Dry, inflamed, sore skin

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Hi

I've had dry,inflamed skin on and off and have used a variety of products on it. This has ranged from GP prescribed steroid cream (which I hate using), through to natural products such as Salcura.

The skin varies from looking red and aggrevated to dry and flaky. It is on my face- bottom lip/mouth area and forehead mainly. Also on my fingers and patches on my upper arms, thighs and sometimes in my armpits (which is agony).

I'm so fed up about it. It's itchy, sore and looks horrible. I've spent so much money trying to find a product that makes it go away but nothing works for longer than a day.

Please, please does anyone have any tips or any idea what this could be? Would love to be able to wear some nice Christmas outfits without worrying about my patchy face and body!!!!

poor you - I'm sure there's something out there that will sort this out.
what products have you used so far, which didn't work for long?
what are you using to cleanse?

Is it psoriasis? If its just dry skin sweet almond helps me.

I use Avene skin recovery creme when I have an an episode of eczema, get from boots on 3 for 2

It could be perioral dermatitis which you should not use steroid cream on!

I have had this and I use (quiet voice) Tesco haemorrhoid cream (lidocaine and petroleum one) and if vv sore, (even quieter voice) Vagisil it numbs the soreness so that you leave it alone long enough to clear it

I have also been trying Elena's collection products (do a search on here to see what others think as it's pricy) which have cleared up my face but not much improvement on Excema on body. Have just got Aveeno moisturiser from boots to see how that goes

I have read on here someone swearing by soft white petroleum jelly lathered on at night - which my Tesco H cream has.

But get one of the creams with lidocaine in to begin with - it gives instant relief from the stingy pain. You can then at least powder over and start to feel less self conscious

Sorry perioral on your face - normal everywhere else

It's important not to use steroids round your mouth if that's what it is as it makes it worse. It may not be that, but not worth the risk

And you can stick the Vagisil or H cream on body too, I get it under my arms and numbing the skin is the best way to stop scratching
I figure if it can go down below, it can go everywhere else

actually OP, thinking about it, I reckon you should go to a dermatologist.
You're going to get so many different recommendations for products on here. Go to a really good place - (I have been here it was recommended by someone here on MN) who will tell you exactly what the problem is and what you need to do to sort it out. A place with medically qualified nurse-dermatologists.

The list of what I have tried goes on and on- have used prescribed canesten, 5 different types of steroid (betnovate etc), also pharmacy mixed prescribed creams. Then have also used Salcura, Aveeno, Shea butter, Avene, Cocoa Butter, Aqueuouas cream (not sure of speling). Then tried things like Clarins, CLinique etc.

I was once referred to an NHS dermatologist when it spread to my chest and crotch area but by time I got appointment it had settled a lot and they didn't tell me what it was.

Sometimes it feels like it's pulsing (if that makes sense). Really horrible, burning and itching. Sometimes also seems to have little blisters that weep (just on hands). I can't wear deodarent when it gets bad, so I end up a itchy, smelly mess! Not a good persona at work and feel so self concious.

Thanks for your tips, I'll give anything a go! Never hemoroid cream on it :) However I have a slight allergy to petroleum (which is just a pain) so a lot of creams etc I can't use because it gives me dry, red skin. I'm also pregnant at the moment so have to be careful what I'm using too.

Thanks for suggesting the dermatologist, I'm sure it's going to be way out of my budget but I'm going to give it a go. I've had this for the last 10 years and I am at my wits end. Plus I'm sure all the creams/ointments I've bought would pay for multiple dermo appointments!

Ooh blisters on your hands sounds like Pomphlox eczema (which I have)
Definitely try a dermatologist as NG suggests

Not sure if Vagisil has petroleum jelly in it, but when DS was 10 mo and had to have a blood test they put lidocaine cream on his hands, so I can't think it can be too bad for you even if you are PG

I totally sympathise with you, my skin has been bad since I was small but since having DS (now 2) the constant hand washing and bathing is killing my hands. And it's impossible to bath him or change nappies wearing rubber gloves! So we moisturise a lot!
I'd really recommend Vagisil - at least test it on your hands or body, when I'm trying to tear my skin off with super itch, it is my life saver

they charged me £50 for a consultation but they told me immediately what my skin condition was, and the consultation fee was redeemable against any treatment I had with them. And they have proper actual nurses - do not go to a normal beauty salon. Just to know what it actually is - that there is a name for what you are suffering - would be worth the money I reckon.

Go to a dermatologist! You need a professional opinion!

It's a medical matter causing you pain and discomfort, you shouldn't have to fork out for a dermatologist yourself. Sounds to me like you need to be more persistent about it with the doctors - and trial the things they suggest properly. The chances are they are sticking you on one kind of cream to see what happens and that way they can rule out certain types of condition, but I'm afraid you do have to see it through or they can't help you.

It sounds exactly like my ecezma used to be (esp in the armpits - oww!) and steroid cream did get rid of it in the end when I persisted in applying it as instructed. I still get it all round my armpits in times of high stress, but it then goes away by itself.

Thanks again for advice. I'll try doc again. I checked derma's nea me and they seemed tobe charging £120 for a consultation which is way out of my budget.

I have used creams GP has suggested but was using steroid creams for over 4 weeks. Cleared it up and then a couple of weeks later it was back. However I'll go back and try to be a bit more assertive. It's not really in my nature though! [hsmile]

Until you get an appointment, i would try washing your face once a day with only warm water - no soap.
Then moisturise with organic jojoba oil. Dont use any other cleanser or moisturiser. I would even leave the steroids alone as they dont seem to have worked and can cause problems of their own.
Im curious - does your skin improve in the sun?

Try the Aloe range from The Body Shop - it's fab stuff, I'm always banging on about it on here

Last time I got sun (seems a long time ago), it improved a little bit but not sure as skin was irritated by sun cream!

Years ago I had a patch test thing done on my back but it didn't show up very much, other than an allergy to iodine and elastaplast!

I know that rubber gloves also give me a reaction but do wonder whether it's something I'm eating. Mentioned to this to GP last time and they said very unlikely as food allergies are rare. However I don't think I'm allergic just a bit intolerant. I know when I have a hot chocolate with regular milk I get terrible cramping and wind about 3 hours after. Drink lactose free milk and no bother at all.

Again, without wanting to go into my horrible details, I know that when it's really bad in my armpits I tend to perspire a lot more and smell a lot more (sorry for graphic detail) [hblush]

Just made another appointment with doc.

There are gadgets available which use light to improve skin (mainly for aging and sun damage) which have an anti inflammatory effect - google 'LED skin lights'.
Other than that, skin wise just try the jojoba oil with nothing else.
It sounds to me like you possibly have a fungal problem (internally), you definately have an inflammatory problem anyway.
The Best thing you could do would be to stop eating sugar and increase the vegetables and herbs that you eat - raw garlic kills fungus.

I'm vegetarian and try to cook most meals from scratch. It's interesting that you mention sugar though as when I had DS1 I got terrible thrush during and after birth and was told to avoid sugar then too. I am also very susceptable to it. The last cream GP prescribed included an anti-fungal. It was anti-fungal and steroid, pharmacy mixed.
I also tried taking a 'dida' supplement but it cost so much I couldn't carry on taking it.
I'm going to go online and try and find jojoba oil. Thank you.

I had problems with candida before (bad taste coming from my stomach) and raw garlic took care of it in days. Also look into oregano oil. These two combined can really control fungus and inflammation.
Things may get worse initially for a few days. This is know as a 'herx' reaction when many bacteria etc are killed. In the long run though its very beneficial.
Sugar is the worst thing as it promotes inflammation and helps candida grow.

Try and read books on 'anti inflammatory diet' - there are very interesting science based books.

ARe garlic capsules okay? I work in a frontline job and am a bit worried that I'll be a bit stinky if I'm eating raw garlic! Although, whatever works as they say :)

Not really - raw garlic is whats needed im afraid!
Here is what i do - cut up two garlic cloves into pieces then leave them on the cutting board for 5 or ten minutes (increases potency). Then wash down with water. This way you get very little of the garlic smell on you.
The best time to take is a few hours before bed time.
Have a thorough shower in the morning and you should be fine for the next day (you will have perspired most of the smell during the night).
Nobody ever complained about me when i did this!

You need a GP but honestly, La Roche Posay Cicaplast balm is my biggest recommendation for anyone with skin issues like this. It's like a cool drink for hot skin.