My poor sister (16) has appalling eczema and psoriasis on her face

[StuffezLaBouche]

And nothing seems to be helping it. She's always suffered due to it being prevalent in our dad's side of the family. But I haven't seen her for six months due to moving away and when I saw her this Christmas I was really shocked. Her face is red raw, cracked weeping...and she's in agony.
I feel so shit for her, she works in a local pub waitressing and I know a few comments from idiots have really upset her.
Can anyone with experience of teenage eczema please give me some advice I can offer her and perhaps suggest some medical causes and/or temporary solutions. I have had to bite my tongue while here as my mum's take on it seems to be 'she'll just have to ride it out' but I think she should be exploring every possible avenue.

Oh and we are from a farm, so keeping away from animals is almost an impossibility for her.

Many thanks

[RandomMess]

She needs a referral to a consultant, it's trial and error to find out what topical creams work best for her.

[StuffezLaBouche]

Thanks Random.
As I don't live here I don't really know how good the hospital is, only that its 30 bloody miles away. Even so, I think this needs to be a family priority but don't feel I can say this to my mum without causing a massive row. It's not fair for a 16 year old to be too ashamed to go out with her friends. (Of course I know there are ar worse conditions, but I hope you know what u mean)

[MousyMouse]

that sounds to severe to self treat.
does her gp have an eczema nurse?

[Mrcrumpswife]

Absolutely agree with random, she needs a referral to a specialist asap. Have you looked into complimentary herbal treatments at a good clinic or changing diet. DD had to cut all dairy out of her diet, it was the first sign of improvement in years which combined with a host of creams actually worked.

[RandomMess]

Not at all, my dh suffers with it and has developed psoriatic arthritis, my dd4 s uffers too she has it in the perianal region it can be a serious condition, very uncomfortable and for some people it doesn't go away without treatment. Dds is managed successfully but only after a few years of juggling creams and finding the correct type for her.

[MousyMouse]

please don't cut out any foods without consulting a dr first. it is really important to keep a nutritional balance, esp in young people.

[beatricequimby]

Absolutely agree with RandomMess, she needs to be seen by a consultant. Riding it out isn't going to happen - sounds like its infected from what you say and it is not going to suddenly get better.

I had eczema on my face for years (not as bad as your sister's but still uncomfortable and made me self-concious). GP told me I could only use mild steroids but eventually saw a consultant who gave me stronger stuff which did work.

[sausagesandwich34]

dd had light therapy and it has been the only thing that worked

she's old enough at 16 to take herself to the doctor's although I appreciate at 30 miles, she will need some support with getting to hospital appointments, but if she takes the first step herself, perhaps your mum will realise how much it affects her

[StuffezLaBouche]

Thanks for these posts, they are appreciated. I really don't know much about services offered around here but will make suggest to my sister she find out and push to get it seen to.
Mousy, I don't really have a frame of reference, but yes it really is quite severe and she cannot pinpoint what triggers it apart from obvious things like the weather.
Thanks mccrumps, I am certain she's still consuming dairy, so will also mention that.

[ethelb]

She needs to see a doc. Sounds like its infected. I have adult onset eczema and food intolerance is v unlikely to be the cause. In the mean time try cetruben emolient x3 daily and dermol to wash in the shower. You can get then at the pharmacy and it will offer sone relief.

[StuffezLaBouche]

Wow - you are all so helpful!
I will do my best into nudging her to making the first steps herself, but it will be hard - we are seriously in the sticks and public transport is absolutely non existent. I think I've got to raise it with my mum somehow. It's so unfair. By the sounds of it, you lot or your loved ones know how painful this can be.
I seem to remember a few years ago she did do a course of light therapy at the hospital a couple of times a week and it did have some effect. But isn't that for the psoriasis? I think from what she's said this week it's the eczema that's causing the majority of the pain. And I hadn't considered the possibility of infection!

[StuffezLaBouche]

I really must sleep now as have a long drive tomorrow but thanks so much again for the advice given, and giving me so many avenues to explore,

[Mashedupbanana]

I have eczema on my face too. I had to wait ages to see a consultant but they gave me a different cream and within 2 weeks it was almost gone (I still have to use the cream though). Really wish I had pressed the GP to get a referral sooner as had suffered for 2 years just getting hydrocortisone from the GP which wasn't working for me. It really damages self confidence so you're absolutely right to help her get it sorted. Good luck

[orlakielylover]

my derm's best advice was ' nothing with bubbles' ie, if it lathers in the shower (shamp, gel, shaving cream etc) stay away frm it. Makes it worse.

[hatgirl]

in the meantime while you are waiting for an appointment perhaps look into the Liz Earle skincare products - Liz Earle suffered from eczema and developed her skincare range due to a lack of products for people with skin like hers.

I don't have eczema on my face but I do get patches on my arms so I know what a pain it can be to shift. I did however go through a period of about 2 years with some bad adult acne on my face and Liz Earle's cleanse and polish routine is about the only thing that has kept it at bay. The cleanser is a moisturising cream rather than something harsh and soapy/ full of alcohol so it is very gentle and good for sensitive/ raw skin. I'm a complete convert!

[sausagesandwich34]

light therapy is used for eczema too

dd had it on 80% of her body and it was gone in 8 weeks -she'd never been clear in the 8 years since it appeared

18months later it is creeping back but it's nowhere near as bad

[hpsaucy]

I suffer with psoriasis mainly on elbow and knees now but used to get it on scalp and forehead.

I had a awful outbreak all over my face, went to doctors and all they said was to use my steriod cream but not for too long. so I went and had colour light therapy, it was fantasic within 2 days it was all gone. best £35 i have every spent

[SimLondon]

Get her to see an allergies consultant rather than a dermatologist. My LO had and still has significant eczema, a strict dairy free diet, two lots of daily anti-histimines and daily Aveeno cream (plus the option of serious steriods) keeps it under control. The eczema registrar was useless.

We'd lived with the eczema until we had a couple of scary allergic reactions then we saw a consultant privately initially and then under the NHS at the local hospital's allergy clinic.

[ethelb]

@simlondon she does need to see a derm actually. The role of allergy in adult skin conditions is far less clear than for paediatric ones.

Plus the derm dept may well refer her for allergy testing. I may be next week but I am going via dermatology!

[BookFairy]

I had dermatitis on my face and scalp that cleared up massively after seeing a Consultant Dermatogist. He recommended using face wash by Cetaphil. However, there are several types of eczema/dermatitis and she must be seen by a HCP. Surely if it is cracked and weeping there is a risk of infection? Do not encourage her to stop eating dairy, this should only be done under medical supervision. I hope you can persuade your sister to go to the doctors. I'm 27 and it was bad enough for me.
(just as an aside: I travel over 30miles to see my NHS dermatologist - definitely worth it!)

[MousyMouse]

on a practical note, can she take a bike to a bus stop that's on a route to the hospital?
poor thing!

[yousmell]

my kids eczema was removed by having goats milk instead of cows milk. some people can't have any dairy at all and need to eat a very good diet if they remove dairy completely. it is do-able though.

[yousmell]

also love cetaphil face wash and moisturiser.