Really suffering:Itch of Eczema

[seoda24]

Hi, just wondering am I the only person on the universe trying to cope with the itch if eczema.Was diagnised with severe eczema and seeing a specialist.To my dismay, the last 2 weeks have been awful even though I sm taking my allergy tablets.the itch is driving me CRAZY.I feel the tablets and creams are losing their power and it is controlling me at the moment.went for patch testing two months ago (disaster) so wondering is my system still acting up and I am battling an allergy attack again...:((So do I ask for stronger allergy tablets or go mad in tge mean time..Anyone suffering with eczema??

Are you really applying emollient properly ? lots of people I see think they do but actually don't so it might be worth looking at your treatment regime ? a bottle of double base for example should only last you a week. Apply all over several times a day and maybe a soak in oilatum bath at bedtime . dab don't rub your skin afterward . if using steroid cream continue to use for a week after the acute eczema has gone to repair the under layers not just the surface . don't cut out but keep an eye on your dairy intake . Over indulging on dairy can flare up eczema so maybe watch that . keep the room moist so maybe a bowl of water by the radiator and drink plenty of water. can't think of anything else . Must be horrid . Wouldn't do any harm to take some pain relief like paracetamol for next day or two for your own comfort . hugs -
gentle ones x

Thank you so much for your informative post.Yes I am applying lots of diprobase but finding it is now stinging me and causing further redness.I have yet to find an emolient that I can stick.II use oilatum plus in bath.Steroid ointments work until the evening then i feel the itch and the horrible cycle of itch and misery starts again!I am okay now thus minute but evening time is disaster at the moment.Seeing specialist again soon so hope to get some further treatment.I never had food allergy testing done, just patch.Many thanks xxx

nope. i have a derm appointment on Monday. I have it on my feet and have grown some patches on my thighs. It is horrible being an adult and having this, its no minor really and obviously lots of people have really horrid conditions, but I was almost in tears the other day as I realised I couldn't get my walkign boots on without it being agony.

I use cetraben and I don't have dry eczma btw.

Itch is almost as bad a pain.You poor thing not being able to put your boots on.I have it from toes to neck at the moment and eyes watering today.hope you get on well monday.must look into cetreben cream too.

Sounds like you need to see the dermatologist again to review your meds, especially the emollient. There are loads of different ones to try.

Yes you are right/ the sooner the better.

Might be worth trying something greasier like epaderm it is greasy but I find it works better because it moisturisers more and stays on better and it's harder to scratch through it. Even you just put it on at bedtime. A few years ago when I was hospitalised with eczema part of the treatment was coating me in epaderm then putting wet wrap bandages on and it did help. Have you joined the national eczema society? They have some really good information leaflets and a helpline it only costs £20 a year to join. I found them very helpful.

Hope you get a bit of relief soon.

Have you tried any alternative herbal ideas? Sounds a bit 'woo' but DD2 suffered from terrible eczema from a few months old and we tried all the emollients and bath things from the doc but they gradually made her worse. At a friend's suggestion we tried the herb chickweed in her bath and an eczema cream from neals yard worth lavender, chamomile and neem oil and we've never looked back. We had an amazing improvement, but it only worked when we stopped using all the creams from the doctor! It was like they were irritating her skin even more. This obviously isn't for everyone but thought I'd mention our experience!

God, you must gave been bad to be hospitalised.Have tried epaderm and started to itch too.does skin need to be rash free in order fir it ti bear emolient??i am allergic to parabens so need ti be careful.glad your daughter has improved merryng.that sounds great.i am learning lots fron everyone!

Trying to sort out a new emollient ..Does epaderm come in ointment??thanks x

Yes Epaderm does come in an ointment, you can get big tubs of it. I have found aveeno works quite well for me and doesn't sting too much when applied, although its not the most moisturising it seems to suit my skin. That's the problem with eczema what works this week might not work the next. It's trial and error.

I have really bad eczema on my hands and can't use anything greasy as it makes the burn worse.

The only thing that cools mine is Aveeno which has oatmeal in, anything with oatmeal might be worth a try though.

Hope it gets better soon.

Aveeno is a big no no for me.Stings and burns.Will try the epaderm.Thanks again not bad tonight which is great.Itch free is wonderful :)

Glad it's a bit better for you tonight. It's the itch that's the worst part by far. I always find I cope better with it when it's sore and painful rather than itchy.

Epaderm and wet wrap bandages is the only thing that works for my ds until its completely under control. Then the other creams, steroids etc seem to have a chance to work.

Never tried the wet wrap bandages.Must research that.I take it the bandages must be wet and applied?sorry for silly question.!

Yes, emollient on skin (lots of it!) then wet bandages then dry on top.

Thanks for being so helpful.appreciate any advice!will try am okay past two days.

I'm with PandaNot. Wet wrap bandages do work really well for me too. They can be a bit of a faff but are worth it. I usually use comfifast or tubifast bandages, you can get them on prescription, like Panda says you put a wet lair on then a dry one on top and it keeps your skin cool and helps the emollients to stay on better. They come in different sizes so make sure you get the right ones. Will be worth asking your dermatologist about them next time you see them. You can't use them if you have a skin infection. The other things I have used is paste bandages but they are messy and harder to apply and you stink of creosote. Though they also work and you can leave them on for a couple of days.

Oh I thought it would be ordinary bandages and steroid underneath.Dermatologist never mentioned this but seeing that I have eczema from neck to toe some times, it would be a task to choose area to bandage.I will certainly try this and also mention to my derm at next appointment.thanks x

It depends on the state of your skin. You sometimes put steroids on the worst bits but emollient on the not so bad bits. That's because covering your skin with bandages helps the creams penetrate deeper so you don't want to be covered in strong steroids as it makes the side effects in your skin more likely to happen. You use the tubular style bandages because they are easier to use and get on and off. The other good thing about wet wraps is they are not restricting and can be used just on the really stubborn bits where you need them like your arms and legs. I found when I was in hospital with full body wet wraps on I got cold, but they do help.

Geekstar I have learned more from you.Yes I was thinking the skin would want to be in an okay state for emollient.Next mission is to find an emollient that I can tolerate properly.even skin that I consider to be in "good condition"acts up when emollient applied.You are a star thanks again :)

YY to trying different emollients. I can only use diprobase. DM swears by double base. Both my kids use Dermol cream. It has an ingredient that kills the itch. Miracle stuff. Good luck.

Do they still do wet wraps? I had it several years ago and it worked pretty well. Excema even cleared up for a while. It has been back with avengeance the last few years and I have an almost permanent sore on my calf from constant itching and flare ups. I saw my GP a few weeks ago who gave me a different cream (I have tried them all) and he told me if I can't stop itching then they won't help me anymore!
The itching is awful and it ruins my life sometimes so I know where you are coming from. My arms and legs are ruined and covered in scars. I get psoarisis on my head as well so probably look like I have nits with all the scratching.
I have had to stop having baths as I itch from the water, even with oatmeal, oilatum in it. I have to shower and rub the balneum oil in then rinse off quickly and jump out. i can't use epaderm(the waxy one) as as it sinks in it gets itchy. I have the cream based one which I can just about tolerate.

I think I will try harder to give up dairy and see if that helps. I might also be allergic to denim, most of the patches on my legs are where the seams are so now need to find a whole new wardrobe as well.