Awful perimenopause eczema

[LucilleBoil177]

I don't know if anyone can help with this, I'm at my wit's end. I have been suffering with awful eczema around my eyes and mouth and in between my fingers for about a year now. Burning, itching, red, swollen, almost feels like a sort of anaphylactic shock, puffy, tingling. Skin splitting. You get the idea. I've been to the doctors countless times, all they have done is give me hydrocortisone and say it's one of those things. I've been referred to a private skin specialist who did patch tests which came back negative - once again said it's one of those things. I am 45 and am sure given that I am peri menopausal that this must be linked, that this must be the result of a lack of something in my body, rather than it reacting to an outside allergen (I have ruled everything out). I did my own research and thought maybe it was a drop in oestrogen levels, because I have read the skin thins and can cause skin problems. So, after trying HRT, and upping it to two pumps a day, it miraculously cleared up, my skin was back to normal. I could've cried I was so relieved. But after three weeks, it's started coming back. Now I look like a racoon again with the inflamed eczema around my eyes. I am at my wit's end again, I don't know what to do. Has anyone else experienced this? My docs just say it's not a symptom. But it must be! Sorry for long post

Protopic withdrawal?

@AlphaAlpha I understand, I got a massive flare up on my hands after my first child and then through periods of intense stress. It comes and goes now with stress, if my hormones are out… for hands, really make sure you dry them whenever they get wet and avoid too much hands in water, don’t do the dishes at all it really aggravates it, even with gloves, in fact the gloves are a problem! What’s your diet like? Stress? Sleep? All these things affect it. My DH got psoriasis, similar to eczema and dermatitis, and he did a green smoothie cleanse which is just green smoothies every day really, alternate the type of greens. It really cleaned him out! But it all went and he never got it again and it was on his eyes, literally everywhere! I like pawpaw balm as a barrier and they’re mango hand cream to heal. People say skin problems start in the gut so maybe keep a food diary to see if there’s a connection with certain things, gluten and dairy particularly

Search TSW. I’m now suffering the same for protopic. I’d no idea it was a thing

I'm sorry to hear this. I feel exactly the same 🤍

Why didn't your consultant discuss this? Maybe things have changed but when my family member started using it they had to see a consultant- not available through a GP.

Anyway it is not that relevant as the OP is looking for treatment that works, and for some people, long term Protopic is what works for them.

So you’re saying to use protopic forever. Good luck with that. I would say her symptoms may be because the protopic isn’t working for her anymore.

https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/living-with-eczema/menopause-and-eczema/

I have a history too. It's always been severe and at its worst around bug hormonal changes, so puberty, when I was pregnant and breastfeeding and now for the same reasons as you. I have an appointment booked with my GP next month to discuss HRT options including oestrogen because the night sweats are making a bad situation horrific.

I was put on hydrocortisone for years as a kid until my parents, so frustrated with it's uselessness sent me privately to a dermatologist who told me I was allergic to Italy lanolin. In the meantime try Epimax cream or gel. You can but it at good pharmacies 500g for around a fiver and wash using something like QV gentle wash, it won't dry out your skin so badly. Pat dry. Moisturise all over especially worst areas afterwards. Put vaseline over the top and wear cotton gloves over night if on hands if you can.

Last thing. Diet. Noone wants to hear this. I didn't. But it some of these can make a big difference especially if you've never tried them sincerely before. I went from three weekly hospital visits for light therapy to coming of my prescribed steroids for years after applying a few of these. If you smoke, quit. If you drink alcohol, stop. Caffeine, also can dry your skin alot. I just drink herbal and roobios these days. It was hard to get used to, but it does help. Minimise consuming nightshade plants to see if you personally struggle with them. So potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines. When I cut those right back or out, sometimes it makes a big difference. I also cut down but not out alot of dairy or switch to goats, which can help too.

I have to say, I've suffered with my skin, badly sll my life but the perimenopause is taking it to a new level and that article will give you as idea as to why. If you are worried about HRT please get yourself a copy of saving mcalls Menopausing. It's excellent. I got it on Audible from Amazon. You are not alone! There's a revolution on this subject going on out there. Join us! Good luck and God Bless you ladies. Xx

P.s. sorry for the typos. Just rushing...I'm not allergic to Italy 🤣. It was meant to read allergic to it and.....Big hormonal changes, not bug....you get the idea...x

Oh and Davina Mcalls books called Menopausing

@Daboss1 some good advice, lots of similar experiences to me and my sisters!