Tis not a quick fix by any means (nor a cheap one) but I had homeopathy to cure mine. And I mean cure, not relieve...

I should point out that I am a scientist by profession and if you had asked me before I would have said it was complete hooey - I still can't get my head round it but I have been clear of it for 12 years now with no recurrence. I was an absolute state - I had always had skin irritation but one summer it broke out in every fold and crease and spread widely. I was into work late every morning because when I woke up I couldn't straighten my arms or the backs of my legs, I used to soak shirt-sleeves through around the insides of my elbows. My nipples wept and wept for months - they looked wet all the time and I had to put melolin (sp?) squares inside my bra to stop seepage which were AGONY to pull off. All in all it was desperation that sent me to seek alternative therapy - steriod creams weren't touching it.

I went to see the homeopathist about 4 times, she gaves me 'medicines' that lasted a couple of months. She said it would slowly begin to work its way out to my extremities and then disappear - the stuff off my face and ears went first, then armpits, elbows and finally wrists and fingers, ditto with legs. Six months later it was gone, never to return. It baffles me to this day.

thanks drus, yes it's certainly a possibility isn't it. Certainly the antihistamines help with the itching I think, even if the rash itself isn't allergy related. Glad your ds is feeling better. Do you think his skin is flaring up because of hayfever or do you think it's other allergies? Have you had him tested?

It's just that DSs flares when his hayfever kicks in - presumably if something is irritating his nose/eyes etc then it must do the same to his skin? He has been on loratadine syrup for a few weeks now and there was a noticable improvement in his ksin withtin a few days of starting it.

yes I do. Although these outbreaks are related to me getting sore joints. Is all very mysterious. Happily, it is far far better today so I am hoping <fingers crossed> that it's on its way out. It looks worse but feels better iyswim!

do you get hay fever foxinsocks?

I am better by the sea too! Yes, I think we should campaign for seaside holidays used2bthin !

We can't get Aveeno on prescription either but it doesn't do anything for my skin unfortunately (works well on the dcs though). The Epaderm I find is v good (but just v thick) - I think my outbreaks are related to allergies and illness so not much I can do to stop them in advance iyswim.

thanks drusilla , i have tried to get it on prescription but i live in Ireland & was told that any product that is sold over the counter can not be gotten on prescription ,
it is really annoying as between my dd & me i usually spend around 20 euro a week on creams & bath lotions alone , we both have atopic eczema but the heat seems to make it worse some how for us . dd is waking up at night 3-4 times .
great that you & ds clear up in the sun , lots of days on the beach this summer so

Woodlands - re the Aveeno, go and see your GP and you can get in on prescription. DS gets through about 4 tubes a month, which would cost a lot at £6 a tube! My eczema virtually disappears in the summer (as long as we have some sun) and DS is a lot better in the warm months. Especially if we go to the beach, if we go on a beach holiday his eczema disappears completely after just a few days of sun and sea.

Yes I think that light therapy is sometimes used for adults with psoriasis. It cleared up last year while we were on holiday so I think sea air is good too (holidays on the NHS?!)

hi fox , i too have eczema & so has my dd(3)
have you tried AVEENO cream yet , i find it fantastic . it lasts for hours protecting the skin where other creams dry in so quickly
my dd's nurse recommended it to us a few months ago & i was amazed at the difference it has made . you can buy it in tesco's or dunnes
hope you are feeling better soon .