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Original poster

Eczema - help!

25 replies

downcasteyes · 27/02/2019 09:19

I have a persistent patch of eczema on my chin, which has been there for the last 2 years. The skin goes really red and itchy, and sometimes I get slightly weepy spots too (sorry, TMI).

I did go to the doctor and get some Dermol and steroid cream, but it's not really dealt with it. I fully realise I may have to go back, but last time I really felt like I was wasting NHS time with such a trivial matter, so I'm really keen to find out if there are any remedies you can advise me of that would allow me to avoid using up a GP slot.

Things I've already tried:

  • E45
  • E45 eczema repair cream
  • Diprobase
  • Epaderm
  • Chickweed and marigold cream from the local witchdoctor shop
  • Always washing with Dermol
  • Sudocream
  • Nivea blue
  • Childs Farm baby moisturiser
  • Hauschka rose day cream
  • Astral

I think that's the lot. Sad

OP posts:
Hellohappy · 27/02/2019 09:20

I find only hydrocortisone cream works.

Can you find out the trigger? I think mine is diet related and cutting down on dairy helps.

HappydaysArehere · 27/02/2019 09:24

The best thing I have used is Fucibet. It is a brilliant steroid. If it works it does so very quickly. It’s not something you use for long. I find a couple of days does it. It’s far better than Betnovate or anything else I have used.

AnneOfCleavage · 27/02/2019 09:25

I haven't tried it but I hear on here all the time about using Lush's Dream cream and that it's a miracle cream for eczema. It's expensive though.

What strength hydrocortisone cream are you using? My DD uses Betnovate for bad flare ups but it's strong so not to be used too long on the face. She uses Diprobase after cleansing with Dermol for moisturising and I use Aqueous which I prefer - have you dried Aqueous cream?

VelvetPineapple · 27/02/2019 09:27

I’ve tried everything. I obviously have a faulty immune system because when I was pregnant (immune system suppressed) it went away, then came back. Following for suggestions because this patch of eczema on my knee has restricted what clothes I’ve been able to wear for the last decade.

jjj789 · 27/02/2019 09:30

DD and DH had success with Doublebase Gel and Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing cream. MooGoo Irritable Skin Balm was also recommended and I think DH gets on with it ok.

Original poster
downcasteyes · 27/02/2019 09:30

I am not sure of the trigger. I think it might be wool, because it seems to get worse when I wear a dress with a high woolen neck. Would that make sense? But I don't actually know much about eczema - it is just something that came on suddenly in my late 30s and hasn't gone away.

The steroid cream I have is super old. It's called Audavate and it's 0.025% betamethasone valerate. I have no idea what that means!

OP posts:
GisellaGiselle · 27/02/2019 09:34

Yeah wool might really be irritating to your skin.

Another one to add to your list might be Aveeno cream - a really excellent emollient; I've found it works much better than many much heavier creams. Also Sudocrem at night.

Grapetree · 27/02/2019 09:36

It’s very common for eczema patches (due to fault skin barrier) to be colonised with staph which then causes weeping and delays healing

Moisturising and applying steroid just won’t be as effective if you have high levels of staph
First you want to lower staph levels then rebuild your skin barrier
Although I haven’t used it I know Dr Aron’s regimen is based around this (compound with antibiotic and steroid cream) and it has helped many

Personally I used medical grade (not normal honey!) manuka bandages - I think the brand was Advancis which stopped weeping and lowered staph levels. Then I used Cerave religiously (unlike other moisturisers, it contains ceramides which help rebuild your skin barrier rather than only prevent tewl)

GisellaGiselle · 27/02/2019 09:37

Also - are you totally sure it's eczema and not (say) a fungal infection? Have they sent off a sample?

Threewheeler1 · 27/02/2019 09:37

Hi OP, another eczema sufferer here.
This might be completely irrelevent but thought I'd share, just in case. Recently I had a patch on my chin which was the same, weepy spots and scaly. Assumed it was eczema as it looked just like the rest and I often get it on my face (usually jawline, neck, cheeks). It started to spread so I put the usual stuff on it (most of the things on your list!). No improvement for months, got worse and spread around my nose, very red and scaly.
Went to the doctors and it turned out to be peri-oral dermatitis. Hydrocortisone makes it worse so I'd been doing all the wrong things. Got a long course of antibiotic ointment and it's under control now.
It's still there but not as bad.
I'd never even heard of it before. Doctors took a while to diagnose but think the key was that it wasn't responding to anything at all and seemed to be focused around chin, mouth, nose.
Anyway, hope you can find a solution & full sympathy from me Flowers When it's on your face it makes you feel so self-conscious Sad but I like to believe it looks worse to us than to others! Grin

Grapetree · 27/02/2019 09:40

@velvetpineapple Flowers I know how hopeless it can make you feel.
I found this podcast very interesting - hopefully it may help. Mentions different types of adult eczema dermcast.tv/audio-podcast-adult-atopic-dermatitis-with-matthew-zirwas-md/

Original poster
downcasteyes · 27/02/2019 09:42

Gisella - Actually, that's a good point. The GP just looked at my skin and prescribed this Audavate cream. If it were fungal, it could explain why nothing is working, I guess?

Grapetree - That's really interesting and helpful about the need for a combination treatment. It makes sense!

OP posts:
Original poster
downcasteyes · 27/02/2019 09:45

"Went to the doctors and it turned out to be peri-oral dermatitis. Hydrocortisone makes it worse so I'd been doing all the wrong things".

Shock. The steroid definitely doesn't help me, so this could well be it.

I'm going to have to go back to the GP, I think. Sad

OP posts:
PazRaz10 · 27/02/2019 09:50

Lush Dream Cream is like a magic cream!

M0reGinPlease · 27/02/2019 09:59

You're not wasting a GP's time with a genuine medical concern. You don't need to be at death's door!

Pinkrach · 27/02/2019 11:42

Hey, from your description, it sounds very much like perioral dermatitis and not excema. I’ve had it and the only thing that worked to get rid of it was oral antibiotics- lymecycline worked for me. Mine was exactly like that- scaly, itchy and sometimes little weeping spots. Unfortunately, steroid creams are the worst thing you can use on perioral dermatitis. It can persist for months/years without treatment. Google it and see if the images match what you have xx

Pinkrach · 27/02/2019 11:45

Ps- it really got me down at the time so definitely get back to the docs- that’s what they’re there for xx

Milomonster · 27/02/2019 12:16

Antibiotics plus Protopic - it’s been miraculous for me. Google it. Ask GP to prescribe mild strength one. I had eczema all over my face last year and it cleared within 2 days. I’m an eczema sufferer since birth and I’ve tried everything.

Original poster
downcasteyes · 27/02/2019 12:23

OK, after a bit of slightly traumatic google imaging, combined with the total failure of the steroid cream, I am thinking that this might well be perioral dermatitis. I will ring up later on and ask for an appointment. I'll update you when I've been - it might be a few weeks before I can get in!

OP posts:
sugarbum · 27/02/2019 12:40

Aveeno demexa daily emollient cream is what I use on DS2's patches of excema. Which of course you may not have!
I have tried most of the stuff on your list above, and also the normal aveeno with the green cap, which soothed it, but the stuff with the blue cap is amazing for his skin and clears it up within a week. Unfortunately then he has swimming and the chlorine triggers a flare up again.

Threewheeler1 · 27/02/2019 14:39

Good luck downcast. If it is perioral dermatitis it seems to respond fairly quickly to treatment so you may well see the back of it soon!

Original poster
downcasteyes · 27/02/2019 15:11

God, I hope so! I'm royally sick of itching!

OP posts:
Pinkrach · 07/03/2019 12:59

Hey,

I was wondering how you’re getting on? X

ppeatfruit · 08/03/2019 07:48

downcast have you tried increasing your intake of vital oils like evening primrose and or linseeds? Liz Earle has a book out, she cured her bad eczema with them. Most of us don't have enough omega 3s that these have.

PrismGuile · 08/03/2019 13:58

Get some steroid cream... I'd be a shrivelled mess without it.

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