Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1021994

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Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema????

Posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2012, at 10:27:34

Just got biopsy report back and do have eczema. The itching and redness is driving me nuts. Was told by two dermatologists that cortisone cream is only thing that can be used to control it. Kind of like a bandaid the way I look at it. I fear anything to do with skin since Mother died as a result of psoriasis. Also have perioral dermatitis around mouth. Was unable to take the antibiotic got rash, dizziness, and strange other symtoms from the minoxicyline. The RN just called with the results I asked for an oral antibiotic cream for around the mouth. I know this is all stress related. And at a loss as what to do to help stop this eczema flair. Inadvertantly it's due to stress. Getting old 66 isn't for the weak of anything. Anyone know something anything I can do? Got to force the excercise the bike riding as it's a stress relief and at my age don't need medical system problems to add to my problems. Getting harder to ride as the back problems. What I need is a time machine. Well back to subject for anyone who has eczema anthing you would suggest? All personal products are hypoallergenic. Thanks Phillipa

 

Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema???? » Phillipa

Posted by Dinah on July 23, 2012, at 19:56:12

In reply to Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema????, posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2012, at 10:27:34

The thing about the medication is that if you use it before the breakout gets really bad, you won't need nearly as much as if you try to avoid taking it and let it get really bad. Early treatment helps.

I don't know what precisely your symptoms are, but I've heard that washing the affected area with anti-dandruff shampoo once or twice a week can help.

My therapist also recommended Basis soap. My family has long used hypoallergenic products, but this one seems to be working better than any other ones he's used.

Of course, don't listen to anything I say without checking with your doctor first. There are so many things that can cause skin problems.

Also, if it's around your mouth, try to avoid anything with red dye. Check your toothpaste. Try to stay with the basics.

 

Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema???? » Dinah

Posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2012, at 21:25:28

In reply to Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema???? » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on July 23, 2012, at 19:56:12

Dinah thanks seems around the mouth has a different name perioral and any flouride toothpaste is suspect the docs don't know why. So changed back to Toms toothpaste. The oral antibiotics minocycline was changed to a cream ketrozole sp? today for face. The biopsy showed eczema in the other spots. Stress can trigger. Was told to use the prescription cortisone cream.And moisturize , moisturize. Seems that it also occurrs in flairs. Do you have it also? If so did it go away? As heard can last for years? Phillipa

 

Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema???? » Phillipa

Posted by papillon2 on July 24, 2012, at 11:03:28

In reply to Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema???? » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2012, at 21:25:28

Cure? No. Make more bearable? Yes!

The best thing I've found is soaking in QV Flare Up Oil. I think this may be an Australian product; if it is not available to you there is likely a US equivalent.

You don't necessary have to take a bath depending on the area being treated. I get pomployx on my hands, so I fill up a big bowl of the solution and soak them. It really does take out the itch.

Step two: DO NOT SCRATCH. I thought this was just an old wives' tale until I experimented with it. My goodness it works. I think part of it is that it stops the development/worsening of staph infections which contribute to the itchiness.

Step three: use your topical corticosteroid (really thinly, they are not lying when they say it thins the skin, my fingers are testament to this). When it comes to corticosteroids, ointments are better than creams. More effective.

Step four: once the corticosteroid dries, apply a thick layer of an eczema-friendly emollient ointment/cream.

Step five: DO NOT SCRATCH

Step six: If the eczema is on your hands, put on some clean cotton gloves. If it's really bad elsewhere, you may need to bandage the area.

Step seven: did I mention not to scratch?

What has also helped but may not be relevent for you is:

(a) Getting my allergies (dust mites and various grasses) treated with desensitization injections. The allergies were partly responsible for triggering the eczema. You would need to be referred to an allergy specialist / immunologist for testing.

(b) Taking an anti-histamine daily. These can apparently interact with psych meds. I haven't had a problem with this, thank goodness, because without anti-histamines my allergies keep me up all night and I am absolutely miserable. Which is not good for depression!!!

(c) using the full range of allergend linen. I just use the dust mite stuff, but they also have linen specifically for eczema which helps stop the cracking/bleeding overnight.
http://www.allergend.com.au

Details of QV Flare Up Oil
www.qvskincare.com.au

BENEFITS
Dual action formula reduces the level of bacteria and helps prevent moisture loss.
Calms irritated skin and reduces roughness and scaling.
Leaves a thin film of occlusive oil on the skin, which helps to rehydrate skin.
Suitable for recurrent eczema where secondary staphylococcus aureus infection is a problem.
Prevents the itch-scratch cycle.
 
ACTIVES
Light liquid paraffin 65.1% (w/w), benzalkonium chloride 2.0% (w/w) and triclosan 0.7% (w/w)

 

Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema????

Posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 24, 2012, at 19:46:31

In reply to Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema????, posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2012, at 10:27:34

Try supplements of evening primrose oil and fish oil in fairly substantial doses (say 6 x 1000mg caps per day of each)

It doesnt work for everybody, but some find it very effective.

Apply a bland moisturiser (Vanicream or Eucerin Cream) twice a day to keep the skin soft and supple.

A strong steroid like betametasone is probably your best bet. Generic betametasone valerante 0.1% is cheap and very effective.

 

Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema????

Posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 24, 2012, at 21:53:40

In reply to Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema????, posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 24, 2012, at 19:46:31

A realy big part of it is using a bland (no perfume or colour)mosituriser regularly twice a day. I only know Australian brand names, but a guick google search suggests Vanicream and Eucerin are popular ones in America

Steroid creams come in differing potencies, betametasone is a mid range one, stronger by a long way that hydrocortisone, but weaker than the super potent ones that are kept as a last resort.

Betametasone dipropionate is stronger than the valerate. Both are avaliable cheeply as generics.

In the shower or bath, use Cetaphil (or one of the store brand generics) instead of soap or shower gel - it cleans the skin without drying or irritating.

When the itch is bothersome, Benadryl (or the generic) 25-50mg can be very helpful, as can cold packs on inflamed areas.

Best of luck phillipa

 

Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema???? » jono_in_adelaide

Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2012, at 23:37:09

In reply to Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema????, posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 24, 2012, at 21:53:40

Thanks Jono appreciate you imput. Phillipa

 

Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema????

Posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 29, 2012, at 20:55:54

In reply to Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema???? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2012, at 23:37:09

Hi again Phillipa,

after a bit of research on whats avaliable in America, I'd go for Eucerin cream as a moisturiser, and Cetaphil for use in the shower instead of soap.

Re your steroid cream, I'd ask your doctor for betametasone cream - this is very effective and drit cheap at Walmart type pharmacies (some of the newer steroids can run to $100 a tube, and are no more effective)

Use it upto three times a day when your eczema is bad, reduce it to once a day when it improves.
Use the Eucerin once or twice a day, every day, to keep the skin moist, soft and supple

Apply the moisturiser and give it half an hour to soak in before applying the steroid cream so that it doesnt dilute it.

The main thing is treat it regularly, mositurise every day, and hit it with your steroid at the first sign of a flare up.

 

Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema???? » jono_in_adelaide

Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2012, at 21:51:48

In reply to Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema????, posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 29, 2012, at 20:55:54

Jono thanks was applying opposite way first the steroid and then moisturize. Do you know anything about perioral dermatitis have that also. This is the month of the skin it seems. Phillipa


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