My skin is driving me mad

[thewreckingcrew]

I'm a life long sufferer of some type of eczema or dermatitis. It presents as small circular spots of flaky skin over my truck, legs, arms. Never in the usual eczema places of hands, back of knees, arm creases. Its not particularly bothersome or itchy and I mostly ignore it. Also have it on my scalp and sometimes around my hairline, in my ears, but medicated shampoo usually sorts it out.

Since last year I've have been having the biggest flare I've ever had, my scalp is itchy as fuck and even Nizoral isn't sorting it, my ears are flaky, my eyelids are flaky. It is seems to calm down and then randomly flare again really badly, it's like I'm randomly reacting to something I'm using despite sticking to aveeno products. I have steroid cream and lotion for my scalp that I use when desperate and Elidel cream which is helping my eyelids, but it all only offers temporary relief and it keeps coming back.

I can't figure out what is causing it, is it my age /hormones (mid 40s)? Is it the pandemic (some sort of stress, although I don't feel more stressed than normal)? Is it some product I'm using (but I'm actually using a lot less make up and perfume due to being at home, and certainly nothing new)?

Do I need to see a dermatologist? I've never seen one before as my skin problems have always been minor and over the counter treatments have been fine. The GP has offered to refer for patch testing if I get desperate, but I'm not sure what the threshold is for desperate!
Any advice appreciated...

Sounds like psoriasis. Definitely ask for a referral to a dermatologist. There are lots of good treatments now like biologics that can make a big difference.

That definitely sounds like psoriasis

Does sound more like psoriasis.

Yep peri menopause is a time when it can kick off. I developed my first lesion mid 40s

I use Selsun shampoo once a month and stays on top of things. Selenium seems the magic ingredient for me.

Cerave cream for body as it re builds the skin barrier. It's really magic stuff and blows all the other usual skin creams out of the water.

I agree that sounds more like psoriasis. You'll need to ask your GP to refer you to a dermatology dept, and in the meantime the GP can prescribe you a decent emollient like Doublebase and something like Enstilar to deal with the flare.

Good luck.

I know people with psoriasis and I'm not sure it's the same. It's much, much milder, my patches are never bigger than a 5 pence. And I've had it since childhood, but it got worse during my teenager years. And now worse again. But I agree it's not typical eczema either. Think I will speak to GP as it is become difficult to know how to treat best as I don't know the cause.

I get similar but only on my trunk... I blame hormones or internal inflammation. Since doing intermittent fasting and trying to eat an anti inflammatory diet ( loosely!) its improved.
I've had a month 'off plan' snd its back.
I find coconut oil mixed with a bit of tea tree helpful.

There are 3 different types of psoriasis plaques. My patches are tiny notably smaller than a 5p piece and I only have 1 or 2 at a time.

DH one ever had a few small patches until he was unwell in his 30s. Insist on a referral because GPs aren't specialists.

Mine comes and goes, like a pp said I believe there is a connection with general inflammation.
I use a steroid scalp lotion which clears it quickly but I would see your GP and they will either prescribe something or refer you to a dermatologist.

@thewreckingcrew, psoriasis isn't always large plaques. Mine can comprise small spots, not always 'deep' ones.