eczema is very personal to the sufferer, and nobody knows their own condition better.

If you are offered a new treatment, please discuss any concerns with your Dermatologist; if you don't have one, and your skin is very bad, request a referral from your GP, as they do not always have the expertise to deal with this condition. GP's often try out a variety of treatments when sometimes what the patient needs is treatment stability

TOPICAL STEROIDS
Topical-steroids, i.e. applied externally, are by the far the most effective way of dealing with angry eczema on a short term basis, but like any other drug, if not used sensibly there can be side effects, but usually a few days treatment with these drugs can be enough to sort any problems out, thus minimising the risks.

WHAT AGGRAVATES IT?
You also need to explore the reasons why your skin flares up, is it when?
* you are stressed,
* when you drink milk/eat dairy produce
* when you drink alcohol,
* when you eat something unusual,
* when you do the washing up,
* when you take a bath instead of a shower, * when you change your make-up, shampoo, jewellery, diet,
* go near a dog/cat/horse/gerbil,
* sit in the grass during summer or winter, * change your washing powder, conditioner, bedclothes,

The above are only some of the possible causes, and you may have to think very carefully to find the trigger, although sadly sometimes there appears to be no obvious cause.

I suffer permanently from some eczema, but know instinctively when I have done something 'stupid', as I can instantly feel my skin start to itch and flare up.

WHAT IS ECZEMA?
There are a number of
different forms of eczema. The skin is very dry and can be caused by a variety of external and internal factors, including contact & food allergies and stress, although in some instances there is no obvious cause, it is only over a period of time that sufferers beging to identify irritants.

Eczema can be a few dry, red, itchy patches or can cover large areas of the body and be itchy and sore, it can weep and bleed and there is an itch-scratch-itch cycle which increases the risk of infection, particularly as many sufferers cut their nails and then use other implements to scratch (my favourite is a hairbrush), the wonderful relief is short lived, and usually followed by intense pain.

WHAT CAN I DO TO TREAT IT?
If you show signs of eczema, or very dry skin with intense itching, see your doctor, the condition can be controlled, but not cured.

Beneath is a list of the available treatments for eczema, based purely on my personal experience. Treatment of this condition, particularly for new sufferers and children, MUST BE DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DOCTOR OR DERMATOLOGIST.

AVAILABLE TREATMENTS INCLUDE
Moisturising Creams - such as oily cream, and E45 are useful for rehydrating the skin.

TOPICAL STEROID CREAMS
These range from very mild products such as Hydrocortisone 1%, Eumovate and Betnovate RD to Betnovate and Dermovate.

They can also include an antiobiotic content for when skin is obviously infected. These provide rapid relief from the symptoms, but should not be used for prolonged period due to potential side effects, and MUST be used with caution around the facial area. They are only available on prescription, and these days Doctors are not keen on repeat prescriptions.

BATH & SHOWER OILS
There are a variety of these on the market, and they can be very soothing when the skin is 'angry'. Products include Balneum, the E45 range and Emulsiderm. They do not suit everyone, a
nd you need to work with your doctor/pharmacist to find the right one for you. Most are available without prescription, but are not cheap.

ANTIHISTAMINES
Taken orally, most can be bought in the pharmacy. Speak to your pharmacist, as not all are suitable for the relief of itching. Personally, I have found Piriton the most effective, closely followed by Phenergan, which has a profound sedative effect and thus use should be restricted to nightimes. DO NOT MIX THESE DRUGS WITH ALCOHOL.

UVB TREATMENT
This is commonly known as sunlight therapy, and involves regular but short bursts of treatment for about 6/8 weeks. Not without risks, but this has been my saviour.

ORAL STEROIDS & CYCLOSPORIN
Two products of which, through choice, I have no experience, but understand they have been used very effectively to treat eczema. Talk over the pro's and cons with your Doctor.

There are also a variety of homeopathic, herbal over the counter remedies which sufferers have used with a variety of success, including, Oil of Evening Primrose, Tissue Salts, Acupuncture, and Chinese Herbal Medicines (Below).

CONTAGIOUS?(NO)
I have added this in after reading an experience from another contributor to dooyoo. Eczema and Psoriasis are NOT contagious. Neither are attractive diseases when bad, but please try and look past the sufferer.

HOMEOPATHY
Various products on the market, I personally did not find them beneficial.

ACUPUNCTURE
Yes, I have even tried this. No, it didn't work, the fear of the needles made my skin worse.

OIL OF EVENING PRIMROSE (tablets)
This did have some effect, but I suffered severe headaches as a side effects. I am told these subside, but they were affecting my work, and therefore not practical.

HEMP OIL (tablets)
Yes, it is legal and not cheap, and worked wonders, but I am a little erratic at taking tablets and you do need to persist. Fou
nd it quite good for lifting the spirits!!!

ABOUT ME
I have suffered from eczema since the tender age of 3 months, and initially had it in all the traditional places, such as back of the neck, bends of the elbows and behind the knees. My dermatologist and the doctors told me I would grow out of it in my teens, no such luck, the condition has got progressively worse. It developed on my hands when I was about 14 and I was then told then that I would never get rid of it.

This condition affects everything in your life. When it is good, I am happy, when bad, I must be truly unbearable to live with and get very depressed. Family and friends are sympathetic, but do get frustrated with you because you can be so restricted in your life-style.

At my worst, I have been virtually unable to walk, and had to peel my clothes off at night, matted with blood, not a nice experience. Bath times, showers both of which I love are a nightmare when my skin is bad. Unfortunately, it is a vicious circle, you try to wash more because the condition makes you feel dirty, and the more you wash, the worse your skin becomes. At this point, you have to be very aware of the infection risks, open wounds can quickly cause problems, and also, slightly rarer, but not very pleasant, getting shingles in your skin; this was my lowest point as a sufferer, I looked horrendous, was in totally agony and very very hot all the time. The GP prescribed oral zovirax (against her better judgement because of the cost) combined with a strong antibiotic, and my skin recovered to the best it's best ever for a very brief period. Due to the high level of infections I have suffered, I am now also allergic to penicillin this can make outbreaks far more complex to treat.

About 5 years ago, on one of my regular visits to my Dermatologist, he advised me that there was nothing more that they could do for me, and that I would just have to suffer, I was devastated, and my
partner had to carry me from the hospital. It was at this point I put in a formal complaint to the hospital, and the Chief Executive changed by consultant. This was definitely a turning point in my life, I would like to say the condition went away, but I know now this is not going to happen, he listened to what I had to say, and together, after a weeks stay in hospital, we developed a regime which got my skin under control, this included topical-steroids, combined with Emulsiderm and UVB treatment three times a week. He also advised a weeks holiday abroad, which I duly obliged. It took me three years to get the condition under control, but now I have not seen my consultant for nearly a year, and know that if I need him he is available.

I have to live with the fact that I can't wear jewellery, make-up or perfume, and daren't change my shampoo, conditioner is also a no-no. I avoid all dairy products, and anything with orange dye in it. I am also allergic to just about every animal that moves, and all types of flowers and grass seeds. I also have to take antihistamines with me everywhere. I am however (I really shouldn't tempt fate), relatively eczema free at the moment, except my hands which are torn and sore as usual.

Eczema is a very personal condition, and finding out the best treatments for yourself will take time, patience and effort, but with a good doctor and friends/family support, it can be achieved.

There are a number of good websites around for eczema and psoriasis, they can be found at:

http://www.eczema.org/ -
The Eczema Society - the site has details of regional and local committees, contact names and support information.

http://www.psoriasis.org/

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