new thread
Hi everyone, sorry I've been away for so long - my job has required me to work in another part of town, where I have no internet access, and my computer has been offline for a few weeks.
I've also been pretty depressed - as some of you know, I suffer from eczema. It's usually not too bad, though nearly always a hinderance. But over the last week, it has become progressively worse and is now incredibly sore and unsightly.
It's all over my face, which has never happened, and I can't leave the house at the minute cos I look like a leper.
The worst thing is I haven't taken any time off work and I have to go back in tomorrow - we need to meet a deadline, and I am needed so I can't phone in sick.
Basically to sum up I'm really depressed about it - I can't even hug my girlfriend... and I can't sleep for more than a half hour at a time.
I've been to the doctor, and to a dermotologist, and been prescribed tons of different creams and ointments and wraps, so hopefully it'll start to receed again.
Sorry for the random post, but I had to get that all off my chest, and to let you know I'm not gonna run off and get my hair cut :)
wolfeyes
It sounds like you're already in the loop with treatment but is it possible to crank the treatment up a gear from topical applications to internal medication ? Would Roaccutane work with your condition ? Controlled UV light treatment can help with some conditions as well.
Stress always seems to exacerbate skin problems - likewise, when the stress is over, the skin conditions seem to fade with them. I suspect that when your work deadline is over, you may start to see an improvement.
Very best wishes,
Laurence
Thanks for the support, man.
Just got my morning routine finished - bath with emolient, anti-bac cream, anti biotic cream, moisturising cream, hydrocortisone cream, wet wraps... feeling better today than yesterday, though my skin doesn't look that much better.
You're right about the whole stress thing, though generally the only thing I ever get stressed about is my skin. I'd love to try some alternative treatments, and might see if I can get UV treatment on the NHS.
I have to say, I do know what the best medicine is - my friends. I couldn't ask for people more sympathetic and understanding of my condition - I understand it can seem very trivial to people on the outside.
Few people understand the depth of its effects, especially when it comes to depression as well.
Again, thanks for listening and understanding.
Stay well.
wolfeyes
Sorry to hear about your difficulty. I agree with Laurence (below) who observed how skin conditions are associated with stress. When I was in my 20's I developed a condition known as dyshydrotic eczema. Not nearly as severe as eczema, but nevertheless, it caused very painful, tiny blisters on my hands and fingertips. ALWAYS associated with stress. For me, it became my own personal barometer of when I was over-doing it.
I use the med-cremes prescribed, and I began learning various forms of meditation. I found that it did not have to be esoteric--just a form of getting still and into the present moment. I make gardening a part of it for myself. It works. I hardly get an outbreak anymore.
For what it's worth. Hang in there.
Robert
Hey Wolfeyes, sorry to hear about your waging battle with exzema. I have a spot, which flares up really bad on my left temple region, all it needs is hefty touch and it swells, and hurts for a very long time throughout my day, I've had it all my life.
Thanks for the reply to my progress pic again, I just wrote another reply for you. Check it out!
don't worry, man, i've been through it a few years ago, when i was 12. i had it in the summer too, just like u, and i know it's even worse, because of the sweating... just follow what the doctor prescribes u and it'll end up... i had it for a month and a half and it covered all my face under the nose line, and i found it hard to breath sometimes... i repeat, don't worry, it'll go over in a few weeks... meanwhile... well, keep livin':-P
p.s.: for u it's worse than for me, because i didn't have a girlfriend so i wasn't missin' too much:-D
let us know how it's going!
Hang in there mate... the quacks usually come up with the goods sooner or later, I'm sure you'll be starting to feel better in no time.
Try an keep your chin up, if your speaking to experts then your dermatologist should come up with a solution to manage or even completely get rid of your ezcema problem, sometimes its a simple as cutting certain products out of your diet and lifestyle, you just have to figure out what.
My brother is allergic to Soap (no seriously,) it causes him severe skin irratation unless he uses a special kind, we all breathed a collective sigh of relief when he could finally wash again... *grin* :D
Sorted
Thanks man,
I've tried so many things - different diets, hompeopathy, countless creams and ointments... even something made in africa out of crushed bone, and something from china that smelled of month-old urine :D
I'm allergic to soap as well - have to wash my hair with my head tipped upside down!
Feeling a bit better today, so hopefully it'll start to clear up tomorrow.
One of my friends has an uncle who heals through God, so I'm going to go see him - I'd put more trust in God than in doctors to heal me.
Anyway, I'll let you know how things turn out.
Thanks again
wolfeyes
Please don't be sorry for the posting..............it is WELL understandable to want to vent with a condition such as yours. I am sorry you have to put up with this ailment and that it is ruining your life at the moment. It would do the same to myself if only 1/2 as bad as you have described.
For what it is worth..............even though the two diseases seem to be unreleated medically:
Perhaps seek out a Dr. who deals in Depressive disorders. (It is amazing what depression can do to one, and it is amazing with modern medicine certain medications that treat Depression and what they can do.) When depressed unfortunately, anything else wrong with the body does not seem to respond well at all. Why? I don't know.
Luckily we know today of Depressive disorders as being a major medical problem. People no longer ridicule this problem as it effects millions!
In the meantime Wolfeyes, just "hang-in there" as best as you can. The frustration of it all is horrible.
Best of luck to you.
Justin
Hey Justin,
Thanks for your reply. It's always nice to have some support - even just a 'hang in there' is enough - knowing people care is the best medicine I know of.
I've been taking tablets for depression, though I don't like the idea of it really... but I'll try anything at this point.
Thanks again, man.
wolfeyes
Hang in thre, Wolfie! Things will get better. They always do. I've been in a pretty deep depression and as a result did some stupid things recently. Just hang in there, dude.
For now, be happy that you've been blessed with natural good looks! And keep in mind that your problem will go away!
Lol thanks man. Don't know how many people would consider me good looking right now, but I know the first thing I'm gonna do when I get better is recieve (and give) as much affection as humanly possible from my little lady :)
wolfeyes
Judging from your pics, you have been gifted with very striking features.
You are indeed a lucky man. Not only for your looks and attitude, but for the lady who is there standing right beside you through a tough time.
Good luck!
Keep in mind that the steroid creams themselves can aggravate dermatologic conditions. It seems strange that the cure can be part of the cause.
How can you tell? Sometimes the rash caused by corticosteroid creams is more red and "irritated" looking than usual. If this is the case, then STOPPIING the steroid creams and continuing the others would be the treatment.
If you want UV treatment, consider tanning beds. They are effective, economical and available without a prescription.
Hope this helps. Hang in there.
Todd A. Brown, MD (ToddB)
I suffer from dry skin too, but not to the extreme of eczema. I think you have found some great ideas from the wonderful guys on this site. We are pretty lucky that this forum is so open, inviting and supportive. Glad to hear you didn't go into a depressive stupor and cut your beautiful hair. Hang in there buddy.
see ya soon,
ck.
Mario Badescu's healing cream? its a none steroidal cream used in many hospitals even for eczema. I have spoken (online) to many people who use it and they say its great. It uses balsam of peru as its active ingred, tho I dont know if it may be a little too emolient for your face. Its avail at www.hqhair.com. Just like to say I know exactly how you feel as I have seborrheic dermatitis on my face which thankfully is alot better now since I started to research skin care and kept it somewhat under control. However in the past I didnt like going out cos my face looked like id been polishing it with glass paper - sore!
You've probably been prescribed a hydrocortisone cream by your gp which should help short term to control the flare up, but they are not a long term solution as the continued use of such creams/ointments thins the skin and leads to highly sensitized rosacea like skin. Your probably better to try to elimate the cause of your flareup and try to use sulphate free cleansers and absolutley no soaps! as they're usually too alkaline and too stripping of your skins natural lipids which moisturise it and prevent it from oversentizisation(sp?). If you want to use prescription products there is one which is very good, but it is little known to uk gp's called 'elidel' cream or pimmecrolemus cream. I know someone online who asked thier gp for this and they'd never heard of it, so they said the generic name and eventually he found it and it had to be specially ordered at the chemist. It does work tho, similar to a steroid in that it prevents the reaction from occuring which triggers the proliferation of the skin cells, without the damaging long term effect that steroids have. In my opinion gp's are too quick to prescribe steroids and they never tell you of thier dangers, especially for on going disorders like eczema where steroid dependance could develop.
You should probably also have a patch test to see what products set off you flareups... have you suffered all your like with this or not? it could also be some form of contact dermatitis caused by something your allergic to.
What products are you currently using anyway?
Stress is terrible also for causing flareups, but theres not much you can do for this... perhaps try some marijuana? : )not exactly orthodox i know but if it relaxes you then it also prevents a hyperactif immune system from causing flareups. they'res also a herbal supplement thing avail in health stores you spray on your tongue, I have it but cant think of its name, it does seem to take away a bit of tension.
Ste
At the minute, all the products I use are:
Balneum bath oil
Emulsiderm Emollient
Ultrabase cream
Diprobase cream
Protopic ointment
Polyfax ointment
Hydrocortizone cream
" ointment
Dermol 500 lotion
Wet wraps
I also take antihisthamines - Benodryl + Cetrisine.
And I take an oil suppliment called Linotox, as well as vitamin E and evening primrose oil.
I have had eczema since I was about 2 years old, even though I was breast-fed. It is an over-active immune system I suffer from, and I agree about smoking dope - it's one of the few things that calms me down enough to sleep.
Thanks for your suggestions!
wolfeyes
Ahh I see, so it defo eczema then. You should ask your gp for the elidel cream then, you can read about it online. Its the only alternative to steroid treatment. Also the mario badescu healing cream is another good one. Hope it gets better soon!
I've used linotox too, I think its pretty expensive for what it is tho, I cant remember the exact formulation but isnt it just a mix of tocopherol (vite) gla and linoleic acid?... flakseed oil may provide the same things and is cheaper, tho you'd have to check this. I also found linatox very very unpaletable!! drinking pure oil is nearly enough to make me gag!
In addition or replacement of your emollient creams/ointments have u tried using your jojoba oil after cleansing the effected areas? its really good at sealing in moisture. Its also better for use on the face as it's less comedogenic than some of the heavier emolients.
Hi Wolfeyes
I too suffer from eczema but only very mildly these days. I used to get it on my hands to such an extent that I could barely move the fingers because the skin would crack into really deep, bleeding fissures.
Have you heard of a cream called Betnovate? Believe it or not it actually works overnight. It's only available from a doctor but it's really good stuff and you don't have to use much of it.
Good luck and keep us posted. We're here to help.
Thanks for letting us know how you are, though I want your circumstances to be different. Perhaps your girlfriend could use the time not spent hugging now to write wonderfully descriptive letters to you detailing her plans for your body once this flare up has receeded. This would provide a bit of spirit lifting reading when you could not sleep too. A lustful letter in your pocket when at work might also take your mind off your face.
((((((((((wolfeyes))))))))))
Hope that hug did not hurt, I think I am far enough away to make it painless.
Elizabeth, rooting for your recovery from all ailments
Elizabeth,
Always so caring and supportive. I love getting replies from you. Might suggest some of those ideas to my girlfriend :)
I'll keep posting and let you know how things are looking.
Thanks again pet.
wolfeyes
Have you tried natural herbs to treat your condition? It is always preferable to use something natural over something that is synthetic, unless there is no alternative. Absalom
I have eczema/psoriasis on my face too, so it is a rare occasion indeed to find me clean-shaven. It's around my eyes, too, which affects my vision. It usually clears up in the summer, but flares up in the winter.
I've found that staying out in the sun for about an hour a day (UV rays) helps, and regular Cortizone 10 is good to use, too.
