By louisedwards on Sunday, February 21, 2010 - 03:30 pm:

Wow LW067 I am in almost exactly the same situation as you! Bad since November. I have recently tried Balneum Soya Oil (Medicinal Bath Oil) and it's amazing. You just add some to your bath and rather than drying out your skin it leaves a layer of the oil on your skin, so you don't lose so much moisture. I know, it's tempting, but try not to get a bath too often as it washes all the natural oils from your skin making your eczema worse. And always make sure you use a bath additive and a soap substitute. I really recommend this bath oil to anyone with eczema.

By LW067 on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - 05:18 pm:

Wow this is crazy, never knew so many other people had the same! Had eczema since I was born, major infection at the age of 3...
It's been up and down over the years really
But this winter Nov 09 - Feb 10 it's been at it's worst. I itch myself raw in bed at night, up sleepless nights, and a lot in the bath too for some reason. I used to have it inside my elbows, and behind my knees, but now it's all up my legs, arms, neck, and chest, luckily i wear long trousers, and tops where you can't see my chest, so only my neck is really visible, which is a bad area.

Had Eumovate Ointment a few months back, worked brilliant, but by now I apply it, and it tingles, so it makes me itch more - itching it all off anyone else get that?

By sophie on Monday, February 15, 2010 - 10:41 pm:

Hey guys, I know that the worst thing about eczema is the unbearable itching and burning - things that i've found help me are Cetirizine tablets (you take them once a day usually in the evening as they can make you drowsy I've also tried Levocetirizine, which dont have the drowsiness as a side effect, but they didn't help nearly as much)and simply wrapping cold wet towels (wetted, but then fully wringed out)around the eczema. This numbs your nerve endings, so that they don't fire as much and calms down your itching. then i find that emulsifying ointment or hydromol is the most soothing and doesn't sting when you apply it like creams tend to when it's really bad. has anyone else got any suggestions to calm itching? hope that some of this helps xxx

By louisedwards on Monday, February 15, 2010 - 09:23 pm:

Hey, I'm 17 and i've sufferred from atopic eczema since I was about 18 months old. It was really bad then,though obviously I can't remember and my mum used to have to use wet wraps. After that it was really mild throughout my childhood, but steadily got worse after I hit puberty. I try to be positive and think it will get better but it hasn't cleared up for about 3 years now and at christmas all my atopic symptoms were the worst they've ever been. I had 2 asthma attacks in as many weeks and the second actually had me rushed into A&E in an ambulance. They gave me a course of high-dosage oral steriods for my asthma and thats the only time I've had any relief from either my eczema or my asthma in the last 4/5 months. Obviously, I know that's not an option for eczema, because of the long-term damage steroids cause, but since I came off them my eczema has worsened again and is now almost as bad as it was at christmas. It's also spread - I used to just have it inside my elbows and knees and across my neck and shoulders but now I have it all over my arms and legs, back, shoulders, scalp and worst of all my face and hands. My face always has large patches of bright red eczema and having it on my hands makes it incredibly difficult to do anything - even a pen just slips out of my hands because of the creams I have to wear.
I have been to my GP and various dermatologists loads of times, but all they seem to say is "moisturise, moisturise, don't scratch" - I mean for god's sake! I spend about 2/3 hours a day applying the various creams and ointments, plus the constant reapplication throughout the day, it wouldn't actually be physically possible for me to apply anymore! And it REALLY isn't as simple as just not scratching! The problem is whenever I go to see someone my eczema clears up some, so they dismiss it as mild and don't see the profound effect it has on my life!
I'm just absolutely sick of it and it only ever seems to get worse! I seem to spend half my life trying to control it and feel exhausted all the time, no wonder I'm getting behind in my A-level subjects! The teachers don't have a clue, they think I'm just lazy and although my friends are supportive there's not a lot they can do and I don't want to burden them by being miserable all the time.
Not to mention the effect all of this has on my self-esteem and social life.
I'm also doing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at the moment and we're supposed to be going on a 5 day walking and camping expedition in july, but it just doesn't look like it's going to be possible with the regime I have to follow to not even control my eczema but just stop it from getting worse. I just feel absolutely hopeless.
Sorry about this little rant but it just feels so good to actually talk to someone who understands what I'm going through, when others don't see it as a big deal.

By Smiles on Monday, February 08, 2010 - 10:43 pm:

Heeeeeey,

I am 18, still at college, soon off to University, and it scares the shit out of me. My eczema has always been terrible...dont know what i'll do at uni. at the moment i'm having a bad week...well actually a bad winter... skin completely flared up and hasnt stayed 'good' for a while. I understand where you are all coming from...and at 15/16 like some of you writing on here i couldn't really cope with it, and it would have been so easy to curl up in my bed and never come out without maybe a bag over my head. But i've realised that you cant be like that...theres no fricking cure, and yes,the more you scratch the more the creams dont work, but i think now, i can safely say eczema has made me who i am. I am stronger then i ever could be, so i just wanted to say to anyone who is suffering, and feels like the loneliest person in the world, (cos gawd, i would have loved to have known there was someone who understood how i felt)
dont lock yourself up, dont be hurt by shallow people's comment, because you know that your skin doesnt determine who you are. As my mum used to say 'your skin will clear up, they will always be ugly, inside and out.' the people that actually matter will understand how you feel, just explain it to them. Be strong and carry on. Because you'll have a 'good skin day' soon enough. Lots of Love XxX

By Theodosia on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 06:44 am:

Hello, I'm a 16 year old girl!!! I'm excited to find this forum (notice the exclamation marks).

Like most people on here, I've been having eczema since I was really young. I also have food and enviromental allergies.

I find it really hard to live with this condition, because my skin is terrible (duh). I have wrinkly hands (that looks like my mom's 50 year old hands), my face is red and flaky sometimes, my elbows are super wrinkly, my eyebrows are really thin, scars are on my legs ugh! I'm sure all of you understand what I'm talking about.

For most of my life, I have seen many doctors, but all they do was prescribe the same thing. They give me steroid creams, and pills that makes me go to sleep (tranquilizers? lol). It's ridiculous. My mom always insists me to use them everyday, but I don't. Do you know how much damage steroid medications can do?

It's hard to live this, because I remember some terrible comments from other people. Even my older brother made fun of my skin. -_- By the way, my entire family has great skin, except me. It feels terrible dealing with this all by myself...

I was wondering if there is a older or same aged teen that I can be penpal with? I would be SO happy, if I can have a conversation with a person who shares a similar problem!!

Here's my e-mail: sketchingismypassion@gmail.com

Please feel free to e-mail me or gmail chat with me! :D

This part is some replies to the other people on here:

@ Sweet R: I can be your pen pal! I never told my friends about my eczema since I was ashamed too! I just wear long sleeves to cover my skin up...

@ Wiggle: The causes of eczema aren't clear, so it's hard to say. =/ Maybe your living enviroment changed recently? Like during the winter, my skin gets drier and itchy. My advice to you is get a humidifier to put in your bedroom. Don't take super hot showers. I know it feels awesome, but it makes your skin drier. Change your pillowcase and bedsheets every now and then. Drink lots of water. I use Vitamin E Oil to keep my skin moist(don't use it if it irritates you). Eat more vegetables and fruits. Wear cotton gloves or a straightjacket(I've always wanted one! But I would have to hit my alarm clock with my head. lol :D) to prevent scratching during the night. That's all I can think of right now. =S
I've eaten antibiotics before, and it cleared my skin up immediately. It was great for awhile, but my symptoms came back once I stopped. Perhaps it'll be different for you. For the creams, if they contain steroids, try to use them as least as possible. When you use a lot, your skin will get thinner and veins will show! o_o shudders* >_>

Sorry for writing to much! Well, I hope for an e-mail or a reply! >_< Take care everyone! ^_^ Hope your skin gets better!

By Wiggle on Tuesday, January 05, 2010 - 03:47 pm:

Hey, My name is Bethan, I'm 17 and I live in Wales.
I've just got back from the hospital with a huge, red, flaky, itchy rash covering my chest, back, shoulders and face. The doctor told me it was probably Eczema. He's prescribed me some antibiotics and some cream, I have yet to try them out. I'm confused and worried as after some research I found that many people usually have eczema since being very small or have had it again after having it a few years before. I have never been allergic to anything before and have never had a history of any skin conditions, hayfever or asthma. I would be truly greatful if anyone could offer any tips or suggestions as to what might be causing this sudden breakout.
Cariad mawr
Wiggle xxx

By Sweet_R on Monday, December 07, 2009 - 06:59 pm:

heyaa everyone. im 16 n iv been suffereing from eczema since i was born. and recently iv just found out it is chronic and wont ever go. iv tried everything to help. from homeopathic doctors to chinease herbal medicine. doctors blame me for my condition and tell me that im not moisturising enough and it hurts when they say that because i do. the doctors at the hospital, are mean to me and just drop it to my face that my eczema will never go and got to live and control it. iv been to see a councellor cuz iv been really depressed and stressed. i even failed in some of my exams because i was that stressed out. to be honest no one knows about my condition, not even my friends because i feel theyl be ashamed of me. iv wanted to kill myself because of my eczema. it makes your whole body stink and weep. my skin burns at times. iv used so many medicines over the years, been sent for blood tests, but it doesnt get better. i know how you all feel and i hope one day our eczema goes away and we all be happy. hopefully fingers crossed. if you dont mind is it possible to make friends? can you get back to me, id like to talk to someone who knows how i feel. thankyou

By Aeyn on Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 03:56 pm:

I'm 18 and it's my first year at university. But I have such chronic eczema all around my body and even my face. I've done all these things to help lessen the effects of eczema on my face and hopefully start my first days at university not looking like my face is on fire. It's only been a month since school started and some guy asked me if I was drinking because I had this "asian glow" (red face from drinking). I've tried a lot things but I started to realize the creams played a small role in eczema skin care. It was those little things that caused my skin to behave the way it did.

The biggest thing was to stop scratching. This was the equivalent of trying to quit smoking or drinking. The irriation was just so bad that creams did practically nothing. There had been so many times that I tried resisting myself to scratching, but to only end in failure. Fuck, I remember not scratching at all for about a month and then one day my skin suddenly just VERY irriated and I started scratching a bit. Next thing you know, I started to look exactly the way I was a month ago.

Once we eczema suffers develop the "iron will", which I call the willpower of stopping yourself from scratching, only then will we be cured. The creams can help, but only you can cure eczema. There isn't going to a miracle cream, or miracale treatment out there. Some of my friends who have suffered eczema managed to develop the "iron will" and promised themself to never scratch again. Not surprisingly, he recieved results. Another one of my friends started dating this girl and he used that as his motivation to stop scratching. Nobody wants to go out with someone who looks like a monster. I haven't developed this iron will yet myself, but one day I will. I definitely want this eczema to go away before I reach adulthood. I just can't picture my older years looking the way I do now.

Peace, Aeyn.

By samangel on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 12:02 pm:

I hate excema!! I really do. I've had it since I was a child. It worsened as I got older. I am so self-consious about it. What's the worse part of it all is that I always scratch during my sleep, never while I'm awake. I'd always wake up in the mornings with open sores over my legs especially. They sores eventually leave horrible brown scars. I still have them. Laser scar removal is too expensive for me to afford. I never wear skirts or shorts & I always get these comments about the 'red marks' on my skin. Huff..it gets really irritating sometimes. I've been to a few dermatologists, few creams helped me. 1 Cream that I do recommend is Elocon. I'm trying my best to get rid of these scars of my legs, if anyody knows how to get rid of them please let me know.I don't like feeling sorry for myself, and yes excema can't be cured but it can be treated. So I guess there's hope for us. All you guys are in my prayers Mwah! xoxo

By IHATEECZEMA on Monday, September 21, 2009 - 02:20 pm:

Ok imuran update!


I am truly living :D

My skin is clear and it spring and I'm looking after 2 cats!

I'm nearly in tears not because of my crappy skin this time but because of my good skin!

This drug is for chronic severe eczema only. Please ask your doctor about it!

By Sugar88 on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 04:57 pm:

Hi everyone! I am happy I am not alone! I am 17...and had eczema all my life. I wear long-sleeves to hide it...but for a few years now, my face is always red. Sometimes it's just the sides, and sometimes it goes away. I think I am lucky, cause at school, no one really asks me about it. And I never talk about it neither. And everyone just treats me normally. The kilt my schools has is pretty, but I can't wear it. And in the summer, I am one of the few who wears pants. And sometimes I feel leftout. I just try not to think about it most of the time. I just tell myself it will get better. It's weird how I don't itch that much anymore. It's just that my skin is rough and has scars and stuff...but it doesn't itch that much. And it's red all the time.... anyway post something later...

DON"T GIVE UP!!!!

By IHATEECZEMA on Friday, July 31, 2009 - 02:05 pm:

OMG "IMURAN"

Ask your doctor about this drug, it has changed my life!

Some of you may know my story, I have posted quite a few times on this forum under the alias "IHATEECZEMA" scroll down and you will find out what I was going through with this bloody condition.

It took about a month to start working but I have been able to sleep, I have been able to live. I'm almost crying typing this post because I feel happy for the first time of my life because I can live!

You will have to get a TMPT test which tells whether you produce a high amount of this enzyme that can break down the toxins of this medication.

You will read a lot of negativity about this drug and your doctor will probably say its last resort but it has changed my life.

Please feel free to email me: seanpbradley@hotmail.com

By wowherb on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 07:43 pm:

This is my story of how I continue to struggle with eczema and the tools that helped me regain my body.

Hi.
The reason why you are reading this is because you are currently suffering from eczema as I am or you have been affected by some way in the past or future. Now bear with me, as you may scratch like I am right now while reading this blog. I¡¯m a standard citizen living in Toronto, Canada. My life is mediocre, other than the fact that I have eczema. If you think your eczema is or were worse than mine, I will convince you otherwise. I have been so consumed by my illness, that I categorized human beings as the ones with eczema and the ones that don¡¯t. My eczema was so severe, that every time I woke up I couldn¡¯t move my eyelids or my face. For me, life was equivalent to hell with eczema. This is my purpose of writing this blog, to show you that you are not alone and to introduce to you a new solution to eczema that has just entered the market.

As you all know, there are already several products out there that are intended to cure eczema. I¡¯m sure that for some people, these products actually work but for me it was never the case. I was often given heavy contents of steroid creams or given sessions of UV light treatment. Although it was helpful, it did not cure my eczema in the long run. That is why I have concluded that in order to fully wipe out your eczema, the solution must lie within inside your body. Purine-X does just that. Purine-X is not a cream or a lotion, but rather a digestive capsules with its sole purpose to help boost your immune system that fights your eczema. This is not like any other remedies that I was familiar with. I have tried Purine-X for a period of three months and finally, I had results. Although arduous, and time-consuming, I could finally feel my face again. My experiences with Purine-X were lifesaving and although I am thankful, I was disappointed at myself for not finding it sooner. Understand that I am not 100% cured, but at least each step that I take will be an improvement from my past. Please consider and try Purine-X. There can be no risks from taking harmless capsules that can only enhance your body. Purine-X has no long term effects and take my word that it works. I know I can never be sure about my illness, but by taking Purine-X it has made my life a little easier.

From
A fighting Eczema Patient

By Moi on Friday, July 17, 2009 - 08:04 am:

Does anyone experience Trichotillomania? I know that the diagnosis states that it cannot arise from any other medical condition, but I seriously think I have this now...And it's a bummer since my eczema is better, but the skin on my scalp draws my attention. I end up pulling hairs that are course and split...It's ruining my life and one of my best features...Help!

By Bobby on Monday, June 29, 2009 - 07:51 am:

Hi, Im 17 years old..I have been suffering from execma my whold life..Im constly waking up to blood on my pillow or sheets. I have creams an things that help for a day or two then they dont wrok..it pisses me off most the time that nothing works. I have alot of constant stress in my life and try to not let things get to me. But I have to say going out when you have scratches and scars on your amrs is hard cause pp think you are trying to kill yourself..when sometimes i do cause of the pain of the execma...when i start to break out i get irrtable and the people around me stop talking to me and find me mean and not plesent. Its hard at times. cause most pp dont understand how much it can hurt. : [

By Lila on Saturday, May 30, 2009 - 06:28 am:

In otherwords relief may come when you least expect it...I thought that the dermatologist would give me something that wouldn't work, indeed I believed that what I was doing wasn't goint to alleviate my suffering...Suffereing I have had my whole life...But by some grace...I am here...And my skin is clearing.

I encourage all of you to not give up...I thought I would have this for the rest of my life...I'm starting to think otherwise...

Please don't give up. I care about you. I really do.

By Lila on Saturday, May 30, 2009 - 06:24 am:

So, turning over a new leaf. I've gone by several other names here...Starting in January of 2006...And wow I've gone through a whole range of emotion. I've been depressed, sad, angry, hopeful, optimistic, happy even. But it wasn't until now that I've felt content. I feel as though the skies have parted and I can see what I'm missing.

I still have scars. The thickness on my wrists, elbows, inside and out, my neck, my abdomen, my thighs, my knees, my armpits, and my legs. I still have redness too. But for the first time in my life. I don't have dry skin. I don't itch every second of everyday. I don't have to keep my nails short and worry about bleeding through clohtes or onto my sheets. I can have white towels. I can shave my whole leg (minus two bug bites I picked while in Costa Rica that haven't healed yet).

I came back from Costa Rica with a new form of determination. Some days I was asked by four or five people what was wrong with my skin. Every time I answered "Eczema" they just nodded and dove into their home remedy that worked for their friend/family...Each time I thanked them and told them I'd try...Even though I knew it wouldn't work. I lived by the ocean, and each time they pointed in that direction and said "El mar..." Yes, I know that the salt water can help...But not when my skin burns even with the mildest of none soapy cleanser...When I wore pants and capris in the hottest of weather/humidity to avoid being seen. I was sick of it...

I came back and went to a dermatologist...My family moved across the country while I was studying abroad so it was all new. She wanted to try six perscriptions. By then I was willing to do anything...I was on an antibiotic, generic brand Clariton (I've always been on Benadryl...for more than 12 years probably), doxepin (to help me not itch at night...Not as an antidepressent). For creams, I was once again on Protopic, Epiceram, and another topical steroid that was a bit stronger than I'm used to.

It took so much out of me to constantly bathe, shower (despite the initial pain) and lather up..Not to mention take medications at different times of day not to be taken within a certain time of iron and other vitamins...But in the end I don't know if it was my new attitude, the new dermatologist, the long break my skin had from perscriptions, or the combination of medications, but I saw such a dramatic improvement in two weeks. I was surprised. For a few day I still itched and everything, but somehow it worked. I was sketpical...But now I'm accepting it and working hard to keep my skin clear so maybe some scars and redness can go down...

By MidAndRy on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 05:13 am:

About 2 months ago I went to the doctor because I had a crazy rash. They all thought either scabies or eczema... turns out it was/is eczema.

I've had it since I was 5 but didn't really know it until now... I'm 17. I've had the worst skin issues. allergic to metal, certain fabrics, anything scented, etc.

My legs and arms and more recently, my chest, have become overpowered by eczema. I can't help scratching. I do it without realizing it. (as I typed this I realized I was scratching my leg.) *sigh*

I'm amazed at how long this forum is. It began in 2002! It's sad, yet nice to hear that I'm not alone.

Thanks to all who have written with suggestions to help. I've written them down and hope to try some. I really hope something works. Having this one outbreak for 3 months- and it isn't going away- is getting to be way too much to handle.

By Steph on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 07:04 pm:

Dear IHATEECZEMA I am feeling so bad for you right now. There is no cure for eczema and there it is so hard to heal once it starts - don't give up. I tell my daughter that what she is going through right now will make her the person she will become. So our struggles shape and mold us into the adult. DO NOT give up! I try and tell her things could be worse especially when I hear of a child with cancer - but that is hard to hear when you are in pain and scratch constantly. When the meds and creams the dr. give thins your skin and in the long run - does anyone know what they will do after we have been using them for 10 years. Please understand that I am not trying to make light of what anyone is going through - we are all given challenges there is not one person out there that doesn't have something they deal with - no one is perfect. God is out there - and don't give up on that. Tatum (my daughter use to ask why did God make me this way - I would reply -what beautiful, smart, and funny. God does not torture us - what ever he does or lets happen is to bring us closer to him. Sometimes that is impossible to understand.
Here are somethings we have found:
1. Do not let an allergist do the testing directly on your skin - they need to take blood samples and have it analized that way. And no matter what they say do not get allergy shots! A person with eczema does not react to the allergen the way a normal person would. You will rarely get the sneezing water eye thing - you will flare up - every single time. We learned this the hard way. When they test your blood they may find food allergies (Tatum is allergic to tree nuts, eggs, and oats). Now avoiding these foods help - they do not heal or cure you - you will have less flare ups - but when you do eat something that your not suppose to you know it.
2. The skin barrier in a person with eczema is very differant that that of a person without it.
You don't keep moisture in - but you also have a hard time keeping things out (staph)because you are constantly having a flare up. If you have a breakout that won't go away - go to the family dr. and they will do a culture to determine what antibotic you need to be on. I am not sure how I feel about the antibiotics - some will get tolerant and eventually they will not work. They have done a study with children and bleach baths 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup of bleach per bath about 3 days a week. Bleach does kill staph and with more people have eczema than ever researchers are looking for alternatives to pills. BTW 10 min soak max.
3. Do not let yourself over heat - as I said your barrier is differant and you body temp does not regulate in the average way. So try not to overlayer your clothes - sleep with light blanet and sheet - use the ceiling fan.
4. Wet wraps help - I know they aren't comfortable but they help lock in the moisture to help you body heal. Use your perscription creams first then slather on the aquaphor, wet a tighter pair of clothing that is preferalby cotton (we use cotton tights and a thermal shirt) then put normal pjs on over that. do not do for more that 2 weeks at a time.
5. DO NOT DO NOT let yourself get dry. Keep yourself (we call it lubed up at our house). Aquaphor is a little expensive but there is nothing better - vanicream is ok and walmart makes a generic eucerin cream that works well also. Even if you are having a good day don't let it go put your lotion on.
6. Find your triggers - this is key. Tatum is having a bad flare up right now and we are sure it is the pollen.
7. Take your antihistimine! It helps Tatum takes 2 zyrtec during the day and hydroxicine at night. Benadryl works but seems to not last as long.
8. And the most important thing to remember is do not scratch - I know it itches. But do try not to. It only makes it worse and if there is staph you are spreading in which makes the itch/scratch cycle even harder to get through - keep your nails short - lub up your hands at night and put on those cotton spa gloves do the same to your feet.
You will get through this - have hope and faith I pray that it is in God but if not have faith in yourself. You deserve better - but you can't change this; you deal with it as it comes along.
Remember what you are feeling and going through right now and how isolated and depressed you feel- Some of you may be the very doctors or researchers who solve this - who says here is the cure or here is what we can do to get rid of this horrid condition and use your past feeling to fuel you through it.
May God Bless you all -

By mig7u on Thursday, April 23, 2009 - 12:44 pm:

last summer i managed to control it. i had white patches for a while then the skin started to get tanned and i got a perfect skin during the summer, then the itching started again in the winter and i was dumb enough to scratch...so i had to deal with the problem all over again...wish me luck for this summer ;)


mig7u

By Morpheus on Thursday, April 23, 2009 - 11:15 am:

This book from amazon will help you stop scratching completely:

'The Eczema Solution' by Susan Armstrong-Brown

You're correct - scratching compounds the problem and makes it much worse than it needs to be. Also if you've got brown/black skin the scarring can be much worse - it takes ages for the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation to fade (it may never fade completely) or you might develop hypopigmentation where you lose patches of skin colour permanently.

I wish this book had been available when I was a teenager because the damage I've done to myself via scratching would be much less. Still, I'm pretty much eczema free now even with all the scars which is the most important thing.

By mig7u on Thursday, April 23, 2009 - 10:26 am:

well ive been having eczema for my whole life. i'm 16 now, well my current ezcema i managed to controll it, but as keenaK says, now i have two gigant white patches on my arms, and the other parts of my arm are tanned....i know its horrible. What i found out is that for me atleast, my eczema wont appear if i don't scratch, it wont expand either. I have a tinny patch of eczema on my face, but i dont even think of scretching it no matter how badly it itches, because if i do scratch it i will get it all over the face. I know it is very difficoult to control yourself when you flare up, so what i do if i need to scratch very badly, i do it with my shirt so my nails wont touch the skin, the effect is the same, but i dont bleed or anything.

i am currently learning to ignore the itch no matter how bad it is, so all of you out there try to ignore aswell and maybe it works as it did for me. oh and i do take lotions and stuff, by i think they wont do anything if you still scratch.

mig7u

By KeenaK on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - 10:00 pm:

I wish I found this site years earlier.
Well basically I only suffer from excema on my legs thank god... but I actually have no memories of not having to moisturise at least twice a day and put up with the lovely childish questions like 'what wrong with your legs!?'

I'm 15 years old, and trying to just accept I'll always have excema, I can go on steriods for about a week and my weeping will stop and no new sores will come but 1) as soon as I stop the steriods my legs flare right back up worse than they were before I used steriods so what was the point! (apart from the week or so when I braced footless tights at school instead of my nice very opaque regular ones!) and 2) no matter how long after the sores disappear there seems to be no healing ... my legs are covered in white patches much paler than my natural tan and just won't heal to the same colour .. this gives me a lovely dalmation look that has never gone away! It's summer soon and unfortunatly this means skirts and swimming : ( ... It's such a shame I have excema as I used to enjoy swimming and synchronised swimming before I begun to feel self consious.

I was very surprised to come across this site. And after watching embarassing bodies on telly tonight and I googled excema ... On the tv show the doctor prescribed antihistamines to help the girl sleep and stop her scratching. ... has anyone taken antihistamines for this? would it work?

K. xx

By Rosie on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 - 04:59 pm:

Hi IHATEECZEMA. I feel so sorry for you (and everyone else on here too of course). You sound as if you are going through a really tough time.
My GP has no idea what to do with me (he mentioned Imuran but then changed his mind) and has referred me 60 miles away to another dermatologist.
I really hope you get some relief soon, along with all of us.

By IHATEECZEMA on Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 08:01 am:

I've been prescribed......imuran =(


I'm too scared to take it, the last thing I need is cancer. But my GP said it could cure me and I have a low risk of developing cancer because my TMPT levels are high.

I cry myself to sleep these days, I think of all my friends that are getting on with their lives, going out and achieving stuff, becoming 2nd year apprentices, going to UNI, joining the navy......then I look at my self; no job, no life, at home crying myself to sleep, cant move because my skin is so sore and red. I get a horrible sinking feeling every time I think; there is no cure I'm stuck like this forever.

No words can describe my deep hatred for my life, its not fair. Not to mention some other extremely personal problems that will further ruin my life.

seanpbradley@hotmail.com

By Suzanne on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 10:56 pm:

Dear IHATEECZEMA,

My heart goes out to you.... I have been exactly where you are now and I know how soul destroying this horrific condition can be. Sometimes even most of the time it would be just so easy to give up! But don't, you will get through this flare up and things will get better.

If you can stay away from the steroids, I know they give you quick relief but the side effects aren't worth it, especially when the eczema comes back even worse than before once you stop taking the drugs. The steroid creams are just as bad, your skin becomes hooked on them and they also dry your skin which makes you scratch even more.

Have you tried cyclosporin tablets, they're not a magic cure but you can be on them for a while which gives your skin a chance to heal. While your on them start taking heaps of flaxseed, fish oil to repair the damage done from scratching. There is also tacrolimus ointment which won't thin the skin like the steroid creams.

What I'am doing at the moment is using the cyclosporin tablets and the tacrolimus ointment which got my eczema under control. Now I am slowly very slowly weaning myself of both and introducing more natural products to take there place. Such as taking a good multi-vitamen, pro-biotics and esstential oils to keep my skin soft. I am also trying a vitamen B ointment (Cyanocobalamin), this is supposed to suppress the inflamation but without the horrible side effects.

At the end of the day everything is trial and error. Keep trying things until you find something that works for you. I know its very easy to say don't give up because like you I know life can be a struggle. Focus on the positive things in your life, a good movie that lets you escape for a little while, your family, friends, pet, a sunny day, your favourite song. I hope I haven't rambled on to much...... Anyway, see if any of these ideas I have written can help, I really hope so. Take care of yourself, you are definitely not alone, lets all try and help each other cope with this horrible condition. Take care of yourself. xxx

By IHATEECZEMA on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 12:36 pm:

I'm healed during after taking steroids.....but now I'm worse then ever AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I want to jump out a window, I can't stand this anymore.

I have found this guy on the Internet that claims he can HEAL ECZEMA yes heal eczema. He says he scans the brain to gauge what foods a person is intolerant to NOT ALLERGIC TO INTOLLERENT TO?

He said once you cut out the foods he says you cant have you completely heal???? I have no idea if this is a scam....

Here's the website; type "Healthscan" in google you can't post links on this for some reason!
Check it out people and tell me what you think

My email is seanpbradley@hotmail.com

By Rosie on Monday, March 09, 2009 - 04:48 pm:

Hi Sean/IHATEECZEMA, i've just seen your message. How are you getting on with the steroids? I've just come off a short course of them about a week ago! I love how they clear your skin up so quickly and so well (make you feel 'normal' for a while!) but the side effects are awful!

I hope you're feeling a bit better now, it's so so hard to be positive on a bad day/week/month. You know it'll get better again but you can't imagine it! It really does rule your life.

Take care, Rosie

By Rav on Friday, March 06, 2009 - 08:13 am:

Hello everyone,

First of all I am so glad, that I am not alone! Before I couldn't find anyone else with my symptoms, and I was frustrated how I am the only family member to have eczema.
Anyway here is what I want to share:
I am 15 year old girl,and I have been having eczema since I was about 3. I had perfect skin before; I did not have any food allergies. Suddenly, I have rashes and I'm allergic to many kinds of food when I was 4! I think the reason why I suddenly had eczema and allergies is that my dad fed me peanuts and shellfish, which triggered my immune system when I was small. So, I can't eat peanuts,almonds, cashews(all kinds of nuts,even coconut!), eggs, milk, butter, shellfish, passionfruit, pineapple, and the list goes on...So, I felt a bit left out when I was small, because I couldn't eat the same things my friends ate. (like cake for birthday parties)
I have eczema in the fold of my arms, hands, behind my legs, and sometimes my face (it goes on and off, I have no idea why). I always hide them behind long clothes, trying to conceal arms and legs. But when it comes to my face, it's utterfly awful. When I went my parents' friends parties, they would always ask why my face is red. Then my mother would talk about it for the entire party. In reply the friends would stare at me for a long time and make the conversation further. I don't have a problem talking about it for a few times, but why does it have to be the subject every single time? I have asked my mother to stop making the conversation go much farther, but she replied that everyone needs to know about the information,because they care. sighs*
I still have a few more things to share. But i must go to bed now. By the way, any way to prevent from scratching during the night? I wear gloves, but I rub so hard my skin still gets damaged. Any suggestions would be appreciated! ^^

By IHATEECZEMA on Wednesday, March 04, 2009 - 11:46 am:

Thanks Rosie,

I'm back on steroids =( I had too, I just couldn't take it any more.....but the doc is putting me on some other type of medication in two weeks; fingers crossed it helps *sigh*

-Sean

By Rosie on Friday, February 27, 2009 - 02:50 pm:

Dear IHATEECZEMA

I have so many days like this too, please don't give up. I'm forever saying "I can't handle this any more" but i always find strength from somewhere. Don't let it get the better of you!!! Have you seen a GP or dermatologist recently? There are always new things coming out, and new ideas, something you might not have tried before x

By IHATEECZEMA on Friday, February 27, 2009 - 12:01 pm:

I'm ready to break down guys....I've had enough I'm ready to give up, I can't find the strength to cope anymore.

Everyday I wake up feeling terrible. I had a fit of rage and self abused myself. My face is all red skin is peeling off everywhere, my skin rips when I move. as I type this tears are rolling down my face and they a burning me.

Everyday my dreams are further out of reach, it's ruining my life. I just can't see my life as fulfilling anymore, I have no hope. I think about how nice it would be to die.

There is NO god!

By Peter on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 05:14 pm:

Silver, there are some support groups around the country. This link might help:


eczema.org/se.html

By Silver on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 04:51 pm:

hello everyone
first time to go on the site
ive had eczema since i was born and im now 18 i have many goals in life, but having eczema has dragged me back for instance today i had a flare up on my face so couldnt bare going into college.

I have a lack of motivation, and become depressed alot, it also doesnt help that there is no one to talk to about it.

I live in London and would love to create or attend a support group for teenagers who suffer from eczema in which we can talk to each other and share experiences . This might help us with goals we want to gain.

ANYONE INTRESTED plz let me no
thank you

By afshan on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 08:50 pm:

wooo first post of 2009! lol

all you guys out there with eczema, just do what i did

get an allergy test done! I got mine done in weybridge,surrey with one called thames allergy clinic, they charge a shitload like £400 but thats for an inhalant and food allergy test.

I had it for 11 years now, and within a week of knowing what i was alergiced to, i stop getting dry skin which cracks and bleeds when i wake up in the morning. Its great!

or maybe that was coz of the dust mite proof covers lol coz im allergiced to them too

well try it anyway everyone coz your probably sick of trying everything else out there

btw if you've got any good creams that work can you drop me a line coz im getting tired of shea butter now, the smell is sooo annoying

By figgymyson on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 06:07 pm:

Chewingum,

I would like to get involved in your documentary.
If that is okay e-mail me on richard.w.field@erac.com

Thanks Rich

By figgymyson on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 06:07 pm:

Chewingum,

I would like to get involved in your documentary.
If that is okay e-mail me on richard.w.field@erac.com

Thanks Rich

By Julianna on Monday, November 24, 2008 - 01:08 am:

I live in the United States. I can interact with you over what it's like to have chronic eczema. I pretty much have every inch of my body covered in scales or rashes (I know that's not what it is, but it looks like it.) The worst part is around my eyes, which often crack, especially now that it's winter.

To make matters worse, I am roughly OCD. I MUST clean... I want all the flaky dead skin and scabs off of my body. Of course, it only makes things worse.

AIM: AirportGuacamole
Email: julie.langston@gmail.com

By chewinggum on Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 06:21 pm:

SHORT DOCUMENTARY ABOUT ECZEMA
hi everyone

I don't know how many of you are part of
the facebook group for people with eczema,
I need a massive favour and pretty soon.
this is to anyone who lives in London.

I'm an 18 year old student doing a dergree in Film and Television. I'm making a documentary as part of my course. This documentary is part of my foundation degree in media: tv and film. I've chosen to do my documentary on something with i feel strongly about. The aim of my documentary is too give a rounded view of what it's like to have eczema (the good the bad and the ugly,) whether I'll do this in a "day in the life," approach or allowing several eczema suffers share up's and downs of living with eczema.

As I have creative control of my project either way i approach it I hope to create an environment whilst filming and or interviewing that insures participants feel comfortable. Which could for example mean- you telling me you only want me to use you're voice in the finished piece.

(I suffer from atopic eczema, and understand the feeling of wanting to just hide.) I feel creating this documentary is a brave step for me and people who hope to participate.

thanks

By Morpheus on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 08:12 am:

Poteet - it's very difficult to not judge people on their appearance. That's the kind of society we live in sadly. So yes even though you'd think that you'd be more understanding because of your own experience, it won't happen every time.

Have you ever been tested for food allergies? A lot of people with eczema find that their skin clears up once they eliminate these foods. It's not always the obvious dairy though - it can quite often be wheat too. But you should be tested by a doctor.

I think for some of us though that the real problem is the scratching itself - it becomes habitual and related to stress and emotional problems rather than genuine itchiness. I certainly found that was my problem and when I learnt to control it my skin improved enormously. I wish I'd known about habit reversal when I was a teenager.

Anyway there's a book called 'The Eczema Solution', by Susan Armstrong Brown and it gives details on how to control your scratching and hopefully stop completely. I think that most people who have used it have seen a very significant improvement.

By Poteet on Monday, September 29, 2008 - 06:29 am:

Hey everyone, it's been awhile. How's everyone doing? I must say that eczema is more common than I thought. It's just that more people have lighter, or cases where it disappears. For instance, I was at Wal-Mart (Yes I was there, it's the only thing to do at my college!), with a German international student, and we were in the first aid section looking for some antiseptic or whatever. He looked at the cortisone and said "I used to have eczema...But it went away when I was 19...I tried to use it to get out of military service, but when I started eating foods that provoked my eczema, it just went away." I thought that was interesting. I thought I had no hope of it going away, maybe there is hope. I just have to get scratching down to nothing...Which is hard, it's been part of my life for so long I don't know how to stop. Any suggestions? Anyway I had another thought. I realized that while I want peope to view me as me, and not my skin, I am a very judgemental person. I see people with blemishes and I judge them. Is that wrong? You'd think that amoung everyone that I (being a person with eczema) would be the most tolerant...Anyway, just my thoughts.

By mary on Thursday, September 25, 2008 - 11:49 am:

hi guys im new to this so i dont really know much about it. im 13 and have had eczema all my life but the past year has been hell. i've tried all the treatments the doctors suggested but it doesn't help. i get really depressed and my family try to help but they don't get it so it just annoys me even more. i hope this forum will help.

By Gemmaroonies on Thursday, September 11, 2008 - 06:58 pm:

@ peach - don't worry about them, honestly. the people who mind dont matter and the people who matter don't mind.

I'm 16 and I've had eczema since i was born. I always used to get embarrased in school, especially in P.E :$! But now I've got a really great group of friends and no one bothers me about it. Show them that you don't care what they think. If people are running away from you then they need to grow the hell up.

And to all the people complaining about not wearing make up - try the Clinique range. You can find it a debenhams. I tried every foundation under the sun and they all made my face flare up. Then my doctor suggested clinique and its brilliant (: It doesn't agitate my skin in the slightest.

If anyone wants to talk (:
gemmaroonies@hotmail.co.uk

By peach on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 08:35 pm:

im 14 and have had eczema for about 12 years im really getting fed up with the name calling and people running away from me thinking its contagious what should i do?

By Bookworm on Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 01:39 pm:

Becca,

I'm 19 years old, and like most of the people here, I've had eczema all my life. I understand the need to scratch and the painful consequences of those actions. :s

I've done UV before- it didn't work for me, largely because the tanning bed was too hot and dried out my skin. Going out in the sunshine this summer has helped, though, so it could've just been a bad flare-up.

Normally, when I get bad enough to use band-aids, I'm so stressed and high-strung that I need a chance to wind down a little, so I make myself tea, maybe do some yoga or reading, and concentrate on something calming. I also use ice to cool down the hotspots, which really helps, as long as you've got a soft towel nearby (otherwise the water vapor can hurt or dry out your skin). Loose clothing also works like a dream for me.

I think the best advice I can give is to relax and learn to love yourself. Normally when I have pretty severe flare-ups, it's due to the lack of self-respect and self-awareness I've generated, so focus on the positive. Smile! Give hugs to those you know (they produce endorphins, known to relax and promote better attitudes)! Eat chocolate if you're not allergic! All of these things really tend to calm people down, providing a more stable emotional base and a greater path to wellness.

Good Luck!

By Becca on Friday, August 29, 2008 - 04:44 pm:

Okay right.. Everyone here seems to be saying pretty much the same thing here. Like, I'm a 14 year old girl, It's August, & I'm sitting in the house with bandages up my arms to try & stop me from itching this red horrible rash! I've had eczema all my life, I figured out That Cocoa Butter Cools it down and calms it for a bit, but then it just goes back to how bad it was. I'm gonna start going to tanning salons, as my auntie says that the vitamin D in the UV will help regenerate my skin and calm it Wish Me Luck !
If anyone wants to talk;
hiyyabeccabaabes@hotmail.co.uk
I don't bite

By danny on Friday, August 22, 2008 - 12:16 am:

i know its hard, be strong!
take care, you know, do your research on whats good to eat for skin, ask your parents to speak to a therapist or councillor
also, dont hate yourself, love yourself, the eczema will go away , i promise, in the mean time, make sure you feel good

also, do research about homeopathy, iv had bad eczema since i was alittle baby, im now 21, been told to use steroid creams all my life, but homeopathy finally got rid of it, be strong though, it gets worse before it gets better.
if anyone wants to talk about it email me afi_pez@hotmail.com
take it easy

By Lucy on Sunday, July 20, 2008 - 11:43 pm:

Hi guys. I just thought I'd share my pure shea butter experiment. It's going alright. I only use it after I shower, but it works I think. I mean, it's subtle. I use it with black oil mixed into it. I don't know. Summer stinks. We've had like a week of a 80-90 degree weather. It's jsut so hot and humid that I feel pretty horrible.
I hope all of you are doing well.

By ks on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 02:57 pm:

hey guys sorry for replying late , i was out of town actually ... neways thank u all for replying to me that day , i felt really nice to know some people really care ...... that day i just lost it . usually i am very strong but i cld'nt take it that day .. i live in the south of states so its pretty hot here by now ....... i wana so wear a tshirt n a short n go of to the beach but i cant . i can but i wont enjoy it .... btw guys i have said this earlier too plz try coconut oil , its very good , its not yucki n greasy at all n u feel good when u put it ..... n ya do any of u ppl think that eczema is more phycological watever the spelling :D then more of a physical problem ..... i feel the cause of eczema is "me" n not really that i was born with it n stuff ......... nyhow thanks again , i really luv ya all , chao

By Lucy on Monday, July 14, 2008 - 07:33 am:

I just went swimming in the ocean for the first time in years. It hurt like hell for a few minutes, then I felt soo good. Now I'm dry, but I feel good still...Strange.

By Molly on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 09:01 pm:

Hi Lucy, I use shea butter on my hand eczema.
When it's very dry, I use diposable gloves. I cut the finger off, into these I scoop in some shea butter and cover my fingers in the cut offs. This stops my hands getting too hot. I do this overnight and have really smooth hands in the morning. Of course they go back to normal as the day wears on, but at least it stops them splitting and bleeding.
I also use the shea butter on my hair.

By Lucy on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 01:53 am:

Hey anyone used pure shea butter? Not like the scented stuff or anything like that. I just got some at a Muslim fish market, strange I know right? But I was just wondering if anyone gave it a try...

By Lucy on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 01:48 am:

Hey KS,
I know how you feel. I feel like we've been dealt an unfair hand. I mean, what did we do to deserve it right? I've definitely felt that way before. But don't give up. They're will always be people who understand how we feel, even if we'll never see them face to face, we talk. Doesn't it feel like you're the only one with pretty horrible eczema and everyone else just has a little bit. That's definitely how I feel. But anyway, there's always here, if no where else. It's a place to kvetch, to offer advice and stuff like that. And I know how the scratching feels. I just got two freckles removed, and now I have stitches. I am scared to death that I will itch them out at night. I have such a knack for scratching in my sleep. One just fell out, and man am I worried. Keep coming back here ok KS/SK?

By miss allergic on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 09:10 pm:

Hi KS, I know what you are going through. I am 28 and I have had eczema since I was 15. It used to be all over my body and now it is mainly confined to my face. When my skin is good I am the happiest go lucky person around. When my skin is bad I am the most depressed,unhappy individual to be around. I am married and I said to my hubby one day when my face was badly flared that I worried he would leave me because I looked ugly, he said he would never leave as he didnt think I looked ugly but couldnt tolerate how I behaved when my skin flared. I try to stay positive even when its bad but it is easier said than done. Some advice which I wish I had taken early would be : stop scratching ASAP
: no really stop scratchig
: Moisturise at least three times a day
: let the air at the skin for even half an hour a day.
Hope this might help you. Good luck

By nevergiveup on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 04:26 pm:

We all understand that feeling of helplessness, of never seeming to get anywhere, of eczema getting worse instead of better. Personally i dont think God destined this for us, just like He didnt destine the cancer, the asthma, or poor immune systems. Some of it is hereditary, some is stress or environment, much is what we put into our bodies. (Especially fast food or processed foods.) This is the kind of world we live in with all its ups and downs.Like you, the first thing i notice on other ppl are there beautiful clear skin. But when you get to know them better, they have there ownproblems, too. Theres just dont show on the outside like ours do. Growing up, i was very insecure, and hid from everyone, too. I've since learned that there are more ppl who like you for who you are, than for who you are not. We also need to like ourselves, just the way we are. My biggest enemy is MSG, wheat, and gluten, elliminating these culprits from my meals.The change has been awesomely rewarding. You'd be surprised by what a change this can have on your appearance and self esteem. Sure it might come back, but not big time.We are here to help each other. Let us know what you've been trying, what works, what doesnt. i've been trying to heal from the inside out, mixing conventional medicine with alternative methods.Every person is unique.We'll figure this eczema thing out together. You are not alone, thats for sure.

By ks on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 06:07 am:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !!! i feeeeel like killing my self today .......... y y y do we have to suffer frum this idiotic problem , i lost my girl frend , i lost my frends i dont even go to meet some of my cuzins cuz im ashamed to show myslef even though once upon a time all of us cudgive our lives for each other ....... wat did i do to get this ...... i have never looked down on a person, always helped everyone never been selfish in my whole f**** life , am sure u guys too , so y do we get this. i cldnt go to the water part this weekend with the college , cant play soccer, hate the clubs, ive started to hate my self ........ the only thing that is good in life is the feeling i get when im scratching ......... im so low today , i dont want u ppl think im jeolous but when i look at literally everyone arnd me i see they have good skin , girl frends, companionship , ther skin or health is the last thing on ther minds , an here we are born to be sick !!! im still a kid inside , i cant take it anymore, eczema is ruining my life ....... if i had a pray i wld pray to god to never have a person live with this, everyone who has this problem i jus wana say even if i dont know u or have never met u but we are all broz n sistera , n we all know how we each feeel , so keep in tuch , write more on this forum , become frends in real life , after all we get to live once , n id love to be with ppl arnd me who are like me , who understand wat we have to go through .......... even though ive ost it today i wana say to ya all be strong , after all we were chosen by god to be like this cuz he knowz we can handle it ...

By ks on Monday, July 07, 2008 - 02:46 pm:

lucy u know wat i too don know anyone in my considerably big radius who has the slightist irratation of it too .... i keep looking at everyone n im like, look at everyone no one has this issue!!! ... maybe ppl with eczema keep themselves so much hiiden behind clothes n stuff that i guess they'r not jus visible .... i used to think that i have severe eczema but after reading frum this site i feel my case is minor cuz when i want, i can control it, its just the sweet itch n the chill in the spine that takes over me n i ruin myself, btw i live in the south but thats cuz of college purposes .. weather here is always sunny so i hate it cuz i don like wearing tshirts n stuff (sk=ks) ... ill tell u y someplace else

By Lucy on Saturday, July 05, 2008 - 07:51 pm:

Hey sk,
I know exactly what you mean when you say that you feel like you can't be yourself. For instance, I love running and I love wearing skirts. Unfortunately I feel that I can't run during the day because of people staring. And I can't wear cute skirts because they go above the knee and I hate people asking about my skin! It's so weird that there are so many people here who have pretty moderate - severe eczema and I can't find anyone where I live who has even the slightest irritation of it! Where in the country do you live? I live in the North east and man, what a difference in the summer and winter. As soon as I get used to the humidity and heat of summer it gets cold and dry. Ugh.

By sk on Thursday, July 03, 2008 - 11:44 pm:

yeah thats so true lucy i see ppl whining over small pimples n stuff like that all the time n im like .. jus shorts of words ! ....... only if ppl inderstood wat it takes to stand under a shower with this problem .. sometimes i imagine im a soldier fighting a war to mentally pull myself through the initial burning period .. then its like heaven until u get out n it gets really really dry ..... worst part ive never known ppl who hav had this prob so im raelly hoping this forum helps me with that ... dont u get like frustrated when u can not be ureself n like u can be so much better but cuz u hav this problem ppl judge for who ure not .. i dont know if that made any sense to u ... anyhow im still gratefull that im in college, hav a huge social circle though it cld hav been a lot lot better but i dont really care .... anyhow i hav a suggestion for u i dont really know how severe ure problem is but try using coconut oil instead of moisturizerz or vaseline .. they get either too sticky n make u feel yuck ... coconut oil is cool it leaves a small film on ure skin n it gives u the warmth inside u want n doznt show at all even in pure sunlight ... n it also cures dry skin its working very good for me .. n thanks for replyin

By Lucy on Thursday, July 03, 2008 - 04:25 am:

Hey sk, I'm glad you found this place, I definitely felt sooo much better after finding this place. I could rant and have people actually understand! I know what you mean about the wishing I could just have good skin. I mean, I hear my friends complain about acne and stuff, and sure that can get bad, but I'd trade this eczema for acne any day of the week. But yeah. Fun times right?

By sk on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 09:16 pm:

hey guys this is the first time that i have come accross a forum where ppl with exzema can talk, act the first time im gono be hopefully knowing ppl who have exzema too.. and it feels so good to know that u r not alone in this world with this illness .... however after reading along i have to say that scratching leads to eczema .. i had it only on my neck and the back of my knee when i was young but soon the habit took over me and i have it on my face and further down on my neck ..... personally i recon that u shd keep ureselves busy doing something all the time ... the more i sit idle the more i want to scratch ...... and the sweet itch is so tempting until u cut ure skin and feel like wat the hell did i just do .. i have to go to work tom !! ..... an im sure how u all feel " i wish i had good skin i cld swim, wear watever i wanted to, be self confident" . . . i hope God cures us all and gives us the will power to fight this disease ( btw id love to be frends with someone who has the same problem as i dont have anyone to relate to my email is livinginthedark@live.com )

By Lucy on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 07:58 am:

Ugh, Morpheus, I need to get my hands on that book you recommended. It's not any worse than it has been, but right now, I have eczema between my left index finger and the middle finger. It's soo annoying and a first for me.
Does anyone else think that eczema has altered their personality? I definitely think that it has for me, I'm so quiet and shy...Oy gevalt!

By louise on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 12:43 pm:

Its really true about the not scratching thing!! A good example is a few years ago when I was receiving wet wrap treatment from the hospital. My whole body was covered in bandages and because i couldn't scratch it, it started to heal. My feet however, were the only exposed parts and I scratched them and soon they were covered in eczema! Scratching is both a cause and symptom of eczema, hence viscious circle! It is really good to be concious of your itch triggers-it might be bedtime, or sitting at the computer! Once you are aware of when you scratch you can try to stop! Or in my case, I get people to tell me when I'm scratching. In lab tests when people with healthy skin scratched it ontinuously over several days, eczema appeared. SCRATCHING CREATES ECZEMA!!!!

By Morpheus on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 10:31 am:

Hi Miss Allergic - I really recommend the book if you still have times when you scratch badly. Stopping it really is the only way to allow your skin to heal!

Scratching is definitely addictive and you don't realise how badly it takes over your life! As a child I was able to type really fast with one hand so that the other was free to scratch! And yes part of the problem is that it does feel so good (just like you said Lucy) - it's almost like a high... until the pain suddenly hits you from the skin you've just torn up!

I've suffered from panic attacks in the past and I do believe it's directly related to my eczema. Unfortunately when you suffer from a disease like this for a number of years it has the potential to completely destroy your self confidence and wreak havoc on your emotional and psyhcological health.

By Lucy on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 05:24 am:

Hi Hal,
No, no one really makes fun of me. I'm so grateful for that. It's always nice to come here and talk to people who know what I'm going through.

By miss allergic on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 08:24 pm:

Hi Morpheus. I havent read the book you are talking about but I too found the greatest improvement came to my skin when I stopped scratching it. I had a lot of problems and stresses in my life and when my eczema broke out on my legs i started to scratch it until it bleed and became seriously infected. Even though I knew I was damaging my skin and worsening my eczema I couldnt stop it.It took me about two years to get my legs cleared up through antibiotics, creams and the viscopaste bandages which you talk about. The bandages were great. I would love to say that I stopped scratching through my will power of steel but I would be lying. I somehow managed to get a boyfriend and was so embarrased as to how I had let my skin and this awful itching rule my life. I spent many nights not sleeping as getting into bed was my danger itching times. I also wrapped my legs in viscopaste bandages to help me from clawing at them. I also kept my legs out in the air during the day and gradually they got better.

I am now married to the said boyfriend!!! and if i get stressed in my sleep I begin to scratch and hubby will waken me and I stop. If I was to start scratching again it would slowly consume me again. I know that the eczema came first not the scratching but for some reason it was almost as if I became addicted to it.

I hope that this is of some help to anyone reading this as stopping scratching really did go a long way to helping my skin. It has no way cured it as like evryone I get horrendous flares but it certainly did help. Do any of you out there suffer from anxiety or panic attacks? I have started to get these recently and think it may be due to being self concious over my skin...

By hal on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 12:26 pm:

hi lucy do people take the micky of your eczma because i think that is slack and shame on the bullys.Whant to be freinds.

By hal on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 12:23 pm:

hi everybody has anyone got a computer because when i play on it i dont ich as much

By Lucy on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 08:15 am:

Hey Morpheus,
Yeah I'll see how it goes. It's kind of scratching that gets me. I know that it's absolutely horrible and undoes any work that I've accomplished skin wise but at times, it's the only thing that will make me feel better. You know? Sometimes it's the only thing that feels good (except for right after when I look at what I've just done!). Anyway, thanks for all your help. Keep in touch! I find this website sooo helpful, even just to vent my feelings. I wish more people used it more often and more consistantly!

By Morpheus on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 03:25 pm:

Hi Earthbiscuit

I used the book, 'The Eczema Solution' by Susan Armstrong-Brown:
amazon.co.uk/Eczema-Solution-Sue-Armstrong-Brown/dp/0091882842/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213366535&sr=8-1

It's a programme that essentially makes you aware of when you scratch for a lot of people much of it is habit rather than genuine itching - but at the end of the day it doesn't matter because by the time you've mastered the techniques in the book you'll be able to prevent yourself from scratching regardless of whether it is emotional/habitual itching or a genuine itch (the two are a bit blurred anyway).

I went from scratching more than 350 times a day to less then 30 in about 6 months - the book gets you to keep track of your scratching.

As you long as you keep scratching your skin, it will never have a chance to heal and you'll be more prone to infection. Although stopping scratching won't 'cure' your eczema/skin it is very likely that it will dramatically reduce the severity of your skin condition.

Hope it works for you.

By earthbiscuit on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 01:35 pm:

Hi Morpheus,

How did you teach yourself to stop itching.
I am trying so hard but it is really difficult.

By Morpheus on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 11:10 am:

Hi Lucy

It might be worth a try then (with the PUVA) the next time you have a flare up. I had it when I was in school twice and it did help quite a bit but unfortunately the effects weren't particularly long lasting.

At the moment my skin is pretty good really - still really dry but apart from that I don't appear to have any problems eczema wise. This is because the major part of the problem with my skin was my incessant scratching which just made life hell. I had to 'teach' myself to stop scratching - which I did. It's been about 5 years now...

By Lucy on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 08:32 am:

Hey Morpheus,
I think that it's just the sweat and stuff that irratates my skin. My last year in high school I did track and I noticed that my skin appeared to get better. The last time I went to my dermatologist she also asked if I noticed if the sun helped. She mentioned in passing that sometimes she perscribes something with the sun or tanning for some people. I actually do not have fair skin, I'm Korean and find that my skin tans quite nicely and I've only burned twice that I can remember.
I try not to let it bother me but it does tend to get into a cycle. It starts out with a small spot (small in my terms anyway!) and I try and hide it, which makes it worse, which makes me want to hide it more...
Thanks for all the advice, perhaps I'll pay my derm a visit again and inquire as to the PUVA therapy. How's it going with your eczema?

By Morpheus on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 05:52 pm:

Hi Lucy - do you think that it's just the heat that's causing the redness and itching? Or do you think that it's the exposure to sunlight that's the problem? Maybe a sun cream would help though if you're anything like me this could cause a reaction itself...

PUVA is UV light therapy, it does help some people but is not so effective for others and of course you need to be careful if you've got very fair skin.

I'm not sure what to suggest apart from perhaps trying to cover up the areas that are affected by the sun but that may not be very practical or comfortable if you're working outdoors? Perhaps a thick smear of zinc oxide cream on the affected areas (if you're not sensitive to it) - might be a bit messy though.

By Lucy on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 11:09 pm:

Dear Morpheus,
I find that my skin just gets dry in the winter, and in the summer it gets all red and itchy. (Plus in the winter I can hide it behind long sleeves and pants). I rarely get infected despite the amount of problem areas. I have not tried PUVA treatment.

By Morpheus on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 04:32 pm:

Hi Lucy

I've always found that my skin condition improves in hot and humid weather - as long as I'm not scratching!! When I did scratch it'd usually flare during warm weather - more so than during the winter months. I'd also develop infections.

Have you ever had PUVA light treatment for your skin?

By Lucy on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 04:26 pm:

Hey eczema sufferers. Summers here and what a blast it is. Being in Western New York is so humid and stiffling in the summer. And I have work outside landscaping. It really stinks to have to have people stare at my lovely eczema which has stuck to me since I can remember. It's on the top of my wrists, inside of my elbows, neck, upper lip, ears, near my eyes, back of knees, and stomach. The face is so irritating and the arms and legs just make it impossible to feel normal. Not to mention that it's starting to spread to my hands, which I'd like to avoid. Oh well right?
I totally know how you feel Jen08 about having friends freak out over minor things. I have always wanted to donate blood, but everytime I go, they say that they can't because of my eczema. Even when it wasn't that bad...I feel so rejected, they're always saying how there's such a great need for blood, well...Take mine! I'm willing to part with it!
Next year I'm studying in Costa Rica...Any suggestions? I'm excited since I love Spanish (I'm minoring in it with a major in Psychology), but I'm worried since you know, it's kind of hot and humid? Oy gevalt!

By wheatfreecured on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 05:44 am:

Multi...

was one of your food allergies... wheat?

If so, if you go gluten free... wheat free... you can heal from that and start to re introduce other foods into your diet... please google: celiac.... your rash will go away if you try the diet.... please research celiac... google celiac skin rash and see what you get...
trust me... 45 years of rash and skin problems, asthma, pollen allergies.. all went away once I found out that It was gluten... see the info.. and try it...

jeannine

By Multi on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 11:36 pm:

Hi, I'm a 19 yr old girl and
I've been in a very sad mood lately.
For the past 6 months I've had a constant rash in my face and it won't go away!!
I've had weeks where I didn't even bother to get out of bed, which really isn't the answer but I don't know what to do. Crying your eyes out doesn't help either...

I've had atopic eczema from the day I was born, combined with pollen allergies and astma. But it has never been as bad as this!

And on the top of it all I just got a blod test for allergies back from the doctors. There were like 60 checkpoints, where only three (milk, egg and fish, my new fantastic diet) were negative!! I'm like the biggest multiallergic on the planet

By Jen08 on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 06:43 pm:

Hi Jem, I too have had eczema most of my life but over the last year or so have got it more under control - but I know exactly how you feel - not wanting to look people in the face when my eczema gets bad, not wanting to meet up with people, and getting annoyed hearing my friends worrying about the tiniest of spots! Anyway, I have found the following seem to work for my skin....
- getting lots of sleep
- avoiding stress wherever possible
- avoiding spicy food, msg (in lots of Chinese and Thai food), too much coffee, too much sugar
- Dermol 200 for the shower - this helped turn my eczema around a couple of years ago, and I still use it now (you can buy it over the counter at Boots or get it from the doc)
- For my face - Avene Hydrance Optimale rich moisturiser (also from most Boots)- most stuff stings when I put it on but generally this doesn't. When my skin has flaired up I tend to mix this with a small bit of 1% hydrocortisone ointment (I know I'm not supposed to but if it reduces the flare-up then I feel that it's worth it!) Put it on as soon as you can after you come out of the shower/wash your face.
- For my body - Aderma Exomega emollient cream - very moisturising - I love it!
- Shampoo - I changed shampoo and that seemed to have quite a dramatic effect on the eczema on my shoulders, neck and chest (Akin seems to work for me)

Anyway, everyone is different and I think to some extent you have to keep trying different things - which is an expensive past time! Best of luck - I hope you have some success, and remember you probably notice your eczema more than anyone else, and you probably notice it much more than your boyfriend.

Good luck.

By jem on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 04:26 am:

i'm 19 and ive had mild eczema my whole life, although in the last year it has become much worse, and has spread to pretty much my whole body, it goes through phases of hardly being there to being red and inflamed, mostly around my chest and neck, which makes it very difficult to dress the way i want to. i get very self conscious about it, especially when it appears on my face, and around my eyes, which often swell up . i have a boyfriend and i hate when he has to see me covered in a horrible red rash!

anyone got any tips or anyone in a similar situation?

I'm just sick of it and get so upset when i constantly see beautiful confident girls who don't have to constantly worry about what they can wear and what their skin looks like

By --- on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 06:55 am:

I wonder where Gina went. It was 2006, but she had so many nice things to say. She really made me feel better.

By ECZEMASUX on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 11:23 am:

clauclau, I am not a girl but I would be happy to be Internet friends with you, if you want. I have suffered very severe eczema and know what it feels like to be left out!

Here's my email send me an email if you feel like a chat

seanpbradley@hotmail.com

By ECZEMASUX on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 11:11 am:

Listen to me guys: Do not eat for 2 days What you have to figure out is; is it enviromentle or somthing you are eating. I did this, I discovered I could not eat dairy or too much sugar. Please do this I am so much happier just think 2 days or the rest of your life!

By Mila on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 08:22 pm:

Clauclau,
I'm really sorry to hear about your friends. That is really horrible of them! I guess I'm fortunate in that I have a few close friends who are comfortable with me, probably more than I am with myself.
I hope you find some friends who are more inclusive and accepting.

To everyone:
Where do you all live, I'm currently living in Ohio, USA for college, I have lived in NY for most all of my life though, but I was born in South Korea. Anyone else?

By clauclau on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 08:05 am:

Dear Mila,
Thanks alot but my friends sometimes leave me out becos of my eczema n i feel really sad. how i really wish i have a friend who's there for me n would not look down on me. Treat me as a normal person n nt be so nasty.

By Mila on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 03:56 am:

Dear clauclau, I understand how you feel, I too have had eczema my whole life, I know it's shaped my personality, I'm a lot more shy than I think I'd be if I didn't have eczema. I however can't imagine my life without it, it's too much of a dream. I'm 19 and right now it's really bad, I know that I'm avoiding eye contace with people as I walk across campus because I don't want them to see me. I know I'll have some good days, I live for those.
Best of luck.

By clauclau on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 11:37 am:

Fyi, my eyes are so swollen and dry my skin cracks and peels all the time. My whole body is affected.IT is very servere. SOmetimmes ppl freak out. ppl ask qns like: can it spread, or comment : ewwww... get lost , i dont wanna get eczema. dont they know how hurt we ppl feel???

PS: I have been having eczema since I was born. NObody in my life is there for me. LIfe is so unfair. life sucks!

By clauclau on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 09:50 am:

Eczema SUCKS! i have no one who understands me and i feel very sad. People say nasty things bout' my eczema and i feel very inferior. Normal gals are very conscious bout' their loooks and think that I and nt suitable to be their friend. I wish I have a penpal(girl)who is 12 to 16 years old, so that i will have someone to talk to???

By Peter on Monday, March 24, 2008 - 08:41 am:

Almost certainly your eczema is caused by yeast spores, which thrive in dark moist conditions and clothing is an ideal breeding ground. It is best to get the air and sun (obviously taking care not to burn) to your body whenever possible and use a good moisturiser. I find that if I have to wear clothes for even a whole day, I start to get the first signs and I have to go around nude and apply zinc & castor oil cream to the affected areas to prevent the eczema taking hold and spreading.

By Mila on Monday, March 24, 2008 - 12:00 am:

Miss Allergic:
Yeah, that is probably the most frustrating thing, even when you do what you're supposed to do, eczema just pops up.
I find that if it's not really humid my skin tends to clear up with the sun.
I live in New York and am currently going to school in Ohio, so summers here are incredibly humid.

By miss allergic on Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 07:08 pm:

Hi there Mila!! I know what you mean when you rant to someone who doesnt have this problem they just dont understand, but I suppose that is the same of having any condition. I know what you mean about summertime that is the time of year everyone shows some skin. I found that I would wear a cotton vest and then a sheer top over that so that I didnt look as covered. The sheer material isnt great for eczema but it flares up even when you do everything right. Does the sun help your eczema? I live in ireland and I find the cold snowy or windy weather makes mine worse...

By Mila on Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 06:10 am:

Hi Miss Allergic, it certainly is nice to have a place to complain. I like how we all know what other people are going through, so we don't have to censor ourselves too much.
I'm in college right now, and my eczema's at it's worst since being there...it's not soo much fun...and with warm weather right around the corner, I'm not feeling so great.

How is everyone else?

By miss allergic on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 10:42 am:

Hi there Mila I know what you mean we all go on here and moan never speak to each other. I have had the dreaded E for 12 years years now since i was 17. I know what it is like to have it at that stage of your life. Telling people what is wrong is helpful sometimes as at least you can tell them why you look or feel bad. I also know that whem my Eczema flares up I dont want people to mention it as it puts me in bad mood!!! It is good to have friends who can talk to about it. All the best..

By Mila on Monday, March 03, 2008 - 02:42 am:

I'm currently in college and have writen many times before on here, in all types of moods...depressed to optimistic. Today I'm feeling kind of neutral. I have found some really great people at college. Like last night I just told them about my eczema which I consider to be moderate to severe. They took it so nicely. I've told more people here than I have like ever before. Not that it helps it go away, but it helps me know that they know it's not something terribly horrible. It's just unpleasent to look at...oy. But life is going alright.

How is everyone else doing?

We all seem to come here and complain without much interaction...I think we should change that.

By only 1,5 units: on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 12:40 pm:

hi everyone im 17 (nearly 18 woopwoopp)ive got atopic eczema, im on a new trearment its those pills azapi... ye doctor says i'll c the results in about 3 months, which is annoying in a way,im quiet anxious about the party me and a friend are having together, like if my skins still bad i wont know what to wear,ive learnt not to stress so much over my eczema but im still gettign there,

By fizzy on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 09:56 pm:

Hey everyone,im so glad theres a forum for those suffering from eczema!! its gud to know im not the only one out there which is what it feels like most of the time!ive had eczema since i was a kid but i was given a medicine by a homeopath which made it much worse than it ever was....but ive noticed that stress is the main trigger to my eczema,but i cant exercise to help this because the sweat aggrevates my skin even more!its a never ending cycle...at 19 i feels theres no hope for me n bein at uni has made me feel very self conscious...is any1 else out there in uni,how r u finding it with eczema?

By hal on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 09:59 am:

i know how TO clear ECZEMA go in the SEA for a bit then it clears it up but it will STING but after that it should go away a bit hopfully DONT itch it


fell so sorry for you all

By hal on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 09:37 am:

abby aaron is just messing about.

By Leila. on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 - 05:50 am:

Hey all. I haven't been writing on here very often. I know I should be using certain soaps and laundry detergent to avoid irritating my skin, but since I've been in college I've used scented detergent and whatever soap I wish to use. I have noticed that the detergent bothers me at times, but the soap doesn't matter to me, as long as I put lotion and creams on after I'll be ok...Ok meaning not all disgusting. I have the worst eczema that my derm. has seen in a long time. I hate it...as does everyone else. I have eczema on my face (mostly between my nose and upper lip and the corners of my lips), my neck, my inner elbows, my wrists, my stomach (at times), and the back of my knees. It's no fun. And when I wake up without pain and I look in the mirror and I'm not bleeding and gross, it is the best day of my life. Seriously. I love waking up and being able to walk without agonizing pain. I love being able to wear t-shirts, or skirts (I still won't wear shorts). I love when I can ease of my perscriptions (I've been on more than I can name...currently mimyx or however you spell it and some serious steroid...) My parents being as awesome as they are even tried something someone recommended on here from the UK, (it didn't work for me...not strong enough). But life gets better, and then it gets worse. I enjoy the good times...they are awesome aren't they?

By aaron on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 12:28 pm:

hi abby will you go out with me

By hal on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 12:24 pm:

hi abby

By hal on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 12:16 pm:

i will be freinds with you 15/16

By hal on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 12:16 pm:

i will be freinds with you 15/16

By hal on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:57 am:

i will be freinds with you 15/16

By hal on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:41 am:

cooooooooooooooooool

By hal on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:41 am:

cooooooooooooooooool

By hal on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:41 am:

cooooooooooooooooool

By Abby. on Saturday, December 08, 2007 - 09:34 pm:

EVERYONE should ask their doctor to be tested for food allergies. I have discovered I'm allergic to grains, dairy, citrus, nuts and more. Once I cut them all out of my diet... my skin improved drastically. Secondly, drink loads of water, even when you really don't feel like it. Also, if you wash the dishes try to wear gloves (the cleaning kind). It helps if you don't want to get your irritated hands wet and itchy. Please try to drink a daily vitamin too, such as Centrum; because it really helps. Good luck, and God bless you all.
If you feel like dropping me a line or even your everyday complaints: email me :] Trust me, I know what it's like to be young and an eczema sufferer.

By hal on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 01:04 pm:

lorbies just try not to itch it

By hal on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 12:59 pm:

katie scars are there forever

By hal on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 12:57 pm:

ecsma is really ichy

By hal on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 12:57 pm:

ecsma is really ichy

By hal on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 12:46 pm:

hello how did you get ecema

By hal on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 12:46 pm:

hello how did you get ecema

By Hal on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 11:13 am:

I have got asthma and i have got eczema, and I am called Hal. It's very irritating and when i have an astham attack it is very scary.

By Jon on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 11:12 am:

Hey guys, hope youre all okay

By ECZEMASUX on Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 02:22 am:

Well have gone on yet another course of prednisalone and it helps a lot I wish I could use it every day, within 3 hours most of my inflamation is gone, But sadly I can only use it for a week and soon after I will have eczema all over me again.


seanpbradley@hotmail.com

By ECZEMASUX on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - 12:18 pm:

Well I am having another flare up, it makes me so mad. I can feel this enery build up inside me in the form of rage I just have to release it usually by swearing my head off and just to make it worse I have hayfeaver. I live in Australia and summers comming, we have already had a 38c day (102f). I am not even that itchy its just all blotchy and bumpy all over
heres my email:

seanpbradley@hotmail.com

By Rachel on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 08:43 am:

hiya andrew
i found that a hydrocortizone cream is good for helping flare ups. I also use Dermol 500 cream which is a moisturiser and also can be used as a soap substitute. this isn't greasy so it's great if you need to put some on, say your hands 'cos it wont make your hands sticky.
Hope that helps!

By Andrew on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 10:56 pm:

Hey,
Im a 17 year old male, I've had eczema since I was little. Most people seem to exsperience inflmations and ichyness bad, I can say in the past I have had that but during the past few years I've very much stopped getting bad inflamations and instead places on my skin which used to be normal are dry. Ive had at points really bad dry skin all over. I have started to reduce the amount of showers im taking and putting on Dove moisturiser twice a day. It's improved alot but im just wondering is there any products or things that can bring my skin to the last stage towards normal? I do now and again get small inflamations on my arms and a tiny bit on my legs, but thats it.

By !!Rachel!! on Friday, October 19, 2007 - 05:54 pm:

Hi guys
i'm 15. my eczema isn't really very bad but i still have a hard time, so my heart really goes out to all those who have it worse than me!!
i do have a problem tho 'cos i find it really hard to stick to routines. this means that even when my eczema is bad, i can forget to put creams on. also i have really bad scaring on my arms as my eczema used to form as spots. people keep asking me if i'm self harming or something and i'm quite self conscious about it. if anyone has ANY tips about ANYTHING they would be greatly recieved.
cheers!!! XXX

By ECZEMASUX on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 12:58 pm:

HI fellow eczema sufferers Eczema realy sucks doesent it. I have severe eczema which means inflamation everywhere extream itching and the dreaded weaping/ooze. But in my case I clear up then get it bad over and over. Let me share my tips:


Sunlight, sunlight helps so dont cover up all the time(just in public lol).
Short nails means less damage.
No sugar, eczema as well all know reacts to heat and because sugar is high gi are body burns it fast causing are body to heat up.
Less stress, stress is another heat builder so keep calm (my mum would let me take days off school when i was younger just to relax, also on hot days).
Short showers long ones just dry you out.
find a lotion that you dont react to.
cat post, yes cat post! or anything else you can scratch When i am extreamly itchy I scratch the floor lol it trick my mind lol.
At night tie your hands up so you cant scratch you will find that you wake up trying to itch but you are able to stop yourself in time.
dont scratch I know its hard but think of what will happen if you do.
A nifty trick if you have to scratch is to place a thick cloth over the area then scratch it to help prevent the damage or just a firm rub.

well I hope these tips help. My heart goes out to all of you because I know exactly what your going through.

By Sarah Estercan on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 07:18 am:

Hi all, I don't know what to say to all those suffereing with eczema. I know it's a such a burdan. I have it myself. It got better, so much so that I did track and wore shorts for the first time in like years. But now, it's back to the same old itching and disgustingness of it all. I used to be on all these medications that helped, but after awhile, they all stopped working, so now I just use Cerave lotion and cream. I must say that I've always wanted to donate blood, but have never been able to due to eczema, which makes me sad. Bleh, eczema one day you will be gone.

By mina91 on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 12:54 am:

Hey. Well I'm 15 years old and a junior in high school here in California. I've had eczema pretty much since I was like 4 years old. However, unlike most cases in which eczema gets better and less severe and you grow older, I got worse as I grew older. Now my eczema is horrible. I have so many scars on my legs from my eczema from years of scratching the same place, etc. it's SO embaressing. I don't even remember the last time I wore shorts or a skirt to school. I can't deal with showing my legs like that. I mean I'm so self conscious b/c of my eczema. It's so sad and stupid at the same time. I HATE THIS! It's bugging me so much. and now I'm starting to break out in some areas again I don't know what to do! I'm going crazy and NO MEDICINE I have ever tried has relieved the insane itching that I get from my eczema! Ahhh, any tips on itching and furthermore, tips on NOT itching?

By Bla on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 12:57 pm:

Eczema seems to control everything. sometimes it severe sometimes it dissapears. I have it on my face mainly on my upper lip and all over my neck. It's actually changed the colour of my neck about two shades darker and looks disgusting.im always looking for ways to cover my neck beacuse its broken, weeping and just grey/brown. When my face gets really bad i dont even want to go out. I have had it since i was born and was told it would go away but it just controls my life. I hate waking in the morning because i dnt know what my face and neck is going to look like i cnt control my itching in the night and wearing gloves doesnt work. Its come bak on my arms and legs and ive tried everything. Its so difficult. I have to wear sunglasses in doors because my eyes are so swollen and dry my skin cracks and peels all the time and im forever applying cream

By Emma on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 03:06 pm:

Hey 'help please' erm I guess it takes time to find something that actually works for you, 19 years for me. Have you tried tablets to take the itch away, an antihistamine maybe, im using chlorphenamine when my skin was really bad i used around four a day but now just when i feel myself gettin itchy i take one and then again at night to try an prevent the itching as much as possible, but i found nothing helped as my skin was infected, so antibiotics an steriod cream done the job, does take time though so as annoying as it is just gotta be patient iv just learned that after many years, jst keep trying I know its harder than saying it though. Just email me if ya fancy a lil chat or want to let out your frustrations x

By help please on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 01:07 pm:

i hate it. because my skin gets really dry and then i have bad eczema. but when i put heaps of moisturizers on to help sooth my dry skin i get sists and stupid pimple things. what can i do? how can i get balance? my stupid skin specialist is no good.

i feel like crap and summer is coming and im scared.

xxx

By Emma on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 02:31 pm:

Marissa you don't sound stupid I think mostly all of us has felt how you are feeling, like there's no point living, feeling disgusting. I felt like that for 19yrs an its only been the past few weeks that i havnt felt like this as much. It will get better at some point I know you probably won't believe me I didn't believe anyone either, went to the docs as usual they gave me creams didnt believe theyd work but they did. It will get better just keep trying its worth it!! Trust me iv been there! Keep your chin up EVENTUALLY it will get better! x

By voodoosmiles on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 01:25 am:

Hi, I'm Marissa. I'm 15 and have had severe eczema on my back, legs, arms, neck and chest for 3 years. I really do feel like I've tried everything and I really feel like I don't even want to live anymore. I don't want to sound like a stupid, melodramatic attention whore because I know you all are experiencing/have experienced this same suffering, but I just need some serious help and I figured this was the right place to go. I can't remember the last time I felt comfortable. I can't sleep because the itching is so unbearable. I feel like a walking disease. I don't know how much longer I can hang on.

By Emma on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 11:41 am:

Hey everyone, the past couple of weeks for me have just been totally weird. Few weeks ago ma skin broke out pretty bad, borrowed the neighbours spare crutches because the backs of my knees were unbearable to walk on, Wasn't sleeping, eating and just basically was a complete and utter moaner, complete physical an mental wreck! Easiest way to put it but thanks to my cousin one night who works in a pharmacy encouraged me to go to my G.P. I with a grudge went and found out my skin had unfortunately continued to flare up as it was infected so I was prescribed antibiotics other tablets I'd tried before(yeah like it'll work I thought)and some creams and the famous diprobase, anyways off I trot to the chemist to recieve what seemed like the chemist supply, Few weeks later and the change has been totally remarkable!! Just awesome, no scabs basically clear alot of scarring but thats to be expected I guess and backs of legs are red but scab free, which to me is just the most amazing thing. With the tablets for the itching leave me itch free, can come out the shower and not itch like any normal person where as before id be scratched to bits at bedtime I dont itch. I'd say from my heart this is better than being offered a few thousand pound. It's been extremely weird but in a good way. Just had to get it all out and you people seem to understand the frustration it does bring. Thanks dudes and dont give up hope I did had it for 19 years but iv got scars but scab free!! AWESOME!!!!!

By JayBC123 on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 03:15 am:

hi there. im from the uk and am 17 years old. i first came across this site a couple of monthes ago and a couple of monthes ago my eczema was really bad. i had it on my face, my neck (covered so much that when it was red and flared i could hardly move my head), my arms and my chest and i can now say i am happy with my skin. my neck is completely cleared and i can now move freely and the rest of my infected areas have been cleared up almost to the point where it is totally clear :D. i owe this to 2 creams called 'Dermavate' and 'Doublebase'. i Had been seein the same doctor for quite a while and decided to get a second opinion because it didnt want to clear up. Best day of my life i think lol. He prescribed me these creams and i saw my neck clear up in 1-2 weeks. I was also self concious but you got to remember to not panic about it to much because stress can agrravate it. best thing to do is just keep to a routine of creams and showers and it'll eventually piss off lol. Anyone want to talk about there case of eczema or cures (i have tried many) just put 'JAYBC123' in your comment and i will answer back. i want to help people that are goin through what i've been through. Keep well people

By Katie on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 12:40 am:

Hey, I was wondering if anyone had any advice for clearing up scars. I've had eczema since i was a baby.. now i'm 17. i've still got it a little bit, but now i also have scars.. does anyone know how to get rid of them???

Katie

By Chantal on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 01:42 am:

RELIEF IS HERE!!!!

Hi.. so I'm Chantal and have been suffering with the dreaded skin disorder for 16 years. i've had it since i was like 6 months old. you all are pretty familiar with it, im sure. eczema. we all know it's horrible.. and at most; unbarable.. well.. look no further. A few months ago, my doctor proscribed a steroid for me (yes, it IS a steroid, and yes.. it causes your skin to thin IF used too much.) but listen to this.. I have like.. CHRONIC eczema okay, like REALLY REALLY bad.. and well, i put this stuff on before i went to sleep, and i swear to God.. when i woke up.. it had actually HEALED alot of my skin.. the spots where it was really bad, well... it wasn't bad at all.. this stuff is a miracle.. it's called Elecom. for those who are familiar with it.. im sure you know.. it's phenominal.. really. up until this cream, i've literally tried COUNTLESS creams, moisturizers, soaps, beads, stuff to soak in the tub with, different foods... EVERYTHING. but this stuf.. hands down.. best eczema cream ive ever used. i give you my solid word.. use this stuff (ELECOM) like once after your shower.. then put some sort of lotion on after (to seal it into your skin) .. i recommend Aveeno lotion.. then once before bed. you WILL see a drastic inprovement, i can promise you. the only downside to this steroid, is like i said before.. it is a steroid, so don't use too much, also, it's really greasey so like, girls.. dont try to do your hair after using it lol. you can also get the creamy kind (the white stuff) it's less greasy.. but honestly.. i think i'd rather have greasy skin then like unbarably itchy skin.
Good luck fellow eczema havers. I really know exactly how you feel. stay strong.. and you can fight it. you all have it in you.

Chantal <3 xnos.

By KIRSTY? on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 09:13 pm:

HAIR LOSE! I DON'T KNO IF ITS MY EZCEMA BUT MY HAIR HAS STARTED TO THIN OUT! CAN ANY BODY HELP!

By MC on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 01:09 pm:

Hi guys. I've been writing in another forum in this site, but no-one replied :[. So I'm writing here. I'm from Singapore. I'm 14, and I have had eczema for 11 years. It is on everywhere except for my stomach, back and face. And the other areas are clearing up. I took medicine for so many years. But one day, a doctor, God bless his soul, told me to stop taking medicine. And my eczema improved tremendously. I'm still teased, but I take it to my stride.
It's not that treatments don't work. They DO work, only not for me. My eczema is still quite chronic, but it's bearable. I can bathe without pain now. Call me stupid, but I believe that there IS Divine Intervention. I so strongly believed that God has healed me. I love him so much and I feel that I owe him the health and happiness that I have. I have plans to be a religious once I graduate. Even though I don't have 'perfect skin', I'm now happy.
So, friends, my message is that there is a pro out of everything. My story is that, through eczema, I have found God. He chose to reveal himself to me through the very thing I detested. It's true my bad skin that I discovered I can perfect something in my life: my SOUL! Who cares about the outside? What's important is deep down. You will all be in my prayers. I don't know what spurred me to write this much. But I love you guys and stay strong! Love, MC.

By MAM on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 01:02 pm:

Hi personwith dryness

You must keep on using the moisturiser its the only way and lets face it for the relief that you will get its worth a couple of minutes each day. Remember when your skin is dry it causes itchiness and this causes scratching and it goes on and on. Please use the moisturiser. Ive found that cetraban is good for my 15 year old son so ask for it from your GP. Good Luck

By Emma on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 04:16 pm:

Hey folks found summit good!!! It's called "PURE BABY" comes in liquid soap,shampoo, bath oil and cream, its worked well workin its defo worth a try!!! thumbs up for PURE BABY!! x

By personwith dryness! on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 02:09 pm:

Hey,

Im a 16 year old guy and I am of mixed race (british/south african). I have had eczema all my life but I can recall times where my skin has been totally clear and I didn't need to even use moisturizer. Recently my eczema has been weird, I don't get that much itchiness. The places I only really get red itchiness are on the bends on my arms and neck. BUT!!!! The only really bad problem that makes me feel so depressed is I get really bad dry skin time to time. I mean its everywhere, its not that noticeable but it really bugs me. Im of mixed race as I said and I am quite hairy. Iv noticed that the dryness is pretty much strictly only on the hairy parts of my body. The worst being on my shins where I get horrible scales (that aren't really noticeable because of my darker skin).


So basically I really want to know if there is someway to get rid and prevent this dryness. It would be a life changing thing for me and I recon if I can get rid of this dryness I will never have to worry about my eczema returning.

By MAM on Saturday, May 12, 2007 - 08:06 am:

Hi

I am a mother of a 15 year old who has had chronic eczema all of his life. Reading this site gives so much support to everyone with this awful condition.

After all of these years I have just connected that restricting anything with nuts or processed in a factory using nuts is helping my sons skin with astonishing results. The eczema was all over his body but in the last couple of year affected his underarms, chest and neck so bad that it looked like he had been burnt. Anyway, after a few days of holiday the skin was clearing and I needed to know how. Later that day within minutes of him eating chocolate I watched as he began to scratch slightly then as the itching got worse so did the redness and swelling of the skin. I was amazed! I cut out all of the above foods but realised that when he came out of the shower (a 3 minute shower only) the whole area was up again and the itching bad with long scratch marks turning yellow. Then I realised that the perscription shampoo (polytar) is not suitable for nut allergies etc. So we changed the shampoo to T Gel and guess what....no itching, redness etc. I am so pleased that I have eventually connected nut products with his condition. When he had the major flare ups his behaviour would change the anger/tempers/verbal and physical side of him be really bad he was like a different person. Now I have changed the above we have the lovely loving kind and caring lad back. His school work has improved so much after always receiving reports of him not concentrating and acting though he was in a different world. He has even been suspended from school twice because of his behaviour during these nightmare periods. Please please please look at nut products and see if there is any improvement to your condition! Any questions please feel free to ask me. Good Luck

By nathan1281 on Tuesday, May 08, 2007 - 07:12 pm:

Hello Every one I am starting up a new site on eczema. It is a personal site that everyone can go to and it has some things that I have seen work. It also has a discussion board on it as well. It will be updated all the time. Please visit it and pass it around.

web.mac.com/nathan1281/iWeb/Eczema/Welcome.html

Thanks!!!
Nathan

By KD on Tuesday, May 08, 2007 - 01:16 am:

Has anyone tried pure Lanolin? I used it on myself when I was nursing my babies and I had a tube left over. Out of pure desperation one night, I put it on my son's horrible ezcema and he was MUCH improved in the morning. It's very messy stuff, so I slathered it on him and put him in long sleave PJs, but it really helped. No doctor ever suggested this to me, but it worked great.

Medical grade lanolin is used as a cream to soothe skin. Lansinoh cream, a product that some breastfeeding mothers use on sore and cracked nipples, is pure, hypoallergenic, bacteriostatic medical grade lanolin. This grade of lanolin can also be used to treat chapped lips, diaper rash, dry skin, itchy skin, rough feet, minor cuts, minor burns and skin abrasions. As an ointment basis, it readily absorbs through skin, facilitating absorption of the medicinal chemicals it carries.

Lanolin is often used as a raw material for producing vitamin D3.

By absynthmind on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 06:43 pm:

reply to help!!;

trust me, you are far from the only person who feels this is a never ending battle with not only your skin but your emotional and mental state as well. ive said it before and ill say it again: its on going; a life sentence without parole. whatever i did in my past life to deserve this must have been pretty damn awesome.

im 20 years old and have been battling this magnificent stressful irritating disease for all 20 of those years. its obviously not going away in hurry. ive jumped skipped and hopped from one md to another, dermatologist after dermatologist, allergist to allergist and back again. they all agree its eczema... give me one "miracle cortizone cream" after another, and then act terribly suprised when none of them work... its a never ending completely exhausting cycle.

but in the time that ive been fighting all of this ive come across a few things, new and old, that help me when i cant seem to feel any better. it will never be ok, but with some practice, maybe one day it wont suck so bad.

1) most doctors recommend quick cool showers, absolutely no baths, and very gentle soaps. i say doctors are quacks that have never dealt with this on themselves. take a bath if you want, stress only further irritates your skin, but i recommend that prior to your bath you stop by the baby department of your local store and pick up a bottle of Huggies Extra Sensitive Skin Body Wash. that stuff is amazing.
2) again, general consenses amoung doctors is not using fabric softeners when washing clothes. what do they know?! I say use All Free and Clear detergents and softener sheets. they help cut down on all things allergy related.
3) a wise doctor of mine once told me "you know your skin better than anyone", so my advise? find what works best for you, and dont let your doctor tell you otherwise. the problem with doctors is that they are trained to deal with "normal cases". problem with that is there is no norm when it comes to eczema. each case is so drastically different. your best trying your what you think might help, finding what works for your specific case, and sticking with it. in my case, putting my Temovate cream on first and then covering it with a water blocker skin cream helps clear me up.
4) pay attention to your bodys warning signs. notice small bumps under the skin in places you usually break out. these are usually the sign that in a couple days and plenty of hours of scratching, your going to have an outbreak. catch it first and it is less likely to be a bad one.

im not claiming i can get you crystal clear in 3 day or less, im just saying that these things help my outbreaks not be as bad when they happen.

until next time, happy scratching.

By Help!!! on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 07:47 pm:

Is it just me or is it just like a one depressing circle. You get better GREAT!!! and then in a few weeks you feel like your life is over...

... I have it on my face and get the wierdest of looks from people.

By me on Friday, March 30, 2007 - 03:34 am:

Hello fellow teens.

I am 19 and have eczema like everyone else. If eczema is taking over your life, dont let it. Let yourself control your life. Ive gone to the doctors, naturopaths, dermatologists. They cant help you. Ive taken matters in my own hand and have really and i mean extremely changed my lifestyle just to keep my eczema under control. And improvements are noticable. First of all, ive changed my diet completely. ORGANIC foods all the way. NON fragranted products. EXERCISE. Ive done this for about 2 years now and im starting to feel much better. I

I used to be so tired, exhausted, depressed, etc, etc, as we all know. But just my changing your diet, it does alot. I know it sounds like or seems like it would never work. BUT, if you really want your eczema to go away, then you must. I mean you have the rest of your life to live. Do you really want to live it not even bothering to try everything you can to get rid of it?

Im in university right now and the only thing that is driving me to stay on track is to get rid of eczema and live the rest of my life the way i want to.

Everyone has their own challenges and problems and life. I think having eczema has is making me into a stronger person. And when i do overcome it, i thnk i will be able to do anything. having this condition just motivates me to live on and get rid of it.

dont use creams and medications to decrease the symptoms. Instead, find the root of the problem and get rid of it forever.

Anyways, its long. i dont know if this even helped. but just remember that it is YOUR life. your mom, dad, borther, sister, friends, whoever cannot help you. only you can.

By lu on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 09:03 pm:

oh and mine is lyrani@hotmail.com

i live in london =)

By lu on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 09:03 pm:

well, i just went to the doctors and they gave me all the normal stuff... the antihistamines are making em sleep the whole time and i cant go to school which is just great coz i have my a levels soon... plus i doubt ill be well enough to go see sepultura next week *pout*

i just found this coz i was looking for someone to talk to that understands in london (uk) where i live


i added some email addys, hope you dont mind

lu x

By xxx on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 08:58 am:

Hey again. Eczema is really kinda bad. I'm also getting these other things because my pores get filled with moisturizer. They are bad too because I don't mean to but I do pick them which means I have eczema and these scars all over mostly my legs. THe top of my legs and front torso are really bad at the moment.
I think this is terrible, it is destroying my life. Why do short shorts have to be in fashion now!! I'm looking forward to winter so I can put long pants on so no-one says "Whats that?" Honestly, I know they are trying to be nice but I wish they could mind their own business.
Does anyone know of anyways that you can stop itching? like seeing a psychiatrist or something? I spoke to my mum about it but she thinks its silly. I'd love to hear your ideas.

thanks and EXTRA BIG GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU

By wheatfreecured on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 03:33 pm:

Hey Guys....

Do not accept this ... do some research... I wish that I had the internet 40 years ago .. when I was misdiagnosed.... take control .. and find out all that you can... I have Celiac.. allergic to wheat flour... if I had known that back when I was a teen... I would have saved my self alot of pain...

research everything... google... eczema swollen lips...etc... eczema eye... whatever... food allergies... eczema is an easy diagnosis for doctors to give to everything... cut and paste.

wrongdiagnosis.com/e/eczema/intro.htm

Save yourselves....research... it is your life.

jeannine

By affy on Monday, March 19, 2007 - 01:33 pm:

Hey Guys, well i aint been here in ages! i guess ive had a few crazy months, but i just wanna say, we all feel down and upset, sit for hrs looking in the mirror crying (well i do), but the thing is, this is wht we r, eczema isnt pretty (as we all know) but together we can get thru it, and most of all this disease hits yer harder emotionally, so let it out, come here and cry ur heart out, you will feel better!!

Hugggs to all

By Treal on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 03:42 am:

I know how u guys feel i just saw this board and yall are just like me. my eczema is getting crazy right now. summer time is coming and i wanna wear beaters and shorts so bad, but i think that will be impossible once again. What should i try next. creams tars pills and lotions are things ive used and seem not to work

By polar bear on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 06:21 pm:

hello all tony again and just to report summer is just around the corner i dont want it to come it brings on my worst stages of eczema and well i rather it stay cold my face is mostly dry skin nowadays it moving my legs agin and it sucks well im out
Tony aka the polar bear

By Josephine on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 11:12 am:

My name is Josephine and I’m from a production company called Leopard Films. We are developing a documentary focusing on teenagers living with psoriasis, eczema and acne. We want to make a sensitive film that helps to dispel myths and educate people about these conditions and the people living with them. We fully appreciate that is a sensitive subject for many teenagers. What we are looking to do at this stage is simply have an informal chat with teenagers who live with these conditions day-to-day. By speaking with me you are by no means agreeing to be on telly, however, if you are interested in being filmed that that is great too. We really feel that this could raise awareness and help other young people who may be suffering in silence and who don’t know about the existence of organizations such as this. I would love to speak to as many young people as possible and I can assure your confidentiality. Please contact me at josephinebesbrode@leopardfilms.com. I look forward to hearing from you!! Josephine’

By ezcema is a bitch on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 08:03 pm:

where on earth shall i start, EZCEMA i absolutely hate it. it has destroyed my life so much that i have been forced to to give up on goals that i wanted to achieve. and im only 19. i sit at home thinking if only i got this treated early then i could live how i wanted to live. then i can do things that 'normal' people take for granted such as wearing a t-shirt and shorts. i mean what have i done wring that ive been punished in this way. why? what possible quality of life cani have. i absolutley hate myself to the point where the only answer to end this suffering was death. might sound extreme but when you look at your purple, red and black colourd body oozing out blood and liquid you think thats the only way.
now things have started to change ever slightly. i talked to close members of famliy about contemplating suicide and they forced dermatologists to respond immediatley and effectively.now i started with licoid cream on my body (Highly Potent cream) then reduced to trimovate then reduced to betnovate until finally now i am on hydrocortisone. i also use viscopaste bandages thart reduce inflammation and redness and also increase the rate at which your skin heals. (highly recomendded) thse bandages are put on arms and legs, they are very cooling, so cooling that sometimes i have to snuggle in my bed just to warm up (lol), the bandages slowly go hard and are left on body for 2 days, you then repeat procedure after 2 days again. please email me if you want to chat. thx for reading

By tiger2007 on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 07:12 pm:

Hi,everyone.I'm crazy about making friends all over the world.and i hope to be my friend too.
Abdullah.KSA

By Meh... on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 08:04 pm:

Well, I haven't been on here in a long time. Not after a certain incident. I went to a dermatologist and I leanred that Aveeno isn't all that great. I'm using Cetaphil lothion, along with a great new lotion called Cerave. Try it. I'm on Periactin (a medicine used for HIV sufferers to help them gain weight but it's side effect is sleepyiness) to help me not itch at night. My mom thinks she sees a difference. I was taking Doxepin but it wasn't strong enough. Doxepin is an antidepressant and an anti anxiety medication but I took it in small amounts because it's side effect is also drowsiness. I found out that I really can't have orange juice or anything citris. It makes my skin freak out. Which is a shame because I really love Orange juice. I had a couple glasses for my first time in a long time and I'm still paying the price. One my innards kind of rebeled on me and two my face flared up. I'm using Mimyx. Try that too. And someother steroid stuff. One is dermaoil or something like that...that's kind of weak, then there's some steriod cream stuff, and then steroid tape. Bleh, nothing really works miraculously. It's the combination of the Cetaphil, Cerave, Mimyx, steroid concoxtion and the pill that helps I suppose. Good luck to all of you. I sure could use some.

By xxx on Sunday, January 14, 2007 - 12:29 am:

excema is bad again. GRRR i'm gonna go back and try steroids for it again. i know it makes ur skin weaker and stuff but i need some relief i hate it sooo much. good luck everyone, i'll keep posting

By sore emz : on Tuesday, January 09, 2007 - 01:48 pm:

hey everyone my skins bad jus now i tried to hide my tears last night but my mum heard me she says we can go back to the homeopathic but iv kinda given up hope with that, i know my boyfriend loves me for who i am but i hate it i always feel so conscious. Sum1 fnd a cure for eczema pppppllllllzzzzz wit a big massive cherry on top lol
Hope every1 finds summit to help soon an the sayin that we all love hearin ppl say
"try not to scratch" but thats like tellin a dog to pee on a pole or summit !!! ah dont think they get how annoyin it actually is!!
kelso88@hotmail.co.uk
kelso_20041@yahoo.co.uk
add me if any1 wants to chat x

By polar bear on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 04:51 pm:

aveeno is one of the best lotion i have found for eczema so keep using it i just spent amall fortine on some stuff for my skin so ill update later too

By xxx on Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 06:28 am:

I've started using this moisturizer with cooling menthol. Aveeno I think it is called. I have been rubbing it on when I feel itchy. THe skin is looking a bit better. Hopefully, It will work. I'll update.

By polar bear on Friday, December 08, 2006 - 04:40 pm:

hello all Tony again
althogh it cooled down it turns out the cold only made my eczema worse and i have recently had a horrable breakout on my face which got infected and addition to that i think i have pink eye
well much love and god bless
tony aka the polar bear

By jamieboy on Thursday, December 07, 2006 - 07:33 pm:

Hi There, My names Jamie, I've probably had eczema since i was around 15 (im 19 now) after the death of a loved one and it is an extremely hard thing to deal with in life. People constantly looking at you, always self conscious, just feeling the itching happening and knowing that its going to happen all over again, bleeding bed and a horrible feeling asif you are an inadequete as no one else seams to be sharing what you are. Ive had it in all my joints and arms but the worst is the face. There are periods i can go without it coming but sometimes it will come and be horrible and il need to stay in, i hate it! I also get dry skin(detmatitis) on my eye brows when its bad, i really hate it, If anyone maybe wants to chat about how they are feeling etc then add me to msn...jam_cl1987@hotmail.com

By xxx on Thursday, December 07, 2006 - 09:48 am:

i read this and i cry. there are so many people out there suffering the way I do. I am 14. I have had severe eczema for about 3 years now. It came just as I started highschool. AND now the new fashion craze is short shorts. Woo I can't wear short shorts. I have eczema everywhere. When I say that I mean it. I feel as if I am restricted to what I can wear. My mum says I have an excellent shaped body. That is horrible, because I can't feel like I have a nice body with my skin shriveled and bleeding. Lately I have been getting "boils" as they are refered to and they are obvious. While they are often caused by eczema I can't refer to them as eczema when people ask me what they are. I wish I could start my skin again.
The scratches that I have made when I am sleeping due to eczema must scar. They are like proper cuts. I am sad. I even wrote a whole page on my feelings about it when I was severely itchy and sad.
I have been to a dermatologist for about a year now. He said he doesn't know what to do. Isn't that wonderful.
I have also been to see a chinese herbalist which didn't work. Although I wasn't on that "thing" for a while as I saw him when I was on holidays. He said it was hormonal.
Everyone tries to be supportive by saying "THere are people worse off than you" and "it's not all that bad"
These comments make me feel guilty and annoyed that they have no idea what it is like.
Another point is that my friends often talk about how bad their legs are. Such as hairy, a scar, a cut. THen I look at mine and go.. yeah their legs are real bad.
I am feeling very self concious all the time. I think I am losing self esteem
THankyou for reading this. Please reply if you feel the same about anything or have found a mystery cure that might help.

xxx

By wheatfreecured on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 02:52 am:

Kat...
Google Potassium and cracked feet... you are probably low in potassium and magnesium(sp)...

Take a supplement of them and see if it helps...

By Kat on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - 05:54 am:

hey everyone, my name's Katherine. I live in the US. I have eczema on my feet and sometimes my hands, the creams and stuff they give me don't seem to help that much. Anyone else have that problem? my feet always crack open and it is really painful to walk. any suggestions?

By plasmagic on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 06:32 pm:

since u stay in uk u can get these stuff easily? get this infor from pple who get well in this forum, i nv tried as i do not know if there is any steroid and i stay in asia, try see this link

realherbs.co.uk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYCAT&catid=42

By crompton16 on Monday, October 16, 2006 - 03:54 pm:

hi everyone my name is steve im 17 from london im just wondering if any 1 nows of a miracle cure for eczema please get in contact with me thanks take care steve

By wheatfreecured on Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 04:32 pm:

I have had allergies/asthma, chronic sinus infections, digestive disorders and of course eczema. I had a severe flare up of the eczema or shall I say what I thought was eczema on my back, trunk, arms and legs. It would go away, get worse, and come back.. You name it. Finally after a year of torture I went to my son's dermatologist and he thought that it maybe Celiac.
I went on the diet, and in 3 days the itch went away, within 10 days my skin started to heal.
Please read from these two sites for more information: glutenfreemd.com and celiac.com.
I was also diagnosed with Selective Iga Deficiency, if you have this, when you are tested for Celiac, you will have a false negative to the test. If your blood Iga levels are below 80, you are deficient. They use your Iga in your blood to test for Celiac; if you have no Iga... then you have No Celiac.
Please read from this site: immunedisease.com/US/patients/IDF/select_iga.html. If you have chronic asthma or many common colds, this could be your problem. If so, you will need to see an immunologist. The Iga in your blood needs to contain antibodies to fight off colds, if you have a low number, your antibodies will be low too. Your asthma, maybe a chronic lung infection.
It takes an average of 7-9 years to diagnose Celiac. This should be part of any basic blood work. If you have a dairy problem can not tolerate it... it could be Celiac.
If you have Celiac, which could be triggered by some stress in your life or you are born with it, these are the basic steps of the disease:
You have it and do not know it... you then have intolerance for dairy: bloating..Diarrhea..You think that you are lactose intolerant. Then you have a severe eczema attack. The Celiac is the root cause: The villus in your intestines is killed by the Celiac/Wheat allergy, which then will not let the body to process dairy.. You now can not absorb nutrients from the foods that you eat... and your skin reacts to the malnutrition.
As soon as you remove the wheat flour from your diet your villi will start to grow back and your symptoms will diminish. Please research these sites. This could be your answer for a new life without eczema.

By polar bear on Monday, October 09, 2006 - 05:03 pm:

hello all tony again its cooling down so my iching i hope will go down too i love this place because im not alone ok bye

god bless
Tony aka polar bear

By getting better on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 - 02:14 am:

hi it's me...i was under a different name, and my mom found it, and she thought it was inappropriate...oh well...so now i'm getting better whether it be in caps or not...but as i said my mom found this open one day, and low and behold my worst nightmare became a reality...i went to see a consoler (i cannot spell for the life of me) but that was horrible because all she specialized in was adopted children (i'm nearly 18, and yes i was adopted, but i also have excema which requires someone who knows how you feel to help you, instead she just kept asking questions about it) anyway, it was aweful, one because i felt violated by my mother (but not too much because it was my fault for leaving it up) and two i felt humiliated because i want to become a psychologist when i grow up...anyway...
i just had to vent, as i have done so many times...but try the creams i mentioned earlier...they work...the atarax/claratin aren't working any more for me. that's only because i'm pretty tolerant of medicine (is that the right word) it rarely has an lasting effect on me before i build up a tolerance to it. oh well...it worked for like a week and a half...it's worth a shot...
good luck to you all...i know how you feel. i'm often the worst case of excema the doctor/dermatologist has ever seen so, but it's relativly gone...i can take showers without pain...i just have horrible scars.
i just hate the lukewarm water...i love hot water...
you all have helped me more than any consuler ever has (noticed i've spelled that word two different ways)...i love you all more than you will ever know...
post if you want to talk...i'd be glad to share...
i believe i'm over the depression that gripped my life for months of last school year because of excema...i wasn't always this optimistic. so don't read this and think "oh well she's never had it bad" "she's never felt how i have"...i have/had it really bad...i've felt lower than i ever had in my life because of excema (i was contemplating ending it all...but i won't let it get to me that way EVER again) i know how you all feel...trust me...i'm asian in a mostly all white community, i have excema and horrible eye sight...(i can see six cm from my face without contacts/glasses, and those glasses are so thick...that's all people remember me for from when i was little)
share your excema experience with a friend...someone...that you know...i have finally after years and years of silence...it helps so much...i thought it would be awkward...(i did it via instant messenger, i'm not that brave) but it's strengthened our bonds...
there is even a boy in my life...not a boyfriend...but he's been one of my closest friends for a year...and i've known him (on and off again) since first grade...(i have a crush on him) but i feel much more confident with my skin being not so red/bloody/itchy/dry/annoying...
sorry i wrote so much...i have so much on my mind...i need to let it out...mother let you see...i'm better now...

By Ashlea on Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 11:15 am:

Hey guys, im ashlea im 16 years old from new zealand. I've had really severe eczema all my life and it does get me down sometimes not only because of the way it feels but because of the way it looks. It affects me everyday, physically, mentally and socially and im sure it will continue to affect me forever and this kind of scares me. I just need to learn to appreciate the days when my skin is good and get through the harder days the best that i can, keeping an optimistic attitude towards it. i would really love to talk to anyone about eczema or other subjects too. anyone whos interested let me know, my emails ashlea06@hotmail.com, keep in touch, stay strong! love ashlea

By Veritas on Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 07:42 am:

Although I am not a teenager, I have to managed to clear up most of my eczema and I am just left with "dirty” patches on my shins. I find that gradually building up a sun tan helps in two ways as it seems to improve the skin and a tan helps to disguise the patches.

By polar bear on Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 03:35 am:

stressed out i get your point and i agree all the way eczema has turned my wrists, the fronts and backs of my knees a dark brown and many people call me dirty thinking it is caked on dirt

By Nicole on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 01:59 pm:

Hi stressed out, In the past i also had eczema that would be weepy. Your eczema may be infected and will either not get better or take a long time to get better without antibiotics so my suggestion is to go to the doctors and see what his advise is, The other thing is my skin had always been bad but a few years ago it was so bad that in one year i was in and out of hospital 6 times and i was referred to a dermatologist who was really good and slowly my skin has become easier to manage all i do is moisturise, moisturise and occasionally have to have a alpha keri bath.

By Stressed out!! on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 01:18 pm:

hey evry1...i jus recently came upon this syt n its sucha relief 2 no u undastand how i feel! affy i totlaly undastand wer ur cumin from...it annoys me sumtyms wen ppl r on bout things even spots...all i think is dats jus a phase bt eczemas sutin dat teks up ur hole lyf! u cnt 4get bout it it dsnt let u! id ratha have spots than eczema they dnt itch u n ther jus part of lyf! i have eczema on my face neck arms n have started o get lumps all pva my thighs i dnt no wat 2 do nemre im jus so fed up!! im even off scul bcuz i cnt face ppl its dat bad ppl dnt get how much it hurts to have them stare at u n we they ask wats rong it meks u feel even worse...i feel so self conscience all the tym dat it can mek me feel so low i cry...have ne of u had 2 deal with weepin broken skin...dats my main problem i jus cnt heal the skin n dis has med the skin bright red i luk burnt!! n weneva i go out i can feel eyes on me its horrible...but its a relief 2 no im not alone

By K on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 05:29 am:

I have eczema & I agree that it's pretty painful.The itching is awful as well as questions from people.But in a way, I feel sort of proud.Eczema makes me even more different than others, therefore, I stand out more.Also by knowing more about my condition, I can inform others about it.It also helps when I see someone who has a different kind of skin problem cuz I don't look at them strangely but with sympathy because I know how they feel.

Now, I would like to help others dealing with eczema but I'm not sure how.Of course I can answer questions but I would like to do more.If anyone has an idea or even a question, please ask me by reaching me on MYSPACE.My friend ID is 19358163.


Much love,
K

By GETTING BETTER on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 12:11 am:

hey guys, I haven't posted in a long time, I'm using a new name, why? BECAUSE I'M GETTING BETTER!!! I went to the dermatologist...(totally not fun) but (by the way I'm in the US) and I was perscribed a slew of medications...some refined peanut oil, (eczema oil it's called) MimyX (miricle cream), cerave (excellent lotion/cleanser/cream), cetaphil (eh..ok), atarax (to help me sleep, antihistimine) and claratin (totally useless for me...but I'm on it anyway) I'm looking almost normal...My arms are clear...my wrists are getting there, my face...my lovely face is back! and it's wonderful!!! my knees (popliteal...meaning posterior knee)...good stuff, I hope it stays, and my eczema was pretty bad...now I can sleep (atarax) and get better (all the creams/oils...) TRY THEM!!! THEY WORK!!!

By Affy on Friday, September 15, 2006 - 09:57 pm:

Noone really understands, only people who have or have had eczema will get my point ... this isnt really elevant, but i had a falling out wid my best friend, because i flipped as she kept cutting herself and makin scars on her body ... i wud giv anything to have no scars and perfect skin, i have to cover up everything coz im scared of being treated differently, im 18 and had it all my life, she just doesnt understand my point ... ppl out there understand dont u?

By polar bear on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 02:07 am:

hey its me again Tony and ive just got to say i used to cry at night thinking im alone but now i have a safe have on the net so thanks

By polar bear on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 08:46 pm:

hello all my name is tony ive had eczama all my life and i hate it i cant sleep sometimes because im up itching and im always in pain because of the cuts i hate school because many of my classmate just dont understand why im scraching the heat hate me and i love the cold i just wanted all my life to find a place like this and here i am so IM me on AOL or E-mail me if you wanna chat bye from Tony

By 15/16 on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 11:37 am:

im 15 yrs old ive had eczema all my life
it gets bad in the winter and because of my cream
my skin is weaker its gets very sore and bleeds alot i have a few friends but they dont understand
very well i feel alone it ne one would like to ttalk 2 me this is my email xxdisneyxx@hotailco.uk...

By LeaB on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 08:13 pm:

Hiya every1 i have had eczema for 15 1/2 yrs and its stared to clear up i feel for every1 on this sight and its amazing that theres more people like me..somethimes it feels like ur the only 1!!! feel free to add me lea_s_bee@hotmail.com.....If you just need to talk!

By Eczema gal on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 10:25 pm:

Hi neverknow, im glad I can help. Luckily my friends are very helpful and I have a really spesh friend. She's helped me thru alot. When I was younger I was more... upset and pressurisd by my xma but now i feel more relaxed. Sometimes I can feel upset coz maybe never havin a bf can b bcoz of xma but rite now I have my girls, i dont need boys.....yet!! Lol

Bless

By neverknow on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 02:55 am:

this is to eczema_gal

HEY
wow...i started to cry when i read wat u wrote back. i cried so hard that my mom started to cry.
i started to cry because there is someone like me...i would really like to talk to u... my email is brat_22@msn.com if u would like to talk to me..thanks

way early this morning i relized i have a friend who i can talk to she doesnt have eczema but she cried for all the pain i have been through. she said that she wishes she can go through wat i go through so she can be as strong as me. she helps me so much. i really think everyone with eczema should have a friend or buddy who they can talk to.
sometimes my skin juss HURTs! i want to juss CRY bout it! i want to juss SCREAM AND SCRACH untill i BLEED!! i cry alot even though i shouldnt...i break out where my tears fall...u can see where it goes down my face. im allergic TO MY SELF... it sucks... sometimes im SOO unhappy but then...i look at my life and i still have alot to live for. and i want to be A SOMEONE... and i juss want to be happy. SO I SMILE. thats all i have to do is juss smile. even if it hurts it helps alot.
OK
-laterz

By Eczema gal on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 10:10 pm:

This is 2 neverknow.

When i was reading ur blog, i actually started crying. I cryd because ur life is so similar 2 mine. Im 13 and when i was around.....11 i also considered suicide but luckily never went thru with it. My mum also says she would love 2 swap her skin with me, i have also cried away with my mum. Sometimes tears just well up inside me and eventually spill out. I also have a reaction 2 my OWN sweat and because im sporty-just like u- it really pisses me off. I never thought that 1 of my own factors can trigger my xma off. But I just want to let u no if there is anything i can do plz let me no bcoz wer both goin thru the same fing and we seem so similar. If u feel so low that u may think that you want 2 do something 2 end ur life, DONT!!!!! Speak 2 someone or at least speak 2 me. Wish u well.

By neverknow on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 09:04 pm:

hey
my name is brandi and i juss turned 16...
i have had eczema my whole life so far... it drives me CRAZY!!!!! im really athletic..i play ALOT OF SPORTS but the problem is that i have a reaction to my own SWEAT...so durning my ball seasons i hurt bad....and im alaska native and i love seafood...but i also have a reaction to that too... last nite i had a REALLY BAD reaction to something (i almost never know) it hurt...really bad. i hate to cry about it but i cant help it...i have it on my neck,arms,and knees it hurts...i hate to cry bout it because my mom blames herself for my pain... but it aint her falt...things juss happen out of her control i know if she had a choice she would trade me skins...her and my daddy. the one thing that will always stand out is last september i tired to kill myself because my skin all over was hurting and soo sad... but last nite i had a reaction ( a bad one) and i didnt want ANYONE to see me so i stated in my room...i felt like all i wanted to do was sit in a cornor and disappear untill i clear up...i cried and my mom took care of me and she cried wit me...my mom helps me soo much i would go crazy if she wasnt here...... i want to HELP people and i would like people to help me... soo if u have anything to tell me write me or u juss want to talk... write back
-thanks
-ALEXIS

By Eczema gal on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 09:08 pm:

I'm back!! lol. My eczema has cleard up alot on my arms now, the only problem is that it has worsened on my legs. I h8 eczema but have learnt 2 live wit it!! 2 stop myslf frm picking i try 2 imagin how i will look when im older with all the scars bcoz i want 2 become a singer n most singers do not have scars and dark marks. I no dat they use cover up make up but seein as i have eczema i wont b abl 2 wear it. But anyway, i hope that tip helped!!!!!

By dont understand on Saturday, August 12, 2006 - 01:42 am:

god, growing up seems to even worsen my chronic eczema. now the skin is flaking so bad and it's drying up my entire system. i had eczema all my life and since i was little i thought the skin problem will someday go away or heal. I very hate having genetics like this argh. can't help feeling itchy every morning with burning scars all over and i dislike to get in bed at night cause of these situations. I had been applying cortosteroids on my skin until now and been using vaseline on every spot. Extra painful & hard to take care: Having hormones are so irritating to me because i never thought i will grow hair on my body because of that the hair follicles break thru my skin and causing more damage or infections to my immune system. Yeah, ugh i didn't want this to happen, but it did. hot showers are like heaven when the itching gets real bad.that is so true. I even tried wearing socks on my hands and sometimes gloves before, but did not help to prevent me from scratching at night. Kept trimming my nails b/c that's what i do. I even have it on my face combined with horrible acne. again, every where is burning so bad. Yeah, it's embarrassing and shameful that i have it b/c i can't take care as well as other ppl that have it.

By Hollie 3 on Friday, August 11, 2006 - 02:50 pm:

my name is hollie and im fifteen years old
writing this is hard because anyone i talk to about my legs who does not suffer from it thinks that i over react about how self concious i am, in pe i get changed away from the girls in the toilets and insist on wearing jogging bottems so that no one gets a glimse of my irritated legs.
but the one thing ican say is to all of u girls out their who think that boys will see excema as a problem im here to tell you that its not allways the case. im currently going out with a boy and weve been togeather for 4 months, he tells me in his eyes im perfect and he loves me so that must include the skin on my legs? although this is nice and is a form of comfort it dosent remove the opinion i have .. i hate it and i feel it holds me back from the person i am .. people think im happy and a big character in the crowd but underneath im as self conciious as the girls that sit home and cry ..

By Lucy on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 03:30 am:

Hello, eczema gal, Yes it's pretty similar to having eczema, and lucky duck! i get blessed with both. But it's not bad, because i've friends who say that they forget i'm asian, and that's better...it's just when eczema is pretty bad, or i'm really stressed that i start thinking so pessimistically. and right now, i'm not feeling stressed, even though my eczema has seen it's better days...I'm hear to talk...

By Eczema gal on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 10:39 pm:

Hi Lucy, me again... I really feel 4 u when u z u were the only asian in a white town. Its kinda the same as eczema innit?? Standing out in a big crowd. Just saying that im here if u wanna chat and hopefully u'll be there 2???

By Emma on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 01:32 pm:

Hey everyone, I know I don't like myself right now but the people that think they wont every have a bf/gf because of their skin it aint true!! although I also feel that sometimes, you'll meet someone an if they say they like you how they do your skin won't be an issue, I know it gets us down but the right person is out there an if they love you your skin won't be an issue trust me on that ( you prob still have off days though thinking it is an issue but thats ok coz shhh i have them too) im single btw lol split up wit my longterm bf who i still love 2 bits were still m8s an both feel the same so who knows what the future holds, But if the right person finds you your skin won't matter.

anyway
love doctor emz over an out lol x

By Aces on Saturday, August 05, 2006 - 03:59 am:

Hey everyone,

I had ezcema since I was 5, I am now 20 and I've for the most part grown out of it. If anyone has any questions about going through high school with ezcema, social situations, anything I've probably experienced it all just ask. I remember how traumatic it was going thru life with ezcema and I feel the need to help others deal with it. So if you have any questions, shoot.

On how to satisfy the itching, unfortunately I didn't discover this until the last few years but extremely hot showers are like heaven when the itching gets real bad. Anyone else ever tried this?

By kirsty on Friday, August 04, 2006 - 05:20 pm:

hiya people im 15 i have had eczema all my life i cant wear makeup coz my skin goes dry my friends understand but ive not bin out wiv a lad since i was 9 and pprobley never go out wiv ne one again

By Lucy on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 08:53 pm:

Hey, I know exactly how you feel. I live in a little town outside of Buffalo, NY...In my town, everyone's lived here their whole lives, they all know everyone and eveything about them, so it's hard being me...I moved here when I was in kindergarten (when I was 6) and I'm asian, in a primarily white town...(about 3% of my town is asian...i'm one of two in my high school) I hate this, and I hate people not knowing what it is...oh well...

By eczema gal on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 08:46 pm:

To Lucy
I somtimes feel depressed. I often feel depressed when me and my girls are going out somewhere and they are all glamming themselves up with make-up and body lotions and all i have is aqueous cream. Im 13 and living in the eastend of london which means that you cant really get a boyfriend on personality, its all about looks.....this means i've never had a boyfriend and most probably never will....

By Lucy on Tuesday, August 01, 2006 - 07:38 pm:

Hey all, I was just wondering if anyone feels depressed *often* because of excema...I know that we all feel down and embarrassed (or however you spell it) about our skin...but does anyone feel depressed? Thanks...
~Lucy

By Paramjit on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 08:44 pm:

Hi lovely people of this world i hate having eczema but still go out i am going to start dating it wont affect me if i get turned down i will keep on trying i just want to get out there and meet people regardless of my skin condition i just think of candlelit dinners the smell of red roses the beautiful athmosphere dancing to mellow music this is my dream that never happened now i want to make it real and show people that we are not just dry skin we are just human like them eczema can affect anyone i want all you beautiful gorgeous gals and guys to look for your soulmate we all need love in our lives without love life can be lonely and sad everyone on this site needs to be loved your all amazing and special people you understand care about others on this site thats what makes us all unique i have read your messages and really understand what you all go through always focus on your good qualities interests and hobbies it keeps you occupied and always moisturise darlings i wish we could all get together and have a dinner and dance happy celebration party and share each others pain imagine that were all mingling around chatting dancing we would not even feel that we have eczema because we would be too busy having a great time wishes can come true.that day is getting nearer when a cure for eczema will be found imagine that! it would be like winning billions on the lottery, take care gorgeous people i love ya all.Paramjit xx

By 6GBwrZsxYS on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 01:41 pm:

KO9bckh92vk zkiRnOoGhS Us9mMzNfgXyTR4

By symone on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 12:55 pm:

Hi, im 13 and have eczema ALL over my body except my face, hands and feet. I've had it all my life. Usually peoples eczema comes on their joints but mine is in patches all over me. I have scars and scabs EVERYWHERE!!!!!!! ITS HORRIBLE!!!!!!! If any1 has any tips or something like that can u plz tell me.
Thanx

By Emma on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 12:42 pm:

how annoying is this wether, has anymore been found out about this cure thingy? *hurry up cure ppl* aahhh i just wish it would clear up like the rest of you im sure.itch itch itch gggrrr =P

By Lucy on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 02:07 am:

guys, i hate summer...

By Emma on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 06:19 pm:

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh how annoyin is ma skin the past few days it might be just the homeopathic remedy but damn I look like iv had a fight with a cat ma face is covered in scratches hehe sooooooo sore an annoyin ggggrrr
over an out itchy emz lol xx

By Lucy on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 01:45 am:

Hey all:
I just though I'd say hi, and thank you, and I hope everyone is feeling fine...I just got back from two weeks in Honduras, and my skin was pretty good. It's a little hard where I live because of the humidity, but Honduras was fine. I hope all's well with everyone.
~Lucy

By Gina on Saturday, July 01, 2006 - 08:44 pm:

Hi Lucy

I can't imagine it's very easy and I'm glad you have found someone, that always helps. I think the more support you've got around you the better. Are your family supportive? I think sometimes people who have not suffered with eczema or known someone with it, don't always appear to understand what it is like. I know when i was a child my parents who were loving and caring were quite unsympathetic when I used to scratch, but it was only from ignorance. Now they have seen how bad my daughter has been I think they understand a liitle more. Keep your chin up, watch your diet I mean on the allergy front) and go for it.

You know where I am if you need any more help/ advice whatever.

Good Luck with the new friend.

By Lucy on Saturday, July 01, 2006 - 04:29 am:

Gina...
It's nice to hear from you. You always bring words of wisdom.
I know what I should be doing, but I can't seem to bring myself to it. Some days are great, and I feel wonderful (especially since I met a great friend...who might become more than just a friend...but who knows)...but some days...I just feel terrible...I don't know if I've shared this before, but I'm also adopted, from S. Korea, so living in a town where only 3 percent of the population is asian, it's hard to say the least. But, gosh, I'll try to...gosh...I've just conditioned myself to this way of thinking...it will be hard...
~Lucy

By Gina on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 02:43 pm:

Hi Lucy

It is quite common with people to get depression from eczema especially teenagers and even young children. Eczema is a condition that makes it very difficult to relax due to the constant scratching and can make you feel constatnly on edge.

Some people find the only way to stop themselves getting depressed is to think positively, or else they will constantly be in tears. I know I felt like that when my daughter was suffering.

The only way round it apart form trying to treat it with diet, lifestyle changes and medication is to try and focus on the positives in your life. When you get up in the morning set yourself some goals and try to make them not always be related to eczema. Think each night before you go to bed of what you have acheived and 5 positive things about yourself or your actions that day.

I don't promise that your life will turn around overnight but please don't let eczema take over your life in a negative way or you will never be happy.

Look after yourself and keep your chin up.

Gina

By Lucy on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 04:25 am:

Hey all,
I just thought I'd say hi. Summers fun isn't it? I'm sorry to all that have to read my horrible rantings, but this is the only place where I have the privelage to do so. I just feel like crying to be honest. I ache now, just sitting here. I have a question, can depression come from eczema? I'm just sick of it...as many of you are...but you all sound so optimistic...I don't know...well, whatever...sorry again...
~Lucy

By Emma on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 11:06 pm:

hey everyone not been by in a while, so thought id pay my yearly visit lol.just been reading some of the poems an they words are so true! When people stare I wish they would just ask me what it is. The other week one woman said jokingly (as she thought) "oh I thought your Dad had tried to throttle you" I just laughed it off but deep down she made me feel so small,so ugly, like i was some kind of monster, I wanted to call her for everything and tell her how it really felt but then my Dad would probably have throttled me lol. My skin isnt as bad just now which im surprised at with the weather, iv been pretty lucky this summer, I can feel myself starting to get itchy now but ive came to the conclusion that when i get tired I get itchy, mind you I get itchy even if im not tired but thats just how it is I guess.

Confidence is at an all time low at the moment an wage slip isnt bright either so that didnt work my plan of cheering me up lol.

Well apologies for the bible ladies an gents
take care an god bless.
felt like having a big word night tonight lol tried not to type as if I was on msn apart from the exceptional "lol's" which are allowed =P

By Gina on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 06:41 pm:

Lucy

It's a pleasure, anytime.

Good luck let me know if I can be of anymore help.

By Pearl on Wednesday, June 07, 2006 - 03:15 pm:

dear lucy n many others,
like u all, i did nt hav much support frm my parents, friends... They simply did nt understand cos they never experience dis conditions.i'm 19 dis yr n going 2 uni, being very afraid tt eczema will hinder my uni education.thankfully, i get 2 know dis website recently n is able 2 relate 2 all of u. besides trying lots of cream, diet, i believe tt having strong spiritual n prayers do help. Research has shown tt 2. can go check it up. n if doctors tt u c, r nt able 2 provide adequate attention n treatment, sack them n go 4 better ones. THey r always a few exceptional ones who will truely care. Moreover, modern medicine is based on Patient Autonomy.Everyone keeps pressing on. We MUST WIN the BAttle Against Eczema!!!!!

By Lucy on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 11:30 pm:

Dear All:
Thank you very much for your concern and support. I am going through a tough time in my life. And this dreadful humid heat of the summer isn't helping much...Thank you Gina, and Lucy J. Your concern makes me feel special...something that will be treasured. Gina - I just wrote an email to the email address they had for the television show, it can't hurt right? Thank you for all the information. I recently went back to Protopic...and it's not that bad, it's just a little too ointmenty...but it helped at first for a little bit...You all are life savers!
~Lucy

By Gina on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 10:08 pm:

Look under our stories. It is one of the discussions.

By affy on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 09:49 pm:

wat telly series? and where? cud be good to watch

By Gina on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 08:00 pm:

Hi Lucy again

Have you seen the artical under stories. They are lokking for people to go on a television series to see if they can treat your eczema. Might be worh considering?

Gina

By Lucy J on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 01:19 pm:

this is a msg for Lucy,i've just read your msg's and my heart goes out to you.I'm on the other side of eczema my son who's 6 has severe atopic and has done since he was 3months old.We have tryed everything all the creams,lotions,homeopathy,we even went to Great Ormond Str hosp 3 times and living in Cornwall it was a mission!I'm assuming you are under a dermotologist?My son has sort of got to the end of the road with creams and things so his dermo has put him on a drug called Cyclosporin its used in organ transplants as it is a immuno-suppressent meaning it slows down the immune system as people with eczema have a hyperactive one.This drug is fairly hard core but his blood was checked before he went on it and has regular blood tests to check if its not doing any damage, its a risk i know but if it gives my son 3months(thats how long hes allowed to be on it for)of relief then so be it we've tryed natural.Also ask your dermo doc about light treatment this suppose to help.xx

By Gina/sherwgs on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 09:32 pm:

Hi Lucy

This on's for you or anyone else who may be concerned about allergies. I would always recommend being tested but in the meantime if you want to do an elimination diet this is what helped for my daughter and was takem from the advice of an expert allergist. I must add she is now totally clear from eczema but can only have histamine foods on small quantities until she is retested in 2 years.
In a nutshell you should firstly avoid all obvious allergens i.e. shellfish, wheat, gluten, soya, dairy, eggs, seeds, nuts, artificial colourings, flavourings, sweeteners, Sulphur Dioxide (a preservative), animal fur, nickel (belt buckles etc), only use shampoos etc like SOS or organic allergy recommended one's from healthshops.
I will give you a list of foods containing histamine which I would recommend to avoid for about a week and then have in small quantities. Most people have an enzyme which stops there histamine levels getting too high, some eczema sufferers do not, which in turn results in eczema, hives and allergic type reactions.
Foods containing histamine naturally are:

Fish:Tuna, Sardine, mackerel,smoked salmon,caviar,herring and oysters

Ripe Cheese: Blue mature cheese, Stilton, Roquefort, Parmesan, Brie, Cheddar and Feta, Buttermilk and Yoghurt.

Cured Sausage: Salami, Pepperoni, Dried ham, Biltong, Jerky chicken liver

Vegetables: Pumpkin, pickled vegetables (sauerkraut), spinach, aubergine, broad beans, red beans, soy beans, tomato and over ripe vegetables.

FruitAvocado, Kiwi, Dates, currants, raisins, apricots, prunes, red plums, cherries, figs and over ripe bananas

Alcohol: Red wine, vinegar, Cider and Real ale

Also: Yeasr and yeast extract (marmite), soya sauce, Gherkins, Pickles, Black olives, Miso Soup, Curry Powder, Ketchup, walnuts, pecans, anise and cinamon.

Foods that don't contain histanine but which can trigger histamine release in the bosy are:

Raw egg white (even touching it), chocolate, alcohol, tomato,citrus fruits, pineapple and strawberries, raspberries, cranberries.

I know it seems a lot as I said I would always recoomend testing. If you are going to undertake a histamine free diet I would trial for a week to see if there is any difference. It may only initially result in less scratching especially if tj=he skin is still infected so you may need treatment for that. After a week if you notice a difference I would seriously insist on asking to be referred for testing, it costs about £100 privately and is free on the NHS.

For a week my daughter lived on jacket potato with a tiny bit of organic butter made just from milk and salt, rice and hipp organic rice cakes, all and fruit and vegetables I haven't mentioned and all meat and other fish and pure fruit juices apple mainly, as you need to avoid citrus. Don't forget you can buy rice milk.

Let me know how you get on but please discuss with your doctor - you may find your GP is not that knowledgable on the subject and he may insist on referring you.

Good luck!

By Lucy on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 03:07 am:

Thank you all...I still feel horrible. I have a check up with my doctor this week...You all are very supportive, and it is appreciated. But to me, simply keeping my chin up isn't enough. I have been on many oinments, and perscriptions. I would however appreciate any information on a change in diet. I plan on becoming a vegetarian this year, I'm not going to be a vegan for awhile I think. Any input on this matter is welcome...

Thank you...

Lucy

By affy on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 10:17 pm:

Lucy,
Try not to let this diesease get to you, yes i know exactly what your saying and exactly how your feeling.
mine got so bad, i had is all over my face, dint go out for months, locked meself away, and dint wanna live no more,
but u kno why im still here? coz i wont give in, you shudnt either, this thing , each and every one of us can fight, a fight which we can win,
i know its really hard, and its so easy to give in, ive dun that many a time, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, i promise yer hun,
Like Gina has said, change your diet, see a doc, explain ur concerns, try soming new, yeh it'll take time for u to get control, but once u find a way, you will be the one in control of your eczema and not the other way round,
juss dont give up on hope,

By Gina on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 10:47 pm:

Hi Lucy

Have you been tested for allegies. Also have you tried a histamine free diet. It is restrictive but nothing is worse than how you are feeling. My daughter less than a week ago had a raw face and we were being stared at and commented on wherever we went. people seem to think they can catch it. A change in diet and some good medication has made the eczema disappear she is now unrecognizable - in a good way of course. I am quite happy to point you in the right direction if you need some advice. Good luck!

By Lucy on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 10:22 pm:

I hate how eczema is a straining point between me and my mom. I hate how she doesn't understand why it won't just go away. I hate how I excema keeps me up at night. I hate summer. I hate swimming. I hate gym. I hate having this wretched disease. I hate lotions, and ointments. I hate doctors and their cold hands, and their penetrating stares. I hate seeing my reflection. I hate this world in which we are judged by how we look. I hate jeers from people I know, and those I don't. I hate the pain, and the blood. I hate the smell of it. I hate the feeling after you scratch, the guilt and the shame. I hate everything about it. I hate seeing myself spiral out of control. I hate pants and long sleeves in summer. I hate excuses. I'm sick of it all....

By Lucy on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 09:51 pm:

Gosh...stupid summer...

By Paramjit on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 09:57 pm:

Hi everyone my name is Paramjit age 32 i have had eczema for 18 years i missed out on teenage life and school because of my condition now i am 32 outgrown most of the problem but still have it badly on my legs and face the top half of my body has been clear for years i have been using Emulsifying ointment and taking Piriton Tablets for my eczema it just clears up my condition my skin is dry its so frustrating having this problem i have always wanted a girlfriend in my life but have always been judged by my looks i still like to go out despite this and enjoy my interests and hobbies i just dream of holding hands with that special woman the candlelit dinners dancing to some mindblowing music moonlit walks on the beach with the cool breeze blowing against my face. i think people on this site are very beautiful and understanding about each others condition its great to hear from you all and i really hope one day we all have silky smooth skin and be free from the shackles of eczema there is a new medicine called EPADERM has anyone tried it? it is supposed to be very good for eczema sufferers god bless and keep posting those great messages on this site.take care lovely people of the world!luv Paramjit xx

By frustrated emz on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 12:00 am:

OMG how annoyin is eczema lol right now iv got it on ma neck bak an front its so annoyin somedays it looks like iv tried 2 hang myself aaaaahhhhh lol ma arms r pretty gd tho right now jst bak of ma legs, ma chest an neck its annoyin tho coz ppl in ma house dont mind the heat so im like dyin in bed an scratchin like mad its gd at first but ya pay for it the next morning

By Chantal on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 09:33 pm:

Hey, back again.. It seems wicked simple, but just when you get out of the shower, pool or whatever, just moisturize your skin. Put on over the counter creams. I reccomend Aveeno lotion, it's really good, you can get lightly scented stuff, and if you cant have scented creams like myself, there's just regular kinds. There's like millions of lotions, but I just had alot of luck with Aveeno. Just stay moisturized

Also, you've all probably heard of hydrocortizone yes? (if not, you should try it, it's alright) Well anyways, there's this other steroid (among maaany others) called Elecom, yes it totally ruins your skin over time if you use lots, but it will clear your skin right up over night. You will definitely see a difference. It like, restores the layers literally over night, it's truely great. But, like carolann said before, it wrecks your skin hardcore. But if you dont use it alot, you should be fine, it works wonders. Well, hang in there I know it's hard.

<3

By Chantal on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:54 pm:

Thanks hun.. yeah i feel so bad for each and every person that has to go through what i have to. It's so effing hard, like not being able to wear short sleaved shirts for fear of someone staring, or shorts or anything. It's hard being a teenager with this crap. When I was younger it wasnt as hard, but now you see how people actually look at you, and refuse to like touch you and stuff.. it hurts, probably more than the actual eczema.

By affy on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 12:43 pm:

chantal, dont be sad, i know it hard, we all know, just hang in there hunni

*big huggs*

By affy on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 12:43 pm:

ohhh, thnx emz, thats cool, ill try anything lol. i will probably have to do some research, i dont think there are many homepaths near me, i live in west yorkshire, england, ill check it out tho, cheers girl!

affy

By Chantal on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 04:56 am:

stupid eczema

By emma on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 01:22 pm:

Sorry I couldn't reply sooner, homepath is just like a doctor but their there to find a cure not to make money if you know what i mean, iv been going for years sometimes the medication works sometimes it doesnt, i live near glasgow though so maybe searching the net for homepath's near your own area, your first visit will be longer than any other as they will probably ask you many questions, I would definatly say its worth a try, a guess having a nice person helps also had homepaths in the past were a bit crabby lol but give it a try you have nothin to lose apart from hopefully your eczema (pssst i still have it but sometimes ma medication helps)
kelso88@hotmail.co.uk
kelso_20041@yahoo.co.uk
add me if you want to ask me or jst talk as i dont check this alot
take care
emz x

By carolann on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 03:27 pm:

Hi everyone,
I'm 25 years old and i've had eczema since i was 3. It's been very bad pretty much since then.I used to only get it on my arms and legs, but over the last few months i've been getting it on my face too, which is a nightmare. I've tried everything you can think of the get rid of it. I recently stopped using steroid creams because they just stopped working. Over the last few weeks i've started bathing in almond oil and i also use oilatum juniour flare up, which contains antiseptics. After my bath i apply a cream called skin sure plus, which is a godsend. It contains moituriser and antibacterial stuff that really helps to heal damaged skin. Over the years i have used every cream you can think of and this is by far the best. My skin is really starting to clear up. Also,i would recommend not using too much steroid creams, they may help for the short term, but in the long run they will destroy your skin. I hope this has been of help to some of you.

By Chantal on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 10:03 am:

Yeah, what's homepath medication? Does it work at all?

By affy on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 11:28 pm:

Homepath Medication? whats that?
i aint ever heard of it, please explain

By emz on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 09:46 pm:

hey everyone yeh most ppl look forward to summer but im not lookin forward 2 it atall, im on homepath medication for my skin an I feel this is helpin so if you havnt already tried that then id give it a go, its definately worth it.

By affy on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 10:39 pm:

ill try anything! so if u kno of anything, please please email me,

very much appreciated

x affy x

By affy on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 10:31 pm:

Hey, well ive never done this before, ive sorta been looking for help wid my eczema, im 18, and had it all my life, but no matter how hard i try it stops me from doing stuff my mates do, i wana cover up all the scars, is there anything i can try to get of them?

By Lucy on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 02:09 am:

Well I haven't been here in awhile...and the worst season is coming...summer...gosh I hate summer...none of my friends get it...and I don't expect them to...oh well...
Does anyone else feel this way?
~Lucy

By caroline on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 03:05 pm:

when my son was around age 2-3 he would break out on his face with a red oozing patch. i finally figured out that he was allergic to cheese. he eliminated the cheese and has never broken out again. maybe this will help someone. if its not cheese try to figure out what food or product it is. eat only rice and see if you clear up. hang in there!

By okimat on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 01:30 pm:

woah I was surfing the web for info on eczema and i found this site. I never knew they had forums about it. I'm 12yrs. old and I've had eczema all my life and right now its driving me crazy. It was just always around my elbows and knees. Now it spreading around my mouth and neck. It's so itchy and it burns and I'm just so irritated. I've tried all sorts of stuff before, hydrocortizone, stuff with names i don't feel like typing, elidel, oatmeal, etc. Recently my doctor told me to apply some medicine to the itchy area before bed, then wrap it in saran wrap, then wrap it in bandages. It keeps me from scratching in my sleep or in the morning. But since its spread I'm going to the doctors some time soon again for probably new medicine and procedures to apply it. I've learned during my eczema experiences that I'm allergic to cats and that eating really salty foods or too much soy sauce makes it worse. *sigh* i wish it just go away and my skin would be fine. If some researcher scientist whoever comes up with a cure for eczema in the future God bless their soul.

By my sad heart on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 02:29 am:

hi everyone i just found this site and i find it really comforting that im not the only one in the long haul from hell

By Lucy on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 02:53 am:

Hey...I just thought I'd say hi to everyone...and just ask how everyone is...
How are you?
~Lucy

By helper on Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 10:13 pm:

hey guys!! for all of you who have suffered all their lives, or just a few years, or whatever, i have a temporary solution. say you're going out with your friends or something and thie embarassing patch just randomly shows up (trust me, it happens!)well there's this cream called Lanacane and omg, it takes the red and itching away for hours. it's truely remarkable.. try it!!

<3

By ?? on Sunday, March 19, 2006 - 09:20 am:

Hey, I'll be 16 soon and i've had this shit since i was a year old. I've tried EVERYTHING you can think of.. don't get me wrong, some things do help, but nothing has worked completely, it's just soo itchy. It keeps me up for hours on end at night, and I can't even wear t-shirts or shorts or skirts or even a bathing suit, so i can't even go to the beach. it totally sucks cause all my friends will be like let's go swimming, and i'm too embarassed to go. and it's not only me, all these people have to suffer with it too, i feel bad for all of you and i wish the best for you as well. If anyone has any bright ideas, or creams that have really worked for them PLEASE send me an email, im BEGGING you, you could really help me out
Thanks alot <3

By Emz on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 03:14 pm:

Hey, I Just want to give up now to be honest.I will be 18 next month an iv had eczema all my life. I knew their was other people out there the same as me but I never seem to come across them. I was bullied at school because of it,which has affected me now. I'm finding it really hard to cope with now as iv had it for so long an weve tried all the creams we could find, even my homeopathic is running out of solution.I just want to wake up in the morning an be able to walk without pain.

Please help me, I cant live like this for much longer

kelso88@hotmail.co.uk
kelso_20041@yahoo.co.uk
thanks

By joselyn on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 03:59 am:

Hi all,
I've been reading through these posts and just have been able to relate so much. I wish that more people in the world had more knowledge of what eczema is so they wouldn't have to stare and criticize us. I'm 20 years old and am currently attending college, but i find it very hard sometimes, especially when i stay up the entire night scratching.
I am always open to meeting others out there with eczema to share stories, experiences, and ways to help it. Feel free to email me, joselynb@gmail.com. I look forward to talking with you!!

By Lucy on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 02:30 am:

Hey thanks...I have no idea what aqueous cream is...could you tell me what it is...I'll look it up online too, but it's always good to have some first hand information.
~Lucy

By KatieQPR on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 10:27 pm:

Lucy,

I often find that just making some tissue wet with cold water and it putting it on my eczema works quite well. And I put aqueous cream on my eczema in the morning when I get dressed, and in the evening when I go to bed.

As for stopping myself scratching, well I'm blessed with a lovely boyfriend who doesn't shy away from the fact that I have eczema, but whenever he sees me start to scratch he tells me off, and occasionally pins my hands to my sides.

Currently I have eczema on my right elbow, going up my arm towards my wrist, and on my left breast because it turns out I'm allergic to my bra's, they contain Polyamide, which I knew I was allergic to but had no idea it was in my bra's! There are many British companies who are going to be getting an earful from me about this.

By Lucy on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 08:06 pm:

Here I am...yet again...Today...well I'm feeling ok...it could be the break in the monotonous cold weather...

What do you guys use to surpress eczema?

I use...aveeno lotion, and protopic...

I'm just curious.

~Lucy

By AnimeGirl on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 06:03 am:

Hello. I'm 14 and in 8th grade. I'm very self conscious and I guess you could say depressed. Lucy, I understand exactly how you feel and probably just like the rest of you on this forum. I started to pick my eczema last summer and started getting scabs. (I have it all over my arms down to my hands, stomach, back, neck, face, and legs. )Eventually they turned into scars. As if middle school wasn't hard enough, I had all eyes on my arms, which are now horribly scarred. I had several kids bully and tease me about it. (I dread dressing out in PE and doing the activities!) Since then, I have started to wear sweaters. Here's the funny part though, when I first started to pick and scratch at my eczema, it actually was itchy. I think it has become a habit though and I just DO it. I feel horrible just typing this, yet SOO relieved that I'm not the only person out there. In fact, that's how I found this site. I was afraid I was the only one and started my research. Now, my next step is to find a treatment. Sorry if I rambled on and on. I'm going to add this site to my favorites and check back often. Thank you all for posting your thoughts and feeling!

By Lucy on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 04:51 am:

This is my place to vent...This is my...hmm...sanctuary...anyway, I wish people came here more often. Eczema, what a horrible word, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. The funny thing is, is how I would give anything to have a life free of it, but I can only picture myself without it in a dream. It's part of me. It's kind of surreal about how many people there are with eczema...I have a question: does anyone scratch when they are not itchy because of habit? Sometimes I think I enjoy the pain I make...If anyone wanted to IM me on AIM: BraceletofCold
~Lucy

By anonmyous on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 01:20 am:

wow, this is like crazy. i thought i was like the only one out there, that there wasnt that many people with this disease or whatever you wanna call it, but i guess i was wrong. I've been going through eczema all through my life. ever since i was a baby. it sucks. it was really bad when i was little, but as i got older it got better and easier for me to control it and cover it up...well sort of.(oh yeah i dont think i mentioned that im 13)when i was younger i was teased, well actually not that much. people just mostly asked me about it like omg wat happened? and things like that and it was just really akward talking about it and they made it such a big deal. i hated it, but i didnt think much of it cuz i was little and it didnt really matter then. then of course, as i got older some kids started to tease, but not that bad. the thing is my eczema isnt that bad anymore, just in the winter and and there are times where i break out and itch, but its easier for me to control it now. its just my hands.ive all the stories thhat you guys have posted but no one talked about wrinkly hands. thats the only thing that still bugs me today. ****i have old wrinkly hands and i hate it. paople dont tease me much anymore at all, but i try to hide them as much as possible so it doesnt get brought up. **does anyone else have this too?!?!** is there any way i could make it go away?!?!?

By Lucy on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 03:03 am:

Here I am again, I am attracted to this site. It's a place where there are people like me. It's nice to hear I'm not alone, as much as it seems...as bad as it is, as alone as I feel in my town...it's nice to hear you all...

By py7h0n on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:53 am:

well, eczema can last your entire life, as many people know, it is incurable, im 19, currently my eczema is probly the worst its ever been, my whole body is infected, my skin is open, raw, cracked, dry, and i am at a point where i have given up hope on treating it, when i was younger, my mum used to bathe me twice a day in bath oils, emulsiderm, then cream me when i got out, in just a hydrocotisone cream, but it was evryday like clockwork, so my eczema wasnt that bad, but now im older, i gotta do things for myself, im goin through a really bad patch in life, and my eczema has hit a sky high, i am on a new medication called cyclosporin, its a medication they found out by mistake, was originally used to treat heart patients who needed surgery on heart or other major internal organs, and one person they tryed it on had eczema, and his eczema started clearing up, so they now use it worldwide for eczema, people who dont know about this skin disease, really ought to look it up, because most of my life ibeen looked at different to others, it is horrible, and the pain, itching, raw feeling is unbearable, i cant sleep at nights because of it, i have tryed evrything, there aint one medication i havent tryed, listen tho guys, if anyone needs to talk to sum 1 who knows alot about it, im here, i know alot as i have lived all my life with it, feel free to email me, add me to msn, or yahoo or aim, i am willing to chat to ppl feeling the same as i do, peace out all, and please please take care of yourselfs:D
yahooID:c4rl0s17
AIM ID: c4rl0s17
MSN ID: Carl171186@hotmail.com

By hellboy on Thursday, February 02, 2006 - 05:31 pm:

how long does eczema last

By Lucy on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 06:12 am:

Well...I've had this wretched thing since I was a baby, I can't remember a day without it. People don't usually make fun of me...only once that I can remember that really hurt me. I only wish it were gone. I only wish it wasn't me. I only wish something could be done to take away the pain I feel when I bathe. I only wish to wear a skirt, or shorts. I only wish to be "normal" I wish that when I wake up in the mornings that I'm not in pain. I only wish for freedom from this curse. I try to think about how fortunate I am, how lucky to have doctors who help, but it gets hard. I remember screaming as a child because I hated the lotion that burned, I remember everytime my mom yelled at me to stop scratching. I remember the feeling that everyone is watching you. It's horrible and I wish there was a cure. I'm sick of the pain. Help me.
~Lucy (16 years old)

By slick_horsie on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 12:57 pm:

Hi all, sad to hear that your all suffering like myself. I'm 24 and have had eczema ever since I can remember. My eczema went real bad when I left highschool. I guess it was because that was a very stressful time in my life. I even dropped out of university and quit my job because thats how bad my eczema was. I pretty much gave up my life and dreams to this condition. Doctors were no help, all they could give me was steroid creams which did help but in the long run made me worse. I felt helpless and that no one could save me from this, wanted to kill myself and end this torture.

I have eczema everywhere, face, back, front, legs even my arse. At one point I was soo sick of everything that I decide to forget what the doctor said and help myself take control of my health and life. I did a lot of research and tried many alternative medicines. Homeopathic medicine really worked. I went to see a homeopath and he started me on a course of treatment. But I couldn't stick to it, it was too much. I went through a healing crisis which is where all the eczema in your body comes to the surface. My face was weeping puss all over, my eyes were glued shut with infection. If I scratched myself then dead skin would keep falling. In a day about 3 tablespoons of dead skin would fall. I'm not kiddin either I couldn't even believe it. I was like this for 7 months, all that time I was in bed couldn't leave my bed. When it all got too much and I called the doc.

I ain't ever gonna touch homeopathic medicine again though I highly respect it. It is the only cure for eczema but it's too much pain for me.

Chinese medicine works too, but the diet is too ristrictive for me. I'm very stubborn when it comes to food I ain't gonna give up somethin I ate all my life just for eczema.

At the moment I'm drinking somethin called Kombucha and it seems to be helping. Look it up on the net. Also look up kefir it really helps. I bath 3 times a week using dead sea bath salts and I moisterise. Eczema is a very individual condition, you have to try all sorts until you find what works for you. Don't panic just relax and do research it seems to help to learn about ways to help yourself. Give the Kombucha a go, may work for you but stick to it. To cure eczema you have to bring it out from the root.

Anyone needs any advice or would like to offer me some then drop me a line.