Eczema, fed up. Please give me skin care advice

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I've always had eczema. As a child I had it between the inside folds of my arms and knees but now it's all down my legs which are full of red bumps and black marks where hair follicles were irritated and a dry patch developed over the last 5 years on top of my lip which looks awful and scaly through foundation. I also suffer from hayfever, dry eyes and animal fur allergies I take antihistamines every day, use emollient and betnovate rd ointment. My Gp refuses to allergy test me as he says it's apparent I'm allergic to pollen, mold, dust and the natural environment, he reckons I need to take measures every day to keep myself away from these things to keep myself from flaring up. I'm sick of this, even on a good day where I am visibly smooth I feel so dry everywhere - internally and externally. Thick creams on my face help with the patch but give me blackheads in other areas, I don't know if my skin is dry or normal with dry patches IYSWIM. I use sugaring for hair removal as it's the only thing that doesn't irritate my skin but then I get ingrowns and can't scrub my skin as it will irritate it... In the past I tried laser hair removal which helped but I can't afford that now I'm willing to take any ideas or advice if u have any I'm at my wits end! I'm from a middle eastern bg and London based if that helps

Just here to join in saying I had HORRENDOUS eczema until I cut out dairy and egg. Very strict with it, if anyone gives me anything that they haven't checked because it's not obvious (milk powder in salt and vinegar crisps for eg!) my skin will flare pretty immediately.

Have you been referred to a dermatologist? My DD went straight from looking infected and awful eczema to fine once we got the right emollient.
Don't bath too often. Don't have water too hot.
Aqueous cream is a soap. Never a cream.
Apply emollient as often as humanly possible.
Tried wet bandages?

If you do not have any allergies to Honey, I highly recommend Medihoney Derma Skin Cream. I have been using this on my Eczema and Psoriasis flare ups for about a week now and my skin looks marvelous again!

I highly recommend juiceplus! The meal plan along side the capsules often have incredible results. The capsules are full of nutrients and the meal plan cuts all the bad stuff out of your diet! There's also chewable forms for children. I take the capsules for my skin and absolutely love the results. Xx

OP I would ask to be referred to a dermatologist and also an allergy specialist for patch and RAST tests.

I went to an allergy specialist at the end of last year and was really struggling. He listened to me and my issues with pollen and environemnt and after patch tests he diagnosed Oral Allergy Syndrome. The change in my already limited diet from allergies seemed drastic but I have had a great result for my life. It is as a result of pollen allergy and makes a lot of sense. Do try eliminating the foods linked to the pollen you are allergic to.

Also look into dairy.

Good luck.

Have you tried a low histamine diet? It can help eczema if its caused by histamine intolerance. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3199434/

We have had a massive improvement in my daughter’s eczema by switching to dp soap flakes to wash all our clothes and bedding, and using natural soap to wash hands. It takes a couple of weeks to wash out all the detergent residue from the clothes, but a couple of weeks after switching we had such an improvement, to the point where we no longer even use steroids (can’t believe it, after 10 years of using steroids every day, and going from hydrocortisone to eumovate to clobetasone). We did have to carry on using the strong steroid cream for about three weeks after her skin was clear, to make sure the underlying skin was also repaired, and we try to only wear cotton clothes (polyester is an irritant) and avoid dairy and eggs. And we still cover her with Cetraben twice a day. But I think getting rid of the detergent has removed the underlying irritation and stopped the constant itch (and so stopped the scratching and infections). Apparently, it is the surfactants in detergents that irritate the skin and make it prone to eczema, which is why people still react to products like Ecover and Surcare that are supposed to be for sensitive skin. We also wash everything at 60c to get rid of the dust mites. Good luck – I know how awful it is. If this does help you, or anyone else, please let me now as I’m interested to hear if cutting out detergents helps eczema generally.

We have had a massive improvement in my daughter’s eczema by switching to dp soap flakes to wash all our clothes and bedding, and using natural soap to wash hands. It takes a couple of weeks to wash out all the detergent residue from the clothes, but a couple of weeks after switching we had such an improvement, to the point where we no longer even use steroids (can’t believe it, after 10 years of using steroids every day, and going from hydrocortisone to eumovate to clobetasone). We did have to carry on using the strong steroid cream for about three weeks after her skin was clear, to make sure the underlying skin was also repaired, and we try to only wear cotton clothes (polyester is an irritant) and avoid dairy and eggs. And we still cover her with Cetraben twice a day. But I think getting rid of the detergent has removed the underlying irritation and stopped the constant itch (and so stopped the scratching and infections). Apparently, it is the surfactants in detergents that irritate the skin and make it prone to eczema, which is why people still react to products like Ecover and Surcare that are supposed to be for sensitive skin. We also wash everything at 60c to get rid of the dust mites. Good luck – I know how awful it is. If this does help you, or anyone else, please let me now as I’m interested to hear if cutting out detergents helps eczema generally.

I know EXACTLY what you are going through. I too have similar allergies like pollen, however, I don't feel it actually effects my eczema.
This is what has worked for me. Hope it helps!
I didn't believe I had a gluten, egg or dairy allergy because I ate it all the time and never had any bad reactions as what we assume "an allergy" too food would be i.e. throwing up, stomach pain. Turns out I have a gluten and egg sensitivity - meaning it isn't quite an allergy to the point that I get super ill. I did a complete detox of gluten and egg for 3 months (dairy as well for good measure) and it has helped my eczema, however not completely cleared it. I do eat eggs and gluten on occasion and notice my eczema come back. Allergy tests are very expensive but egg and gluten are one of the most common food allergens to eczema. I suggest a 3 month trial of NO GLUTEN, EGG OR DAIRY AT ALL. That way, you can rule it in or out.

In regards to creams, this is my magic eczema formula. I put a layer of regular aveeno, wait 10 minutes, apply a layer of extra virgin coconut oil (since theres no chemicals in it). Half an hour later I do another layer of aveeno and then a layer of regular vaseline. I do this once in the morning and once at night. I haven't itched in months. It's honestly a miracle worker and probably my best tip.
Finally, I've taken somewhat of a naturalist approach to eczema since, as we all know, there seems to be very little we can do.

1. I take omega, vitamin A, C & D daily (some studies suggest they help repair and moisturize skin. not sure if it does, but i think its helped)
2. I use a humidifier every night. Please make sure you keep humidity under 55%, or it could cause mold. I keep it around 25-40%
3. WATER! Every day I drink a minimum of 8 cups. However, in winter, i drink a gallon of water a day. though annoying, it really has helped moisturize me from the inside out. Your dermatologist probably hasn't spoke to much of this, just as mine didn't. Hope a natural approach helps!:)

Lactose free wouldn't work as it may be the casein.

Have you tried anti microbial emollients and baths, washing everything at 60c? You could be staph sensitive .

Also, are you SLS free?

Serr that is terrible advice. Op should only exclude one food group at a time in order to determine which it is, if any.