By Sue on Monday, July 12, 2010 - 03:09 pm:

I suffered badly from Pompholyx exzema on my feet for 8 years. It was intensely itchy and only relieved by soaking my feet in iced water for about 30 mins about 6 times a day. As you can imagine, I could'nt go out much. Also could'nt sleep much.I saw consultant dermatologists at 2 different UK hospitals who just said "This is very difficult to treat." I tried an expensive food intolerance blood test and diet with very little result. I was cured by accident by taking Terbinafine tablets for a fungal nail infection.I now live a normal life, Praise God.As Terbinafine is a prescription drug not licenced for exzema, you may have to work at convincing your doctor.I found during my time of repeated medical consultations that you need to become assertive as some doctors don't see that itching continually is a form of suffering as bad as pain.

By Jules on Tuesday, June 08, 2010 - 05:56 am:

There are a lot of great ideas here on how to treat hand eczema, but there is one thing that most people are not realizing.

Stress is absolutely not the cause of eczema. Stress only heightens the symptoms, because it weakens your immune system. So if you have a teeny outbreak on your finger, if you're stressed out that day, you can guarantee it'll double overnight. Naturally, it'd be understandable to think that stress is the direct cause, but mark my word, it is not. So let go of that theory.

And most importantly: Eczema is an allergic reaction.

The only true way to heal eczema is to see an allergist and find out what you are allergic to. You can then eliminate that from your diet and daily routine, and you will not have these flare ups anymore.

I am no expert, but the true success stories for beating eczema come from finding the source.

You can try creams and oils and prescription drugs until you're blue in the face. It'll only temporarily aid your frustration until the next flare up.

So basically, if you want to eliminate the outbreaks for good, you need to identify the true source of the eczema, and nip it in the butt for good. If not, it'll just keep coming back. Guaranteed.

See an allergist or a naturopath before it gets worse!

By HOPELESS on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 - 02:36 pm:

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE DARK PATCHES THAT ECZEMA LEAVES BEHIND? PLEASE HELP DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

By sms1206 on Friday, April 09, 2010 - 08:22 pm:

JodyPearl -- Where do they have the excema at? Sometimes the place where it is located can make a difference in what works...

By jodypearl on Monday, March 29, 2010 - 12:57 pm:

Tired of the itch. My granddaughter has had this disease from birth and the flare-up is very bad sometime. She will be 7 years old next month and I am lookin for a herbalistic medicine that helps with the itchin, internal and eternal if possible. Good luck eczema carriers.

By arkan1 on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - 06:08 am:

Hi everyone i also sufferd from hand eczema for three years.My hands being so dry my fingers, would crack, and bleed,every time i open and close them.I recently found a all natural cream,
called dija fa,it comes from europe.I used it for about 3 weeks,and it was like i never had any kind of eczema.I strongly recommend this cream for anyone who has this skin condition.
Only way to get it is online.
visit;creamthatworks.com

By sms1206 on Monday, February 08, 2010 - 02:16 pm:

I tried coconut oil for awhile, but then it didn't seem to work as well. Everyone is different though. Good Luck!!

By DreamyLife on Monday, January 25, 2010 - 06:13 pm:

Coconut oil has healed my stubborn foot eczema. It got so bad it looked like i was in a chemical fire, or burned by a blow torch! It covered the bottoms of my feet and the sides. The pain was unbearable and I could not walk for months. Now I have no pain and it is healing fast. What I have done is rub Spectrum brand coconut oil on my feet around 4 to 5 times a day. I put plastic wrap or light airy plastic bags over them so the oil doesn't wipe off onto everything. After suffering 6 months of sheer agony from severe eczema on my feet, coconut oil has managed to dry up all of the blisters in one day and has healed the splits and cracks. I have tried so many products, but the coconut oil definately works for my foot eczema. But it makes other areas with eczema seem irritated like my lower legs seem to not want to accept it. But my elbows, hands, knees and feet love it. All the eczema in those places are healed up from the coconut oil. The areas that healed on the rest of my body was thanks to a product called Bone, Flesh and Cartliage by Nature's Way. Another nice product is called Skin E Dip. But as for the misery of foot eczema, try coconut oil.

By DreamyLife on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 10:46 pm:

Hello all, I feel your pain deeply. I suffer from dyshidrotic eczema on my hands and feet, as well as nummular discoid eczema from my upper body to my ankles. I'm covered in it. Including my scalp, which I have lost half of my hair.

I found the answer. It is a product by Nature's Way, it is called Bone, Flesh and Cartilage herbal ointment. It is very affordable, all natural. It heals the eczema quickly. some places faster than others. Here are the ingredients: Olive oil, Wheat Germ oil, Beeswax, Honey, Comfrey root, White Oak bark, Mullein leaf, Black Walnut leaf, Marshmallow root, Wormwood leaf, Gravel root, Scullcap, Lobelia leaf.

You can find it at Vitacost for around $6, I usually order several jars at a time, being I go through a jar a week. I put it on a few times a day.


For the last few weeks of using this BFC ointment it has dramatically healed by nummular discoid eczema. Like I said some place will heal within days. The thinner areas of skin and the eczema that is less severe. But you just have to be diligent about using the product. The worst places I have eczema are also healing from the BFC. It will just take some time because it is stubborn.


To help with the itch, try lavender flower water by Heritage Products- brand. It is also very inexpensive, under $10. It comes in a spray bottle and saves the day when you are in an itch attack! Also, you can find it at Vitacost online.

As for the painful hand and foot splotches, lesions, blisters. For immediate relief get Neosporin+Pain Relief. I know the petroleum is not good, but it at least numbs the area for awhile so you can actually walk and use your hands without pain. I hope this helps. If you would like to discuss what you are going through with me, I would be more than happy to share what has worked and hasn't with you. We just have to keep fighting this. Be strong. I know it's hard, painful, embarassing, and life altering. But don't give up.

By sms1206 on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 - 09:44 pm:

irlmonet --

I have had "leper's foot" since I was about 21 (I am 39 now). I truly feel your pain. I struggled for a long time to try and get rid of it. What I have found for the feet is three things. 1) You HAVE to let your feet air out frequently and wash them throughout the day. And every time you take your socks off, you MUST put a clean pair on. I also wash my socks in HOT water with a little bleach and seems to help socks feel cleaner, 2) I take a zinc pill everyday. It doesn't heal them, but takes the itch away -- no doubt about it and 3) I also use Badger Balm. Look it up at badgerbalm.com. This stuff makes a big difference to me.

By Murphy on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 - 03:12 am:

Get a note from your dermatologist detailing your condition including contact details. There was something in the news here about a similar thing that happened to a guy with a side effect of medication that erased his fingerprints and he was held for a few hours by US immigration authorities until they could confirm his condition.

The other thing I can suggest is to try taurine powder, just a tip of a teaspoon placed on your tongue and then washed down with water. It worked very well for me- Hand eczema for 35 years and it improved greatly in a few weeks by doing this- I still don't know why. I still avoid soaps, detergents etc but the difference is amazing- I'm getting my palm print back!

By bairn7 on Monday, June 08, 2009 - 09:30 am:

Hi all

I have a quick question. This has been worrying me for a while now. I have eczema on my hands and it is pretty bad just now. I'm due to travel to the US in a few weeks and I know I'm going to have problems with immigration because I'm not going to be able to give a fingerprint (the same thing happened last year but the official I spoke to didn't know what to do so let me through).

Has anyone else came up against this problem? I'm really worried that I may be turned away and my holiday ruined!

Any advice?
Thanks guys

By irlmonet on Monday, June 01, 2009 - 06:50 pm:

Hello there, only stumbled upon this section as trying to find a treatment for the eczema flare-up on my feet. I've had eczema all my life and for the most part it has been in remission since last year, few small flare ups but nothing that my Elocon couldn't fix. Just as a history, I've done every treatment there, PUVA, light therapy, immune supressing drugs, etc. Just in the last week I've gotten eczema on my feet. Never had it before and my God is it horrible. Little clear bubbles all over and well I like to call it lepers' feet for a better word. My Elocon doesn't seem to be helping at all. I've tried the Hydrogen Poroxide 2% is all they have at the chemist's here. Stings like crazy, buy it just looks so inflammed and itches like mad.

If anyone has any advice on the feet that would be great. I can't believe how quickly this happened and I know I'm not eating anything new to warrant this type of breakout.

By RESSMS on Monday, May 25, 2009 - 02:31 pm:

Oh! AND I can't forget about the other guy that just posted too - I switched from Irish Spring to Dove Bar Soap -- it has also been working wonders!

Can't wait to hear more!

By RESSMS on Monday, May 25, 2009 - 02:30 pm:

Excema has been a problem for me for about 6 years. It consistently got worse for me after getting married. After reading some of the posts on this website, I thought I would try some of the things that they tried. I started taking zinc tablets first, and then started eating more at home; and then got a can of Healing Balm from Cracker Barrel and between all three of these, my hands have pretty much made a full recovery. Although, I do occasionally have outbreaks from stress (I have a stressful job), but if I put the Healing balm on it, it goes away really fast.

Glad I found this website!!

By sharonh on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 03:30 am:

Where on earth can I buy Clarazinc HC for ezcema? I used to buy online but can't find anything about it online anymore!

By Sarah on Saturday, April 18, 2009 - 04:46 pm:

Hi all! Thank GOD for this website. I am a 21 year old female who was diagnosed with eczema when i was 6 months old. I will skip the sob story of how horrible eczema has been to me. I have dealt with this my whole life and know all about it.
My question was about my Hyperlinearity atopic dermatitis. I recently found out that this is why my hands have always looked "old" and "aged," with wrinkles/deep set lines over every single part of my hands. My hands have been aged like this since I can remember, so it is not as a result of years of eczema..I have not found much on the web and was wondering if anyone knew the population who has this and if there was any known treatment for it besides my regular prescribed eczema medicine. Thanks.

By DaveH on Friday, March 20, 2009 - 11:23 pm:

SOLVED - Dishidrotic Eczema on hands

I stumbled upon this website about a year ago, after having seen a number of dermatologists regarding the small painful blisters on my fingers and palms of my hands, and receiving no real solution. I was very disappointed to hear that there was “no known cause for my condition”, or that it was “stress related”, or that my “body was attacking itself”.

I was given a number of steroid creams, the best in my experience being Clobetasol Propionate 0.05%. Although I found that with any of the steroid creams they were significantly less effective if there were any active blisters. Drying the blisters before starting the cream was important, and that wasn’t always easy. In any case the blisters would always return, anywhere from 1-2 weeks up to a couple months if I was really lucky.

I used a number of the recommendations on this site to dry the blisters. In my experience the hydrogen peroxide spray worked the best. Of course band-aids were always a requirement when the blisters started getting really weepy.

There were a couple times that the steroid creams didn’t work at all, and on a hunch I had my physician prescribe Ketoconozole, an oral antifungal, and it worked like magic. Actually it was more than a hunch; I used a topical antifungal first, which initially had good results; however I found that after 4-5 days I would start having a topical reaction to the creams so I couldn’t finish the treatment. The oral Ketoconozole worked twice for breakouts over a 4 month period, and started me thinking it was a fungal problem.

After years of being afraid to touch my wife, or hold my kids hands, I believe that I can now say that the fungal infection was a symptom, and not the cause. Thank goodness. I tried several times, over a couple years after this to start with the Ketoconozole first, and was never able to duplicate the results.

My problem started 4-5 years ago, something that seemed to be a common theme for many others on this site. That was comforting. It also gave me hope that there might be a common environmental source, and I believe I found it. Ready? Antibacterial hand soap! Think about it. What started to be really popular about 5 years ago? Go the store today and try to find a non-antibacterial pump soap. It’s not easy.

It also explains something that baffled me for a long time. Why could I go for months between breakouts, and then once the blisters started (usually only in a spot or two) would it spread like wildfire over the next 2-3 weeks? That also had me thinking fungal infection. Now I realize that once I started breaking out, I would wash my hands much more frequently. Essentially, I was rubbing in the very thing that was causing me the irritation in the first place. The worse it got the more I would wash my hands.

I have been using Dove bar soap for about 7 months now, and I have been essentially blister free. What I have noticed is that the blisters now appear (and I am surprised by how quickly) when I am out somewhere and have to use the soap at restaurants, work, gas stations, and such. Recently I was at an Elks club for a baby shower, used the foaming hand soap, and developed an entire patch of blisters within 2 hours that took almost a week to get rid of. The good news is that I am no longer rubbing in more antibacterial soap at home, and I can manage to get rid of those blisters fairly easily without having it spread.

I also found out recently that I am not the only one in my family that has this problem. I was at my aunt’s house shortly after making this discovery on my own and was very pleasantly surprised that she also had bar soap. I mentioned to her how pleased I was and why, and was surprised to learn that she also has a bad reaction to the antibacterial soaps. Her reaction is even more severe than mine, which led to her discovery of the root cause much sooner.

This discovery has changed my life. I hope it helps someone else too.

By Kids Coach on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 12:57 pm:

For Eryn (13)

Eczema is a symptom - a reaction to something your body doesn't like. It is most likely caused by things you are eating (in babies, by things Mum was eating whilst pregnant, passing through the placenta OR things Mum was eating whilst breast feeding).
Most common irritants you eat that can lead to an exzema response are artificial additives (incl. preservatives, flavours, flavour enhancers like MSG and ribonucleotides,antioxidants, colours, etc, etc) as well as foods high in salicylates and amines. Some people find that regular milk (A1) flares up their eczema but they can tolerate milk with an A2 protein (jersey cow milk).

My suggestion to you is to look at the Australian website:
fedupwithfoodadditives.info

It has LOADS of information about eczema and how to help, as well as about asthma, arthritis, sleep problems, migraines, restless legs, behaviour problems... and many other chronic issues.

It has a comprehensive list of additive numbers to avoid, as well as recipes, stories from sufferers and stacks of other information.

I hope accessing this information will help you!

By metalheart on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 01:20 pm:

TO Eryn!
Well I am suffering from allergy, from my firs days. From the age 12 docs found dermatitis, some years later I was diagnosed eczema it reveals as xeroderma and skin just tear apart when I try to bend my fingers years ago my dermatis turn into ecema. And at the age of 19 I have an attack I was bandaged up to my head like mummy. Well it is hard to be cured. They made some droppers prescribe some kind of cream, I had a strict diet. And they told me that every thin can passed at 25, but it didn’t . I would recommend you to change your doc, first of all you should know its reason, usually it has some connections with allergy, that you should treat it like allergy, do not eat, contact the products you have reaction to. I also use antihistamine, i like CETRIZIN HEXAL, yes it has great sedative effect than other products from third generation but It really helps! I used to ordering from online pharmacies, my most trusted pharmacies are: Pharmaenergy and Rxpharmacy24. And at critical situations I use Advantan Cream, it is hormone med so I can not use it all the time. I know it is so hard, but fight against it and one day you’ll win! Believe in it!

By drrabindra on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 04:32 pm:

pl the case of EPIDERMITIS NEVOUS IN 3 T0 4 YEARS
CONTINUE WHAT IS THE REMEDY KNOW TO ME
THANKS

By Tracey on Monday, December 15, 2008 - 09:26 pm:

Hi - I have responded to this page before and am doing so once more as I had been a sufferer of Pompylx (for 8 years) and Eczma most of my life. The creams and products you apply externally are only a stop gap. I went to a naturalpath who was able through I think its called Radionics (you hold a bar which then enables the naturalpath to tell what foods you have allergies to) tell me what I was allergic to. I did also have to take about 6 tablets of various vitamins and minerals for a period of only 6 weeks before I saw it all disapear. I have had only cracked skin back on the rare occasion I have been really stressed and eaten again more than I should of the allergic foods. But I get back on track and it goes and stays away for 99% of the time. I can eat the foods I had to stop but I do watch the quantities. Zinc was the major help for eczma (they give it to cows to stop their eczma), you have allergies to different foods but this is the ONLY WAY IT WILL STOP!!! I know it sounds sort of wacky but it worked. I knew it was food related as when I had my children, I was put on a drip and couldn't eat and it started to go away for the first time.. I then knew I had to do something the strong cortizones were only keeping it at bay. I dont bandage my fingers or toes or have to say to my children mummy cant cause my fingers are bleeding and fingernails are falling off. I do not get cracked skin its normal. Just give it a go!!!!!!!!!! Find a Naturalpath that does the Radionics (they do not prick you to find out allergies - its really quick) and then DO EXACTLY what they say - there maybe fine tuning but it will work and you will be rid of it - you will be able to throw away the creams and bath soaking stuff and use normal everyday things... I have been where you are and I am cured.

By Eryn on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 - 04:54 am:

Hi. I'm 13. I've suffered from eczema all my life and I have tried every treatment known to man and nothing seems to work. I have it on my neck, hands, heels, the insides of my elbows, my eyelids, thighs, scalp and back. It is starting to leave massive scars everywhere and it is eating away at my nails and spreading rapidly. It seems to get worse as I get older but nothing helps. If anyone has any suggestions please tell me about it because the dermatologist I go to actually said he couldn't help me anymore.

Please help. I'm desperate to get rid of it.

By marta35333 on Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 04:20 pm:

Start drinking raw milk and homemeade kefir (from real kefir grains) and start taking a cod liver oil supplement and it will be gone within 3-6 months.

By badhands on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 07:36 pm:

I have pomphlyx. I have had it for six years without any real treatments till now. I have found this has to be treated externaly and internaly. Currently using the white vinegar. Now for internal, what your essentially doing is fighting a yeast and fungis affection. Eat at least two servings of yogurt with L-acidolpius and supplement with cinnamon pills ( start with one a day and progress to one in morming and one at night. See what happens...........

By chughes on Friday, October 10, 2008 - 08:33 pm:

I have some sort of eczema on my finger ... it hurts really bad . It is in the middle of my finger .... cracked , dry, bloody. I have medicine for it but to me it doesn't seem to help. I write a lot . Does anybody have any ideas on what I could cover it up with while I am writing?

By Partriguez on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 12:50 pm:

Hi,

I am a 26 year old male who suffers from eczema on my eye-lids. I have used my prescribed steroid cream which usually clears it up but it keeps coming back. My eye-lids are now very red and when they dry out flaky skin develops that makes them itch which then sets off the eczema again....a vicious cycle. I do not always have it on my eye-lids, it has only really been over the last 4 months. I have been putting it down to the stress of some accountancy exams I have been doing and lack of sleep but now that has finished it is still not clearing up. Any advice/tips from people who have had eczema on their eye-lids will be much appreciated. I am also an asthmatic and have dust allergies.

By richie on Saturday, September 20, 2008 - 06:33 am:

it's to early to say for sure but after years of suffering from doctors miss diagnosing my condition as eczma i belive what i have is accually ring worm. well after two days of using a antifungal cream there is a big differance it's the first time in two years that yellow sicky fluid stop coming out off me. i'm really pissed that all these doctors could'nt recognize somthing they taught us in health class 25 years ago. i'm using alergy pills for the itch but i'm wondering if i can use a moisterizer with the antifugal cream.

By Sherri on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 05:36 am:

After reading many of the posts on here, I am so confused as to what I have. The Nurse Practitioner I see said it was Dishydrotic Eczema, but I don't really have the blisters that are spoken of. Very very rarely do I ever get a little blister. I just have very itchy, cracked feet. She has given me the strongest steroid ointment, and now they feel like they are burning up with pins sticking in them every time I walk. It has helped with the thinning of the callused skin, and I have very few cracks. I started doing some research, and found that the hydrogen peroxide soak helps. I do dilute it quite a bit. Should I use it full strength? I have found Lanacaine cream to relieve the itch for quite a while. Can anyone tell me what I have? I am about to go CRAZY! HELP!

By Juliet on Tuesday, September 09, 2008 - 08:10 pm:

There are some posts here regarding the use of borage oil. I haven't taken any in capsule form, but I have started using Borage Dry Skin Therapy hand cream and lotion from the brand Shikai. The hand cream is not thick like Eucerin and I have to apply it frequently, but since I have started using it and stopped using Eucerin, my dishydrosis has been very manageable and my hands look normal again. Hopefully this works for others, although it seems like there is not a single solution that will work for all of us.

By LEAH on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 12:55 am:

i have been suffering with chronic excema now for 4 years apparently stress related maybe but never suffered as a child. have had alsorts prescribed for me, double base creams and gels, bath oils, cleansing lotions instead of soap, antibiotics, steroid creams you name it i have been prescribed it, have been seeing a specialist hospital clinic but have recently bought a cream called goats milk therapeutic plus from a company called natures recipe after being recommended as as you will all know we will try anything and i have in the past! lol but this stuff has been amazing! within 10 days my legs, arms, hands feet and stomach are 90 percent better! it is not expensive and may not work for everyone, but i cant recommend it enough right now, the itching has been so much better and trust me i was bad with big blleding scars all over my legs and elbows in particular, i didnt think it would stand a chance but its been my miracle, worth a shot! you can get it on ebay if you key in goats milk cream., its the one with the daisy on the jar and make sure you go to the right people because apparently some people use dried goats milk in their creams and this is not as effective im told but have not tested this theory out myself i might add

goats milk products such as soap etc are also available but i have been able to use ordinary soaps and shampoos etc since using this cream whilst still having fantastic result! hope this helps a little

By Alison on Friday, August 29, 2008 - 01:19 pm:

Hello! I am not a regular member here, but just wanted to suggest that gluten sensitivity/celiac disease (a FOOD intolerance, of all things!), causes something called dermatitis herpetiformis--and the symptoms are usually misdiagnosed as dyshidrotic eczema, atopic dermatitis, genetic eczema, and ideopathic eczema. The dermatologists usually push steroids and antibiotics.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis usually occurs on the hands and feet, but can be anywhere.

But the treatment is easy and free--eliminate gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley) from the diet. No drugs to buy, no creams, no shots. Doctors aren't usually trained to look for food-related causes; they are trained to write prescriptions to mask the symptoms.

Please check out any celiac site for more info--most of them have separate sections for dermatitis herpetiformis (or DH). You can have celiac disease without having DH, but if you have DH, it's considered an automatic diagnosis of celiac disease, even without obvious intestinal symptoms (which usually accompany DH, but not always).

Those of us with DH find that we react to metal as well (the poster above about the nickel sensitivity is right on target), and also wheat germ oil in shampoos and lotions. In addition, many celiacs react to OATS (grown on same fields as wheat and also has similar protein structure), so Aveeno, which contains oatmeal, makes our rashes worse rather than better.

I found a ton of info on celiac.com and glutenfreeforum.com, but there are many, many others with lots of good info and supportive people who USED to have eczema.

One last thing--asthma is also very closely related to this. Most of us at celiac.com got rid of our asthma by going off gluten.

By dkwfla49 on Saturday, August 16, 2008 - 09:31 pm:

I have suffered from pompholyx for several years....very severe on my hands, not quite as severe on my feet but still there (esp heels)....one day a man from my church told me he had gotten relief from eczema (not pompholyx) by visiting a health food store in a small town north of where i live (Florida)...I visited her and she recommended Borage Seed Oil capsules (1000 mg) taken twice a day.....it's very similar in substance to fish oil capsules .....I began taking the Borage Seed Oil with skeptism because nothing I had tried worked completely...steroid cream helped, vinegar soaks helped for awhile but it was always there, ready to break out at a moment's notice, sometimes during stress, sometimes for no reason at all......anyway as I took the Borage Seed Oil over several weeks, I began to notice my pompholyx getting better....stil had some breaking out but not as severe.....as my body absorbed more and more of the Borage Seed Oil I began to see the pompholyx slowly disappear and now probably 2 months later my hands and heels look as good as new....I don't use any creams, vinegar, or anything......but I do take the Borage Seed Oil without fail ....once capsule in the morning and one before bed....I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am that I have found something that works and has given me my social life back and freed me from always hiding my hands from embarassment...hopefully this will do the same for fellow sufferers.

By dabdil on Monday, July 21, 2008 - 04:21 pm:

Okay...I nearly read the whole forum and I want to say something too.

Firstly I have always had dry skin as far as I can remember. Not eczema but dry skin. One day my school nurse asked about this and can't remember whether she arranged an appointment with my doctor or not. But I do remember having pimples with clear liquid inside on my right index finger. I used to scratch it sometimes as it was really really itchy, used to even scrape my finger along a wall on the way back from school to help scratch which would end up with bleeding and then loads of TCP cream sandwiched to my finger using a plaster. Any way after years of focusing on this growing problem and being a normal kind a guy, when in sexual relationships I had an increase of this problem on my hands and round my mouth and other body areas. Then I clicked that body fluids/liquids/mucus eg. urine, sperm etc from the private parts, call it what you want trigged this problem. So what could have been a common dry skin problem with no barrier or natural skin oil protection any type of fluid, foreign to the body can get soaked up and then the pimples and itching etc starts. There is no fix for this but here is a list of medicies I have used which no longer work.

Wah Wah Cream
Nerisone Oily Cream
Dermovate
Betnovate
Eumovate
Fucibet
Fucidin
Elocon
Hydrocortisone
Doublebase
Diprobase
Epaderm
Aquas Cream
E45
Dermo500
Elata or Olata Soup
Oilatum
Dettol

PS: Anyone tried the STEAM ROOM at the gym.
PSS: If you have a fix or want to discuss something give me a shout.

I'm gonna try the white vinegar idea?

By Me Too on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 11:32 pm:

I have browsed through most all the messages in this forum and want to offer the benefit of my experience.

I have had excema since birth--- Majorly on my hands and feet. I have dark skin so my discoloration is very obvious. Most people think I was burned.

Anyway, as far as moisture retention, I reccommend something that is ususally used on the hair. It is Murray's Pomade. It is like a wax. If you have severe excema, then you know lotions and cremes are as helpful as putting lotion on concrete. This Murray product has helped me. It is not too greasy. Also Murray's Beeswax- pure Australian is another emoilient that really does seal in the skin. I also wear pull up sock tights to help seal my skin for the day.

Murry's can be found in the hair aisle- ethnic section of CVS sometiems and or Walgreens. Some Sally Beauty Supply stores may have this as well.

Primose Oil has reduced my itching about 95%. I take two in the morning and 2 before bed. Anytime I laspe, I can tell immediately becasue I start itching. (1000 mg)

After reading one post, I am going to increase my intake of Primrose Oil. I will also continue to try to make diet changes. (Even though I do pretty well. I rarely drink soda, don't smoke, no coffee, but I'm bad about enjoying my bready desserts or cookies daily but I am not over-weight.)

This is all for now.

By Catherine on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - 10:49 pm:

Hi All,

I have recently moved from Australia to London and Im finding the water here drys my skin badly.

I have suffered from eczema since I was a little kid. I find that if I can keep my skin moist I do not have outbreaks - therefore I found that using Sorbolene cream was my saviour....

My problem now is that I cant find this product in London... Does anyone know where I can purchase it from or knows a product in UK that will be as good??

Any help would be great.

By tired on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - 05:17 pm:

anyone have bloated feets??

By Steve on Monday, June 30, 2008 - 03:11 am:

Hi Guys.
Please forgive my spelling as it is 2 am in the morrrning.
Eczema is ganetic in most people as in me.
Im one of the poor ones who gets ir everywere.
On my legs, arms, tummy and face.
It iches like hell then gets sore and bleeds because ive scratch it so much.
For me its my emune system that is over acting.
My skin is constantly tenewing itself thats why its itches so much and then flakes.
And there is no cure im affraid so i got to live with and have for the last 42 years.
I can not use amy soap based product at all natural or chemical or any chemical moisturiser or any perfumed product.
Creams dont work for me or steriods, anyway they thin the skin and like my skin broose easly.
Ive tryed almost everything on the plannet.
But the two things im trying now are a double base jel and olive oil.So for so good.
The double base gel is suppressing the iching and the olive oil is moisturiseing.
The flakeyness has gone and I can move now without
my skin cracking.
I have not yet tryed the jobo and cocconut oil but may do.
Im constantly on the look out for new ways to eas my eczma without useing chemicals, they make it wore.
So if you have any ideas please get in touch, but please do remember I dont do chemicals cos i dont wonna glow in the dark anymore.LOL.
Thanks all the best.
Steve

By guyfrankland on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 03:35 pm:

hi

I suffered with pompholyx / dyshidrosis on my feet for years... like many of you I went through the same things..

treatments which did not work
wrong diagnosis
steroids and creams which just made things so much worse
the blisters on my feet used to get so bad until eventually i could hardly walk and certainly couldn't wear shoes

in short... my life was hell and was fed up, no sick to the back teeth, of hearing that it could never be sorted... trust me.. that is rubbish!

I looked on the internet and found another site where someone said to bath the affected part in hot vinegar/water solution... now I don't like my skin being hot... I found that cold was far more soothing... so I just placed my feet in a white vinegar solution...

it stung like mad.. and then the itching stopped

over the next month i tried different variations and methods of application

i used not only vinegar but also hydrogen peroxide in as strong a solution as i could find.. now that REALLY stung on open skin

but... after a month things had improved significantly... and now about a year and 3 months later I have no eczema to speak of on my feet...

here's what i do... twice a day, once AFTER i shower in the morning and once just before bedtime... I get a spray bottle and spray my feet with NEAT WHITE VINEGAR using one of those cheap spray bottles you can get from the supermarket

that stops the itching... if you start to itch again.. just have a little spray.

it hasn't gone as such... it is still lurking away in the background and i know if i stop using the vinegar it will come back... but it is completely under control now... I don't even use the hydrogen peroxide solution anymore.

the theory behind the cause is hard water... I was thinking that I use white vinegar to clean limescale (calcium and magnesium) and that it eats this very well... so an application of white vinegar might well clear the skin of any calcium or magnesium deposits left over from the hard water... i wrote to Professor Hywel Williams who is a leading figure in UK dermatology, to tell of my findings, and he confirmed that this might be the case.. there is still research to be done in this area and interestingly they are conducting soft water trials in under 16's in the UK

so if you do dilute the solution, or any other solution for that matter... use FILTERED water!!

my 'vinegar spray', as I call it, also stops the itching on my discoid eczema on my knee... but doesn't make it go away... so I am looking into a solution for that now!

if you want to see some before and after pic's of my feet... go to this facebook group and look at the pictures... facebook.com/home.php?src=fftb#/group.php?gid=2210609722

you can always drop me a line through facebook if you want any more info

good luck... I really feel for you but please, please try this... it WILL sting, like hell at first, but then it will go away after about 10 minutes... I know several people I have told to try this on pompholyx / dyshidrosis and hands and feet and it has worked for every single one of them!

Guy

ps. and I sleep now... oh how I sleep like a baby... that first night after I tried this for the first time I slept and slept and slept... it was the best night's sleep of my life!

By louise on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 10:48 am:

I suffer from severe eczema on my feet mostly for the past year but the rest of my body since i was 1 year old. I have tried all the treatmetns available over the years, been in hospital twice but nothing seems to help long term.
I have recently been told to soak my feet in my own urine for about half hour each day. (doesnt sound nice but it does actually help.) The other thing ive been trying is magno classic black soap by schwarzkopf & henkel its supposed to help psorisis as well. you can buy it over the internet or its widely available in spain. as with all treatments they work for some and not others.

best wishes

By gypsywench on Friday, May 16, 2008 - 07:19 pm:

I have had a ”condition” on my left foot (that my doctor diagnosed as athletes foot) for about 10 years. It only showed up occasionally so I brushed it off.

Then, about 4 or 5 years ago it started showing up more often, lasting longer, and itching worse. Nothing I tried helped.

Finally I went in to the Doctor's office one day and ended up seeing the Physicians Assistant. She took one look at it and said Dyshidrosis, left the room for a moment and returned with a printed sheet on the subject. The recommended treatments didn’t work.

Dyshidrosis is also known as: Dyshidrotic Eczema, Dyshidrotic Dermatitis, Housewife Eczema, Pompholyx, Vesicular Hand Eczema, Vesicular Foot Eczema.

What DID work was:
..Hydrogen peroxide gel (Walgreens makes this) for the itching (usually stops it in a few minutes)
..Or (not quite as good but better than most other things) gels with lidocaine or benzocaine (for itching, burns, etc)
..Poison Ivy/Oak by Hylands.....homeopathic tablets...take as directed until it clears, then once a day to keep it clear.
..Soaking my foot in hydrogen peroxide (regular strength) for an hour several times a week
..Soaking my foot in apple cider vinager (cut 50/50 with water up to full strength) for an hour several times a week

In one of the previous conversations a product called Johnson and Johnson Liquid Band Aid was mentioned for skin cracks. This product was new when first mentioned here BUT there is another product called New-Skin® that first trademarked in 1901. My family has been using for many years.

Both products are fantastic, but I have found it is better to NOT use them on deep cracks because when they dry THEY can crack. Also, to remove it you have to use more of the product to “melt” the old stuff and then wipe it off (like using nail polish to remove old nail polish).

Antibiotic ointment & Band-Aid Active-Flex bandages (or other waterproof bandages) work best for me.

Of course, since I don’t have many flare-ups now I don’t get cracks as often.

By Andrew on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 10:33 am:

I've suffered from dermatitis (a form of eczema) for 36 years now.

I’ve seen many, many doctors and specialists; but over time you learn what works and what doesn't.

I believe the main cause of my problem is allergies.

Here’s what I do to keep my dermatitis under control:

1.Day to day prevention
• Replacing normal soap with Sorbolene soap – usualy available from the Supermarket, if not from a pharmacy.
• Using cotton socks, underwear, sleepwear – you just choose 100% cotton when next buying these items
• Using a cheap, un-perfumed moisturiser daily (I use Sorbolene with 10% glycerine) – this prevents the skin from becoming dry, which is most important for preventing dermatitis.
• Using rubber gloves when handing detergents, chemicals, etc.

2.Specific Prevention
• Taking an anti-histamine table daily, specific for allergies and hay fever (prevents itching caused by environmental issues). I take this at night, because it is possible to scratch at night while asleep.
• Taking a prescription nasal steroid daily (Nasonex), to circumvent exposure to allergies (like the cat)

3.Immediate cure
• Despite all advice given to not scratch the itch, the advisors have absolutely no idea how painfully strong the itching is. I use hot tap water, as hot as possible, for a short time on the affected area. This quells the itch in seconds. Sometimes it is necessary to take a really hot shower if there are multiple affected areas on the body.
• As the hot water dries out the skin, it is important to re-apply the cheap moisturiser after dab-drying the skin with a towel.

4.Cure for scratched or inflamed dermatitis
• For the concentrated areas that flare up: I use (prescription only) Diprosone steroid cream, but sparingly. A dab twice a day clears up the dermatitis after 3 or so days - a whole lot at once doesn't.
• As a prevention/cure, and for less sever problems, I also use (prescription only) Betnovate 1/5 cream, which is a less intense product.

Whilst all of this may sound like a lot of work, it is surprising how easily most of it can fit into your day-to-day life. Eg. moisturising after showering becomes second nature.

The biggest aspect for me is making sure to take the anti-histamine tablet last thing at night, and to ensure the prescription medicines are topped up when they are running low.

A warning though - the prescription medicine is expensive when bought, but does last for a good while. It may be necessary to keep money aside for when the expense arises.

I hope this information is of some use to a reader.

By NoitAll on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 08:03 am:

I've had eczema for my entire life and it's ONLY cause is exposure to allergens! If you have it your coming in contact with something your allergic to. I saw tons of different specialists and doctors and all of them told me it was eczema and I had to live with it. Well they were all wrong... I went through my entire childhood with blistering feet to find out that walking barefoot in the grass caused it on my feet, and it took me seven years to realize my hands blistered because I was allergic to the doorknobs on the new doors my parents put in our house. If you have this you are coming in contact with something you are allergic to, you need to go through EVERYTHING that contacts that area during a normal week and then determine what is special about it. If you find the exact allergen and stop contact your eczema will go away. Doctors and medicines won't help you because your treating the problem not removing the cause. You have to take the time and find the cause for yourself. Goodluck! Oh and the banjo playing was more likely causing your eczema because of a metal allergy to something in the strings...

By Graham on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 06:28 pm:

If you experience eczema on your fingers periodically, it could be a topical allergy. I had it for years (characterized by clusters of water blisters that would eventually break open) as a kid and went through five doctors/specialists before I discovered the problem on my own through a friend's friend who had the same thing and told me she discovered she was allergic to citrus fruit juice on her skin. Turned out I was too, so I stopped peeling oranges etc. and never had it again. I also have to be careful eating citrus fruits because my lips and mouth are sensitive (get water blisters and cankers).

Eczema on the hand can also be a non-topical issue, such as stress. I had a break out in my late '20s on my right hand when I was learning to play the banjo. All my focus and frustrated nerve-frazzled energy was being channeled into the fingers of my right hand that did the string picking. I gave up the banjo and my fingers cleared up.

It could also be your immune system having gone out of whack. I'm now dealing with a new outbreak on my fingers of one hand after going 30 years without any issues. I also now have adult onset asthma, which is a sign of an immune system that is out of whack, so I’m looking at this possibility as the cause. The eczema this time is definitely non-topical (i.e., not caused by anything obvious that's coming into contact with my skin). It's resulting from something going on inside my body. It's only on one hand (my right one again) and a bit different than whenever I had it earlier in my life. This time it is very slow to develop and spread, with some redness but fewer and harder blisters, and my fingers are swollen (which I don’t remember happening before). Interestingly, it only itches once or twice a day for a while, usually when I lay down in bed. It is creating small lesions in the skin too. I took antibiotics and at the same time applied a topical cortisone cream and it eventually went away. But it’s returned two months later and the cream on its own isn’t doing a thing for it. I'm trying to hone in on what is causing it (stress? food allergy/immune system?), so if anyone has a similar experience and any advice (no hype-filled commercials, please) that may help, please post something up here or email me.

By nancy on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 10:42 pm:

When i read your post, i felt so bad for you. sometimes the itching gets so intense, we gotta yell at ourselves "Stop It!!!!". When we cant, say again, i said "Stop It!!!!"Then force your hands down to your sides. I do this alot when im by myself. Also, heres a sure fire method for itching...but be careful around the eyes... Mix Apple Cider Vinegar with water 50/50 and apply to itchy area. The mixing with water is for possible stinging on any open wounds. You can decrease/increase the water at your own comfort. i even use it on my scalp. No side effects, and cheap. It really works!!!!!!!!

By mr itchy on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 12:26 pm:

ive many skin problems.i suffer from eczmea behind the elbows and knees.it has been getting worse in the last 6 weeks.i also suffer from dermantitus on both hands.i had an allergy test and was allergic to 50% of what was` tested for.i have used every steriod cream,have a very healthy diet,use soap free products,take zinc and flaxseed,drink lots of water and change my bedding every 2 days.i wake up every night between 4-5 timees itchy and scratching.it is driving me insane.does anybody have a miracle cure???? please?????

By PositiveThinkingCures on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 04:01 pm:

Hello..
as a long term eczema sufferer i d like to share my tips.. i am 20 now, had eczema for my whole life and i think i now know how to manage it.. Mostly i have it on my hands and face..
1.Choose our shampoo and bathfoam (even the toothpaste) carefully. Get the ones for sensitive skin. Check which shampoo does not irritate you much. (I use the ones for babies). I very carefully choose my make up products as well. At the moment i am quite satisfied with La Roche-POsay (creamy) foundation. I definately avoid clinique, lancome etc! Full of irritants for me. I try and use as less make up as i can and for as short time as i can.
2. When dish washing or doing household stuff i wear gloves.. really cheap latex gloves. Stay away from irritants.
3. Sweating really makes it worse. Thats why i cant use the special cotton gloves they suggest or wrap my fingers with cling film etc. On the contrary, i blow cold air to my hands..it works for me. (Dont over dry!! Just for 5 secs) Overheating has the same effect. When i have flare ups i definately avoid sun! it makes it MUCH worse! Special sun protection for the face helps.
4. I always have steroid creams such as elocon, elidel, hydrocotrisone..i only use them to manage flare ups. (i used to take steroid tablets for a while! hate the side effects) Protopic is helpful, Diprobase as well.
5. For everyday moisture and cleaning..I use *olay daily facials*.. really good! Any product you use should be for sensitive skin, with no aroma etc.
I dont know if that happens to you all, but my skin kind of gets used to moisturises and creams after a while, and the same moisturisers start itching me etc!! So i use two different creams.. One each day.. Twice a day. (i now use Physiogel cream and Bioderma Atoderm). Have a special clean face cotton towel.
I always carry a hand cream with me (eg E45) and i use it as often as i can. When i am at home i might apply creams 10 times a day..Sounds too much but works,so i am fine with it.
6. Definately some foods make it worse and some fabrics as well.. I looove food though and allergy tests didnt show anything specific so i havent excluded any food from my diet. Well i always avoid to contact tomato juice (any food juices basically) or touch peaches! On fabrics, my bed sheets and towels are 100% cotton.
7. What i usually say to friends etc is that the only cure for hand eczema is to cut your hand off.. I thought there is no cure... Especially when you get flare ups.. U re kind of handicap.. I get so miserable.. Esp when stressed, i get it everywhere, i cant get sleep, i fail exams.., cant use my own hands!.. i scare friends and family.. The most important thing is i think to fight your urge to itch your hands! **RESIST SCRATCHING!!** i used to scratch my hands on my jeans.. on any rough fabric till they bleed. Just realise you make things as bad as they can be and they ll go on FOREVER if you don't stop.. IF YOU ELIMINATE SCRATCHING YOU VE MADE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS CURING ECZEMA.
I dont think there is a single medication to fight Eczema.. i think you just have to adopt a whole lifestyle against it! Avoid extreme therapies if possible. Be systematic and patient!

Best of luck and i am sorry for the huuuge msg. Hope it helps.

By Nina on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 11:03 am:

Hello All,

I have suffered terrible excema for at least a year and a 1/2 now. I went through many creams and medicines. My excema was a result of allergies. I am seeing miraculous improvement since this past saturday. I have started the Gillian McKeith diet program. She has a show on the BBC "You Are What You Eat." She is a holistic nutritionist. I was a sugarholic until I got on her regimen. I am truly not craving sugar for the first time, by filling my body with tons of vegetables and fiber, and cutting out sugar and red meat. I always thought I was a healthy eater, but I loved chocolate. I realize now that my immune system was compromised. She has a website that you can join. She has an online site where you can get her daily program or you can buy her books in the bookstore. I also read in her online research library that by upping my intake of omega fatty acids this would help. Instead of taking 2 pills, I am now taking 12 a day. The article said that if you have excema you have trouble breaking down omega fatty acids. I started taking a Vitamin C chewable tablet, acifidopholis (has to be refrigerated or it is dead) and a super barley green that I add to my oatmilk. I would also suggest a rotational diet, which means you do not eat the same food for 4 days to ensure that you do not become allergic. The article also suggests that you can take Borage Oil to help with itching and Evening Primrose Oil with a certain GLA ratio. WEIL Primrose Oil has this ratio. You can use Primrose Oil instead of Fish Oil. The article is on her website under "Eczema" in her research library. This woman has changed my life. I would also recommend a colon cleanse. My hands are regenerating themselves and my itching has almost completely faded. I had tested negative for candida, but I think I may have an allergy to sugar. If you drink, I would stop that as well. I hope this helps you. My husband and I are in awe.

By angie on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 09:28 am:

hi
i have had really bad excema on my hands on and off for years that has been consistently bad for the last 10months or so. i have tried everything including £175.00 of chinese medicine that made it worse. but my friend who is into aromatherapy has just made me up some cream with double base cream and bergamot oil. i have only been using this for less than a week and my hand looks better than it has in months. i have also been taking evening primrose oil. fish oil. and zinc. hope this helps someone. i know what its like sometimes my hand looks like its been on fire and the skin just peels off just lately it has spread to my wrist. ps im 54 years old and have had excema since i was about 25 but this is the worst it has ever been

By jean9v on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 07:43 pm:

Miner Mom,

Have you tried... a high quality wool sock... wool will wick away the moisture... I would go to a hiking/sports store and tell them you need a sock that will wick... tell them that you are in these boots... for the duration... I am sure that they will be able to recommend a good sock... buy a couple of pairs and give them a try... your detergent that you wash your cotton socks.. could be the issue as well...or the fabric softner... but, I bet the wool socks... will be a help

By p on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 12:16 pm:

can the knuckles be cured?????? or do they stay like that forever??

By emma on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 11:50 am:

hello I've had very mild eczema since i was a little girl but now it's got really bad. I work in a resturant and did dishes when I started & was exposed to many cleaning products. As a result my hands have become wrinkly/red/dry/swollen and puffy! PLEASE if anyone can help me get them back to normal that would be great. Eczema affects my life and I can't even buy rings as my knuckles are swollen and dry. Eczema has and is affecting my life so if anyone can help i would be eternally greatful

By emma on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 11:50 am:

hello I've had very mild eczema since i was a little girl but now it's got really bad. I work in a resturant and did dishes when I started & was exposed to many cleaning products. As a result my hands have become wrinkly/red/dry/swollen and puffy! PLEASE if anyone can help me get them back to normal that would be great. Eczema affects my life and I can't even buy rings as my knuckles are swollen and dry. Eczema has and is affecting my life so if anyone can help i would be eternally greatful

By Pod on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 11:01 pm:

For Sarah, about the itching on the hands:

For itching, my docs told me to use a spray of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. Worth a try!

By Miner mom on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 06:29 pm:

I work in a chemistry lab that tests dirt from blastholes for copper and moly content as well as lead, iron, etc. Most of the blastholes have a high concentrate of copper and moly, since they do come from the biggest copper mine in north america. Go figure huh? LOL. While doing this we use hydracloric, hydraflouric and nitric acid. Sulfuric acid, ferrate solutin and lots of water. To protect from the acid gloves are required and my hands are flaring up again with eczema, what can I do to help my hands? I wear the powder free, latex free, nirtile gloves. They don't seem to irritate as bad as all the others. Also the rest of my body seems to have more of a constant problem with the excema do you think it could be related to the acids or metals? My feet have that dyshidrosis. It is extremly painful. I have noticed that with this if you wear cottn socks they seem to "eat" away the skin. It is aweful. I have tried several different kinds of work boots with no relief. What do you suggest to put on my feet as I wear the steel toed boots 4 days at a time for 12 hour shifts? I always have 4 or 5 days off at a time, so I try to let my feet air out but when I start back to work all of it rushes back. I am gonna want to wear flip flops this summer and need to get a handle on this pronto. Please give me suggestions

By sarah on Tuesday, January 01, 2008 - 03:08 pm:

hi. yesterday I was told by the doctor I have eczema. I have it on the back of my right hand. A large patch of red raised itchy lumps, and some on my 3/4 fingers. I also have it on my back, but my hand worries me most. It is so itchy!!! I can't help but scratch. I know I shouldn't but I can't help it. I have been given a steroid cream by the doctor. how do I stop the itching throughout the day?

By P.O.d after all these years on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 06:51 pm:

Happened on the site while looking for a store that has good prices in CeraVe, etc. and saw a pattern of misdiagnoses of various skin ailments, so I thought I'd pass this along: I had what was variously diagnosed as eczema, psoriasis, etc. for 35 years (with multiple biopsies, scrapes, etc.), but just this summer a free screening ultimately lead me to M.D. Anderson in Houston and I am now being treated for t-cell lymphoma, specifically, mycosis fungoides (the thing "Mr. T." conquered, if you care to google his story). Bottom line -- get yourself a really good doctor.

By Alternative Therapy Helped on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 01:17 pm:

Hi,

I suffered from dyshidrosis eczema as early as when I was 10 years old ( I am 28 now). After 2 tormenting years, we found a dr. who recommended steroids and I took them. The eczema subsided leaving some scars but the steroids bloated my body and I still have some hormonal disorders due to it.

When I was about 22 years, the problem resurfaced and this time I took help of Homeopathic Medicine. This worked wonders and actually cured the problem while leaving no scars from the larger bullions. Its okay for anyone to not believe in alternative medicine but it worked for me and I am sure you could try out homeopathy for yourself too from a well known homeopathy practitioner (make sure he/she has the required degree to practice homeopathy. In India the degree is called BHMS or Bachelor of Homeopathy Medicine and Surgery).

By allan on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 08:38 am:

Im originally from Ontario and I had recently went and lived in Alberta (Canada) and also I had just went through a break-up, but after a while being in Alberta I was alot stress free and because the air is alot less humid and dry my eczema healed up untill I became stressed again, but I was also taking cooler showers with less preasure on my skin, possibly keeping the natural oils on me. Yet now Im back in Ontario and my eczema has flared up once again, I also heard that taking cold showers can help, which it may have been in my case, and also landry soap, which come to think about I did not use on my laundry. All in all I do believe it is stress and detergents that can cause flare ups, and hot showers that remove essential oils that protect your skin. But anyone who has eczema knows that taking a super hot shower really relieves the irritation and helps stop the pussing, so I found. The eczema almost becomes a habit from the itching and the relief you get from scratching and it is a difficult disease to cure, not to mention the fact that it draws self confidence from one self.

By Ex Excema on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 03:48 pm:

Folks:

I stumbled across this page by accident. I am an ex "dishydrotic excema" sufferer. Louisa's saran wrap and sock routine made me laugh. It was the same crap a dozen different bone-headed, expert, highly-trained, highly-paid dermatologists told me to do as well. I used to get the blisters and scales to the point they covered 95% of my hands, waist, ankles, and feet. I used to stick my hands and feet in snow drifts for relief from the itching.

The morons would prescribe cortisone, or some variant of it. "I would not die because of it, but I would die with it," is what one doctor told me. "It is caused by stress," said another. Sound familiar?

One night I was going through the check out line at an auto parts store. I was getting ready to purchase an oil filter when the young cashier lady looked me in the eye and said, "You use Fresh Start clothing detergent."

I was somewhat surprised by her presumptuous remark and uttered in response, "Yeah, but how did you know?"

Still looking me in the eye she answered, "Because you have dishydrotic excema."

Everything kind of fell in place. The excema showed up my freshman year in college when I started using Fresh Start. I liked the bottle it came in because it wouldn't let the detergent "perfume up" my closet, and the bottle wouldn't let the detergent spill if tipped over.

Now, if you don't use Fresh Start (I don't even know if they still make it) don't despair because in the late 1980's and 1990's most detergent manufacturers switched to the same basic formulation. After Fresh Start we switched to Tide. It worked well for several years until they switched to the "Ultra" formulation, then I had the same problem with Tide. We tried several other brands with the same results. We now use this liquid stuff from Melaleuca.

At any rate, I hadn't thought about my excema in years until I literally stumbled across this page. I hope that my anecdote can help a few of you.

Regards.

By Louisa on Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 03:52 pm:

I have had dyshidrotic Eczema for about five years now and it took five dermatologists before my current one diagnosed my problem correctly. I have a pretty good system set up now for keeping mine someowhat in check. I use a topical steroid called Clobetasol when it is bad, I slather is on at night on hands and my feet, I then wrap my feet in saran wrap and socks. When my hands and feet aren't so bad I use the protopic non steroid ointment. I have found over the years that the ointments alwasy work better than the cream forms, they are more potent and stronger. I also pop my blisters with a straight pin because i have found that they get better faster. This is what works for me, but as my dermatologist says, this is going to be a lifelong problem for me.

By Sherry on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 07:00 pm:

Hello! I just found this website today. I believe the smoking theory not to be true. I've had this since I was 7-8 years old and am now 42. I used to pop the blisters and still do occasionally when they are too swollen and painful. Sometimes the blisters - if left alone - dry up and leave a white skin patch that flakes off or "calcifies" as I like to call it - get filled in and stays around - sometimes for years and years! I did notice in high school that my boyfriend's class ring did cause blisters and scaling on my ring finger. I was just diagnosed about 4 years ago, put on Prednisone at that time for about 2 weeks and it all went away. Came back later on, but I'm used to it and don't want to take steroids all the time. It is bothersome, but not the extremely painful thing that some on here report. Winter is the worst - around Christmas - I can't touch anything too hot because the skin on my fingers is gone. And my palms hurt. But now I'm starting to figure out that my 12-year old son may have this and probably has since he was 2 years old. He's now getting very large blisters (larger than I've ever had) on the sole of one foot. Has anyone noticed a relationship between the size of the blisters and the severity of the dyshydrosis? Is he looking at this getting worse in later years? Am I??? Thanks!

By Teres on Monday, September 03, 2007 - 04:55 am:

Greetings Folks! I was doing research for my cousin and found your site by accident. I’m a professional research geek with a double major in psychology and science and some medical training and herbal training. I haven’t included my email address because I have yet to check with the monitors on this board about putting up a business em.

I developed eczema when I was 1.5 years old; 3 decades before I started smoking [to answer one of the posts]. I was ten or so when I found that putting my hands into ultra hot running water soothed the itching. I’ve gone through most of treatments described on this board. I even had to start 10th grade wearing white cotton gloves at all times. That was not fun. I do believe that eczema can be genetic or a result of environmental toxins. Mine is genetic. If any of you also suffer from dry mouth and dry eyes do some research into Sjogren’s Disease. There is probably no cure but at least it’s more info. And there is a blood test you can take to confirm the diagnosis. I’m still researching Sjogren’s. More info on this at the end of this message. Sjogren’s is an autoimmune disease and eczema is one of the trademarks of the disease. It can also be associated with fibromyalgia. Both are more common in women than men. I do believe, at least for a portion of you, eczema is an autoimmune disease. Some autoimmune diseases can be brought on by physical trauma as was my fibro. For those of you who are young, you may find you outgrow the worst of this condition. I don’t get the blistering, cracking and bleeding any more. I’m 57. But I still get patches of rash. And stress is definitely a factor in setting off the rash. Today is the first time I’ve heard of the diagnosis of dyshidrotic eczema. I’ll be doing more research on that.

One post mentioned Melaleuca’s skin cream. Their bath soap is also excellent. However, I believe it’s the tea tree oil in their products that makes the difference. I worked for the FDA [until I became a Whistle Blower] and inspected Melaleuca’s operations. I love the company but there are probably less expensive and equally effective products on the market. I can’t confirm this as I am still using up my Melaleuca soap. I’ll try other brands when I’ve used up what I have. Tea Tree oil is anti-microbial [antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral].

Here is one thing to try: purchase an organic enzyme spray from a health food store; I use Nature’s Sunshine brand but I’ve researched other organic enzyme sprays that I think would be just as effective. Use 4 0z [120 ml] of enzyme liquid in a spray bottle and add 3-5 drops of tea tree essential oil. At your discretion you can also add the same amount of eucalyptus essential oil [also antimicrobial]. Try it with just one oil first. Please make sure these are PURE essential oils. They’re easy to find on the web and Aura Cacia puts out a fine product at an inexpensive price. You can also order bottles from specialtybottle.com. You can even order just one bottle. Spray on the affected area. Make sure to keep your hands away from your eyes; the oils burn like heck. If you want something with a little moisturizing in it, use PURE jojoba oil. I use a drug-store brand. [BTW, it’s the only oil that doesn’t go rancid.] I put it in a dropper-bottle with the tea tree oil, apply and then top it off with shea butter. I use shea butter from alaffia.com because it’s a ‘fair trade’ product. It’s a little more expensive but if you look at the website, you’ll understand the rational. You can also use coconut oil with the essential oil. Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler using a temp just over ‘warm’; it melts easily. Add the essential oil, decant into sterilized bottle and cool. I use Tropical Traditions coconut oil tropicaltraditions.com. Again, a Fair Trade product. Please inspect the labels on anything you buy for your skin to make sure it’s pure and without additives and preservatives. These can have an adverse affect on some people.

I also highly recommend staying away from petrol based products. The skin is the largest organ in the body; it absorbs everything in terms of creams and cosmetic products, cleaning products etc. Petrol products [tar, mineral oils etc] contain toxins. Also, when searching for a body cream that gives you the depth of moisturizing you’re looking for, AVOID AT ALL COSTS Q 15 [quaternium 15] . This is a formaldehyde releasing product and will probably send your eczema through the roof. It certainly did for me. I recently went through a bout of blistering because I used the one cream that gives me the moisturizing I want but also has Q15 in it; And I KNEW better. Just type the chemical’s name in your browser and you’ll be surprised how many cosmetic products contain this chemical; it’s used as a preservative. And the FDA ALLOWS this!!! Fools!

Some of you mentioned soaps and dish soaps exacerbating your condition. I’ve found that Miracle 2 soap to be very non-irritating. It’s a plant-based product. You may choke on the price, but if you dilute it according to their instructions for cleaning sprays and use the straight soap on your sponge [just one drop will clean many dishes] you’ll find it to be cost effective. I’ve had 1 bottle for over a year. It also seems to have some antimicrobial properties; my sponges don’t go “sour” the way they did with Dawn, the only other dishwashing soap I’ve ever found that doesn’t set off my eczema. The folks who head the Miracle 2 business are hard working elderly Kansas farmers. I haven’t found their body cream to be cost effective nor the soap/lotion combo they recommend for the shower. I use the soap in the shower also in conjunction with tea tree oil soap. miracle2-4U.net is one place you can find the product. Type the name of the product into your browser and you will find distributors who offer free shipping.

I still haven’t found the perfect moisturizing cream for my body. But I plan to play around with a combination of jojoba, coconut oil and shea butter. I’ve been making my own herbal products and using essential oils for 30+ years. I can’t wear commercial perfumes; they turn really nasty. So I started using essential oils in college in the early ‘70s. I’d smell them in the morning and decide on the combo I wanted to wear that day depending on my mood. This was long before Aromatherapy was an accepted healing modality. I suspect there is a connection between my genetic difficulties and my inability to wear store-bought perfumes. I’d be interested to hear if anyone else has run into this.

I’ve found doctors to be totally incompetent in dealing with this condition. Also on my AVOID AT ALL COSTS list is prednisone. The side effects of this drug are nasty over the long term. I’ve never used it. But I have family members who have. They have no choice. But it affects their moods [as one person said: psycopath in waiting] and thins the skin so much that just taking off a Band-Aid tears the skin. And there are other side effects as well. I know it may be the only thing that gives you relief. So, while you keep taking it, research other alternatives; talk to people; if you can, find a Medical Intuitive; they can read disease states in your body and if they are also an herbalist, may be able to help you. I’m a science based gal, but I’ve seen Medical Intuitives do some amazing things. The Brits on this board may be more open to this than those from the States.

I found post by kevin on Monday, August 08, 2005 to be very interesting and have merit [Although I don’t plan to burn myself on the off chance that it will make a difference], Especially interesting to me, was when he talking about sweat glands. My hands and feet sweat profusely. I’m ‘allergic’ to my own sweat and I’ve offended lovers when I have had to put a sheet between our bodies because their sweat burns my skin. I applaud his effort to get Doctors to listen but I’m certainly not surprised that they brushed him off. Be very careful if you decide to experiment with DMSO. It’s essential that your hands are very clean. DMSO will carry anything on your skin into your body including bacteria. Personally, I’d only use it with the advice of an experienced herbalist or naturopath.

And, as an aside, if you use the enzyme spray with both essential oils, it will take odors out of cloths or other things, disinfect surfaces without the dangers of the store bought products. Our increased concern in the US about "GERMS” [~~~shudder~~~] is just increasing the likelihood of increasing the number of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Essential oils are FAR more complex than the commercial products and the bugs are very unlikely to figure out how to ‘break the code’ the way they can with our current antibiotics and antibacterial sprays. This is one of my soap boxes so I won’t go into detail. But I will say that Lysol contains very dangerous poisons [pesticides]. And there is no law in the US that requires that the ingredients be listed on the label. NEVER use this product around children. If you want to disinfect something spray it with isopropyl alcohol and let it air dry [a procedure used in laboratories] or use the enzyme recipe. And live with the germs. They keep our immune system on its toes and help to keep us healthy.

Here are few more resources: csrh.com: these folks have helped me immensely and they might have some suggestions about your various types of eczema. They are Nutritional Detectives and use only natural therapies centering of vitamins and food choices. They use food allergy testing that is much more detailed than anything you’ll get from patch tests. They will certainly know about food that contain nickel. They also have a Metabolic Assay test that can give info on some genetic glitches like neurotransmitters and inability to digest some types of oils as well as other things. They will work long distance with folks. The lab they use is very specialized [food allergies] and you can view info on the tests at usbiotech.com . David Minzel PhD and his wife own CSRH; you can look him up on the web and read some of his publications if they interest you. If you have dry eyes and mouth, imdb.com has message boards. Go to the Health and Science board and look at the thread titled “Sjogren’s: Need Help”. The folks on this board are quite helpful. You can also start your own thread and see what you get. watercure.com offers an interesting perspective. I just found this a couple of days ago so I haven’t had a chance to look at everything however what I saw I found accurate. A very large proportion of the US population is dehydrated. I drink two liters of water each day and that barely puts me ‘even’. The parent site for Water Cure is newstarget.com. I’ve found the info on this site to be well researched and accurate. mercola.com is another health related web site that I’ve found very credible. If you’re a woman with eczema and can’t wear foundation, try Bare Minerals. bareescentuals.com. Even if you can wear foundation, check out the site. This is a ‘no hype’ product. And it’s actually good for your skin. They also have a no hassle return policy making it risk free. At the time of this writing they are running a great special trybareminerals.com. If you have chronically chapped lips, their lip balm is the only thing I’ve found that smoothes out my lip tissue. I can actually wear lipstick for the first time in my life.

Disclaimer [just in case]: I have no financial ties with any of the resources I’ve recommended.

By mimsi on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 05:01 am:

BEWARE of smearing on too much topical cortesoids for too long a period on the afflicted areas; years of doing so destroyed the natural fatty sublayer underneath the skin of my hands, and now they resemble those of a woman twice my age. If you have other mystery afflictions, be persistent with your medical providers. I've suffered with exactly what you describe (one of the names I've heard it called is Dyshidrotic Eczema) intensely all over my fingers and sometimes lower legs for over 30 years, along with a wide variety of severe and sometimes life-threatening other ailments from vomiting and passing blood to facial rashes to episodes involving my kidneys, liver, pancreas, etc. For 20 of those years the doctors were baffled. At last, after a vicious nearly unstoppable bout with pneumonia, a doctor I thank God for discovered the connection. My ANA levels were tested and found to be 300 times above normal. That, and a multitude of other tests along with my medical history, showed conclusively that I am battling SLE lupus. It took years of Plaquenil, Prednesone, and several other prescription medicines to stabilize me. I am not yet in remission, but thank God I am still alive!

By marji on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 02:00 am:

i have suffered with hand eczema for 8 years,tried every type of steriod cream even the most potent and nothing helped. saw a different doctor one day who prescibed chlorphenamine anti-histamine tablets 3 times a day and if by a miracle hands completley cleared. it seems if you can control the itch you can control the eczema. i still have flair ups if i dont take the tablets so i suppose i will be taking them until i find the cause of my eczema but it is a small price to pay to be free from this horrible condition.

By Nina on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 02:21 am:

I just tried "Neem" cream for my excema and it seems to be helping. Check out the following website: the website: healthandyoga.com/html/product/neemcream.html

By Nina on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 02:19 am:

Someone had mentioned that Nickel was a problem for skin I thought I would put in this information about sugar, which might keep you away:

The manufacture of sugar from sugarcane juice is a process that involves a Cocktail of Chemicals. Sulphur dioxide, lime, phosphoric acid, formic acid, bleaching agents and viscosity reducers are just some of these. Moreover, the processing of sugar is carried on in mild steel equipment, which leads to a high dosage of Nickel in the mother liquor.

By Bill on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 06:23 pm:

I'm 60 years of age, wth no previous history of skin problems. I developed eczema inside my ear canals, nostrils, on the outside of my nose and centre forehead about a year ago. GP told me to avoid toiletries. Went back several months later and was prescribed 1% Hydrocortisone Cream. No effect. Tried again several months later and was prescribed Oilatum Cream because I said the Hydrocortisone had had no effect. About 5 weeks ago I developed severe exfoliative dermatitis on my hands and all of the skin came off piece by piece, accompanied by swelling, pain, bleeding and weeping clar fluid. Saw a different GP, who straight away suspected a drug reaction and immediately took me off my blood pressure medications (5mg Amlodipine and 160/25mg Co-Diovan, which is 160mg Valsartan combined with 25mg Hydrochlorothiazide) as all three have been implicated as causing skin problems! First GP, who had prescribed all this stuff, never even considered the possibility of a drug reaction. 2nd GP prescribed Betnovate RD Ointment, a moderate steroid. Was referred to Hospital Dermatology Clinic, and fortunately had to wait only 3 weeks. Saw the Consultant Dermatologist today who said it was almost certainly a drug reaction with the thiazide as the most likely culprit. The likely mechanism is photoallergy to UV radiation. After 3 weeks off the drugs and regular moisturising together with Betnovate, things are much improved although I still have eczematous eruptions on both hands. Dermatologist has prescribed Doublebase Gel instead of the Oilatum, and Dermovate Ointment, a potent steroid only to be used for 2 weeks. I have to go back in 3 months time and if still having problems he will conduct patch testing.
He will write to my GP practice advising restart of hypertension medication with different drugs from previously, one a time which will be a change from the earlier trigger-happy polypharmacy practised by that particular individual GP who seemed blithely unaware of potential side-effects.
Has anyone else had experience of prescription drug-induced skin problems?

By Nina on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 01:18 am:

Has anyone done anything about ridding themselves of Candida to cure the skin problem?

By Nina on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 12:46 am:

Nathan,

Years ago I went to an allergist and they gave me a list of foods that I was allergic to. I stayed away from them and everything cleared up. I have it really bad now and am going to go to the allergist again to get re-tested. Has anyone done any alternative treatments? Chinese herbs, Accupuncture?

By Nina on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 12:23 am:

Cindy,

I had a son and thought that the baby wipes had exacerbated the exczema as well!

By Nina on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 12:14 am:

Dear Anonymous,

A doctor told me using the steriod creams does not cause the wrinkles, it is the excema.

By Nina on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 12:11 am:

Andy,

Yes "equaline brand" 16 OZ dry skin cream. It is the generic brand of Eucerin cream and really helps.

By Danantonio on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 10:29 pm:

Can someone tell me where I can buy Eucerin 10% Urea cream (or a comparable product). It sounds like something I should try, but it seems that the sources are all outside the US?

By sally on Friday, August 10, 2007 - 07:27 pm:

KMC My rings are gold, I think that the nickel theroy is a very good one, I think that eating the right foods does help me I am a bit of a chocoholic I'm afraid and when I have a flare up I do try not to eat it,and I'm sure it does make a difference, I just wish I could stop eating it all together!!.

I cannot wear earings of anykind as my ears swell and weep and become very uncomfortable, I forgot to mention in my last post that I used to suffer with both hands being affected but for some unknown reason the right hand cleared up about 6yrs ago and I have not had a problem with it since.
It seems that this type of execema is very unpredictable, with no explanation as to why it occurs.

By KMC on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 - 10:11 pm:

Sally, I just read your posting and the same thing happens to me, except I don't have a wedding ring Mine actually skips every other finger on my left hand... I don't necessarily think there is an explanation for why the eczema is picking certain fingers. Is your ring platinum? The reason I ask is I have had eczema my whole life on my hands and the past year spreading to the rest of my body in the winter... so I recently went to get an allergy skin patch test (not the prick test) and found out I am severely allergic to nickel and also fragrance (which is literally in almost everything!) and blue dye (in most black/blue clothes, dove soap and cetaphil).. I've been doing a lot of research online and it seems there a lot of studies connected with hand dermatitis and nickel, so if you have a platinum ring (which doesn't contain nickel) it is a possibility that could be the cause of your eczema.

My doctor told me to try a nickel-free diet - basically to avoid foods high in nickel like chocolate, soy, lettuce, oatmeal, spinach, nuts, shellfish, etc. for 1-3 months and see if my eczema goes away... it only works for some people, so i'll see if it works for me. Also, nickel is in almost all metals, so even touching door knobs, silverware, faucets, paperclips would aggravate your skin. so it makes sense people with hand eczema that are always touching things might be allergic to nickel.

Anyway, I highly recommend getting the allergy patch test.. I never would have guessed that I would be allergic to any of those things!

Also, a nickel allergy can cause eczema around your mouth from braces and silver fillings in case anyone has that problem...

On page 215 of this book (you can click on the "search inside!") it gives more details about nickel related eczema.
ww.amazon.com/Dealing-Food-Allergies-Practical-Detecting/dp/092352164X/ref=sr_1_10/103-5963236-6907044?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186166385&sr=1-10

I hope this helps some people... Keep in mind I've never really had a strong reaction to wearing fake jewelry (my ears occasionally were itchy) and I've always used products with fragrance in them and never a direct rash/eczema from a product... so don't rule them out! and definitely go get the patch test!

By sally on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 - 01:45 pm:

I have had Pompholyz exemca on my left hand now for about 10/11 years, it flares up a couple times a year and lasts for around 8weeks a time. The only part of my hand that is clear from this is my ring finger? I have my wedding ring on this finger and no others on any of the other fingers, I'm sure that there has to be something in this as I have NEVER had any outbreak on this particular finger, does this happen to anyone else?? The rest of my palm is very bad, I go to bed wearing gloves etc. I have tried so many creams and lotions from my doctor, only the steriod creams give relief. I now use Homopathic medicines, I take 6c of Sulphur which seems to help, and plenty of non-purfumed hand cream.

By Sarah on Sunday, August 05, 2007 - 09:35 pm:

I have pompholyx eczema, on my hands and feet. Lately my feet are more affected. I shows as dry raw skin with blisters that are very prone to infection, they can be so painful and terribly itchy. Going to bed is the hardest time of they day since the itch becomes worse then, I just can't sleep! Walking also hurt, lately I feel so sad and helpless because of it.

I'm using fucidin ointment now for the infection (I live in Belgium, don't know if it exists in other countries as well)

wishing you the best!

Sarah

By Cindy on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 01:20 am:

MITCH

Did you have pompholyx eczema?

By Cindy on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 01:09 am:

I have pompholyx and have been on here a few times. I feel like this cycles. It almost goes away and I can wear flip flops and actually feel like a normal human being. Then....it comes back with the blisters. My hands are pretty well in remission, it is my feet that I can't seem to clear up. I don't know what I am going to do if I have to live with this the rest of my life. I am a nurse and I am in pain every step I take. It is awful, I feel like I am 80 and will be 40. I am on a steroid cream and tar soaks. I notice that one foot will be broke out worse than the other and it is not always the same one. I can't figure that out. I too started with the break outs on my hands almost 5 years ago after having my last son. I thought I was allergic to the butt wipes. Then I got a big bubble on the bottom of my left toe March of 2006. I have had a total hysterectomy and have thought that maybe it is hormone related. I don't get it. I have tried everything. It is wearing on your to be in chronic pain day in and day out. Still looking for some help. Thanks.

By aileen on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 11:04 pm:

Hi Gazie,

I have suffered from pompholyx on both hands for the last 12 years, last august it started on my feet - i am barely able to walk at present - the pain is excruiaiting and my skin just keeps cracking - i am being admitted to a skin clinic tommorrow for 2 weeks of intensive treatment - sometimes i think they dont beleive me that i am using the creams - but any how = i have found that all the creams work for a while but because it flares up so frequently and yo have to use them so often - they stop being effective - in my case the prolonged use of one after another has thinned my skin so much - my fingernails and toesnails have deep pitting from where my nail bed gets effected - its like living a nightmare - especially the itching - does anyone else find holding really hot things stop the itch??

Anyhows i have tried everything and anything and so far no joy - i am getting married and the end of august and i am dreading it.....everyone wanting to see your ring and all that - but i will do as always hold my head high.......

By gazie on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 - 12:40 pm:

I suffered severally from eczema as a child (aged 3 to 6) all over my body but particularly behind knee elbow and figure joints of course. I was treated over several years with steroid based creams, oat and oil baths, and of course white cotton mittens tied to my hands to stop me scratching, and eventfully it cleared up nicely…

However now at the age of 24 my eczema in the form of Dyshidrosis (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyshidrosis) but only on the palm of my right hand... I believe the cause is the amount of time I spend using a computer mouse in my new job has the flare up is in the same area where my palm rests/rubs on the mouse.

I initially treated this irritation not first identifying it as eczema with 'E45 Itch Relief Cream', this resulted in disaster, my hand flared up, crusty and red... Visiting my Dr then she told me that the E45 cream is just a moisturiser and contains lanolin which is extracted from sheep's wool fat so would only work to irritate the eczema.

She prescribed me 'Betnovate RV', which contains the steroid Betamethasone (0.25%), I apply the stuff to my palm 3/4 times a day for a month. This cleared things up nicely, to the point I couldn’t even see any sign of the little bubbles caused by the Dyshidrosis. A irritation free month passes but then the bubbles come back, so I start applying the 'Betnovate RV' again, this time though it is less effective.

So I did some research and have now started using GSK's 'Eumovate' which contains the steroid Clobetasone butyrate (0.05%). While weaker this seems to be having better effects than the 'Betnovate RV', but because its made by GSK it's a lot more expensive.

I now worry that I'm going to have to continue using some sort of steroid based cream in order to keep the Dyshidrosis under control as they can be dangerous long-term due to the skin-thinning side-effects, which are particularly troublesome in the with Dyshidrosis, due to the amount of toxins and bacteria the hands typically come in contact with.

Has anyone else head of any other alternate treatments that can get rid of Dyshidrosis for good?

By Michelle on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 12:16 am:

A couple months ago I started to get little patches of bubbles along the sides of my feet. I popped them and clear fluid would come out. It soon spread to my fingers and I figured it was contagious and didnt even want to hold my boyfriend's hand! It went away, but on a recent road trip down to Alabama where it's very humid the bubbles popped up on my feet again. They're beginning to dry out on my feet, but now my fingers are covered in them. It sounds a lot like what I've been reading on this page. I dont have insurance so going to a dermatologist is really out of the question. Any advice??

By Dom on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 12:47 pm:

I think you've hit the nail on the head in saying what may work for you may not work for others. It's a case of getting to know your skin, watching for break outs, what sets it off, what to avoid, etc and taking appropriate action. Quite often, it may go against what your dermatologist/doctor tells you.

Part of the problem I think is that there is a tendency to go from remedy to remedy without giving them long enough to work. Consequently, your skin gets messed up with all these potions and stuff and can't settle down. The hard part is coming off remedies because if you do it too fast and suddenly your skin reacts. It takes time and pain I'm afraid and if you've been trying all manner of creams, etc,it's probably going to be a slow process - it was for me anyway.

At the moment I'm doing okay. I use steroid cream rarely and only if I have to and hydrocortisone cream on my face, again only if I have to. I use cetraben for a moisturiser.

Good points. Thanks

By rabbit on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 03:36 am:

I have been living with weeping eczema for most of my life, and now and then my morbid curiosity gets the better of me and I scour the internet to see how other people are dealing with it. It seems like my personal method is a little unique, so I figured I would share.

The background:
I've had weeping eczema since I was eight years old. My grandfather had it, now I do. I was diagnosed with it by my dermatologist soon after my first break out. The bottoms of my feet were covered with the typical "tapioca bubbles". This first break out was the worst it's ever been. My dermatologist prescribed oral medicine (steroids) as well as prescription medicated creams and an over the counter cream for use any time. He also suggested soaking in tea and salt water.
Well, my experience is that none of these work to remedy the full blown tapioca. (The salt water is a nice trick to keep it in check while it's dormant, however.)

The Remedy:
I'm twenty one years old now and I've been living a peaceful coexistence with my eczema since I acquired it.
When I was younger I tried all sorts of things parents tell their kids not to do, including but not limited to, scratching, pinching, poking, slicing, rubbing, etc. And through this haphazard exploration I devised a system to keep my eczema in check:

1. I keep an eye on my problem areas. For me this is my feet and my hands.
2. When I see the tapioca bubbles start to form I head to the bathroom where I keep a strait pin for such an occasion. I carefully drain each bubble and wash the area.
3. Then with a nail file, I sand away the layer of skin above the bubble. I've found that simply popping and draining with the pin doesn't work. The skin seals itself in minutes and will fill up again. Removing the top of the bubble prevents it from reforming or growing.
4. Wash again. The skin should heal to normal in a day or two.

Prevention:
My particular eczema shows itself when my skin is too moist. Mostly during the summer, or after long periods of strenuous activity.
I've found that washing in somewhat abrasive soaps, like dish soap, help to keep my hands from breaking out. Since the soap is strong enough to remove moisture from my hands leaving them prune (better then itchy!)
That and basically anything that dehydrates the skin, regular trips to the beach are wonderful.

To itch or not to itch:
There is something behind "don't scratch, it'll only make it worse" but I don't think it applies to weeping eczema. If you scratch poison ivy, it will spread to other parts of your body, because that is what it's designed to do. It is my belief, though, that the itching sensation related to weeping eczema is the body's way of expelling the excess liquid. The strange excess liquid, I've been told it's excess skin cell fluid, gathers together near the top of the skin as the body rejects it.
It is my experience that scratching weeping eczema does not spread it. The only negative effect I've come across is occasional scaring of damaged skin. (which is well worth resisting to scratch) But it seems that scratching is no more dangerous then popping pimples.

So to conclude, please understand that this works for me and may not work for any one else. I've been keeping my eczema under control for years with only minor outbreaks a hand full of time through the year. It's no longer a bother for me or source of embarrassment, but rather the eczema has become an ongoing game of sorts that I'm more then willing to play and win when each time it challenges me.
Let me know what you think.

By Mitch on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 11:18 pm:

People with genetic eczema:

Please try this:

Take 50 mg of Zinc orally per day.

Chelated Zinc is preferred.

You can purchase this cheap at any vitamin store.

This treatment has put my eczema into remission.

Restrictions:
Do not do this if you are pregnant.

Also, you may want to start taking a multi-vitamin
as well.

If you try my Zinc treatment, please report the results (and your case history) to me.

-Mitch.

By Donnie on Friday, June 29, 2007 - 02:24 am:

I am 29 years old now. I've had eczema on my right hand since birth. Fingers would crack at the joints and be all read and open to the flesh. Bandaids where the only thing that healed the cracks.

As I grew older the cracks no longer appeared. My finger nails are all all rippled though. And I still have eczema with severely dry skin. I tried all the cremes on the market. The best ones I've used are Vaseline Dermatological formula (no longer made), Jergin's Ultra Care Super Dry Skin, Eucerin, and Nature's Gate Colloidal Oatmeal. The Nature's Gate seems to be the best I find.

Over the past few years I've stayed fairly clear by wearing vinyl gloves when working (I'm an electrician) and when doing the dishes, washing the car, doing any manual work with my hands, etc... And using the creme when my hands get dry. Well I've been clear up until 2 weeks ago. My hands broke out, are all red, itchy, flaking, etc... Very bad. I scratched which didn't help. It got to the point I went to get a prescription for Diprolene. I hope it works. The pharmacist then gave me some Eucerin DF. Its over the counter and not the same as the stuff on the shelf. He says its way better. I'm going to find out if its better than the Nature's Gate oatmeal which I highly recommend.

I also hope the Diprolene helps. I am hyper sensitive to medications and it usually takes me months to heal up. I hope this works in days like its supposed to. I'll let you guys know.

I'm glad I found a website with people who have similar problems like me. I'm tired of people telling me to use shae butter its so great. Or cocao butter its so not greasy. Well sorry but your a super model with gorgeous skin and don't need a creme to begin with. I have hands with no skin left so don't tell me what works or doesn't. Finally a place where people will understand and not voice a stupid opinion like, you must be allergic to something. Frig off, its not an allergy, its just plain bad skin, eczema, psoriasis, whatever. I was born with it, I need to wear gloves, get over it and stop telling me what butters to use. Thank you for this web site.

By the way..I too am allergic to latex. My mouth was covered with a ringed rash after visiting the dentist as a kid. It cleared up after my orthodontist removed my braces after 2 years cause he couldn't stand seeing me with the big rash around my mouth. I still don't know if it was the latex or metal of the braces causing the rash. I assume latex, cause condoms can give me a minor rash which why I no longer use them with my wife. There are latex free condoms available which is a godsend for those who require them. ANyways I take my chances and stay away from latex gloves and am thankful vinyl gloves are available now. They didn't exist as a kid when my dentist should have used them. I'm just wondering how many exzema victims are also allergic to latex....it seems quite a few.

By sarap on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 - 02:49 am:

we have an AWESOME forum where we are trying to figure out what causes and what eases dyshidrosis/pomphlox:
health.groups.yahoo.com/group/dyshidrosis/

just a bunch of regular folks with this inexplicable disease, all comers welcome!

sara

By wheatfreecured on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 01:35 pm:

SJB

I have been wanting to mention this...your story... gave me the reason say this now...

My grandmother... would have terrible splitting of her finger tips... it looked like she had cut herself with a knife..especially her thumbs...

She found out that she was very low in POTASIUM...started with suppliments then a banana a day... she did heal.... just wondering if potasium could help....

Remember... you are what you eat....

By SJB on Wednesday, May 09, 2007 - 11:20 pm:

I have had eczema on my hands and feet since I was a baby and I am now 33 yrs old.

When it really flares up to the degree that my entire feet up to my mid ankles are covered in blisters and feel like they are on fire I bath them in POTASIUM POMANGANATE crystals. The relief is amazing and the blisters dry up and I progress quickly to the dry stage which I find less distressing as I can at least walk.

The only negative is that you are left with brown feet due to staining, (the crystals turn the water purple).

At this time of year I am pretty much unable to walk without using this treatment. The pot of crystals I have had since I was 6 years old and I really cannot do with out them.

By Grandma on Wednesday, May 09, 2007 - 12:51 pm:

Francis - the symptoms you describe are almost identical to those I first had 15 months ago. I persevered with good moisturisers and a specialist cream (Lotil) for dealing with the hard skin aroung my finger nails. When the blistering, peeling, hardening/ cracking cycle of finger-tips spread to my palms I went to my GP. Various treatments prescibed - including one to deal with suspected fungal infection of the nails - all tests negative. Eventually - by which time my hands were very diasbled and the same condition was affecting the soles of my feet I saw a dermatologist. After allergies eliminated and other tests carried a out rare form of psoriasis (affecting only hands and feet) has recently been diagnosed.
I would recommend that you seek medical advice before your condition worsens. It is possible that you do have an allergy or some other problem that can be dealt with quickly.
By the way I had never had any skin problems before, but as well as my hands and feet I am also getting small patches of itchy, flakey, red skin on my arms and legs which come and go.
I am 70 now and haven't smoked for 35 years. Good Luck and take care.

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

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

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

Thanks!!!
Nathan

By Francis on Saturday, May 05, 2007 - 03:52 am:

Started smoking at 17 first signs of my fingers cracking occured when I was around 24. Has been getting progressivly worse. Quit smoking 4 months back, I'm 26 now. (Anyone use a zippo? I thought the zippo fluid was what triggered it)
Tiny white blisters form under the skin, they harden pop and my hands go flakey and I lose most of the skin on my finger tips. (It's spreading up the side of my fingers) Similar problem on the base of my right little toe. Except the white blisters are bigger and the dryness and flaking affect the skin between my toes only.

Have been taking vitamens on and off during this period they had no affect that I could determin. Used vasaline, then hand cream then better and more expensive hand creams. They each helped a bit more but the gains were lost as it got progressivly worse.
Seemes unreleated to stress but seasons do affect it's intensity. It's a cycle that happnes roughly every 14-18 days where my skin gets better bettter better even if I don't use much creams on my hands. Then my hands get worse and creams and ointments make little diffrence they just aleviate the pain and dry feeling.
Right now I'v peeled most of my blistered flesh and I have pink fresh skin that will quickly harden and become insensitive then the blisters will come back and it starts all over again. I should probally see a doctor about this, I'm positive it's eczema I'll just have to time my visit so it happnes while my symptoms are at their worst.

Oh yeah my armpits are itchy for the last I don't know how long, never really paid attention I just scratched assuming it was just an itch. But they are itchy more and more.

By nathan on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 03:35 pm:

I have been using Vaseline for the past couple of weeks. I haven't used it before but it seems to help. I don't think it can hurt. I use it on my hands and feet and put gloves on at night and socks so that it doesn't go everywhere. My doctor will not prescribe me any more ointment because of the negative affects it has in the long run. Halobetasol. I have pretty much ran out of all other options. My dermatologist has prescribed me soriatane but have not started taking it yet.

By toni on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 05:23 pm:

I was wondering about vaseline? Could I put it on my hands overenight when the itchingis worse and put some gloves on? Do you think that will help?

By terrestrial on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 11:06 pm:

KTen, could you explain a little further?

By terrestrial on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 10:55 pm:

I started smoking when I was 19. I had the first symptoms at 23.

I quit 4 years ago, cold turkey. A few months before that I was very stressed and full of rashes on my hands and feet. Boy I couldn't even walk on the beach.

Now the symptoms are very mild and I can keep them under control with a little Clobetasol now and then.

I'm not sure if there is a cause-effect relationship. Maybe they're both effects of the same cause. But knowing that the tobacco companies add up to 200 different chemicals to their cigarettes to increase your addiction, I don't feel like ruling out that some of them could trigger the disease. Hence the poll.

By howlinghyena on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 06:20 am:

I've never smoked.
Terrestrial, can you explain why it's important??

By terrestrial on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 12:33 am:

Any one else?
Or should I assume that all the others are smokers?

By nathan on Saturday, April 21, 2007 - 04:46 am:

I do not smoke. never had.

By terrestrial on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 08:22 pm:

I would like to launch a quick poll on this forum: how many of you fellow sufferers smoke regularly?

Afterwards I'm gonna explain why this could be important.

By nathan on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 11:07 pm:

I have had this excema for at least 2 or 3 years. I would like to say that I have done everything I can do. It is on my hands and feet. The palms of my hands have recently cleared but have huge splits in my fingertips. It all started on my hands and immediately went to a Dermatologist. We went through many many treatments. The only thing that has ever done anything for me is the Cortisone shot which cleared it up for about 2 weeks and then it came back. Also prednisone had the same affect. But I can only do those so many times a year. The only other thing that has helped was Halobetasol Propionate Ointment.05%. This doesn't clear it up. It only helps keeping it from getting unbearable.

I am now out of refills and my Dermatologist will not prescribe it anymore because it can have serious side effects. Thinning of the skin and other major concerns are keeping me from getting anymore of it.

I am at a lost at what I need to do next. It is such a pain to live with.

Also not sure if this is related..I was told it was by a Dermatologist..But for the past 6 months around my eyes start to get red and bumpy and itchy. It gets worse when I don't use the Halobetasol Propionate Ointment on my hands and feet.

So I not sure what to do next. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

By Melissa on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 01:32 pm:

For those of you who have had this problem for many years.. is there anything you can tell me about the progression of the disease? Will it contine to get worse or does it go away? Does each new outbreak get a little larger or does that seem to be dependent on the person. I'm just trying to see what I have to look forward to.

Someone on here recommended using Iodine and said that it cleared him up in three days. I'm on day 2 and have seen no change. It does stop the itch though, however you look pretty funny with all that red dye all over you.

By macsmom13 on Saturday, April 07, 2007 - 04:04 am:

I was diagnosed 5 years ago with dishydrotic eczema. This came after several appointments with different doctors. At its worst on my feet (and a trip to the emergency room), I had the eczema, a foot fungus (due to open patches on my feet) and developed a staph infection on top of that. I wore gloves and walked around in mens very large slippers! My dermatologist finally gave me a steroid shot, which gave me immense relief, for a week, when I had a break out even worse than when he gave it to me. I decided, if they can't figure it out, I would try myself. I started on a regimine of fish oil (for all the omegas), pycnogenol, and whenever I cleaned, used fabric lined gloves. Within a couple of months, I began to see it subside and not "as angry" (even my dermatoligist asked me write down what I was doing myself, as he had not seen such results without prescribed medication). I began to learn, my problem is heriditary and really is not uncommon. Nurses and new mothers tend to develop this same problem, due to excessive hand washing and sterilizing. I could never figure out why, when my hands were exposed to cleaning agents (my primary cause for a breakout) my feet were also going to breakout. I learned the skin of the feet and the hands are very different from the rest of our bodies. What prompts the hands, sends signals to the skin of the feet, and sets that breakout. It takes longer for my feet to heal, due to the thicker layers of the feet. I read in the earlier postings, someone felt those of us who have found relief, forget about the others. I will tell you, I have this, it doesn't go away. The protective layer is gone. I will always suffer with breakouts. I know what triggers them, and just keep testing myself, to no avail. My mother found out she had it (after suffering for many years), she was diagnosed after I was, and after I was diagnosed, the dread set in when my 15 year old son, showed me his hands. His hands had the same blisters. I do not want to make light of this, but when I quit focusing on the eczema and decided to live my life (this is part of me, just as my hair, my birthmark, the things I can not change, just learn to live with)I found relief. I can not change this, I have learned to live with it. One summer, I could wear sandles, I will have a summer like that again, and if I don't, oh well, I have plenty of summers to look forward to. It is very easy to blame this on something, chances are, it is hereditary. Take charge, find out what triggers it (most likely, not your diet) and avoid it. Don't stress, you have it, it doesn't go away, the layer that protects everyone else, in you, is gone. It just doesn't go away. It is an autoimmune disease. You have it, learn to live with it. I only wish, when mine was at it's worst, I had an outlet like this.

By Cindy on Friday, March 30, 2007 - 08:20 pm:

Well, the biopsy came back and it is eczema. The ointment that he prescribed for me a couple of weeks ago is a miracle, it has really helped. The name of it is Halobetasol Propionate Ointment 0.05%, he also recommends tar soaks daily 10-15 minutes to relieve the inflammation. I actually wore flip flops and painted my toenails Wednesday. My hands are clear as well. He also prescribed an antihystamine to take at night so that the itching doesn't wake me up. I am very excited that I have found some relief. Give these things a try they are both Rx only, even the tar soaks. Good luck!

By Janet on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 04:55 pm:

Peter Cross said he started out at 50mg chelated zinc and worked up to 200mg. If you google "peter cross zinc" you will find an article he wrote about his treatment. He was gracious enough to answer my inquiry. He seems to know how bad dyshidrotic eczema can be and wants to help. Maybe it will work for you. Good luck!

By plasmagic on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 02:53 pm:

janet, wat is ur dosage like for the zinc taken daily?

By danielle on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 07:38 pm:

I have eczema on my hands and feet. My feet have blisters in the various stages. They peel, itch and can be painful. I recently started using hydrogen peroxide. It has really helped with the itching! If your hand or feet are driving you crazy, try pouring some on the infected areas or let your hands/feet soak in the solution for a few minutes.

I'm going to use it twice a day like someone suggested in a post earlier. I will post again once in a week or two.

By Janet on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 05:36 am:

Hello, fellow sufferers! I have had this cursed condition for 23 years and have tried almost everything you can think of. Peter Cross, whose site is called "starcrost" I think, is the rock'n'roll drummer who had great success with chelated zinc supplements. I took zinc all last month, but it wasn't chelated so I can't say if it works. I will buy some chelated zinc and let you all know if it helps. I am, or was, a classical pianist, so you can imagine how distressing the hand dyshidrosis is. Last summer I developed eczema on my torso and legs and was just frantic-sleepless and miserable and itching and pretty much incapacitated. A couuse of prednisone by mouth and strong creams helped it settle down, but even now I am typing wearing cotton gloves. There is a lotion that has helped me quite a bit. It moisturizes and soothes, but of course can't stop a major flare-up. It has kept my legs and body comfortable, though, better than Eucerin, etc. It is called "Renew" and is from a Utah-based multi-level marketer. I refuse to join their marketing scheme, but buy it online, sometimes on Ebay. The company is called "Melaleuca". This was recommended to me by a woman with psoriasis and against my expectations, really does help. I hope someone gets some relief from this. It is a damnable curse and few who don't have it can understand how desperate it can make one. Do give "Renew" lotion a try. I have probably seen 15 dermatologists. The best control I have ever achieved is strong spot applications of steroid cream and Renew lotion. Good luck and let us know if this helps.

By Cindy on Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 09:18 pm:

I thought that the creams that I was using were tearing up my nail beds. My nails on my feet are yellowish and thick. It is like this top layer is growing out over the actual nail. It is weird and gross looking too. I never leave the house w/o socks. ha My derm told me that the creams that I was using would not cause that and that it is a characteristic of psoriasis. He did a biopsy of a tiny blister on the bottom of my foot and I go the 30th to get the results. He doesn't think that it is pompholyx, but won't be sure until the biopsy is read. Will let you know.

Cindy

P.S. my finger nails did the same thing.

By Big Col on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 11:14 pm:

Hi I attended the dermatologist today and he prescribed Elocon cream and Epaderm emollient, I am wanting to know which to put on first? I got confused when the Doc was telling me.
Thanks
Col

By lisa on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 07:01 pm:

does this affect anyones finger nails and toe nails...and if yes, what happens to the nails??

By Cindy on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 05:07 pm:

I went to the dermatologist Friday, was the first time that I visited him. He actually did a biospy of the bottom of my foot. (2 stitches) OUCH! He thinks that I have psoriasis not pompholyx. If so, there are two avenues I can take. Oral medication or a shot once a week. I hope relief is on the way. He also recommened CeraVe Cream that you can buy at the drug store. It is really soothing. Hope this helps somebody. Thanks!

By Cindy on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 02:44 am:

Ade

I have a dermatology appt Friday. I am hoping that this doc knows what he is doing, ha. I have really been watching my diet. Trying to eat natural, no caffiene drinks. I am doing pretty good right now. My feet are just so hard to clear up completely. I feel like I am walking on glass most of the time and trying to be a nurse at the same time. Aweful! Taking state boards Thursday. Stressful! I do have a lot of stress in my life and I am sure that is a factor. Thanks for the info.

Cindy

By Ade on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 10:01 pm:

Sarah,

if it is pompholyx (various spellings, depending on your native country), also known as Dishydrosisor dyshydrotic excema, then it is normally just local to hands and feet.
It usually takes me a couple of weeks with severe problems and then subsides. The longest it has lasted was about a month.
I dont think its the norm to show at 16, i started to get it when i was 25. In 11 years i am only just understanding it and have finally found a doc that knows what theyre talking about. The creams and solutions you have are generic for excema. However, the best advice i can give you is read sites like this and try split the wheat from the waffle and you'll find more detailed knowledge here than most family docs will see in a lifetime. Dont let yourself get stressed and hide away, in my experience stress makes it worse. Gloves, a pain killer and a good day out will do the world of good.
Hope it clears up soon hun.

Ade

By Ade on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 09:51 pm:

Cindy,

sorry for not getting back to you before now hun.
The patch test was a number of patches taped to my back for a week to see if i had a bad reaction from them. I think they was a concentrated form because it hurt like hell after a day.
I had 3 main reactions out of 28 tests. The result was that i was positively diagnosed with dyshydrotic excema. The cause is believed to be from Nickel that is ingested, Cobalt and Chromates through absorbtion..
I have been doing research on how to avoid and its amazingly hard to avoid all 3. The prescription was the daily use of Eucerin 10% UREA, even when not in blister mode. Dermovate solution for when it shows and Potasium permangonate as a steroid solution. The later i will not go with though. As i stated before, ive had enough of steroids and avoid like the plague now. Since i stopped using them i have had less severe break-outs.
I hope this is of help and will try to remember to come back regularly to update and give my own experiences.

Ade

By Cindy on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 03:46 pm:

Sarah

I have pompholyx also, although I have yet to find a doctor that has diagnosed me. I have diagnosed myself on the web. I have been to two different dermatologists and a handful of medical docs and I have never heard the word pompholyx or dyshidrosis come out of anyone's mouth. I have only been treated with steroids orally and topically. I have had it on my hands for almost 5 years, on my feet for about a year. It is the most miserable condition. I have a dermatology appointment Monday and hopefully they will help me. I have been taking to many steroids. The last doc gave me a Medrol Dose pack.

This website is great for info but seems like once people get rid of their symptoms for the most part they forget about us that are still suffering. People say they are going to the doc and will let us know what they were perscribed and then they never get back on. That is the down fall of this page. That is frustrating.

How are the creams working that you are using? Any relief? I check here daily so any questions or concerns I will do my best to help you. Thanks

By Sarah on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 07:26 pm:

Hi my names sarah
Ive jus been diagonsed with Pompholyx eczema, ive had it for a while now
Ive search website after website after website, for some straight forward answers. I want to know:
How long does the condition take to heal up?
Ive been given the following treatments:
Cetraben Emollient Cream
Daktarin Cream
And elocon Cream
I also want to understand, is how much does this condition spread?
It started with a small blister on my big toe on my right foot, and since then, its spread to both my hands and my other foot, and now im worried it maybe spreading down my arms!!!!
Please help, im 16, and desperate to get my smooth skin back
Please reply asap

By Cindy on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 04:41 pm:

Ade

Did you go to the doctor, what did you find out?

By Cindy on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 07:01 pm:

What is a patch test? Has anybody had a biopsy?

By ade on Thursday, February 22, 2007 - 09:44 pm:

Sorry Cindy,

i have the same condition as you. I have detoxed my ass off. It makes you feel better and healthier, it even helped me lose weight and maybe thats a less stress factor too.

But i dont believe thats the root cause of our problem. I am in the middle of a patch test. I have had a very bad reaction to the nickel content, which was no surprise. However when i broke out in the same type of blisters as i get on my hands and feet that was surprising. Detox may help to clear the system and clonix might help to make you regular therefore clearing the waist and toxins. But its what and how it gets to you in the first place i am convinced is the problem. I have another appointment tomorow. I will let you know what the doc thinks.

Ade

By Cindy on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 09:21 pm:

Has anybody ever heard of Clonix, it is for getting rid of the toxins in your colon? There is a website drnatura.com my friend is really wanting me to try it for the pompholyx excema that I have. Skin conditions is just one of the benefits for Clonix. I am a little scared, if you look at the website be sure to look at the photo gallery. Tell me what you think. Thanks!

By ade on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 04:18 pm:

Hello all,

I havent put a message up since mid november. I stopped taking all steroids etc and carried on using Rostox to keep system in clean detoxed state. I am now having patch test and should recieve results on friday.
The Eucerin cream is fantastic, i have had minimal blister breakouts and no probs with feet.

For those considering Prednisone! Please read as much as poss about this drug. I tried it for a number of months and am amazed that i am not locked up on a murder charge. The withdrawel and side effects are severe to say the least!!

I also started at the gym in december, the destress factor may come into play there and a healthier life style etc.

Missireland<<<
dont listen to your GP. I have seen over a dozen and refuse to accept that nothing can be done. Ask him/her if he is a specialist in dermatology? If not then ask to be put intouch with one. The state pays for them and you pay the state. Not a quack that obviously has 0 feelings for patients.

I was put on a private list and paid to see one. He immediately referred me back to my doc reccomending he send me to a national health specialist. Shocker was- i still got to see the same doc and not pay!!!??? It took a few months longer but was worth it. i have had this prob for years and i prob will have it for years to come. But i dont have to accept it as god given and nothing i can do about it.
Keep ya chin up, and keep reading. You never know what you'll find.
Ade

By wheatfreecured on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 07:49 pm:

aim,

maybe you have celiac.. prednisone is use to treat it... research...

ww.emedicine.com/med/topic308.htm

By Cindy on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 01:55 am:

If prednisone completely gets rid of the eczema that what am I lacking in my body?

By jean9v on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 11:22 pm:

Kjones
I would do it... you will be seen weekly by a doctor... make friends with him or her... possibly they can hook you up with samples or the medicine before it hits the market... use this time to get as much information from them as you can... knowledge is power... you have a 1 in 3 chance of recieving the plain cream...
Do it.. it is a good thing... what goes around comes around.. ask these doctors to give you the name of the docs that are on top of this new product and study. Become their patient.

By kjones on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 01:54 pm:

Hi everyone just to let you know that my hand ezema is still under control using the steroid cream in lesser amount with the emu cream.

I have also been considering accepting an invitation from my local NHS Hospital to join as a patient to study the effects of a new cream for hand eczema containing a vitimin D and Vitimin A retinoid. This study will take place over a 4 week period, I must stop all previous medication. I will be examined weekly. But I am not really happy about a few things firstly they make a random selection of patients in 3 catagories, some get the full strenth cream some a weaker one and some get a cream with no strengh. Also at the end of the study should the cream really work for you unfortunatley you cannot have a prescription untill the cream becomes fully licensed in 24 months.

So what would you do please reply I only have a short t ime before the trilas start

By kjones on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 01:54 pm:

Hi everyone just to let you know that my hand ezema is still under control using the steroid cream in lesser amount with the emu cream.

I have also been considering accepting an invitation from my local NHS Hospital to join as a patient to study the effects of a new cream for hand eczema containing a vitimin D and Vitimin A retinoid. This study will take place over a 4 week period, I must stop all previous medication. I will be examined weekly. But I am not really happy about a few things firstly they make a random selection of patients in 3 catagories, some get the full strenth cream some a weaker one and some get a cream with no strengh. Also at the end of the study should the cream really work for you unfortunatley you cannot have a prescription untill the cream becomes fully licensed in 24 months.

So what would you do please reply I only have a short t ime before the trilas start

By Cindy on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 09:22 pm:

I am a smoker. I have heard that I should quit for more that one reason. ha I guess I need to get really serious and quit. I pray that this goes away someday. I hate to think that I have to live with this stuff the rest of my life.

By terrestrial on Tuesday, January 09, 2007 - 07:31 pm:

I wanted to add that since i quit smoking (3 years ago) the frequency of the rashes has diminished A LOT. I don't know if there is a cause-effect relationship between quitting smoking -> less eczema or they are both effects or the same cause (less anxiety -> less need to smoke AND less eczema).

By terrestrial on Tuesday, January 09, 2007 - 07:25 pm:

Yes Cindy, in fact in my case it all began from my feet.

The first time I had it on my ankle and the dermatologist put me on footbaths of arsenic pills (the ones that make your toenails black) and salicilic vaseline wrapped in clinging film to soften the skin scales. It was pretty bad but it cleared after some weeks.

After that the thing returned on the bottom of my feet beginning with bubbles, they dried and the skin peeled off and in some periods i had a hard time even to walk.

What i did to solve the problem was also clobesol (don't remember if cream or ointment) and talcum powder after washing feet and before putting on my socks.

Now as soon as one bubble appear i attack it immediately with clobesol before it spreads. And absolutely don't break it, otherwise the skin will crack around it.

I guess that if you catch the rash at the beginning, you can use small amounts of cream so the pb of the cracking skin is reduced.

HTH

By Cindy on Tuesday, January 09, 2007 - 06:57 pm:

terrestrial, do you have problems with your feet as well? I am having a hard time finding a happy medium with my feet. The Clobetasol drys them out so bad that they crack, I have been putting vaseline on them over the Clobetasol, doesn't seem to do a whole lot. Any advise? Thanks!

By terrestrial on Thursday, December 28, 2006 - 09:33 pm:

Cindy I must back you up, I also use almost exclusively the Clobetasol (plus Dove soap and common hydratant cream like Nivea and Glysolid) and it's working fine, see my old post below.

By Cindy on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 08:59 pm:

I everyone, I went to an urgent care clinic shortly after I made my last entry on this website before I went madly insane with the itching. I had gone onto the Mayo Clinic website and researched what they recommended for this nasty stuff, wrote it down and took it with me to the clinic. The doctor put me on a dose of Prednisone, 5 daily for 5 days, 4 daily for 5 days, 3 daily for 5 days, 2 daily for 5 da ys, and 1 daily for 5 days. (20mg tabs) Also prescribed a steroid cream called Clobetasol Propionate Ointment 0.05% applied 3 times daily. The scripts were filled on 11/27/06 and I haven't had any itching blisters on my hands or feet. They are very dry due to the pills and cream, I do itch a little here and there but I think that Benadryl before bed is the best thing for that. A antihystamine at bedtime has been recommended to me before by a dermatologist to stop the itch during the night. I hope this helps someone.

By missireland on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 01:13 am:

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to tell you all about an amazing cream which has almost completely cleared my hands and feet in a few days - it is steroid but it clears it up - I very recently went private in the uk (cost a fortune) and the dermatologist told me he had never seen anything like my hands and feet before they were so bad - can you believe i actually have my fingernails painted - woohoo!! Okay the cream is as follows;

20% propylene glycol in dermovate cream - it is made with 20g of propylene glycol and 80g of dermovate cream.

It stings like mad when it first goes on - but trust me it is worth every second.....you can read my post on the 10th December - I really was at the lowest of the low - but now i am like a new woman!! I apply the above three times a day and put socks on my feet and cotton gloves on my hands and in between i slap on epaderm!!

Honestly guys i know it is steroids but it has definitely worked for me and I cannot tell you the gratitude i feel for the doctor!!!!!

Let me know if you want any further info and i will keep you posted on how it goes - I am due to stop using it on Friday!!!

By xlittle queenx on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 04:03 pm:

hiya ive suffered wiv eczema all of my 16 years it is mostly on my feet and hand but i have dry parts all over my body the worse part is my face nothing works i use moisturising creams all the time,i hate when people kno what is on my hands but asked and insult me, i look at other peoples hand and wounder will mine ever look like that my worse problem is the coldness i hate it it dry my skin so much that cracks appear my hands stiffen and my feet sweal, can anyone helps with my hands and feet
xlittle queenx

By GD on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 08:08 am:

KJones,

Thats great, thankyou very much for the info, fingers crossed, it will work for me too. Have a great Christmas.

By kjones on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 03:37 pm:

GD

I use under prescription a steroid cream Elocon
and Epiderm a moisturiser (can be purchased over the counter)
There are many scources for Emu Oil do a search on the net and read all about it. I got mine thru e-bay from an outlet in Canada cost me £13.00 for 2 bottles.
In my experience you need to use a steroid cream with a moisturiser, as I said this emu oil has over the last 2 weeks really cleared up my hands, I cannot see any small blisters under the skin as I have before, the oil seems to hold in moisture and pump up the fat in the hand. Im not joking when I say that my hands just look normal. It is working for me but as with everthing, with this horrible eczema, what works for one may not work for all

By GD on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 11:31 am:

Kjones,

Please could you tell me where I can get some of this emu oil and also what cream(s) you use ? My hands are in a bit of a state, I will try anything.

By kjones on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 01:00 pm:

Hi everyone

I have suffered with hand eczema for the last 3 years, I use steriod creams which help. But recently I have been using emu oil with the steroid cream and it really works for me, my hands are soft and look well.I hope it lasts will let you all know

By sarah on Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 02:35 pm:

Hi
just to add support to the zinc theory - My son had chronic eczema all over his body - when his hair had eventually grown long enough I had it analysed for mineral deficency - Foresight
Preconception - about £30 a go they gave me a list of supplements needed, zinc being amongst them. I think it is important as it helps convert omega 3's etc to useful form.
His skin gradually improved (careful diet, herbalist, homeopath etc) but the most significant help was when the eczema nurse recommended ichthammol paste it is supplied in a cram with zinc and available from GP in GB. You have to plaster it on thick and would need to cover in cotton gloves/socks but it is fantastic. I think the icthammol is slightyly antiseptic.
Although my GP and consultant had never heard of it apparently it is what is used when children are hospitalised with eczema.
good luck Sarah

By missireland on Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 12:13 am:

hi all,

i have officially hit the lowest of the low....amputation of both hands and feet seem like a satisfactory cure at present. I haven't slept in 48hrs after being told that i have lost my job due to this crappy condition on hands and feet.......we have just had a mortgage passed and are getting married in august - its causing friction between us too and the stress/worry is driving my itching insane. I have been told by my gp that if i wish to see a dermatologist i will have to pay privately - was given the number and have been told it will cost £150 - i simply cant afford it - on top of all my prescriptions!! Please someone give me some advise as to how you cope with this.....

By missireland on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 - 11:34 pm:

I know exactly how you feel. My GP wont even refer me to a dermatologist as she says i will be wasting resources - when she can just do the same for me. Which I may add at this point is absoloutely nothing - i am sick with worry over losing job.....not much help if it is stress induced. I am so fed up.....all i want to do is rub my hands off anything i touch and my feet well the itching there is unreal - i use the door saddles for them - i am at breaking point....i just cant see any light at the end of the tunnel with this clearing up!!!!!!!!!!!

By Cindy on Monday, November 27, 2006 - 11:56 pm:

I am at my wits end. I have suffered for 4 years with dishydrosis excema on my hands (my entire palms and mostly all of my fingers). This year I broke out on the bottom of my feet. I have never been so miserable in all my life. I started out with going to my medical doctor and he ruled out an allergy of some kind. Gave me a Medrol Dose pack and after that was out of my system it came back. Two dermatologists that I went to see didn't even know what I had. Finally, just a few months ago I showed my hands to a physician's assistant and she said "that looks like dishydrosis" Well, knock me over with a feather I got online immediately and it was exactly what it was. Now I thought I am on the right track for a cure. Not so lucky. I haven't found anything that helps me so far. I bought some zinc tabs and have started taking them. Not sure if they are helping yet either. I am so inflammed that I can't even make a fist, the balls and heels of my feet are so inflammed that my toes don't even touch the ground. I tried drinking flax seed oil, taking fish oil pills, tac cream, zinc cream, apple cider vinegar, you name it I have tried it. The only thing that has given any help is getting a steroid injection and after about 3-4 weeks it comes back. I can't imagine living the rest of my life with this disease and not finding any kind of treatment to help get it under control. My last resort is to try the UV light and seek out another dermatologist. Any suggestions that I haven't tried are welcome. Getting on this website and seeing that there are others out there that suffer like I do is good to know. Thanks

By missireland on Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 10:28 pm:

Hi Everyone,

My name is Aileen, I am a 23 yera old female from Northern Ireland. I have just been diagnosed with pompholyx on both my hands, both my feet and on my mouth!

I am at breaking point, having been off work now for 6 weeks - my employer is giving me hell(about to lose my job), no creams the doctors are giving are helping, the itching is driving me insane and the patch testing has shown up that I am not allergic to anything!

Please can someone give me some advice, I am getting married in August and my hands look hideous and it hurts to walk.

My employer asked if I would be covered under the Disability Laws - but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere - Please help!!

By ade on Saturday, November 25, 2006 - 04:48 pm:

An update on the treatment of my exzema.

The UV lamp worked to dry out the blisters. I used eucerin extremely dry skin cream with 10% Urea.
My hands have healed up nicely and i am continueing to use the cream as a moisturiser.

I have recently been to see a specialist and she has put me up for a patch test to decide if alergic reaction is a factor. She seems about the best ive come across up untill now and agrees the UV helped.

I am also continueing to take Ros tox pills daily to counter the build up of toxins (possibly a factor) good practice if not.

Will keep updating and suggest everybody that visits do likewise, so we can all benefit from each others experiences.

Even if its winter and it doesnt show so much.

Best wishes
ade

By mitch on Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 11:31 am:

To Raj:

Please try Mitch's chelated Zinc treatment, posted a few below your post.

By Raj on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 - 11:58 am:

I have had this off and on black scaly eruptions on my thumbs on the top digit just below the thumbnails. It starts as a relatively mild looking rash of some 8-10 pin point type of boils like insect bites. The itching is in waves with intense itching when the eruption is red and raised and less otherwise. This eruption then starts spreading and turns black and has intense itching. I scratch my thumbs on the edge of wooden chairs, metal tables etc. All this while the eruption is bone dry. Then the skin of the eruptions starts cracking and oozes a very thin fluid just like the cracking/splitting of skin in winter. These sores then close and dry up with the peeling of the blackened skin. Then it clears up so cleanly that you would never believe that there was ever any eruption on that part of the thumb. But this recurs in a cyclic fashion. Now it is still in varying stages of clearing up on both thumbs but is in the beginning phase on the base digit of the pointer finger (left hand). Any type of creams like soframycin, betnovate, rovate, clop s, hydrocortisone, clotrimazole etc. have no effect. Any suggestions?

By ade on Friday, October 20, 2006 - 04:26 pm:

Hi all,

i have spent the last hour reading many good and relevant theories/experiences and suggestions. I dont have a solution and will probably go-on suffering and feeling like a leper for years to come. I have tried a lot of remedies with varying effects, some that worked for short periods and the affliction returned with a vengence, corticosteroids for example. Others that worked extremely well but made me a psychopath in waiting, prednisone!! I have altered diet and have come to the conclusion that if i follow every peice of advice on what to eat or not i would be 4.5 stone in a month instead of 14stone now. All this has been extremely stressfull (also a contributor) and painfull when at its peak. So i have decided to 1, purchase a UV lamp in the form of an Argos face studio. 2, continue eating healthy but not restrictive. 3, Consult a nuturalist. 4,Collect a number of natural barrier creams and assess them monthly for effect. 5, continue to suffer and read everything i can on this subject.
Wish me luck, as i wish u all the same. I will let you know how the UV lamp goes. Its something ive heard of a few times and when on hols i seem to improve considerably. This may be a stress elimination thing, but who knows till its tried.#

PS, i am intersted in the zinc ideas, due to my always being alergic to metals and have always considered them an accomplice to the crime!?
Ade

By crazyitch on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 03:55 pm:

For the pompholyx eczema...my solution is pure tea tree oil applied a couple of times a day to the affected area and keeping my hands and feet moisturized with Burt's Bees Almond Milk Hand cream (all natural). Its the only thing that works for me

By Mitch on Sunday, October 01, 2006 - 04:24 am:

ZINC! ZINC! ZINC! ZINC!

I have what appears to be a treatment for my case of eczema.

I am now 10 days into the treatment (as of September 30, 2006), and the results have been AMAZING.

Background:
___________
I first showed signs of eczema in 1999, at age 31.

It disappeared for awhile, but by 2002, my hands, wrists, legs, and feet were cut to ribbons.

I finally went to a Dermatologist, who diagnosed me with genetic eczema.

The Dermatologist really had no idea how to treat this thing.

I did a one time high concentration cortisone cream treatment in 2002, which completely healed
me for about a month.

Knowing cortisone was a temporary fix, with possible side-effects, I never went for another cortisone treatment.

So, twice a day I applied basic Aloe Vera cream purchased at a 99 Cent store.

This permanently removed the symptoms of eczema from my wrists, legs, and the palm side of both my hands.

The back of my hands were no longer cut, but thousands of "water blisters" covered them, and stayed permanently.

However, my hands rarely itched.

My feet were much improved, but they still itched and had permanent rough patches and cuts.

No over the counter "treatments", not those anti-itch cortisone containing tubes, did a thing for me.

Zinc Treatment:
_______________

I recently went casting about on the Internet for some new ideas.

I found a website by a guy who had been a successful Rock & Roll drummer, who put his eczema into remission by taking Zinc.

(I seem to have lost his website).

He recommended Chelated Zinc, Zinc attached to an amino acid, which is absorbed by the stomach faster than pure Zinc.

I bought a bottle of 100/50mg capsules at a Vitamin store for $7, and began taking 3 capsules a day (150mg) for the last 10 days.

Results:
_______
As of September 30, 2006, 90% of the "water blisters" have disappeared from the back of my hands.

My feet are approximately 85% less inflamed and less itchy, and the cuts on my feet have mostly healed.

Also, my hands feel softer, as if they are oiled properly.

I am still applying the Aloe Vera cream twice a day.

Notes:
_________

I have done extensive research on the ingestion of Zinc.

Apparently, there has never been a study done with eczema patients ingesting 100-150mg of Zinc every day for a reasonable period.

This is crazy.

However, it seems that many websites I visited promote Zinc creams as a way to put eczema into remission.

Also, many websites I have visited indicate medical professionals are well aware of the success of Zinc in treating eczema.

In fact, these clinically oriented websites bluntly state that "anecdotally", Zinc can put eczema into REMISSION.

Warnings:
_________

If you are pregnant, don't take Zinc.

100mg of Zinc per day appears to be the safe limit of Zinc intake.

I will no doubt soon lower my intake from 150mg/day to 100mg/day.

A Request:
__________
I am requesting that eczema sufferers, especially genetic eczema sufferers, try this treatment, and post the results on this message board.

I do not know if Zinc will work for people who have environmentally caused eczema, such as those whose eczema was caused by exposure to chemicals,
but I welcome you to try it anyway.

By danny on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 - 06:36 am:

For all the eczema patients, try Apple Cidar Vinegar as topical. Those medicines that doctors prescribe are a drain, both emotionally & financially not to talk about the side effects they leave. Try home remedies instead, which have knwon to work for ages before all these drugs started selling.

www(DOT)earthclinic(DOT)com/CURES/eczema(DOT)html

Try this link and see if it helps you guys.

By kjones on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 02:11 pm:

I have had this hand eczema for 3 years now, i went to a private doctor who prescribed steroid creams which help.He also told me to use an emery board on my hands (the ones you use to file nails) when they get rough and scaly and then apply epiderm. This really works it removes the horrible scaly skin and after the epiderm moisturiser cream the skin looks ok. Try it

By Cafe Girl on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 09:40 pm:

Hi all,
I'm 23 & live in the Middle East & I've had eczema my whole life. It used to affect my entire body but in recent years appears only on my hands(fingers only). Currently I use a mix of FOTOTAR Cream & DERMOVATE Cream on the affected areas and so far it has always helped. As a moisturizer I use an Australian product called QV cream which is excellent for use on any part of the body. All QV products seem to be very helpful..especially the cream, lotion and wash. I also only use MUSTELA soap bar as it is extremely gentle/moisturizing and contains almond oil and no perfumes or harsh chemicals.
In the past week I've noticed a small area under my foot that is peeling and oozing so I'm trying the '3% peroxide' cure I read about on here...will update if it works!

By kim on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 07:58 am:

spotty - i did the puva light box treatments and they helped. i stopped going b/c the eczema was gone. now that it is back after a couple of years, I am going to start the light box treatments again. it took about 3 weeks to be completely healed, but it is a treatment and not a cure.

By Itchy and Pregnant on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 03:29 am:

I've had dishidrotic eczema for about two years, during which I've used corticosteroid creams. They never really worked, but did provide some relief. Now that I've become pregnant I'm hesistant to use them- the side effects are scary! I've already been tested for food allergies and my life is mostly stress free. Does anyone have any advice for a pregnant woman. My doctor tells me that my steroid creams are fine, but I'd rather not use them. Help!

By Spottyfeet on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 08:35 pm:

I've read a lot on the web about PUVA treatment. Has anybody had the opportunity of PUVA Treatment. If so did it work. I'm really p...d off at present with my Eczema - all the scratching, the pain and no sleep.

By kezza on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 10:49 pm:

Hi I have had eczema for years, the best and most natural creams
I have found that actually worked for me is 100% shea butter with a few drops of pure lavender or rose oil mixed in if you feel like a bit of extra healing, you have to check you are not allergic as it is derived from a nut but, the results are amazing. Olive oil is great too. I know this sounds too simple but sometimes the best things are. Hope this helps...L'ocitanne do a tin of shea which lasts ages, its a bit pricey but it is worth it.

By Spottyfeet on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 11:59 am:

I was diagnosed with Pomphlyx Eczema of the feet six years ago. Due to having diabetes I cannot use steroid creams. It gets so severe I get hospitalised. I find it worse at the onset when all the blisters are forming. Anybody got any good remedies.

Thanks.

Mary

By Fushta on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 03:12 am:

I have suffered from all problems and complications of dyshidrotic eczema. For the past 2 years it never resolved and right now I am having severe flare. It is so depressing that I cannot find a way out of it. Share with me your thoughts. Is there any hope to control this monster that is eating my hands and feet alive?

By andreas on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 - 03:45 am:

I've just been diagnosed with pompholyx eczema and all my symptoms make sense to me now. A few years ago I was given a small gold ring as a present. If I got my hands wet wearing it I immediately broke out in the rash of spots and flaking itchy skin on my hand. I have since been told that nickel can cause the inflamation. Now, even if I put the ring on for a few hours my hand breaks out. My foot also broke out with a nearly invisible rash that itches like crazy but (for me) only at night when I am sleeping. This was two years ago. I thought it was tinea but none of the fungal creams did anything. I have been told to keep my foot cool and have been put on a special diet.

Now I have cut coffee, tea, tomato's, wheat and peanuts amongst others and the itching has ceased and the rash is slowly receeding. The ring is now on a chain around my neck. Hopefully this information may help others.

By llenod on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 11:46 am:

When I was in my teens and would get this, I thought it was poisen ivy, but I used to get it every year, usually on my index fingers and thumbs. It is very painful, but with using all the creams, I have only found one thing that works, and it actually contradicts what some doctors tell you. VERY HOT WATER. I go to my faucet and turn the water to about to the point where I would pull my hand back. I force my fingers into it and hold it there. After a min, it will feel like your finger is about to bust at the tip. I believe your brain has shifted focus from the itching to the burning of your finger. Afterwards, this will usually subside the itching for many hours. I have been able to sleep again with this condition. It is also very clean, so I am able to take a syringe and relieve the pressure of the blisters to allow for quicker recovery. I know this works for me. Hopefully this info will help others.

By Caroline on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 11:55 pm:

Andrea - swimming doesn't seem to cause too many problems with my eczema. If I put aqueous cream on first it's even better as it seems to be kind of water repellent too. And of course lots afterwards as chlorine's drying even on normal skin.

What my skin does hate though is river water. I cox quite a lot, and this summer I was in the kind of boat where you lie down at the front with 4 rowers behind you, rather than the more "normal" kind like you see at the Boat Race on TV. It's a splashy sort of place to be, and it's been too hot for wearing waterproofs (and my crew were *so* splashy that even if I wore waterproofs I still ended up wet...). We train on the Thames in west London, which isn't exactly the cleanest bit of river on the planet. This season we raced at Henley, Molesey and Dorney Lake (where I believe they hold triathalons from time to time) and all made my eczema flare up horribly.

So if you're swimming in open water, I'd definitely recommend a very good barrier cream, although I haven't had much experience with them beyond Vaseline and aqueous cream.
In a pool, aqueous cream afterwards should do the trick if your eczema's not too bad to start with, and also beforehand if you're worried.

I decided a while ago that it was better for me and I generally felt better if I just went swimming and went to the gym and let my eczema go red and horrid (I seem to be allergic to my own sweat!) and ignored other people pulling faces at me, than hiding my arms and being unfit.

By Gina on Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 07:28 pm:

Hi Andrea

Sounds like the gloves to me. I have the same sort of problem you can get special gloves called 'Second Skin' from most supermarkets - definately worth a go.

By Andrea on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 09:58 pm:

I am new to this site and after 10 years of suffering with excema all over my palms I was helped by my naturopath. I did a candida cleanse diet and the excema toxins poured out of me. It was disgusting. After 3 weeks of this taking its course, I was free from any major flare ups for over 1 year. Then all of a sudden last week, it was back and worse than ever. I am not sure if I am having an allergic reaction or what. I can not think of anything that I have done to cause this. The only thing is I reguarly use latex rubber gloves to apply sunscreen to the kids and wash foods. Normally these do not bother me for short periods. I just bought a new brand that has come powder inside - could this be causing my break out? Anyone have any suggestions? I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow and I know he will want me to take a chortisone something. This is what caused the candida in the first place. As for creams, I can recommend 2 - #1 is by St. Francis - Red Clover Plus Salve - about $12 Can. actually soothes and I think shrinks the blisters. #2, Melaleuca (MLM company) RENEW is the name and it is very moisturizer and does not cause further irritation. Anyone have an opinion on swimming in chlorine. I am a triathelete and loves to swim. Reviews have mentioned they were no worse after swimming.

By macsmom13 on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 12:59 am:

I have had dishydrotic eczema for nearly six years now. When I was first diagnosed, there wasn't a place to visit and read of others who had it. I have it on both hands and feet and at it's worst, when the doctors finally figured it out, I had the eczema, a fungal infection with a staph infection on top of it all. Very painful and I just didn't want to live the rest of my life with gloves on (I had to resort to wearing them as cashiers who went to give me change would draw back, as they looked at my hands) and wearing larger shoes just so that they wouldn't rub on my feet.
Anyway, I believe relieving the pain and symptoms is different for everyone. After I was diagnosed, I did some research and eventually learned from family members, they had eczema, but theirs did not show up until they were much older than myself. My son was diagnosed with it about 3 years ago at the age of 15. He and I both had childhood asthma. It didn't take me long to realize, this is heriditary in our family and more than likely, allergy related. I have good times and bad times, like now, I can not wear a pair of sandles. Jealous, yes. But I know there will be that summer that I can enjoy them again. I have to be honest, when my son gets upset or I get upset, we see the inflammation begin. We have both resigned ourselves to the fact that we have it and when we became comfortable with that and quit worrying about it and realized it was a part of our lives, it became easier to deal with. We keep away from any kind of steroid, even over the counter. It is only temporary for us, and will eventually break out worse. We stay away from anti-bacterial soaps and use only non-abrasive soaps. We do not let perfumed lotions stay in contact with our hands for too long. We regularly take fish oil capsules and have taken pycnogenol (grape seed extract) to aid in healing deep, cracked fissures. Again, to each his own, there are many reasons the skin will react, we just always keep in mind, less is more when letting our hands and feet come into contact with anything.

By mindel- new zealand on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 11:55 am:

I find it really sad to read lots of these emails. I was just like alot of these emails and used gloves taped up to stop the itching. Tried applying the steriod creams thickly to clean up the bubbles and close the cracks when my skin pealed off. I used to be great at individually bandaging each finger so I could work each day. I couldnt clean the house without layers of gloves but wondered if the heat from the gloves made it worse. However I have been 90% free of the poly pompalyx now for 5 years - I found it was not what I put on my body on the outside but what I was feeding my body on the inside. I found if I stopped eating potatoes (chips, baked etc), no nuts, no mushrooms, no tomatoes, no instant coffee, no cheese and a few other foods then once I stopped these for a period of time, my hands and feet got better by themselves without any creams. I did use some natropathic tablets to cleanse my system. I can now eat in small doses these foods, but if I eat too many it starts to come back. I have no need for any gloves, I can clean my house without them. Maybe rather than lather yourselve with creams look to what you are eating. If you can look outside the normal box of creams and find a natropath or someone who can look at the foods you are eating. Try it - it wont happen overnight - it took me 4 weeks to notice a difference and that was after I found that eating only a small amount of potatoe held me back. My life is now normal and no more gloves or cream!!! I hope this helps someone as creams especially steriods are not always the answer.

By EK on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 02:21 am:

Hello all, I have found A SIMPLE SOLUTION to my Dyshidrotic eczema (Pompholyx) that had been manifesting on my fingers on and off for many years now. I have found that applying an Iodine Tincture 2% ($1.98 at CVS) it relieve the itch almost immediately and it dries the bubbles in about two to three days. After washing the hands you should re-apply the solution. I did not try yet Iodine Tincture 7% (available, but not very common) but I’m sure it will even work better. Good luck!

By radhe on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 05:17 pm:

I have had eczema for almost 20 years. It was contained on my right hand and left foot. Now it has spread to the other hand and foot some. My fingers also swell now. Does anyone else know how to reduce the inflammation?

Thanks

By Jo on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 09:38 pm:

Hi, I'm new to the website, but I have had hand eczema for a few years now. I've been trying to figure out what brings out those horrible itchy bumps over my hands, and I think for me it might be overheating of my hands when I wash up or clean, regardless of using allergenic rubber gloves.

I noticed on the site that some people have mentioned wearing cotton gloves when they go to bed. I do this too and it really helps, but I found that they would drop off in bed and then I would start scratching, so I have started taping them on with Micropore, keeping them on all night and not scratching my hands or other parts of my body! Unfortunately, my boyfriend has to release me from the gloves each morning!! I also find that when it gets really bad, I put on my steroid cream and put cling film over the top which really helps absorption - this is best done at night.

I've also started wearing a barrier cream which I have found to be really effective. The one I am using is called Dermashield by Benchmark, and I bought it at the Food and Drink show in Birmingham a couple of years ago. It comes as a moose, readily absorbed and makes my skin soft, really protecting my hands and I recommend it. I think you can only buy it over the internet at the moment and it costs £10-20.

Hope this might help folks!

By terrestrial on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 08:22 pm:

Unfortunately the clobetasol seems to work intermittently. I've been using it, then stopped because it did no longer work, then a couple of years later I started using it again when the eczema flared up in the summer months and it cleared it a week.

By randall williams on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 07:12 pm:

I have been diagnosed with hand eczema which I have had for nearly 2 yrs. now. I'm 53 and all of a sudden I started getting these area of very thick skin on my fingers which would then peel and crack. No itching nor inflammation. My Dermotologist gave me a round of steriod shots. The first shot lasted 1 month and totally cleared up my hands. The second shot was better but not as good as the first. A month later I was given a 3rd shot which had no effect. I've been using the typical Clobetasol Propionate but it doesn't really help much. I've soaked my hands in water followed by moisturizers then put on the Clobet. and I wear cotton gloves during sleep. Nothing seems to impact this stuff and my doctor has basically given me no real help to walk away with. I've been reading a good amount on the net and my condition doesn't seem to match anyone's with the skin getting thick first. Anyone with a suggestion?

By Millay on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 05:18 pm:

Hi,

I am new to this group, after being diagnosed with Dyshidrotic Eczema for a year or so and going to many doctors, I found this group. I have read a bit on dyshidrotic eczema, and usually don't find swelling of the fingers as a symptom.

Right now I am affected by this eczema. There are thousands of tapioca blisters on the sides of my fingers, around the fingernails, and the palms. But also my fingers swell to 1.5 the
size. To the point where my joints feel sore (and I guess arthritic? I've never had arthritis). And I cannot for the life of me make a fist with my fingers. I was wondering if these were
common symptoms associated with dyshidrosis.

Take care all!

By Sharon G on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 10:29 am:

I am a nurse on a busy intensive care unit. I developed 'pompholyx eczema' to the sides of my fingers since 2002 when i started wearing a new white gold ring.Water got trapped underneath it & this was the beginnig of the problem. I have flare ups which are aggravated by my continued handwashing at work (50 - times a day when busy!)I am waiting to see a dermatologist next month. Here are some remedies that have helped symptoms for flare ups.
1* An oatmeal hand soak - Use a lukewarm bowl of water & a handful of porridge oats in a stocking tied at the end!! (this keep the husks of the oats from the water) Soak for 10 mins, this seems to rehydrate very dry skin.
2* Vaseline / & or Olive oil and castor sugar scrub - use a small amount and rub gently into the area, useful when the blisters have dried & are at the exfoliation stage.
3*.Epaderm from doctor -it's like LARD!! coat hands with this & place hands in cotton gloves for few hours.
4* Wash hands in soap substitute like Aqueous cream or Dermol 500
5* Drugs = Antihistamines, Urea cream (Eucerin) Steroid cream- for short periods.
6* 99.9% Aloe Vera Gel from holland & barrett, Aveeno- oatmeal hand cream.

I have also heard from various people that midstream urination onto the affected part can help- something to do with Urea!!!! Has anyone heard of this or knows if it works. Let me know.
Hope this helps!!

By Josh on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 08:52 pm:

I have had this tormenting eczema for almot 8 years primarly on my left hand and only a little on my right hand. most of the problem occures between my fingers making it hard to bend them from time to time.

I have tries many chemicals on my eczema from standalone chemicals to combinations trying to come up with the best way to make the piece of my frusteration easy to deal with.

I allready know there is no known cure, at this momnent you can only cause the eczema to go dormant but it will not go away. The dormant stage can last for a few day to several moths and in rare cases years but eventually it will enflame all over again. I found a way to make this problem easy to cop with.

This is going to seem a little odd but it really works good, (this may or may not work for you depending on how acidic you skin is) every night I was my hand in the shower with "EDGE double aloe GEL shaving cream" after I complete the shower wait for in to dry and than apply some aveeno to it. I wish I could show you pictures but amazingly it is clear most of the time all year arround now. I will still get an occasional breakout but it last about 2 days and than I am most of the way clear again.

I am feeling most of t5he way normal again, I know it not going to disappear but if I can keep it most of the dormant that I can be happy with that.

for those how suffer from bad cracking of the skin, you can perform the same steps how ever use vaseliine to seal the aveeno in so it will not disapate so fast.
I only apply my mixture 2 times a day and stay most of the way dormant.

I found out about he shaving cream because I always got it all over my eczema when ever I would shave and after shaving I found in about 2 days my eczema would go dormant for awhile.

This might be a good remedy for you, keep in mind that the chemical properties of your skin may make this remedy not work for you.

I found that by figuring out what chemicals are compatible with my shin I was able to compensate for what my body could not do. Chemicals that are not compatible with your skin can cause greater irritation insted of less.

I hope that this may help with this collective of information to further get closer to a possible cure for eczema or at least a way to cause it to go dormant for a longer period of time with less maintainance.

By Karen on Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 06:51 pm:

Has anyone tried cold pressed castor oil on their hands? I managed to get a bottle of virgin castor oil from a local independent chemist this pm and it`s enabled me to bend my fingers and eased the pain although they`re still itchy. My local health food shops looked blank and a Holland and Barrett person told me to try a chemist. The cortisone cream my doctor prescribed caused a huge allergic reaction - Fucibet - and I lost the whole top layer of skin from palms and backs of my hands (three weeks ago now). The only other thing I`ve found that helps with the excrutiating pain of the hundreds of cracks on my hands is beef dripping - pain instantly vanishes but you tend to smell like a side of beef all day - not great at work! An old farmer told me to try goose fat if I could get it (interesting - emu oil seems to be successful for some) and beef dripping if I couldn`t. My poor son is nearly 30 and has has had whole body eczema and severe acute athsma since 2 weeks after his first jabs as a babe - anybody else out there link these curses with vaccinations? I`ve come across many mums who`ve suspected there`s a connection but medicos condemn the suspicions vociferously.

By Just a Good Ole Coach on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 06:10 am:

Okay...this eczema is all very new to me. I am a 33 year old male, who has experienced eczema for the first time a few months ago. Nickel is something that I am pointing my fingers too after reading several posts on here...I had a root canal done somewhere along the time that this all started to take place. Is there nickel in any part of the root canal process? Could all this "Pain in the Ass" (excuse my language) be from my root canal?

Any input?

By molly on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 01:44 pm:

Greetings all!
I just found this group. I will share a few things that have helped me with eczema. I use vit E oil, very soothing on raw, dry skin. When eczema is very intensely itchy, I apply an ice bag ( the kind you buy from pharmacy). The cooling effect is very helpful. The natural health food store has an eczema cream called Look, No XEMa! Cream made by Four Elements. Also I use a non steroid anti itch creamn (homeopathic)- Florasone Cream with Cardiospermum. I am trying to have a very pure, organic, wholefood, low allergen (wheat and gluten free) diet. I also have a very itchy, irritated anus. It seems that my colon itself is very inflamed, which speaks of an internal inflammation/ imbalance. Supplements: acidophilis(friendly bacteria), cod liver oil (good oils), Vit B's, glicine, antioxidant, zinc. Also homeopathic remedy Sulfur. The body detoxes from skin (sweat), lungs (breathing), kidneys (urine), bowels (feces), liver, etc. Drink lots of water. Eat fiber. Breathe deeply- exhale toxins. Also, since water burns skin, I bought a chlorine filter for my shower head, at natural food store, that helps.
For those of us who suffer from skin problem, please learn about natural health ways so that your body can benefit. Work hard on your health!
Thank you for all the advise! I pay homage to all those who walk this difficult road. I believe our planet and our bodies are crying out because neglect. We have to educate ourselves and work hard to restore our nature state of health. If you don't know much about natural health, please start to learn more today!

Best wishes, Molly

By kk on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 12:09 am:

Has anyone heard of tannins (Phenolics) allergies causing specifically Pompholyx eczema? Coffee has alot of tannins and I am a addict! I would also be interested in talking with Stevenson who sent the message about Nickel. I have not been able to find alot of info on foods that contain nickel or how to look for it in foods. If you have any resources can you please email me at kkahne@yahoo.com

By KK on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 11:59 pm:

I am with Mr. Nicholsan. I am still debating on whether my problem with blisters is eczema or a reaction to fungus. The other day I soaked my feet in hydrogen peroxide and within a couple days my skin was almost normal. Does anyone else get the feeling of intense heat on their ears, top of head, cheeks and face before a flare up. I only get breakouts on my hands and feet though.

By evnlee on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 10:49 am:

has any1 tried accupuncture?ive tried just about all moisturisres and docs steriods creams and none ogf it seems to help so im now thinking about accunpuncture can any1 tell me if theyve tried it and if it helped thanks

By Steph on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 06:20 am:

Hello All! I am new here and I am looking for some advice. I am a 22 year old hairstylist by day and bartender by night. Early this year I got the plague of dyshidotic eczema. Now when my doc told me this, I thought it was no big deal. Boy was I wrong! This has been the one of the worst things to happen. It is very difficult to work in my field with this condition. I have tried just about everything from cremes to lotion to old school salve. Nothing works! So I was wondering if anyone had any advice as to what I should do. another thing...my doctor told me that stress could play a huge factor in breakouts. Well you can't tell me not to be stressed when my handslook like this!! Ya know?
VERY FRUSTRATING! Thanks for reading my little rant.

By MarcW on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 05:13 pm:

Hello everyone...
It seems most here are familiar with problms similar to mine, so maybe someone can point me in the right direction...Almost 4 years ago, i got a few blisters on each of my hands...they pealed back, leaving raw pink dry skin beneth on the entire surface of my palms and fingures...and the healthy skin never gre back...You can still see around the edges of my hand where the healthy skin flakes up and stops, leaving the dry red skin underneth, which becomes callasses and blisters more from time to time...A doctor told me it was Excema, but that sounds more like blisters and dryness on your surface skin, wheras I have a problem with raw skin below and the healthy skin not growing back...Mostiorizing lotions hardly stick, and they certainly dont help the good skin grow back...no prexcritions thus far have worked, either. Please help...

-Marc W.
twilight_eye13@yahoo.com

By Suzanne on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 06:12 am:

I am new to this site. My eczema began about 2 1/2 years ago. It began on my feet and then also to my hands. After many doctors and allergy testing, and telling me to wear gloves, and use my steroid cremes, protopic, etc., to no real avail, I HAVE NOW FIGURED OUT WAHAT CAUSES MY HAND AND FOOT ECZEMA. INGESTED NICKEL SENSITIVITY.
I had horrible eczema with my finger tips pealing off, hands cracking, bleeding as well as my feet. At times it was painful to walk. I wore gloves constantly and of course used all prescribed meds.

After 2 years of me constantly saying to docs that I thought it was something I was ingesting and them saying infatically NO, my doctor mentioned that I had tested slighly reactive to nickel and that she had recently read something about high nickel in hydrogenated foods. Of course she sent me on my way with my latest script for steriods.

Well, I went home and did some google searches (as I have done many times looking for answers) but this time added nickel to the search. I was amazed at what I found. There are studies that show that ingested nickel sensitivity can cause exzema!

My research led me to foods that are natually high in nickel content. The first thing I eliminated was ice tea which is naturally high in nickel and also leaches nickel out of stainless steel storage containers. My skin started to heal. I stopped using all scrips. Since then I have switched from stainless steel cooking pots to titanium, eliminated other high nickel content foods from my diet and my hands are healed. I no longer have peeling, split soles of the feet although I still have a few areas of inflamed redness around the ankle and toes on one foot. If I eat foods high in nickel, it returns.

It is difficult to eliminate nickel as it is found in most food but you can enough to give you function and relief. I have two dental bridges which I have found out are nickel so will have them replaced with high content gold or platinum. Maybe this will totally eliminate the remaining small areas.

I am sure this will help some of you out there. I hope so! Good luck.

Suzanne

By Sympathetic on Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 08:56 am:

Hello there,
One thing that helped is Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy. It has no scent and was perscribed by my doctor~ although I have some form of eczema...no doctor knows what it is yet... and this creme is all I got for the itchiness. It will help after a bath and after showers. Just blot off extra water and apply this stuff... I'm no expert... but this is all that works. Apparently it can be stress induced.. and there is no way for me to destress considering what I do for a living. Does anybody know how much acupunture costs? I think I need to try it at least once. Let me know.

Try it.

By Anne on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 07:37 pm:

Im in my 2nd year of being diagnosed with dishydrotic excema...the only relief I get is when im on prednisone which I try to do only twice a year...side effects suck...

By emy on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 09:52 am:

hello friendlie

i am also beginning to believe that each time my eczema flares up and my doc prescribes me antibiotics my eczema seems to be worser after the antibiotics. just recently i took antibiotics for staph infection (my specialist said it may be infected so prescribed me the drug but however i felt that she didn't really examined me closely) and my rashes were itchy at that time but about a few days after the course the rashes came back. i believe now that all those antibiotics and other medicines (and i have taken so many of them sometimes 2-3 different ones together in the past) have upset my internal chemistry and killed off many beneficial bacteria, and i also believe now that because the good bacteria are diminished an overgrowth of possibly yeast or any other bad microbes may have occurred. i have noticed too that whenever i increase my intake of yakult or lactobacillus capsules the skin tends to settle down a bit so there may be a link. i have also increased my intake of fresh garlic, i have read that it kills yeasts and it is a natural antibiotic.

By koolaidkid on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 05:27 am:

WOW. I have been searching all night trying to find some answers on what has been ailing me for all these years and I think I may have found it. I have not been to a doctor but my symptoms resemble that of dsyhidrosis. My 2 yr. old has broke out on the palms of his hands with large bumps that later turned into spreading scaly patches, much like when a blister errupts and dries. He doesn't, however complain of it itching or hurting. Mostly it is on the tips of his fingers. My problem always re occurs in the same place, exactly. It spreads in the same pattern, always. I am reduced to wearing grass soled flip flop sandles in the summer. Plastic item do tend to irritate. I have also found when I eat chocolate or a lot of tomatoes I pay for it.
Thanks for all your information, it sure gave me some things to try.

By friendlie on Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 03:39 pm:

Hi everyone, i am new to this forum. Has anyone ever wondered if the western drugs we consume contain toxins that trigger off skin problems - especially antibiotics?

Think carefully and trace the causes and effects. Drugs are one of the main causes of skin problems. they kill the good bacteria on our skin while they reache out to destroy the bad ones. In the end, we just rot like an apple in the backyard. Then we use more drugs to counter drugs. These drugs stay in our liver for as long as 5yrs and it can have a cumulative effect. By which time, we are in such a horrid state that only a surgery can do us good.

Sorry, am being abit negative here. But i am a strong advocator of healthy living with as little drug as possible.

I, for one, has skin problem after each course of antibiotics! it took me 5 yrs to realise that after visiting several specialists. Eventually when i discovered the root cause, i raised it up to a good specialist and he agreed with me that drugs are really drugs and they destroy quite a fair bit of stuff in us!

Cheers to good health!

By terrestrial on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 08:00 pm:

The last rash I had lasted for months, I had tried all kind of "natural" remedies (vitamins, aloe vera gels, moisturizing, talcum powder, sea water), spending lots of money expecially in aloe and vitamins, but nothing seemed to work.

Then a couple of weeks ago I remembered of an ointment I used a few years ago, the GlaxoSmithKline Clobesol (the active principle is a corticosteroid called clobetasol), though I had stopped using it since it seemed to have become less effective on me.
Anyway I decided to give it a try, bought it at the drugstore without medical prescription for 4,50 EUR, and in a week the bubbles ceased and the skin was on his way to heal (now it has completely).

I'll see to having some of it my medicine closet for next spring...

By ericb321 on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 02:49 am:

I've had mild symptoms of dyshidrotic eczema occasionally since I was a kid (little itchy bubbles in twos and threes on the sides of my fingers that never stayed long), but sometime last November-ish I noticed a very rough area on the side of my right big toe. Within a few weeks it started on my hands, beginning with my right thumb, then spreading to my left. I didn't realize how easy I had it even then.

In July I had surgery for skin cancer on my face (not major, and it was successfully removed), and for 10 days afterwards I took an antibiotic, Omnicef. Within 5 days the dyshidrotic eczema cleared up noticeably, and by the time I finished my regimen of antibiotics, it was almost entirely gone. I wasn't even thinking about the connection, I just thought maybe it was time for it to go away. Well, it came back, and it did so with avengeance. My right thumb got really bubbly, and then after one application of triamcinolone got dry and flaky, and the flaking went down to painfully deep layers of skin.

I have been eating a lot more eggs lately, and I just read that one food which is sometimes associated with dyshidrotic eczema is eggs. I hate to do it, but I'm going to take them out of my diet for a few days and see what happens. I didn't eat them this morning, and I'm having to ask myself if it's coincidence that my thumb looks a bit better than it has lately. I also soaked my thumbs in a "tea" of yarrow root the other day at someone's recommendation, so I can't rule that out as a possible source of healing, but I'm going to quit doing that while I do the egg-withdrawal thing. It would be a tragedy to abandon my favorite food without just cause, so I don't want to mix my experiments.

By Caroline on Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 03:41 pm:

As posted in the Aqueous Cream thread, but it's to do with something I found that keeps my flaky fingers under control, so here it is in its entirety...

am still an aqueous cream fan... but only Boots own brand. Seems to keep my eczema stuck to my fingers instead of letting it flake off over the hand rails on the Tube.

But the 500g pots look a bit industrial for my desk, so during the day it's all about Vaseline Intensive Care DermaCare handcream with "natural lipids".
I took this on holiday instead of my aqueous cream, which was a mistake and I got little blisters in my eczema for the first time ever, but generally it's fine for times when the "big tub of goo" isn't socially acceptable!

But the thing I've recently discovered...
For a while now I've had eczema on two fingers of my right hand. Random, but there you go. The top and sides of my fingers are far worse than the palm sides, and I couldn't work out why.
Then I realised it might be to do with my face serum I've been using, and started rubbing that in to my fingers as well as my face. Has worked miracles! I now only need to cream up once or twice during the day, rather than every half hour!

This is the stuff...
US link: http://www.blissworld.com/shop/detail/BLISS-109/96/

UK link: http://www.blisslondon.co.uk/shop/detail/BLISS-109/27/
(also available in Harrods and Selfridges. Probably some other places too, but they're the ones I use!)

It stings a bit, but in a good, sort of medicinal way!
No idea why it works, but it does and that's good enough for me.

By terrestrial on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 01:02 am:

Hello all,
I've been diagnosed with dishydrosis in 1994. It began (severely) on my ankles, then it spread under the feet, on the palms of the hands, and lately on the tips and around the fingers of both hands and feet.

The worst seasons are the late spring and the summer, with heat and humidity, at winter usually I fully recover and have no signs of blisters or sore skin or cracks whatsoever.

A very strange remark that I would like to share is: during these years I've noticed that the spots where the dyshydrosis shows up most frequently are those in contact with a kind of plastic, expecially the one that covers my car steering wheel and stick shift, and also the one that makes the keys and the upper surface of some laptop PCs.
Since I wrapped the wheel and the stick shift's handle with rubber/cotton caps, the eczema disappeared from the palm of my hands, expecially the right one (I had it exactly at the point where it touched the shift's handle).
When I covered the return and backspacke keys of the PC and the area near the touchpad with an adhesive plastic layer, it also almost disappeared from the tips of the 3rd finger of my right hand, that I always used to hit those keys, and from the lower part of right wrist that I used to lay upon the PC surface.

The weird thing is that at this point I thought my condition was not atopic as the dishydrosis normally is, so I went to a dermatologist and had the complete patch test done (the one with industrial chemicals applied to your back for one week).
The results were all negative.

Nevertheless, using these simple tricks, combined with moisturizing my hands and feet on a daily basis with common products like Johnson's or Neutrogena cream, EXPECIALLY when they are not sore, I manage to keep the E to an acceptable level. My (empirical) theory is that the continuous, daily pressure always applied to the same small areas of the skin someway alter their balance and trigger the E right on the spot.

So I would recommend anyone suffering from dishydrosis to try and locate the objects that you touch the most during your normal daytime activities, cover them with protective wraps if you can and see what happens.

Best of luck,
Pietro

By Dan on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 11:16 pm:

my email address didn't show up...it's dan_m8@hotmail.com

Thanks

By Dan on Sunday, September 11, 2005 - 11:15 pm:

I'm 17, and had atopic eczema since birth. At the moment I'm on Cyclosporin, which is a drug that suppresses the immune system and in effect stops/controls itching, it's recommended.

Anyway, I was just wondering, from where I've mainly had my eczema throughout life (hands, knees, feet) it has pretty much cleared up there, but the my skin, although clear is very dry, leathery and left with very strong skin lines/wrinkles. This has been the case for a good few years now and I'm just wondering if anyone knows if that dies down or is there anyway to treat it?

Please e-mail me if you can help

Dan

By Stacie on Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 12:12 am:

Hi everyone,

I have been living with Dyshidrotic Eczema for over 4 years now. I also have asthma and allergies, although I have those under control. I have bi-weekly allergy injections and I use Advair daily for my asthma. I do not have any food allergies that I know of. I'm 26 now, and I never had this type of eczema when I was a child. The outbreaks occur about once per month. They are only on my hands, mostly the palms but also the front side of the tips of my fingers and knuckles sometimes. The degree of severity changes, but right now I'm having a "severe" outbreak. I have been to many doctors and dermatologists and they have prescribed upwards of 4-5 different types of creams & ointments including Protopic which I have now stopped using because I have heard it may cause cancer. None of these ointments have worked. I also have had steroid injections, taken prednisone, and tried numerous lotions, creams, and moisterizers. I use all natural soaps, detergents, shampoos, etc. I do not have any pets except for some fish! I've come to a very frustrated point where I almost feel like giving up on finding a solution to my eczema. It makes it very painful to drive (I have to wear gloves), ride my bike, write, shower, and any other typical daily acitvities that requires use of my hands. I would like to find an eczema specialist if there is such thing. I live in Southern California and I was wondering if anyone has any information that they can pass on to me? I'm willing to travel to a doctor if neccessary. I have heard of UV therapy, but I have not talked to anyone who has tried this. I feel that my eczema may be stress-related, but this is something that is often out of my control. If anyone can help me in any way, I'b be much appreciated. My e-mail address is: rudegirl3@msn.com

Sincerely,
Stacie

By Edwin on Friday, September 02, 2005 - 08:22 pm:

Hello fellow Pompholyx sufferers,
I've been recently diagnosed with this ugly affliction and am currently following a strict treatment regime:
1. Fudicin H (antibiotic/steroid cream). Apply 3/4 times daily and wrap with cling film for 15 mins, or until sweating begins
2. Antibiotics (prevent secondary infection).
3. Regular washing with E45 + bathing twice in E45 oil, and to keep it moisturised.
4. Sudo cream (to deal with Erythema, which i hope is just a side effect to the stuff i'm taking).
5. Cod liver oil + evening primrose oil capsule (once daily).
6. No eggs, red meat or alcohol- I'm Irish so you can see how bad it is!!

I have Pomhpholyx on my left palm, and little blisters on my fingers. Surprisingly my right hand is completely free. It had been pretty bad on my right foot, so much I could barely walk. But it's drying up now and I still take good care of it.
Suprisingly I don't find Pompholyx to be particularly itchy or painful.
From reading the posts it apperas each individual responds differently to treatments.. Somethings work or and some don't. The treatment I've expalined seems to be the mainstream way (in Ireland anyway). I've only been on it for a week and so far my foot is healing up nicely, but slower progress on my hand.
Hopefully a rendezvous with the dermatologist next month will shed some more light.
Good luck everybody,
Cheers, Ed.

By hayls1982 on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 06:28 pm:

I have had Pompholyx eczema on my hands for years. If I apply a body moisturiser without wearing gloves to protect my hands the blistery bumps appear. Does anyone know of a body moisturiser that won't cause the blisters on my hands?

By Been There on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 10:43 pm:

Please don't try DMSO. It tastes terrible and it makes you smell very odd, so much so that is is noticeable to family and strangers.

By kevin on Monday, August 08, 2005 - 02:08 pm:

Greatings fellow hand/foot/pompholyx/dyshidrosis sufferers. I have a unique perspective on this bizzarre disease that I'd like to share with you. In 1983, when I was 24, an attempt at make-do repairs on a gas hot water heater resulted in my getting a credit card sized severe burn on my right hand. The wound, I have always believed, should not have healed without at least a little scarring; but it did--it healed perfectly. In April, 2000 I started having problems with dyshidrosis which I think explains how I could escape scar-free from my 1983 burn. It's all in my gene code--in the genes of every dsyhidrosis sufferer, I think. Indeed, my theory is that dsyhidrosis is the result of Mother Nature launching her burn healing mechanisms improperly, when there is no actual injury.

I've spent the past 5 years sending letters to doctors about this accidental discovery, thinking they'd be glad to hear about it and would spring into action with a little research. But they don't seem to want to do anything; they seem quite in love with their conception of dsyhidrosis-as-allergic-reaction/auto-immune-system-response. Which is fine with me, I can imagine dsyhidrosis as both a burn healing process and an immune response; I can see where Mother Nature might use the same basic response to deal with any number of poisons, or allergens, or a thermal injury.

In any case, the letter I've been sending away is below. Please read it and respond with your thoughts. Print it out and give it to your dermatologist as well. Let me know what he/she has to say about it.

Best regards to all.

*** *** *** *** ***


Dear Dr. XXX,

This letter is about eczema and burns. Specifically, it's about a severe burn I received on the back of my right hand in 1982, and which healed far better than expected, and the dyshidrosis I've had since March, 2000.

The burn injury happened when I attempted a temporary, patch-work repair on a gas hot water heater. There was basically a small explosion while I had my hand in the trap door where one lights the pilot. The flame shot out to my elbow and singed my eyebrows and the hair on my forearm. The crook of my elbow received a first degree burn while my forearm was largely spared only because it was parallel to the path of the flame. My knuckles and the backside of the first joint of my fingers, however, were toast, with the injured area being about the size of a credit card.

I'm mentioning the accident details because, in past versions of this letter, I didn't. And some guy at a big pharmaceutical company wrote me back to say that he once received a second degree burn over his entire forearm in a lab accident. He said it healed without scarring and this was perfectly normal for a second degree burn where the dermis remains undamaged. Which is fine and dandy, I say. But if a second degree burn is properly defined as one in which the dermal layer remains unscathed, then my injury may have been all third degree. My burned skin was indeed still intact, I will concede, but I still think it was likely damaged all the way
through its lower most layer.

In any event, because I was unemployed at the time, I (barely) elected not to see a doctor. My way of coping involved sitting around the house all day, day after day, using my left hand to keep ice on my wounded right hand. At night, I slept on my stomach with my hand hanging down in a pan of ice water. To prevent infection, I frequently washed the ice cube trays and the pan I used, and boiled water before setting it to freeze. (With the burn being on the back of my hand, I could still, very gingerly, grasp objects and do simple tasks.)

So I was quite worried about infection; worried that the injured skin would start dying and falling off, or something. Yet, in the end, every millimeter of it healed perfectly. Even the very fine blonde hairs on my fingers all returned as before. These hairs were in the heart of the burn and are so dainty that they're difficult to see without backlighting.

In March 2000, I began having outbreaks of dyshidrotic eczema and I firmly believe there's a connection. Indeed, I think hand eczema
such as mine, which I got from my maternal grandfather who also had it solely on his hands, is the result of Mother Nature launching her
burn healing processes improperly when there is no injury to heal. The more severe the eczema, the more severe the phantom burn Mother
Nature thinks needs healing. And the little, fluid-filled craters of sponge- or tapioca-like eczema that appear during especially severe outbreaks actually contain nascent skin cells.

What follows are the reasons why I think dyshidrosis is a phantom burn healing:

1) My super eerie healing of long ago.

2) The fact that I and other eczema sufferers can get instant relief from the intense itchiness of eczema by touching hot objects,
or scalding hot water, to eczema-afflicted skin. (I use a wash cloth dipped in hot water rather than plunging my hands in hot water. This avoids the unpleasantry of scalding eczema-free
adjacent skin. The itchy feeling becomes a kind of tingling feeling, then returns immediately when the hot cloth is taken away.)

3) Once, when I awoke with a very severe and sudden outbreak--with my skin having already reached the "sponge-" or "tapioca-like" stage, as eczema sufferers describe it--I burned away a patch of eczema with a hot aluminum sauce pan.

I am not making this up! The first thing I did was set about microwaving some water for iced tea. It's just my own pet method: heat water in the microwave, then pour it over tea bags in an
aluminum sauce pan. I just did this first thing when I awoke with this intensely itchy eczema and I just thought, hey, let's see what happens when I touch this hot pan to my eczema. And what happened was I felt a very pleasant, very strong tingling--almost tickling--feeling and in about five seconds, the patch of eczema was gone. The resulting skin actually looked younger and smoother than the surrounding area. (I think I did this in the winter of 2000-2001 and I didn't have even mild eczema on that area of my palm again until--here's a date I'm more certain of--March, 2005. In the meantime, the surrounding skin continued to be itchy and eczematous;
perhaps not with vesicles, but certainly with some telltale callusing and heavy exfoliation. For maybe a year or so, the skin over the burned-off area looked much younger, much smoother. The
difference isn't so noticeable now, in June, 2005, but it still looks smoother and relatively wrinkle free; it continues to seem resistant to eczema. All I can think of, scientific explanation-wise, is that there were nascent skin cells there which needed only oxygen which I provided by burning away a thin, outer layer of
epidermis. During subsequent episodes of severe eczema, I tried to repeat the burn-away feat, but it never worked again. I can only assume--okay, guess, whatever--that it's difficult to do because one normally scratches at one's eczema before the nascent skin cells are ready for oxygen or even ready to endure the physical trauma of the scratching itself. When I awoke with my eczema already having quickly progressed, while I slept, to that ever-so-itchy and ripe stage, every variable was perfect for the nascent skin cells' exposure to oxygen.

I did not, for some ten minutes after awakening, so much as touch my "sponge-like" eczema. I was probably thinking I could watch it progress, or otherwise wondering how long I could go without
scratching it. This was, of course, a time during which I was either experimenting with doing without my steroid ointment or, more
likely, my supply was depleted; it was after I had already begun mentally connecting my eczema with my perfect burn healing in 1983. And too: On the same morning, I also burned away a smaller, symmetrically located, patch of eczema on my right palm.)

4) In early July, 2002, as I rode my bicycle around town on a sweltering hot day, my hands began showing blotches of red--a phenomenon that hasn't occurred again since. At the same time, it
dawned on me that my hands weren't sweating at all, but should have been; my bike's black, foam rubber handlebar grips can get quite hot, as black car upholstery will, in the summer sun. So I have to believe that there is something wrong with the sweat glands in my hands; that they are missing or malfunctioning, or lacking the pores
necessary for bringing sweat to the skin's outer surface.

5) The time it takes for a severe eczema outbreak to fully run its course is about the same as would be required for a severe burn, of
comparable size, to completely heal.

This is an iffy judgment, I'll admit. Because eczema stubbornly keeps recurring over the same patch of skin, it's difficult to say how long a particular outbreak lasts. Nonetheless, once, when monitoring the progress of a small outbreak that seemed separate and distinct, it occured to me that a second degree burn of similar size
would take the same 4 weeks or so to heal. (Note: My pet categorizing of eczema goes like this: Mild itching, redness, and mild exfoliation = phantom 1st degree burn; moderate itching, heavy exfoliation and/or callusing = phantom 2nd degree burn; vesicles-hardening-and-flattening-into-fluid-filled-craters, extreme itching and, in the final phase, callusing-lasting-for-weeks = phantom 3rd degree burn wherein, in the sponge-like stage, completely new skin is being formed.)

6) Speaking of sweat glands--can I get back to them?--I did a little experiment on the 27th through the 30th of April, 2004. I wore a heavy winter glove over a plastic glove over my left hand for a couple of nights while sleeping. For the six to eight months prior to this I had been, basically, completely eczema free.

I figured sleeping with a winter glove on might induce my eczema because--my basic theory--I think dyshidrosis is caused by sweat glands being either malformed (i.e., lacking the pores to carry sweat to the outside air) or misplaced too deeply in the skin, possibly along the underside of the skin. The salt produced by the
faulty glands gets released into the skin; each vesicle, and later fluid-filled crater, of severe eczema is a sweat gland that has become salt-clogged, inflamed, and ultimately dissolved. When a real burn injury occurs, the sweat glands become tiny steam pockets; they rupture instantaneously in random, chain reaction patterns, and thereby release their salty contents--enzymes, perhaps?--into the
skin. The randomly dispersed salt then dissolves the skin in patterns which are later replicated in the surface contours of scars. Mother Nature, seeking to expedite repairs, reuses any burned skin that doesn't get dissolved by salt from the sweat glands; she mixes old, damaged skin in with new skin that has formed where excess salinity has caused a dissolving.

In my case, assuming my sweat glands are mislocated along the underside of my skin, an otherwise severe burn may have left them
undamaged. They either never ruptured or, if they did, they may have spewed their salty contents into tissue beneath my dermis rather than within it, and this may have resulted in my strangely scar-free healing. (Such an explanation may be pretty damn dumb, but it's the best I can do. Sorry.) Anyway, I slept with a winter glove over a plastic glove on my left hand for two nights. Nothing happened. I decided to try again in a few weeks and went to bed
gloveless on the third night. When I awoke, I had about 10-20 vesicles, pretty much symmetrically located, on each thumb.

So on the fourth day of my experiment, I wore the glove again. After some four hours of sleep, nothing seemed to have changed; the
two small groups of vesicles didn't seem any worse. Still, I decided I'd better quit messing around, trying to induce my eczema. I felt the experiment was a success, at least for a one-time amateur effort, and lacking witness-doctors, it wouldn't be smart to risk inducing further outbreaks which could go on for months and be quite severe.

7) Have I mentioned the small scars on my hands from old nicks and cuts? I have never seen eczema directly on these and I think this is because the injuries that created the scars also destroyed the sweat glands that would create eczema.

8) Have I mentioned the way one's skin looks after a few dozen eczema outbreaks? It looks exactly the same as before. Even the severest outbreaks leave no legacy. No pock marks, no welts, no discoloration, no nothing. How many diseases are like this? How common is it for a bodily organ to come under attack from a disease
and end up being exactly the same, time and time again. No loss of function, no apparent damage, no change at all after years of being under attack from a disease that has since gone into remission.

9) Last but not least, from my 1983 accident: A penny-sized, full thickness burn area near the base of my second finger. I'm 100% sure this was a 3rd degree burn. It didn't look to have any skin remaining and it was completely, mercifully, numb. I specifically remember poking gently at the area with a fork and speculating about the lack of pain, theorizing that perhaps the nerve endings had been burned away.

The area didn't quite heal perfectly like the rest of my burn, but it came remarkably close; it ended up simply looking dry and aged. Though not scarred in the usual sense, the spot was clearly discernable for many years after my accident. Now, however, it's gone--and I'm pretty darned sure I've had severe eczema on that
exact spot. My theory is that my sweat glands survived the full thickness burn due to their being located beneath my skin. And without the glands remaining intact, I couldn't have gotten eczema on that particular patch of skin some eighteen years later.

10) Finally, one more thing; one of those things that make you go, hmmm. There is a professor of radiological science at the U. of Calif., Irvine, Medical Center named Joie Jones. I wrote to this guy because on the UCI Medical Center website it says he invented a "non-contact ultrasonic device" for assessing burns by
"examining a patient's capillary bed to identify the degree of burn severity."

Well, excuse me for being a know-it-all, but I've seen textbook cross section drawings of human skin and they show the sweat glands
surrounded by bee hive-like masses of tiny (capillary?) blood vessels. So I figured Dr. Jones would be intrigued by what I've got to say because maybe we're both getting at the same thing. I think I healed in an eerily perfect kind of way from a burn injury because my sweat glands/blood capillary bed is maybe located underneath my dermis; my capillaries survived a deep burn because of a genetic quirk which also causes dyshidrosis. So I wrote to Dr. Jones
and ... nothing happened, the guy never responded.

11 Okay, this is really the last item: Patterns of eczema outbreaks. When I first started thinking of eczema as a phantom burn healing, I noticed that certain areas of my palms would
consistently break out more than others. Over many months, the patterns held up quite well although it has never been a situation where there were stark borders between eczematous and non-eczematous areas of skin. Nonetheless, my eczema has always tended to break out more often and more severely in certain places. I think
differences in the placement, depth, or malformation of sweat glands would explain this phenomenon nicely; would be a better explanation
than the more common explanation that eczema is an immune system response to some or another allergen or irritant in the environment, or even in one's diet. I'm not fond of the allergic reaction theory (for dyshidrosis, at least) for a number of reasons. If food, or pollen, is the culprit, then why does only the skin on my hands
react adversely? If the culprit is a household cleaning product, shouldn't I be able to expose a forearm to the chemical and thereafter get eczema on my forearm? And what about the very stark, very clear borders around my wrists; the borders beyond which my eczema has never ventured? Especially on the back side of my hand,
I've noticed a border of sorts where, on the hand-ward side, the skin (sometimes) looks old and inelastic--like crepe paper--while on
the forearm side, the skin looks normal. I once saw a website discussion board posting from a woman eczema sufferer regarding this phenomenon; a posting lamenting how years of steroid use had caused skin to become thin and "brittle"--if I recall correctly the word she used. I've noticed this too, on rare occasions; this crepe paper-like appearance to one's skin. But I don't believe steroids are to blame because, in my case, the crepe paper look has come and gone within a 2-3 day time frame. I figure it can't be permanent damage from steroids if it comes and goes like so much other eczema weirdness. And anyway, for me, the important thing about the
phenomenon itself is this: It reveals the exact border, at the wrist, beyond which one's dyshidrosis will never creep.

The following are quirks about my physiological makeup that may be of interest to someone intending to investigate dyshidrosis-as-
phantom-burn-healing.

1) I happen to have unusually coarse tear granules. I learned this years ago when a doctor, removing a small metal fragment from my
eye, remarked that my tears had "an unusually high degree of granularity." There have been other occasions when I needed help getting even the smallest of foreign objects from my eyes. I also could never quite adapt to wearing (soft) contact lenses, despite months of effort and numerous refittings.

But wait! An update! On 5-28-04, I saw a doctor for another small-object-from-eye operation. I asked her about my having coarse tear granules. She said there was nothing unusual, then mumbled
something which seemed to suggest that, with an irritant, there would be some kind of clumping of granules. So ... maybe forget about unusually coarse tear granules.

2) I happen to have a low resistance to electricity--at least when the current is applied to my hands. This I learned in a junior high school shop class. One of my classmates was holding the test terminals of an ohmmeter--I think that's what it was--and claiming he was feeling a pleasant buzz of sorts. He handed the terminals directly to me and when I grabbed them, I went completely spastic; just couldn't let go of the things. Someone eventually turned the test equipment off at which point our teacher rather glibly remarked that I must have a low resistance to electricity. (I don't believe
anybody changed the settings on the machine. I was standing beside the other kid, there were no other kids around, and he handed the test probes directly over to me.)

Please let me know if you intend to investigate eczema-as-burn-healing or know of someone who would be interested in the subject. Even just a grad student who is desperately seeking a dissertation topic that won't bore the hell of her--even this would represent progress for me and my mission.

I think if it were possible to do the actuarial math on my nincompoop's accidental discovery about dyshidrosis, the numbers would predict someone in my situation coming along once every 50 years or so. First, someone with the genes for dyshidrosis has to be burned severely on a hand (or foot). Then they have to survive their injury. Then they have to have the cultural and educational background to understand their own miraculous healing as a consequence of quirky genetics rather than as a direct act of God.
Then, most importantly, if they're not a super smart doctor or scientist, they have to be motivated to bug the crap out of a huge number of people--the experts!--to make sure something gets done about their nincompoop's accidental discovery.

Thoughts On Ethics

To sum up, I'm willing to endure one or more severe burns to prove my contention that the skin on my hands can heal perfectly from a such an injury. I'm also willing to try to induce a very severe outbreak of my eczema. There should be no ethical problems--no ethics excuses!--to preclude such experimentation or clinical trial. The admonition to "do no harm," like every written law or ethical code, has both a literal and a figurative, or "in spirit," meaning. One doesn't refuse to operate on a patient with
dangerously clogged arteries simply because the operation itself will cause further, short-term harm, or possibly create fatal complications. Rather, one recognizes the need to balance various aspects of care giving. Doing nothing might be best today, but what about tomorrow? An experimental kind of operation like an srtificial heart transplant might be extremely risky, soak up vast financial resources, and be virtually pointless in terms of its likely outcome for the patient. Yet one has to start one's learning curve somewhere; one has to weigh the needs of future patients against those of present patients; the needs of the many against
those of the individual.

Please don't tell me this kind of ethical balancing act doesn't go on in hospitals and research labs. I know it does, it has to before
anything at all can be accomplished. Please don't tell me the literal meaning of "do no harm" isn't breached when somebody donates a kidney to a friend or family member. Donating a kidney is certainly not an entirely risk or pain-free endeavor, yet medical ethics allow it; and only one person's life will be improved whereas, with regard to my situation and what I'm offering to do, thousands of people might benefit.

So what is the major ethical malfunction with me enduring a few small, "dot" burns on my hands? That is what they're called at so-called "body art" studios where non-doctors administer them, by the dozens, until an artistic design is formed. How painful can a burn the diameter of a pencil lead be? They might be unimpressive to a
burn care physician but the fact is, the body artists do get permanent welts from such small injuries. (Actually, the body artists seem to have moved on to more extreme burns. Judging from
their websites, most now focus on "strike" branding--yes, like on cattle, using a hot iron--or they do cautery.)

So what is the problem with me getting a chance to prove, in a setting other than a tattoo parlor, that my skin can heal unusually well from burn injury? What is the likelihood I'm going to experience disastrous complications from a dot burn? How can anybody's ethical code justify nixing potential breakthrough benefits to future burn patients because one guy might,
theoretically, get--what?--an infection or something?--from a few dot burns?

Give me a break here. I've been writing and rewriting this letter and mailing it off to people for five years already. I could die
tomorrow in an accident and 100 years could pass before someone else with the genes for dyshidrosis gets burned on a hand, heals
mysteriously well, and subsequently speaks up about it. Surely there is a dermatologist, burn care specialist, biochemist, or other researcher somewhere on this planet who will take action on this matter; someone qualified who will check into me, my story, my credibility; someone who can make a few phone calls to a few colleagues.


Sincerely,

Kevin Rogers

*** *** *** *** ***


The following are some questions I have. Perhaps you could answer one or more of them.


1. I have heard of a horse liniment called DMSO (the brand name) which is a "transdermal agent," which means it can be absorbed through the skin. The woman who told me about DMSO said her brother
and his friends used to mix it with peppermint schnapps. Apparently, once the schnapps and liniment are absorbed thru the skin, a person can actually taste the peppermint as if it were on the tongue.

So if someone with hand eczema tried this and it didn't work on their hands, but did on other areas of skin, what would be the significance? Wouldn't such an outcome suggest that the transdermal agent is absorbed through the pores of the sweat glands and that hand eczema is caused by a lack of pores?

2. What would be the significance if someone with hand eczema did not react adversely to (hand) exposure to poison ivy? Wouldn't this
suggest that the plant's toxins are absorbed through pores in the skin which the individual with eczema lacked?

3. Long ago, in an episode of the TV show M.A.S.H., two of the show's characters played a prank on a colleague while he slept. They carefully dipped the colleague's hand into a glass of warm water and this caused him to urinate. If the trick does indeed work under normal circumstances, what would be the significance if it didn't work on someone with hand eczema?

4. What about stings from venomous fish? The attached photo is from a website I once stumbled onto. According to the site, the treatment for some kinds of fish stings includes submerging the
effected limb in water as hot as one can bear for a half an hour. This was said to be "very effective in treating the stings of weaver fish, as well as those of the stingrays, lionfish and other scorpion fishes." For the Portugese man of war and other jellyfish, "local treatment" involved rubbing the effected area with dry sand and scraping it with a knife. "Systemic" treatment, for mild cases, meant using oral antihistamine, while severe cases might need
intravenous antihistamine. Plus "corticosteroid injections such as Solu-medrol." These medications were said to "usually cause
immediate and dramatic relief."

Although the website didn't say what all the knife scraping, sand rubbing, and hot water submersion were for, I would suspect it would
all be aimed at relieving itchiness. Such measures are certainly the kinds of things dyshidrosis sufferers might resort to. Thus, my
questions here: Is it possible that fish venoms basically cause eczema; that Mother Nature uses the same healing/coping processes to deal with any number of plant and fish toxins as well as allergens and burn trauma? What exactly is the current thinking on this issue among doctors; the standard conceptualization? Do doctors really
think human skin has a huge repertoire of coping/healing mechanisms? It seems to me, the fact that Mother Nature lets loose with a certain itchiness when trying to cope with so many different kinds of injurious exigencies is a telltale sign that the same one-trick repertoire of healing mechanisms are getting used to deal with everything--with the exception of injuries that involve a loss of blood--and no itching, of course.

5. Don't burn patients, during the mid-to-latter stages of their healing, sometimes have difficulty with itchiness?

6. What if a burn survivor rubbed some poison ivy on their (long ago) injured skin and there was no reaction? What would be the implications of this? What about someone with hand eczema doing the same on a hand? Do burn survivors have functioning sweat glands over old wound areas? If not, and if poison ivy exposure did not result in any adverse reaction, wouldn't this indicate that the toxins of poison ivy enter the skin through the pores of sweat glands; or that
sweat glands play an important role in sensitivity to plant toxins such as poison ivy? What about fish venom? If someone with dyshidrosis got stung on a hand and there was no reaction, what would that imply? And snake bites--do they itch? Mosquito bites certainly do.

7. What would happen if salt were introduced, via a transdermal agent, into the skin? Has anybody ever messed with this? Would itchiness result? Would there be a flare up of vesicles like one sees with eczema?

8. What happens to the salt in the sweat glands after a (relatively) superficial burn injury; one that damages pores or otherwise closes them off, yet leaves sweat glands unscathed and,
presumably, still functioning? Does sweat accumulate in the skin in that circumstance?

9. Regarding the "non-contact ultrasonic device" mentioned on page four, paragraph three of my cover letter: Could the machine detect
irregularities in my capillary bed, or a lack of a bed, or a dissimilarity between the capillaries on my hand and those on my forearm? Has anybody ever used such a machine to study the
structure of eczematous skin?

10. Could a machine be made that would map the dispersal of salt/salinity in burned or eczematous skin? How about the use of ultraviolet light? Is it true that salt, a mineral, will fluoresce (glow) within a certain part of the light spectrum?

11. What about people with rare ecto-dermal dysplasias? The website of the National Organization for Ecto-Dermal Dysplasias,
NFED.org, lists eczema as one facet of ED syndrome. People with the affliction can't sweat, but why? Is it because they lack sweat
glands; or do they have the glands but not the pores that are supposed to go with them? And something else of interest, to me at least: People with ED often have very sparse and very fine scalp hair. My scalp hair is very fine (though not sparse except for male pattern baldness) as are the hairs on the first joint of my fingers--the one's that were smack in the heart of my 1983 burn injury and which somehow returned, looking fresh as a daisy, as if nothing more than a sunburn had hit them. Could hand eczema really just be an Ectodermal Dysplasia that effects a small area? Could people with ED heal bizarrely well from a burn injury anywhere on their body?

12. Do burn patients have elevated levels of histamine during their healing and recovery? Has anybody ever checked into this possibility?

By livingwithit on Saturday, August 06, 2005 - 09:54 pm:

I suffer from periodic bouts of dishydrosis too, and it is frustrating.

I'm just posting to warn people about steroids, cortico or other. In no way am I recommending anyone discontinue their use, but there are things everyone needs to be aware of concerning steroids in any form. At some point, steroids will stop working for you, perhaps leaving you with a much worsened condition. Steroids can also produce joint inflamation, and are known to contribute to the development of arthritic conditions. And remember, they are immune suppressants. Their usage can leave you at risk for the development of other medical conditions. Please do check, and thoroughly read the side effects.

I for one would be interested in hearing more about foods that in your mind seem to contribute to outbreaks of pompholix. I know stress does it, but there have been times when I've been stressed and it didn't cause an outbreak.

By Sami on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 12:26 am:

FAO Susan RE your son: I didn't have the bleeding but the skin coming off in chunks (my toes, heels, fingers and palms) rings a big bell. Mine seems to have been caused by a reactions to PTBPF resin (Para-Tertiary Butyl Phenol Formaldehyde) which is present in waterproof glues (shoes), rubber, paper & ink, plastics and a few other things. I can't recommend Haelan tape highly enough - after 8 months of the different "...vate" creams, it was such a relief to see normal skin again! The Haelan tape doesn't stop me from reacting but it does help to clear up an outbreak quickly. Good luck! Sami.

By Sami on Saturday, July 30, 2005 - 12:17 am:

I've had skin problems on my hands/feet for almost a year but found (thanks to my GP prescribing it!) Haelan Tape to work really well at clearing the problem areas...and Oilatum (cream and gel) and Cetraben to help stop the dryness. After a 6 month wait I finally had my patch tests (reacted to something called "Para-tertiary butyl phenol formaldehyde resin" - much research to do on that one!) but forgot to ask which other chemicals they tested for..the hospital used the "standard" and "cosmetic" series. I've tried a few different sites through google and found a list of what "standard" contains but haven't had much luck with "cosmetic"...any ideas where I would find this information? Many thanks, Sami

By Alison on Friday, July 29, 2005 - 12:08 pm:

Regarding the question about a link to diabetes and pompholyx.

Well, I have auto-immune adrenal insufficiency (Addison's Disease) and it's only since I was diagnosed with this that my pompholyx has reared it's ugly head. Both my Endocrinologist and Dermatologist have told me that the pompholyx is most likely an auto-immune reaction.

Kind of explains it, but doesn't do much to get rid of it.

I'm back on soaks of potassium permaganate and using Locoid C ointment. It's helped a little bit, but not all that much. I thought I was starting to get some relief, but this morning I woke up to find another huge crop of blisters.

By kate on Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 08:06 pm:

I have just had a bout with dishydrosis, which errupted on my palms approximately 2-3 weeks after experiencing a different type of rash on the instep of my right foot. Initially, the dr said the foot problem was poison ivy (because there was "streaking" typical of poison ivy). She believed the rash on my palm was an allergic reaction to the poison ivy on my foot. I was given steriod cream for my palms, and told to call back in a few weeks if no change.

Fast forward to yesterday. Well, neither rash really cleared up. In fact, the rash on my palms continued to spread up to the insides of my fingers. Not satisfied with the diagnosis of poison ivy (after all, I was never allergic before, and I'm 45) I set out on the internet to find an answer. Here's a paragraph from emedicine.com under "Tinea pedis (athlete's foot):

===== QUOTE =====
(http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic470.htm)

A similar eruption, called the dermatophytid reaction, mimics dyshidrosis (pompholyx) and may develop on the palmar surface of one or both hands and/or the sides of the fingers. Papules, vesicles, and, occasionally, bullae or pustules may occur, often in a symmetrical fashion. This is an allergy or hypersensitivity response to the [fugal] infection on the foot, and it contains no fungal elements. The specific explanation of this phenomenon is still unclear.

Distinguishing between a dermatophytid reaction and dyshidrosis can be difficult. Dermatophytid reactions are associated with vesicular tinea pedis [athlete's foot]; therefore, a close inspection of the feet is necessary in patients with vesicular hand dermatoses.

The dermatophytid reaction resolves when the tinea pedis infection is treated, and treatment of the hands with topical steroids can hasten resolution.

===== UNQUOTE =====

Today, I went back to the dr, and was rediagnosed with a severe case of tinea pedis (athlete's foot). The misdiagnosis of poison ivy was due to the fact the the dishydrosis had also presented on my feet - on top of the tinea pedis - making a proper diagnosis impossible initially. Nonetheless, when I brought up to the dr today the information I found regarding the relationship between athlete's foot and dishydrosis, he just said "I've never heard of that before". WELL DR, I HEARD OF IT! Use Google and do a search on "tinea pedis" and "dishydrosis" - there's quite a few hits, and many interesting articles that talk about a relationship between these two types of rashes.

So, off to the store to get some lamisil to use for the next 4-6 weeks. The dishydrosis should clear once my foot gets better - so they say.

Check out www.emedicine.com - I think it had some really great information. In addition to an article on "tinea pedis", there's an article on dishydrosis which also touches on the relationship with athlete's foot.

I hope this info helps someone out there.
Good luck all.

By Susan on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 04:55 pm:

Help! I have a 9 year old son with Eczema. He's had it for a 1 1/2 years so far. He gets it mainly on his feet. Right now his feet are so bad he can't walk. Skin is falling off, bleeding. Going back to the doc. today (emergency). Does anyone have any suggestions?

By Tracey T on Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 11:48 am:

I have no answer for the cat, but it is well known that people do have allergies to pets. Maybe you could try giving the cat to a friend for a period of time - it may take 6 weeks to see - I am no doctor only like yourself sick of suffering from skin allergies, and have found that plastering myself with creams made no difference it gave me minute relief but no long term solution. Hence like alot of other people I was prepared to try anything. The test I did - did not involve any jabs to assertain if I had allergic reactions to anything, and may sound kooky - but it worked and I now have normal skin for the first time in over 8 years. All I can say is it may be worth a try with the cat. Tracey

By sel on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 04:05 am:

By coincidence, my family and I were discussing my history with dishydrosis. As it happens, my skin has been extremely distressed each and every period of time in which I took a cat exclusively as a pet (no other animals in home).

I have had dogs as pets most of my life without any effect to my skin. Curiously, during the periods which I owned and cared for a cat, my hands AND feet would be aggravated with dishydrotic eczema (aka pompholyx).

Since I have this cat (3 yrs.), my eczema is flaring on my feet (approx. 3 yrs.). Could it be as simple as an allergic reaction to my cat? I know there are tests for allergens, but will an allergy test prove that my skin's response (eczema/dishydrosis/pomphloyx)is a direct result of routine exposure to a pet cat?

If necessary I will find a new home for this wonderful pet, but it will break my children's hearts to do so.

By LindaC on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 02:38 pm:

I have had excema on my left hand for over 25 years, always the same when i go to the doctor, steroid creams. I have never been offered any tests, reading this board it makes me realise how lucky i am that it isnt worse than it is. The excema is made worse by wearing my wedding ring which is made of 9ct gold. Can anyone suggest a suitable alternative metal that wouldnt make me break out? Hubby has offered to buy me a new one!

By Tracey T on Monday, June 27, 2005 - 05:39 am:

Hi just thought I would write again - (see November 2004 Tracey T) I find it sad to hear of so many people all with the same or similar conditions and everyone seems happy to keep plying their skin with creams. I am still free of all skin conditions. I am back to eating IN MODERATION the foods I had to stay away from - occassionally my hands go dry and then I know I need to stop the foods that have caused the skin irritations for a week and have some oat straw tea this brings my skin back to normal. TRY SOME NATURAL remidies and try cutting out some foods - try some of the ones I had allergies too especially potatoes - what harm is there in trying only benefit. I AM PROOF YOU CAN GET RID OF ECZMA AND POMPALYX GOOD LUCK

By dm012w7863 on Sunday, June 26, 2005 - 07:33 pm:

my friend suffers very bad exzema,it is weeping on her legs and is sore. she now as it spreading to her tummy area and her legs are covered also could you please suggest some treatment she could get it is very painfull thankyou maureen

By Sel on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 01:48 am:

Wow, I've just spent a couple of hours online looking for answers about my dishyrosis/pompholyx. Didn't realize just how common it actually is. It's also kind of theraputic to read that others feel the distress of this skin disorder as strongly as I.

My first breakout happened at age 12 in 1971. Initially only on my hands, mostly between the fingers as mini blisters, it eventually showed up on the soles of my feet as well. Although, the symptoms were slightly different on my feet. The skin appeared thicker (whiter, drier) and peeled in sheets with a sensation of relief followed by intense weeping and pain. The new skin would be tender, dry and crack and bleed easily.

At that time the dermatologist prescribed soaks in Domeboro solution and a topical cortizoid 'ointment'. I reluctantly used the ointment on my feet because it would make my feet slide back and forth in my footwear (kind of like sloshing around in wet sneakers). Eventually, the combination of soaks and the ointment helped somewhat but didn't cure it. Back then, I noticed that I could not tolerate any nail polish or polish remover.
As I reached puberty and had my first period, this skin ailment disappeared.

It reared it's ugly head again, when I was pregnant . . .but it wasn't nearly as persistent. I worked in a dental lab and noticed that exposure to the polymer compounds also affected the intensity of this skin condition. So I changed careers. It came and went a couple of times . . . A pesky few blisters here and there but for nearly three decades I was relatively disease free.

Now, in my mid 40's I'm approaching menopause (no other symptoms). Unfortunately, the dishydrosis is very active for over two years now.

With three teens and a 7 year old . . . stress is a built in factor that I must accept. I mention this because stress definitely is a factor. Like clockwork . . .my skin reacts within 3 days of a stressful event.


The treatment hasn't changed much. The initial course of action was a phase (2 weeks)of prednisone taken orally, along with diprolene 'cream' (I requested cream instead of oily ointment) topically. When the epidsode is particularly bad, I was advised to cover the treated skin with cellophane overnight to allow the cream to penetrate. For a brief time, that helped. Unfortunately, as the skin appeared to be healing it was also thinning considerably. This only made it easier for the skin to crack if it became dry. The cracks were excruciatingly painful . . .and bloody.

I preferred the thicker, peeling skin on my soles to the tender, delicate cortizoid altered skin. I also found that the oral prednisone altered my appetite . I'm not certain there is a connection, but I found myself needing to eat something constantly whenever I was treated with the prednisone, or suffer a sour stomach. After three treatments of prednisone, my skin appeared to be healed. Then blammo . . .my feet have been in an inflamed, maserated weeping state for far too long.

Now, after more than two years of this nonsense, I am looking outside of the box.

I wonder if dishydrosis/pompholyx is connected to another disease? Diabetes (Type II due to weight gain)? Hormones?


I have managed to bite the bullet for now, but this skin ailment wears me down to the point of desperation.

Since I notice there are as many men as women posting about this skin disorder, I suspect I should dismiss any link to hormonal effects (onset at puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause).

I wonder if anyone else notices a link to other symptoms that may paint a bigger picture. For instance: Is this skin disorder a sign of pre-diabetes?

There has got to be better answers for a skin ailment that is so common.

By ruth on Thursday, May 26, 2005 - 01:48 am:

HI Susan - i can understand why you are feeling so upset about all of this, it sounds and must feel terrible - not just physically but emotionally/psychologially/socially etc i.e. on all fronts! thats one of the things with E - its so much more than it appears on the surface.
Look, a couple of things i could suggest which might be of help are
1) get back to your doc/dermatologist and work out a PLAN of what to do about your E. Having a plan enables you to be able to take more control of the treatment process and also allows you to be able to know when to seek appropriate help when needed. Find out more about the meds you have been prescribed. All steroids are not the same - there are many different strengths (i.e. potencies) which should be used at different times, different places and for different severities. Simply just applying a steroid cream for a period of time and then doing a 'cold turkey' approach may well cause your skin to have a 'rebound' eczema occur - which as you correctly say often comes back much worse than the initial presentation. This can often be avoided by scaling down the potency over time so the skin has a chance to adapt to this change - speak to your doc about this as this is very important for you to know about. it is often a reason why people stop using their steroids because they don't want to have to deal with a bigger demon at the end of treatment than perhaps what they had to deal with before - but it CAN be avoided/minimised - WITH GOOD MEDICAL ADVICE!. You need to have a WRITTEN plan by your doc which incorporates what to do when you have a flare up - i.e. steroids to use/how often/how long for/ emollient, bathing, dressing regime. If you have a plan you can then both you and your doc know what you are doing and can make necessary changes to it to improve things. This is a chronic health problem so you need to face it as a marathon race and pace yourself - go gently and easy on yourself - you didn't cause this to yourself but you can control how it affects your life
2) if you want to bath your daugther - for just that time consider using vinyl gloves to do so rather than denying yourself the opportunity of doing so. What you could also do if that doens't appeal is rub some vaseline (petroleum jelly) into your hands prior to bathing her and this will keep the water out and away from your skin - it really does work - i use it all over on my daugther when she goes swimming in chlorine pools!.

Also at night time - rather than putting on vinyl gloves - use cotton ones instead (can buy these easily from your local chemist). A trick i found useful was coat my girl's hands thickly in vaseline then put the gloves on. She then pulled her hand back out of the glove (which left a coating of vaseline on the inside of the glove), i recoat her hands really thickly again in vaseline and stick them back into the gloves. While the initial sensation feels pretty weird ( i have tried it myself just to see), it actually works ok and i have found that they don't stick to the hands in the morning when she takes them off. her hands are so much softer then too.

3) go speak to your doc and see if you can speak to a counsellor about the effects this is having on your life - everyone needs someone they can speak to about this - no problem can be solved if they aren't faced and because this can make you feel so bad about your self identity and self worth - it is a very important and necessary step to take. you after all have take the first step in this area by posting here and we hope to hear back from you as to how things are going - good and BAD....take care and i hope some of this stuff helps you....keep in touch

By Susan on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 - 03:15 pm:

I'm totally depressed about the condition of my hands. The doctors, GP's & dermatologists have diagnosed me with dishydrotic eczema and prescribed steroid creams, they say it is related to stress. I've tried to cut back on the steroids as the Dr recommended but the breakouts come on worse if I skip a day or two. I'm embarrased and my self esteme is spiraling. When I first started the treatment it was wonderful they cleared up to the point that I actually went and had my nails done. At this point my hands have the little blisters and are starting to peal and crack. I'm using the steroid cream nightly with gloves but it doesn't seem to be helping. I can't spread my fingers apart for fear that the skin between my thumb and forefinger will completly split open to the bone. I've used alpha hydroxy lotions and various other lotions but it doesn't seem to get better.

Even worse I've got a spot on the shin of my leg that is breaking out the same, little blisters, itching and peeling. I can't even shave my legs.

This all started about three years ago (I'm 38) with a single small blister in the genital region that I thought was herpes. Went and had it tested a couple of times along with blood tests and all were negative, doctors don't know what it is but I keep breaking out with it about once every couple of months. Last year my hands started breaking out and it has been a constant battle with the hands ever since. Three months ago my leg started breaking out. I use the steroid cream on my leg as well but it doesn't ever completely go away.

I cry everyday about this and I feel like my whole body is infected with this stuff, I am miserable. I can't give my daughter a bath because it dries out my hands, I feel totally unsexy with unshaven legs and lizard hands and an unidentifiable spot on my nether-region. Oh and wearing vinyl gloves to bed is sooooo sexy. I can't continue to wear gloves all the time. I don't know what to do. Somebody please help.

Sad & Scaly Susan

By tankgirl243 on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 04:55 pm:

hi..weird everyone seems to have ezema on the left side of their body..i have it on my foot and i have had it for about a year and have been using steriod creams.. and sometimes if it gets really bad ,i have been told to put the cream on and cover it with plastic wrap..as well as putting your feet in salt water or oat meal mixes helps alot with the itch..
this week i am going to a reiki healer and apparently having a problem on your left foot is related to the spiritual side of your self. but i'll let you all know how the reiki healing goes

By terence on Saturday, May 07, 2005 - 03:10 am:

I have this problem which apprears every year when the weather gets warm and humidity increases - that makes my hands sweat and produce these pimples and eventual skin cracking. Am on a mixture of antihistamine etc., DEXAMETHASONE, ATARAX, XYZAL and topical creams FUCIDIN and BETAMETHASONE + ALUMINIUM CHLORIDE that I spread on my hands which seem to help. My dermatologist also told me of a new procedure called "intoferisis" and am about to investigate this. Maybe someone here has some experience with it.

Hope this helps!

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