By Helen .E. on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 02:03 am:

Hi everyone!

I was just thinking about Eczema and what is does to your life. Its realy weird because my limbs are not missing, I have my sight,Im not physicly disabled, but you get a feeling of being imprisoned. Due to the Eczema I've never worn a skirt,shorts or a reveling top outside before but can wear them at home. Its strange because I CAN wear this items of cloting but due the perception of other people and what we know to be seen as 'Beauty' its instantly puts me off and gets me to take off the skirt or shorts and stick to covering up.
I feel if we were not looked at differnly we would feel alot better about our seleves, and in turn it would help or even improve our Eczema. Its a realy stange disease to have. If you let it it will take over your life and leave you sad, alone and defeated, and if you take a stand and confront it, show it, deal with it, face it. It could make you sronger then you ever thought you could be and put the right people you need in your life.
( i must admit im just starting to face it affer years and years of being shamed)
How werid is that?

By jean9v on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 01:55 am:

unknown....

here you go....w w w

emedicinehealth.com/mad_cow_disease_and_variant_creutzfeldt-jakob_dis/article_em.htm


Moo

By uNKNOWN on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 12:04 am:

I need a method to treat mad cow disease. Im doing a science report and I need information real badly. I also need to know how to do the treatment. I need the information by tommorrow please.

By bertpal6 on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 05:41 pm:

Hi from Ann,

I have had ecsema most of my life.
It first started on my hands but then spread to quite a few other areas, the worst being on my feet. After tests I was told I was alergict to
leather. My feet are in a terrible state at present because I cannot find any suitable shoes that are non leather that could cope with the wet weather in Cumbria. Could anyone help.
Thanks. Ann

By victoria_2825 on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 08:56 am:

Can any one help me get rid of my eczema patches? there horrible and depressing

By alex on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 - 02:38 pm:

This is for people suffering from eczema, your sick days can be over.

Don't worry about it eh, everything will be ok. There is a cure for every disease out there, even AIDS, we just have to find it.

I had many problems in the past : Asthma, eczema, candida, food allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, tomatoes, citrus, depression, environmental allergies to grasses, trees, weeds, dust mite, pollens etc.

How i took care of my problems = CLASSICAL HOMEOPATHY. my advice would be to please look it up on the internet, and find out the hidden facts of homeopathy which many don't know.

There is a HUGE difference between CLASSICAL HOMEOPATHY from regular homeopathy practiced now a days.

In the past I did try the regular homeopathy that many people try now a days and get dishearten and

stop treatment very soon, why because it does not help and it wont, because the classical approach is

not being practiced. THE CLASSICAL APPROACH IS BASED ON MINIMUM DOSES, i.e. you take a single

dose and wait to see how your body is reacting to the remedy, thereafter your next dose will be

decided by doctor on you progress + reaction from first single dose. Sometimes the next dose is after

a week, 2 weeks, month, sometimes even 2 months. Homeopathic medicine are non toxic, but they

are very powerful stuff eh.

However the regular method being prescribed, which is not the CLASSICAL APPROACH out there prescribes on daily basis for days, weeks, months. This kind I did try before and it screwed up many of my problems, even gave me newer problems prior to starting treatment.

So please look into this CLASSICAL APPROACH, and find a good practitioner that can really make a

difference in your life, it did in mine and believe my I tried everything from all types of herbs and diet

restrictions to many forms of therapies, which were no help, yah minor differences but then after a

week or so I was back to my same problems. However CLASSICAL HOMEOPATHY has change my life

forever and now am enjoying life to its fullest.

The Doctor that treated me was via emails, I never met the doctor in person still. I filled out a long questionnaire in detail and my treatment started, if you would like to get a referral please let me know and i will gladly forward you the information as i have done to many people in the past and have had positive results.

all the best.

By EczemaVoice on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 09:51 pm:

Toby's mum and Jen,
I've moved your messages to Allergies and Diet, under a new topic of Food Allergies

By tobys mum on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 09:10 pm:

Jen
Thanks for your reply - we've been trying probiotics (ABC dophilus) but this may be causing him to vomit - have you heard anything that suggests this may be a side effect.

We're going to get a 'reducing substances' test to see whether he has an inability to digest certain foods. So far he has had intolerances to egg, chicken and banana....

By Jen on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 08:13 pm:

Toby's mum,
have you considered using probiotic powder to help increase the 'good' bacteria in the gut. Sounds like your son has cramping stomach pains, like colic. Probiotics might help.

By Toby mum on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 11:34 pm:

Please help....

My 7 month old baby boy - Toby - has had severe eczema since 2 weeks old.

He is currently 'on' tacrolimus and wet wrapping (not together) - we have had food allergies to banana and chicken - has anyone else reacted to these as the dr's seemed to think these were 'bland' foods.

He has for a long time had a problem with flatulence and 'digesting food' which causes him severe distress and wakes him up regularly thru the night to morning ie screaming followed by a 'fart' - has anyone had this and can any one reccomend anything to help. He is now 7 months and this is getting worse - ie 40 breaking winds in 2 hours a couple of days ago - he didn;t know what to do with himself.

The flatulence does not seem linked to any particular food stuff - and he suffered from this when he was breastfed (up to 5 months) and is still suffering...

We have had RAST tests and a dairy exclusion which show he is not allergic to dairy..

Also despite Toby having a v healthy appetite he has been losing weight for the past 6 weeks - we are v concerned about this as he eats well but guess he must use extra energy in scratching etc

By Peachy on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 09:49 am:

Hi jay - where d'you live???

By Jay on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 03:27 am:

Hey people

Just here using my sisters computer, she told me about this site. Dont think she knows about this relationship section though. Or at least she might be keeping it from me. LOL

So where are all the nice itchy available men.

Come on I want to see some romance going on in here!

Well I'm single apart from my little boy, LOL, late 30's and from the midlands. How about you??

I like to have a good laugh, so enjoy comedies. Also drama, good documetary and listening ro radio 4, like reading, writing poetry and short stories. Going on rainy day or leafy autumn walks. I'm terrible with titles and the names of artist but I know what I like in music, and they include folk, jazz, RnB, soul classical, Irish and the list goes on. My taste is quite eclectic really.

And I enjoy people who are honest, spontaneous and full of humour.

waiting in anticipation, oh dear does that sound desperate. LOL

I assure you i'm just enjoying life and people at the moment

Jay

By Madam Flaky on Thursday, February 14, 2002 - 03:10 am:

Dear Mark and anyone out there in a similar situation:
All you really need to do is to break that cycle. I was on constant erythromycin for several months. Every time I thought I could go without it, staph would break out again. Staying on allergy medication is a good way to get on top of it. I have not had to have antibiotics for a few months now, and I have just taken myself off antivirals for the herpeticum. It may be risky, but these things will not pop up if the eczema doesn't flare up, and I seem to have that under control.

Good luck, and yes, keep me posted.

P.S. Also, a positive, can-do attitude and a belief that you are bigger than this thing and you can beat it will absolutely make the difference.

By mkgw on Thursday, February 14, 2002 - 12:53 am:

Dear Madam,

Thanks for your reply. I too am on a strict diet (no dairy, no wheat, no MSG, no processed food). My skin is currently much better. But I am taking antibiotics (Cefadroxil) for my skin. I am also taking allegra for my allergies. I don't know what's going to happen once I'm done with the antibiotics. Will keep you posted.

Mark

By trev on Monday, December 24, 2001 - 01:04 pm:

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help with a question. My Nan has just been diagnosed with what the doctor calls infectious eczema and has told us that there is a chance that it could be passed amongst the family members by contact. I have surfed the web and all the sites I have looked at make no mention of this. A few weeks ago her eye swelled up and her eyelid inverted, but this has now returned to normal although she now has a rash on both arms, around her ears and other parts of her body.Is eczema contagious?

By Gaz on Thursday, December 13, 2001 - 09:49 pm:

Hi Sarah,

Judging from what you are saying, I think your Eczema definitely justifies Cyclosporin - but please be aware that it's not a miracle cure and is far from being an ideal solution. It will certainly keep your Eczema well under control, but probably not get rid of it totally. I have had to reduce my dose from 200mg a day to 150mg, which has impacted quite badly. Your doctor will most likely start you on a very small dose and increase that as necesary. As you said, the side effects are a problem, so it isn't a long term cure, I have been on it for about 5 years now.

As for Protopic (I think it's proper name is Tacrilomus or something like that) I don't know. I am seeing my dermatologist in January and I will let you know what she says. I hope they get on and approve it ASAP.

Good luck!

By Sarah on Tuesday, December 11, 2001 - 07:57 pm:

Thanks for your message Gaz. I asked my Dermatologist this morning at the Out-Patients about Cyclosporin and he is thinking about prescribing it early next year. He gave me an info. sheet and I had to have a blood test.

How severe does your eczema have to be before trying this drug? I know i've had it all my life and I feel I can manage it quite well especially at the moment - although last summer was very bad and distressing for me - I saw numerous emergency doctors in my surgery - the pain was unbearable. I am prepared to try this to see if it will improve greatly as this would be brilliant.

I am worried and concerned about the side-effects of the drug. My dermatologist said that it can effect the kidneys but I think that's why it's important to have regular blood tests.

I did ask him also about the new treatment - is it protopic? (or a long name beginning with T?!) He said it's not available yet as they are currently doing tests on it for side-effects and its safe use. It's interesting to read that Anonymous has been able to have it prescribed for her daughters - is it very expensive and is that why it's not freely available?

If anyone has any advice or info. on these treatments please let me know.

Have a great Christmas everyone!

Sarah

By Gaz on Thursday, December 06, 2001 - 08:28 pm:

Hi Anonymous,

Thanks for your reply, I will speak to my Dermatologist in January. Good luck with your daughters' eczema.

By Naminder on Thursday, December 06, 2001 - 02:03 pm:

Hev,
Hi! great to have you aboard, likewise with anyone new.
I tried acupunture with Arun as a baby, it seemed to help, but then so did other things.
I tried it myself last year. The needles did hurt, but only so that I was aware of them. However it made me feel REALLY sick afterwards. The acupuncturist said that was good, because all the toxins were being flushed out of my system. It worked really well. But make sure if you try it, to take someone with you to drive you home!

By Anonymous on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 11:37 pm:

Dear Gaz

Further to your query regarding Protopic - a good dermatologist should be able to have it made up for you. My daughters were prescribed it last December (at a great cost to their Consultant - as he had to provide 2 pots a month!). Push for it as it is available. Unfortunately, we were one of the small percentage that it didn't work for - but don't despair I know it works in nearly all cases and it's definately worth a try. My girls are now on Cyclosporin and this seems to be bringing their eczema down to a more manageable level. Like you say it doesn't clear it completely, but it does control it. The only downside is the regular blood tests - not easy for a 3 year old to go through, but if it keeps it at bay - like they say - no pain, no gain!!

Good luck

By Stella on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 11:24 pm:

Hi Folks!!

Hope you're determined to enjoy Xmas...

You know, has anyone got tired of going to doctors, dermatologists, homeopaths, using skin creams with serious side effects and antihistamines that cause depression, etc, etc?

I realised that if ever there was a time when I had decent skin then it's possible that it can be renewed...the body recreates itself every 2 years and gets newer or older according to what we eat...anyway...a couple of friends and myself who have gone through ailments of the skin and digestive system have discovered a site called the Hallelujah Diet...

Anyway, at first I thought that it was too good to be true, (Ann Wigmore, Norman Walker and Bernard Jensen are right!!)I noticed that whenever I tried eating raw food, my skin cleared up and I put on healthy weight - you know, muscle - not fat...Anyway, after reading books on sprouting by Anne Wigmore, Living Foods by Gillian McKeith and Fats that Kill, Fats that Heal, Udo Erasmus and a few others (over the last couple of years) my friends and I realised that we could only cure ourselves by slowly changing our diets and what we thought about ourselves as people...

Obviously, every one's different and the diet that works for one person works differently for someone else, but we friends are completely different in build, culture and gender, yet all of us have improved skin, happier thoughts and more energy as a result of eating living food (there's lots of raw food out there that's more apetising than salads!!)

Think about it...most animals eat food that hasn't been cooked...only us humans eat cooked food and see how sick we are!! Even the animals who have their food treated fall sick - yet studies have shown and been proven that once people, animals including pets change to a fresh diet - they become healthy again and very serious conditions are reversed...(too good to be true? You can find the books mentioned about at the NutriCentre, Regents Park - and erm...it's really true!)

Anyway, to cut a long story short...I believe that my skin will be beautiful again...have started going out instead of acting the hermit and started singing again like before - so please don't give up and look forward to new beginnings and a loving Christmas...

Love you all

Stella

By Hev on Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 08:24 pm:

Hi everyone - wow a real party atmosphere here. Great to hear all you guys boosting each others confidence. Fab we are all together in this. I currently am having to wear slipper type affairs to work as I have virtually no skin on my feet due to scratching it off every night. I am going for an acupuncture sesh on Friday as I have been before and it takes the heat out of the skin and the itching really does go away. The needles do not hurt either it is like when you are walking along the street and you trip over a loose slab and you know that sort of shock thing that runs over you. Acupuncture is like that. Pleas try it when all else fails - it worked for me - you can get a local acupuncturist from the British Assoc of acupuncturists and price wise I guess about £45 for the first session where they take about an hour to get all teh background and then about 30 mins for £30 thereafter and you would need to go I guess 1-2 times a week until it is under control and then perhaps once a fortnight PLEASE BELIEVE ME IT DOESN'T HURT. It is SO worth it - once the heat goes, the itch goes and we all know once the damn itch goes the itch scratch cycle is broken and the EXCEMA GOES!!! Please try it - treat yourself - It worked for me and (Cyclosporin, PUVA, UVB. Azathioprine, steroid creams, hypnotherapy, Chinese medicine, reflexology, aromatherapy and many other weird and wonderful ideas did not work) I have had excema since the age of 3 and I am now 30 something so believe me I know. I have also seen 3 Dermatology Professors and about 12 different hospital house doctors and they look at me and ask what I want them to do as nothing works - they even know my name if they pass me in the street - Now THATS worrying!

So what have you got to lose?

And as a PS if anyone of you are lucky!? enough to have the excema and asthma package I find it also works for asthma.

Speak soon and all the best to you all.

xxx Hev

By Gaz on Monday, December 03, 2001 - 07:44 pm:

Sarah,

Have you tried Cyclosporin? I have been on it for three years and while it doesn't clear up Eczema 100%, it certainly keeps it under control. However, it is not a long term cure by any means. My doctor has advised me to reduce my dosage, as long term use can be harmful. But it might help keep it under control until this new Protopic stuff is available (does anyone here have a better estimate of the release date than some time in 2002 by the way?).

By Seseti on Monday, December 03, 2001 - 06:11 am:

Tiffany! you wrote on Friday February 9 2001. I know it is a long time from then now but I thought I would try to reach you anyway. A friend of mine has Psoriasis. Your condition sounds like hers. It is important for people to know that Psoriasis and Eczema are two different things and must be treated in different ways. Some things that are good for Eczema sufferers are bad for Psoriasis sufferers and visa versa. You may like to look into this condition.

By sarah on Friday, November 30, 2001 - 11:07 pm:

Hi I am 28 years old and have had eczema since I was six months old.

I think this website is brillant - really informative, good ideas and tips. I wish I knew about it earlier. I have just received my recent edition of the Eczema Socity Magazine and found an advert about the site.

I have eczema mainly on my hands and am finding it getting worse with the cold and the wind. It's getting dry, very itchy and cracked - I use diprobase as an emoilent which helps. I have also got it under my arms, breasts, legs and neck. Fortunately, it has gone from my face but it was bad in the summer and I think it's one of the worst places as you can't hide your face! I see a Dermatologist every couple of months and have tried loads of steriod creams, various emoilents, steriod tablets, wet bandages etc. I am still unsure exactely what causes it to flare up - but I think it may be to do with stress, nervousness, excitement, dust, detergents, perfumes etc

Please feel free to email me:- sarahpeace3@hotmail.com
It would be great to write to other adults who have eczema to share ideas and information and of course, support each other.

By Stella on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 02:44 pm:

Hi Everyone...

I'm really glad to hear about this website...I've been reading info from Living and Raw Nutrition as eczema is very much diet and stress related...

Fortunately eczema can be cured, but it means a lot of discipline mentally, nutritionally and emotionally...Since I've had a continuous flare up for 3 years after consuming aloe vera juice, I've decided that eczema is not going to rule my life so if it means moving out of London, that's fine by me...However, there is a less drastic way and that is changing our diet!!

The Living and Raw website has changed my life in that I have found through checking out their discussion forum that there are lots of people who have healed themselves of everything from eczema to colon cancer by changing their diet - they even tell each other what kind of food to eat...

We are really what we eat and no one can help unless they've gone through the kind of suffering we have...So Champion juicer here comes!!

No, am not crazy, but after a week of skin brushing 3 months worth of skin in 1 week, I decided that enough was enough...it is the eczema which has to go not me...going crazy.

So folks, keep smiling, keep happy and remember where there is a will there is a way...

Love you all,

Stella

By GAZ on Monday, November 26, 2001 - 09:54 pm:

Hi Terry,

Thanks for your message. Yeah, "Cheer Up" isn't as easy as it sounds! I have an inferiority complex that is derivd from my Eczema. I do hate my body. Detest in fact. I know that I'm OK as a person, except for my shyness and lack of self-esteem, but all this goes back to when I was at school and I hid away from peers because I was afraid of being rejected for being different.

My skin isn't nearly as bad as it was then, but it's still very uncomfortable and it looks horrible. However, the emotional scars are far harder to heal. Maybe one day somebody will find a cure for eczema. But nobody will ever be able to give me back my childhood. I have missed out on an essential part of growing up - learning people skills. And the only real way of learning this is by mingling with other kids as a child.

But yes, I do need to stop feeling sorry for myself, although that is easier said than done...

GAZ

By Terry on Monday, November 26, 2001 - 03:21 pm:

Hi again,

£350 is my approximate sponsorship total at the moment and I haven't really started yet!! Thanx everyone for your kind offers of sponsorship but I have one problem. This my sound a bit pathetic but, my parents still have know nothing about this site, how do I explain these strange donations??

I have started my training programme, with my sisters help (although she is finding it hard work!). I feel that taking part in the challenge is already helping me, I have to build up my confidence to ask for money, and I may even organise some events! It's also given me something to look forward to next year.

GAZ
You have to cheer up, I know it is easy for me to say (I got so angry when people said it to me!) but its true, you must not let eczema get you down. I find it difficult talking to my parents as well but I know from experience that keeping strong emotions bottled up inside is not a good idea. If you really feel that there is no one you can talk to face to face, then use this website to get things off your chest. When I found this website I didn't really think about the people reading my messages I just found it helpful to write about my feelings. You can reply to me on this site or email me at tjl@metallica.com

All the best to you and everyone else

Terry

PS Its not often someone I've never met says I'm cool, Thanx Face/off Girl and yeah I agree the film was a bit far fetched but still a good action flick!

By Mandy on Thursday, November 22, 2001 - 09:52 pm:

Hello everyone! I cannot begin to tell you what a godsend this web page is.I wish I had found it years ago.I am 28 and have chronic eczema.Like alot of you we have tried everything from daily bandages , hospital admissions and all sorts of steroid creams.Nothing works.I am thinking of cutting out dairy products- its worth a try.Does anyone have any input? I also have a 4 year old son who suffers and I feel so guilty for bestowing him with such a horrible disease.I would dearly love to correspond with anyone in a similar situation.It would be nice to have support from someone who understands.My E Mail address is Cameron@milne1756.freeserve.co.uk.

By Samantha on Thursday, November 08, 2001 - 06:22 pm:

I am 25 yrs old called Sam and have serve eczema. I never considered that other people where going through the living nightmare that became my life for so many years.

It is so nice to know I am not alone. I was nearly crying with relief. But you are also not alone. I believe that we should all support each other, for this makes us stronger, and the battle easier. We do have a choice; we do not have let it bring us to our knees!!!! We are not the eczema; it is a disease independent of the person.

I was due to be married this June, but my ex-fiancé told me he could no longer cope with my skin problems. I was absolutely devastated!!!!! At that point (Sept/Oct 2000) I started fighting back. Sometimes I get bone tired and sometimes I just want to cry. But I realised life is not fair, why me? So all I could do is pick myself up and carry on and appreciate what I can do and not worry about the restrictions on my life.

I also spent a few years of my life practically bed ridden I was in so much pain, and no amount of treatment seemed to help. The physiological effects on me are incalculable. So not only I am fighting from a physical point of view, but also from a mental side.

This last year the improvements in life have been considerable. I feel like I am finally winning through. I have dealt with so much. Especially, as you may appreciate, the reactions of others. I feel now if anyone would judge me by my skin, then personally I do not want to know that person. It has made it hard meeting a new partner and have given it up as a lost cause and has given myself lots of fun hobbies instead!!! So I have a good laugh instead. I have found those that do not judge, they may not appreciate all we go through, but at least they try to understand.

Life is a gift, and I have truly learned to love every minute I have of it, I am now in control. I would willingly help anyone also get there. A good friend of mine told me “you can push a person up a cliff, but if you let go they will just fall back down, but show them the hand holds and suggest where they might try next and they will succeed”. When times get really hard and my motivation if failing I chant to myself “never give up, never surrender!!!.

But as many will not the skin problems are only the half of it. The damage done mentally is profound. I ended up seeing a physcratic nurse for the problems caused, but that is also a battle I have won through on.

I do not feel any need to remain anonymous because I am not ashamed of whom I am. Please feel free to mail me sam@makingplans.com and we can support each other.

I think just writing has helped. Thank You.

Kind Regards

Sam.

By Gaz on Tuesday, November 06, 2001 - 07:47 pm:

Reading all these messages is very upsetting - but in a way it makes me feel slightly better - I don't feel quite so isolated.

A bit of background on me before I explain my current worries:

I am a 19 year old male and I have had severe eczema ever since I can remember - although I think it started when I was about two. But anyway, my childhood was miserable. I just wanted to be normal and nbe like the other kids. I always had to opt out of PE lessons - I was so paranoid of the kids seeing my disgusting skin and it was really painful to do a lot of physical excercise. I had to stay in during breaktimes in the winter to stop my skin from cracking. I got picked on no end, nobody understood it was harmless to others. I found it really hard to make friends and I was so shy.

Of course, the doctors tried all the usual stuff - Betnovate, Dermovate, Diprosone, Wet Wraps, baths twice a day, they even took the extreme step of UV light treatment - none of it helped one bit. I was hospitalised twice - once in 1989 and once in 1992 - both times for two weeks. This sorted me out, but as soon as I left, it was back to square one! I remember waking up, dreading looking at the damage I had done to my skin, I remember hardly being able to walk due to the terrible skin on the back of my knees, having trouble getting to sleep, feeling like a total loser ever day. But I was too young to understand it then.

Then I went to Secondary school, where I was still a loner My condition just got me down and I was too absorbed in my own self pity to mingle with others. My dreams all came true however, in 1997, when the doctor put me on Cyclosporin - a last resort! It worked beautifully - no more pain, although my legs still looked a bit nasty. I had to have my dose increased to 200mg a day, but all was fine until...

Two weeks ago. A visit to the dermatologisgt. She told me I HAD to reduce my dose down to 150mg daily. The Cyclosporin was starting to affect my kidneys...

Two weeks later, here I am, eczema pretty bad again. Okay, it's nowhere near as bad as it was, but every day, things are getting worse and I don't know when it's going to stop. I am terrified of returning to the dark days. There's nobody I can speak to, my parents just get angry if I mention it's bad again so I pretend it's OK. It's now starting to affect my job, I wake up every morning and feel fed up about this hateful condition and feel grumpy for the rest of the day. I find it very hard to talk to anyone, because nobody understands and I can't make friends. I am at my wits end because my life has been ruined by this evil condition. I just need somebody to talk to and get things off my chest. My email address is gaz@ic24.net if anyone wants to get in contact with me.

By mandy on Saturday, November 03, 2001 - 01:00 pm:

Dear Face/off Girl

I have had experience of UVB Light Treatment, but only in the treatment of children. My friend's 4 year old daughter has had two periods of such treatment. It involves being put into a light box (like a large shed) and being blasted with UVB Light. Sharlotte goes into this box 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Starting off for 40 seconds and slowly staying in for a maximum of 3 minutes. Her skin does seem to improve, but she has been burned on her face quite badly a couple of times. Also, she does flare up quite quickly again after her last treatment. I don't want to put you off trying the treatment - as you know people respond differently to different treatments. I have 3 year old twins with eczema - mainly on hands and feet and have been told UVB will not help them as their eczema is so localised.

All I can say is - you won't know until you've tried!

Good Luck

By Face/off girl. on Friday, November 02, 2001 - 01:59 pm:

Hi, everyone!
I've just discovered this web site through a friend, and I think its great. Its the perfect oppertunity to share different experiences of eczema and stay anonymous at the same time.

I've suffered from eczema my whole life. Having recently turned 21, I've lost all hope of my eczema clearing up for good. I've tried all different potions and lotions in an attempt to eradticate the eczema but all attempts have failed. I've tried Chineses herbal treatment, homeopathy, acupuncture,wet bandage treatment etc etc. At present I'm getting hospital treatment which includes Steroids and Azotrioprine (I hope I spelt that right!) tablets. This, too, doesn't seem to be working. At my last appointment my doctor discussed the possibility of UVB Light Therapy. Can anyone shed any light on what this may include and how effective it is?

Things took a turn for the worse last summer when I was hospitalised for about 3 weeks due to an infection which got into the eczema. Thankfully, the infection cleared up but the eczema was very sore for a long time.

I sometimes feel alone with no one to talk to and therefore suffer in silence. My confidence is low, I'm extremely shy and I often find myself being an easy target for the bullies and being the butt of all jokes. I've managed to cope with the help of my circle of friends. They've supported me, helped me through the hard times and have listened to my endless complaints. I'd be lost without them!!

I think thats enough ramble for one day. If anyone would like to reply to me, please do so. All comments will be appreciated.

Stay happy!!!
P.S Explaining the username: the eczema on my face is really bad. In theory, the film is a good idea but a bit too futuristic for 2001! (I really hope you know what I'm going on about!)
P.P.S Terry, I think you're cool!

By Madam Flaky on Tuesday, October 30, 2001 - 06:08 am:

Dear Scabby Chick
My poor boyfriend is a long term sufferer of my scratching and lately I have only been sleeping every second night because the only way I can get to sleep is if I am too dog tired to scratch. I have recently been trying this stuff called "Ariderm". It is an emollient cream with grapeseed oil in it, but I fear it is only available in Melbourne. Still, you may be able to find something similar over there.

As for the whole fashion thing, here's what I do. I truly believe that I will not be spending the rest of my life with eczema. I have a very strong belief that it is a temporary thing and that soon I will find a solution for myself, so until then I have decided to focus on my body. Not the outside, the inside. I have been exercising alot, especially when I can't sleep. Stretching is wonderful, and weights as well, because I believe that I should prep my body for when my skin is good and then I can feel good all over. I do step aerobics in my lounge room, drink heaps of water too. Because of my eczema, I let myself go because I thought "What's the bloody point!!??" but I feel so much better about myself knowing that I have a healthy looking body when it comes to physique. I have already lost 2 inches off my waist and 1 off my hips. So, when I am in control of the eczema LOOK OUT WORLD!

Let your resentment for your eczema be your motivation. It will never beat me.

By Scabby-chick on Saturday, October 27, 2001 - 03:33 pm:

Hi Everybody
I realise that everyone seems to say this, but I am so pleased to have found this site. As with Jared(?), I found this site thru the Google engine, and can't believe that there are so many people out there feeling the same way as me. Kim's message in particular, rung many bells: people not wanting to get in the same swimming pool as me, the embarassing flaking on dark clothes, the bedding, the nails etc etc. I have had eczema all my life (I'm thirty) over my body, but over the last few mths it has come up on my face - I look like I fell asleep in front of a gas fire! I gave up with the doctors years ago, but reading these msgs have made me realise that perhaps it is worth trying something else after all. Over the yrs I have found ways of hiding most of it with clothes, but the flare-up on my face has really got me down. All of us know that there are people much worse off than us, but I still find it very demoralising. This may sound vain, but I try to wear fashionable clothes etc (am not completely over the hill yet, I hope!)but then wonder what the point is when I look at my skin. Other peoples reactions are still bad, even though I would have hoped that by now, people could be more understanding, but the same old comments are made. I understand that it is disgusting to look at, but do they think we don't try??!! Thank goodness my boyfriend is so understanding, although when he's tired in the morning because I've kept him up all night with my scratching....! I am still using the old Betnovate/Eumovate/Aqueous creams blah blah that I was prescribed yrs ago. How do u all cope with the constant greasiness/stickiness of these creams? I am now tempted to try the light-box therapy - does anyone feel that this might work? I have also heard about good results from the Chinese teas, but am concerned by rumours of possible liver-damage. Any thoughts?
I hope everyone continues to contribute to this forum - for me, it has been quite a breakthru.
Thanks

By PAULA on Tuesday, October 16, 2001 - 11:43 am:

Hi madam flaky I am sorry that you have been unable to contact me here is my email address again PAULA.BANT@GB.ABB.CO.UK

By eczemavoice on Tuesday, October 16, 2001 - 12:12 am:

great idea Betty - have to give it some thought as to how we could make it work. All the best Terry - just for the record I'm really hopeless on a bike . Would you believe we went to centre parcs as well....
Of course we will sponsor you as well

By Betty on Monday, October 15, 2001 - 07:50 pm:

Hey! Well done Terry! Not taking part, but I'll sponsor you a fiver for doing it! Why don't you see if you can raise some cash through the site? Good luck. Betty

By Terry on Friday, October 12, 2001 - 07:50 pm:

Just a quick message to tell you that I sent off my application to take part in the Iceland Bike Challenge today! I've started to cycle to work each day, now all I need is the sponsorship money!Anyone else taking part?

C ya

By pamela on Saturday, October 06, 2001 - 11:43 pm:

Hi
I am a 62 yr old lady - have had chronic eczema since 3 months old, but I find that these days just youngsters and babies are catered for more than adults.
One small point - I would not mind if I was covered all over with eczema if it didn't itch. It is itching that torments me all the time.
How does anyone else feel ?

By Christine on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 12:41 am:

Hi everyone,

I am so glad that I found this site! It's great to know that there are other people out there who understand this frustrating and painful condition. I have been especially frustrated recently since I am in the process of interviewing for jobs. My eczema is primarily on my face, arms, hands and chest, and I hate having to cake on makeup to hide the red itchy spots on my skin. I'm so worried the interviewers are going to focus more on the skin on my face than what I have to say in my interview!!

A little about myself - I am 26 years old and had eczema as a baby. I was free of eczema for over 20 years until it resurfaced in May 2000, just before I started law school. Ironic, isn't it? Since then, I have been to 3 or 4 doctors and have tried virtually every medicine on the market.

My current doctor, who I actually trust quite a bit, thinks I might have a sensitivity to nickel and possibly other metals. I went through a patch test and tested positive for nickel, cobalt and gold. Who would have thought that my jewelry might cause all of this?? Frustrating news for someone who is on the brink of getting engaged!!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else had encountered this nickel-sensitivity problem. I have been using a combination of corticosteroids and protopic (tacromilus), but the eczema does not seem to be getting better even though I have stopped wearing jewelry.

The worst part at the moment is the eczema on my eyelids. My eyes are extremely itchy and I've noticed that my eyelids have become scaly and flaky. I'm even starting to lose my eyelashes. To make matters worse, my doctor has warned me to use my medications sparingly, if at all, around the eyes. Does anyone have any suggestions about other things I could try to soothe my eyes (aside from medications)?

Thanks!

Christine

By Madam Flaky on Sunday, September 30, 2001 - 02:42 pm:

Dear Paula

If you're out there....I have tried to send you an email but for some reason it's not working. Please don't think I am rude! I will try again and again until it works!

Hope you are well.

By jennifer on Sunday, September 16, 2001 - 10:41 am:

Dear Madam Flaky,

Thankyou. Kira is lucky in that she does have friends, and I've decided that I need too to make sure that she meets other children, and people with eczema too. It's important for her to grow up knowing that she is not alone in this.

By Madam Flaky on Saturday, September 15, 2001 - 07:13 am:

Dear Nette
Thanks for your suggestion. I'll try that!

Dear Jennifer
I did not suffer so badly when I was little, but I remember a girl I went to primary school with who had severe eczema all over her body. She was constantly dry with spots of blood and I especially remember her hands. Even the palms were covered in eczema. One thing I remember vividly is that she wasn't picked on at all. She was popular and eczema was just a part of her life. This brings me to my point. Make sure you help your little girl make friends. Lots of them. At this young age this is important. Friends are like a cushion for the blows from other kids. Friends rally around and support, and this I believe is the wasy to ensure she has a happy childhood, despite her eczema.

I wish you and your daughter happiness!

By nette on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 04:25 pm:

Hi Mdm Flaky

I also get flakes on my neck, just right below where my hair grows out from...lucky i have long hair so it's not obvious.you can try a Bethametasone spray. You spray it directly on the itchy parts on your scalp...it may hurt and irritate a little if you had scratched the area. but after a few applications the flakes should go away. Hope it works for you

By Jennifer on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 11:56 am:

Hello,

I found this site just last week, and I have gradually been reading the entries. The stories here literally brought tears to my ears. I have a four 1/2 year old daughter with supposedly moderate to severe eczema. Up until about three weeks ago this meant that she was dry-bandaged every day, using 1.5 kg of cream. To be honest in some ways her eczema terrifies me. It's such a huge part of her life, and I am desperate for it to not be a problem for her. Reading your stories, as adults of the treatment you have received from others, the sheer hideous unkindness of it all. She has just started school, and although the children do not seem to be picking on her, nearly every day one of the parents says to me "why is she wet?" or "what happened to her?" because her clothes are soaked from her cream, and having to say, in such a bright voice because she can hear me oh it's only eczema, then they change and make such a huge deal and I cannot bear to think that people will be like this to her all her life. Continually having to explain herself over and over. I want to punch them - I'm not going to let my baby walk around soaking wet - and neither do I want her to be an object of pity. At the moment her skin is gorgeous, because we spend so much time looking after her. I'm sorry, (and I've read that a lot too!) it's hard to finally let go of the things that I have been thinking since she was 5 months old, yes eczema is hard to live with, but she's still normal, and learning to deal with her skin has given her a strength you don't often see in such young children. I guess that it's the same for everyone who grows up with eczema, that it makes you very strong inside.

I would like to say congratulations on the new baby and good luck! We unfortunatly join the camp of no more children, as we couldn't bear to have another with eczema (and don't see how we could cope!) but maybe if she grows out of it...

Thanks,

Jen

By Fed Up on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 10:09 am:

Dear Itchy,

You might want to try Tacrolimus. I think someone on this site has already mentioned it. It's a new product and may not be out in the market yet although your dermatologist may still be able to get it made for you. The only very unfortunate thing I find about it is that when you first put it on, it itches really badly, but if you could resist scratching, after a few days of putting it on, it won't itch and will get better. The great thing about it is that there are no steroids in it. Give that a try, you'll never know. Good Luck!

By Madam Flaky on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 04:30 am:

Dear Itchy

I highly recommend that you cease showers and start having baths instead. I use bicarb soda in my baths. I used to dread having a shower because I knew it would make it so much worse, but then I started having baths and (aside from the fact that it can feel rather indulgent and luxurious) it has helped immensely. Give it a go, maybe try some kind of emolient in it (I put Oilatum in mine and it kind of worked. I felt alot more comfortable after.) Whilst in the bath (oh, now it's getting personal!) I rub over the flaky bits on my face and neck ever so gently with a face washer, to exfolliate, and then I rub my hands over it too, which actually balls up the dead skin and then I can just wash the skin off. After this you feel tight, smooth and silky. Do not rub dry with a towel, pat dry or even air dry and immediately apply a thick layer of your cream and let it absorb into the skin on it's own. When I apply my cream (Aqueous Cream) it stings like buggery for a minute and then it goes all soft and comfy, so bear with it. For some reason I get incredibly sweaty around my nose after bathing and the only thing that stops it is my chickweed gel, I think because it has teatree oil in it. I also immediately wrap my hands in cotton sheets after applying the cream and manuka honey gel and this combination has worked absolute miracles. My skin has almost completely returned to normal.

I just have one problem though. My hairline shows what looks like dandruff, but is actually flaky eczema (they don't call me Madam Flaky for nothing!) If I put cream on it, it just makes me look like I have oily hair. What can I do? I think I have decided to make a fashion statement and buy some head scarves (the good thing about this idea is that I don't have to worry about how my hair looks. I'm not much for appearances, just a natural bum.)

Dear Fed Up

Well, I found out this morning I may not have to quit my job anyway. My boss is pissed off that I haven't been in for a while (even though I have arranged for people to fill in for me) and he feels like making an example of me and my "roster changing" habits. Oh well, no big loss. I mean, although I love some of them, these are the people who have told me in the past - "We can see your stretch marks" - "You're too skinny, look how skinny she is" - "Your face looks terrible" and probably the worst one of all, when I had staph in my incredibly bad eczema "Stay away from me, you're dirty. You don't shower enough". It's their loss. They've also told me that I am the best, fastest, most efficient worker they have. Too bad.

By Itchy on Thursday, September 13, 2001 - 04:23 am:

Thank you Madame Flaky for your support. Just knowing someone understands my situation helps relieve some stress! As far as bathing, I usually take short showers in cool water, which I immediately follow up with lots of Eucerin Cream. I am in south Texas, so the weather here gets very hot & humid in the summer. I try to stay indoors. I've been glued to the television, watching all that has happended in New York & Washington. My prayers are with all who have been affected.

By Fed Up on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 - 02:53 pm:

Dear Madam Flaky,

I honestly don't think you should quit your job just cause of those few selfish people (I say a few cause it's usually the same few people). I know that feeling of being afraid of what the coworkers will say to you but for example, today I thought I was having a bad day (red, splotchy, flaky, itchy) and all day I was just waiting for someone to say something ... surprisingly, no one said a word! Sometimes I think we think too much and make it a bigger deal than it really is, so what I'm trying to say is, you may think your coworkers will say something awful and you'll be miserable but in fact, you'll never know, it may not be as bad as you think. Besides, don't let these unimportant people make you change your life because of them, change it only cause YOU want to change it. They are afterall, unimportant and even though their many comments have hurt, you're still standing.

Another thing I have noticed which might help some of you is when you want to cool down a itchy hot spot, don't use ice cause although it does make it feel better it will actually get even hotter once you take it away. Use cold or cool water.

By Madam Flaky on Wednesday, September 12, 2001 - 06:53 am:

Dear Fed Up
You seem to be totally tuned in! I can't believe that so many people I have read about in this site share my exact same trials and feelings. My "workmates" say exactly the same things as yours, and I haven't been back there for several weeks, actually because of the eczema and infections, but truth be known, I have had the odd day when I've been okay to go to work, but I've chosen not to because I fear their comments and looks, and worse if I think I'm having a bad day and they just have to comment on how red I look and stomp on any progress I believe I have made. Because of my food allergies I was limited to eggs and cheese and meat, all fatty foods, and I did put on a few kilos because of it and then my face was "red AND fat". I have these fantasies that I throw my papers on the floor and scream "Well you smell, you have a fat bum and I don't blame your husband for leaving you you whinging cow!", but in reality I just say "Yeah, well, that's me!" smile and walk away with a lump in my throat. Now, I have lost weight and look a little thin because of my restricted diet, and they haven't seen me since I lost the weight, and I am too afraid to go back there. I'm actually considering quitting my job because they're all just too damn comfortable with me. I'd NEVER comment on someone's appearance unless it was favourable.

I'm so sorry for my anger, but I would also like to take this opportunity to send my sympathy and support to anyone out there who may have lost someone in the terrorist action in the US. We all love you and cry for you.

By Fed Up on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 - 04:46 pm:

Today I am so happy to have discovered an eczema support group. I am 27 and have had eczema since I was 14. My eczema started to get really serious about 7 years ago when I moved to another city and since then, my life has been pure hell.

Before it broke out really badly, I had it around my elbows, behind my knees and along my hairline. By about 19 - 20, I was pretty much clear of it except on my elbows. THEN I moved to Hong Kong. I don't know whether it is the stress or the pollution or everything added up but now, I have severe eczema on my face and back. I have tried everything that everyone else has mentioned. I have seen a lot of dermatologists since I was young. They really don't give you any hope other than to "take steroid pills, wait till it calms down and then hopefully, control it with steroid cream". I'm sure we've all heard it before and then what happens? Not long after, you start to itch a little here and itch a little there and then before you know it, you're back to square one. After so many years, I think I can say I have pretty much given up seeing a dermatologist. I know exactly what they're going to say and give me. Heck,I might as well go out and buy it myself!

I have also tried drinking Chinese herbal medicine a few times. Honestly, I do believe it works. The first time I tried it, I had to drink this awful black goop two times a day for a good 6 months and I can honestly tell you, I had perfect smooth flawless skin. I remember going on a vacation and being able to wear tank tops and shorts, put my hair up in a ponytail - all those things that regular people take for granted was like the best thing in the world for me. Even walking out in the sun didn't bother me, usually I will get hot and itchy and run for cover but at that time, I had flawless skin and I enjoyed and cherished every single moment of it. Then, I stopped seeing the Chinese Herbal Dr cause I had to move again and in about 2 months, it started coming back. I was devastated. It wasn't even the money that I had spent on it, it was that my hopes were up so high that finally I had normal skin and then BOOM, it comes back again. I have since tried Chinese herbal medicine again and again, it cleared up, flawless and again, I had to stop and it came back. My latest and probably last attempt at Chinese herbal medicine has been the most traumatic. I went to the same Dr that I had been seeing and this time, I had a major allergic reaction to one of the herbs. My face swelled up in a matter of days the skin on my forehead was raw and pussing. I remember waking up (and wishing that I didn't wake up cause I know what I was in for) and not being able to look in the mirror, the worst was the fact that I couldn't even look at my husband in the eyes. I must admit, this time I went to see the dermatologist to specifically get steroids to control the situation and no doubt it did. Since then, I have been too scared to try chinese herbal medicine again.

I don't mean to discourage anyone from trying chinese herbal medicine cause I truly believe it does work, on the otherhand, because they put in a lot of herbs if you are allergic to one of them it is very hard to find out exactly which kind you are allergic too.

I feel very defeated.

Almost everyday I'm faced with questions or comments about my skin. The fact that it's on my face makes me an easy target. Unfortunately none of these comments are very nice. I don't know if it's the mentality of these people but even going in to work I get a lot of rude comments like "Wow - you're face is so red" "what did you eat?"- like as if it's my fault, or one that really hit me one time, this guy was looking at me and making a face, I thought there was a huge insect behind me and I said what? and he said "your face". Needless to say, I was and am still very hurt. Afterall, I have been working with these very same people for the past 5 years. I don't see why they have to keep asking when I've been telling them the same thing for the past 5 years. Why are people so mean? Then, there are the people who don't mean to be mean and are trying to be "helpful". They tell me to try putting this moisturiser and that moisturiser and this and that, but really, they don't understand and while I'm trying to be polite and say, "yes, ok, maybe I'll give that a try", inside, I want them to just leave me alone. The worst is when I think I'm having a good day, and some reminds me of it of how red it's looking, that really shoots me right down to the ground.

I'm sorry if I'm rambling. I'm just so happy to finally be able to talk to people who are experiencing the same or similar things. I really think my husband, family and friends are probably tired and frustrated of hearing my complaints and frankly, I'm tired of telling them my problems. I know they feel very helpless other than to be there and support me.

One thing that I remember reading was someone mentioning that being upspirited and self confidence helps ... and you know what, I really think it does. Just think of all the good things in your life and you'll soon realise that your skin is something minor.

Ok, I think this is long enough. One more thing I would like to suggest for people who are discovering early wrinkles due to steroid cream is to try to take Collagen at least 4 times a day. I have been taking it and I have definitely noticed the wrinkles are less.

Take care everyone.

By Madam Flaky on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 - 10:06 am:

Oh Itchy, I feel your pain. Are you sure you're not me? First, get some allergy tests (IgE). If you are allergic to certain foods, cut them out. Secondly, how do you bathe (sorry personal question, but hey we're all eczema buddies here). Thirdly, absolute cotton everything, all the way. Cut out the nasties in your shampoo. Go natural for a while and see if that works. Drink lots of water. Try to stay regular (cup of hot water with some lemon juice in it every morning if you're not allergic), it helps clear the body of toxins.

I know I've left stuff out, but hopefully you get something out of this. Please stay in contact and don't let it get to you. Watch funny movies, do something to take your mind off it. I'll see you clear up soon if it's the last thing I do!!!
You can do it!
Stay happy!

By ITCHY on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 07:29 pm:

Hi, I'm a 35 y.o. Female who has had Atopic Dermatitis since age 2. I have it on 75% of my body, legs, arms, trunk. Only my face & hands are not as affected (thank goodness!) My mother feels it was brought on by drinking cows milk. I'm not sure what to do about this condition. I've used most topical creams & ointments like Desowen, Triamcinolone, Elocon...etc. Nothing helps for long. It seems that my skin develops a tolerance to the medications. When oral steroids were prescribed, my skin cleared up completely. The problem is a few days after finishing the medication, I would flare up worse than before! Stress seems to be a major factor in my flare-ups too. Please post your ideas as I'm SO embarrassed to wear shorts or dresses. My eczema is very itchy, flaky (no matter how much Aquaphor I use) & has many, many scabbed & bloody lesions. help!

By nette on Thursday, September 06, 2001 - 05:13 pm:

Hi everyone...i'm really glad to have stumbled upon this website. Reading it made me cry. I always felt that it was unfair and unfortunate that i have ezcema. I got it when I was 7, mainly on the backs of the knees and elbows. i dreaded physical education classes because i had to wear shorts and i didnt like the way my classmates looked at me and i didnt feel very good when i saw that they all had nice tanned flawless legs........got worse in my teenage years.....started to attack my thighs and face....i dont mind it that much when it attacks my body cos i can cover it up with clothing but on the face?! I'm 25 now and ezcema mainly occurs on my face....every now and then....i call the bad days'my red face days' and the good ones 'good face days' i'm still unable to trace what triggers it, have been keeping a food diary though i think food has nothing much to do with it. My doc recommended Desowen cream for the face. it's not too bad. I've also started using Avene products. You should try it it's from France and contains thermal spring water and is meant for the most sensitive of skins. It's quite afforable too. sorry for blabbering on and on....does any of you get rashes around your eyes?? i do and it's like red rings around my eyes which's really awful and with all the cream i used, i've developed premature wrinkles and the skin around my eyes are thickened.......you might find it silly but when i was younger i harboured the hope that one day i will find a doctor who will bring me to a magic pond which will cure me if i were to soak in it....that hope died as i grew older......i just wish that someone finds a cure for it one day.

By Katrina on Sunday, September 02, 2001 - 10:46 pm:

Hi,

I have just found this site and I wanted to compare stories with fellow eczema sufferers. I am 20 and have had eczema since i was a baby. I remember when i was about 4 or 5 that I was the only one out of my friends that didn't have milk with their cereal, I had to have apple juice or orange juice with cereal because the doctor told my mum that i was allergic to all dairy produce. No yoghurt, milk, cheese, cream, eggs. I couldn't eat fish either. On two occasions when i was 7 and 13 I had these blisters on the palms of my hands and when they would burst it was so painful. I couldn't use my hands for up to 2 weeks as they were wrapped in bandages and the worst part was changing the bandages, I would scream and cry as my mum would change the bandages it was an absolute nightmare. On both occasions i had to go to hospital as i would also have a high temperature but the doctors would never do any tests they would just send me home.

Now I am able to manage my eczema, I only have it on my hands and it only becomes unbearable when i am stressed or very anxious. I try not to use the creams that the doctors prescribe as i don't want to have to depend on them for the rest of my life, but once i start scratching I know i have to use them.

I have found that the one thing that cleared my skin was by taking chinese herbal medicine and the best thing to cool your skin on those hot itchy nights is aloe vera. If you can get hold of the actual plant that would be best but there are loads of creams and gels that are just as good.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I am sure you know what a relief it is to share your experiences with people that can actually relate.

Katrina

By eczemavocie on Sunday, August 26, 2001 - 12:27 pm:

muggins - we have copied your messge on to two topics which may be related
Molluscum Contagiosm
Urticara

all the best and nice to hear from you again - rich foods eh..well why not!

By muggins on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 12:29 am:

Hello again folks..
a quick question. i am 27 and have had eczema since i was 2 years old. it's generally quite manageable and this summer is the first is a long time that ive'been able to wear t-shirts and shorts. anyway, in recent weeks, i've had a lot of meal out , family dinners etc.. and basically,i've been consuming richer foods than i would normally eat (e.g. cream, icecream etc..). now, first things first, i am not allergic to dairy products (any more)...but i am still allergic to eggs (in a big way.).Anyway, in the past week i have started to develop infected hair follicles on my lower arms and upper thighs. its hard to explain but basically it doesnt look like eczema. they are small, red, swollen 'spots' stemming from a hair follicle. sorry to be disgusting but with a squeeze, they will generally go away. forgot to mention that they are actually very sore to touch. i've read about a thing called Folliculitis..but i dont know if thats what i have. its not a big deal (compared to what i am used to ) but nevertheless it's annoying because i dont know what it is. and its only on those 2 places, upper side of my upper arms, and upper side of thighs. can anybody help? thanks for all advice and support so far. when i am down, i log onto the site and it really re-assures me. for so long i thought i was the only one . thanks folks.
Muggins

By Lisa T on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 12:29 am:

Hi, I have just found your fab site. it feels so great not to be alone!!! I have suffered with eczema all my life (28 and 1/2 years), and tried every lotion and potion imaginable, but to no avail. It mostly affects my legs and my arms oh and the all important alternate bum cheek! You may think i'm sad, but i have two wishes in my life and they are 1. To be able to wear a nice short feminine skirt. 2. To have a bubble bath, things that most people take for granted. It really gets to me when people tell me to stop scratching, I mean what the hell do they know, this includes family and friends, this may sound horrible but I wish that they could have it for just one day then maybe they'd understand. Even the doctors i've seen are worse than useless, one prime example was about ten years ago when after six weeks of constant bandages on my legs, my supposed dermatologist told me that it was plain old eczema, thousands of people live with it everday so why can't I? I don't see why I should. That has really stuck in my mind.

Anyway thanks for listening, it is great to have a site like this with people who really understand. keep up the good work.

By Clair on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 01:36 pm:

Sab,
When I was pregnant I drank lots of milk because I thought it was best for baby's bones, and I ate lots of probiotic yoghurts, but Efiah still came out with it. I myself am sensitive to cheese which gives me migraines and this developed in my teens and 20's after years of eating a LOT of cheese. I wonder now if the dairy I consumed when pregnant sensitised Efiah to these products?

Gareth,
I have a friend whose little boy has year round rhinitis (congestion and snuffles) and it has improved significantly on organic milk - something to do with the milk of normal cows containing high levels of mucus because of their diet (sorry, I KNOW that's disgusting), but it might have something to do with your little one being ok with some products and not others. i agree with you about labelling though, and why don't manufacturers highlight it when they change the ingredients in a product?

By muggins on Sunday, August 12, 2001 - 02:12 pm:

Dear Rach
as an eczema sufferer, i reckon it IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY that u have contracted eczema through a graze on your knee. it is generallyy accepted that people with eczema have a predisposition to having it ( sparked off by your genes directly, or stress, or environment or presonality type etc .) don't worry. i don't know what u have but its is unlikely to be eczema. hope u find out what it is soon enough. cheerio for now
Muggins

By Madam Flaky on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 11:28 am:

Hi everybody

Just a little note I'd like to add to about Chickweed Gel. My 2 1/2 year old niece has an irritated rash behind her knees (I'm sure most of us are quite familiar with this part of our anatomy!) My mother put the gel on it and within 24 hours it has almost disappeared! Anyone interested in the stuff, go to www.greenridge.com.au.

Hope everyone is well and happy!!

By rach on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 09:43 am:

I have a question and I am hoping that someone here can help me out with an answer. I am 19 years old. I have never had eczema and no one in my family has ever had either. Well, I was playing indoor soccer and I fell and scraped up my knee pretty bad. As soon as the scab healed I started getting little pink bumps on my knee. I went to the doctor today and he told me it was eczema. Although I have many of the same symptoms such as sever itching( mostly at night) and redness, I have never heard of someone getting it from a scratch. I was just wondering if anyone has ever heard of this and will I contine to get it from now on or should I go get a second oppinion. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

By Gareth on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 08:34 am:

My wife breast-fed our son, but he seemed to react to allergens through the breast milk. It improved to the point of clearing up completely when she removed the common allergens (dairy, citrus, etc) from her diet. The doctors say there is no conclusive evidence on maternal elimination diets, but it was pretty conclusive for us.

2 1/2 years on we have successfully introduced cheese and yoghurt with no reaction. However, the first yoghurt we tried was the Yeo Valley fuit yoghurts which brought his eczema up. It lists its ingredients as concentrated lemon juice, and 'natural flavouring' whatever that means! Could be egg for all we know. Anyway, he's fine with natural yoghurt, but it would have been so easy to assume a dairy allergy.

I wish they would label things properly so at least we would know what else he's allergic to.

By Sab on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 12:36 pm:

Muggins ... as I understand it breastfeeding can help delay the onset of eczema, but not prevent it entirely. I know several people who were breastfed and have still gone on to develop eczema. I think I'm right, but happy to be corrected.

I read recently that if expectant mothers and nursing mothers take probiotics, ie acidophilus, etc, then the chance of their children getting eczema is reduced. When Katie was on antibiotics for an infection the other week I bought some special baby/toddler acidophilus (made by Solgar) and have been giving her half a teaspoon every day, as well as mixing the powder into her moisturiser. Not sure if it's down to this or not, but her skin is amazingly good at the moment. Also, my friend who has psoriasis took a course of probiotics and her skin cleared up dramatically ... now she has stopped it has reverted back to how it was.

Liz ... you didn't put your foot in it and it's good to hear that you didn't blame your parents in any way for your eczema. I'm also encouraged by the fact that you are trying for a baby, as I would like to have another child, but wonder whether it's fair to risk having another baby with eczema (for them, not me). However, I do feel I am far more informed about the whole thing now and would probably cope much better second time around. Thanks for that anyway and good luck with trying for a baby.

xx

By Madam Flaky on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 12:21 pm:

Dear Clair
I'm so sorry to hear of your little girl having the dreaded eczema herpeticum at such a young age. When I got it, I was actually diagnosed with folliculitis and put on antibiotics. When this didn't work, a different doctor changed the antibiotics to stronger ones, which just made me vomit alot. Then my boyfriend took me to the hospital, where some young doctors looked at me, scratched their heads and sent us away. Finally, after passing out and crying on him for far too long, he took me back to my doctor, who sent me straight to another hospital where I was finally diagnosed. It's hard to get a diagnosis because not alot of doctors have ever seen it before.

The immune system test sounds like a good idea. Personally, I have had absolutely no suggestions from the medical profession, other than to stay on Acyclovir tablets. Then again, I hate to say it, but the medical profession would much rather fix the symptom, rather than investigate the actual cause. They told me as long as I could control my eczema, the herpeticum part would stay away. At the time of my two outbreaks, I was a vegetarian, and I have since had to start eating meat because my immune system was useless and needed some "beefing up" (pardon the pun!) It's been over a year since my nastiest outbreak, but the memory is still fresh. You sound like a wonderful mother and your daughter is very lucky to have a mum like you (as I am lucky for mine, and particularly my boyfriend, thanks baby!!)

Funny story - when I first got sick with it, I knew this guy who always said far too personal things. One day he said "I see you have a pimple there, but don't let it worry you" to which I replied "Actually, it's a festering pustule!" I never liked him anyway!

The Chickweed gel should be available from your health shop, or maybe from a naturopath. Your pharmacy might be able to order it in. If anybody has any problems getting it, please let me know and I will contact the company who supplies it.

Best wishes to you and your daughter. The important thing is to eat good, healthy food and get plenty of sleep with no stress at all.

Good luck!

By Betty on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 11:23 am:

Dear Madam Flaky,

Your poem is powerful and moving and explains much about living with such a difficult and unrecognised condition. Well done.

By Clair on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 10:30 am:

Dear Madame Flaky

I read your posts - my little girl had eczema herpeticum at 6 months which she caught at her christening - my anguished emails from the night before I took her to casualty are posted elsewhere on this site!. She has had repeated infections since (about every 4 weeks) and her Consultant suggested a test of the immune system. She had the blood taken yesterday, so we don't know the outcome yet, but I wondered if it might be a useful procedure for you. I don't actually know what they will do if there is an immune problem - I find that now I can't ask any more questions because I can't do the worrying anymore - whatever happens, happens whatever.

I know what you all mean about people judging you when you have eczema - it's happened to us - when my daughter was in hospital with eczema herpeticum, the staff treated us as if we had caused it, when in actual fact I took her to see them 3 times before they finally admitted her and gave her IV treatment. My heart goes out to you all.

Wishing you all the best,

ps. Madame, where do you get Chickweed gel from?

Clair

By muggins on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 - 08:22 pm:

hello everybody,
could anybody tell me about the hereditary factor with eczema. apparently, breastfeeding decreases the chances of passing eczema on to your child. is this true?
Muggins

By Madam Flaky on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 - 04:08 pm:

Hello people!!
Dear Liz
Thankyou for your thoughts. I have been suggesting to everyone with eczema that they try "Chickweed Gel". It has worked on and off for me and this was reinforced last night. I couldn't get to sleep last night because my hands and arms are particularly bad right now, and after tossing and turning in my own body heat, (I felt like a spit roast!) and crying and going into my "Zombie" state, at 4:30am I eventually put on my Chickweed Gel and, I kid you not, within a minute the itching and the heat had disappeared and I was finally able to sleep. I woke up an hour later, probably out of habit, only to find that I was quite comfortable and able to float off to sleep again. This Chickweed Gel (made by Greenridge) doesn't always work so beautifully, but I was very grateful when it came to my aid last night! This sounds like a plug for Chickweed Gel, but I can't help it. I also find it helps with secondary infections. At the moment I am also recovering from a staph infection in my skin caused by eczema and the tea tree oil in it helps alot.

Right now I am having RAST tests for different food allergies, and after having been tested for almost everything, I have been left with a diet of - meat, mushrooms, cheese, milk, peaches, apricots, and plums. This means all grains and starches are out of the question. Boring!! The reason for these extreme allergies is that I had a very nasty bout of gastro which caused me to overreact to allergies. I am seeing an integrative doctor to help me sort out my insides, and then maybe I may lose some of my allergies. I wouldn't expect to get over the ones I've been born with though.

Someone once accused me of being dirty, not bathing, and claimed that that was why I had eczema. After the steam stopped coming out of my ears, I had to explain that it was actually probably because I showered too much. Eczema is a social disease, and yet people shy away from discussing it. I am very open about it and when I find someone looking at me funny, I merely explain I have allergies and it puts them at ease.

This will not be the last time I write. I know I tend to ramble alot, but this is an amazing breakthrough for me, communicating with and reading about people who have suffered the same or similar, and also learning about their particular forms of this nasty thing called eczema. We are not alone, people, so when you are crying or scratching, can't sleep or can't even lie down, remember you are not alone and let's all try to give strength to eachother.

By Liz on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 - 03:22 pm:

Sab,

I'm very glad that you found my post useful. I'm so sorry that your child has eczema, and hope I haven't put my foot in it with anything that I said.

I do understand the feeling of guilt, but I have to say that I really hope you can free yourself from this. I remember a conversation with my mother when I was about eighteen - which means that it probably happened about fifteen years too late! - when she asked me whether I felt angry with her because I'd inherited medical conditions from her family. What has stayed in my mind most clearly from this occasion is my own complete astonishment that she asked the question. It had never occured to me that I might have blamed her, and I have never felt like blaming her since. Sure, I probably did inherit medical conditions from my parents, but I also inherited great things from them - my mother's talent for drawing and her gentleness, my father's sense of humour and great metabolism which means I don't put on weight - far more than I could enumerate, and enough to outweigh the rest. And would I rather that she'd decided not to have kids just in case we got the medical conditions? Of course not. My guess is that most people feel this way.

I felt terribly sorry that I hadn't made this clear to her years before. It certainly made her a lot happier.

My husband and I are currently "trying", and although I hope that our children don't have this condition, if they do I'm just going to do my best to make sure that I give them lots of the good stuff that we can pass on on purpose. I'm sure that you do this for your daughter.

By Sab on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 - 12:55 pm:

Liz, as a parent of a 2 year old with eczema I find it so useful to read posts like yours, which detail how you felt/feel about your eczema and how your parents have influenced those feelings. It brings it home to me that how me and my husband deal with Katie's eczema will have enormous bearing on her later on in life.

I try to do everything I can to make life better for her and live every day with the guilt that it is our fault she has eczema (we are both atopic). When I read stuff about parents tying up their kids hands to stop them scratching or shouting at them it really makes me want to weep. If nothing else I have learned from other people's experiences how NOT to parent a child with eczema.

Can I ask you, do you or will you have children?

Sabia x

By Liz on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 - 12:18 pm:

Hi all,

Another new person, another familiar story. I read the messages here and - like a lot of people - found the attitudes and support very encouraging. Why is it so difficult to talk about this condition? I've encountered varying degrees of sympathy (from extremely sympathetic friends to less-than-sympathetic schoolteachers and the college canteen staff who turned me out of there in case I 'infected' other students), but there is a real block on discussing eczema. I don't know whether it's because of the inevitable "yuk" factor, or because it's seen simply as a cosmetic condition rather than one that's both physically and psychologically very painful, or because people perceive it as one that the sufferer, to some extent, inflicts on themselves ("if you simply stopped scratching/ washed properly/gave up doing this or eating that, you wouldn't have a problem any more").

I'm 35 and have had eczema since I was three, having collected various assorted extras (asthma, hayfever) along the way. I am very lucky in that the outbreaks on my face mostly stopped when I was about 20, and I can keep my facial skin reasonably normal with regular applications of cream. My problems now are with knees and legs, shoulders and elbows, and worst of all my hands, which are pretty constantly horrible, weeping, bleeding, cracked and incredibly painful. The knock-on effects are also terribly inconvenient; a slightly raised temperature and a series of broken nights when I wake myself up by scratching my hands until they are raw.

I'm extremely lucky compared to a lot of people whose stories I have read here, but I identify very strongly with the feelings that people describe. It really does smash your confidence at an early age, and I think that in my case this came both from the inevitable bullying by other children which latched onto my eczema, and also from the problems which it causes within the family. I don't know how parents should manage a child who has this condition, but it's probably impossible to do so without making them feel to some extent guilty about having it. I can remember a fierce argument between my mother and my father's parents over whether I had inherited it from his or from her family (it's on both sides, which suggests that they should have been able to come to some sort of truce! (-: ). After this, I was marched into our doctor's surgery so that he could give them a definitive answer - and fool that he was, he actually started asking questions in order to be able to do so. I do also remember that at every fresh outbreak, I was subjected to a barrage of questions about what I had done this time to cause it. This was in the days before anyone suggested that stress might be a factor... My older sister still quizzes me about the state of my skin (taking over from my mother here), and if I gave up eating all the things she's told me to avoid over the years I wouldn't have eczema, but I'd have died of starvation.

My husband is polite about it but is very uncomfortable with the subject, and prefers me to hide my hands in public, not to shake hands with anyone he introduces me to, etc. I can't blame him, but it doesn't give a lot of practical help.

That sounds like a long moan - well, I suppose that it _is_ a long moan! I'm sorry - hadn't realised how much I wanted to talk about this. I actually cope well - it's not cancer, MS or any of the truly awful conditions which mess up people's lives - and after years of shyness and feeling that I had to apologise for the state of my skin, I'm now upbeat and open about it. I won't just "put up and shut up" when people imply that one might be lying when you say it's not contagious, and if someone is thoughtless or rude about it, I will give them a brief, polite but firm explanation. It doesn't harm me or them, and it might stop them upsetting the next eczema sufferer they meet, who may be thinner-skinned (? despite my years of over-using the creams! - please excuse the dark humour) than me.

There's a young man in our local corner shop who has scarred and flaking hands, which caught my attention one day as he attempted to make change while keeping them hidden. He blushed dark red when he saw me register them - and then gave me a huge smile when I held my own hands up in response.

I used various topical cortisone/steroid creams for years, which eventually seemed to be making it worse rather than better. The biggest change for me was when I went vegetarian at 13, which coincided with the clearing-up of a lot of the eczema on my limbs and torso. I don't know whether the two things were related or not. I also had homeopathic treatment at about that time which helped with a contact allergy to various metals. Since then I've used various different emollient creams - I've found that a good one is some stuff called 'ARU', which you can get from health food shops. It's horribly expensive, but does help the itching.


Again, I'm sorry about the moaning that crept in there, and my apologies if anyone is offended by the fact that I do make jokes as a part of my personal way of dealing with eczema. I don't know whether I can offer any help to other people on the list, but I hope that I can.

By muggins on Tuesday, August 07, 2001 - 11:33 pm:

Dear Madam Flaky,
I frequently get cold sores on my lips but thank god nowhere else. But its brilliant to be aware of it. Sounds AWFUL. You poor thing. My GP recently told me that eczema sufferers are also more prone to warts. I was complaining of having 2 warts on my knee and she reassured me with the fact that eczema sufferers are way more likely to get warts than the average joe soap. Revolting but true fact.
anyway, it's bedtime and time for me to apply vaseline from head to toe. sheesh! it never ends....
thanks for your words of encouragement (and most of all..the reassurance that i am not the only one)
Muggins xx

By Madam Flaky on Saturday, August 04, 2001 - 12:16 pm:

Dear Muggins,
I seem to be the yin to your yang. I get eczema on my face, neck, arms and quite often on my thighs, and now it has worked its nasty way down onto my torso. I am also prone to getting it around my "pantyline" and have been known to rip the elastic off my pants. I find the undies with only a very thin elastic inside the rolled edges, and especially if they are like boxers and hipsters are the best (cotton obviously). Have you thought about removing the elastic and puttings ties there instead?

I'd also like to add an EXTREMELY IMPORTANT note: Last year I was hospitalised twice for eczema herpeticum - basically the cold sore virus gets into your eczema and covers it with sores. It is the most excrutiating pain, burning, weeping, bleeding thing to have to live through. I got it because I was very run down and my immune system couldn't cope when some people I was living with got cold sores. It took over a whole horrible week to be diagnosed, and then a week on a drip. The second time I got it, it was even more ferocious and my scars have almost faded. I have been taking three acyclovir tablets per day to stop it from coming back, but I still get breakthrough sores.

Pleeeeease people, be verrry careful when dealing with other people. Do everything to avoid coming in contact with the coldsore virus because once you have it, you will never be rid of it.

Good luck to you all. I'm so glad I'm not alone!

By Muggins on Monday, July 30, 2001 - 11:40 pm:

Hello there!
This is my first time on this site and its soooo reassuring to know so many people are as cursed as i am!! I am 27 years old and have had eczema since i was 2 years old. as a child it was very bad; being bandaged from head to toe for most of my childhood, times that i have tried to forget about. Thankfully nowadays it is fairly manageable (resorting to steriods only when necessary). I find the sun/sunbeds are great for getting rid of the redness/roughness. MY problem is this: my legs and arms are largely free of eczema but my torso (i.e. belly, bum and chest area) is constantly red and itchy. i have tried changing to non-bio washing products. this has helped a bit but i continues to be itchy in these areas (ESPECIALLY underneath elastic of underwear etc..). IS there anybody else out there who has similar problem?
Thanks folks,
M.C.

By monaL on Sunday, July 29, 2001 - 02:05 am:

Hi,
I am a 41 y/o black female, who lives in Missouri. I have several allergies and feel that my condition is worsened by them. About 3 years ago I started to itch horribly while on vacation. It started on both hands, the next year it was both arms. Now it's on my neck and face. The areas are very dark and makes me want to hide. I put bleaching cream on the areas to lighten them. I currently tale allegra 180 mg., anti itching lotion, and steroid cream if itching is unbearable. The areas almost always occur on the identical areas on opposite sides of my body. Someone mentioned numular earlier. I need help and suggestion. I am dark skinned but the areas are much darker. There are round areas that seem to spread, but no blisters. Please help :{

By Davinder on Monday, July 23, 2001 - 08:55 am:

welcome back Terry - I was thinking about you last week and wondered how things might be.
Sorry about the counselling - must be a bummer to get a stundent counsellor after having worked so hard to get there. I feel for you. Look at the Daily Telegraph article on the Noticeboard and see if getting invovled in the research may help - could mean that you get to meet other people in a similar situation.
Snow boarding eh? I would never have had you down as a daredevil snowboarder!! Give it a go - I'm sure Penny will let you show off your snowboarding skills along the way.
Catch you soon -

By Terry on Sunday, July 22, 2001 - 11:51 pm:

I'M BACK!! Counselling failed (dare I say as I predicted?!) The problem was that she was a student counsellor at the college I hated, after talking for about 2 months about how I felt about the college (and not talking about my real problems) she finally talked me into quiting the course then after two or three more sessions with her she told me that she couldn't help me anymore because I was no longer a student at the college!! I understood the position she was in and realised it was going to be a problem even before I quit but I was still upset, becuase in the last few sessions after I quit college we really talked about the problems I fell that I need to get of my chest. I have thought about going to another counsellor but as some of you may know, it took a lot to convince me to see her in the first place. Also I don't want to have to explain everything again to yet another complete stranger. So I'm on my own again, once again I feel that the only person who can help me, is me and I am determined to sort my life out. Then again, there is still this part of me that thinks I need someone to help me change, part of me that thinks I should speak to another counsellor. She did make me realise just how much I let Eczema and other things affect my life and that I need to do something to change that.

On a lighter note(!), this Iceland bike challenge sounds like a great idea, I would love to get involved, as long as I can fit in some snowboarding along the way!

C Ya later

Terry

By Jared on Saturday, July 21, 2001 - 09:43 pm:

Hello,

I stumbled upon this site doing Google search on eczema solutions.

I've suffered the effects of Eczema for 22 years. From age 2 to age 8, I was on Prednisone. The problem with prednisone was that although it would clear my eczema for a couple of weeks, eventually the condition would come back and I would have to increase the dosage. If I tried to reduce the medication, I would have terrible breakouts and staph infections.

It was only after going to Hong Kong (I'm American Born Chinese) that a chinese medicine doctor gave me some powerful herbs to take back the U.S. Although the herbs did not cure my eczema, taking the chinese herbs allowed me to finally rid my body of the prednisone dependency.

I've tried other treatments, including radiology, chiropractics, and acupuncture. All of these helped in some manner (i.e. radiology detoxified my body from all the years of prednisone). And I was to the point where the eczema was a rather mild case on my limbs. I still had the beet red face.

Currently, I'm applying .03% of Protopic (tacrolimus). The doctors seem to be quite liberal in prescribing it. But it has been very effective, and has really helped to ease the redness/itching on the face. The effect has been very powerful; the face looks a lot more normal.

I still have a lot of the residual effects of eczema (occasional scratching a night when I'm not feeling well, tough skin, some wrinkles) but I feel so much better about my condition.

By Christopher on Saturday, July 21, 2001 - 02:04 am:

Hi. I'm a new reader in the U.S., age 46. I don't see many people mentioning DIET. For me, the worst irritant is MSG - monosodium glutamate. I now read food labels very carefully. MSG can be hidden or disguised. Beware of anything labled hydrolized protein, disodium inosinate, or disodium guanalate. Try avoiding soy sauce and ketchup.

Another thing to avoid is NUTS, especially if you crave them.

STRAWBERRIES may have been responsible when I used to get water bubbles on my palms and fingers, so I stopped them and now get far fewer water bubbles.

BEER seemed to make me worse, so I stopped, and have recently stopped wine for a two month trial. I seem to be improving after 3 weeks.

I also have HAYFEVER. The best thing I've found for this is stinging nettle leaves (as written about by Dr. Andrew Weil). I've used the Solaray brand for 6 years with great results, though they don't seem to affect my eczema. I can use them at work and not get sleepy, and they're inexpensive.

Sometimes it seems that everything I eat makes me break out. I'm now wondering if it's not the foods themselves, but the digestive process. As an experiment (out of desperation), I'm taking Parazyme - an OTC digestive supplement - to see if better-digested food would lessen my outbreaks.

Has anyone else had good or bad results manipulating diet?

By Sabrina on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 - 04:13 pm:

Hi, my name is Sabrina. I am 17, nearly 18 years old and I've had eczema since I can remember. Added to that, I also suffer from asthma and hayfever and am allergic to everything, including chocolate, which I have just about got to grips with.

I have just stumbled upon this site and I am so surprised that there are so many other people suffering from this awful condition - you just feel all alone and that no one understands you, sometimes, especially when people tell you to stop scratching, as if its that easy.

I'm interested in e-mailing anyone my teenager age so we could swap experiences and stuff. I know you'll agree that the worst thing about eczema at this age is the total lack of self-esteem, shame even, about your body and I think this is hampering my love-life because most people don't understand why I look like I do. My eczema is quite bad, and sometimes it can just go out of control. It's not really on my face, although it can go really red and hot sometimes. It's mainly on my limbs (everywhere really) so I mostly have them covered but in the summer weather, it's a bit hard.

I have used topical steroids forever and I am soooooo worried about side effects - I have irregular periods and think that it could be due to the steriods, for example.

Anyway, if there's anyone out there who can totally identify, please contact me at marsmanna@aol.com - I could go on forever.....

Sabrina

By Sabrina on Tuesday, July 17, 2001 - 04:11 pm:

Hi, my name is Sabrina. I am 17, nearly 18 years old and I've had eczema since I can remember. Added to that, I also suffer from asthma and hayfever and am allergic to everything, including chocolate, which I have just about got to grips with.

I have just stumbled upon this site and I am so surprised that there are so many other people suffering from this awful condition - you just feel all alone and that no one understands you, sometimes, especially when people tell you to stop scratching, as if its that easy.

I'm interested in e-mailing anyone my teenager age so we could swap experiences and stuff. I know you'll agree that the worst thing about eczema at this age is the total lack of self-esteem, shame even, about your body and I think this is hampering my love-life because most people don't understand why I look like I do. My eczema is quite bad, and sometimes it can just go out of control. It's not really on my face, although it can go really red and hot sometimes. It's mainly on my limbs (everywhere really) so I mostly have them covered but in the summer weather, it's a bit hard.

I have used topical steroids forever and I am soooooo worried about

By Serena on Sunday, July 08, 2001 - 02:34 pm:

I'd just like to thank the person that suggested taking pure cod liver oil to treat eczema. It tastes nasty but it's working wonders for my severe eczema. It's starting to clear up. Other people should try it too.

By Sue on Wednesday, June 20, 2001 - 04:35 am:

Topical Steriods - its a good question, why weren't we told as kids or teens etc that you shouldn't use steriod creams for a long period. My skin is now too thin for steriod cream use and have to have Narrow Band Light Treatment which is okay however very time consuming.
Here they don't make betnovate anymore its called Beta Cream. The chemist say its the same but when I did have to use it for a short period it wasn't the same at all, a different texture and not only that it didn't work as well as Betnovate.

My son has to have steriod cream quite a bit, but I try to make it no longer than a week at a time, and because hes so little I'm able to moisturise lots which is great.

Thank goodness education is out there a bit more for eczema. I'd hate to see my kids with the same results after using steriod creams as I do.

My doctor doesn't say a lot either, he calls them stretch marks and that its a type of skin thinning. Doesn't do much for the self esteem does it?

It makes me feel sad when other people suffer side effects from anything, why is there always a price for being healthy for five minutes?

Regards

By Anonymous on Tuesday, June 19, 2001 - 09:46 pm:

Frances, I too have had a growing concern about using steroid creams. I have also used them all of my life, plus several shots in the past five years due to my worsening condition. In the past year, due to stress, I have used steroids on my face very much. I started to notice my skin literally thinning and wrinkles appearing (I'm only 20). I have completely stopped using steroids for fear of what else might happen. In conjunction to this, I have stopped smoking, drinking caffeine and altered my diet. I also have consulted with an herbalist that is prescribing me Chinese medicinal herbs. My excema is not completely gone and I'm still itchy, but I have gotten rid of my dependency of the steroids which is a big step.

By Anonymous on Tuesday, June 19, 2001 - 07:58 pm:

Hi Frances

Betnovate - I share your same concern as I've been using this cream day in day out for as long as I can remember. And as with you, I feel that my body has now become too used to it. Not a great situation really but I do wait with baited breath for news/release on protopic. I'm sorry that I can't give any advice or recommend a substitute treatment - just wanted to let you know that we're on the same playing field.

Take care
L.

By frances on Monday, June 18, 2001 - 03:01 pm:

Hi,

Another new eczema suffer to the list. I would especially be interested in hearing more about Magda's cream from India?

I have had eczema since I was 3 months old, I am now 34 years old and I don't think a day has past where I have not had to use my steroid creams. I do however manage my eczema as best as I can. I watch my diet and try and avoid things like dairy products, wheat, eggs, fish, sugar (which is difficult), alchol (which is even more difficult). I do use the sunbeds a lot too as this helps to reduce the redness and roughness.

I would be interested hearing from suffers who now have the side affects from the steriod creams? I myself am pretty badly scarred on my inner arms, under armpits, under breasts, inner legs and the backs of my legs. Its not very nice to look at and I do get self conscious about this.

I have been to the docs on numerous times to voice my concerns but they dont seem interested. I am now in the process of getting my steriods reduced but I think it has come to late. I hate to think what my body is going to be like in another ten years time. I have tried to stop using the betnovate but I think I am kind of addicted now, and as soon as I try to stop using it or reduce it, my eczema gets worse.

When I was a child we were never warned of the dangers of the skin thinning, the creams were always supplied in tubs and you never got leaflets with them.

Anyway thanks for listening and feel free to drop me a line.

By Sue on Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 01:13 am:

Hi
I am from NZ and quite often read the comments etc on this site.
You all have such deep stories to tell and it certainly makes one realize we're not alone in this cruel condition.
I have suffered eczema, asthma, allergies since I was born and still continue the plight of coping with three children and working while I struggle with itching or whatever.
I've never been one to complain, the Doctors try their hardest but as we all know until you have something like this its hard to understand.

Just lately my youngest child has had a major reaction to egg and we had him tested and of course hes got more allergies.

Its hard to see your own going to go through what I did, as much as you prevent you can't stop it.

People around me say how terrible it must be for myself and now James but I just smile and say one out of three isn't too bad. They don't understand that.

Anyway just wanted you to see we read your site here in New Zealand as well.

All the best

By cleo on Thursday, June 14, 2001 - 04:52 pm:

Tina,

Read your message regding your husband's eczema. When I moved to the States, I started to use Cetaphil Cleanser instead of soap which I found very mild and non-irritating. Also I used to buy pots of Pure Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) and bottles of mineral oil and mix my own 50/50 ointment, which I had used with great success in the UK. It consists of equal amounts of the vaseline and liquid mineral oil mixed together. I had it done one time at the Pharmacy in Target which cost me $14,00. Much, much cheaper to mix it yourself. Give this a try and let me know how your husband does.

By Ebony on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 07:22 pm:

Hi People!
I've got a good tip on how to drastically improve severe eczema (unfortunately this only applies if your skin is NOT sensitive to sunlight). Whenever you go abroad or just get the chance - Sunbathe. I went to the Caribbean and my severe eczema almost cleared comepletely. It doesn't have to be somewhere exotic because I know people who swear by tanning beds. These can all help but just remember to take care to only use the sunbed for a maximum of 15 minutes. I hope this information helps somebody out there. And remember, if you feel self conscious about sunbathing with your eczema the tanning salon option is ideal.

Good Luck
P.S. also remember to take precautions when exposing your eczema to the sun. As much as the sunlight can heal, sunburnt eczema is very painful.

By Anonymous on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 - 02:07 pm:

The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.

Robert G. Ingersoll

By Lee on Sunday, June 10, 2001 - 04:03 pm:

Hi Joe

Thanks for the note. This is to everyone reading really - I hope someone can give me some feedback. Let me give you some background first though.

Whilst living with my parents when I was younger eczema and the management of it was an integral part of our lives. Their support was undiminshing, and still is, and now looking back I realise the pain that not only I was going through but the torturous times my mum and dad experienced trying to help me. At one point my eczema became severely infected - I'm sure you all know the how it feels - so I was hospitalised by my doctor who proceeded to take swabs of both myself and my mother and father. My eczema had been infected numerous times before this so it was decided that we had to get to the bottom of how I was becoming infected so easily and frequently. It turned out that my father was a carrier of the infection. Not great news really. I was fairly young at the time and didn't quite comprehend what this all meant but since then, and looking back now, I realise that I was not the only one who suffered. I love my parents very much and they have always been supportive in managing my eczema - a kind of kick up the arse to do something substantial about it. At present I seem to be going through a relatively calm period but I want to ask what treatments people use. At present I'm using Diprobase to moisturise my skin and applying Fucibet to broken areas. I'm now becoming very concsious of the steroids that I have used to treat eczema and the effects that it will have on me long-term. Does anyone else share these concerns? I realise that eczema is a very individual thing and that one treatment may not work for another but has anyone had any substantially successful treatments?

Anyway, apologies for the rambling. Keep the faith and I hope to hear from you.

Thanks
Lee

By Laura on Friday, June 08, 2001 - 11:37 pm:

Hi
I've had eczema since I was 2. I'm 28 now. It seems worse now than ever despite 18 months of immunosuppressant drugs and steroid creams! I guess it is stress but I am allergic to sunshine!

Terry. I love Metallica too! Have you heard Megadeth's new album? Did you see Sabbath at Ozzfest! Metal is a great way to forget it all huh?

I'm so glad I am not alone too! Thanks everyone for sharing!

By Joe on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 11:33 am:

Hi Lee,
welcome aboard! You're guaranteed an understanding listener here!
I know what you mean about managing the itch. It took me ages to learn the *direct* connection between stress and itching. One day at work my boss asked me a difficult question in the middle of a crisis. My first reaction was to reach for my inner-arms and start scratching! I thought, "What's going on here?" I wasn't itchy 10 seconds ago!
Managing and understanding stress is a big part of living with eczema.
Anyway's thanks for listening to me too.

Joe

By Lee on Monday, June 04, 2001 - 07:30 pm:

Hi Guys

What a great site. It's good to read experiences of people who also suffer from eczema and with this perhaps brings a little hope that other people know what you're going through.

I'm 26 yrs old and have suffered from eczema all my life. I've been through times when things have been relatively calm but on the flip side I have experienced it to a degree where I have been hospitalised for a month. Those of you who have had eczema to this severity will know what it's like, and those who have not I'm sure you can imagine. I walked out of the hospital a new man with skin 'smoother than a baby's bum'! Yet, there have been relapses but my determination to defeat this is stronger than ever.

My primary concern is our distinct lack of knowledge or understanding of this affliction. I've just returned from my Doctor's this afternoon who seems totally bewildered by eczema - a consensus which seems to be uniform across the medical practitioners board. Hence why it's so refreshing to see this website.

With live with eczema day in day out, we apply our creams, we have restless nights and we drive ourselves crazy trying not to scratch. As an adult with eczema I believe much of my 'flare ups' can be related to stress. We've all been aggravated and the release for a sufferer of eczema is to scratch - perhaps sometimes subconsciously. This is what I have to personally manage. In addition a degree of 'healthy' living, I know that this won't cure me but will at least make things bearable.

Thanks for listening!
Lee

By Robin on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 10:06 am:

I know fried food certainly aggravates the condition (eczema). In Chinese traditional medicine circles, I have been told by many that beef contains substances that can aggravate the condition also. Other food I avoid are:

Hot, spicy, dairy, peanuts, bamboo shoots, scale-less fish (eels).

I am at the moment trying an aggresive diet with pigs and vegetables only. My conditoin seems to have got slightly better. I am also pursuing Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is slow and to be honest I'm not sure whether it is working. But the doctor has told me the importance of a strict diet and I buy his idea.

By pglum on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 09:23 pm:

Ive had eczema since i was around fourteen, up until now ive only gotten eczema on my hands inner ear cannal and small patches on my torso.

a while ago i got a new job and started mowing down on fried foods and beef jerky. and a while ago had an outbreak on my face and gnetilia. I was wondering if its possible to get eczema on your gnetilia or if i should be concerned that its another problem? if anyone can help email me at : pglum@lycos.com


sorry the message below contains the WRONG EMAIL ADDRESS. My apologies, im very tired right now

By pglum on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 09:17 pm:

Ive had eczema since i was around fourteen, up until now ive only gotten eczema on my hands inner ear cannal and small patches on my torso.

a while ago i got a new job and started mowing down on fried foods and beef jerky. and a while ago had an outbreak on my face and gnetilia. I was wondering if its possible to get eczema on your gnetilia or if i should be concerned that its another problem? if anyone can help email me at : pglum@hotmail.com

By Rhiannon on Monday, April 23, 2001 - 08:11 pm:

I put up a message a couple of months ago and i am a case of much things can improve! I have now had about 10 sessions of tablet PUVA and the results have been amazing. Within this time span i now only have a small patch on my right wrist and just thickened skin on my hands where i had eczema before. I feel like a different person! i now only take 2 antihistimines a day from being on 4. I also dont feel like im waiting to take the next one! My sleep is amazing and I cant wait to see my specialist to show him the transformation! I have also met a lovely bloke who tells me to stop scratching but also understands what im going through cos his sister had eczema, trust me there are people in the world who understand, empathise and support you!
Has anyone else had success with PUVA? put it this way im glad i tried this before i tried cyclosporin! smile!

By Davinder on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 08:55 am:

Terry - welocme back!
I am pleased that you managed to see a counsellor and hope you are able to work through it with her, despite your reservations about the questions. Why not tell her how you feel about some of the questions?
House sharing - takes me back to my student days when the main objective was to keep costs down even if it meant 10 people sharing one room! I do hope your friends understand your reasons for not wanting to share. Although you do say it is up to them to stay as mates - make sure you keep in touch with them as well.
We wish you all the best Terry.

By Terry on Friday, March 30, 2001 - 03:41 am:

By the way,

I quickly logged on, on the 15th of March (was it?) and saw the messages from that CHV(something like that?!) person, because of the lack of information I thought it was a hoax and judging by the fact the messages have been deleted, so did you. I was really angry with him/her, I clicked on his name and got his e-mail address but managed to control my anger and resist the temptation to send him a message explaining to him just how cruel his "joke" was!

By Terry on Friday, March 30, 2001 - 03:34 am:

Hi all,

I haven't been in touch for a while because I'm finding it more and more difficult to get access to the internet.

Well after another bad month I finally did it. I spoke to a counsellor. I had my first session last Monday. It went ok, I found it easier to talk to her than I had expected, I guess because I realised she was there to listen to me and I really want her to help me. The session lasted about an hour and we talked about a lot of things (including some things I still haven't been able to talk about on this site!). Afterwards I felt, if anything I felt a little worse than before I went in. As I said we talked about lots of things from my past, but even after the session I was thinking of more things I felt I had to tell her. It made me remember so many things I hate about my childhood, I think I'm starting to forget the good things! She gave me a questionnaire to fill in, I didn't really look at it while I was with her but when I got home and read it, I wasn't happy with some of the questions. They are the type of cliche, Phyciatrist questions that are part of the reason I didn't want to go to see a counsellor. Questions like "You walk into a room and see your Mother, what happens next?" and the next question is the same but about my father. They are questions that, I think, are almost designed to trick you. It may be me just being stupid (maybe even a little paranoid!) but I just don't like questions that have "hidden" meanings. Other questions are things like "Why were you born?", "You are under 8 years old and you overhear your parents describing you to someone else, what do they say?", "What would you like people to write on your tombstone?" and then the next question is "What do you think people will write on your tombstone?". They all seem to be deep emotional questions where the answer can be misunderstood, I'm worried that when the counsellor reads the answers she may take them the wrong way or try to "read between the lines" and pick up on something I don't actually mean. I will try hard to answer all the questions honestly, because I really do want her to be able to help me. One thing she said was that if she was me, she would see a skin specialist and explore every possible treatment for my eczema. I suppose it does make sense, but as I have said on this website so many times before, I feel that physically my eczema is under control, I need help with it emotionally now. After all thats why I went to see her. I made another appointment, but ut isn't until the end of April, at the moment I feel like I can take on the world again, be more confident, but at the risk of sounding negative, I have felt this way so many times before and it doesn't last long!

It doesn;t help that I have caused trouble for myself and my friends today (well, yesterday as I am writing this at 3am). I was supposed to be moving out of my parents house and into a house with two friends this weekend. The problem is I only saw the house for the first time last weekend and was suprised at how small it is. Thinking about it all week, I finally decided that it is too small for all three of us so I didn't want to move in anymore. I told my friends today (Thursday) and they took it really badly, because its such short notice (they wanted to move in this weekend). The house is owned by the sister of one of my friends that I was going to share it with, so everything has been friendly agreements, no money has been given and no leases signed yet so I can just walk away. They say that they may not be able to afford the rent now, if it's just the two of them. But I don't see it as my fault, even when they first asked me if I would like to share with them I said I would have to see the place first, I don't think it's my fault that I wasn't shown a week before they wanted to move in and as I say I just don't think the three of use could live there in such a small place, its a two bedroom house with one of the ground floor rooms converted to a bedroom. The problem is that these two friends, although not my only friends, are the only friends I get to see regularly. So (at the risk of sounding extremely pathetic!) if they don't speak to me again, which at the moment seems likely, then I will be lonely. I still feel ok though because I just think that I'm being honest with them, now its up to them if we are still mates.

Well, I guess I should get some sleep and see how things are tomorrow.

c ya later

thanx again

Terry

By Anonymous on Wednesday, March 28, 2001 - 02:54 am:

Hi,
I am a 29 year old women and about 5 months ago I started itching the back of my lower right leg something fierce. That then spread to the back of my lower left leg then to my right and left lower amrs. At that point I went to a doctor who could not diagnose me with any one type of problem but gave me steriod ointment and it subsided. Two months later it has returned in the same places and itches like hell no matter how much moisturizer I use.
I have never had a skin problem before. Can anyone confirm that this is a type of dermatitis?
and what to do about it? I have bruises all over my legs from scratching.

By Amie on Monday, March 26, 2001 - 04:21 pm:

Hi Magda,

Could you post the name of the ayurvedic medicine, as my partner suffers really badly from eczema on his face and I'll try anything to help him.
Thank you.

By briar on Sunday, March 25, 2001 - 08:12 pm:

Hello!

This is my 1st time to post.brb,ok bak now I had to stop typing to scratch my palms.Ughhh I know I shouldn't do that.I'm a 48 year old female.My mother says my eczema broke out for the 1st time when I was 4 mos. old.
It has subsided for years at a time.It seems to be brought on by stress,and also hormonal times in my life.It was bad in the creases of my elbows,behind my knees and on my back while I was in Jr. High and 1st years of High School.These would have been the years of changing into a young woman and also possibly stressful for me.
Then,it stayed silent for years,until I had my 1st child at the age of 35.The total responsibility of another human(even tho this was probably the highest,happiest time of my life :-)) was stressful to me,also-those hormonal changes going on in my body.It flared up again for about 2 years.This time it had come in the form of dishydrosis on my palms.

I had been free of it for about 10-12 years and now it's back on my palms REALLY bad!I am going thru the change of life and those hormones are active again. ARGGGGG lol

I'm just kind of wondering if any other women have experienced these "patterns" of stress,hormonal change,and eczema.Bye all! I'm going to put on more steroid cream. UGHHHH

By Magda on Thursday, March 15, 2001 - 12:07 am:

Dear everyone,
This is my first time writing to this list - I wish I had been aware of this list long ago - but I've had eczema for nearly 44 years so I guess that pre-dates the net.
I had eczema mostly behind my knees and elbows as a child but when I turned fourteen I started to get severe attacks - they would start around the eyes and cheeks and my whole face would get swollen and red - then it proceeded to cover my body. The tiching was unbearable and eventually I would end up bed-ridden. No matter how hard I tried to be brave it was hard to face the world and I ended up quitting jobs, leaving college and subsequent studies because of this eczema.

I studied Chinese medicine for a number of years hoping to find relief but although acupuncture sometimes helped it was far from totally succesful.

When I gave up in desperation on the natural remedies I resorted to corticosteriods (topical) and even prednisone etc. I eventally went so far as try immuno suppresants. None of these treatments had long term effects.

Sometimes I'd move to a new location and the eczema would suddenly clear up but I couldn't predict where or why in any logical way.
The atopic dermatitis is very much an allergic (pollens, grasses, dusts) problem in my case and where I am living now is really difficult as it is full of all of these. (I have a small organic farm in a subtropical area. )

However, about a year ago, I heard about a cream from India (an ayurvedic formula) and I finally feel I have snatched my life back from eczema. I am still allergic (I suffer from asthma too) but the cream has completely cleared up the eczema. It took a few weeks of using this cream to clear up a really stubborn all-body case of eczema and I still have to apply it occasionally. If I start to get any symptoms now I use it very sparingly and the problem clears up usually within hours. Everybody I have heard of using this cream reports the same benefits. My one daughter has used it for her eczema and no longer has a problem, It has also worked really well on other skin problems, rashes, cold sores, etc.
I think it will take me a few more years to get the confidence and sense of self-worth that eczema stole away but at least I have that chance.

If anybody is interested in trying this cream please let me know. I am trying to find out more about the ingredients - at present I only know the main three herbs. I am told by a local pharmacist who has tested this cream that it is completly non-toxic.

All best wishes to all and if any one has had similar experiences with locations in which allergies magically disappear I would love to hear about that - could there be a map of allergy free places?

By Tom on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 - 11:29 am:

Hi Kevin,
I'm no expert but phases of dramatic healing suggest an enviromental facet to your condition. Do these phases coincide with you doing/not doing something?
Have you had allergy tests for anything?
Just a couple of thoughts that might help,

good luck to you
Tom

By Kevin on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 10:03 pm:

Hi, My name is Kevin. I've had an unknown skin disease for atleast 6 years now. I've been to 5 dermatologist over a 6 year period and no luck. No doctor can determine what this is. 2 out of 6 treated it as eczema. I've been using Betamethasone Dipropionate ointment USP,0.05% for 3 years. It helps very little. It started on my feet for the first 4 years, then my hands,onto my fingers then started showing up on my legs. I noticed stages of severity and almost complete healing through this torture. It starts out with little blisters with clear liquid fluid that itches which eventually progreses into circular patches. Once at this point it will ooze clear fluid when agrivated. Eventually will get better, but will never heal completely. During healing it will get dry and form a scab from clear liquid, and sometimes the scab cracks when too dry and clear liquid will ooze from crack. (What is clear oozing liquid)? It is never under control! There are very few moments of healing although sometimes notice a dramatic diferance in healing which makes me wonder what is helping it.I've tryed sticking to oilofolay soap,Ivory snow liquid detergant,no wool,etc. Just some things I found on the net to help me. I looked at some pictures in a medical book and identified numular eczema. It was enough to convence me as to what I had. This also forms in simular or sometimes identical areas on each side of body.(weird) I would deaply appriciate any information on simular symptoms. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE! Thanks,Kevin

By tom on Wednesday, March 07, 2001 - 03:39 pm:

Kim,
I certainly took the time to read your message and recognise so many of the things you talk about. The number one thing that came out of your posting though was other people's reactions to the condition.
Why is it not taken seriously? Why is it "just a habit"? I think the anser lies in raising awareness about the condition. Other charities and organisations have made great leaps forward in this regard. But not those dealing with/or who have eczema.
Why is that?
Just a few thoughts from this end.
All the very best of luck to you Kim
Tom

By mekki on Monday, March 05, 2001 - 04:55 am:

I'll repost his here.
From Topical Immunomodulators Topic:

Tacrolimus is probably available, as a IV solution or oral tablets, in Europe for transplant
rejection. It was approved for this use in 1994 in the US. Here in Canada, doctors are
allowed to prescribe drugs "off label", meaning that they may use a drug at their discretion,
not simply according to the approved use. My dermatologist told me he has been prescribing
tacrolimus ointment for the past 2 years. The pharmacy simply mixes the IV liquid in a base
of petroleum ointment. I would inquire about the rules for off label prescribing in your
country.

Good Luck!

By Anonymous on Sunday, March 04, 2001 - 04:14 pm:

Maria,
thanks for bringing this new treatment to my attention. One to watch, hopefully.

By Maria on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 11:31 am:

Hi, I just found this site and have just read your messages. I am 29 and have suffered eczema for 7 years of which the past two have been by far the worst.

I notice that Terry has trouble with having a shower in the morning. I shower in the evening and then cover my skin in 50/50 ointment (50% white soft paraffin, 50% liquid paraffin). It's really greasy - you can't get dressed for a couple of hours but it really helps to keep my skin hydrated.

I also wanted to draw everyone's attention to the fact that a new treatment is undergoing trials in Europe and will probably be approved towards the end of this year. It's called protopic and is already available in Japan and America. It's an ointment that you use twice a day but unlike steroids it has very few side effects - you can even use it on your face. I'd like to share the experience of an American guy with you, it really gave me hope. The first 'article' can be found at http://www.eczemainformant.com/news/news_00/wp_the-further_7-00.html

I don't have a link to the second so I'll paste it in here:

The skin doctor's office is not a place one typically finds drama. Even I,
Eczema Boy can often nod off in my
dermatologist's waiting room. But on July 7, as I strutted into Arthur
Ugel's office, hysteria broke out. Well, the receptionist's eyes got wide. I
thought she might be about to ask me if I was lost . . . but then she
recognized me and her jaw went slack. You could nearly hear her thinking,
"Mr. Shaberman, is that you?" And you could almost hear me thinking back,
"No, lady, I'm here to collect medical waste."
The sort-of shock and near hysteria broke out because I wasn't, well, broken
out. I was unscabbed, patchless, de-pussed. . . . Even my eyes weren't very
swollen. After years of suffering the persistent discomfort and
disfigurement of eczema, my skin was nearly clear. At one point Ugel gave me
one of those sideways guy hugs, wrapping his arm around my shoulders as he
showed me off to his staff. He even referred to me as "debonair."
June 26 was when my life as Eczema Boy took a dramatic turn. It was then
that I began participating in a trial for a new eczema treatment called
tacrolimus (product name Protopic), an immunomodulator developed by the
pharmaceutical company Fujisawa. Under the supervision of Washington
dermatologist Vincenzo Gianelli and Mary McGarvey of nTouch Research, a
company that conducts clinical trials for pharmaceutical products, I began
applying tacrolimus ointment to my skin twice daily. In about a week, my
skin had almost completely cleared up.
Originally developed as a safer alternative to cyclosporin to prevent organ
rejection in transplant patients, tacrolimus was put into an ointment for
eczema treatment. Phase III trials were completed in March of last year. I
am one of 5,600 participants in Phase IIIB open-label trials. FDA approval
is possible at the end of this year.In the earlier trials, tacrolimus
improved eczema suffering significantly for 80 percent of participants.
Though topical steroids are also effective, they bring serious side effects,
including permanent thinning of the skin. Tacrolimus may represent the
biggest breakthrough in eczema treatment in 40 years.Side effects for me
have been minor. I had a warm sensation in areas where I applied tacrolimus,
but that common symptom was short-lived. Also, the thick ointment is not
very pleasant on hot summer days. Participants are asked not to shower for
two hours before or after application; this can make the twice-a-day regimen
tricky, but a small price to pay for the relief.

By Terry on Saturday, February 24, 2001 - 11:12 am:

Hi

er well thanks for your kind praise and support Axa and Davinder, but I haven't made the appointment yet.

I'm STILL not sure if it will do any good, I've been fine this past few weeks (regained the strength and aggression I need to fight back!!) I do this a lot! I have a hard time and get really depressed, then something happens, something ignite the inferno inside of me! and I feel that I have the strength to face my eczema alone.

The bottom line is, I feel good at the moment so I'll just enjoy it while it lasts!

Got a new email address (tl@t-motion.co.uk), sends them to my mobile so its easier for me to access than via a computer.

speak to you all again soon

C Ya

Terry

By Kim on Thursday, February 22, 2001 - 12:00 am:

Hello All.

This is my first time to this site, and the first time I have discussed my eczema with anyone other than my family or the many, many doctors I have seen in my life. I am 33, a professional, a wife and mother. I have had "severe" eczema my entire life: my hands are badly cracked and split, most of my body is covered with open wounds, red and scaly skin, and the only saving grace at this moment is that my face is clear (it is a constant battle to keep it that way).

I read the postings on this site in tears, partly because I thought I was pretty much the only person on the planet who had to go through this, and partly because I understand so deeply what you are all going through. Can you relate to this: waking up with blood under your fingernails and all over your sheets from scratching while you sleep; people asking if you have leprosy, or if your badly split and cracked hands "hurt"; the school principal informing me, at the age of 10, that I would not be permitted to come back to school until my skin cleared up because it "is not fair that the other students have to look at you"; being asked to leave swimming pools, or having parents take their children out of the water when you get in; absentmindedly scratching during a work meeting, only to discover in horror that your dark suit is covered with thousands of tiny skin flakes; unable to wash dishes, cut a tomato or enjoy fresh fruit because of the dripping juices; a doctor asking if I really wanted to have children when I knew that I could pass my eczema along to them; showers that feel like battery acid instead of water - need I go on?

Eczema is not considered a handicap, and I don't think of myself as handicapped, but there is no doubt that it is a consistently debilitating condition that periodically renders me unable to bathe, clean, hold a pen, dress myself or my toddler, and the other daily activities of life. My hands are periodically so bad that they need to be bandaged. I have grown adept at dressing for disguise as well as easy scratching access. Most of my clothes are cotton, none of my work clothes are white (blood shows too easily), although at home I wear only white cotton shorts, pants and t-shirts. Summers can be hellish - how to keep covered and not sweating, which makes it worse? I moisturize constantly. I avoid most of the irritants and allergens, of which there are many, many, many.

It is my most fervent wish that the medical community will come up with a real treatment for eczema, but I have little faith that this will ever happen. Eczema is not nearly as profitable as new acne creams and diet pills. Doctors! I have had dozens and dozens. "You need to moisturize, avoid soaps, wear rubber gloves when doing dishes, etc., etc." Do they really think I could have gotten through the last three decades without realizing this???!!! I have lost all patience with the medical community - when I go to my family doctor, I tell her what I need: Prevex B is my standard, and I use prednisone when it gets ugly.

My second wish is to eat a fresh peach, right on the pit, with all its dripping juices on my fingers and chin, and that it not hurt.

I used to dwell on how unfair it is that I have this condition: Am I some freak of nature? Why did this have to happen to me?! I rarely think those thoughts anymore. I know that it is the uninformed who say cruel things, that my family and friends don't see the eczema when they look at me - they just see me. I wish I didn't have to deal with eczema, but I do. Living with it is just part of me, part of my life. My husband often tells me how much he admires me - that I never complain about the pain (of which there can be plenty, as you all know), that I still get everything done, that I'm an outgoing and social person, even when my skin is very, very bad.

Despite living with severe eczema, I consider myself lucky in many respects. My family has always been very supportive, and while I spent most of my teen years convinced I was too hideous to ever be attractive, my husband has proven me wrong. I know my eczema is hard on him - especially the night time scratching. He frequently sleeps on the couch when I'm having a particularly bad night. He helps me apply my creams, and he takes care of all the "wet" chores, like dishes. When I was pregnant, my family doctor refered me to an allergy clinic in my home city. There I received counselling and advice on how to reduce the risks of passing this condition on to my child through a specially designed diet. I was terrified of passing this along to my child - I knew only too well what an impact this can have on a person and their family. I am so happy to report that at the age of three, my son has the most beautiful skin in the world! I know it can develop at any time, but for now, he has never shown any tendency toward eczema, or even dry skin.

Also, and this is important, I know that I am not a victim. I will not be a casualty. I WILL NOT allow eczema to control my life. I am married with a beautiful family, I have a great job and wonderful friends, and someday, someday, I will get to eat that peach.

I know this has been lenghty, and there is so much more that I want to say. I do so appreciate a forum to tell my story, and am very moved by the other stories I have read on this page.

By Vicki on Sunday, February 18, 2001 - 04:41 pm:

Hello there everyone,
This is my first visit to this site. I read all your past messages and can identify with so many of you.
I am 31 yrs. old and have had eczema for my whole life. I get frequent outbreaks, but the one I have right now is the first in three years. I shower every day and while my skin is still damp I apply a cream called "Glaxyl Base". It is a non-prescription cream and costs about $20 Canadian for a one pound jar. That lasts me about 2 weeks because I use it every day. I don't apply cream to my skin unless it is damp because it just doesn't feel very good to my skin. I cannot use this cream on my face because for some reason I seem to break out in pimples. I use 0.5% hydorcortisone on my face and neck. It's not the best thing to be using, but nothing else works. I take Benadryl antihistamines for the itching at night, but only about every other night so that I don't get addicted to them. I also use a non-drowsy allergy antihistamine during the day. It seems to help while I am at work. At least I don't have to make so many trips to the bathroom to scratch behind my knees. I too have a hard time picking out clothes in the morning. I try to find things that give me easy access to scratching. It's very hard for co-workers to understand what you are going through. It drives me mad sometimes when I try to ignore it and pretend that it is not itchy when all the while I am going crazy on the inside thinking about it. Last time I had a major break-out like this was threes years ago. I went on prednisone tablets and it was absolutely gone in one day. No scratching, no red marks just the usual scars. It is not recommended for people to be on this often, but it helps me and my infections. So I will go back on it again.
I am interested in talking to other people about this. Feel free to e-mail me at bencze@sympatico.ca

By Rhiannon on Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - 09:46 am:

I am eczema sufferer myself (childhood then reoccurence at 17) and I think have won over the eczema, it is a battle! Self confidence is the key to how you deal with it and other people's attitudes to it. It is not easy to gain self confidence about yourself even without eczema because of the nature of todays society. Think of it in this way... You have a bad hair day, you think it looks awful BUT how many people do you see who are having a bad hair day -not many I bet!
It takes an awful lot of guts to get up in the morning and feel good about yourself when you have eczema but when you get up and look in the mirror don't concentrate on your eczema it only makes you feel bad. I know my eczema is bad but I deal with peoples attitudes. Tell them if they ask what it is, you'd be surprised how people react to your honesty. If you can't deal with how are other people going to. I work as a nursing assistant and i have one to one contact with people on a daily basis and even I have been surprised by peoples good responses, suggestions, and sympathy. You have the power to educate people and change their point of view. In the two years I have been bad i have never had a bad comment and I think that has a lot to do with my attitude towards my eczema and other people. Of course I have days when I don't want to go out of the house, When my face is swollen and red. But I have been told more than once how brave i am to deal with it. Just remember if you can't deal with it who else is going to? I would welcome any feedback on this subject because i feel so strongly about this! keep smiling although i know it can hurt (inside and out)!

By Davinder (Davinder) on Sunday, February 11, 2001 - 10:21 pm:

Terry - a massive well done to you J
I am really pleased and echo axa's comments. Let us know how you get on. I hope to send the article this week and will definitely mention your latest news.
Well done - go ahead treat yourself!

By axa on Saturday, February 10, 2001 - 11:48 am:

Hi Terry,
just a quick note to say a BIG "Well Done" for making the appointment with the counsellor. It takes a lot of balls to sign up for something like that and confront your eczema, you're a hero!
You should treat yourself to something you enjoy after the first session, I reckon you've earnt it.

Good luck and let us know how you get on if you're able to write about it.

all the best

axa

By Terry on Saturday, February 10, 2001 - 05:30 am:

Hi Davinder

Your right, I do need to take action. I have decided that after the events at college last Monday, I'm going to make an appointment to see the college counsellor. I'm still not 100% sure that it is a good idea but I've tried everything else!

I don't know if its too late for you to write in your article but I finally thought of some positive things about me. It's like Axa said in his last message.

Because I didn't have many friends as a child, the friends I now have, I appreciate more. I care a lot about the people around me, often putting their feelings before my own (sometimes its a good thing to do sometimes bad). My past experiences HAVE made me a stronger, better person, even if I don't always remember it.

C ya

Terry

By Helen on Saturday, February 10, 2001 - 04:07 am:

Hi,

I feel as though I should introduce myself and just say thanks for all these messages. I'm 24 years old and have had severe eczema all my life. I have had support from friends and family but reading your messages and knowing there is support from people who actually know what I'm going through has somehow made me a little less depressed.

I have bad spells and I have good spells... today is very definitely a bad spell. My face is red and irritable and I'm desperately trying not to scratch my hands as they have only just improved but my ankles are suffering badly at the moment. I know for a fact this time that they have been pretty bad since last August because I can remember sitting in the church at my friends wedding and desperately trying to hide them under my long skirt.. the point being that I remember that more than I remember the actual wedding. It's things like that make it even more depressing for me, aside from the unbearable constant itching and need to be greased up to the eyeballs 24 hours a day!

There have been a lot of things mentioned in your messages that ring so true for me.. both physical and mental. I don't think most people realise quite how much it affects sufferers in ways other than physical pain, and even then how bad that can be. I have been in a relationship for the past year and a half and I often marvel at how well my boyfriend copes with me when I get down. But still, he's constantly telling me to stop scratching and I always want to scream at him that I HAVE to, that I can't bear the itches.

I have tried no end of creams and lotions.. some prescribed and some over the counter but am yet to find one that works for any length of time. I find that while one will relieve the itch and heal the wounds one day, the next it can irritate me so much that I'm scared to use it again. I've been thinking about trying vitamin supplements or oils to see if they would help any as I read in a newspaper recently that Evening Primrose oil is supposedly good for relieving the itch. If anyone has any advice or suggestions in that area I would be most grateful.

Anyway, that's far too much from me, Terry, I agree wholeheartedly that it is so much easier to talk about on the computer! I'm so pleased that I've found this site and I hope that I can help others as you are beginning to help me. I'll be sure to come back very soon.

Thank you again.

By tiffany on Friday, February 09, 2001 - 04:06 am:

Does all eczema itch? I have seen three dermatologists and they all say I have eczema. None of these doctors gave me over ten minutes of their time if even that much. I just find it odd that my rashes don't itch at all. They are just very rough and unsightly. I have a very hard time shaving my legs because my skin is too thick in several areas. Some areas are worse than others though. I'd say around 70% of my body is covered with these rough red patches. I feel as if I don't even have a right to complain on this discussion board because I don't suffer from intense itching. I do know how it feels to constantly wear greasy emollients that stick to your clothes and make you feel plain yucky. I have been trying to stop steroid cream usage because it has thinned my skin. These creams have made my rash spread dramaticaly because my skin is so dependant on them now. I just wish I could find a steroid free cream that helps . thanks tiff

By Davinder on Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 11:13 pm:

Jo - moan all you like. No problems. That's what we are here for.
I was sat here doing a bit of surfing- nothing important. I came back to the site and read your message.
I think you have a fantastic attitude.
When I read messages like yours it makes me realise we have so much more to do - and we will.
Have you ever tried anything alternative ?
I hope you get back to work - there's a whole world waiting out there for you with plenty more cups of tea.
good luck Jo

By Jo on Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 10:30 pm:

Hi, just fancied a moan. I've been off work now for 14 weeks and thought I was finally getting somewhere on a new treatment, but this last week things have got bad again. I feel rotten - depressed, sad, annoyed and I don't think I'm very easy to live with at the moment. Worst of all I feel lonely, and I feel guilty for feeling lonely. Can anyone identify with this? I'm surrounded by amazing people who love me but I still feel lonely , trapped inside this disgusting, sore and itchy body. I'm the only one who's with me 24 hours a day, during the night when I can't sleep or when I do my cream and see what my body really looks at. I can only explain this to a non-eczema sufferer up to a certain point, and that's not their fault.I've been ill now for so long that I can't remember what its like to be normal; my 'normality' has become eczema. It would just be so lovely to get up tommorrow and put on whatever clothes I wanted and be comfortable all day. I just wanted to get all this off my chest, it's good to know that the people who read this will understand most of it. Sorry again for sounding so depressing, but thanks to anyone who's taken the time to read this. At the end of the day I will not let this thing beat me.

By Davinder on Monday, February 05, 2001 - 10:49 pm:

Terry - I hate to see you like this. Good people like you do not need to get into trouble. There are enough bad people doing damage without us good guys adding to it.
I'd like to see if you can try something different. YOU gotta take action. Maybe opening up to a counseller will pay dividends. They are sworn to secrecy so no-one will know. I valued my education and I do not want to see yours being jeopordised by eczema and frustration. Parking is pants wherever you go! I live in a city where virtually every space will become pay and display.
I hope to start writing the article for the British Allergy Foundation tomorrow and I would like to put something positive in about you.
You take it easy.
PS - must've been some punch! Lecturer got off lightly. Don't give them any more excuses.

By Terry on Monday, February 05, 2001 - 08:18 pm:

Well er.. HI

Thanx for the reply Axa

Your right things are tough at the moment, and getting worse, things got to the point that I had an argument with a lecturer at college today which ended in me totally losing my temper and putting my fist through a car windscreen!!

Unfortunately, on top of the usual problems, my Mum has also been quite ill this past week. My Dad is working abroad so it has been up to me and my sister to look after her. Every week I am late for college because of their pathetic student parking system at the college. There are a few (and I mean few) parking spaces for studetns on campus, the rest are staff only, if there are no spaces then we have to use the Park & Ride car park 15 minutes drive away! From where I live it is about a half hour drive to college so it anouys me that I have to drive a further 15 minutes past the college then wait for a bus to take me back the way I have just came! I usually get to the college at about 10 or 5 minutes to 9 (When my lessons start), if there are no spaces on campus then I am late. I find it difficult to get up earlier because I feel o bad in the mornings, especially after a shower.

Anyway, today I was supposed to have an exam first thing, so I tried to get there on time. As I pulled into the car park the last bus before 9 was pulling out. I was so frustrated I was banging my steering wheel with my fists. I waited and got on the next bus and got to college, about 20 minutes late. I went to the room where the exam was but didn't go in, I waited outside. When the exam was over I went inside to speak to the lecturer, he agressively (in my opinion) asked me why I was late. I told him it was because of there pathetic parking system at the college. He, rather predictably, told me that everyone else uses the service with no problems and that I should get there earlier. I couldn't tell him about my eczema, I swore at him and went to walk out the door. He asked me if I would speak to my boss like that and if he would understand if I was late. Ironically I think he would understand because my boss does know a little about my eczema and sympathises with me, but I didn't say that to my lecturer. I walked out of the room angry at the college, at the lecturer and at me for not explaining to him what was really wrong. I walked past a parked car, as I walked past I slammed my fist against the rear windscreen. I was totally surprised when it shattered but I kept walking. There were plenty of people around, they all saw me. I walked out of the college, surprised that no one tried to stop me. I walked all the way back to my car with blood dripping off my hand.

I got back to the car park and washed the blood from my hand in the toilets, by now it had stopped bleeding. I drove into the city centre and spent about an hour just walking around trying to think of what to do, whether to go back to college or not. I did in the end and walked in to my next lesson as normal, no one said anything and I thought that I might have gotten away with it. I kept my hand covered and carried on with my work as best I could.

Half way through the next lesson, the lecturer I had the arguement with came in and asked to have a word with me. Before he said anything I apologised to him for what I had said (although I don't know why, I still think he and the college are to blame.) He accepted my apology and I returned to my lesson. At the end of the lesson he came back and told me that the Head of Engineering wanted to speak to me. Again I was furious, I am a good person, most people would describe me as very quiet and passive, but still everything was going wrong for me. I went to his office, he told me that the lecturer had complained to him about what I had said to him that morning. I told him that I had already apologised to him and he accepted it then he told me about an incident with a car and asked me if I would like to comment on it. I told him the truth, and he actually told me he respected me for admitting it because they already knew it was me! I explained to him that my behaviour was totally out of character and that I was sorry. He agreed to take no further action if I agreed to pay for the repairs to the car. He went on to say that if there was a hidden, background reason for my actions, they would like to help. I thought about telling them about my eczema but I was still angry with the both of them, so I said nothing.

I still don't know whether to see the college counsellor or not, although after today's events it may be a good idea!! As usual I'm not not going to say anything about any of this to my parents, I still think it's better that they don't know, especially as my Mum has her own problems at the moment! I'm at a friends house using his computer to write this, he doesn't know what I'm doing, he respects the fact that this is personal so he is watching tv at the moment!

Luckily the cuts on my hand are small so I can cover them up, or just make up some story to explain them.

Well I'm not at college next week so I get time to calm down!

Thanx for taking the time to read all this (That is if anyone actually does read this)

Terry

PS
Gemma where r u? Haven't heard from you in a while, trust you are okay but still say hi ok?

By axa on Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 08:16 pm:

Hi Terry,
still here and still good to hear from you. Sounds like things are really tough at the moment. It won't always be so, but its dead hard to appreciate that when you're in the thick of things.
How did I learn to cope? Hmm, good question and I think the answer is something like this:

Despite having eczema there are other things in my life and other things about me than just being a sufferer. I'm lucky because these other things are very positive and they're things that I feel good about. The only fly in the ointment was my eczema. On the whole I think I'm a lucky individual with a lot to be thankful for, but the eczema really wears you down.
One day I realised that the lucky, thankful person that I am is that way BECAUSE I have eczema, not in spite of it. I've had eczema all my life. Its as central to me as eye colour or IQ. If I didn't have eczema I wouldn't be the person that I am today and since I'm glad that I am that person then I'm OK with having eczema.
I appreciate this may be a *really* tough line of reasoning to follow! Its pretty diff just writing it down, let alone reading it, so feel free to wonder what the hell I'm going on about!
The other thing is that over time the eczema does ease off a bit. I've never outgrown it and assume I never will. Like a lot of people I have bad patches, but on the whole it is better than when I was your age.
I didn't have counselling about my eczema but I do believe that proper therapy can be enormously beneficial. You have to be comfortable with it of course, but I think it can make a difference. Posting messages here helps people I'm sure. The reason it helps is because you're *communicating*. You sound very isolated Terry and communication will help, I reckon. Communicating with a counsellor may be even more helpful than this message board.
We're thinking of you at this end Terry, drop us a line when you need to vent some more.

all the best,

Ade

By Terry on Monday, January 29, 2001 - 04:36 pm:

Hi

Axa you still there?

I've been looking back at our early conversations, when I was considering seeing a counsellor. I just wanted to ask, at the age of 35, how have you learned to cope with your condition, did you speak to anyone? You gave my tips on how to combat the physical problems of eczema, but what about my emotional problems? Any ideas?!

Its getting worse. I feel like I'm on a rollercoster or something, I feel good, then bad, high then low, I think I'm going mad! One day I feel fine then the next I can feel so angry, at everything and everyone. It's no wonder that no one will come up to me and talk to me, especially at college. When I get really angry I cut myself off from everyone and avoid them which makes it worse because then I'm alone. I don't know if I can cope with college anymore, but its a 2 year course. I can't quit because I'm sent here on day release as part of my job. I'm getting further behind with my course work and don't think I can pass the course anyway.

I'm rambling again

thanx again for letting me get a few things off my chest

Terry

By mekki on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 07:27 am:

I have posted a topic called "Has anyone tried antibiotics?' on this board. I have had a dramatic improvement in the last 72 hours using flucidic acid /cortisone ointment and cloxacillin. I would urge you to read the recent journal abstracts at PubMed, and ask your doctor to do a culture. It seems that a lot of people's eczema is exacerbated by staph. aureus, and treating the underlying cause instead of simply masking the symptoms with steroids makes quite a bit of sense to me.

Hope this helps someone...

By Jo on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 10:41 pm:

Dear Shery, I just wanted to write and say hi. My eczema sounds quite similar to yours, mine also really started getting bad when I was 18/19, although I have had it since I was a baby. My face is also one area which is especially bad. I can identify with all your feelings on this - when my face is bad I loose all self confidence and can't even look people in the eye. The hardest part is the questions and comments - not nasty, but just people wanting to know what's wrong with my face, even worse is when people just stare. Anyway I just wanted to say I think you have a great attitude, it's so easy to let this condition get you down. I have been off work now for 12 weeks as my skin is so bad and there have been some pretty bleak moments. However, I know it sounds cheesy but people who have this thing are so strong, sometimes I don't think we realise how strong. I think that when I am well I appreciate life so much more, what other people just take for granted I relish. The other day I was able to go out for a cup of tea with my boyfriend for the 1st time in 3 months and I enjoyed every second of it!! Anyway as I said I just wanted to write and empathise and congratulate you on your optimism. Thanks. Joxx

By Sherry on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 02:35 pm:

Dear everyone,
I am writing from work so I will be brief (I have to say that as Davinder (the boss of this website!) works on the same floor as me and he may tell my boss I'm using the internet for non-work purposes. However, I felt that I had to write, having read some of your experiences. Eczema is a daily battle for me.
My eczema first started when I was a toddler (i'm now 26) and my parents struggled with me. They were confused as well as anxious as there is not a family history and my diet was controlled. The ecz. continued until I was about 10 / 11, and I also developed asthma and hayfever during these years. Some medics believe eczema, asthma, hayfever are interlinked, so I was often dismissed by doctors, given the odd allergy test here and there and told that I would grow out of it. To be honest, aside from the pain, eczema did not cause me any other emotional / bullying problems as a youngster. I carried on as normal, playing and fighting with my sisters and friends and not feeling any different.
I grew out of asthma, eczema and hayfever when I was 12 / 13. The asthma and hayfever have not returned, but the eczema came back with a vengenace at the age of 20.

At 20, I was in my second year at university and doing all the things that students do ( i hope my parents don't read this). I remember one day, I woke up and my whole face and neck were red and blotchy. Not knowing what was happening to me, a friend of mine called a doctor to the house. His diagnosois was an allergic reaction to food and he prescribed me with antihistamines for a couple of days. Right enough, the rash went away and I was back to normal. A month or so later, I woke up with weeping eczema all over my face, arms and neck. I looked like an extra from a horror film. I knew I couldn't get up and face other people looking like this, so I virtually became a recluse and stayed in my bedroom, ithcing and scratching myself all day and all night. This went on for about 2 weeks, until my housemate alerted my parents and aired her concerns. Those 2 weeks were the worst 2 weeks of my life ( and believe me, I have had other illness' where I've been bedridden) - I stayed in bed all day, everyday, didn't eat, didn't speak to anyone and only got up to shower, once I knew that the house would be empty. I would scratch and cry 24/7.
When my parents came to my 'rescue', they immediately got me an appointment with a consultant dermatologist. Since then my eczema is controlled with steroid creams. I suffer with it on my face and hands and I know what flares it up so I avoid those conditions ( extreme cold and heat, swimming, certain foods, and most cosmetics).
I really hate using steroid creams on my face ( I started with locoid lipocream and now use 1% hydrocortisone) as I know that they are not good for my skin in the long term. I don't want a face like an old leather bag when I'm older, but what is the alternative ? My eyes are suufering at the moment because of the cod weather, but I feel embarrased telling people about my eczema. I mostly cover up my condition by pretending that it's just a rash, or heat rash, or that I'm really tired etc. I can only open up about eczema to other sufferers. People who are eczema - free, just do not understand - including my closest friends and family.
I do feel bitter about being a sufferer (especially when I'm going through a bad patch on my face - elsewhere it can be covered with clothing), however I have been raised to be thankful for what I have, and know that there is far worse emotional and health suffering in the world. At the end of the day, everybody has a cross to bear - mine's just eczema!

By Terry on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 04:26 pm:

'Whatever doesn't kill me only makes me stronger'

Thanx Davinder. now that I have got myself together and got more cream, I know I'll be better soon.

By alison on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 09:52 pm:

Hi, my name is Alison Petrie and I am a long-term sufferer of eczema. I had it on my arms and leg joints as a child and not had too many problems since now! In the last few months I have suffered very badly with daily outbreaks, which get me very down. I have tries all sorts and nothing seems to help. I get it everywhere especially my back, forehead, neck and around my eyes.

I would really appreciate it if you could give me any advice from experience or put me I touch with someone who can.

alison.petrie@blackburn.gov.uk

By Davinder on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 09:53 pm:

Terry - I hope you have a much better week. Please keep your spirits up.

By Terry on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 01:54 am:

Hi again!

I'm afraid I've had a pretty bad week, this week.

It started off okay, but Monday night I woke up at 3am and just started scratching uncontrollably. It took me quite a while to get back to sleep. In the morning I overslept, I got to work on time but I had to rush and didn't have time to put any moisturiser or anything on, no one said anything at work but I know I looked bad. This happened again the next day. Wednesday morning I felt terrible, I couldn't get out of bed. My arms and legs hurt and I didn't really have Eczema on my face, but the skin was very dry and felt tight. I managed to get out of bed in the end and got to work on time, I didn't want to take the day off work because I didn't want my parents to realise how bad I was! They obviously noticed how bad the skin on my face was but I told them I had it under control. I just find it easier to lie to my parents than tell them how bad my Eczema really is. I don't want them to get upset by it all. Luckily (or unluckily, I don't really know which!) I was in the office on my own most of the day at work. I was so frustrated, especially when I went to the toilet and looked at myself in the mirror, it was really had to resist the temptation to put my fist through the mirror! But I managed it. I went back to my office and hit my desk with my fist, don't ask me why.

On Thursday night I woke up and scratched not only once but twice during the night. In the morning I went to see my Doctor, for the first time in years. I was dreading it, I thought that because I haven't seen her in so long, she would want to examine my Eczema. I didn't want her to see how bad it had become because it isn't usually that bad. It has only become bad because I ran out of cream. I was all ready to have an argument with the doctor, I was paranoid that, for some stupid reason she would refuse to renew my prescription. I was going to tell her that Fucibet keeps my Eczema under control and that I don't go to she her very often because I know there is no cure for Eczema, so just keep giving me the Fucibet. In reality I walked in there, told her that I needed her to renew my prescription, she asked me if Fucibet worked and I said yes, she tapped away on her computer and that was it, I was in there for less than five minutes. I also got some Nizoral shampoo to sort out the Eczema on my scalp. Emotionally I feel better already because I know that I just have to be responsible, putting my cream on, then I should be 'okay' again soon. I feel that in the last five days I have been really low but know I'm getting back up again!

Well thanx for 'listening!'

C Ya

Terry

By moderator on Thursday, January 11, 2001 - 09:09 pm:

tina - I guess you are from the States. Have you contacted the American Academy of Dermatology? We have a link to them, please look at the links section. They have information for patients and could advise on good treatments for Gary
good luck - let us know what you find out

By Tina on Thursday, January 11, 2001 - 09:07 pm:

Hello,
My husband started eczema since we moved in Layton Utah we tried a crème our doctor gave us, we tried Curel soap for the face and body and the lotion and crème, but i guess it is not working. What can we do?
He has eczema back of is neck ,his back and little bit on his arm. Please help us .

Sincerely yours,
Tina Branscombe

By moderator on Tuesday, January 09, 2001 - 08:14 am:

Terry and Gemma - Channel 4 have now got their subjects for the series. I spoke with Vanessa. She says she may need to approach some of you if the people she has get cold feet - which is understandable.
She will definitely keep in touch and thanks us for the interest.
The series will go out in autumn.
Watch this space!

By moderator on Monday, January 08, 2001 - 10:52 pm:

Terry - you weren't being explicit!
Just special!!

By Terry on Monday, January 08, 2001 - 04:52 pm:

Sorry Gemma just noticed your message!

I'm still not sure about the channel four programme, I have always thought that it would be good to spread awareness of our condition and help other people, especially young children, who suffer from Eczema to realise that they are not alone. I have started to write my book again, the story of my childhood! I want to write it specifically for children so they realise that there are other people with similar problems. I don't know whether I will ever finish it (I have started writing it four times now! Each time I get upset and delete it!) I don't know whether I could get it published even if I did finish it.

About the programme, I feel the same way as you seem to. I don't know whether what I have to say will be relevant. If they are making an educational, medical programme about Eczema, its symptoms, treatments and causes, then I have nothing to offer them. Believe it or not I don't even know what type of Eczema I have! I don't care, all I know is I have it and I have to use creams that to keep it under control.

However, if the programme is about what it is like to suffer from Eczema, then I have a lot to share! About growing up with Eczema, and about how difficult I find it nowadays, to make friends and socialise with other people.

Unfortunately, I would have to show anonymously, I don't want my family to know what my life is really like. When I was 16 my Eczema practically disappeared, it soon came back on my arms and legs which I hide. Since then my parents and I have never talked about it, they think its in the past and they don't realise how much it has affected me mentally. I can't tell them because I think it will upset them to realise that I have hidden so much from them for so long, and to suddenly tell them the truth then say I want to talk about it on national television!

The bottom line is I really want to help anyone who suffers from Eczema and I think going on the programme would do this, but it would be a very difficult thing for me to do. I still don't know.

I will call channel four and tell them that I really want to participate in the show but can't appear on it, maybe they will suggest something.

Talk to all again soon
Terry

By Terry on Monday, January 08, 2001 - 04:17 pm:

Hi Ade (Axa)

I didn't realise showers were a problem for everyone! I honestly thought it was just me!

Yes my eczema does seem to get worse during the winter months, the last couple of months my legs have been terrible, but it would be a good excuse to move to Australia!

Emma, I can't offer any advice on your treatment, I use cream and found it irritated my skin further but I stick with it, I don't have much choice. I'm starting to think of my Eczema as more of a mental problem than a physical one! I know I can't cure my Eczema physically but I can change the way I feel about it, and hopfully change how others feel about it as well. At 25 your have been fighting for a long time, at 21 I have been as well and I am determined not to give up. Keep posting messages on this site or if you can, talk to friends and family, it won't help your eczema physically but you will feel better about things.

all the best,
Terry

PS
Why have we been moved to an 'adult' section? I didn't realise we were being that explicit!

By emma on Saturday, January 06, 2001 - 09:09 pm:

Hello people im a 25 year old eczema sufferer whos in a right pickle i would
like any one to contact me with any advice. I have been taken steriods orally
for 22 years now and when i get down to a low dose i get a very bad flare up
of ezcema i cant take it any more it really hurts its mostly as well on my
face and neck so i get all the lovely stares i must look like somtheing out
off elm street im a cornflake girl! if any one could help i cannot tolerate
any creams on my face so thats even harder thank you kind regards Emma

By moderator on Saturday, January 06, 2001 - 08:57 pm:

for Terry and the growing number of adults on the site - good luck

By axa on Friday, January 05, 2001 - 06:32 pm:

Hi Terry,
good to hear from you again and Hi to Gemma too.
Showers are a nightmare for me too, I've found baths work much better, although I don't know why.
Any ideas anyone?
Has anyone noticed that their eczema is worse during Winter? I now have eczema on my wrists as well as all the usual places and I haven't had it there for ages. Do people find that Summer is generally better or that it makes no difference?
It can't be temperature because I lived in Austria for 6 years, its a lot colder there and I thought my eczema had cleared up because it disappeared whilst I was there.
Unfortunately when I came back to the UK my eczema came back too. Perhaps we should all just move??!
Have a great weekend all,

Regards
Ade

By gemma on Friday, January 05, 2001 - 04:58 pm:

Terry, sometimes I think we are the same person. I have been wearing bandages on my legs recently too because they are weepy and my trousers stick to my skin. All my trousers are now baggy ones, I wish I could wear something feminine again! How frustrating. I wear bandages on my wrists too, and to be honest it costs me a fortune. I buy the bandages and dressings from Boots and I seem to get through them really quickly.

I think that going on channel 4 is a good idea, spread awareness etc. I don't know if what I have to say is relevant or not, or if they'd even want me, but if you go on it I will as well, we could give each other moral support!

Stay happy, love Gemma

By Terry on Friday, January 05, 2001 - 02:14 pm:

Gemma, I am really glad to hear from you! Our experiences sound very similar!

Lately I have resorted to wearing baggy combat trousers to stop the Eczema on my legs catching or sticking to them and even wrapping bandages around my legs.

I find showers painful as well and wondered if anyone else did. I usually get out of bed in the morning have a quick shower then have to get into bed again for half an hour, trying to ignore the stinging of my skin.

Unfortunately, I don't have your courage when it comes to telling people about my Eczema, even my friends. Most of my friends notice there is something wrong with my skin but we never talk about it (blokes don't talk about things like that!) I do have one special friend who I have managed to talk to. I've know her for about 2 years but I have told her all about my childhood and the problems I had, she listens and cares but I don't think its possible for her to totally understand what it is like.

Yes I am thinking of contacting channel four (Davinder and Naminder, the makers of this website Emailled me suggesting I go on the show and tell my story) but I am also worried about appearing on tv.

I would like to talk to your more, Email me at tjl@metallica.com, that goes for anyone who would like to contact me. I don't have much access to the internet so it may take me time to reply but I will try hard!!

As a child I felt as if I was the only person in the world who suffered from Eczema. I am very happy that I can now contact others in a similar situation to my own, even if it is just over the net!

By gemma on Tuesday, January 02, 2001 - 04:18 pm:

I know exactly what you mean, I know exactly how you feel. I can identify with every word you write and it's such a relief to hear from someone else in the same position.

I'm often unable to walk because of the eczema on my legs too, and some days my skin is far too painful to put clothes on meaning that I miss so many of my lectures, I'm always behind on my work. Also, I usually have to take strong sleeping and anti-histamine tablets to stop myself from being itchy and agitated at night. Sometimes I just don't wake up the next day because the tablets are so strong and wake up a day later, totally disorientated.

I started uni in September and I live in halls. When I was making friends at the beginning I tried to be brave (!) and told the friends I made on my corridor about my condition. I'm glad I did because now they know why I can't come out of my room for 2 hours after I have a shower, they understand when they see blood on my sheets and why I always prefer to be naked when I'm alone in my room! They don't understand fully, no one ever has (maybe apart from you, Terry!).

I have had eczema all my life and it seems to be getting worse all the time, nothing really helps. Sorry to sound so glum, but eczema is so frustrating, and so unfair.

Is anyone going to go on the channel 4 programme? I'd like to, but I'm not too sure about being seen on tv...

Sorry for blabbering on, thanks for listening

By Terry on Friday, December 29, 2000 - 12:25 am:

Thanx for the info on the outsiders club support group but if you want my advice, change the name! It may be true, we are outsiders but we don't like being reminded of it, well I don't. That's why I find college so difficult, it reminds me how lonely I feel. I see all the everyone else with their friends and I just spend the whole day walking around the college on my own. I've never considered contactng a support group before, as I have said before I find it very difficult to talk about my problems in person or over the phone, with the internet its just words on a screen?! But I have to give in some time I've tried to build up my confidence countless times before but it never works.

I still don't know what to do about the channel four programme. I might call them and tell them that I want to tell my story but feel that I can't actualy appear on the show. If they REALLY want to know what it is like to suffer from eczema then I can show them. I have taken photographs of my eczema and pictures of my bed sheets covered in blood, after one bad scratching session they may be a bit shocking but it is what I have to deal with all my life and i'm sure that others have similar experiences I don't want to suffer in silence anymore. I work as well as study at college, there have been times that the eczema has been so bad on the backs of my knees that I found it painful to walk, yet I still went to work and acted as if nothing was wrong. I had an argument with my boss a while ago, he said that I had no commitment to my job, he has no idea what I go through. I guess what I want is sympathy and someone to understand why am am the way that I am. A guy at work once said I was weird, the funny thing is he claims to have eczema! He has no idea what ezcema is, he has a skin allergy or something not what I have. Once we got into a conversation about donating blood, he said he couldn't do it because he doesn't like the sight of blood, in my experience there is noo way that you can suffer from eczema and be afraid of blood!!

Everytime I start writing a short note on this site I start thinking over so many other things to talk about and then I can't stop typing!!

But I must stop, c ya next time, Happy New Year everyone

By moderator on Thursday, December 28, 2000 - 04:45 pm:

Terry - apologies. They have just changed their number to
020 8220 5949. Thursday afternoons are best otherwise you will get the answerphone!!
We have also set them up under Support Groups for other people who may wish to use them.

By moderator on Wednesday, December 27, 2000 - 05:19 pm:

Terry - hope you had a great birthday and xmas
I had mine this week - another year older.
In a recent edition of Exchange there were details of a self-help group which may be of interest - they help members who have become shy.
tel = 02074602244
e-mail=outsiders@beeb.net
may be worth a call - keep in touch
HNY

By Terry on Friday, December 15, 2000 - 02:07 pm:

Hi

Thanx for birthday wishes Gap, hope mine is as fun as yours sounds!!

Thanx for the cream tips Axa, but I don't think you really understand me. My eczema is 'under control' these days, my problem is what it has left me with! I need to rebuild my confidence and break out of the quiet, little shell that I have trapped myself in! (There isn't a cream for that!) As for my computer problems, a friend has suggested a few things that I could try.

Well next time I talk to you I'll be 21!
see ya

Terry

By GAP on Tuesday, December 12, 2000 - 10:55 pm:

Terry-have a great birthday. I still remember my 21st. Luckily my folks didn't know much about it!

By axa on Monday, December 11, 2000 - 07:01 pm:

Hi Terry,
good to hear from you again and happy birthday for next week! If applying cream makes you more itchy perhaps you should try another cream? I went thru loads of them before finally settling on Oilatum. There are plenty around in Boots etc, see if you can find one that doesn't make you more itchy. Another point might be simple technique? Perhaps you're rubbing it in too vigorously - sort of substitute scratching? I know I used to do this. I also find it helps to go into a cooler room after applying cream, maybe you could try that, overheating is a common problem for people with eczema.
On the counsellor topic, sometimes its easier to talk to a total stranger than someone you know. You have to feel comfortable doing it though, so of course its up to you.
As to the old 386 there are a couple of things you can try. Email me at adeallen@hotmail.com and give me some more details about the problem, I think I can help you there.

BTW I worked out the Metallica bit - do I get a prize? ;-)
What is your college course in?
Got to sign off now,
good luck

axa

By Terry on Monday, December 11, 2000 - 05:00 pm:

Hi everyone,

Thanx for your message Axa, I do use cream (Fucibet) on my eczema but only when it gets really bad, I've never been very good at applying cream regularly because I always found that it irritated my skin further! My dad would make me so angry as a child because if he saw me scratching he would shout at me to put my cream on, I would but then the itching would become even worse and I'd hide up in my room ripping away at my eczema, it would start to bleed and I'd sneak into the bathroom and wash the blood of my hands, being careful not to get blood on the doors and remembering to wash it off the taps! Then when the bleeding stopped I would go downstairs and try to act as if everything was fine, from my parents reactions I was a good actor! (not one of my happiest childhood memories!!). As some of you might have spotted from my E-mail address, I am a big Metallica fan, I found that if I put cream on then listened to their music, the itching would be just about bearable! These days I am a lot more 'controlled' when I have to put cream on.

It probably sounds unbelievable to you but I haven't seen my doctor in at least 2 or 3 years! After so much hassle from them as a child and so many different creams I just didn't want to bother anymore, as I said I only use Fucibet when my skin is really bad so one tube can last a long time and I just get repeat prescriptions when I need them! I have always seen my eczema as my problem so I deal with it, alone, because at the end of the day, I'm the only one who knows how to make myself better.

About seeing a counsellor, your right she might be cute but still I don't think talking to a total stranger would help! I have one very special friend and she is the only person that I have every really talked to about my eczema and what my childhood was like. As I said before I find it very difficult to talk to people even my parents.

Which brings me on to my next subject! Thank you for your Emails about the channel four programme, Davinder. I am going to have to think very hard about whether I could contact them. I would like to help raise awareness of our condition and stop children with eczema feeling as lonely as I did throughout my childhood, but as I have said it is very difficult for me to talk about. I can do it on the net because I can fool myself into believing that I am just typing words on a computer screen, but whether I could tell the story of my childhood on TV!! I don't know. Also I have hidden so much from my parents and family for so long, I am worried that they would be upset if I suddenly told them the truth and said I wanted to talk about it on national television! They don't even know about this website! I write to you while I'm at college on a Monday and if I'm feeling brave, I log on at work during the week, I could be in serious trouble if my boss found out!! But having said all that I do want to tell my story, I have a lot to tell! As I said I want to help children with eczema realize that they are not alone, a couple of years ago I started to write a book! Kind of an autobiography, the story of my childhood! I wrote it to help me come to terms with it and to get things of my chest, but I also thought that if I was every brave enough to get it printed, other children with eczema would find it helpful. Unfortunately, I wrote it on an old 386 PC which I haven't used for a long time and it's been unplugged for almost a year! I tried it the other day after I read your Emails and it said something about the battery being low and took me to some kind of setup screen which I just quit out of then it asked for the Boot disk which unfortunately I have lost! I don't know much about computers so I don't know if I can still get to what I wrote, if any of you have any ideas please contact me! Again, my parents know nothing about it!! As far as they're concerned my eczema is under control now and it's all behind us, they don't realize that it still affects me and makes it very difficult for me to talk to people and make friends. I think my problem is that even though my eczema has cleared up, I still feel it and see it when I look in the mirror. People I meet these days treat me like a 'normal' person, they don't know that anything is wrong with me or why I am so quiet but I still look at them the same way, I think that they won't want to get to know me or be near me because that was how most of the kids were in high school! (I know this all sounds stupid but it is the way I am!)I recently started a 2 year course at college and although the other students in my class are about the same age as me and they all seem nice enough, I don't talk to any of them. I spend break times on my own, usually in a quiet corridor listening to my personal stereo! At lunchtime I walk into the nearby city centre or eat lunch in my car in the car park, I can't go into the college canteen because I don't want to sit in the corner alone while everyone else is with there friends! I'm starting to sound pathetic! I think I've said enough! I will seriously think about contacting channel four but I don't know if I can.

Thank you for your messages and Emails they have really cheered my up. It's my 21st birthday next week, I was really depressed about it but I feel better now. Thanx and I hope to hear from you all again soon.

Terry

By axa on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 06:57 pm:

Lisa,
from the symptoms it sounds as if your boyfriend might have contact dermatitis (though I'm no Dr!).
See if you can identify what is irritating his hands. The classic cause of this is something at work. Many people are allergic to nickel and get eczema on their hands as a result.
The best way to control eczema is with regular use of emollients, as I said to Terry you need a daily routine that works for you. Get your boyfriend to try different emollients with different frequencies until something works. Its a long process but will bring longer term benefits than a quick hit with steroid creams.
Good Luck!

By Anonymous on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 03:38 pm:

Lisa,
sounds like the eczema is affecting you almost as much as you boyfriend.He needs all the support you can give.
I suffered with eczema on my fingers caused by contact with household bleaches and chemicals for years.The skin would split and bleed staying like this for months. The pain was incredible. In my ignorance I never bothered to use any emollients regularly. I tried it occasionally, but only once or twice. Now I'm older and wiser, I've realised that the eczema disappears wihtin weeks, rather than months if I just use the emollients. Sounds simple I know, buts it's finally clicked! I dip my fingers in emollient, usually LOTIL every hour at least. This does the trick every time. Sometimes the simplest solution is the easiest!

By Bri on Monday, December 04, 2000 - 11:58 am:

Lisa - does your boyfriend have a regular routine for dealing with his condition? Certainly with you behind him that should help. There is an interesting message by Tanya under dicoid eczema which may be something you could also try.
Well done for supporting your boyfriend so much - that in itself helps alot!

By lisa on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 - 09:28 pm:

Hi, i have just read the posting by terry and axa. I, luckily do not suffer from eczema. This is not about me, it's about my boyfriend. He has had ezcema, (or something that looks very much like it) since he was 2 years of age, and now he is 22. He has very red, itchy, skin on his hands, mostly on the joints of his fingers and wrists. Cracks develop, they bleed and weep as he scratches his hands so violently to numb the pain. It is agony to see him suffer as he does. He also suffers from dry skin in general. he has been to the doctors countless times throguh his life, and has used many creams that i now know as steroids that clear up the ezcema, making the affected areas look almost completely normal (skin colour, feel), but it only lasts a few weeks, then the ezcema seems to come back worse, sometimes spreading up his arms and backs of hands. I'm telling you all this because i just hope someone can suggest something. I suppose the real question is: is it really possible to get the ezcema to clear up? i know there is no cure, but just to make it seem like it has gone away with regular treatments would be suffice. please if anyone can help. i can't belive that people in this day and age have to suffer in the way my boyfriend is, and it seems others are too. I love him dearly and really want to help him. thank you for reading this. any help or suggestions or success stories welcomed.

By axa on Monday, November 27, 2000 - 08:20 pm:

Hi Terry,
welcome back, good to hear from you again. I posted a reply to your original message but it got wiped in the server crash. I remember thinking that your post was extremely brave because you were "opening up" about things its very difficult to talk about. I've suffered with eczema all my life too (I'm 35) so I can certainly empathise with you.
One thing that wasn't clear from your last message was what you do - if anything - to control your eczema?
I was about 20 before I learnt that a daily skin management regime is essential. Eczema cannot be cured but it can be controlled. You have to find what works for you. For me its a bath in emollient oil (I use Oilatum) every other day, cream applied morning and night, plus whenever I get a bit dried out during the day. It has to be something you do like cleaning your teeth - every day, unfailingly. Do you do anything like that?

BTW why are you so sure talking to a counsellor will not help? I think its an excellent idea and worth pursuing. If there's a lot of "stuff" thats gone on and nobody knows about it (like the near school expulsion) this *will* have had an effect on you. If you bottle that kind of thing up, there is a price to pay, no question. See the counsellor and let it all hang out Terry!
Hey, s/he might even be cute ;-)
Good Luck!

By Terry on Monday, November 27, 2000 - 05:55 pm:

Hello again, its Terry

Unfortunately I don't seem to have recieved your reply to my first message but thank you for the attempt! I found that writing that message helped me get things of me chest. I think it is a great idea setting up this site so that we can contact fellow sufferers and hopefully raise awareness of our condition. I know eczema isn't a fatal disease like cancer or a severe physical handicap, but it has (how should I put this!) it has had a very negative effect on my life!! For anyone who did not read my previous message, I am 20 years old and have suffered from eczema my whole life. My eczema has cleared up on my face but still appears on my arms and legs, which I keep covered up. I have become a very shy, quiet person and feel I have almost no confidence! I find it impossible to talk to people and make friends. I have recently considered talking to a counsellor but I don't think it would help, that is why I think it is wonderful that this site has been set up, I think it would be better for me to talk to people who have had similar experiences. From the messages I have read on this site I get the feeling that you are all parents of children who suffer from eczema, not eczema sufferers yourselves. The best piece of advice I can give you is let your child know that you are there for them to talk to! Looking back at my childhood, especially the teenage years, my parents were there for me but it didn't feel like it at the time (I don't know if this is making any sense!!) I hid a lot from my parents and still do, I suffered from a lot of bullying as a teenager because of the way I looked and got into a lot of fights, my parents know about a few of them but most of them I managed to hide from them, the deputy headmaster of my high school once called my into his office and told me that there had been complaints about me from the parents of other pupils and that I could be expelled from school! I was so angry and upset I couldn't believe it, but I kept it to myself, to this day my parents still don't know about it! I think I'm writing too much! But I have 20 years of memories to tell you about. As I said I get the impression that you are all parents of eczema sufferers, I hope that what I have written has not worried or upset you, my experience may be very different to that of your children. If anyone would like to reply to me either post a message on this site or email me at TJL@metallica.com and remember it is good for you to talk to your child, but the best thing you can do is listen to them!

By Jacqui91 on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 09:59 pm:

Hello - My name is Jacqui and I live in Cardiff.

Just wanted to say that if you have spent loads of money (or your doctor) on disappointing bath oils - try my favourite - light olive oil. It's fantastic! It's cheap, doesn't smell very much and you can soak yourself in it before getting in the bath. I also add some salt and essential oils like lemongrass and geranium if my skin is not too bad. Fantastic!

Keep smiling!

Jacqui

By Anonymous on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 02:26 pm:

Hi! I am a 24 year old female who was just diagnosed with eczema. Currently it is just between my toe. My question is, Can eczema spread? Can you keep it from spreading? The doctors that I have seen have not been very forthcoming with information.

By Malley on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 03:13 pm:

Hi, i'm a 25 year old with this problem since my late teens. I've had itchy/red/flaky skin which has gradually spread from my scalp/forehead onto my face, nose area and has been diagnosed/rediagnosed many times by normal GP's and specialists without actually helping me. Most creams work initially for a few weeks and then seem to have no effect.
Any ideas ?