very very dry skin, do any supplements really work?

[JenT]

Hi there
I have had eczema for the last 33 years (my whole life) and after having my DS2 in september it seems that no matter what cream I apply to the outside my skinn is parched and angry, are there really any supplemtnes that can help my body create some of the moisture/oils needed for skin health. I am not looking for wrinkles to go just that I am not an itchy scabby mess all the time! (painting a beautiful picture I know!)

I am not into homeopathy I was thinking more of the evening primrose oil type supplements.

Thanks in anticipation

Jen x

Have you tried chinese herbal medicine?

I had terrible eczema for years. One summer it got so bad that my legs were bleeding and scabby and I had to wear trousers all the time. My face was a mess, it was agony

I went for chinese herbal treatement, six weeks of boiling up old twigs and rocks and god knows what into vile tasting potion. Another 6 weeks or so on pills

This was about 16 years ago and I have not had a single spot of eczema since other than when I was pg, then very mildly indeed

Hi Jen - my 3 yo has always had dry eczema. It was recommended to give her 1 capsule of black currant seed oil per day, by squeezing out the oil onto a spoon. I mix it with juice to go down easily, although I don't think the oil actually tastes of anything.

It takes about 6 weeks to see any difference at all, but it does nourish the skin. I'm not sure why evening primrose oil was not recommended, but perhaps black currant seed oil reduces inflammation too? Just a guess. Anyway, I stopped giving it to my dd a while back , and I've just started her on it again because her face is getting really dry and her hands are particularly bad.

You can buy it from Holland and Barratt.

Hope this helps. By the way, it can be given children safely!

Oops, sorry, didn't read properly, it's not for a child then! Then you can swallow the capsule!!

High grade olive oil - about a teaspoon a day - has been known to work for certain types of skin condition.

Put it like this, it won't do you any harm, Jen!

thanks ladies,
I guess I am hoping for miracles, I will pop into holland and barratt and see what they can start me off on, Dh is chinese and his mum is always telling me to getmyself into |Chinatown to visit her friend who is a herbalist I guess I am just a bit too western and sceptical but hearing your positive story helps to convince me to give it a go.

I am going on holiday next week and I got all upset last night, I have lost 3 stone and am ready shapewise to put on a swimsuit (although still wobbly) yet my skin is so ugly I think I am going to still be wearing my long linen trousers and longsleved tops!

Hey ho you can't win them all!

thanks again ladies

Jenx

omega 3 & 6 supplements change the condition of my skin noticably after a few days.

Try cutting down on your carbs - it made my skin so much better (as well as clearing up my IBS). Also, drinking lots of water might also help.

Loads of supplements claim to help your skin, but vitamin E and evening primrose oil are supposed to be really good.

Am very re the 3 stone loss!

I've had eczema and v. dry skin (dark clothes are a nightmare for the flakes!) for all of my 37 years. For the past few years I've taken 2mg each of flaxseed and evening primrose oil each day and I think it has helped as I don't get so many cracks on the skin on my body especially in winter. I use loads of moisturisers (good quality coco butter ones seem to work well for me, body shop hemp foot protector works well on the hands - the hand cream wasn't strong enough!!!) and avoid central heating. Have my sympathy - my clothes choices have often been governed by the state of my skin.