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?