By Patchy on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 01:09 am:

In reply to xxx - eczema affects all races. Dry and uneven patches are more noticeable the darker you are and we are more prone to pigmentation problems than most (on the whole black skin tends to be drier - as like our hair than other races). I am black and have been having to deal with eczema since I was a child. In particular, facial eczema is the worse as in normal circumstances trying to find a dark enough foundation which suit you is hard enough- so just imagine having the added stress of trying to find one which caters for such dry skin as well!

Eczema does not discriminate - it affects us all!

By xxx on Saturday, June 12, 2010 - 03:06 pm:

does eczema affect all racial groups cant remember seeing a black person with it?

By Buddy on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 - 01:08 pm:

Suzanne

Please send me an email to say hello because I understand exactly how you feel and I think I might be able to help.

By suzanne on Thursday, May 20, 2010 - 06:59 am:

Hey Everyone,

I've had eczema for what seemes like a life time! I've tried everything all the ointments, creams, immune suppressants, cyclosporin, metholtrexate.. It is a constant struggle and I am very tired emotionally and physically. I tried to take my life but even that didn't work. Does anyone know of a way you can just go to sleep and not wake up I am not frightened of dieing I am no longer the person I used to be. I just want peace....

By lee on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 01:09 pm:

im 39 allways had eczema all over caused me to drink take drugs and all the stupid things you do when your out of your mind i carry with me daily its sad when the only saving grace you have the one thought that kind of helps is that you die in the end anyway and life isnt that long anyway and all the drinking and smoking is doing a good job of speeding up the inevitable i wish i had brain damage or was at least blest with being incredibly stupid so then i couldnt appreciate just how crap my life has been and will continue to be until i return to the cold heartless universe.

By fatima on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 01:02 pm:

Hello all.

Please see the 'People and Support Groups'- 'New Research' forum for details on some research investigating the psychological impact of living with eczema.

Look forward to hearing from some of you.

Fatima =)

By blue on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 08:55 am:

Hi Steffy,

I know exactly where you are coming from! I had to deal with the similar feelings and issues....and doing things to make myself better that left me feeling ashamed and then having to struggle with forgiving myself. You need to remember that you are the same but you are different; you are still the same person but you have all this life experience, hard experiences, and now you are also a result of that. You need to look at how you have changed for the better but reconcile the young you, the teenage you and the adult you. Dont feel like you've let anyone down, fuck them, its you you have to live with! You have to start giving yourself the love you need and forgive yourself for things that are in the past.

Its sad that you didnt get the support you needed when you were younger but thats a problem with your friends and your dad, not because theres something wrong with you; they didnt deal with it properly....they probably still think about how they treated you and thats probably one of their demons now.

Go and talk to your doctor, and be completely honest about how you feel. Its confidential, the doctor isnt going to get hurt feelings over anything you say, and you can get some help to rebuild your relationship with yourself.

Focus on what you have now instead of what you have been missing in the past. Theres no point torturing yourself, you need to be positive and look to the future.

If you want to chat, post your email address

xx

By Steffy on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 12:34 am:

Hi there, I felt I needed to post as at 28 I feel like I am still struggling in life and feel that it all comes down to having eczema from birth up until I was 14. I still have flare ups now, but it is controlled and doesnt seem to impact on my life....but the psychological mess in my head has.

I dont know where to start, its a long story, im even crying now as maybe wriiting this down is helping. I was always bullied at school, was told I looked like a druggie because my eyes were kinda closed due to the redness and itching on my eyelids, my friends recoiled in horror even if they touched me, my own father used to not cuddle me as I looked "infectious". All this has devestated me. As soon as I turned 14, my skin was clearer and I turned to going out, sleeping with guys I didnt even know, I just wanted to feel loved, I never felt loved, but the attention I got was addictive. It was like I needed the attention to feel better about myself. Fourteen years later, im still the same. I got married, my husband loves me completely, but I have never spoke to anyone about how I feel, even him. Things are coming to a head now because I feel worthless, cheap, deep hatred for myself and worst of all have felt suicidal because I have let so many people down. I feel like no-one understands, I know that is such a cliche but the thing is, I look normal, I have been told I was an ugly duckling and now I am a beautiful swan...but I dont see that in the mirror...I hate myself...deep hate...if my father didnt love me, why should I love myself.

So for anyone that says eczema only affects them when they were younger, I am proof that I live everyday feeling numb, feeling worthless but hide it very well. Everyone thinks I am fun, happy....thats what makes my life so much harder. If anyone can relate to what im saying, I would really like you to get in touch as I am finding this so hard to deal with. Thanks for reading.

By Kitty English on Sunday, August 30, 2009 - 06:50 pm:

Just wanted to say how much it helps to know that I`m not alone with this demon called eczema. I hadn`t suffered from it since I was a child but last year during my divorce from an abusive man things were increasingly difficult to cope with and the eczema returned - first as a tiny patch on my back and then gradually worsening despite steroid treatment. At the moment the rash is just about everywhere apart from my face. My scalp weeps, crusts and scales and I have lost a lot of hair. The itching is just unbearable but the worst thing if I`m honest is how it looks. I`m covered in bruises, bright red blistery areas and flaking dry skin from scratching and feel so ugly. As a womam at fifty it can be hard to have much self esteem but add in the eczema factor and I feel like a troll. I am dating someone but am so hugely aware of how bad I look that it is difficult and I constantly expect him to walk away. Why I feel ashamed of something I try so hard not to have is obvious to all of you. It feels shameful and embarrassing even though of course we can`t help it. I`m finding it hard to want to see anyone and sometimes it looks tempting to give up on everything and stay home crying and scratching.
I`m trying flaxseed oil capsules at the moment and waiting to see a dermatologist as nothing prescribed so far has been effective. I`ve given up wheat for other reasons and note that some believe alcohol worsens eczema. Not sure I can give that up right now...
Kitty.

By Helen E on Friday, June 19, 2009 - 07:33 pm:

hey guys,
just came to say that I,ve have suffered with eczema for about 13 going on 14 years, all over my body. I read on this web site around 5 months ago that by changing your diet will improve the eczema. So I decided to cut out wheat,diary and gluten from my diet and so far it really has improved my eczema alot. Its now hardly ever itches (only once in a while) and it has now become smooth and is alot less dry!

I cant beleave it, I really cant. Ive been on this diet for about 3 months now and can see a difference. So much that I have the courage to wear a t-shirt when its hot. Wow! My plan is to stay on this diet for about 1 year to see how much my skin has improved. So please try changing your diet to see if your skin improves, it is very hard but stick at it. Please Please guys try it.

By Mellisa on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 09:12 pm:

Hi JellyBeanUSA,

I feel your pain and i must say to yo giving up alcohol will help your skin. Trust me i gave up drinking well over ten years ago and it helped my eczema!! The only thing i might have now and again is 1pint max. of beer, the hops in beer isn't so bad for you. Give it a try jellyBean for at least a few months and see if it helps. Speak to you all soon!

By s on Monday, May 18, 2009 - 11:28 am:

Ah I apologise but I just need a rant – my eczema ‘flare up’ is currently rolling into yet another month, it’s disgusting, painful and so much more. I’m trying not to wallow in self-pity and stay positive as that will only make me even less attractive and fun to be around but sometimes it’s so hard – I know people go through so much worse in terms of life threatening illnesses etc so I really shouldn’t complain. I still get really envious of normal people who don’t have to deal with this condition, well I get downright jealous and resentful sometimes to be honest! It would be so much easier if there was an end point in sight to work too, but I’m scared my skin’s entered another long term serious phase. What if it doesn’t get any better? What if this is it? It’s prospects like that which terrify me.

By LevitraES on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 09:52 pm:

Authentication Error

By Suzanne on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 - 06:58 am:

Dear JellybeanUSA,

One of the problems of people with eczema is our skin finds it hard to retain moisture,so it becomes dry very easily. Flaxseed oil is rich in omega oils which are good for the skin and also has some anti-inflamatory properties. I find the best results is using the oil rather than the capsules, I pour a desert spoon over whatever I am eating. You can also just take it straight from the bottle in a desert spoon three times a day if thats better. If you can get the softness back into your skin you will be less inclined to scratch.

The B12 ointment is relatively new treatment and it is expensive not alot of dermatologists even know about it, so its best for you to read up on it and then decide if thats an option for you. I am sure you can google it the trial was done in Germany with favourable results. The active ingredient is 0.07% Cyanocobalamin (B12).

I find the cetaphil lotion good to use in the shower and when I wash my face as it helps retain moisture, I then apply cetaphil moisturing cream straight after. I apply moisture all over my body morning and night sometimes more depending on how thing are going. Wearing cotton clothing and not synthetic also is better.

I hope some of this has been helpful and that you feel better soon. All the best.

By JellybeanUSA on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 06:18 pm:

Suzanne,

Thanks for the comforting words. Just writing that yesterday and having a good crying session helped me, emotionally at least! I've been doing a lot of reading, I see a lot of you guys do flaxseed oil. What exactly does the flaxseed oil target, is it for added moisture? Right now I'm soaking in oatmeal bath 1x daily for about 10 minutes. I use Cetaphyl wash and lotion and Curel/Aquaphor on my hands (which I have dyshidrotic eczema on). After seeing many people on here find links to alochol/food allergies, I'm going to eliminate alcohol for 60 days to see if it helps, and I'm debating on trying the elimination diet. How much of the flaxseed oil do you take/as well as the B12? Any other strategies you know of that may help get me through this flare up? Thanks for the response, it really is nice to see there's other people out there!

By Suzanne on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 10:08 am:

Hey Jellybean USA,

Hang in there, I know its hard, but this flare up like all the others will settle down. I wish there was a magic cure, we all do! We all know exactly what you're going through, its really important to talk about how your feeling and this is a good forum to do so. It's a horrible condition and affects every aspect of your life, family, friends, work, things that most people take for granted are much harder when you have this to deal with.

There are times I've thought it would be so easy to just give up but then I think of what we would be missing out on - seeing our children grow up, weddings, grandchildren etc. This is a wonderful site and has bought me great comfort in my darkest hours, it lets you see that you are not alone and that is so important.

I'am sure you've heard it all before but keeping your skin moisturised at all times is so important. Don't have hot showers that dries your skin out even more. Try and have as natural a diet as possible no processed foods, drink lots of water, try taking a good pro-biotic, excercise so as to sweat some of the toxins out of your body. I also take flaxseed oil daily not the capsules but liquid form I just pour it over my food you get used to it and it really isn't too bad to taste. My skin definitely feels softer which makes it less itchy.

I've been on cyclosporin, done all the steroid creams, and am using 0.03% protopic on my face and neck. The trouble is with all of these treatments they treat the systoms and not the cause and once you stop using them the eczema comes back worse than before which is so debiltating. I made the decision to stop and get off the steroid merry-go-round. At the moment all I use is 0.03% protopic on my face and neck and that is it. I am trying to come off that but every time I miss a application my face and neck start to break out really bad so I am going to try and wean myself off very slowly and see how that goes. I have also had this vitamen B12 ointment made up by a componding pharmacist it is supposed to suppress the inflamation but without the side effects, thats still a work in progress at the moment.

Anyway, the people on this site are wonderful and very supportive. There's lots of advise here try and read and research as much of it as you can then take what you think will work for you. Sometimes what works for one person doesn't always work for you but hang in there and don't give up, lets all try and help each other even if its a shoulder too cry on. Stay strong....

By JellybeanUSA on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 12:12 am:

I've been reading the previous posts, and so thankful to finally find people who know how I feel. I've had eczema off and on my entire life, but for the past 5 years, I've had horrible bouts of flare ups that last 6-8 months. During that time period, my body is about 60-80% covered in eczema, and I'm completely miserable. I'm not sure if the physical or the psychological aspects are the worst. I'm constantly itchy, I can't sleep, it's hard for me to take care of my toddler (who's 15 months) because I'm exhausted from staying up all night or have no patience because all of my patience is spent trying not to scratch. This current flare up has been the worst. I feel myself getting depressed and I'm so scared my skin's not going to improve. My husband tries to understand, but there's no way to explain how I feel day in and day out. I recently moved and have no health insurance until mid-July when my husband goes back active duty in the military. I'm hoping at that point I will be able to see another specialist, however I'm not sure what they'd be able to do. I've seen 3 dermatologists in the past 5 years, and I've been on protopic .1% for the past 3 years. It helps, but at $400 a tube, I can't afford to use it over the 80% of my body that's broken out. I'm just so frustrated, and really really wish I could sleep through the night. More than anything, I want to be healthy and happy, and not so bitchy and angry all the time. I realize that this is a UK website, so many of you have government funded healthcare-be happy that you do! I feel like I've tried everything, but hopefully now that I've found this forum I can find some other ways too. I hate to sound so unhappy, I do have a good life, I'm just completely miserable right now, and at least you guys understand.

By BusterBiscuit on Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 04:53 pm:

To those who replied to my post. Thankyou. I didnt come back on here because i thought nobody would have read it, but they did. It wouldnt let me email you to say thanks so this is the only way i could say.

By Itchymama on Friday, May 01, 2009 - 04:00 pm:

WOw do I ever agree with all of you! I had severe eczema as a child and when i turned about 17 it went away, with minor flare ups here and there until about a year ago when it flared up right back to when i was a kid again, I have baths in the dark and get dressed and creamed in the bathroom with the lights off so nobody including myself has to look at it. I have recently been put on prednisone as well as cyclosporine AND an anti biotic and its starting to work. I know how you guys feel I really do and its hard, but its only as hard as you make it. I have not let my husband touch me in MONTHS because this has been so painful but Im lucky I have a caring husband who is empathetic. Some days even my own children think twice before holding my hand, but i know they still love me they are just un sure. Im glad I found this site and Im glad that those who found it also did cause the dark lonely hole this condition slips you into can be a bad one and we all need people who can sympathasize and say "i know how you feel" and mean it. Take care guys.

By Earthbiscuit on Monday, April 20, 2009 - 03:20 pm:

Hey Suzanne,

What you wrote today resonates with me more clearly than I care to admit. It's like you took the words right out of my mouth.

Having eczema has most definitley brought out my darkest demons and the person who is affected most by it, is also the one person who has accepted me and helped calm me in my greatest time of need. People have their breaking points and I was also selfish to think that he would never ever reach his. It is close though and I feel that on top of trying to deal with my eczema, I am battling trying to constantly justify my nasty behavior and always saying sorry.

At this point, sorry feels so empty to him and also to me. That's a new feeling I'm grappling with and it doesn't sit well with me.

I am glad you recognize that at this moment in time, you can't even talk to him because you can't follow through...I am there too. Just know that you are a not a bad person, a selfish person or a shallow person. Eczema has robbed me of my usually bubbly and loving personality and I only hope that one day it will return so that I can prove to the love of my life that I care and always have.

Hang in there Suzanne. If I could give you a hug right now, I would. Be strong and keep posting. This is my secret world where I feel like each of you are a reflection of me and it is highly therapeutic to know that I am not alone and to keep going.

By suzanne on Monday, April 20, 2009 - 10:06 am:

hey people,

I have followed this forum and made many comments in the past as I suffer from eczema. This post is about putting my feelings out there into the universe and I hope you can indulge me this one time.

I have hurt someone deeply, someone who deserves so much more than the way I treated them. They have always been encouraging and supportive especially when it came to my eczema and all I did was push him away. He said, I have become shallow and self-absorbed about my appearance, I've let eczema take over my life and used the condition as yet another excuse as to why we can't be together, he is right.

Anyway, I just wanted to say I am sorry and I hope one day he'll forgive me. I will always love and admire this person, he was selfless when it came to me and I wish him love and happiness in abundness. I can't talk to him in person because all that will do is start something up that I know I can't follow through on at least not now or maybe ever, I don't know and that is cruel.

They say if you love someone let them go, if they come back there yours, if they don't, they were never yours in the first place. You will always be in my heart and I will carry the memories of you with me every day of my life and even beyond.

So, forgive me please, I never meant to hurt you, I would never, I am sorry. (hak)

By Mellisa on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 10:00 pm:

Hi,
I've seen a lot of forums on the net re eczema, many of them seem to focus on children with very bad eczema. It seems that adults are a bit more reluctant to 'admit' to being covered in the dreaded rash too! Anyway its great to know there are as many adults as children with this pain the ass disease. With summer on the way i'm looking forward to talking with other adults who just might share the same thoughts as me?

By carly on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 01:09 pm:

hi im new to the forum, but what a relief to find it! i suffered from mild teeneage eczema which went away but came back 2yrs ago with a vengeance i am 23 now and getting a little miserable about it, iv had staph infections, changed my career 3 times to work somewhere without chemicals. its a nightmare.
its now spread to my face arms, chest, stomach and back, but the worst is still my legs, very painful. the only thing i find the helps although not ideal i admit is short sessions on sunbeds then moisturising afterwards. not great i know lol!!!

By suzanne on Friday, March 06, 2009 - 06:39 am:

winthewar:
thanks for the support, i get what your saying but its hard putting it into practise.
Unfortunately, i've let it take over my life and run my life according to my skin condition at that moment in time.

i have a wonderful man in my life who is very supportive and you would think that that would make my life easier and it should. i worry about letting him down, not being the person he fell in love with, holding him back from doing the things he would like to do but doesn't because i feel self-conscious or i might be having a bad day, week, month, you know how it is!!!!
i cringe seeing myself naked and don't want anyone else looking at me either. i feel ugly and very unattractive.

i haven't given up, even though it might sound like it! i struggle trying to get my head around the fact that you can be healthy most of your life then one day your body turns on you and you have to struggle with this horrible desease. the frustrating thing is finding a doctor who is willing to think outside the box. all they seem to do is treat the systoms with band-aid treatments that make it come back even more angry than before.

i am 46 and have been dealing with this for just over 6yrs. i know alot of the people in this forum have been dealing with this all their lives. my heart goes out to all of you in that situation. you are obviously made of something very special! guess its that i remember the way my life used to be and wonder what i did to bring this on myself was it diet, lifestyle, hormones, karma...... and what can i do to get my life back because i know i have alot yet still to live.

i really wish i could meet you guys face to face, to see someone who actually has skin just like me. anyway, thats all for now, one think i know is that i am grateful i stumbled across this website late last year it has been such a comfort to me and given me hope.

till next time guys, take care xxx

By s on Thursday, March 05, 2009 - 04:42 pm:

These threads are quite bizarre in a way - on the one hand it's nice to know other people experience the same insecurities and inadvertent discrimination that I do...but on the other it's so terribly depressing! I get stared at as much as anyone else does with this condition but do you know what, I get stared at more when I cower and actively try to hide it. Seriously the best way to feel better about it...is to not think/talk/disseminate it from every angle! Easier said than done I know but its like psychologists suggest for low self-confidence - fake it and eventually you'll feel it for real. And it's similar to eczema, distraction really is the way forward - the more you think about it, the more you'll scratch and hurt/draw attention to yourself. And it works the other way too - I distract people away from my cr*ppy skin by making sure my hairs looking good and I'm showing off a bit of leg! Honestly, I've wasted too many years and missed too many opportunities being insecure because of this disease, now I'm going to get on with my life and if people are disgusted by my skin than fine, but 9 times out of ten they don't pay as much attention to it as you do anyway.

By topolinda on Wednesday, March 04, 2009 - 06:20 pm:

Hi everybody, I agree with Winthewar, I mean just to know that anybody in the world feels the same is a big help. I live in Mexico, and in 30 years I haven't met any single person with eczema and there isn't half the information (let alone forums) in spanish than in english.
All of us may not know each other and may come from very different and distant situations, treatments, you name it, but we all share how this disease has affected our lives and loved ones. Believe me, this forum is a great way for knowing you're not alone and that there's always hope

By Winthewar on Wednesday, March 04, 2009 - 10:41 am:

Hi Suzanne, No I don't know you, and no others on the this site probably don't, But we do have one thing in common. A immune system that is trying to make our life miserable by being over enthusiastic. heaven knows how to stop it. We know about the crappy sleep, the emabaressment and all the rest that follows. The rest of the world has no idea how bad we fight everyday just to crawl out of bed. Vent rage, scream just don't ever give up. That means it won and there are good things out there (Rainbowa or whatever floats your boat) that are worth the fight (besides who wants to buried with eczema?).
The bad days suck and they can really suck. When they show up, and this next bit will sound disgustingly corny and I hate corny, but - keep your eye on the prize, whatever yours may be. My prize after a bad flare, is to get under control enough to wear a tshirt without open wounds on my arms (and to be able to stop having to do wet dressings).

By cynic on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 07:37 pm:

not if youve got no real personal attachment to this person,youve absolutely no idea about her,

By Tony on Monday, February 23, 2009 - 09:06 am:

Suzanne you are most welcome, it is important that you vent your concerns and frustrations, this an excellent forum to do so, as their are many here who can relate and want to help, so hang in there and remember that a worry shared is one halved.

By suzanne on Friday, February 20, 2009 - 06:49 am:

Thanks Tony,

That means alot it is great to have such understanding and supportive people i can talk too. i don't know what i do if i couldn't vent every now and then!

Take care xxx

By Tony on Friday, February 20, 2009 - 04:58 am:

Hang in there Suzanne, you are loved dearly.

By lee on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 07:53 pm:

when i was about 10 i was led out into a large hall in just my underpants like some fantastic exhhibit in front of what seemed like hundreds of junior doctors, just one more step towards becoming the miserable lonely neurotic crackpot i am today. on the bright side nothing lasts forever. sweet dreams, in between tearing your own body to shreds.

By lee on Monday, January 26, 2009 - 07:40 pm:

why see an infectious disease dermatologist? that aside i totally agree with the diet thing except mine was mainly fish and rice, and exercise. i must have been one evil person in a pastlife being allergic to alchohol as well, not that thats ever stopped me. tried killing myself once used a dog lead hurt far too much. copious amounts of opiates seems to be the way. david attenborough said if your tired of looking at the natural world your tired of life well im proper sick of everyone and everything especially mirrors. wish i was david attemborough. chin up.

By RFStars on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 10:15 am:

You guys please change your diet, please discipline, detox eat fruit lots of greens, i had the worst eczema ever it was not until i visited a Infectious Disease Dermatologist who told me the truth, he said deal with it or change the entire way you eat, after about three weeks of all fruit, veggies, turkey, and chicken it cleared up. Its been two years no sign of eczema, I miss regular food and sometimes I get hungry as hell but it is not worth the agony of eczema. My doctors always tell me eczema is a lifestyle adjust by all means necessary!

By lee on Friday, January 02, 2009 - 05:09 pm:

god i talk some gibberish

By lee on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 03:23 pm:

kordula god i understand we all do lifes about trying to find the small things in life to make it worth another minute, hour. at times its so dark its unreal, a horror. nearly 40 now and right now feel kind of ok swings and round abouts kiddo friends help enormously, reality is an illusion anyway on a sub atomic level. chin up

By Kordula on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 04:05 am:

i've had eczema since i was a baby, but it usually clears up after a bit then comes back. Over the past year or two it's become quite terrible. My skin is discolored and on my hands there are very rough patches that crack. Last winter i was in an awful state, literally bedridden for three months. it was difficult trying to be around my family, to put on a happy face. i cried and raged... i'd hit the lowest point in my life. my skin has gotten a bit better but it's still terribly painful not to mention unsightly. i've lost a job over this condition and the bills pile up. i feel so mentally and emotionally exhausted. how do you find the ability to keep going when things just keep getting worse? Not only am i having a personal crisis, but a crisis of faith as well. i want to be a 'normal' 23 year old, but how can i when i have to monitor my food, my emotions... everything? i want to have friends, to feel comfortable around others, to date - but how do you do that when you look like a leper? i hate that i hurt - my skin, my mind, my heart. when do i get to be happy?

By cc on Monday, December 15, 2008 - 06:58 pm:

i have eczema n it sucks. but i'm determined to find a natural cure for it...through better diet or something....i can so understand what u all r going through...damn its been a year since i last wore short skirts no thanks to the unsightly eczema patches!

if i ever ever find a cure....i swear i'll share it with everyone free of charge...just coz no-one deserves to suffer from this skin problem!

By suzanne on Thursday, December 11, 2008 - 12:20 am:

thanks helen.e,
i'm trying, its just not knowing whats around the corner that gets me down. i dread going out and stress everytime there is a social occassion. how will my skin be? what will people think? or the usual stuff. i hate being in my own skin.

By Helen .E. on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 10:35 pm:

Hey suzanne, keep your head up, hang in there. Even though you feel like to give up, take each day as it comes. Its not easy, but dont let the eczema beat you! come on girl fight it!!

we are all here for you

By suzanne on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 12:11 am:

hey everyone, i been reading your stories and i can relate so well!

i have this deep feeling of fear in the pit of my stomache. i am soooooo tired of dealing with this condition.

i have been on tacrolimus ointment for the past six months and my face and neck have been the best they ever been in the last six years. i thought i found the holy grail!

i just now realising after reading different stories on this website that its the calm before the storm!!!!!! i really don't think i have the strength or courage to deal with the flare ups anymore. i am soooo tired of living in fear of my skin and having to face people. i know that when i stop the tacrolimus ointment it will come back with avengence and probably worse - that scares me to my core.

is there anyone out there that has used tacrolimus ointment for six months or more and had a good result and been able to maintain control of their eczema? i really need something to hold onto right now, i'm feeling so low.

sorry for being so negative but this is not living. i just need to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. if there isn't what is the point.

By eh2 on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 01:37 am:

No worries Lee, mate

By lee on Saturday, October 25, 2008 - 04:56 am:

fair comment

By eh on Monday, October 13, 2008 - 09:22 pm:

I think you need help Lee, have you thought about Alcoholics Anonymous or checking into a Therapist to dicuss your issues?

By lee on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 06:37 pm:

hi al dont know how you get away with all the fin n jeffin i used to post on here a long time ago was constantly getting censerd probly cause used to post steaming drunk, but i know how you feel, havent had a girlfriend for years everyone thinks im gay so i have to put up with that bs as well isnt life fun, if it werent for this condition id be good looking as it stands i have to wear a baseball cap all the time cause of my forehead and i wont get my haircut unless absolutely necessary and then ill wait till theres noone in and dread anyone coming in while i get it done, no self esteem even though i should have, im amazed i havent gone on a spree with a machete at 37 youd think i wouldnt care anymore. just got over 15 years seriuos alchohol abuse only damn thing gave me confidence nearly died. fkin liver, id still be off my head now if i could. psychological effects ive s... em.

By Chaz on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 02:27 pm:

Thanks Floss. It may be trivial to some, maybe even her, but it was such a big deal to me. I am taken back at how well she took it. She said she loves me for being me, etc. Though I am now slightly para, that next time she will sub-consciously be 'checking my skin out', due to the heightened awareness. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I think it was the right time to do it, and and glad I did. Reading this forum has made me realise how MUCH the skin has effected me socially and relationship wise, identifying with all the other sufferers.

By Floss on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 - 12:21 pm:

Well done Chaz!
I hope all goes well for you two. Sounds to me like you were right to think that you were building it up as a big deal, and that to her, it's not a problem. I'm really glad she seems able to accept it - keep being honest with her. (Good advice for any aspect of your relationship, really...)
Oh, and keep us posted on how it's going!

By chaz on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 10:02 pm:

Hey lizardwoman, thanks for your reply. Wr met this week, all went great. I decided to bite the bullet and tell her online afterwards seeing that we are now 'official'. Explained it honestly, concisely. She said I look normal, she seems to have accepted it and says she still likes me. It felt like a weight off my shoulders. Time will tell if any of this has any negative effect and if her sentiments were genuine, but happy with my decision.

By Lizardwoman on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - 05:54 pm:

Hey Chaz,

I'm really glad things are going well for you. I can tell it's difficult for you to broach the subject of your skin to this girl. Normally I tell people straight away that I have eczema just so I get it out of the way and it also helps me to see a person's reaction to it. From what you've said it sounds like she isn't too worried about the fact that you have allergies etc. I guess what i'd like to say to you is that to most other people it isn't anywhere near as much of a big deal as it is to us. I think you're probably right to wait until you meet again, I reckon you should just try to drop it into conversation if you can, if you're happier to do it online then tell her that way. I usually mention to people that I was really ill last year and that often leads to them asking what was wrong and then I explain. If you feel like you should tell someone something like this I try to look at it as if I'm just telling them another fact about me, like telling them your name or how old you are, it just happens to be another part of you. I also think you should tell her it's eczema rather than dry skin as otherwise you could confuse matters. She may well be keen to learn more and want to research it so it would be better if she knew what the condition is called.

Obviously this is all just my opinion but, being a woman, I hope I have given you a female's perspective on things for you. Good luck!

By claws on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - 05:48 pm:

I have had another series of itching. I look as though there is nothing wrong with my skin, but I could fall of the edge because of the itching. I get this panic stage when I feel my skin crawling and then the itching begins. I am writing just because. I feel really hopless and discouraged. What a thing to have to live with. I can be in a crowd like at a football game and my mind can't help but wonder, am I the only one that has this problem? I just want to get on the microphone and ask for all those who have uncontrollable itching to please step forward. I need to know just how bad I am out numbered. Life is hard to enjoy!

By chaz on Saturday, September 27, 2008 - 03:23 pm:

I'm a bit stuck here, and apologise if it comes across as melodramatic at all. I've posted a couple times before on this part, my 1st message being below a few weeks ago..mainly about relationships with the opposite sex.

I started chatting to this girl online a few weeks ago. We clicked immediately. Even though it's only been a few weeks, we chatted for hours and hours. She called a couple times. Felt good for once in my life, as maybe prospects for me were improving.

She's had a lot to deal with in life herself with family issues which she confided in me. I thought I would 'test the water' by mentioning my asthma and food allergies. I did it light heartedly, and cracked a few jokes, and she was fine about it...didn;t run away or look down and stuff.

Met her 1st time recently. After, she said she liked me and I said I liked her in person too. My skin was looking alright (as mentioned, I got over the worst of it in my teens, but each week is a bit of a rollercoaster...moving from almost perfection to, well, we know how far low these things can go.... ). I still need to get into a strict routine involving NOT scratching and lubing myself up with moisturiser, etc.

Anyway, we were chatting online, and she said she's serious about me and I am about her. She's coming down again soon (she lives a bit far at the moment).

Someone mentioned here 'say it when it feels right (re: eczema)'...I was soooo close to saying it yesterday online (where I would feel more comfortable about it than face to face, given that we were having another 'heart to heart'. I didn't. I thought, I've only met her once, and it may coud her perceptions for when she comes down in a few days, so I'll wait till then to see if we both like each other. I'm happy with my decision.

So, for all intents and purposes, say if this IS the 'one', if it is serious, if we do still like each other...I still don't know how/when to broach this.

I have thought about this. I feel that making a big deal about it, will make it seems bigger than it is? I also feel that doing it online is preferable. I also think that classing it as 'dry/sensitive skin' is also scary than terming it as 'eczema'. I just need to get across that I will require myself to lube cream on myself, every morning, looks greasy for a while...and that on some days I will scratch and not look too good.

These are just thoughts so far, I really really feel stuck and don't know what to do.

To Buster: I been there at it's worst when 16/17. Surround yourself my people who care and understand. Never give up. Hold your head high. It does and will get better.

By Lizardwoman on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 02:40 pm:

Hey Buster,
I think we all know roughly how you feel. When it's bad no-one understands what you're going through, when it's good you feel bad for not feeling good about it and for still feeling emotionally linked to the eczema, worrying that maybe the improvement may not last. I'm pretty sure eveyone on here has felt isolated when there's no-one around them that they can talk to about how they feel, and that others maybe think we're exaggerating about the effect it has on our physical and psychological health. We know better! If you want to chat on msn or e-mail me my e-mail address is todhead@hotmail.com.

Lizardwoman

By nevergiveup on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 01:04 am:

Hey Buster, so many of us know your story all too well. We;'ve been there, felt that. We've gone through the confusions, all the doctors,lotions, perscriptions, vitamins, and other well heeded advices. We are in this toghether. your college friends only understand as much as they are knowledged in. True friends understand the ups and downs of life., and walk through it with you.Personally, i have found the foods we eat have a major impact on how our bodies react. If you read previous posts on this site, you'll find most allergies of eczema are dairy, eggs, ice cream, milk, cheeses, wheat and gluten products, additives, preservatives, soy, the list is very very long. But never give up. Eat natural. Start with chicken, rice, potatoes, your favorite vegies (not corn though)and check your labels on store bought foods. The more pure the ingredients the better. Careful in restaurants. You never know what they put in there foods. there also is Msg,a common allergin also, (check out MSGTRUTH.COM) for hidden sources in our food supply. You'd be surprised at what difference changing your eating habits can do. But never give up trying...read some of the postings on this site, old and new, then try some that you think pertains to you and that you can do. Make sure you drink more water!!!! this flushes out your impurities sooner. Theres so much to learn, but some of us older generations have been through it and we would really like to spare you the time, money, and confusion it takes to get to where you'd like to be.Feel free to email anyone of us. We'd be more than glad to help.

By BusterBiscuit on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 04:29 pm:

Heya.
I dont know if anyone can help me, but ive read soo many of your posts and some of the things you haev been through are like me... except my excezma has been clearing up, so i dont feel that i should be complaining. my excezma has been terrible since birth and is only now clearing up but im struggling soo much still with how it has effected me on the inside. I struggle through each day and my confidence is so low... its like ive sepnt all my life trying to get to this place but i still feel like i have the excezma everything i do in my life still seems haunted by it. i cant explain how i feel. but im struggling so much. i really need someone to understand? i turn 17 next week but nobody at college or around me understands....

By al on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 10:25 pm:

alright, just a quick message. since this topic is psychological effects and many people here are likely feeling psychological pain due to their difficulties id like to direct you to some stuff online that ive found -really- helpful. i encourage you all to take a quick look online for a man called ajahn brahm, hes got a number of videos on youtube aswell as an amazing 176! hours of podcasts on his podcast page.
ive been prescribing him to everyone i know (as some people know too well ) if your spirits are low give him a shot. hes got some EXCELLENT podcasts.

By chaz on Friday, August 29, 2008 - 05:14 pm:

Hey thanks for the replies. Al I've added you on msn, and cheers floss & lizardwoman.
At my last place of work, 2 people, on separate occassions, asked/noticed about my skin. This really made me feel more self-conscious than it had done before. It was evidence: you've tried to hide it/improve it, but hasn't really worked. I started to wear glasses just to try and cover up my eye area. I don't mind wearing them, but would rather not. If you see me in pics (mainly fb!), sometimes I look decent (normal, 'unaffacted'), and even get comments you look good etc, whcih gives me a boost, but then I feel a fraud, thinking 'wait till you see me on a bad day', and other pics I look awful..I know it's lighting, different environments etc, but still. I
Having read this forum, it really has opened my mind as to HOW much the ezcema has dictated my life, caused me to develop issues. Sometimes I wonder why on Earth people who are nornmally skinned, have problems talking to girls! I just think 'bloody hell, if I had clear skin like you, I would probably be so confident and extrovert it's untrue'.
The way I thought about it this week was...yes try to get more dates (one obstacle in itself), let them see you in good/bad skin days (see if they mention anything)...then if it starts to get serious/looking long-term, then mention it, but not make a big deal out of it, or make it sound like it's an issue, just do it casually.
Afterall, may men and women moisturise after a shower..that's all im doing with ung m. Yeh it takes me to get ready a bit longer (I cant just jump out of bed and out the house), but how different is that from so called 'metrosexuals'? Guess I'll have ti just explain some days I will look awful...but women are self conscious aswell, we all have good/bad days. Well, that is all my thinking, putting it into practice and believing it is another matter. I guess finding the right 'type' is important, that probably excludes the vain female type, heavily overloaded with make up and so concerned with their own looks, as it probably reflects what they want in a partner. Someone 'girl next door' type, down to earth, intellient, non judgemental, is what I want. At the same time, I have to, as mentioned, realise it's not about looks.. I would say Im interesting, intelligent with Masters in a health degree, sporty, into loads of things. And make the most of things I can change, dress well and Im into fashion and always get compliments about the stuff I wear, good hair and stuff like that. I guess I have inadevertantly adapted to maximise what I can and when i can. And understand that women arent always that shallow..they go with all types, some with attributes that society may deem unattractive...acne, too thin, too fat, receeding hair, etc, which gives me faith.
Sory, went into free fall rambling

By Floss on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 03:05 pm:

Chaz, I completely sympathise. I've had eczema since I was a teenager, and I'm 30 now.

You'd be surprised how many people will understand that you have a disease, and how many will be able to see past that and love you for you. It really is about accepting that you are who you are - it's a cliche because it's true.

If offered the chance, I would get rid of my excema tomorrow, but I am grateful for the lessons it's taught me, and I am me in part because of it.

There have been blokes who were put off by my skin, but how screwed up is that? That makes them awful people, it's not a reflection on me. Plenty of other people think I'm hot, or think I'm worth spending time with, and if they don't because of my skin, then they've got a much bigger problem than me.

As for when and how to broach it with potential girlfriends, let that be dictated by circumstance. Just don't try to hide it. It is a part of who you are, and isn't something to be ashamed of. It's a pain in the arse, and if the girls you like can't see that and sympathise, then they're not worth being with. Having a sense of humour about it, although sometimes impossible, also helps.

My husband was a friend of a friend, so he knew me a little bit before we started dating. I'd just be honest with him if I hadn't slept very well, or if I had a flare. He knew I couldn't go swimming or eat certain things.

He had a sense of humour about it too. I remember one of the first nights we spent together when I had a really bad flare on my face and couldn't help scratching. He was sympathetic, but then said "I think you may have miscalculated the erotic effect of scratching your face off." I laughed, and that took the tension out of the situation.

We both still struggle with it - sharing a bed with an itchy me is not easy - but we talk about it and deal with it as it comes. Plus, stroking his back instead of scratching my face off really calms me down, and he obviously loves it.

I hope this helps a little bit. I promise that there are people out there who will love you for you, both friends and lovers. I also know you have to love you first.

By lizardwoman on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 02:37 pm:

Dear Al and Chaz,
I too have had eczema since I was a baby, along with quite severe but well-controlled asthma and a variety of bizarre allergies. I'm now 25. I've been to various dermatologists, herbalists, homeopaths etc, nothing really makes any difference (except acupuncture and steroids). I used protopic for about 6 months until I got a skin infection, back to steroids. I tried the protopic again to see if it would still work and it made me realise just how itchy it had been making me and explained why I hadn't had a proper night's sleep in months. My only other option is azathioprine. To look at me right now you might not suspect that there's anything wrong with me, largely due to using Elocon daily on my body and protopic on my face. I have also spent a small fortune on all the other creams and potions I could get my hands on. Now, I may be wrong about this but, being a woman I think society expects me to look perfect all the time and that people would probably suspect some kind of hygiene issue or that I'm not looking after myself if they saw me on a bad day. I've had comments from people in the street, the worst being 'euw, I wonder what happened to her?'. I have been with my current boyfriend for nearly 3 months (the last one was an insensitive turd, complaining about 'smearing noises' while I applied moisturisers at night and suggesting that healthy eating and exercise would cure me, what a joke!), I sometimes wonder if he (current bf) would have fancied me had he seen me with a bad flare-up and the shyness, insecurity and paranoia that go with it. I like to think that he would have been able to see beyond my skin and that he also accepts me as I am and appreciates the fact that I'm mentally stronger than most (probably all) of the people he knows, I know I'm also intelligent (just finishing a masters in molecular neuroscience that has taken me 2 years rather than one due to my skin going crazy) and I'm not one of the vacuous bimbos who likes to talk about shopping and red wine. In short, however ugly I look or feel I know I have value and I've learnt not to compare myself to others who know nothing of the suffering i've been through to get to where I am now. I know that once people know how to treat eczema sufferers and they know not to be afraid of it, they see beyond it. I've had many people ask me in a non-threatening way what's wrong with my skin and their fear and questioning turns to sympathy, not as good as acceptance but it's a start. My point is that there are women out there who will see you not for your skin but for all the other things that make you who you are. Personally I wouldn't go out with anyone with eczema because i would be cursing any future children and because it would suck having to watch someone else go through what i go through. Not a day goes by when I don't think about my skin, what to put on it, if it's going to get worse, how I'll cope if there's no-one to look after me if it gets to the crippling stage again, whether I'll live beyond 50, if I'll have any skin left when i'm that age. I think my current man has already changed the way I feel about myself and I think it may have improved my skin a little, I'm pleasantly surprised and I know from experience that it's difficult to find someone who doesn't make you feel worse about looking freakish, even if they don't mean to.

If anyone wants a rant or to share stories please contact me at todhead@hotmail.com.

By al on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 11:25 pm:

chaz if you got the time id like to chat. click my name for my email. or include yours in a post. cheers.

By chaz on Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 11:08 pm:

Hey, don't want to reveal myself, but I'm from the UK and inmy mid-twenties. Had eczema since childhood, along with asthma and other allergies. Was very severe, saw a chinese herbalist when I was pre-teen, got creams and herbal tea (seemed to work). Eczema came back in teens (where I would scratch in the bath and blood would enter the bath), got bullied a bit at school. Had it on scalp, face, arms and legs. Saw a dermatologist as my GP was crap. He gave me various steriod/antibiotic creams and moisturisers, which helped towards recovery.

Things I've had; E45, unguentum m, diprobase, cetraben, cocois, betnovate, bentnovate rd, modrasone, betacap, betamousse, hydrocortisone, protopic, among others that I can't remember.

I'm allergic to nuts (peanuts, not nutters per se), eggs (thankfully ok in cakes, yum), fish. So I stay away. Have tried herbal clear skin compexion tablets from Boots...can;t say i noticed a change. Ditto evening primrose oil and omega-3 capsules.

My skin has improved (not as bad as some of the people here who have had depression, methotrexate, photo therapy), you have my sympathies, but as you can I see I've been through a lot and I'm just 25.

I managed to combine 'medical' products with 'grooming' products. This balance has helped, so I don;t go out looking 'ill', etc.
So, I use Unguentum m to moisturise my body before and after shower. Coconut oil on my scalp. Capasal shampoo. Betacap on my scalp once a week. Oc8 (oil free moisturiser) on my face before leaving. I use Avene gel cleanser (don't worry, it's soapless).

So...ung m, shower, ung m all over, avene on face, ung m on face, leave for few mins, gently rinse face with warm water, apply oc8 to upper face & forehead.

This is what I've been doing last few years. My eye area does sometimes look not good and Ive done that 'avoid eye contact' thing. I know it't not ideal, but I need to shower morning and then re-frsh myself with another in evening as my skin would just itch otherwise.

MY Q: my skin still fluctuates. I look decent/presentable half the week, where I look normal, but then it quickly deterioates for whatever reason and the cycle continues.
I had a problem with forming female relationships, but somehow went on a couple dates this year (my first ever). I just go though feeling of being inadequate/unworthy. I KNOW it's about acceptance/self love, but HOW MANY females understand this, how many are non judgemental and not narrow minded?

If I were to see a girl long term...when should I broach the issue? How should I broach the issue?

As said, it's not as bad as it used to be, but still go through bad patches EVERY WEEK...how would I explain this? I would I explan having to stick greasy skin on my body twoce a day, everyday, for the rest of my life, how would I explain this time consuming ritual that has dominated all our lives?

How can I be more self loving, less harsh on myself, and less insecure about potential girls judging and leaving me?

By al on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 09:25 pm:

eczema - psychological effects. well yeah i can say without a doubt it has had big time effects on me (as your about to find out). these days im all about hiding it, i can say that i know without a doubt that i am not myself cause of it. i avoid, i dodge, i hide myself away, i dont even try for any relationship, i live a lie, i hate others and myself and life feels like one big p1ss take - i feel impotent, there are people in my life who act all smug an superior round me, not knowing that theyre only outclassing me cause im hugely constrained by this fuking illness, jesus if i had normal skin id be levels above them sprinkling them liberally from above, and yet they bate me with their tedious sh1t oblivious to what this level of life feels like and yet i remain civil on the exterior.

what more can i vent, i know others out there are feeling some of these things, so bare with me, im allowed 1 vent every few years right? well im cashing in my annual rant.
(i think my last vent was something about how a coma would really help as id wake up with clear skin - an idea i still feel is quite inventive - that and the one about killing the skins nerve endings, hey presto no itch (botox anyone?) )

anyway yeah you know what still sticks in my fkin throat about this fking condition, a few years back i had a few clear weeks and long story short i ended up on a date with this stunning polish girl, went well but i knew from the get go that this wasnt to last that it would only at best be a shallow relationship until the inevitable oooh whats wrong with your skin (but maybe id at least get some azz), well guess what rears its fkin ugly head, theres a perverse pleasure in having a stunner call YOU for a second date that you know aint going ahead cause rejection is inevitable. pleasure aside theres also a right kick in the gonads knowing that you just passed up what most guys would lose their left one for. (so no, no azz) Its been quite some time since ive had my oats and im not but a flight from amsterdam. thats tolerance. thats frustration. thats a bone that would cut a diamond.
hmm anyway psychological effects - damn straight - when i found myself very seriously considering opening up my arm at one point (this co-incided with a brief spell of atheism cured by chopra - the one dr whos ever done me any good) i guess that counted as a psychological effect. 5 or 6, 1 hour calls to a college psychologist cause i didnt want to speak face to face resulted, unfortunately she said she wasnt insured to help over the phone - end of help.
another vent - i pick up the paper one day to see some expert giving his opinion from years of research that there is a possible link between antibiotics and asthma and possibly eczema ( both of which i have, asthma to a lesser extent), well guess what my mother tells me about my first incident of eczema when still a baby - "you were suffering from some very bad chest infection and the doctor at the local (sh1t hol3 inner city) hospital injected you with antibiotics, some weeks later we noticed a rash". then this same idea gets backed up by another private expert from another field (long story) who emails me to say yeast is the main problem, to cut sugars and starchy carbs, which seems to be going well enough. well if it turns out in 20 years time that they find the problem to be antibiotics ill be suing the state to high heaven and ill want a court order to that polish girl for services due.
and one last thing - haircuts - ive been waiting for at least 3 fking weeks to get my hair cut, im goin round like someone from starsky and hutch wearin this fking bouf haystack haircut cause i keep scratchin my neck at night. ffs.
vent over for now. its been emotional.

By Peter on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 01:15 pm:

I am going mad! I should have addressed my message to Helen E. Sorry!

By Peter on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 01:13 pm:

Kim, I was quite moved by your post about how eczema has affected your life. I feel rather impertinent making suggestions as my eczema did not cause me any problems until I retired from work, although I suspect I had previously had occasional minor instances. I am lucky because I have the freedom to keep it in check in my own way. I believe it is very true that beauty is skin deep and I am sure you have sometimes wondered how a couple could have possibly been attracted to each other in the first place. You need to love yourself first and try and build up you confidence. When you are alone get nude and get used to seeing your own body and look in the mirror-after a while you will realise that you are not so bad after all and appreciate your especially good points. Force yourself into taking up activities with other people- maybe a choir or rambling group or an evening class in a subject that interests you. Go to a clothes optional beach and you will quickly realise that you just merge in with the others: you might even find that the sun & air improves your skin. I have been a naturist for over 30 years and I must have seen thousands of people nude of all shapes and sizes: I have seen an elderly woman with a double mastectomy, a man with half a leg missing, severely handicapped young adults and yet I have never seen anybody I would consider repulsive. Above all keep a sense of humour and never,never apologise for something you have no control over. Peter

By Helen .E. on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 02:10 am:

Hi Kim

Wow! Thanks for your message it good to know that there are guys that can look past it.

Thank you.

By kim on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 10:45 pm:

HI HELEN E

yes you can find love i was married for 16 years and have 4 grown up sons.Not all men are ignorant and uncaring and im sure you will meet someone who can see past the skin and find the lovely person inside, good luck, love kim x

By kim on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 10:40 pm:

hi everyone iv been reading all your posts with interest.I have suffered from ecezma since i was 6 weeks old i am now 49. When i say suffered i really have iv had every type of cream, ointment wet wrap,steroids,antihistamines,antibiotics and every old wifes tales going.I had several stays in hospital over the years and nothing has ever really worked its just a matter of learning to live with it.When i was a child the side effects of using steroids were not that well known and my doctors prescibed lots of it for me, as a result i now have terribly thin and scarred skin on most of my body apart from the fact that i still have severe ecezma.My doctor has recently put me on a tablet called cimitridine it is an anti acid stomach drug but iv been told it might be helpful to stop the intense iching i still have (dont think iv ever slept all night in my life ).Im also using itch relief creams and all the usual moisturisers, nothing helps. Because of the stress i have been on anti depressants since my teens, i also suffer from asthma and hayfever and have just been diagnosed with rhumetoid arthritis.I still, at my age, want to rip my skin to bits when the itching starts and im 49 and should know better.I sympathise and understand what your children are going through so you do what you can to get through the night and day with this horrible condition,love kim x

By Helen .E. on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 12:22 am:

Hello everyone!
I've accidently found this site and i'm AMAZED! I thought I was the only one going through this. For some reson people don't really see that a skin dis order such as Eczema can affect your life in everyway.
I've had Eczema scince I was 13 and I'm now 24, I have it on 95% of my body and have patches on my right foot and face. I and realised that it has affected every decision, I have made in my life. I'am quite shy and have low confidence in my self, I'm also scared of getting to know new peolpe. Maybe because I'm scared that they will see my skin( i know this sounds stupid, but think badly of me).I have never had a boy friend due to this, and im scared that no one will see past the skin and see the person. I would like to know can you have a relationship with someone even though you have Eczema? Can you find love?

By cassie on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 04:45 am:

hi everyone. i have a 10 year old nephew who has a horrible case of eczema. he is such a blessing to everyone but he has such a low self-esteem. since there is no support group here we are starting one now. any ideas or suggestions would be welcome. we are doing it for the kids. my nephew told me that he was the only one in the world with eczema this bad. God will heal so keep praying.

By Sufferer!!! on Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 09:28 am:

Hey eczema, how did you cure your eczema? I'm covered with eczema my whole body. Only my feet and hands and most of my face are clear.

By Eczema on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 10:01 am:

No doubt eczema can cause really bad depression. It was all over my body and my face It was so bad that it affected my performance at work.

I had family problems as well because i could not control my depression. However, believe me...eczema is curable.

I cured mine about 1 year ago!!

By Andy on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 05:15 pm:

I wish they could find a cure. I suffer so bad from eczema especially in the summer when I'm working.

By spikeofspain77 on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 02:27 am:

My father-in-law, whose a psychiatrist and has pretty bad psoriasis (which in terms of affecting your quality of life is similar to eczema), has an interesting perspective. He said that you should treat your skin like your hobby - always something new to try and always something interesting and enjoy the changes rather than battle them. It's hard to keep your perspective when you are massively uncomfortably, look gross and the last thing you want to do is put on clothes and face the world. Plus you never really know when and where it's going to flare up - that lack of control especially if you are going to a big meeting or special event. It's horrid. Having great friends and family really help and doing nice things for yourself, so you feel rested and well do change your perspective. Literally a good night's sleep and a laugh and I will look in the mirror and think my eczema has improved when it really hasn't.

By toni on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 12:16 am:

Hi my name is toni. And I have been suffering from excema for about 3 years now. It sucks real bad. And I did not realize how much of an effect it had on my life till now. It's just on my hands and after reading ya'lls stories I don't fel so lonely and sorry for mysoef anymore. After al it's just on my hands right now, some of you guys have it al over. I have to wear gloves to wash dishes I have to wear gloves to take a shower or give my kids a bath. I really hate it and i look at other peoples hands and wish mine was clear. But I am just begining to know how to deal with it and I guess I have been depresed and stresed out. And after I took my new jobI met another lady that had it for years on her hands and feet.She has helped me see where my flare ups come from and that my stress level has alot to do with it. And as of right now I been dealing with alot of drama nd I am going to have to find to find the strengh to take care of it.With my mariage my roomate(my mom) my kids and everything else. I was really quite happy when i found this website. I think I am fixing to have another flare up I just got over one but my hands are starting to split again and hurt and i can't bend my fingers barely.But I will deal with it as it comes and take one day at a time. That is all I can do. And pray i have th emoney to go to the hospital on the 1st and maybe get some medicine to help comtrol it.

By Aml on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 04:48 pm:

Al, Carl and everyone.

I am so glad to find you! I have persistant eczema everywhere, and it such a pain in the arse. I cant wear makeup, i cant wear certain clothes, i cant go swimming and i have lost so much confidence over the last two and half years it is unbelievable. Once upin a time you could never shut me up, and now im quite shy. maybe it was a sign!
But, knowing that there are people who are suffering with this problem and understand the pain, the frustration and the depression makes it easier to cope.

i too have a marvellous fiance, he really deserves a medal for everything he does to make me feel better. We had only been together a couple of months when it started and i thought he'd leave, but we just got stronger. he didnt care one bit that i was covered in eczema. I really dont know where id be without him.

By Carl on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 02:23 pm:

Hi Al & Everyone,

It seems that in life generally there are so few of us that have eczema to the extent that you, myself and others on this site have.

I am 29 and during my school days up until 16 i received a lot of bullying etc due to my skin. I stayed on at school for sixth form and luckily those who tormented me left, this was when i really came out of myself and found true friends.

My skin flares up regularly and almost everyday i have to brush off dead skin on my face, i have in fact just completed a 6 month dose of cyclosporin, which helped initially.

I saw a acupuncturist/phscholigist lady for three years at great expense who, similar to what you describe only wanted to know current circumstances and not those that had caused such pain at the time.

I am a believer in what we have all been through has made us stronger, i qualified as an accountant at 24 and it was determination that got me through this. I emphasise with you entirely on the fact that i too have to meet clients etc and confidence is needed for this and not only do i have to win over the client with my relative youth but also my skin condition which they cleary notice.

What has helped me come to terms with my condition is that i have have been given this condition because i can deal with it, albeit only just. Im sure you know people that would not be able to deal with this at all. And that by having eczema this has made me the person i am today.

It is great to have found this site to chat with people going through the same problems.

Feel free to post and ill check back and reply.

Cheers

carl

By Al on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 08:09 pm:

My name is Al, I have been sufferring with eczema all over my body for the past 7 years. I know how everyone feels about the sleeplessness due to pain, and trying so hard to forget what you are going through only to be reminded by the rest of the world. I am very happy that I found this site. I feel like there ARE people that feel what Ifeel everyday.

One of the hardest things for me is working, I am an Insurance Agent that travels to peoples homes to sell them insurance. This skin condition can really affect your confidence, and confidence is something that a person needs allot of in sales.

I also thank God for my fiance, she has been by my side through it all.

By Terry on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 04:56 pm:

Hi Amy

I totally relate to your experience with your psychologist, I had a very similar experience when I went to a counsellor a few years ago.

I wanted to talk about the bullying and abuse I received as I was growing up but all she wanted to talk about were my present problems not my past. I don't think it takes a genius (or a trained counsellor!) to work out that the reason I was so lonely and shy and found it so difficult to talk to people was because of my past.

In the end I gave up going but I'm glad to say I'm a lot happier now. Yeah my eczema still gets me down now and again but on the whole I am a lot happier. I believe in emotional strength, if you have strength you can overcome anything and what gave me my strength? The determination to not let it control me anymore and learning to facing and overcome my problems, past and present. (and this site helped me a lot, see my messages under Our Stories 1).

We all have problems in life, its how you deal with your problems that makes you who you are. If you can overcome your problems you will be a stronger, better person for it.

PS Davinder, If you're still here, sorry I haven't been on for a long time but as you can tell I am happy now. Hope you and your family are happy too.

By misspiggy on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 10:40 pm:

Amy,

You are not alone. I feel exactly the same as you. I miss being able to use lovely bath products and make-up but I can't because of my eczema. It's a pain having to put on medical creams all the time and having to worry constantly about hiding the nasty areas from people. I'm always being told that I shouldn't care about what people think, but it's so hard when they stare at me as if I'm diseased or something, or worse, when they ask questions about it. I spend most of the day trying to forget I have eczema, and the other part trying to deal with it. At the moment my face is reacting very badly to the change in weather and I'm not coping too well. The longer it goes on, the less I can deal with it. I'm extremely lucky in that I have a very supportive boyfriend who was lucky enough to stand by me when my eczema started (I've only had it for a few years) but sometimes I feel like the only people who truly understand me are other sufferers. I wish it would go away because I'm sick of having to cover it up, and cover up how I really feel.

By amykins on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 09:33 pm:

Hey, I'm Amy and I'm 18 (maybe I should be over in the teenager's forum, but I feel more comfortable here, as I feel more of an adult than a teenager, but I won't go into that). Does anyone else get really depressed about their eczema? I see a psychologist already because of abuse in my past, but whenever I try to discuss how much my eczema depresses me, she seems to shun it off asthough it doesn't matter, often simply replying by saying that she cannot see it and I'm an attractive young lady. Well, thanks, but that doesn't change the fact that eczema upsets me so much. I hate having to apply diprobase four times a day allover my body, plus countless more times everytime I wash. I hate slathering on steroids twice a day, and popping pills twice a day also. I hate not being able to use normal shampoo or body products, so constantly smelling of baby products and too much perfume in an attempt to cover it up. I hate seeing the purple scars allover my body, that look like cigarette burns. And I hate the fact that every time I wear a strappy top it takes me an hour and costs me ridiculous amounts of money to cover the scars in camouflage make-up (which my bastard doctors refuse to pay for). I can never wear skirts because I simply can't afford the products to camouflage my legs. The memories of the bullying haunts me, and I hate how the very same lads from school who made fun of me are the ones who try to chat me up in bars now, blind to the hurt they caused me. I feel sick thinking of how whenever I removed an item of clothing, a layer of skin would go with it.
Is it too much to ask that my upset over eczema be taken just as seriously as my upset over my abuse?
Any response would be welcome.
Amy xx

By plasmagic on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 03:39 pm:

'Prebiotic' Reduces Risk Of Eczema In Infants
STEVEN REINBERG
c. 2006 HealthDay News
Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate

By Pam on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 03:00 pm:

Louise,

My body is also covered with eczema just last nightI was really suffering my eczema was very itchy and very flaky I didn't sleep at all. Eczema has really knocked my confidence and I'm fighting to gain it back I am so grateful to have caring and loving family/friends who give me support. When I have my down days I make sure its only one down day and that it doesn't continue to the next day because if it did I think I will sink into depression which I don't want so I try to keep positive and know and believe one day I will beat this horrible condition. Does any of your children suffer with eczema because I would love to have children but afraid they will have the same condition.

By LOUISE on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 08:46 pm:

Hello Everyone

My full body excema is slowly returning after a blissful 3 months of clear skin following UVB treatment. Those few months were wonderful I felt full of life energetic and happy for the first time in 5 years. I had excema as a baby but it had gone by the time I was four only to return when I was 36. It started as a small patch on my hand and spread to cover my whole body!! I allowed the excema to get me down and rule my life but I am now trying to look at the positives and keep from getting down as this makes it worse.I have a great husband and two small kids who are very patient and understanding, however it has been great to find this website as only people with excema can truly relate to my problems. I try not to use steroids, I follow a restricted diet, no fruit, dairy wheat gluten yeast alcohol. I bathe in bicarb. soda to ease itch and I exercise regularily I find this releases stress and has a positive effect on my mental state.

Take Care and be Happy

By President Puma on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 05:08 pm:

Hi there all you people hope your all happy and moisterising i have had eczema for 20 years most of it has died and gone but i still have it on my poor face and nice long legs but moisturising with emulsifying ointment and mild hydrocortisone keeps the eczema away i still go out and enjoy this colourful life but dont want a girlfriend because no one wants to be with people who have eczema i love women its just that i choose not to date them all my friends have got girlfriends they always on my case to find one but i dont want one there not nice people ive had some bullying girls poking fun at my face and giggling at me when im at college i pull faces back at them and tell them that beauty is in the eye of the beholder they just walk away i will never ever put up with these bullies they dont realise that i hurt so much inside they dont know what people like us go through emotionally and mentally.love ya all!

By joanne on Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 12:57 pm:

Hi lonely soul

l am sorry your eczema is still giving you trouble. l hope l can help by sharing with you what helps me.

l also have allergies, l am allergic to cats, dogs and nickel which all can make my skin bad if l don't avoid them. l am allergic to certain pollens which make my eyes and throat itchy and l developed a bad allergy to latex a few years ago which makes my mouth and throat swell up so l need to carry adrenalin with me at all times just incase the reactions become more serious, oh and l react to bananas too. lts hard sometimes keeping track of them all, l just hope l don't develope any more.

l keep my skin under control by using very mild soap powders for washing clothes, l have protectors on my mattress and pillows and an anti-allergy quilt. l use oilatum emollient in my bath water and l always wash with Emulsifying Ointment, l never use soap as it always dries my skin up no matter how mild its supposed to be.
If my skin does gets irritated l use hydrocortisone cream on dry areas and l use icthomol ointment on red open sores as it is good at drying them up and helping them heal.

luckily l am able to wear gloves all day at work which protects my hands as they are very sensitive. l have had to leave a few jobs as my hands always brake out in contact dermatitis. So now l wear cotton gloves and vinyl ones on top of them, it makes it a bit trickier for me to do my job but l have no choice. l think l mentioned that l recently got engaged which is great but l cant wear my ring just now as its upsetting my skin, l feel guilty about that as l picked a kind of expensive one(oops)

l have never tried immunosuppresants. l take antihistimines quite often for my various allergies but they dont always help.

Do you think it is possible that you are allergic to any thing else besides food?

l was 13 before l was diagnosed with a dust mite allergy which was crucial in aiding my recovery. lf it had been diagnosed when l was a baby l would have had a very different childhood and l would be a very different person today.

l am so glad l found this chatroom, its good to know everyone else understands what you've been through and what your going through.

Feel free to ask me anything, l will help if l can.

Take care.

By howlinghyena on Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 08:22 am:

Hello lonely soul,
How's your skin doing?

Ayurvedic is an indian herbal treatment.

Take care.

By lonely soul on Tuesday, October 03, 2006 - 04:53 am:

Hi HH,

glad to hear you are doing fine... What is ayurvedic treatment?

Take care thanks

By howlinghyena on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 06:24 pm:

I’m under ayurvedic treatment for the last 3 years. My itching has reduced a lot since the treatment. Last year i had bad E on my feet. Rest of my body is doing better. Scars are there mostly on my joints...knuckles, behind knees, etc. The E on my feet is taking a lot of time to get better as compared to other affected areas. Since last two weeks I have been using neem and that’s been helping the E on my feet to heal. I haven’t used steroids since 2001.

By lonely soul on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 05:58 pm:

hi hh,

How is your skin now??? What are you using to control it?

By howlinghyena on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 05:45 pm:

Hi lonely soul, i'm from india.

By lonely soul on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 04:16 pm:

hi howlinghyena,

which country you are from?

By lonely soul on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 12:56 pm:

i from china

By howlinghyena on Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 02:51 pm:

Hello lonely soul,

where are you from?

hh

By lonely soul on Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 12:15 pm:

HI Joanne,

My skin is bad now. .I have a couple of food allergies..hw abt yourself?? Is on azathioprine now..not sure whether the eczema would come back again after i stop taking..

How do you get rid of the eczema problem??

Did you take any immunosuppressant medicine??

Take care

By joanne on Saturday, September 30, 2006 - 09:29 pm:

hi lonely soul

My skin is quite good now, l just have some scaring from years of scratching and the use of strong ointments.

My boyfriend is quite understanding but he does not understand the psychological effects.

How is your skin? Do you have any allergies?

Take care

By lonely soul on Sunday, September 24, 2006 - 03:46 pm:

Hi Joanne,

So how your eczema now?? Which parts of your body are affected?

You are blessed to find a bf who does not mind about your skin problem..

Take care

By Joanne on Saturday, September 23, 2006 - 09:46 pm:

Hi Everyone

My name is Jo. I developed eczema when l was a few months old and had it very bad all the way through school. l am now 28 and my skin doesn't give me too much trouble as long as l am careful to avoid triggers (e.g house dust mites) My problems are more psychlogical now and interfering with my life regularly.

I have low self confidence and I always feel like people are staring at me, like they used to do when my skin was bad. I am engaged to be married but my boyfriend has no idea how deep my problems run.

My biggest problem is socialising. Tonight my boyfriend has gone to a party without me and I know he is angry l'm not with him but It takes so much effort for me to do these things and its so upsetting because l know its what most people enjoy.

At the moment l feel like the emotional effcts are going to ruin my life. I would love to enjoy other peoples company but unfortunately its usually a chore and rarely a pleasure.

I would love to hear from others who are feeling that they face their fears on a daily basis too(other people)

Thanks for listening.

By Nicole on Saturday, September 23, 2006 - 07:55 pm:

Hi lonely soul
I was born with eczema, Ill tell you a little bit about my eczema history my first memory of it is when i was about 8 and i had impetago on my ankle but it was just localised there, then when i was thirteen i remember kids at school thought i was stoned all the time because i had it on my eyes but there was no scars there at the time I also remember people would compliment me on having beautiful skin

Then when i moved out of home i remember it started to spread to my fingers,neck,elbows,arms and legs I remember having the prednisone injections to try and control my ezcema and used topical steriods on skin, I cant really remember when ezcema spread to my face which is strange because having it on my face is my biggest dislike and feel very self concious about, I havent worked for over a year and have a bad track record this is not what i imagined when i left school, I remember thinking about when i work and imagining being the person who finishes late and is always on the go, But now just pretty much stay at home and hardly leave the house

My skin is bad at the momment and i suppose people have those days when you have dark dooming thoughts, I have asked my dermatologist about support groups and its strange that in new zealand there arent any considering it is a growing disability

If i think about it too much i think that it is a soul distroying thing because it has stopped me doing things i would like to do or doing jobs i wanted to do, and covering up all the time even in summer i stuggle with wearing anything that shows my shoulders or legs or going to the beach in summer and feeling comfortable, even swimming sometimes hurts if the skin is bad and also when deciding what kind of career well i wanted to do things like hairdressing or beauticain or vet nurse but unable to do it because all these jobs involve chemicals, I did do a call centre course and loved it but my skin didnt i always walked around with my water bottle but my skin was so dry and one afternoon sitting in the cafeteria I had a samwhich but when i went to eat it my face was so dry my mouth would have split and i think that was from the air conditioning so i cant do office jobs either and eventually i dropped out of the course

I was gobbsmacked about the response i got from my dermatologist when i told her about it she said i should still go to my course just mince my food or drink through a straw just keep on going the other thing that i was supprised about is she said to me that the sun is good which i know it is but she suggested me to put on a bikini and sunbathe on the beach ( Now since i hardly leave the house i have started to put on weight so being scarred and fat and she tells me to wear a bikini, I almost gave it to her straight lol

Sorry about the long speil, I am 31 and havent worked for at least over a year although my skin had been ok well on the verge of crapping out because i have been a bit down and almost waiting for it to crap out, I am worried that if i get a job my skin will crap out and i will have to leave, My confidence is not good at the momment and my friends are sparce i need to get out more and i will but it will, Our summer is on its way soon which means my skin will get better and my mood will be better too, I have in the past taken vitamin b 12 which is good for stress and does seem to help my skin, I cant remember if i typed it but i have ezcema over most of my body as well and at the momment i am on antibiotics for skin infection and it is bad on my neck,back tummy and rough on my arms at the momment, And today i will get my perscription filled i feel in a better mood than yesterday which is good, Hope this helps
bye for now

By lonely soul on Saturday, September 23, 2006 - 04:44 pm:

Hi Nicole,

How old r you??

You r lucky to have such a caring bf who can apply cream for you..which parts of your body got eczema??

For me,I have severe eczema practically whole body..sigh..

Are you working now. For me, I cannot work now.

By Nicole on Saturday, September 23, 2006 - 07:20 am:

Hi My name is nicole and im feeling particularly low today, I have been feeling depressed for a while now and my skin is sore dry and itchy i have run out of creams i do have a perscription but cant be bothered getting it filled out today, and the house is a mess which is very unlike me

My skin has been ok, Untill a couple of days ago and slowly it is getting worse my back is dry, skin is becoming thicker and inflamed and it is like that on my shoulders luckily not over chest but it is itchy on the belly and skin on face is flakey,dry and itchy i have been doing the normal skin regieme of moisturising and using the lowest percentage hydrocortisone creme possible so my skin doesnt become immune to it

I have like a lot of people whose posts ive read have been hiding away for about 2years sometimes I live in a villa split into 3 and i live right next to a school with a low fence so i hate hanging out the washing or going to the mailbox when my skin is bad and hardly leave the house, I dont think being unemployed helps much with the self esteem either i feel guilty, The reason why i havent worked is because my skin was so bad i spent 6 wks a couple of years ago in hospital getting treatment for my skin, and also because i am very sensitive to stares wheither it is imagined or not

Gosh i fell like im in the poor mes but i do notice i feel better since i have started typing,Thank goodness for this site where we can come in and feel understood

I have been on antidepressants but it takes four weeks for the effects to happen and generally i want the change to happen sooner than later, I mite try that saint johns wort and maybe a few excercises and see how that work, Thanks for listening to my babble,Cheers Nicole

By Jana on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 05:08 pm:

Hello,

My eczema and allergic reactions started persisted while in the military, It got worse and worse after a long time of Outdoor Activities, Physical Training in the grass and sand, and miserable days in the hot sun with my military uniforms. I hated myself, cried every night and wished that somehow, someway I could love myself itching all over my body. I have a wonderful husband who adores me (although he does tell me to "stop itching") A basset hound with the doggie version of the disorder (no, I do not have allergies against dogs)and my new workplace is very understanding and respectful. I am very happy and awnser people's questions, even "publishing" a pamphlet that sits near my desk. Before I joined the military I did not have this and I was a professional photographer and journalist, now I feel like there are other avenues meant for me. I am starting my doctorate degree in the fall and look forward to my "alternate life" with Eczema meanwhile treating the depression. This has changed my life, but I am looking for the positive to better my life and what I need to do.

By morris9lives on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 04:43 am:

can crack cause exema?

By al on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 09:22 pm:

Hello all.
Im male and 25 y.o had eczema at mixed severity, good, bad, awful, since about 4 years old.
Found this site and think its great - i know how things can get lonely and bleak with this condition/illness and i too have been through alot of crap because of eczema. Best thing about these pages is a sense of community and understanding.
Ive found fitting in very difficult because of my eczema and do tend to keep very much to myself when it comes to socialising. sometimes i feel way down cause of the way things are.
i see from previous postings that many people in here are from cold windy countries like canada,scotland and england, i myself am from ireland and i find cold weather and wind really makes things even worse. Would'nt it be nice to live somewhere warm? - that always seemed to help me clear up my skin in the past.
Anyway i recently read "the eczema solution" by sue armstrong and found it quite encouraging - heres a coulple of links i found interesting also. Goodbye for now.


http://www.healthypages.net/news.asp?newsid=2209

By stella on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 12:18 pm:

hey lisa,

i've tried emulsifying ointment, it's really greasy though and so impractical! i'm using E45 at the moment for moisturising and hydrocortizone ointment at night on my face which is the worst bit.

though i did go to the GP today and he's gonna refer me to the dermatologist. I did loads of research and bombarded him with info of my 'possible' treatments! but the eczema's turned my arms all wrinkly, and it's called lichenification (gross!) but hopefully i'll be able to see the dermatologist about it!

but the only reason for it is because of my constant scratching of my arms, it's not just wrinkled, it's inflammed and alligator like (ew!)

but here's hoping! take care!
stella

By loopylisa2005 on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - 05:29 pm:

Hi Stella!

I'll definatley have to give the Olay a go then, cant at the moment though as going through a bad patch, which just sucks really!! When my excema is bad i mainly use steriod creams, ie hydrocortizone, betnovate, eumovate, elocon etc.I know you are nor meant to but their is nothing else that works!And it all depends on how bad it is. I use a lot of emulsifying ointment ( its like aqueous cream but thicker and nicer!) doesn't clear it up but helds too keep it moist!Sound so lovely doesn't it!I'm the same the only thing that really works for me is the steriod creams. I agree though i find my face is either really blotchy or its starting to get spots! You just really cant win can you!

I love using all the nice hand and face cream but its just not practical, sometimes i do though! only when its all really good and got no flare ups, its so nice to be able to talk to people that are going through the same thing as me! Don't feel so singled out!


Lisa

By stella on Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 09:47 pm:

hey Lisa,

yeah, the olay stuff makes the skin a little itchy, i only use it on a good skin day, never on a bad skin day, and when im talking good i mean like, no wounds whatsoever, just the weird little welts and scars it leaves. it makes it a little itchy... go to Boots, they have samples out and do a small test patch on the back of your hand. it's a bit catch 22, it's kinda like....wrinkled furrowed itchy forehead vs. softer less wrinkled but itchy forehead! argh!

i've had eczema since i was born, i've tried loads of stuff, but the only thing that's worked consistently is the steroid creams

though i think im developing rosecea on my face, i use hydrocortizone every night on my face...which is not good but it's the only thing that works, otherwise it weeps, bleeds and pus and just becomes nightmare before elmstreet-ish, so im taking my chances with the rosecea, i figured a slightly red face is better than an oozey one?! (what a choice!) the steroids actually make my face look normal, like smooth skin etc on my face, but as soon as i stop using the seroids...it goes red, bumpy and then i know the eczema's coming through and then the next day it's flaking and weeping etc...but if i use the hydrocortizone every night....i have 'normal' skin...so those are my options! i'd love to find something that's not steroid based but anyway!

what are you using at the moment for your face?

i used to refuse to use steroids when i was in college, but i was so unhappy, it just wasnt worth it, ...and now i'm kinda dependant on them! (god how much does life suck?!) honest to god, sometimes, i just wonder what did we ever do?!

but hey, we've got this site, it's kinda cool how we can all talk and relate!

By Lisa2006 on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 05:03 pm:

Hi Stella,

I haven't tried olay's regenerist, Does it not aggrivate your skin? I would have thought it would?I'll give it a try though!Try anything once!
Have u suffered for ezcema for a long time then? What creams do you use when it is bad?

Lisa

By mike on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 02:06 pm:

hi everyone

i heave suffered with eczema since i was five and am know 36.i have had it from head to toe since i was young. i have been through most emotions about my eczema-: anger at kids that used to call me captain scabalot, flaky and several other unpublishable names, i broke one lads big toe once with a golf club when he called me a scabby b*****d, half an hour later i saw him and his dad on the way to the hospital, his dad ask me to stop bully him, i said i will if he stops calling me a scabby b******d, his dad went red. depression ,when girls saw my eczema, happy when it was clear for a few weeks while i was on predasilin (steriod tablets). i get sick to death of the daily routine of creams. i used hate people telling me not to scratch. i have most people are alright about eczema, but still don't understand how bad it feels. i still feel badly depressed sometimes, sometimes i sit in my living room late at night when i can't sleep and just cry, of course this kind of stress is not good for your skin, but it is a vicious circle, if your eczema gets bad you worry about it and of course this will make it worse. i found certain ways of relaxing from healers and have even tried canabis to see if this helped which it did help me sleep, but only tried it for a week when my eczema was putting me through hell. i would pay anything to be able to have a two week holiday from the symptoms and routinues of eczema. my work and family get me through my bad patches. Even though it is hard to talk them about it because they don't understand. i don't think the illness is taken seriously because it is not a life threatening illness.

By stella on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 09:44 pm:

hey lisa2006,

i'd say welcome, but i only just discovered this site like a week ago!

ive tried loads of stuff for my hands! i dont think steroids will do anything for the wrinkles themselves...if im having a 'good skin' and there's no open wounds etc i use olay's regenerist (it's like some anti-aging serum) it makes them softer and the wrinkles dont look so dry desert like....but other than that, i've not really found a soloution! they're still as wrinkly as ever. i just wear long sleeves....constantly!

By Lisa2006 on Monday, January 09, 2006 - 07:59 pm:

Hi Guys,

Wow! I'm not alone!It is so comforting to read other peoples trouble with eczema. I'm 21 and have had eczema since i was born, during the last year it has got substantually worse to the point my hands are bleeding and weeping and my face is so red and inflamed it is embarrassing to leave the house. I got it really badly on my face during the Xmas period,where my lips where inflamed and pusey(nice i know!) all above my upper lip, round my bottom lip and in big blotches covering both my cheeks.Between my eyebrows and in patches over my forehead,pretty much my whole face,the pain was unbelievable i couldnt smile beacuse every time i did my lips cracked and started to weep.Its not the best time of year to spend out in public beacuse people just stare and ask you if your ill!or if you've burnt your face!I'd prefer people to just talk to me normally not as if im a freak.I try not to let it get the better of me but sometimes its impossible not to,I have trouble doing my job as i feel useless when its bad.I have days where i dont want to leave the house but feel i have too, then i have days where i dont care what people think of me!
On a good day hands look permanantly wrinkly like and old woman!I've tried so many different ways/creams to help it but when it is so bad i feel at a loss,any one got any ideas?!
I'm off to Australia soon for a year so I'm hoping for the miracle cure......There is some hope!!

By stella on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 01:12 am:

guys,

i've never posted a message on here, i've never even really looked up 'eczema' on the net, partly because it's something i choose to hide and partly because i had no idea that there was this whole community! i've spent the last hour just reading! and i have to say, it's a really good site, and there are some really nice people out there! it's so annoying that we get judged by how we look as opposed to what we can contribute!

i've had ezcema since birth, couldn't even spell the damn thing at school until my teens when it spread to my face (real confidence boost!) so i grew my hair long to cover my face, luckily that's under control now. But like Emma my arms and hands are all wrinkly like an old woman's. It's just horrible. Summer, long sleeved tops, trousers, refusing to swim in the sea.

It's just horrible. I don't know what made me suddenly look it up, probably because it's the new year, i'm hoping for a new beginning! (miracle if you will!)

and actually a nice love interest would be good!

although my face is ok now and getting dates isnt a problem, i worry about taking it further, i know that seems kinda...petty and small...to be worrying about stuff like that....but it's the one thing that i really worry about.

up until then i'm just the girl whose amusing and to all intent purposes i'm pretty, but that's because he's not seen my hands, my arms, my legs....which are all wrinkly, scaly and horrid. the thought of letting him touch me makes me cringe, just thinking of his reaction to me is enough for me to want to call off the date in the first place...and i guess in saying that, that's kinda why i'm here talking to you guys today! argh!

i've tried steroids, injections, chinese herbal remedies, diets....nothing seems to work.

but it's nice to know that there is a community of people out here. anyone who feels as insecure as i do, it'd be so great to hear from you!

By Annie on Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 09:52 pm:

Hi I'm new to this website and I think it's great.
I'm 20 and had eczema all my live but over last year and a half it's got really bad. It looks and feels like I've been burned. Doctor's are no help and I'm back and forth every month. They've put me on steroids, antibiotics, antihistomins the lot. I've Had patch tests and have a minor reaction to coboltcloride wich is in everything. I'VE changed my job due to doctors say so, keep being signed off work because of the pain and percriptions are costing a bomb. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated all else seems to be failing. x

By Anon on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 - 10:17 am:

Hello fellow sufferers! Lived with eczema since I was 12 (now 25). Tried a lot of ointments etc. Some work well for a while but none have completely eradicated the problem...
Don't particularly like Summer. Not nice walking around all covered up when you're stifling hot!! I've noticed tomato's and oranges tend to start flare-ups for me so I stare clear of them..
I am really loving this site! Well done and keep up the good work.

By Emma on Wednesday, December 07, 2005 - 01:30 pm:

Oh - My - God!!!!! I think I have experienced something that could be called an "epiphany"!!!!!!!! I am a 27 and have battled on a daily basis with my severe eczema my whole life. I have only recently got the internet in my home and finding this website is like finding a hidden group of people who exist all over the world, scratching away in private, JUST LIKE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Incredible. Well, the main thing I would like to ask anyone out there is about premature ageing - I am only 27 but my skin all over my body is starting to wrinkle up like a 40 or 50 year old woman's! Since I was a baby I have had wrinkly hands (weirdly this seems to be the case with a lot of babies / children), but I am very concerned because in the last year or so I have noticed the rest of my body starting to crease, like my skin is very thin like an old person's. Is this becasue of the eczema or because of the creams I have used all my life? Please write back if you have any similar experiences!! My arms are the worst, thay look like an old woman's, and I never wear short sleeves any more which I find really depressing.
As for the psycological s**t that goes with this dreaded disease, I battle to be a confident and happy person on a daily basis. Like someone else said, I shut myself away in rooms so I can scratch, then think I am a complete weirdo. Luckily I have a wonderful boyfriend who knows a certain amount about my skin problems, but even though I have been with him for five years, I still have to hide myself from him fairly often (not easy!), which makes our sex life quite difficult. I have always found it incredibly difficult to just let go, as I have to stop him from kissing certain parts of me because my skin's just so damned itchy! How unfair is life!!!!!!!!!! But hey, at least I have him, I used to think when I was a little girl that no-one would ever want me. So to all you lovely itchy people out there, try and stay positive, find pleasures in life where you can, and e-mail me if you want!!!

By Pam on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 02:07 pm:

Hi John i know what its like with eczema dont hide enjoy your hobbies interests go out enjoy what you got in life i understand how you feel it can be difficult at times but i know you can carry on with life dont bother with people who judge you by appearance they are very ignorant just be yourself you have potential to go further in your life. Emy you have got great friends its fantastic when friends stand by you no matter what problem you have its great to have a network of people who understand and support you as for your fiance communicate with him make him aware about your condition if he loves you for who you are and accepts you as a beautiful person not because of your eczema then thats a big bonus if not then thats sad. sharon have you tried changing your diet? enjoy your hobbiess and interests that can distract you from your eczema problem i really hope you recover soon keep smiling i know it can be frustrating enjoy life with family close friends take care John Emy Sharon wish you all the best.Pam

By emy on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 02:18 am:

hi john, pam and sharon

thanks for replying back i do appreciate that. you know i used to think that i can beat any adversity that life throws at me until i came face to face with eczema. i knew then what my weaknesses were. John you are right in saying that one way of dealing with this disease is to be open about it and not hide away. that is what i did (and still am doing) i try to hide from the world mainly due to embarassment and perhaps guilt too. i felt like i was victimised and therefore retreated from the world which i think now made things worse because i worried about what ppl will think and how they will see me. some days i am quite open about it and in fact i do remember going away with my girlfriends to a trip out of town whilst covered in itchy sore rashes. then i was very brave in showing it but now for some reason i have become very conscious of it and will try to hide it away. hopefully with the help of my psychologist i will conquer it.


sharon my fiance did know about my condition before he proposed but i think he was not prepared for the other symptoms of eczema (like depressed moods, negative thinking, reluctance to join a party because of rashes etc..). i also think that he jumped into wanting to get married without deeper consideration. i was very depressed and distressed during that horrible period of my life i can't believe that put up with such crap. but having said that even though he didn't want to marry me anymore we are still friends and i still see him regularly as a friend. he is now more understanding of my condition and has offered many times to help with my eczema, even surf the net for treatments. i figured it's no use for me to get angry and upset about the break up forever, best to let it go, forgive him and start again for my sanity's sake.

right now because i am on cyclosporin my eczema is under control and much better than before however i cannot be on that drug long term and so i am looking for alternatives now to help me.

yes it would be nice to keep in touch with other fellow sufferers out there to help me keep things in perspective and learn about other treatments and advice and to also give each other support and a shoulder to lean on when times are tough.

if you are interested you can contact me on: krusty7125@optusnet.com.au

if you're wondering "krusty" refers to krusty the clown from the simpsons (my fave cartoon character) and not to the crusty eczema i sometimes get hehehe :-)

take care all

By John on Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 05:54 pm:

Dear all, especially emmy, sharon and pam.

I'm sorry to hear all of your stories. The world can be a cruel, cruel place. So many people judge by appearance, be it right or wrong. I suffered from eczema from birth until i was 21, i'm now 22 and its cleared up. I'm actually the chap who signed the previous posting "Anon" on the 5th November.

Life can be very tough, especially if you suffer- but can still be enjoyable. There may be no way we can really improve our physical health (although i know none of us will stop trying!), but there are steps we can take to improve our mental health. To build higher self esteem, and confidence. One of these is talking to being open about our condition and talking to people rather than hiding away.

I used to post on this site reguarly, a few months ago. For some reason though i stopped as i found even writing things down on the internet to difficult. I feel i have come on a long way though and would love to become more involved. I believe discussing things with others is a great step to overcoming psychological problems. I'd love it if someone could email me

take care all
John

By sharon on Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 10:22 am:

Hi everybody,

I have been suffering from eczema for several years already. It has definitely affected my life tremendously, be it in my work, relationship and so forth. I am female, 30 yaers old.. anyone wan to chat and exchange ideas and view on eczema, do feel free to email me..I look forward to having friends who can understand how we eczema sufferers feel.

Sharon

By Sharon on Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 04:11 am:

Hi Emy,

How ur eczema now?? I am suffering from severe eczema now and i not been working for a long time already because of this. Feel very useless at times.. Can we be friends and chat? I female, 30 years old. Do you mean ur finance call off the engagement because of the eczema? Isn't he aware of your condition before he propose to you? How long have you been with him?

Take care.
Sharon

By Pam on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 04:47 pm:

Hi everyone i have had eczema for 17 years i understand how much psychological impact eczema can have on your life especially the social life where you want to meet new people and date this can cause alot of stress feelings of hopelessness and isolation i too find it difficult to date and meet other people because of my condition especially my face i have scarring on my face its not that bad but i do get looked at differently despite that i still go out with my close angel friends i think if you have a group with people who have eczema we can share our feelings joys and sorrows people like us need to carry on with life and not bother with people who do not understand this eczema problem got one message for you beautiful people out there life is a book we all read it,love is a blessing we all need it,always be happy,always have a smile,remember in this world we are only here for a while.Pam x

By emy on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 11:11 am:

hi all,

i have suffered eczema know for over 20 years and i now for a fact that it is the cause of my psychological problem. many years ago my eczema was pretty much under control with flares localised on my hands and tummy but now it has spread throughout my whole body and scalp. i don't know what made it worse but before it happened i was a very confident, attractive, happy young woman in her 20's and now i am a very depressed and very conscious 34 year old. i have tried many creams, ointments, lotions and changed some aspects of my life for eczema. the flare ups were extreme during my predinisone days which helped me very short term but the side effects were horrible. during that time i was in a relationship with a man who proposed marriage to me and i accepted. inside i was happy and hoping that my new partner will be very understanding but turns out that he didn't and he couldn't marry me anymore so the engagement was cancelled. i was in so much distress then not only due to the break up but by that time my eczema had gotten to its worse stage ever - red raw patches on thighs, my hand were covered with painful rashes it looked like lizard skin and my face was just red, pimply, itchy and flaky. i have pics of my face then and i still cannot bare to look at them now. i purposely isolated myslef from my friends and family, turning down invites to social gatherings and that when my self esteem took a nose dive. each time i look at old pics of myself i couldn't believe how happy and healthy i looked then compared to now - i have aged considerably and gained weight (also due to that dreaded prednisone) too. eczema did affect me psychologically and my relationships too - now i feel very awkward with men and i can't flirt anymore because i have become so conscious of my face and of course not many men out there will want to go out with a girl who has terrible skin. eczema is a terrible disease, like a monster wanting to eat me up. but we all must find courage within ourselves to fight this horrible disease and not to give up fighting.

By anon on Saturday, November 05, 2005 - 02:40 pm:

Folks,

I'm a 22 year old man. Up until a year and a half ago i suffered from severe eczema, blood all over the sheets in the morning, stained shirts etc. Since then my eczema has cleared up, with no special drugs or medicine. All i use is moderate steroids, emollients, soap subsititues and avoid irratants (ie pretty much any high street brand of toiletry).

Well, there it is. Doctors dont really know why it cleared up, just happened. So it can happen. No matter how dark it gets theres always light at the end of the tunnel.

I could right an essay on the pyschological effects, but i'll say one thing- i used to drink stupid amounts to try to forget what i looked like. Don't lie to yourself about the reasons for your drinking.

Good luck to all

By PEG on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 05:30 pm:

Eczema has just became my worst nigthmare. Every morning when i wake I jst want to die. I have bags under my eyes from scratching all night long. But now it is getting better and I am trying my best to deal with it.

By ruth on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 02:54 pm:

ROCK ON BIG RED!!!

By Big Red on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 07:59 am:

I'm lucky enough to have never suffered through the itching and scratching associated with eczema, but the redness in my face has always been quite severe since I first started having problems a few yeas ago. I've never found anything that really stopped my Super Santa look, only slightly modified it. I've obviously been affected psychologically. I live and work in Hollywood in the film biz, which is notorious for its shallow minions. You would be shocked by some of the downright obnoxious things I've heard from some clowns on set. I consider myself a fairly attractive man, and before this affliction I usually had a girl in my life. Since, my dating has suffered, though I figure the change I had mentally factored in as much if not more than the physical.

That said, the long and the short of it is this. I might look like a polished tomato on a bad day, and I constantly find myslf surrounded by truly beautiful people that remind me of my flaws, but I hold myself high and roll with the punches. I perform onstage in a band as a vocalist, and I rock the #@@*$* out, and ten minutes in not one person in there is thinking about my eczema. Though many people are shallow and judge you or can't get past your appearance, most are quite decent if you approach them with confidence. A snide remark or glare is nothing when met with confident calm eye contact. I don't feel inferior, in may ways I feel even stronger when my eczema is flaring and I retain my confidence. (This is a jumbled declaration, excuse me if it has little form. ) I notice most people that make remarks are often intimidated by me and are simply perfoming a weak minded attempt at getting one up on me. PLEASE, don't let this disease ruin your life. I'm dry , red, flaky, and generally happy.

By High? on Tuesday, October 04, 2005 - 04:43 pm:

I saw a very interesting post earlier on this page about people who abuse booze/pills/drugs etc because of excema. I want to ask a question:
Do you guys have any history of substance abuse in your family? I only ask as I have excema and have noticed under times of stress that the urge to scratch and thereby get that scratch "high" is so unstoppable at times that if you substituted the word "heroin" for "scratching" the descriptions of my behaviour would make perfect sense. I sneak off to toilets or lock myself away or look for any chance for what can only be described as a "fix" really. The thing is, I do have a family history of addiction and I know addiction is genetic and I certainly DO have a predisposition towards addictive behaviour and subsatnce abuse that I watch carefully.
Yet the thing is, I am easily able to control all the other things, except the F^%#ing scratching! It honestly blows my mind and I feel unable to stop it! If I could choose it to just vanish I would,and I hate it but I can't imagine living without it to tell the truth.
You?

By heather on Thursday, September 29, 2005 - 01:01 am:

hello

isnt exzema the most annoying thing. it just iches and iches and you want so so much to stop iching so it will heal...but you cant stop scratching. my advice is try to stop, run it under cold water and if you are a night sufferer like me take anti histimenes or sleeping tablets and you need to concentrate on something else and imagine how lovely your skin will look when it clears up.... and it will

i have been having staphyloccal infection after staphyloccal infection, anti biotics after anti biotics and my legs are hidious. the infections have made me extreamly physically ill and i was wondering if anyone else suffers from these infections and becomes ill with them too?

exzema does make you feel terribly unattractive, (expecially when your a twenty year old woman) and it makes you feel responsible for the way your skin is and its easy to get pulled down in that depressive rut of not careing. im having a rough time with it at the moment But fellow sufferers, there is always hope and new remedies and things to try and i know its so crap having exzema but it will go with hard work and if i can help anyone or if anyone would like to chat to me i would be so grateful to have people that can relate. thanks

By lydia on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 01:13 pm:

I was on MTX for about 2 months. Didn't do anything for my eczema and my derm decided to stop me from it because of the side effects I keep getting. I was nauseatic and very tired most of the time. Had bad sore throat and my menstrual cycle went haywire. It was a bad experience. Anyway, what works for one might not work for another and vice versa. Everybody's different. Give it a try, might help you. Do remember to take folic acid on the days you are not on MTX.

I was on prednisolone as well... helped for short while only but I weaned off pretty well so didn't have a bad re-bound. My derm was discussing Ciclocporin or UV therapy with me. I decided I would have none of those because of what I went through with MTX, knowing well that they all have their own short and long term side effects. Besides, all these systemics etc will only keep things at bay temporary and I'll just be anticipating when it'll next flare-up once I stop the medications. I'm now on the alternative route, doing the TCM. Hope it'll help.

I've heard of the 7-year cycle thing for eczema... namely, it'll go off for 7 years and then flare-up again etc. Never happened to me, though. Emotional stress, lack of sleep and heat/sun are my biggest triggers.

By not itchy anymore on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 03:59 am:

I too, was born with eczema and it became severe when I was in my teenage years and progessively worsen in my 20s. I was living in Australia and the terrible dry weather made my skin worst. I was on cyclosporin on and off, and it was working for me initially. Then the dose had to be increase to control the flare. For a while, my doc. recommanded me to use tacrolimus with oral Cyclosporin.

Now I live in a humid country, and my eczema seems to be disappearing, apart for applying mild steroid cream then and now, my eczema is under control. The doctor here thinks my skin will even be better, if I live away from what made me allergic for three years. For all those years, I still don't know what had made the skin flare up, because I did all the allergy test and blood tests, and it just showed me to be a very sensitive gal. But now, changed the environment everything has changed as well.

just want to share my little story with eczema...

By Mikey27 on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 12:13 pm:

Hello fellow sufferers,

I'm a 27 year old male and I was born with severe eczema which dissappeared completely on it's own when I was 19. It returned with avengence for no reason 2 years ago and has been just as severe. I was taking Prednisone for 8 months (25mgs per day) but had to come off it due to the side effects. I have now been taking Cyclosporin in combination with phototherapy for 1 and a half years. Cyclo worked well for me at first, clearing up my eczema within weeks. I am now on the maximum dose a eczema suffer can take and it has simply stopped working. My eczema came back even while on high doses of cyclo. My dermatologist is going to start me on Methotrexate which I am not looking forward to due to the potency of the drug and the serious side effects it can induce. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this drug that can let me know what to expect and if anyone has a similar story to mine and has any ideas about what might trigger a relapse in people who`s eczema had cleared up for some time. I'd also like to offer my sypathies and compassion for other sufferers, this disease can really play with your mind if you let it...but don't let it win. I got over it and I can get over it again. We all can.

By Rob on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 05:46 am:

HI HAYS.. ive had everyone tellin me to stop scratchint too.. but people have got to understand that scratching is not the problem.. its the itch.. are these ppl stupid!! i started to feel really guilty about scratchin recently because of my gran and ive found that made ecxzema 10 times worse.. we gotta accept the itch and the scratch dont feel bad.. skin heals every time.. i just try an stop before i do excessive damage and thats all that can be expected of us.. take care..

By ROB on Sunday, August 14, 2005 - 05:43 am:

HI aloyicia .. i TOO HAVE ECZEMA ALL OVER MY BODY.. ON HANDS, FACE LEGS, THIGHS, ARMS AND BUM CHEEKS.. THIS FLARE UP WAS BROUGHT ON BY STREROIDS AS THEY ONLY SUPPRESS THE ECZEMA AND IT EITHER COMES OUT SOMEWHERE ELSE OR COMES BACK 10 TIMES WORSE.. IM SO DRY AT THE MOMENT, USING EMULSIFYING OINTMENT WHICH I DFIND IS THE ONLY THING GREASY ENOUGH TO SATISFY THE DRYNESS OF MY SKIN ALTHOUGH IT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE ITS THE LESSER OF TWO EVELS! I FIND I HAVE TO BATHE AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 4 HOURS TO WASH AND PUT A FRESH LAYER ON AS IT DOS NEED TO COME OFF.. IM CURRENTLY UNDERGOIN G ACOURSE OF HOMEOPATHY WHICH SEEMS TO BE DOING ME MORE GOOD THAN NORMAL DOCTORS EVER HAVE BUT ITS A SLOW PROCESS.. I'D RECOMMEND FINDING A GOOD HOMEOPATH AS THEY HAVE GOOD SUCCES RATE BUT YOU NEED A GOOD ONE!! ..ABOUT THE HAVING TO GET THE DRY SKIN OFF. I;VE FELT EXACTLY THE SAME.. IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE TOO AND TOO SOME POINT I THINK SCRATCHING IS A NATURAL FUNCTION WHICH DOES STIMULATE THE SKIN TO HEAL.. THE ONLY PROBLEM BEING WE ECZEMA SUFFERERS TEND TO ITCH TO MUCH AND DAMAGE THE SKIN.. ITS THE NATURE OF OUR DISEASE.. ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES CAN BE FRUSTRATING AS IT FEELS LIKE I DAMAGING MYSELF! ..THAT FEELING OF 'HAVING TO GET THE SKIN OFF' MY BE HELPED BY WHAT I BEGAN USING 2 MONTHS AGO.. BACH FLOWER REMEDIES.. THEY SOUND LIKE A REAL 'HIPPY' REMEDY BUT I PROMISE YOU THEY ARE SO EFFECTIVE.. I WAS SKEPTICAL AT FIRST.. BUT I RECOMEND LOOKING INTO IT.. THE REMEDY FOR THE FEELING OF GETTING SKIN OFF WOULD BE CRAB APPLE.. BUT ITS BEST IF YOU LOOK INTO IT AS UP TO 7 REMEDIES CAN BE USES AT ONCE WITHOUT FEAR OF NEGATIVE EFFECTS.. IF ITS THE WRONG ONE, NO SIDE EFFECTS.. HOPE I'VE HELPED.. IVE BEEN SO BAD IVE NOT LEFT HOUSE FOR 2 MONTHS AND THESE REMEDIES HAVE REALLY HELPED.. BACH FLOWER EMEDIES TO HELP THE MIND AND HOMEPATHY AS A LONG TERM CURE.. GOOD LUCK

By Vic on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 03:52 am:

aloyicia,

I totally know what you mean about emollients making you more itchy! This happens to me as well, and always has done. For my eczema I use a very light cream and that is less itchy - I use Aveeno. I don't use any oils in the bath because it makes me want to scrape my skin off! I think it is trial and error with different creams. I find I can't use ointments, they make me itchy, so my steroids are cream based. My son has all ointments and very sticky oils and emollients. Eczema affects everyone differently, even when we share genes!

By aloyicia on Sunday, August 07, 2005 - 09:46 pm:

Hi,

I have eczema all over, but what makes me most uncomfortable is that it is on my hands and face (the parts that everyone sees.) I am a very quiet person, so I have no friends, but I can not help but think that if I had good skin I might feel a little better about myself.

It also does not help when people tell me that I have eczema because I do not use medication. It is not a cure. I have found that just when I think it is getting better, it can become worse than ever.

My skin can have thick flakes which I find that once I put emollient on my skin, it starts to itch and I have to scratch it off otherwise it will never stop itching. Has anyone experienced this? It is like I have to scratch all of the thick layer of dead skin off to "make that area clean".

I try to deal as best I can. Sometimes I feel alone, but your posts make me realize I am not.

Take care everyone

By Taw on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 01:07 pm:

and once we can accept this ourselves then we are in a better position to become happy. Much love to all.x

By rob on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 02:44 am:

HAYS.. hey! try some aloe vera gel 99.9% ..perfectly natural no side effect.. really cools and soothes.. but obviously no miracle itch stopper.. does help though.. im 22 and suffered al my life.. found that this stuff is most help for itch.. i got it on my face and also find stickin head in freezer helps very temporarily! ..hmmm eccentric or crazy??? ..helps a bit.. good luck anyway.. i also gotta feelin insommnia and eczema go hand in hand.. i feel tired in bed slowly start drifitng off then lose self control an start scrathcin.. then wake up.. etc etc. vicous cycle! ..only found this msg board today and its good too see im not the only one! although maybe only one puttin head in freezer.. hehe

By Hays on Monday, May 09, 2005 - 08:05 pm:

Hey Im 19 and ive had ezema my whole life. it comes in waves and at certain times of the year. At the moment its quite bad and i wana itch so badly cos it feels like releasing a load of tension.my mum nags me about it and so does my boyfriend but i cant help it it really itches!!Ive tried every kind of cream, oil and medication you can get, i even went to a chinese herbalist but nothing works. I went to see a dermatologist but she was quite rude and said that i was old enough to sort myself out and basically told me i was wasting my time and should live with it.Needless to say i was very upset by this she'd obviously never suffered with any type of skin condition. I find Tea tree oil is good to soothe my skin in the bath but only works for a while. I was wondering if anybody has any ideas about what else i could do, im getting really down and i hate looking at myself or letting other people see my body. Its good to hear im not the only one feeling the itch.

Hays

By Anonymous on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 04:46 pm:

I'm 25 and have had eczema for about five years, it started off on my scalp and got to the stage where if I'd have decided to shave my head it would have probably looked like I had one huge scab on my head. One of the things that's most irrating at the moment is shaving. Needless to say, scraping a blade accross my face isn't going to do the eczema any good but when I get bristles starting to grow through it just becomes unbearable. I try to not let it get me down but I've never been good at socialising and meeting people, plus I have very little self confidence which, coupled with my apperence is really hindering me from finding work. I end up sleeping in late way too much (which is ironically the only time when I'm not itching) I feel the need to constantly shower but have to fight the urge to turn the temperature all the way up. I try to take my mind off the itchiness by watching films or playing video games which is better because my hands are being occupied by the controller but sometimes when I have a real big flare up it seems like there's nothing I can do.

By lee on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 02:28 am:

hey peachy and all the ppl who have undoubtedly missed my absolute charisma and charm over the past few months, how ya doin hope you are all ok. takin this opportunity to say hi and i wish my face didnt look like ive been petrol bombed. anyhow aint got much time, remember me the mouthy one, who allways got banned or thrown off well i remem some of you, be well esp peachy who i remem was partic nice, be well, all my love lee.

By Scratchy on Tuesday, December 07, 2004 - 05:03 am:

YAY!
I'm so glad I found you all! It's like finding a long lost family! Yes, I've cried reading all these stories, but most of all I've laughed! I thought I was developing some sick black humour disease, to add to the eczema content, but today i've found my fellow comedians.
Sure, as an Australian Eczema Association sticker I keep in my bathroom says 'An eczema itch is a real b****', but at least we can have a laugh about it sometimes.
You have all buoyed me up, and right now I feel the opposite of depressed! However, I know this won't always be true.
I'm 42, married with two kids (eczema-free), and live on the South Coast of NSW Australia. I have suffered eczema since birth and have been through the myriad treatments on offer. I found this site today looking for info on Imuran, as I'm considering taking it.
After 42 years of steroid use, I'm currently seeing an Endocrinologist to address the side effects of steroids, particularly osteoporosis, and maybe Type 2 Diabetes - will have test results later this month (Happy bloody Christmas!).
Would like to hear from others who've addressed side-effects of steroids in later half of life, and/or anyone who's come to an acceptance level about their skin condition.
Hope everyone is having a happy, relatively stress-free Festive Season 2004.
Maree, alias Scratchy (only cos Itchy's taken)

By Faun-a on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 01:59 am:

Hi,

This is further to the topic of depression.

It seems there are a lot of people like me for whom the skin condition has become a significant part of their mental makeup. If you are even more like me you are just as sick of people not understanding how one can be depressed or stressed when one is not "Unwell".

How many times has some cretin told you to "Stop Scratching" Have you ever felt like opening a vein up and spraying blood all over their face? Or maybe just going over them lightly with some sand paper and then saying, "Now leave that alone!"

My eczema is not going away in a hurry and I have lived with it for a long time. I am getting really tired of people who have a cure that "Absolutely fixed their friends brothers dogs traniers sister in laws bookies dermatitis" and who don't realiize how mentally debilitating and exhausting dealing with the constant lack of understanding can be.

Sure there are people who are worse off - but this pain is mine, it is ongoing and it is not going to go away. It is a life sentence with no parole. Whatever I did in my previous life must have been pretty awesome.

I have been particulalry interested to find a few others here who seem to have a philosophy of Self Medication when dealing with skin conditions. Substance Use and Abuse is a prevalant issue, especially for those of us who may be eschewing more conventional medications i.e. those drugs doctors decide are "O.K." such as the magic bullet Prednisilone, or a scarily antique tricyclic antidepressent such as Doxepin? Anyone got any good monster Doxy stories?

I don't have any alternative cures or magic therapy agendas - and am not particulalry interested in them either. I do have some experience with SSRI's, Tricyclics, Benzo's, and a lot of the other readily accessible chemical alternatives. I am more concerned with how people are coping with their conditions in the real world.

If this forum is not entirely appropriate for some of the issues I wish to discuss I would welcome any opportunity to pursue these topics in the most suitable location.

Any rational responses would be greatly appreciated, here or to schleimeimer@hotmail.com

Many regards,

-F.

By Itchy on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 05:54 pm:

Hi all, just wanted to say I'm so happy I've found this website. I'm having a flare up on my face and chest at the moment and was feeling quite low but found this, read everyone's messages and as a result feel much more better knowing that I'm not the only one on the planet suffering from eczema. Most important thing is not to let eczema get you down as that itself can make the eczema mcch worse. Will come back to write more no doubt.Take care everyone. Bye!

By kim on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 11:30 pm:

mso- the only thing I can offer any info on is your feet- they sounds like mine used to be. I went through it all- the best for one foot was UV lightbox treatments. It took about a month to see any improvement but it did go away and did not come back until I was under extreme stress. Light boxes seem to help for one foot. The other I soak in tepid water with a dash of olive oil until the skin softens. Then I used the hemp foot lotion from the Body Shop. After that absorbed in, I used Sally Hansen's 18 hour cracked heel lotion. After that absorbed in, I put neosporin with pain relief (or you can use the prax lotion from dermadoctor.com). I used the Neosporin with Pain Relief when I had cracks so deep they would expose raw skin. I was concerned about infection. The Praxamine in Neosporin Pain releif and Prax lotion seems to be better for the subcutaneous itching more than any anti-itch topical I could find. The problem with cortisone and other topicals on thickened skin on your feet is that they just sit on the top layer and don't get to the source. That is why a tepid soak (and a brief one at that) is best to get the skin softened before aplying anything. The Neopsorin with Pain Relief may also help your hands.
I started doing my own routine after countless doctor vists failed. They even had me on methotrexate and vioxx which are EXTREME and left me depressed and lethargic...they still did not provide any relief on top of it all. I went through about $5k USD trying various things and this seems to be the one that worked for me. Try the light box on your feet first is my advice. Privey but worth it.
The skin on the soles of my feet are still a little thick but tolerable. I do the regimin above whenever I get that under the skin itchy feeling. Sometimes I take a flour cloth dampen it and wrap my foot in it before going to bed. I wear shoes with great aeration. I only itch if I don't use the Sally Hansen's now. To make my feet look presentable in sandals, I paraffin wax them before going out.
I went from unable to sleep for days at a time, unable to eat or function from the pain back to my pre-eczema life of ballet classes, pilates, snowboarding, chasing my son around, rollerblading and wearing sandals (no suede bottoms, though).
The psychologica aspects of the suffering I went through was the worst, but there was nothing out there that would make me mentally better without getting physically better. Masking it with pills is not the answer, well not for me.

Be careful of the staph infections, those can be deadly.
Best of luck to you

By msomawas on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 08:51 pm:

I had an outbreak of exzema in 1991 which was limited to my eyelids, an ankle and a spotty patch on each hip. Meds took care of it. About 1995 I started having these itchy blistery places on the backs of my thumbs. This has spread. My hands are awful. They feel like someone has taken a vegetable peeler to them and then put them on an open fire. My feet are thickned and itchy. Now I am itching in other places. I have seen some red rashy places and wonder if I have a staph infection. I had one last year and the rash was what made me wonder. It itches, I scratch it and then it burns and tingles though a lot like my hands when I get going on those. Don't tell me not to scratch by the way, I've done everything to keep from scratching.

I've used a variety of steroid creams and ointments. I have used most recently Ultravaite. I use Aquaphor for moisture. I also like Burts' Bees Hand Salve - I wear white gloves most of the time - I have huge splits in my fingers.

Any suggestions? I've tried the omega 3 vitamins.

Seems I have a chromiumn allergy. Anybody know of a way to beat this? I am going crazy here.

By Linda on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 01:38 am:

hi everyone,
my name is linda and i been diagonse with severe atopic dermatitis for the last four years. I've tried every type of cream, steriod injections, immunosuppressant know as cyclosporine, and now i decided to stop all meds. For the past month, I started phototherapy, uvb,and hoping for the best results, it's way to early to tell. But anyone can ask me anything about it cause i've been through it all, and just remember to think positive, and everything will eventually be alright. Feistylinda@yahoo.com

By Farhana on Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 04:15 pm:

Hi Becky,

Have you heard of the book "The Eczema Solution" by Sue Armstrong-Brown? It's based on a programme designed by a team of dermatologists and psychologists at Chelsea and Westminster. They found that no amount of steroids will be effective if the patient is constantly scratching. The book gives you a full-proof way to stop scratching. I followed the programme, it does take a bit of willpower but it so worth it. My eczema has nearly gone, and the feeling is empowering and wonderful! I'm sure your dad could benefit from this form of treatment, and with your help I'm sure he could stick to it too. You can read reviews of the book and buy it www.amazon.co.uk, feel free to e-mail me if you have any other questions.

By Becky on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - 08:33 pm:

Hi Ive just found your site, and thought it was a great idea. I don't have eczema myself, but my dad has and its just terrible. He had it bout 20 yrs ago, but it came back 3 yrs ago, and hasn't gone away. The rash is really bad, and his cream has made his skin waffer thin. But it's the itching that's worst, he just cant sleep. He's such a bubbly chap, but its making him really sad. Does neone know anything that can help the itching? he doctors just don't wanna know.

By samatha Green on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 05:12 pm:

As a mother of a child who suffers from eczema, I get really depressed. I try to help her but end up nagging, which is pointless.

It is the hardest thing for me to do is to keep my mouth shut, and let my daughter scratch for a while. When her skin is broken, I have to say something. How do people with eczema cope with their family and friends. Is there any coping strategies you could pass on to me.

I do worry, and get very depressed because I feel so helpless regarding helping my daughter with her eczema.

By jacqles on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 03:47 pm:

rick,

Thanks for the info, its comforting to know I am not alone, I will just have to learn to deal with the flare ups I guess. I bought some soap last night SHEA BUTTER, for fragile skin, I am going to try this too......thanks again

By Rick on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 01:37 pm:

JACQLES,

I had similar problems when I was younger (accept that I didn't know it was eczema until many years later after being diagnosed with it on other parts of my body). I started wearing loose cotton boxer shorts, looser fitting pants and switched to a moisturizing soap (Dove unscented). It all made a huge differance. Losing weight and not wearing underwear at home (just wearing sweatpants or loose fitting shorts for pants 'free balling' as my crass brother always put it) also helped. I now only have occational flair ups down there and they are easier to deal with.

By JACQLES on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 09:45 pm:

HI EVERY0NE,

I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE HAS ECZEMA OF THE GENTIALS?? I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH BURNING ITCHY AT TIMES, I HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED EVERYTHING EVEN ANUSOL UP INSIDE ME...PROTOPIC IS MY LATEST CREAM. AND FIGHTING OF YEAST BECAUSE OF MY SKIN CONDITION IS GETTING ME DOWN, I AM SO DEPRESSED AND SCARED....HAS ANYONE HEARD OF THIS?? PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME DIRECTLY
JACQLES2002@YAHOO.COM

By lee on Thursday, February 05, 2004 - 06:21 pm:

hey jackie i think most of us have been there i know its more difficult for girls, and i know it isnt any comfort for someone a million miles away to say chin up but please keep struggling on and try to overcome this illness it can be overcome to a certain extent, by , well i think, by strenuos exercise and diet, good luck kidder, all the best, lee

By Eczemagirl on Tuesday, February 03, 2004 - 03:47 am:

Hi! People

I'm 25 and live in Canada. I have social anxiety and depression due to the eczema. I haven't worked in the past two years cause I don't feel good about myself and I have trouble looking at myself in the mirror. I've been very depressed lately and get through the days by sleeping most of the day which makes me feel more depressed. I have no job, I'm not attending school and I have no friends right now. If any of you would like to talk, please e-mail me at jnv04@yahoo.ca


Peace out,Jackie

By lee on Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 02:15 am:

hey kenji your english is fine mate

By lee on Sunday, January 25, 2004 - 01:15 am:

god ive just read simons post, the similarities between us are incredible, i wonder, what is it with this eye contact thing, it proper p****s me off any thoughts on how to overcome it??????. or are we just simply crackers, ppl think you are shady or have something to hide, therefore the booze, smack, valies, or in my case a combo of all three,

By lee on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 11:05 pm:

i havent visited this site for well over a year, used to come on quite a lot some may say too much, eh naminder lol, as i have been struggling with heroin addiction, well not struggling, at least not at first, found it a great way to deal with anxiety and stress, but im back on track now. like ive said before the psychological effects of eczema cannot be underestimated, allways feeling different, a freak, a monster, unattractive to the opposite sex, makes you totally depressed,this in turn makes you act different, which further isolates you, a spiral which can lead to emotional overload, i wonder how many of you out there with e and other related social issues and problems have turned to drink and drugs to gain confidence in a social context, or merely to seek solace in oblivion.

By grace on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 12:01 am:

I meditate with bead or a crystal. it keeps my hands occupied.
I play music and dance.
I watch comedies.
I look at fotos.
I read feel good magazines that don't focus on looks...luike oprah.
I am active.
go iceskating, gym. swim in the sea. I cover up of course to not shock kids with bad skin. Sea water very good for skin.
I force myself to laugh, run, be active.
I force myself to socialise. Twenty years from now I don't want to have one memeory only of sticking in a dark room scratching, crying, hating myself, my genes, my parents, God, everybody, my ex whose leaving co-incided with my eczema breakout aged 21.
I want to have some other memories.
I fight hard for happiness as depression also runs in my family.
I sumtimes think I have the worst result of my family genes but then realise that's not helping and visualise me saying in a fewq yers time how i fought ofor a happy, balanced life which i feel is success.
friends email below: (wil try to get one soon)
hob_goblin_2@hotmail.com

By lana on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 09:12 am:

How did I recover? I went through various doctors before my mother decided to go to a specialist. Basically we went to the normal GPs before we went to a dermatologist. Big mistake I guess. Anyway he prescribed me several creams and the last one that I have taken was called Efficort and BP aquoes. It really worked and now they are completely gone but my dermatologist says that I have to really moistorise myself daily to maintain it.

By anonymous on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 07:07 am:

Hi lana, would u like to share with us what did u do to make ur eczema recover?

By lana on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 12:27 pm:

I've had enczema throughout my whole life but now that I have recovered, the disease has left ugly brown spots and a damaged self esteem.I know that uneven skin tone takes time but frankly, I am so tired of waiting. So if anybody out there knows what does help besides excruciating laser operations..like vitamin E creams or fade out creams or any other tips ...please drop me a line!!! thanks!!!

By kiki on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 12:40 pm:

Can't find a way to start a new topic anywhere here,so I'll just pop it in right here!!
I know what it is to despair from eczema and the apparent lack of decent help anywhere from anyone but I have real hope for this new treatment Protopic. It seems to be the only thing in recent times to give any real kind of relief to atopic eczema.
What are your experiences?

By narelle on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 12:09 pm:

simon i think we have all been ther and many of us are still there. i just hope that something can be done and surely an answere can be found. I suppose the only thing is to keep trying to find something that works. I am still trying and at the moment feel like i should have a bell to ring to warn people i am coming and to stay indoors. it is unsightly and really distressing but it appears that truth be known there would be a lot of bell ringers out ther. Hang in there i am trying to

By Anon on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 08:26 pm:

I dont know wot to do my eczema is just getting worse! Im gettin flare ups on my face every day and people keep pointing it out to me its so upseting! It shouldnt rule my life but it does! Im so heartbroken! I just dont feel normal anymore and its just really getting to me!
I cry all the time and try pushing my boyfriend away coz i dont want him to see me like this!

By Dora on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 11:57 am:

I'd like to hear from people who have a relationship with somebody who has atopic excema.How do u cope with it?What are the most frustrating things..etc.And what is the way to live happy with such a person.
Thanks

By Anonymous on Tuesday, March 25, 2003 - 09:55 pm:

hi peter.

thanks for your kind words.
what is the name of the website?, i would sure like to have a look.

thank you again.

By Peter on Monday, March 24, 2003 - 09:19 am:

I know how it is with eczema. Please take comfort in knowing others have felt the same way, and some still feel the way you do. You’re not alone. I've made a website especally to share what I've gone through with E. You may find some answers there, and if not, maybe you'll find some comfort. Here is the link.
http://webpages.csus.edu/~sac49109/

By Legolas on Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 10:36 pm:

Hello Anon,
don't despair, you are not alone. We all feel the way you're feeling right now, albeit in different degrees and at different times. I, personally, face a great battle with the mirror every morning, trying to look away from the beast that stares back at me. I, too, long for someone to hold, to love, to be mine and, more importantly, not to stare at me in disgust.

I did intend to send you this message to make you feel better, but instead it seems as though I've slipped into wollowing in my own self pity.

As for not having a life, you've just made a friend! Also, welcome to the big and ever expanding family that is EczemaVoice. All are welcome here and no one is treated differently, regardless of how we look (well, at least that one advantage of the internet,remaining anonymous).
I know all too well just how painful eczema can be, but please remember you're not alone! Don't suffer in silence, suffer with the rest of us. Take comfort in knowing that we know how you feel. Its amazing how much better you feel when you've shared feeling with others.
Please keep in touch.

By Anonymous on Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 03:26 pm:

i dont know what to do anymore.
i am 32.
i have had eczema for a very long time now. Its very hard to deal with. My life... well i dont really have one, is just not worth living anymore.
I long to be able to talk to someone.
I long to be able to hold someone. I've never had that.
I dont have a job. Its very hard to get one when you have this on your face. People stare, they stare everyday.

I wish they wouldnt stare.

Just for maybe one day. it would be so nice.

I am in so much pain. It never goes away.
I can not remember the last time i smiled.
Many years ago i imagine.

For many who have what they have is all but a dream for me. Everyday i see people, together, living their lives, and sometimes just for an instance i think, wouldnt that be nice if that was me.
but its not.
The pain never goes away.

But i take comfort that one day this will all be over.

By Carole on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 09:05 pm:

Hello,
I'm a Newbie too to this site. I've just joined the National Eczma Society (I didn't even know it existed until a new GP told me), I've had eczma following pregnancy 21 years ago (crumbs I'm old!). I recently went through the worst period of my life re. eczma, my GP is convinced it's linked to the stress following the breakdown of my marriage. I went to counselling, took anti-depressants (which I've now finished), and realised that stress/depression exacerbate (always) my condition. I follow a strict diet which excludes all cereal crops, dairy products and soya. I also have to limit my fruit severely. With the help of a Nutrionist and using Essential Care Products (see Links to this site) I have it under control. For now.
But I think the physcial care is only half the story: what about our inner selves?
I believe we are often taught (often unwittingly), self-hatred. Everyone seems to be waiting to put the other down. Why? Why don't we build each other up? Care and be kind?
I now believe that we all need to have a sense of self-worth, accept we all have intrinsic value and accept unconditional self love. (Simply love yourself, beauty is beneath the skin in our own spirt and soul - make the choice, be happy. Love and accept yourself as you are).
It is the hardest thing I've ever done, and I'm still praticising.
You often can't change your circumstances, so change the way you look at life. This IS as good as it gets.
Carole

By Anonymous on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 11:41 pm:

Wow, I’ve just read that back and it sounds so terrible. My life really is not that bad I have cool friends and close family as yet no girlfriend (but I see that one as a challenge). And now a pretty good job with importantly a boss who understands my situation so I can work from home when things get a bit rough. A bit like today which is why my previous message was a bit bleak, sorry
Tip a hint:
- It’s the eczema that gets you down so try hard to find the solution to making the eczema better with diet, medication whatever. Once you crack the eczema you’ll feel a whole lot better. Even a small amount of relief is beneficial. Say if you managed to get it off your face but still have it on your legs and back, it can make one hell of a difference to your attitude towards the day.

I also find watching footage of the Scottish football team cheers me up

All the best
Simon

By Simon on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 03:30 pm:

Hello all
I'm new to these forums and website but have been reading them avidly.
I am a male eczema sufferer I have had it from the age 4 I am now 29 (and I thought eczema was a worry, I’m 30 this year ;)
I know this Topic is on the psychological effects of eczema but first things first, I for one feel a little better knowing that there are others with the same problems as myself. I live in the East of England and I simply do not know any other eczema sufferers so I have felt increasingly alone in my battle. At the moment I cannot see out of my left eye as it has closed up with gunk, my entire body is on fire and constantly weeping (white blood cells), I’m on my 3rd change of clothes today and I can also smell the infection in my legs and chest BUT I FEEL A BIT CHUFFED. So a big thumbs up to all.
The psychological effects of eczema, to me, are as important to treat as the eczema itself. I can only speak from my own experience but the depression really took hold in my mid teens. It’s at this stage in life when the opposite sex, career, friends and general future become topics of importance. Due to eczema I have managed to mess up the lot. Now reaching the age of 30 looking back on my life so far I can see how eczema has dictated my life. This is perhaps the most upsetting and depressing thought I have. I am not the person I should be. As I hit my 20’s I became increasingly angry at my situation. As a result of this I lost a long-term girlfriend (5 years) and many good friends. They could simply not put up with the depression and anger in me anymore and I cannot blame them. As far as career goes I got as far as a degree at university but my eczema became so bad at the end of my 2nd year that it was impossible to give the correct amount of time and dedication. I dropped out at the start of the 3rd year. So here I sit not had a proper relationship since I was 23 (I don’t even like to look at myself in the mirror so I can’t blame the opposite sex for having that look of horror on their face when they see me). Friends? Well I find it very hard to socialise (I have a problem with eye contact). Career? A string of crap jobs resulting every time in me leaving or getting the sack as a result of poor attendance due to, of course, eczema.
So the psychological effects of eczema are very reel, they go hand in hand. I’m older and wiser now and able to understand the vicious circle that I was in (sometimes still get in). But as a young thing I was just angry and depressed that I had this thing that nobody else had (or so I thought at the time stupidly). As far as tips and hints to cope and beat depression I have none I’m afraid. I am less angry about my situation than I used to be but the depression still remains.
Sorry this has been so long with pretty much my life story but this is my first post and I had much to get off my chest. I feel better

All the best
Simon

By lee on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 11:55 pm:

i have found the psychological effects of eczema to include a profound sense of inferiority and sense of difference, the obvious worst effect of this is when dealing with the opposite sex, or anyone for that matter, well its not that bad lol some days are beter than others ?

By EczemaVoice on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 - 10:33 pm:

By ATF on Friday, January 03, 2003 - 07:36 pm:


Hi Kenji,

Sorry to hear you are depressed - I reckon Eczema is the cause of my depression. I haven't found an answer to that yet, but if I do I'll let you know.

Your English is very good actually - I certainly understood what you wrote and that's what matters really. I guess it probably is hard making friends in a new country. I have enough trouble making friends in a country I've lived in all my life. So you're doing pretty well. Keeps it up and good luck!

By kenji on Friday, January 03, 2003 - 01:54 pm:


Hi! Everyone. I am an oversea student form japan.
i have had eczema since i came to Australia. When i realized that i got eczema, i went to a hospital to see a docter. The docter gave a steroid to me. i put steroid on my body twice a day. After two weeks, my eczema disappered. My docter and i were really pleased about it. However, when i went to japanese's eczema homepage, i found a side effect of steroid. I told my docter about side effect of steroid. Howere, he said " do not worry about it"
I think, people who have used steroid for a long time suffer from side effect of steroid.
Especially in japan, many people try to stop using steroid because of side effect. In addition, i have heard that if you quit steroid suddenly, you will suffer form a rebound.

I had used steroid for about 5 months ( on face for 2 months) and 2 weeks ago, i quit to use steroid. As a result, there is eczema on my body everwere and very very very itch.
I can not sleep. i do not want to go out.
i really hope i will be ok.

I have some japanese friends here. But, no Australian friends. Who wants to go out with eczema japanese!! Of course i have an english problem. My spoken english is like a pig.
I really have been depressed. I do know what to do. There is no my family. i wish i could meet my mother and father. They know i have eczema.
They are really kind to me. That's why , i do not want bother my parents anymore. I will stay in Australia at least more 3 years. Oh! i miss my parents and friends.

Thank you for reading such a bad written English.
I hope some one give a message to me. i hope you guys are going to be OK!
thank you mate!!

By ATF on Sunday, December 22, 2002 - 07:39 pm:


Hi Lindsey,

Thanks for replying. I know what you mean about being afraid of relationships, that's one of my biggest problems. I always think "No girl would want to go out with a guy like me". But anyway, I always thought depression was just feeling low, but it is much worse than that. Much worse. Doctors always seem to overlook the psychological effects of eczema.

By Lindsey on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 09:38 pm:


I have suffered with depression and as a child I dreaded getting a boyfriend in case we had to hold hands!!! I recently had a baby and had bad baby blues (it didnt really develope into full blown post natal depression thankfully)but the doctor did advise me to take extra care with my skin as it could been a contributing factor to feeling down one of the first acknowlegements Ive had from a gp Im sure you will find thousands of people have suffered because of their eczema and its not just because of the way you look it goes so much deeper than that.

By ATF on Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 08:01 pm:

Changing the subject completely here (sorry, but I can't figure out how to create a new topic) have any of you suffered from depression as a result of your eczema? Although my eczema is reasonable at the moment, it is still quite bad on my face and it makes me just feel like I want to hide away all the time. My face today looks like it's been dragged through a hedge backwards. As I child I had chronic eczema all over and this made me even more introverted which hasn't helped either.

My doctor diagnosed me with depression and gave me some pills recently but they haven't had much effect. I know this is an eczema forum and I'm sure there are countless depression forums, but they are more generic and I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on coping with the PSYCHOLOGICAL effects of eczema - tries everything for the actual condition to no avail, except immunosuppresant tablets which keep the eczema under control except my face.

Any tips/stories advice would be appreciated.
Moderator, if you want to move this to a more appropiate topic please do so. A topic called 'Depression' or 'Psychological effects of Eczema' would be good. Cheers.