Eczema / dermatitis on hands - nothing works!

[latrucha]

I've had this for about 15 years but under stress rescently it has got a lot worse. I know it is principally caused by stress and worsened by soaps etc.

I now regularly find my hands are bleeding where the skin has split and it's really painful.

I went to the doctor weeks ago and he prescribed very strong steroids. My old steroids no longer work and neither do hydrocortisone creams. It worked at first but now it is like all the rest. They used to clear it up but I would relapse when I stopped using them. Now they seem to make precious little difference.

I'm at the point of just going without them and trying to fix it through diet. I'm taking b vitamins, zinc and omega 3 and 6. I've cut out soap except for in the shower and on my hair etc. I am trying different moisturisers to find a good one. I'm on Burt's Bees at the moment and am about to try Weleda Skin Food.

Is it possible to have just as good an effect without the nasty creams, and what else can I try in order to do so?

What else can i try and can I improve it

Yes highgirl, that's what the GP said it was actually. She didn't mention the stuff you've mentioned, I'd really appreciate more info on that. I'm at work again today typing with plasters all over my fingers as the splits are so sore ... :(

dinglydell - my dermatologist prescribed some steroid-soaked bandage / plasters - can't remember the name - which he said i could use when my fingers split. i didn't actually ever get any because once i established correct steroid usage and skin management, then i never got the splits again. sorry - not helpful. useful to mention if you have a friendly GP tho.

my GP was NOT happy with me using strong steroids on my hands. i think this is part of the problem in the management of eczema on the hands. the GPs tend to think that the strong steroids will thin the skin, and therefore don't prescribe strong-enough steroids. My dermatologist said that, where i got my eczema - which is mainly on the pads / tips of my fingers and in between my fingers (not on the back of my hands) - it is quite safe to use strong steroids, and it is the ongoing use of strong stuff on the back of your hands which will eventually thin the skin.

sassymcnassy - homeopathy isn't all sugar pills and water tho. don't forget the herbs...

the memory of the herbs you mean

There are no herbs in homeopathy, thats herbalism.

I use sodium lauryl sulphate free everything including body wash and shampoo. The Surge range from Waitrose is good. Check whats in kids' bath too.
For cream, I've had good results with simple derma 4-5 x a day.
I still have little flair ups but they aren't half as bad as they used to be.

Ok I haven't used the potasium permangante soaks myself but I have been told they are really effective, I have been prescribed them and have them in my cupboard but never used them as ointment worked so well, the ointment I have is mometatone furate (may not be exact spelling) this is very effective for the blisters and cracks healing up. Hope this helps you -

Hi I suffer from two types of eczema they are:
Pompholx - a type weeping eczema on hands and feet
Discoid eczema- circles and patches of dry eczema all over body but not the face.

I have tried everything to control the eczema when it flare up various treatments include:

demovate cream: it does help but only when using itnasnsoon as I stop it comes back.

oral steroids: which again help but only while you are taking them.

Oral Immunosuppressants: just gave me a headache so I stopped them on advice of specialist

But there is hope!

I was offered light therapy at the hospital which is meant to emulate the sunlight at the dead sea region in israel. I was made aware by the doctor that I would have to take drugs (psoralen) and wear sunglasses (to avoid cataracts!) also a risk of skin cancer was made clear. I looked into it and it seems that going to the dead sea region was the safest option due to the fact that it is 400 metres blow sea level and many of the harmful sun rays are filtered out.

To cut to the chase I took the plunge and booked a two week stay at the Isrotel hotel in ein bokek ( it has a male and female solarium On the roof open only to guests) I am currently 1 week in and the improvement in my skin is dramatic.
There is a well known dermatologist dr. Marco Harari who specialises in this type of treatment (climbatherapy) he operates from the "lot hotel" also in ein bokek. Dr Harari prescribed a sun and sea regime for me to follow while I am here. No sun cream is used which seems a bit alarming at first but you stay out in the sun for short amounts of time during the day (15 mins only to start) building up gradually over two weeks to a maximum of 4 x 40 min sunbathing sessions spread over the day.

The dead sea itself seems only to play a supporting role in helping the skin. I found it make the eczema hurt and very red and angry looking after bathing. I have been told by the doctor that my skin need some healing time in the sun before it is ready for the slightly caustic the dead sea (it's 20 % salt) Any open cuts or sores hurt when in the sea and remain stinging it until you wash it off on the beach.

Note:for kids under 5 I would advise againt going into the dead sea as if they get it in there eyes it will hurt like hell. Not much for them to do either so I came alone left the family back in uk. There a few familys with kids out here and every hotel seems to have a good swimming pool.

Hope all this info helps some of you

Tim

P.s. it costs bomb to stay here but there are cheaper places to stay the weather is the same. minimum stay 2 weeks to clear up skin up to 4 if you can manage it.

Hey, was really interested in this thread. Also how many people suffer from eczema/ dermatitis. Ive picked up some really good tips.

I believe I have contact dermatitis. I am a hairdresser and have suffered from it for years. However I have not worked in a salon for some time and teach now so no longer in contact with so many chemicals. Yet I would say its the worst it's been for a long time.

I am looking after my 20 month old twins and I find that wet wipes really really irritate my hands. All brands, all types.

I was wondering what products really affect your hands?

It's ironic really as if I had this condition at work it would have to be reported to the HSE.....

Maybe there is unrecognised condition in the workplaces (the home) that is going unreported. A lot of my friends also suffer from it also and they've never been hairdressers.

Nothing, NOTHING, has helped my husband's eczema after i read about foderma serum and gave it to try. He goes through a bottle of this a month now, but it really relieves the itching and burning and doesn't leave a greasy feel behind.

What hand wash are you using OP? Once I'd stopped using liquid hand wash and once everything had settled down I went back to good old bars of soap and haven't had a flare up since. I use Waitrose sensitive soap now.

I don't think Dermovate is particularly strong, is it? I'm sure I've been given it before.

YY to Aveeno,wonderful stuff!

Lady if you're a hairdresser it could be pompholyx.

My son had eczema on for ages. On holiday in the highlands I popped into a lovely wee herbalist shop and asked if she could recommend anything. She makes up her own stuff and suggested chickweed cream. It worked! Whether or not it works for everyone I couldn't say, but it worked for him.

She does mail order:

www.panaceascot.com/index.asp?pageid=356815

Oh I love this thread! Itok am struggling so am going to try some different creams.
Nearly ten years and it's still not under control sigh

We use Epaderm on DD liberally all over.

She's on Eumovate but sounds like you've been given something much stronger with no luck.

She also has no dairy or egg. Have you had your allergies tested recently? Perhaps you've developed an allergy or intolerance? Our allergist told us it's a moving target but DD is under a year so that might only be in relation to children.

Another Vote for hemp body shop hand cream.

I’ve tried everything for two years and finally starting to see some results (even seen a dermatologist for it!

• switched to Ecover zero for everything in the house. Even found method products too strong
• hemp body shop cream
• wear gloves for everything
• put clothes on extra rinse (this has cured my sons eczema)
• Use Persil no bio powder and the smallest amount I can get away with!
• turned central heating down at night

Good luck- it’s awlful. Really hope these tips help!