Eczema is expensive

[Shyfrog]

I have particularly sensitive skin and am prone to eczema including severe eczema which means that toiletries and cleaning and laundry products need to be for very sensitive skin. I am entitled to free prescriptions but I keep getting prescribed small bottles or bad quality products that leave my skin feeling oily or there are issues with delivery, they would rather try me on a number of cheap products rather than give me a more expensive one that I know works or not giving me everything I’ve asked for, I know I need body wash, hand soap, shampoo and conditioner etc but they will not give all of it to me or enough or it, even though I am on benefits the faff and stress around getting prescriptions isn’t worth the stress for me and I’m having trouble advocating for myself. I haven’t even needed to buy everything I usually do because I still have enough left but I have just put an order in that included toothpaste and toilet roll to be fair but it came to £157.

It’s an incredibly expensive condition. Add in that many of the products you end up needing are not carried in stores and have to be ordered online so that involves paying for shipping.

for me it even carries over into my other household members. They don’t have to be quite as strict, but they still have to use products that won’t trigger either a generic rash or an anaphylactic reaction.

Are there any alternatives that work for you? I use aqueous cream as handsoap, bodywash, bubble bath and moisturiser. I use vaseline occasionally as hand cream, particularly when hand sanitiser is being demanded. No laundry detergent (imo it's the hot water and agitation that does most of the cleaning), tbsp of vinegar with towels as a "softener". I soak heavy stains (and cloth nappies back in the day) in normal laundry powder, rinse thoroughly then wash as above, but largely this is not necessary. I gave up trying to find a washing up liquid that was suitable and just bought rubber gloves. I don't wear make up.

This gives me the budget to buy a horrendously overpriced shampoo, which is the only "specialty" product I buy and fancy sunscreen which I use sparingly and only when a hat is not enough.

I gave up with the prescription stuff as there was a massive element of "put up with it and be grateful as no one is giving me free toiletries". I focused on herbal remedies, reducing trigger foods and lowering stress (easier said than done!).

Does your GP surgery have an online e-consult service? If so, you might find it easier to collect your thoughts and make a written request for the products you need to support your health, without having to speak to a receptionist or GP and risk not being able to speak up about what you need. In your request, detail what you've tried, what the issues are e.g. not lasting long enough or side effects, and detail what you need/want instead. It is, afterall, a good use of NHS resources if the stuff you are prescribed you actually use and it helps maintain skin integrity, otherwise it's spending money on half empty products that aren't helping your skin and you may therefore be more at risk of skin infections and possibly needing antibiotics or other more expensive treatment. Prevention is always better than cure! Good luck.

Just in case it helps anyone my eczema is almost gone since cutting out most dairy and all soya