Your Stories - General Information

After 7 years my daughter is finally looking better - Kathleen, Bayonne, USA

Hello my name is Kathy. I have two beautiful daughters who have eczema. My oldest daughter, Samantha now 7, had it bad. She showed signs of eczema at a few weeks old. Doctor #1 told me it was wind burn and told me to use hydrocortisone cream. She had "wind burn" for a whole year. No doctor would help her, because she was too young and they did not know what to do. I heard this often. At about a year old her skin was so bad she looked like a burn victim. I took her to every doctor I could think of near me for help. A lot of the doctors were not in our insurance plan so we paid out of our pockets. My child was in constant pain. I would lube her up with petroleum jelly and put cotton pants on her all year long. Then one day I took my nephew to an allergists. This doctor #2 noticed my daughter's skin and told me she had eczema. I explained I knew this and no one would help Samantha. He told me if I brought her to him he could help her because he had it himself. I brought Samantha to him for about two months. The only change I noticed was my child became a zombie. My father told me to bring Samantha to his doctor. Samantha and I went to doctor #3. He checked Samantha out. Looked at the prescriptions doctor #2 had given her and almost fell off his chair. He said "this child is over medicated". He explained the medications that were given to Samantha were for adults. I started to cry and asked for help for my child. He began helping her. He started helping me get it under control. Unfortunately his office closed, but he recommended another doctor. I brought Samantha to doctor #4. Doctor #4 helped me help Samantha. She told me to stop bathing her so much. Don't let her cry because the eczema flares up. Don't take her pacifier away because that's her comfort and much more. I did everything she said. I did not use any type of perfume products on her or her clothes. I watched what she ate. Anything that was acidy bothered her. Also anything containing yellow dye bothered her too.  People would keep their children away from her because they thought she had a disease. Many times Samantha's father came home crying because people made comments about her. My sister and I have had not so nice words with grown women and men about picking on a child. Samantha started a full daycare/school at 3 years old. Her first week at school was bad. Samantha began to develop silver dollar size blisters all over her body. I brought her to the emergency room. No one knew what it was. Doctor after doctor came in until the fifth doctor said it looked like impetigo. The said she must have got it from school. They gave me prescriptions to help her. The impetigo cleared but her skin was still bad. She went back to looking like a burn victim. She had her bad days where her wounds would puss and her clothes would stick to her body. She refused to wear socks for a long time. This went on until Samantha was 3 ½ years old. Then Samantha's pediatrician told me she did not like the sound Samantha's heart was making. I had to bring Samantha to a cardiologist now. Two different Cardiologists said Samantha need to have a procedure done to close her heart. Blood was going in her heart, but not all of it was leaving, a wall had collapsed. This broke my heart. My little baby was in pain in so many ways. I was told she needed this done as soon as possible because it could be fatal. Samantha had the procedure done and did
great. After about a month her skin looked like it was getting better. At her follow up visit with the cardiologist, he noticed it also. He told me it could be because of better circulation. The years have passed and Samantha is a 7 year old beautiful girl. Her hair is long blonde and seems to grow fast, but her nails do not grow. The doctor said not to worry. Her skin looks great. She still uses petroleum based lotions and oils for her hair because it gets very dry. She remembers what people use to say to her. I tell her everyday she is a beautiful kind girl. My 4 year old (Sara) does not have it as bad, but has lots of allergies to foods. I know more now to
help them both keep it under control. (July 2008) Contact Kathleen

Shielding Lotions for Dry Skin - Jinny, Poole, UK

You really must try a 'Shielding Lotion' for dry skin - I have found 2 that are fab - GLOVES IN A BOTTLE & SKIN MD NATURAL - I have had Eczema since childhood (I am now 30 something) and these are the first products to have any real effect! - And they are not expensive!! (June 2008) Contact Jinny

These things have worked for me - David, St Albans, UK

Hi, I used to get eczema on my joints and forehead in a bad way, I scratched it so much that my skin went deep brown in color over time. I found it embarrassing to go out and to wear shorts and T-shirts. However, I have been keeping it under control over the last year or so and my skin color is very slowly getting back to normal again. I know how hopeless eczema can make one feel, I wanted to share my experience so that you might get some ideas and hope back.

My eczema is under control now, but it took a long time (5 years) getting there. I think finding the right cream to use for your body is a big part of controlling eczema, but there are other things too. Below are some things you might want to consider in your own battle against eczema.

I have tried maybe 30+ different types of creams (including ointments & steroids, etc). My skin doesn't absorb moisture easily and I find that facial moisturiser works best on my joints. Many of the other moisturisers I tried made my eczema even more agitating, especially when I travelled to work in public transport as the heat under the clothes causes the various creams to agitate the skin more. I recommend you try as many different types of cream as possible, find one that your body will actually absorb easily and that is fragrance free (and give each cream a few days just to be sure). For me the first cream that worked for me was "Evian" (oxygenating facial moisturiser), but that stopped selling (I wanted to cry when I found out). The cream that I currently use, which is actually even better is "Eucerin Hydro-Protect" (available from most Boots stores). Its is quite expensive at approx £12 for 50ml, but I don't need to use a lot of it. I apply a small quantity over the four joints and my forehead twice a day and the jar lasts approx 3 to 4 weeks. I find that it is best to use a smaller quantity so that my skin can more easily absorb it.

The other things that I think have contributed to me keeping my eczema under control are:

mattress- things have improved since I changed from a spring mattress to a foam mattress. I bought an expensive one from Tempur because I saw it as a good investment, but I think it helped my eczema because the foam did not irritate my skin, and I think mites don't live in hi density foam mattresses as they do in normal spring mattresses (read it somewhere). So you don't necessary need to buy an expensive brand, I only did so thinking it will give me a really good night's sleep (it does for me).

Alcohol - I found that it flares up more when I drink (but recently this too hasn't been an issue)

Stress - flares up more when I am stressed.

I believe my eczema is caused by many things in my life and there are probably other factors that I don't even know about, which is what made it so hard to keep under control and what made it feel so despairing. The more stressed it caused me, the more out of control it seems to be. So please don't despair, remember it is only a small part in your life, even though it might be constantly really irritating. Watch out for things you do that seems to work (food you eat plus other habits). Above all find a cream that your body can absorb well and work with. It might be a lot of trial and error, none of the cream/ steroids my doc prescribed helped me, but everyone's skin is different so find the right one for you.

Best of luck. (November 2007) Contact David

Useful Therapies - Andrew, London, UK

I would like to pass on some tips to fellow eczema sufferers about some therapies I have found useful. I am 41 years old and have been plagued with this ailment since childhood. Only recently have I felt that I have begun to understand how to control this terrible affliction.

In the first instance, I have found that the liberal application of Calamine Lotion to be very effective in reducing itching. Must of us are familiar with it, as it's the first thing we reach for in the case of sunburn. This substance is available in any chemist and is very cheap. It's a very runny substance, and for some reason is not available as a cream. However, if allowed to settle, the active ingredients form a lumpy mass at the bottom of the bottle which is easily scooped out with a long thin stick (I use a chopstick) and applied to the skin. I have also resorted to emptying a bottle into a shallow dish and allowing much of the liquid to evaporate, which leaves a thick paste which can be applied to the skin as a cream. I must admit that it's rather messy, and when it dries it flakes off leaving a white crumbly dust everywhere, but is is the most effective substance against itching I've ever found. It's safe to use and does not contain steroids or harmful substances. To help heal skin that's been torn and damaged by scratching I have found that a 20-minute to half-hour soak in a bath of Sea Salt to be very effective indeed. Again, this is a very cheap and harmless substance, and I have found it most beneficial to dissolve as much as 1kg at a time in a warm, not too hot, bath. Wash the skin first using soap or whichever substitute you can tolerate (I find Dove Bar mild and easy on my skin) and then empty the bath. Rinse it round and then run a bath of fresh, clean water and add the Sea Salt. Only use Coarse Grain Sea Salt that has been prepared by the evaporation process, as Fine Grain often contains chemical additives. A kg of this stuff costs less than £1. If your skin is particularly sore, it may sting a bit as you enter the water, but that will soon go off and the salt will really help the healing process. I find it useful to not rinse off after getting out of the water, so that the salt remains on the skin, continuing to aid healing. If you're still itching after that, apply the Calamine Lotion. Do all this before going to bed and it should contribute to a more restful night's sleep. So much for external applications. For inside the body — where the root of eczema lies — I cannot recommend Chinese Herbal Medicine highly enough. I'd like to recommend a particular clinic, the Shulan Clinic in Little Newport Street, London WC2 (0207 437 4910) and Dr Ming Luo there in particular. She is very experienced and specializes in treating eczema. She is the sister of the 'legendary' Dr Ding Hui Luo, now retired, who in the days before there was a Chinese herbal clinic in every major town, attracted patients from as far away as the USA. Her preparations are second to none in the UK. Finally, I'd like to report my own experience regarding food intolerances. It's essential to get an allergy test at the Chinese doctors (although it's probably not actually allergies that are causing the problem but food intolerances), and follow the advice suggested by the results strictly. This testing process merely involves clipping a small piece of hair from your head and sending this on to a lab.

Secondly, on the subject of food, is the subject of 'heat'. I have always been told by Chinese doctors that my eczema is due to "too much heat in the blood". This is not necessarily heat that can be measured with a thermometer, but a subtle condition of the blood that can only be explained by the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I urge you to look this up on the Internet to find out more. I have often been told to avoid the traditional foods that exacerbate eczema: beef, shellfish, alcohol, etc; but my own researches into the subject have revealed that, following the TCM philosophy, every food has either a heating or cooling effect on the body. Chilli, garlic and raw onion are obvious 'heating' foods, for instance. But there is a lot more to it than that, and much of it quite subtle. Again, this can easily be researched online. I feel compelled to tell all fellow sufferers out there that I have had amazing success in reducing the cause of my eczema in the first place by drawing up a list of 'cool-' or 'cold-forming' foods and making sure that these form the bulk of my diet. If I do this, and aided by the Chinese medicine, my eczema stays away and my skin returns to normal. If I don't, and I resort to eating 'normally', I've found that the 'warming' foods merely 'heat' my blood up again, which counteracts the good work done by the Chinese Herbal Medicine, and my eczema starts to return. There's a simple logic to it. My next step to permanently overcoming eczema is to investigate Chiropractic, to see if I can get to a stage where my body is no longer intolerant to so many 'warming' foods. There is some information on this treatment elsewhere on this site. (May 2007)

50 years of eczema - Beth, Salem, IL, USA

I have had eczema since I was about 6 weeks old, so I have had it for over 50 years. Cow's milk was the primary culprit. For years, I washed in Phisohex, which is no longer on the market, and applied coal tar ointment. When the cortisone creams came out, I used them, but I don't really like steroids.

I have found one of the best solutions for me is to avoid soap like the plague. I use moisturizing body washes on my body and Cetaphil cleanser on my face. I also try to keep baths and showers lukewarm rather than hot. I use Vanicream as a moisturizer. Recently, I discovered Mazon cream, which has a small percentage of coal tar. It isn't nearly as strong as what I used to have, so it doesn't smell quite so bad. I don't know how effective it will be, as I just got it.

I also launder everything in Dreft baby soap in the powder form. This is what my daughter's dermatologist recommended.

I seem to have outgrown many of my food allergies, which included milk, chocolate, and peaches, although I eat those in limited quantities. I also have outgrown my wool allergy-- I knit with wool every day.

My skin is fragile and doesn't like the sun, so I use a sunscreen with Parsol, as it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

I have numerous other allergies, such as cats, grass, tree molds, dirt molds, mold in general, many antibiotics, and pollens. I have hay fever and asthma as a result of these, with a certain amount of itchiness when I pet the cats, but I'm not giving up the cats. I don't use curtains or carpets in the house, nor do I keep many house plants, as these all trigger my hay fever and asthma.

My daughters both have mild eczema - nothing like mine. They use body washes instead of soap and use Vanicream for moisture. They also use Dreft powder for laundering.

Since not scratching the itch is so important, I have learned that the minute some part of my body starts itching to put Vanicream on it if possible. If not, a light slap to that portion of the body or even just lightly pressing on that area can sometimes stop the itch cycle. Cool water compresses also help.

If my itching gets too bad, I take Claritin, and pick up my knitting as a distraction.

My worst itch area seems to be my face in front of the ears and down the jaws onto the neck. My skin is actually discolored there from the years of digging at it before I broke the scratching pattern.

Since stress aggravates eczema so much, I try to avoid it or at least find some activity to relieve it. Since I am physically disabled, the knitting is a good activity for me. Singing also distracts me and relieves stress. I am certainly not a great singer, and I know that people might think me odd if I burst into song in public, this is an activity I keep at home. Knitting, on the other hand, can go pretty much everywhere.

I try to keep a sense of humor about the eczema. Life really could be a lot worse. (April 2007) Contact Beth

Bad outbreak - Tracy, Tucson, Arizona, USA

The first time I experienced eczema I was 20 years old and it appeared on the inside of my elbow. I went to a homeopath and the remedy he prescribed seemed to make it go away within a week. Then a few years later it came back, very mildly, on my arms again, hands, fingers and the sides of the wrists, but still it was tolerable and I didn't really do anything to treat it and it would go away on its own. Well, that all changed. When my mother died after a long illness, I broke out with eczema on my hands that became so severe and infected. The homeopath could no longer help me and I eventually had to take antibiotics, which stopped both the infection and the rash itself. I didn't experience it for another few years except in very mild patches on the hands which required no treatment.

Well, here I am again. For the past two months I have broken out in a horrible rash; this time it moved to my face in a very symmetrical pattern there right down the center of my face, my eyelids and around my mouth. My right hand has a round patch the size of a silver dollar that is very uncomfortable, blistered, cracked, skin peeling. The backs of my hands are very dry, scaly, at times inflamed. The base of a few fingers and the sides of my wrists are also involved.

I have been a total wreck. I haven't been able to work for the past two months. For comfort and healing I have been using colostrum, breaking the capsules open and mixing it with water and spreading that over the affected areas. It does help a lot, but the healing is very, very slow.

Steroids, both topical and internal, scare me; however, everybody in my life except for my husband thinks I should take them and get on with my life. I have read so many scary things about them that I will not take them. This is a horrible condition and I feel bad for anybody that is suffering with it. (March 2007) Contact Tracy

The worse few months of my life - Rob, London, UK

Hi I'm Rob, I'm 24. I've had the worse few months of my life - but this discussion board has open my eyes up and provided me with a few ideas and explanations about what going on in my body.

In March 2006 I went to Hong Kong for a fortnight for a family holiday ... as usual I was bitten by a few mosquito bites. However, some of these bites healed, and some on my lower legs didn't heal. I didn't think anything of it ... just thought they were healing 'slowly'. Things started to get worse come June, and by July the bites appears red round the edges. Gradually this redness seemed to get bigger and darker and itchier, and the bites started weeping ... a golden/orange fluid. After going to my GP. He just said it was Impetigo and prescribed me with Flucloxacillin After another month ... the infection got worse and had started to spread. Both legs were now bandaged. The GP then prescribed me with a new Antibiotic - Clarythromycin ... that night I had an allergic reaction where by whole body swelled up and was itchy and in pain all over Next day I went to A&E. Didn't do much. Took a blood test as they were worried that I had a tropical disease of some sort A week later I go to my GP to ask for some painkillers ... he gives me some Dicofenac... that night I had another allergic reaction. This time even worse. I went to A&E again - this time I was admitted (Charing Cross, Hammersmith) Mainly because of the allergic reactions, then secondly for the state of my legs. I was in hospital for 4 days and was taken off my antibiotics and only treated with Steroid creams and antihistamine (Piriton). Eventually the legs and my body seemed to heal up. Only on my last day was I sent to see the Dermatologists. They weren't sure what the things on my legs were - but they suspected Discoid Eczema. They sent me home with a bag of Betnovate steroid cream, Dermol 500 (shower cream), Piriton and started me back on antibiotics again (Noooooo) Lymecycline

It's now August bank holiday- So I'm out of hospital and I'm on the mend, I even go to Wales for a holiday and up Snowdon. My legs are smooth(ish) the only problem I'm getting is that I'm getting sporadic hot red itchy rashes (all over my body now) ... and I'm presuming this is because of the dying allergic reaction. So I decide to go back to work.

After a 'check up' at the dermatologist they took some Biopsies- 2 on my shins and one (new one) on my shoulder.

2 weeks later my legs start to get worse again ... and this time my back, arms, chest, backside, thighs and ears are all affected. I get little blisters all over my hands and feet. I'm in constant itchy pain, oozing all over and cant sleep properly for 2 weeks. What's going on?! Only then do I start reading about discoid eczema and realise that my symptoms match ... a round, coinlike weepy crusty patches. And I'm assuming this is my 'Secondary' attack.

I go to hospital again and this time they cant admit me cause they're aren't enough beds .. so I'm sent to the daycare centre at Chelsea and Westminster specialist Dermatology Centre. The nurses there are very helpful. I'm given Potassium Manganate baths (purple) which help stop the weeping (close up the vesicles) and go through a variety of different moisturisers 50/50, Emulsiderm and now I'm on Diprobase. The back, ears, hands and feet all healed up after about a week. Woohoo. But it doesn't really stop there. Its now November. I've had another Biopsy done and it finally confirmed ECZEMA (not necessarily discoid) - great. Although I'm definitely not as itchy as before- my patches heal and up look better. Then after a while they'll get worse, but I'm not getting many new ones. I was then given a steroid injection in my backside (not that painful actually!) which seemed to make things better for a few days ... but that's all. I was also being told about UV treatment, but then told its not commonly used for discoid eczema... so I'm contemplating just going to a Tanning shop.

I'm scarred all over, physically and mentally. I've lost a lot of confidence and I know I'm not myself in front of strangers and even my friends. I'm hoping this is all going to go away (I've read that once you get it, it never comes back again ... but I'm not sure about this) but I'm trying to ignore it and not let it take over my life- I'm planning on a world trip in February and am hoping for the best. I'm still on Steroid creams (I cant remember the name), Diprobase and Piriton (works wonders for sleep) - these help the swelling and itchiness, but they're not preventing the reoccurrence of patches appearing - which I must now be internal.

I've also tried alternative medicine:
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR 2 tablespoons diluted in water, twice a day. And also in the bath. Seemed to have an affect, though seemed to give me heartburn(cause of the acidity)...Since having a week off my eczema seems to have got worse ... so going to start it up again - after a meal (so it doesn't burn out my stomach) CHINESE HERBAL TEA. Stinks and tastes horrible. Takes a while to brew. Undecided on this. And is v expensive. OMEGA 3,6,9 & Flaxseed oil capsules twice a day. Dunno about this either, but supposed to be good for skin healing. Will keep you informed:) and I'm bombing down the multivitamins and really keeping an eye on my diet to see what might be prolonging this (I'm cutting out yeast this week!, then maybe dairy, gluten...) Contemplating doing a private food allergy test (http://www.homeinonhealth.com/) though they're v expensive (£150-250) (my flatmate did this and found that cutting out yeast prevented his atopic eczema outbreaks) and also awaiting a Patch test at hospital when I finish on the steroid creams (if I ever do).

I'm also planning on trying out some Fade out / Scar serum ointment to help my scars go away.

Anyway, keep your head up and try not to let this get you down. Its bloody hard I know. I hope this story may help somebody in someway. If you suspect something, try and get to your Dermatologist ASAP. My GP laughed at me the first time I asked if I could see one ... just because the waiting lists are too big. It took 2 allergic reactions and 3 trips to A&E for me to finally get seen by them.. (January 2007)

Glad I found this web site - Joss, Seattle, USA

So glad to have found this "talk eczema" website & knowing I'm not alone!!! I've had atopic dermatitis or eczema on & off for 10 years & have been prescribed by my dermatologis, t & later medical doctor, cortisone ointments/oils/shots, steroids (Prednisolone etc), atarax (itchiness) & so many others throughout the years. Like some others have mentioned, these medications are temporary healing, only to be disappointed later in life w/c made my skin practically live with eczema. There's also another wonderful website called Shirley's website where she provides valuable information on dealing with eczema that has helped me a lot!! http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/eczema.php. She also suffered with eczema (& other health issues) throughout her life & what she did that worked for her. Instead of going back to a dermatologist, sticking to a nutritious diet became key to getting rid of the inflammation or flare ups 1st (lots of ascorbic acid - one would be drinking water with lemon, no sugar added), mineral (algae) skin products, quit coffee, & solutions to controlling daily stress. These are just a few things that got rid of the inflammation & the white, crusty skin texture. The only problem I have now are brown spots (bruising) & red, torn skin spots (looks like chicken pox) on upper arms & spread out on both legs w/c I've had on & off for 2 years. The one thing I've yet to try are the various vitamin oils (flaxseed oil, Borage oil, Grapeseed extract oil etc), it has worked for others & hope it will work for me - at least on the red, torn skin spots. (October 2006) Contact Joss

God and the support of my family - Mohammed, London, UK

Hi, everyone. I've had eczema since I was a baby and it was really bad then. Fortunately after years of trouble I'm almost better now physically. I always asked God why he has given me eczema, but nowadays I thank him because it's like a blessing in disguise. I don't expect my fellow sufferers to understand this, but eczema has made me a beta person. I appreciate life because of eczema. It's still hard for me, I'm still learning to deal with it, the mental side of it is troubling me alot an I'm trying to get ideas from u guys. My biggest treatment for my eczema over the years has to be my parents love. If it wasn't for the love and hard work I wouldn't be this happy and content and fighting. So to all those parents out the who have children with eczema, "JUST BE THERE FOR THEM". In time it will be the their biggest strength (your love).

I am 22 now whole life ahead of me and I expect to make the most of it and help others if I can. Feel free to email me if you like a chat or exchange your stories. Everytime I speak to someone I learn new things. And to be frank that's what we should do help each other out. Take care, n don't let eczema stop you from living a normal life. Contact Mohammed

Different Reasons for Eczema - Doreen, London, UK

As we all know, many people have eczema, all for different reasons.

I've had eczema all over my body from the age of 5 and it has varied alot to the present day. I am now 35.

My skin has been fine to dry, fine to cracked and sore, and an episode of very red thin flaky skin on my forehead. I later found, through a blood test, the cause of this to be tomatoes. I only wish I had visited the dermatologist alot sooner.

I have learnt that keeping away from wheat and dairy and moisturising has kept the itching and dry skin at bay. Just doing the diet or moisturising won't clear my skin, it has to be both. Even I've noticed how I don't scratch.

I've learnt that it isn't difficult to stay away from wheat and dairy. Lunchtimes tend to be the most difficult meal so I bring my lunch into work.

Since the eczema on my face has cleared it has now performed a U-turn and is now spotty. I tried all the expensive and not so expensive cleansers but they were either not cleansing enough or just too drying. My dermatologist prescribed tablets for acne but it made my skin worse.

In desperation I browsed the website and read recommendations for Dove beauty bar so I experimented. It cleansed without drying out my skin and I can't believe it because it costs less than a pound.

So, whatever your state of skin, don't give up. There is a solution out there with your name on it. (February 2006) Contact Doreen

Give Cetaphil (Acne Cream) a go! - Thisa, Jeanerette, USA

My son has had eczema since he was 1 1/2 months old. I took him to his doctor because it looked like a rash and that's when she told me it was eczema. She gave me a prescription for Desonide 0.05%. She said to use it for 10 days and it should help. Well, I started to use it twice a day instead of the once a day she said. After 10 days, I quit using it because a pharmacist said if it hadn't work in 10 days, it wouldn't work at all. When we brought him back to the doctor, she said that that was all she could give me so he'll have to outgrow it on his own. Well, that wasn't good enough for me. I called a dermatologist. We took him and she told us to use CETAPHIL (yep for acne!) to bathe him and the CETAPHIL CREAM (not lotion) to put on after the bath and some hydrocortosone 1% for where he was really red. After a couple days, it started looking better! I've been using it for almost a month and his skin looks so much better than before. I would suggest it to anyone to try if they have eczema or really dry skin! (November 2005) Contact Thisa

The Osteopath treated my son's eczema - Therese, Saxmundham, UK

My son started to develop a rash at 2 1/2 months, and the GP diagnosed 'classic presentation infantile eczema'. He just told me to keep it moist, and come back for prescription emollients if my own didn't work. He said he may grow out of it. Not satisfied, I took him to see his osteopath, whom I had been taking him to as a matter of course since birth. The Osteopath said as the skin is a major organ of elimination, there must be a problem in his liver or kidneys, preventing him from using them fully, and so toxins were being eliminated through the skin instead.

My son was a big baby, 9lb 3oz, and was born very quickly, so had some mechanical problems from the birth, which had been treated. But he's also growing at a rapid pace too, too fast for his organs to cope with. He was very stuffy in the nose, and had 'no neck'. So he treated the neck problem.

It's hard to explain everything in exact order, but I'll give the basic run down:

1. having 'no neck', meant he wasn't breathing using his diaphragm correctly.
2. this incorrect use of the diaphragm meant his liver wasn't being massaged by it as he breathed.
3. because his liver wasn't functioning properly, it wasn't eliminating waste correctly, and not in turn massaging the bowel. Toxins built up had to go somewhere, and that somewhere was the skin.

The osteopath said that as my son starts to roll and then crawls, he'll naturally massage his organs with the movement to keep them functioning, and that is why a lot of babies 'grow out' of eczema as they get more mobile.

After the treatment, my son produced some very vile nappies, it was almost like the newborn meconium again, very dark thick and sticky, which the osteopath had warned me might happen. Over the course of a few days, his skin began to clear, and after a week his skin was as beautiful as it had been when he was born. All after one session.

I wanted to share this with other parents, and say it's never too late to seek osteopathic treatment for a child. All 3 of mine have had it, and benefited greatly. GPs are quick to diagnose rashes as eczema and hand out steroids, when it could be a simple case of a physical 'M.O.T.' being needed by a qualified alternative practitioner who can think outside the textbook. (November 2005) Contact Therese

Don't give up on a cure - Amanda, Greensboro, USA

Being a young girl growing up with eczema was one of the hardest things in my life. But it also has made my family and I so much stronger. I am 15 years old and I have Atopic Eczema, Contact Dermatitis (allergic and irritant),and Seborrhoeic Eczema. From the age of 4 weeks to 8 years basically my whole body was covered in the red, flaky, painful rash. I had so many tests done and so many medications given to me and nothing was working. I slept in oven mitts, took oatmeal baths, was lathered in crisco backing oil...everything you could think of. We had to scratch up money every month to get new prescriptions so I wasn't exactly one of the cool kids at school but finally my eczema got bad enough I got prednisone prescribed to me. The steroid cleared me up for a while and then it came back but not as bad. I still take plenty of medicines and use every cream you could think of but its getting better. I just wanted to offer a little hope for parents and other kids with eczema that it will get better. There will be relief in site so don't give up on a cure just yet. (October 2005) Contact Amanda

I discovered my eczema was Scabies - Lynda, Carpinteria, USA

After 15 years of being handed creams for my eczema, I think I found my real problem. SCABIES. Everyone, please read what you can about SCABIES. Read more than one source. Read about Sarcoptic Mange. The more you read, the more you will see your problem. I am sure that this will not pertain to some of you, but if this helps just one person, then, good. Please never stop looking for the underlying source of the problem. We can heal ourselves. Be well. (October 2005) Contact Lynda

Vasaline is a cheap option - Tessa, Sawyer, USA

I have had eczema my whole life or at least as long as I can remember. I recently went to Romainia and got an anti-itch creme that worked really well. I cant say that it got my eczema to go away but it did give me temporary relief. If you want something that is from this country go with vasaline you can find it in almost any store and it is pretty cheap too, I feel bad for anyone else my age (11) that has to go through with this and I hope I helped someone. (September 2005) Contact Tessa

The miracle in the tube! - Lu, London, UK

I've had eczema on and off all my life. I had it quite bad when I was little and it went away for a few years, but I still got patches now and then. But when I was 12 it started to appear on my face. I had this really awful red, blotchy skin and everyone bullied me. One time someone thought it was contagious, so they tried to push me down a flight of stars because they didn't want me near them. From the age of 13 I started trying everything from creams to ointments, etc.. I even tried acupuncture! It's strange having a little needle in your head, you start to feel like a pin-cushion. In February it was at it's worst on my face. It was really dry and flaky. I couldn't eat or talk properly and you could see I was losing weight from it. That was when my mum took me to the doctors clinic where I was prescribed some Hydrocortisone cream. That was the miracle in a tube! It literally cleared it up in 4 or 5 days. It wasn't until March this year that I was referred to a dermatologist at my local hospital. I was given bath oils (oilatum and Balnium) soap substitutes (dermol 500?) and creams (Dermovate) for the rest of my body and now I'm completely clear. I still get tiny flare ups occasionally but apart from that I'm feeling great. I hope this is some use to you guys and I wish you the best of luck! (September 2005) Contact Lu

Be aware of the ridicule children suffer - Jacki, Gresham, USA

I have suffered from eczema since I was a little kid. Not only was it painful, but it was darn embarrassing! Most of my classmates thought I had leprosy! What hurt the most, though, was that some of my teachers treated me like a pariah. My third-grade teacher called in the school physician to examine me, and after he was finished, he gently told me that I just had eczema and he gave me Mazon to use, that awful, smelly stuff that I would NEVER use again! He took my teacher aside and told her about the eczema and also stated that she was one of the major causes of my outbreaks! Because of her classroom ridicule of me, I learned that my eczema is brought on from stress! And the school doctor? I was lucky enough to be seen by Lendon Smith, one of the field's greatest child health advocates! To this day, I meditate, not let stressful conditions get to me, and have learned to handle anger. My mother suffered from eczema and asthma, and I was lucky not to have inherited the asthma. My daughter is 19 now, and when she suffered from an outbreak in grade school, kids would be very mean to her.
I gave her my utmost support and told her to enlighten her classmates about her condition. More parents need to be aware of the ridicule from which their children may suffer, and support them and talk to their teachers. (September 2005) Contact Jacki

Going on holiday was the best thing we did - Julie, Bridgend, UK

My daughter who is 11 has suffered from eczema all her life. Not in the usual places but the opposite, on the outside of her arms, the front of her legs, her fingers and also her ears and face. Her skin is also extremely dry. Her usual medication of Betnovate RD, Epaderm and Oilatum doesn't make much difference at all. She is under the consultant at the hospital and he keeps saying at her 2 monthly checks that he will eventually prescribe protopic but will not do so until her skin clears up!

We have never taken her away on holiday abroad but decided that this year we would, so we went to Spain, a month ago. We could not have made a better decision.

On arrival at our resort she wanted to go in the pool, this she did and had a terrible reaction to the water. Her skin went tight, red and very sore. I used all her creams in the first week trying to get her skin better. I had no choice but to visit the local pharmacy with her oilatum bottle and eparderm tub in hand. I was given a replacement bath oil and a moisturizer called Xeralaude omega milk. The difference in her skin after using these for just two days was incredible. Unfortunately this marvelous cream which is made of Omega 3 essential fatty acids (fish oils, and it smells nice!!) is not available over here but having enquired at the hospital, the nearest we have is Gammaderm, which my doctor had never heard of. He has now prescribed it to her. Her skin is still really good. I cannot stop looking at her. She is 12 in a few days time and she thinks she has had the best birthday present ever!!!

I am so glad we choose to go away otherwise we would still be in the same situation we have been in for the past 12 years! (September 2005) Contact Julie

I now have a happy baby - Amaya, Carlisle, UK

My baby started having eczema on his face at three months old, my friend realized that we were using wool jumpers and avoiding them helped, but he still had a rash in the morning and was waking up at night scratching his face. One day when he wet his cot I removed the mattress cover to wash it and lots of tiny white bits came off the inside foam. I looked on the internet and it seemed to be the fire retardant product that they use, that it is not attached to the foam and activates with heat and humidity. Since we changed him to a natural mattress (or even the travel mattress that has got a thick outer cover) his eczema in the face has disappeared. In the mean time his ankles and back of the knees started getting eczema, and it was spreading to the arms too. He would scratch all day unless I stopped him, and even oatmeal baths and calendula oil didn't help. We had to put moisturizer on him up to five times a day and he would cry during nappy change because it was so itchy. The doctor gave us cortisone cream, but we used it only once and it worked just for a day. In a visit home to Spain two months ago my mum's relative gave me a sample of a local handmade cream that worked overnight. I have bought the cream, it is a bit expensive but I use it only when the eczema comes back. During the day I use Olive oil and Stelatopia products from Mustela, and my baby is so happy now, he just plays all day and never scratches any more. My friend has used the cream on her face where the eczema appeared after giving birth to her son, she didn't want to see anybody because of her looks and now she says the cream worked wonders and is even using make-up! If you want to try it I'll send you a sample to try the cream, I owe it to anybody with an eczema problem, specially if it's a baby that is suffering. (September 2005) Contact Amaya

Living with eczema has been so hard - Angela, Hamilton, New Zealand

I'm going to be 16 years old in three weeks. I have had eczema since I was 4 and living with it has been so hard. I have had many breakdowns due to it. Crying and crying until my eyes swell. I always wonder if I'm being a burden on my parents cause I hate them having to deal with me but I soon realized that keeping it all in my head and not saying anything would make it worse. At school it's hard, especially high school. I see all these beautiful girls at school and on TV and it just makes me feel different and I've been praying and praying wanting nothing in the world but for it to go away... I guess compared to my primary years my eczema is better, but there are just random times when it flares up. I don't want to go to school or leave my room. I have been on many different medications changing from one to another. I also wear some eye-makeup which gives me the tiniest boost to make me feel better in my appearance, but just today I woke up with little rashes around my eyes. Talk about dumb. I don't know what to do anymore and sometimes I just don't think I can handle it. I want to do homeschool to avoid the stares but it'll make me feel even more different if I'm at home all day. I still hope and pray that my eczema on my face and body does go away. Good luck to all of those around the world who are in the same situation, you shouldn't feel alone. (August 2005) Contact Angela

Hints on how to ease Eczema - Don, Dover, USA

My baby has had bad eczema since he was five months old. He is now nine months old. My wife breast-feeds him and he had eczema which turned into a fungal infection, bacterial infection, viral infection (herpes or some form of shingles, infected by his older brother.) We later found out that my baby was allergic to many different food items such as peanut, egg, dairy products, fish, etc.

One thing I learnt was that with a skin disorder (allergic reactions or eczema) you have to treat it before it turns into some serious skin infection. Believe me as I know all forms of infection through suffering with my baby and treating him. Seeing his skin turning into a rough carpet, eyes half-shut, face swollen, blood and yellow fluid oozing out, it was hell. We have three doctors looking at him and all they could give him were Benadryl, hydrocortisone cream, and antibiotic cream. I forgot the last form of skin disorder he got was periorial dermatitis caused by prolonged use of hydrocortisone cream (I used 0.2% active cream.)

To sum it up, what you should do if your loved ones have some form of eczema or allergic reaction:

(1) Treat it as soon as possible. (2) Do not take your child to a doctor except homeopathic one (using natural remedies). (3) Do not use (hydro)cortisone, only for a short time if you have to. (4) Give your child a daily bath, without soap, soak their skin well to discreet out all the toxin or histamine (I give my baby a half-hour bath every day, and also wash him with a wet towel at lunch time as well). (5) Make up a lotion consisting of 1 fluid oz of baby lotion (any kind), 1 fluid oz of Aloe vera gel, 1.5 teaspoons of tea tree oil. Mix well by hand. And shake it well before use as tea tree oil might separate out. Tea tree oil is antiseptic which prevents any type of infection (fungal, bacterial, or viral). Aloe vera has mild antiseptic properties but mostly used for skin healing. Baby lotion acts as a coupler helping tea tree oil and aloe vera blended together, and also keeps baby's skin from drying out (reducing itching). (6) If your child itches a lot, give them Benadryl so they don’t scratch the infected areas causing infection or spreading.

By giving him a bath, applying the above lotion on him daily, I was able to combat all the infections, and now his eczema is 97% gone. Praise to the Lord and Our Lady as I prayed much during the ordeal. I now hope this method of treatment can help all the suffering children and their parents. I will be glad to help anyone who might have any questions. (July 2005) Contact Don

Chlorine in water can cause skin problems - Alina, UK

My husband suffers from psoriasis and as a chemist, I decided to carry out some research and try to find a cure. I found that the worst and main irritant which increases the flare ups is the chlorine which is added to tap water. Plus, there are about 700 other chemicals found in tap water today, which can also irritate sensitive skins. The level of chlorine varies on the season and temperature.

Most people are simply unaware to the dangerous side effects of chlorine. Of course, chlorine is necessary to kill bacteria in our water. Nobody wants a typhoid epidemic. It makes sense to remove the harmful chemicals at the point of use. There is a logical, simple method to control psoriasis , eczema and dermatitis. Use clean water first - inside and out, then use whatever has been prescribed for you. This system is very effective in keeping psoriasis under control. The cosmetic and medical industry thrives on the damage done to ALL skins created by washing hair and body in chlorinated tap water.

We have now installed a quality reverse osmosis water filter and the best shower and bath filter. Problem solved. These two items are so necessary for sensitive skins. There is not much point using creams and lotions on skin that is irritated and damaged by chlorinated tap water.

I haven't found the cure, but I have completely removed the irritants which make psoriasis 'angry'. For more information see: www.choosemybaby.com.

I hope this information helps. (June 2005) Contact Alina

Topical Creams keep my eczema under control - Dave, Sydney, Australia

From suffering eczema all my life - at 19 years of age I find it is dominating my life, it is an endless battle to try and not fall out of general 'routine' or as a result my skin will break out all over my body. During my last year in high school, I undertook a course of homeopathic medicines to try and get some relief from the eczema and besides its incredibly high cost and disgusting taste it failed to work. I tried to be as positive as I could be towards this alternate medicine, however, my skin just got worse and worse and it took over my whole body. I suffered many sleepless nights and missed days of school, I became quite depressed due to isolating myself from my friends at school. I gave up on the homeopathy and went to the GP and was prescribed with the usual antibiotics and hydrocortisone creams - this cleared my skin and did for a while. It flares up every now and then, but I have to keep applying these topical creams and have been now for over a year - as much as I don't like it, it is the only thing that can keep it under control. The thing that scars me the most other than the physical aspects of the condition is my emotional state - I am always feeling self conscious around others over my skin and having to contend with teenage hormones is hard enough. It is nice to be able to get this off my chest and be able to find a website where people can relate to one another who suffer from eczema. (June 2005) Contact Dave

My Eczema Story - Geneviève,

I have suffered from the scourge all my life but my parents were my bastions of strength and so supportive. I adore them for their intelligence and love.

When I was old enough to scratch I entered the vicious circle of pain/pleasure etc. Often I couldn't walk and was deeply ashamed of my appearance. I would boil the skin on my legs in the morning seeking relief which of course only made it worse.

I missed so much school and social activities that I felt I was a total monster. Silcox base, tar, ointments etc. either did nothing or caused agonizing stinging. My socks and clothing stuck to the weeping skin and my grandmother would apply surgical muslin over the creme, which stuck irrespective. Every morning was a painful ritual of bathing and applying creme aided by all my family.

I pleaded with my mother during my teens to bring me to a hypnotherapist as I knew well that eczema is 50% psychological and becomes a dependence much like a drug. I went to the quack, and still remember the visual imagery (we had a few laughs) even though it actually didn't work. That had to come from me.

By making this decisive step though I was on the road to recovery along with my mother's help. I was prescribed Betnovate but continued to scratch merrily. One particularly difficult day, as I was crying, in agony, hated the world, and was incredibly angry, my mother was at her wits end and was justifiably upset. She came into my room, told me I was so pretty and gave me a pile of Vogue magazines to flick through telling me that I could easily be like the models if I wished. That night I DID NOT scratch, as it is in fact the SCRATCHING itself that damages the skin not the affliction itself (the rest can be controlled through constant moisturizing, correct diet and exercise etc.) Every day I moisturized, applied the Betnovate (which takes the itch urge away, deactivating the nerves) and refused to scratch. My relationship with non-scratching became stronger and saying NO was of greater pleasure to me than ripping myself to bits.

Now it has cleared up due to will power and the odd placebo affect of Betnovate creme. My skin became clear and my tans got deeper (underneath it all I have always had very sallow skin). The sun, swimming etc. greatly helped the healing cycle as the better my skin appeared the more beautiful I wanted it to become.

I also suffer from allergies of every description and asthma but apart from the lack of pigmentation patches on my feet and a small amount on my hands, nobody would ever guess what I went through. Secretly I keep a small patch on my right hand between my little and second finger as my "stress patch" which I usually scratch during the winter, never in the summer. It is a very silly stress relief but it is relegated to that part only and under control, I keep it is a reminder basically that life is NOT a picnic in the park and that we must take nothing for granted as another poster stated. Eczema and asthma are very hard task masters but they teach you a tremendous lot, such as empathy, tolerance and respect. (June 2005) Contact Geneviève

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the Best! - Katie, Gateshead, UK

My son has had eczema since he was a few days old, and it was so upsetting to watch him scratching and crying all the time. I tried so many different creams, lotions and potions and spent so much money because I thought it didn't matter as long as he got better. He was prescribed balenium medicated bath oil, steriod cream and double base cream. One day I ran out of the bath oil, so decided to use olive oil from the kitchen cupboard. I smothered him in it before he got in and put some in his bath and then smothered him in it when he got out. Once it had soaked in for a while I put the double base cream on as well. It was fantastic, for the first time in a while he slept through the night with no itching. I have been using it everyday now, and I can honestly say it is very nearly all cleared up, just a tiny bit left behind his knees, but such a massive improvement. It's very cheap but I find extra virgin the best!!!!! It's worth a go! (April 2005) Contact Katie

Tested for MRSA - Lucy, Lowestoft, UK

I'm 14 and have had severe eczema all of my life, but not long ago my eczema became alot worse than usual. I had, what looked like, blisters forming all over my body which were very itchy and infected all over my arms and legs. I went straight to my dermatologist who immediately tested me and all of my family against m.r.s.a, which I was kept in the dark about quite a bit. I didn't know what the superbug was and definately didn't know that in the worse cases it could kill. I got my results back negative but found I had a virus and it needed to be treated with a simple antibiotic. So I was very lucky!! (April 2005) Contact Lucy

Increasing Vitamins E and B - Kymmie, Canada

My son suffered terribly from eczema. Red raw bleeding scratching skin. I read in a health book that eczema is caused by a deficiency in Vitamins E and B. I gave these to my son orally and rubbed Vitamin E and golden seal on the eczema. He has been eczema free for 10 years. (April 2005) Contact Kymmie

Isopropyl alcohol prior to moisturizing helps - Charlie, Dallas, USA

After shower, and after towel drying, use isopropyl alcohol to disinfect skin before applying moisturizer like cetaphil cream. Staph bacteria from air and towel contact multiply rapidly, so disinfect as soon as possible (within seconds) after drying. Don't overdo it with the alcohol, and avoid breathing fumes. Apply with a kleenex and let it dry before moisturizing. This may not be advisable if very large areas of skin are involved. My own eczema flares most often on my ankles and top of feet, backs of hands, and outside elbows. Perform this twice a day for really bad flares. I do it every morning as a routine, and my symptoms are minimized. (March 2005) Contact Charlie

Problems with taking a bath - Keisha, Baton Rouge, USA

Hi everyone! I'm so happy that there is a web site that we can share our stories with. I have an 8yr old son that has very severe eczema--he has had this for 6yrs now--his dad and I take him to the childeren's hospital every 3mts-- he is on five different creams (protipic--elidel--tramcinolon--bactroban2%--coal tar with zinc oxide). He also has five different pills (doxepin--singular--clarinex--depakote--hydroxyzine hcl25mg). He is also on a breathing nebulizer twice a day--the medication that is used in the nebulizer is pulmicort and albutrol--liquid by mouth is zyrtec--albutrol sulf--also nasal spray which is nasonex 50mg. Of all the medication our son is on please can you tell me if any work on your child or as an adult. Also can you give me any helpful ideals on bath taking because it's hard to get our son to take a bath in the tub because of the burning on his skin. Again I say please e-mail me some ideals or helpful hints for a child that is going through some hard times right now--thank you very much for reading my story--- (January 2005) Contact Keisha

Lack of concern from GPs - Sarah, Manchester, UK

I have suffered from Seborrhoeric dermatitis for about 10 years (excuse spellings!), I am told it is a mixture of eczema and psoriasis. I have this on my face (nose, cheaks, forehead) and on my scalp. Occasionally it disappears completely for a few days them comes back with a vengance and makes me very self concious, depressed and reluctant to go out....as people are not subtle in their curiousity.

After frequent visits to my GP over the course of 7 or 8 years, none of them could identify what my 'rash' was! and I have used a variety of creams, ointments, shampoos, washes etc none of which has made a blind bit of difference. So one week when it was especially bad I made an emergancy doctors appointment, only to be shouted at and belittled by my GP who suggested that my problem didn't warrant an emergancy appointment and that I was wasting her time! The fact that I couldn't sleep due to pain and itching, that I was unable to leave the house without people staring at my face seemed irrelevant to her. But after my tears and much frustration she reluctantly reffered me to the hospital to see a specialist........................

16 weeks later.......I got an appointment. I don't belive that doctors in this country take this condition seriously and GP's have little idea how this affects your everyday life. I have had comments like " it will go on its own" and "you will just have to learn to live with it" thrown at me and I just want to SCREAM!!!!

I have just started to try Chinese herbal medicine that worked for the first 3 weeks then it returned to its original state so i'm still undecided on it? I am going to have patch tests done for food intolerance etc next week so I will come back and let you know how that worked out. I also have a Sun lamp that I use occasionally that seems to have a slightly positive effect.

I can understand the frustration of others, especially when it's parents whose children have any type of skin problems. Doctors in this country need to address the physical and psychological effects of skin conditions and learn to take us seriously.

(I have reported the doctor in question, as I have never been so disrespected and made to feel so worthless. depressed and unimportant in my life). I would like to hear if anyone else has had any similar experiences with GP's? (January 2005) Contact Sarah

Is Eczema psychological? - Joseph, La Jolla. USA

I have allergies, eczema, and asthma. MY allergy list is huge; pollens, dust, foods, animals, many 4 out of 4's on my allergy test.

I'm still struggling to learn about how to take care of my skin; its so hard to find the cause because I have multiple allergies and eczema.

Things I've done to help my skin: clean my house regularly, stay away from polluted environments, always check ingredients of what I eat, moisturize after I shower, drink lots of water, a sunny day at the beach clears itching, use hypoallergenic gloves when cleaning, use detergents with no dyes and perfumes, found out my skin hates lanolin alcohol, (watch the lotion you use!), use meditation to get me through some bouts, observe how my food is cooked at restaurants, (is it cooked with other allergenic food?, like a burger on a cheeseburger grill?)

I also want all your input on this last one. Eczema has got to be somewhat psychological too. For instance thinking about itching may cause you to itch. And it may be possible to be classically conditioned to scratch and itch. I thinki am CCed now when I sleep, that is, whenever I go to bed to sleep, I subconsciously associate the bed and sleep with itching.

Email me about your thoughts. (January 2005) Contact Joseph

Indian Ayurvedic Treatment - Indian Healer, Cochin, India

Eczema, very severe and chronic and not responding properly to modern medicine can be completely cured by my traditional Indian Ayurvedic treatment. The ailment will not come back and also medication will give patient not only cure but total recuparation and well being. I am happy to offer support to those who are really suffering and not availing a real treatment. I am a native Vaidyan, means physician and living in Kerala, southern state of India. No more suffering from eczema ! Cure for all, for ever !! (January 2005) Contact Indian Healer

Gammaderm - Alan Richardson, UK

I am a 42yr old Bodybuilder with eczema. I recently read about and purchased the cream gammaderm, online, which seemed to be ok, but on reading the instructions it told me not to use on unbroken skin ........ Well, if
many people like me have eczema with broken skin and sores, I wonder if this is a little misleading. I always strive to reach a treatment to help us eczama sufferers with dry skin, and welcome any comments. I suffer in silence, but look for some help, maybe not Gammaderm, but an alternative........... (December 2004) Contact Alan

Fish Oils - George LoBuono, California, USA

Six weeks ago I got a moderate case of eczema -- on face, neck and hands. In my case, any slightest exposure to direct sun triggered it, as did milk. THEN, A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME SHE GOT RID OF ECZEMA BY EATING FISH! SO I ATE BLUE FISH (SARDINES, TROUT, TILAPIA, ETC) AND ALSO TOOK OMEGA 3 CAPSULES (CONTAINS FISH OIL) ONCE A DAY AND NOW MY ECZEMA IS GONE! In short, in my case, I hadn't eaten fish for months, and I'd always tossed the fish skin. Guess what? Fish skin contains the most blue fish oils! Try this one, and see what happens. Something in these blue fish oils cured me, and my friend! All those medications only kept it at bay. Fish oil did the trick. (November 2004) Contact George

Infant eczema - Bejoy Pillai, Colorado Springs, USA

Following the experiences with my little kid and reading over the internet I have come to these conclusions. Its mostly to do with infant eczema. Hope it helps others and I am not a medical professional so please take what I say in its due context.

Pure Eczema is not something just to do with the skin. It’s both external and internal. You may have skin allergies, which happen when your skin comes in contact with any particular allergen, but eczema has to do with allergies within you, especially in childhood eczema. Once allergens gets into the blood stream it seems the only way for the body to expel it is via the largest organ, the skin. In infants allergens enter the blood stream via food and air. The internal system of infants seems to be weak and unable to process many food items and so it enters the blood stream. Maybe even the liver and kidneys are weak. The second way is through air due to poor filtration in the lungs. Always keep you house open and let fresh air pass through freely. Infants should be given only hypo allergic formula or well cooked food. Rule of thumb is easy to digest. High fat, protein foods seem to be difficult to digest. Milk is a major allergen. The body won’t repel it immediately and that is why it's so difficult to pin point. When toxic waste builds up after a certain level it starts bursting out. Eczema is a different means of the body going potty. So you have to look at what the kid has been fed in the past 24/48 hrs and intelligently try to diagnose the culprit. Eczema won’t go away it will be there but it will be very low if you learn to control the surroundings and intake.

As the child grows, the internal systems will mature and eventually eczema will go away. The whole thing about humidity is a waste. Running a humidifier might help in a different way but plays little in helping eczema. If you live in the tropics you will keep your windows open for air and this provides fresh air, reducing eczema, this is the reason why in some kids eczema fades on moving to the tropics, nothing to do with humidity. If your AC/heating system reuses air within the house/apt please switch it off and try alternative heating/cooling means. Radiant heaters are great as they don’t move air around.

Hope it helps. (November 2004) Contact Bejoy

Lifetime with eczema - Mary, Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

I am a 60 year old woman in the US state of Iowa. I was born with chronic atopic dermatitis (eczema) which appeared when I was about 3 month old. I lived with pretty bad flare-ups, mostly in the winter months when my skin was very dry, until I was hospitalized at 14 years old in University of Iowa Hospital by my dermatologist. I had developed a skin infection which needed antibiotics and as a result was given a new steroid cream to clear up my eczema. I had flare-ups repeatedly through high school and was treated with a combination hydrocortisone steroid cream. Throughout my life I have learned to manage my eczema through avoiding stress, certain foods that trigger the flare-ups (mainly citrus based), and by using products that are gentle and retain moisture to prevent dryness. When I wash my clothes, I use a gentle detergent and run them through a full cycle rinse to be sure all the detergent is gone. I now primarily use an over the counter hydrocortisone cream, but keep a steroid cream on hand in case I need to attack a flare-up. I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers that have also had chronic eczema. Recently I learned that it is an immune system problem which is probably why a steroid cream works so well.

Thanks for the opportunity to send you my story. (November 2004)

Be happy - Mayei, USA

Hi, I have been suffering with eczema for such a long time. I have seen the doctors and dermatologists numerous time throughout my life. Let me say, It so painful to have eczema. Don't give in on your eczema as I have. Don't let it control your life. Be happy regardless and just enjoy your life with the people around you. =) Heads up =) (November 2004) Contact Mayei

My life with eczema - Grace, Rochester, Kent, UK

I have had eczema all of my life. But when I was 11/12 it got worse so much so that my dosage of steroid creams was upped. I was taken by my mum to a nutritionist and I was told to keep a record of how my skin was like a diary I did this for nearly a year and followed what she said religiously no white bread, no dairy no spicy food I practically would have had to live on air with the things I wasn't allowed to eat but I followed it. But it didn't get better. In 97 January I was taken to a Chinese herbalist in London on the advise of one of my mum's colleagues. I was told that it would take some time before it would get better and I would have to cut out some foods like red meat, shellfish, dairy, spicy food. Which I did no problem and started to take the herbal tea which had to be boiled and stained. But previous to being given the teas I had to have a blood test which I had only to find that the creams that I had been using had started to effect my liver, the teas ! helped to cleanse my liver and get it back to what it should be. I took the teas for about 5yrs then I was given tables which I had to take 10 twice a day or if it was bad 3 times a day. I am now 20 and my skin is better but still I have my ups and downs and I have stopped taking the tablets I only take when I am stressed now a days. But if any of you are thinking of trying Chinese herbal you need to know that it takes time in some cases it will go straight away but it also my take some time and not to give up just because it didn't get better with your first cup of tea. (October 2004) Contact Grace

Experiences of living with eczema - Fauna, Brisbane, Australia

Chronic Eczema is one of those insidious afflictions, affecting nearly every aspect of one's life. Those who suffer from this don't need to be told about it, and those who don't will never really understand anyway.

One word of advice for the non sufferer - think twice before opening your mouth about some wonder product I should try because it fixed a friend of yours' who had "Eczema".

I scratch until I bleed. Pretty much anywhere on my body.

Over the last thirty years I have worked out that many things exacerbate this condition, and that I have to try and avoid these "Poisons". These include foods, chemicals, stress, synthetic fibres, dusts, animals, my ex wife, debt, et cetera...

Like lots of you I understand that there are many people worse off in the world but I also have a hard time using that rationale to feel any better about the sheer invasiveness of my condition.

Lack of public understanding is a real downer. When I was in hospital I tried to explain to the psychiatrist that what the doctor was telling me was that I had a life sentence - with no reprieve. At that point, after 30+ years of suffering from this, I would have preferred a death sentence. At least that has a definitive and final outcome.

No chance there.

So get on with it. Take your baths, smear that cortisone, smother in emollient and then here are two layers of wet wraps to wear for the day. What? It's 28 degrees outside and 80% humidity? Doesn't matter, you have air-conditioning at home don't you? Long sleeves and pants are normal this time of year in Queensland.

Well, despite this I have found that those wet wraps are about as good a maintenance as anything. They are inconvenient, uncomfortable and embarrassing but for anyone for whom the above is any way familiar but who have also tried and rejected the wet wraps I can only say that one should try a longer term regular treatment. They provide as much relief as I have been able to acquire without Prednisolone ... a drug whose consequences I am still paying for.

I hated the wraps when I started and thought I could never live a life with them as part of my treatment, but then the Eczema is a pretty unthinkable condition anyway, isn't it? Go hard. (October 2004)

Positive thoughts - Carthi, Upper Darby, USA

I am a 13 year old girl in upper darby. I've had eczema since I was 5 months old. When I was small I felt mad every time I noticed my legs or hands. I felt cursed like the whole world was against me, now I realize that the world is not against me but I am against the world by thinking that way. I want to help others now. I am going to be a dermatologist when grow up. I want to make a difference. I felt the pain when I watched my friends swim with their swim suits or when they were wearing short sleeves shirts and shorts. I don't' want any other kid to suffer the way I did (do). (October 2004)

Disability Living Allowance - Louise, Warwick, UK

Did you know...?

You can claim Disability Living Allowance for a child who has eczema?

I saw my daughters dermatology nurse recently, who suggested we claim. My daughter has moderate eczema and needs to wet wrapped etc. We made a claim and now get £40 a WEEK! We use this towards her very expensive mitten pyjamas, and plan to invest in a water softener and maybe a new washing machine (my old one didn't know what hit it when everything started having to be washed at 60 degrees!) Was I the only person who didn't know about this money being available? I hope this inspires those who didn't know to make a claim. (September 2004)

I was told I had eczema coz I was dirty - Mark, Crewe, UK

I have had eczema for most of my life. As a kid I did a lot of swimming and it was a race against time to make my skin to look better. Then my farther told me it was because I was dirty that I had eczema. So for years after that I try to hide my eczema and did not tell anyone until I not only told someone at work I showed them my eczema and this person was great. She said go to the doctors be truthful as he must of seen worse. So I went to the doctor's and it cleared up - I was over the moon. But over the last ten years the eczema has come back. Today I can tell people about it because I know it is not because I am dirty; but that does no stop me thinking that I am ugly and that no one would want to touch me. It is silly because I have friends who know about my eczema and every time we meet we hug. Still this does not take away the feeling eczema produces in me. (August 2004)

Treating Eczema - Yassmin, Birmingham, UK

Well, I'm 15 years old and I haven't exactly spoken to anyone about my eczema. It started about a year ago when my Nan just passed away. I got a little lump above my elbow on my right arm, it itched but I didn't think anything of it. My mom told me to put some Canesten (hope I spelt that right :-)) on it, but silly me, I thought it would go away on it's own. Then through out the months, it started to get bigger and bigger until I had to see the doctors. The gave cream after cream after cream but the cream just kept it at that state that it was before, I was just glad that I wasn't irritating me anymore.

A year had gone past and I was using some cream which did help my eczema go down so it was barely noticeable. I went on holiday in 2003 to Cyprus and I was having a really good time, until came back to England and found out my Dad had died a few days before in a drink drive car crash. I was very stressful at the time because I felt like I was in the wrong because I never really knew him (we didn't live together and whenever we saw each other we would argue). So gradually the eczema spread to my left arm. It wasn't very bad but I was still worried. I went to the doctors and they gave me some more cream in which got rid of the eczema completely! I was so glad, but it run out, so I had to go to the doctors to get another prescription, but our ordinary doctor was away so I had to go to another doctor and all we wanted was a prescription for another tube of cream but noooooooooo she had to give me some cream that was psoriasis! Psoriasis!! That just made it 100 times worse!!! The spots grew bigger, they grew a small crust around them, they made my skin tight! And it was so uncomfortable, I could be in the hottest classroom and be freezing cold because of the itching, how I longed to itch! But anyway I finally got some cream to get rid of the eczema but I have scars which look quite permanent I've tried everything up to cocoa butter to bleaching cream and NOTHING works. I'm not unhappy because things could be so much worse, I could still have the horrible form of eczema caused by that psoriasis cream. I just hope that it will get better in the future. (July 2004)

A few things that have helped me - Zoey, Kidderminster, UK

I'm 13 and I've had eczema all my life, but its not as bad now I use sulpher 6 tablets, hydrous ointment and balneum soya bath oil. My skin is great but there are two places where nothing changes - that's my hands and feet. I hate them because I can never hide them like I can hide my legs or arms!!! Anyway I hope I've helped someone! thanks luv zoey x x (January 04)

My eczema was triggered by asthma & hayfever - Elizabeth, Poole, UK

I have a bad case of asthma and hayfever so I went o the doctors to see what I could about it so I got prescribed the stuff for it but that night when I had a shower I noticed the I was getting a rash on my legs but I thought it was a shaving rash! I was wrong. I left I for a while but it got worse so I went back to the doctor and he said it was eczema that was trigged off by the asthma and hayfever. It's now very bad and sore but I have cream. So parents if you have children with asthma or hayfever then watch out!
(November 03)

My eczema story - Shaun, Hereford, UK

My first experience with eczema was when I was born and when I was 3 years old I developed asthma. But getting back to my eczema when I was small it was easier for people to know what I could not eat rather than know what I could eat. I could not eat any dairy products, I could not eat bread, eggs, white meat, chocolate, orange and lemon juice so I tried goats milk / cheese and yogurt. I did not like the yogurt but I did like the goats milk and cheese which seemed to help keep it under control to a point as well as all the various creams and tablets. I had at the time, moving on a few years to my primary schools, days when I had it bad I could not write properly due to my skin flaking all the time. So I had to go to what used to be called catch up class which were for days I could not go to school. Moving on up to my teenage years, it was when I was 13 years old more or less when I finally was able to eat the last of all the food and drink that I could not have when I was young. That was also about the same time I grew out of my skin condition or so I thought because when I was 28-29 or there abouts. I moved into a ground floor flat. Living above me was an old lady who at first seemed to be a nice and easy going person. But it was not long before I found out that I was wrong. She happened to be senile where she was all nice and kind on minute and the complete opposite the next. I would be told that I had a key to her door and that I broke in repeatedly and stole stuff of hers; then there was the banging on the ceiling with a broom or something similar, so due to all that stress I had a massive outbreak of eczema. I was covered from my toes to my scalp. I was bedridden for the best part of a year and I have had it ever since that time but it has never been that bad since then. I have had small outbreaks on different parts of my body. Once one part would clear up another would appear. But you know what's the strange thing about it is that when I had the massive outbreak to begin with, thanks to ex nighbour, I had all my radiators on full blast with half a dozen blankets on my bed. I now need to use a large fan to keep me cool. I am now almost 33 years old. Ah well it's a strange old world. (Sept 03)

My eczema - Vaidehee, Brighton, UK

Hello, my name is Vaidehee. I've had eczema for 18 years, on and off - from extreme to almost nothing. This is the first time in a long while that I came on the Internet to find out about eczema, purely because in the past I've found that where ever I look there are always such a wide collection of views and opinions. I get frustrated that there isn't one clear definition and one simple cure for it, and for something that to people who don't know is just a little skin discomfort. Having just read your 'ABOUT US' section, I don't exactly why - but I felt compelled to detail a bit about my eczema (so I'm sorry if this is a bit lengthy!). Here goes. When I was ONE - a week or so after my first birthday - my mum tells me I had some sort of flare up in my face. I became red and swollen and very feverish. I forget the exact details because honestly everytime I think about it - it makes me angry just thinking that that was the cause of 18 years worth of discomfort. So anyway I ended up having some sort of antibiotic treatment and THAT mum feels was the beginnings of my eczema Over the years my parents have spent thousands and thousands of pounds on treatment - pills, creams, oils, herbal medicines, research etc. it's hard to imagine how much money my eczema has robbed off them. But after everything, after all of the treatment - I finally decided when I was something like 15 that enough was enough. I gave up all my treatment - and refused to visit doctors who were so very eager to give me steroids and pills. So I stopped - the only cream I have been using is a cream called Dermatique. A friend recommended it to my father a few years back and I've been using it ever since. At first it was an absolute GEM. It was made by a man who created a mixture inspired by his sons eczema and sold it on the Internet - which now has probably made him a very rich man. The jars are very expensive - at approx £25 each. So when I was 16 - everything was fine - I had great skin - a little acne which is the norm at that age - and all was well. Then came the summer of 2001. I went to Houston, Texas - on a spur of the moment trip with my aunt to spend a month with family. Nothing could have prepared me for the heat I was about to endure - actual OVEN heat - Gas MARK 7 type of heat. It was insane.

Anyway - we think a mixture of 'foreign' foods and the heat caused what has been the worst eczema I've experienced to date. The swollen incident was repeated all over - and I had watery fluids actually being expelled from the cracks and sores on my face/neck and arms. It was horrible - so beyond words I don't know how else to describe it - my usually big eyes were reduced to tiny slits in my face because my skin had swelled up so much. It was a nasty experience being away from home and not having my mother who has known the ins and outs of all my skin problems with me, and it was so hard talking to her on the phone. But that was that - and I went to a few doctors in the US - and they gave me quick fix steroid creams - and I drank ice cold drinks and put a lot of ice on my skin - and within a week or so - I flew home - and Dad's first comment at the airport after taking a quick look at my skin was 'so what were you fussing about!' - there was no redness, no swelling, no bleeding - just good old skin. So - that was the start - the next two years of my life were just as hard. A few months later - my parents had hired work to be done on our kitchen and bathroom - which meant for two days - there was no running water, but alot of dust and fumes about the place. This in my opinion along with the Houston trip created some really awful eczema for about a year after - I had severe eczema on my face and neck, and my inner arms. It was stiff and painful and came at such a difficult time with exams left right and centre. The worst memories of that kind of skin was the total distortion of your own features, - I had skin constantly peeling of my face, dry skin twenty four hours a day, and such stiff rigid skin, it literally meant my neck was restricted in movement. This went on for a while - and it was only until this May that I've found something close to normal skin. I don't wake up with gallons of flakes on my bedsheet or blood on my clothes and the pain doesn't exist. Obviously - it's still there - but in minimal measure - and I'm determined to keep it that way. I've learnt that no one thing can cure eczema It's simply impossible - so this Dermatique cream has simply been one of the factors - one doctor told me that it may have even hindered the healing process. Over The past year - I became slightly obsessed with purity and cleansing myself inside - it's sounds abit extreme - but it's so simple - drinking at least 1 litre of water a day - plenty of fruit and veg, exercise daily and a healthy mind. Doctors always use - 'it's stress related' - as a cause - but I'm fed up with that - find me a long-term cure for the worst disease I've ever known for God's sake! I still don't believe I should have had to go through that during the two most important years of my education - but like I say - I've learnt a lot. Steroid creams, and tablets aside - it's starts from how good your body is feeling inside. So now - I've tried to act as though I have normal skin - I've always wanted normal skin - skin which doesn't require constant moisturising - skin that even though I don't wear makeup - can take cosmetic products if I so choose. Skin that can handle the products out on the shelf to give you 'radiant looking skin'. Skin that I don't need to hide anymore under long sleeves and trousers in the summer. Skin that says - so what I have scars - I'M SENSITIVE! so I started using this THREE step Garnier cleansing thing which is supposed to be good for your skin - and occasionally - because it's the summer I'm having eczema flare up on my tummy - which is where it all starts - so that means I'm being lazy and not sticking to the exercise/water/fruit philosophy. I still have the doctors steroid cream and moisturizer on STANDBY - but I'm still using Dermatique. Which is why - (she says as your falling asleep at your desk) I was interested in the Aloe Vera products. I actually feel like I can read beauty magazines now and genuinely consider using the 'body shinner' that Halle Berry uses - but we'll see! Right now - it's a step at a time - and I need a moisturiser that I can use instead of Dermatique. (August 03)

Turn the water temparture down - Daniel, Mansfield, UK

Just a piece of advice I have found works wonders with my eczema. I had tried everything and spent hundreds of pounds trying to cure my eczema. In the end I found that all I needed to do was to turn the temperature down in the shower, you see, although warm/hot water feels good it is actually having a detrimental effect on your skin, give it a try. (July 03)

Dairy free didn't work plus other theories - Harj, Birmingham, UK

I myself have had eczema since born, and am now 24. All my life it has been a struggle to alleviate the symptoms of eczema. As I have got older and understood more on the problems associated with eczema. I have tried many remedies from conventional steroids to alternatives such as Chinese, herbal, Indian, but none have ever got rid of the problem. I have since read a many books on the subject of dermatalogical system and anatomy, and have had many theories on the control of eczema. Some of these theories I have tried myself, others could only be done with professional medical means and research and investigation.

One of the worst decisions I have made in life was to take the advice of someone who said that dairy produce should be not consumed, something which a lot of doctors or alternative therapist also stand by, but I disagree slightly especially in my case. When I had first stop taking dairy produce (age 19) my body started to heal and for about 3-6 months I felt so much better. I could sleep better, handle the summers without problems and go out without thinking twice. Then all of a sudden my eczema started to creep back in very slowly. And for the first time since I was a 6-7years old eczema started on the back of my neck and over the next 2-3 years has come on the front of the neck, on my face, cheeks and scalp.

I have also now got eczema on my hands, top side of the wrists and on the right thumb (same as my dad). I have had eczema generally on the creases of the knees and arms, but now it just not seem to go away. My theories relate also correspond with the way my symptoms have developed. I have never really had hayfever, but when I was 19 my eczema had totally cleared up in the summer but for the one season I had the worst hayfever, but never ever since then. I don't know what happened, how the body immune system had worked but I wish I had a personal medical researcher who could test me for all possible. I am still investigating various theories and just the help of medical scientist to investigate further. (June 03)

Lifestyle can help eczema - Val, Teddington, UK

I have had eczema since the age of 5. At that age it was only on my elbows and I can only remember being prescribed a couple of tubes of Betnovate. But then when I turned 13 I got this terrible itch on my forehead, and thinking nothing of it, I scratched it and left a terrible rash. I was prescribed Hydrocortisone and Diprobase. As time went on the eczema spread over my eye lids onto the rest of my face and quickly all over my body. I tried absolutely everything and my parents spent a fortune on different treatments. My whole body ached and the worst thing was school (especially P.E) and the summer. Whenever I could, I became a complete recluse, refusing to go anywhere-even down for dinner. My mum took me to a dermatologist at 16 any my eczema cleared up. I was so happy. The problem was that the dermatologist told me to trail off using my steroid cream but I couldn't, I became completely addicted because of the effect it had. I am now left with pigmentation to my Forehead and cheeks. Sometimes the pigmentation lightens but when I get depressed it gets worse and my skin flares up again. I still hate going out at times and I have to keep out of the sun as the slightest exposure takes me weeks to heal. Everyone tries to find there own way to manage their skin and I really do believe it comes down to life style. Eating well, sleeping well (not too much) and drinking A LOT of water doesn't completely do the trick but it helps so much. The worst part is when you alienate people around you due to how you look. But try to stay positive like I do and so many others I have read about do. Suffering in silence is the worst and I am so happy I found this website. (April 03)

My eczema has not been a problem since I realised the following - Charlotte, UK

(1) Eczema is the problem, not scratching!

(2) Crucially - my GP explained - Red skin is infected skin. It is this which itches, hurts, and looks bad. Steroids can make this worse, and won't
make red skin less infected. This is so true and he prescribed me Fucibet
cream after having eczema for 20 years. Fucibet cream has some steroid but
also anti bacterial and anti fungal agents - this applied to red infected skin has an effect within a couple of hours, making skin loads less red and getting rid of the infection really effectively and quickly. It's only required for a few days at a time. You have to get it on prescription - it really was the magic cream for me. I've used it on spots even and it's fab. Since I've had Fucibet cream all I've needed is a general skin moisturiser, even just a lotion of any type. I'm 25 now and have NO eczema patches at all. I used to have hands covered in it, feet and knees, sometimes elbows. None at all now!!!!!

(3) I partly must have grown out of it, but it can come back in tiny
patches.

(4) In the sun, areas that once had eczema, even up to 20 years ago, seem to have less protection and come up in white watery blisters, then get itchy
and so the cycle starts - I put factor 25 sun block stick on these areas
now (knees, bum/leg bit, hands) and I'm fine.

Hope this can be contributed to somewhere. I think it's really important. (April 03)

Not using products with fragrances helped - Ashanti, Jonesboro, USA

I discovered that I had eczema 4 years ago. I spotted them on my back. I didn't know what it was until this year. I went to a dermatologist and she told me what it was. The medication that I was given helped me out alot it got rid of the eczema on my back, but there were still scars. I stop using items containing fragrance such as: soap, detergent, lotion and perfume. I still have spots but their not as bad as they were before. (April 03)

Alternative treatments can work - Marcus, Cheshire, UK

After 30 years of stubborn,dry, lichenified skin, I found steroids no long term solution ... never apply them to a place usually visible. Things that worked beyond the doctor's meager little list of drugs: Chinese herbs, if persevered with for several months, are great itch relievers; homeopathy, graphites, for example, proved good at reducing redness; with both these treatments you have to be regular and avoid things that interfere ... eg too much alcohol ...
and I found eggs and dairy products made the skin explode in rage. Dead Sea Salts are excellent skin softeners and destressers, also too regular courses of acupuncture or reflexology; finally, a sunny holiday or sun bed plus drinking LOADS of water, with sackfulls of fresh fruit and veg, all help even the most painful and maddening conditions...

You don't have to do all these things, but keep trying until you find one that works ... it may take months, but it might last years!! Finally, you have to try things for a while, and be prepared to give up old, lingering habits if you want new, happy skin ... (April 03)

Melaleuca - Jayne, Toronto, Canada

As a Mother living with Eczema in our home. (Son, myself.) I have found that Melaleuca products are Non-Prescription cure to this horrific problem.
Growing up with eczema as you know, is not easy. Laundry detergent, toxic cleansers in the home, and creams with perfume, are difficult to steer away from. Melaleuca makes all of these products. By removing all toxic chemicals, phosphates, and adding Melaleuca to our lives, we are suffering less. Much less. Now, if we could only take all the synthetic fibres out of Hockey jerseys, Football jerseys, and elastic from our socks! Melaleuca rules, where very expensive prescription ointments couldn't help us...

I would like to briefly recommend reading Sue Armstrong-Brown's book "The Eczema Solution". I have suffered from eczema all my life - varying in degrees and mainly a problem on my face, but I do get it all over my body. I am constantly searching for solutions. I read this book and although I still get some eczema on my face, the eczema on my body has completely cleared up. It doesn't require you to follow any complicated instructions or exclude anything from your diet or lifestyle, except itching! It just works by concentrating on breaking the itch-scratch cycle. It is really great and I would recommend it to anyone with chronic eczema. (Feb 03)

My daughter has atopic eczema since she was about 18 months old. She has it on her arms and legs. And we have brought her to many GPs and skin specialists for treatments, hoping to find the most suitable one for her.
They will give steroids and moisturisers (Urea cream 5% or Aqueous cream) to control her eczema. These are only able to control it at a certain level.
We have found that she needs to drink plenty of water to keep her skin hydrates especially when her meals are rich in protein and during dry seasons. And her condition improves too on raining seasons. We have also realised that a walk in the rainforest does helps on her dry and itchy skin, making it less red and dry. I believe that water and nature is very important to eczema sufferers. Good Luck to all. (Feb 03)

First of all I would like to thank you for providing such an informative and supportive site for eczema sufferers. Before I read you site, I thought I was the only one on this earth who suffered from the extreme discomfort of this disease. I will definitely take all the suggestions and advice into consideration but I'm as of now still trying to find my own "cure". I have been living with eczema for almost 10 years now. The reason why I am writing to you is because I came across one of your reader's stories which really struck a chord with me.

This is in reply to the message written by "Life with eczema - Nellie, Brisbane, Australia". Nellie, I would just like to say how greatly your article touched me and what a wonderful person I think you are. I first suffered from eczema when I was 14, and it was very difficult for me to think about boys or dating or how anyone would react to my condition. I worried about whether I would ever have a boyfriend. But if someone is special enough to get to know you, they will see past what is on the outside. As you said in your article, let your personality shine through and understand that you are a beautiful person in your own right!! Once I realized this, I became less self-conscious about my scarred legs and arms. Eventually I met a very supportive and caring person who now knows more about my condition than I do! But please don't be discouraged. Beauty is on the inside!!!
(Jan 03)

Life with eczema - Nellie, Brisbane, Australia

I am a 14 year old girl. I have atopic eczema since birth. It was very severe in my younger years. My mother tried everything under the sun when I was young. I was an extremely unhappy child. My mother then decided that all the treatments had failed to give adequate results. So she ended up letting me eat a full diet with the exception of dairy products. (only occasionally). I became much happier,(especially my taste buds!). My mother gave up on doctors who would have kept me on cortisone creams and steroids which would have just pushed the conditioned under the skin not to mention all the long term health risks. My school years were and still are very hard to cope with. Such as kids not being able to accept my differences. As a teenager I doubt that the opposite sex would be able to get past my unsightly skin condition. This makes me feel sad especially when I like someone and I know I haven't a hope. I wonder sometimes if I did get lucky, what would be the reaction if my new boyfriend was to hold my rough hand or see the state of my legs. I do hope I grow out of it or if that's just a pipe dream. If you have eczema and your still going to school, I think the only way to survive is to let your personality shine through and understand that you are a beautiful person in your own right and if you can love yourself, then others (popular crowd)will to. I am fortunate to be blessed with understanding and supportive friends. (May 02)

Disability Living Allowance - Jo, Bath, UK

I don't know if you are aware of this as I haven't seen any mention of it anywhere on your website, I was told by another mother whose child had severe eczema that in the UK you can claim disability living allowance. I claimed it 5 years ago and was awarded the high rate care for my child, which takes away a lot of the financial burden that comes with eczema, and it also means that eczema is recognised as a disabling condition which is great. I hope this is of some use to you. Great site by the way, keep up the good work! (April 2002)

Feature about Systematic Review of Treatment for eczema? - Tania, London, UK

Has anyone else read the article 'Systematic Review of Treatments for Atopic Eczema' in the features page? If not, I highly recommend it. It is a real eye opener but, unfortunately, it may not come as much of a surprise to most of us that nobody seems to have really looked at the best way to treat our problems. This report seems to give fuel to my suspicion that most of the treatments out there have not been tested and can therefore not be said to be effective or ineffective. Considering so many people suffer from this awful condition I think this is inexcusable. Does anyone else feel the same? Features section (Feb 02)

Insulin has kept my eczema at bay - Gerry, Leicester, UK

I thought you may be interested in my experience. For the past several years I have suffered from vulva eczema and despite many consultants input it became worse and worse and steroid creams were the only thing that kept it in any sort of control. In August this year I was diagnosed with Diabetes requiring twice daily insulin injections and since four weeks after the insulin injections started I have not suffered from the eczema irritation at all. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this continues and I wonder if other sufferers are indeed suffering from undiagnosed diabetes as I was for many years. The average time before diagnosis is between 5 and 7 years!! At the present time in this country there are at least 1 million undiagnosed sufferers. Interesting isn't it????? Regards Gerry. (Jan 02)

Things are improving for me - Eugene, Sydney, Australia

I'd like to tell you about my life with eczema. I've pretty much had this disease ever since I was a kid, but it's not until the past 12 months that I have been required to see a specialist and take ongoing treatment. Eczema has affected my life adversely. At times, my condition has become so bad that I have considered ending my life. But hopefully, the battle is not lost yet. I am regularly seeing a dermatologist and taking medication. I have improved significantly by keeping my skin moist through sorbolene and taking oral medication (Neoral). I also use a topical steroid ointment, but have been advised to apply it sparingly. Along with the treatment, I have also changed my diet significantly. The things that I have cut or reduced eating are seafood, nuts, diary products, berries, soft drinks, red meat, alcohol, citrus fruits. As well as looking after yourself on the inside, I have become more aware of my environments. I have move out from home due to several reasons. Damp, dust and my dog (who I dearly love) have been a contributing factor to my eczema. 4 weeks after I moved out, I was almost back to normal. However, it has since reappeared several times since then (about 6 months ago). I have come to realise that this disease is not going to go away for good. I just have to live with it. You know, there is one thing which I have learnt from my experience and that is to never take things for granted. I have given up so many things I used to eat and do in life just to keep my eczema under control, but it's all worth it. Another thought which I always have is that there is always someone else who is a lot worse than me. I am very fortunate to have many people who love and care about me. That in itself is my pure desire to keep fighting on. (Jan 02)

Embarrassing comments - Melodee, Oceanside CA, USA

This year was the first time I really had a bad "breakout" of eczema. I started breaking out really bad on my arms then it soon spread to my shoulders and then on to my neck. Most of you who suffer from eczema know that it seems to get very red and bumpy. I was very self conscious about my skin and its appearance, but I learned firsthand about how we should never judge someone by their appearances as I would soon learn. I probably got a taste of my own medicine because one day at work (I am a grocery store checker) a regular customer came through my line and made a comment to me. She asked if my boyfriend had given me "monkey bites" all over my neck. I turned red from embarrassment as I explained to her that I have a medical condition. She too turned red from embarrassment for making that comment but I forgave her. (Aug 01)

Potato flower baths - Maria, UK (Maria's full story is available via talkeczema on request)

I read an article about you and the web site in The Express yesterday. It brought back the difficult times I had when my baby (now almost 5 year-old) had eczema. I remember how desperately worried I was that his unsightly appearance will keep other children away and what a lonely and unhappy times will face him at school! I thought I would share with you a remedy, which, I believe, helped to cure my son's condition. He developed eczema at 3 months, although already at hospital were he was born had to wear mittens over his hands because of scratching his face. It had progressively got worse and almost 80% of his body was affected, causing a great discomfort. He was prescribed Balneum Liquid for his bath, soap substitute and Diprobase ointment. Then, an old Polish dermatologist told me of how he always prescribed potato flower baths for eczema and how it helps his patients. I started using it, continued using the prescribed emollients as well and, within 4 months, my son's skin has healed. (June 01)

I was let down by the medical profession & acupuncture - Julian, Manchester, UK

Hi ... I found out about this site after reading an article in Sunday's Observer's "Life" magazine (27/5/01). I am 45, and I got eczema when I was in my 30s! I remember having a shower, and noticing red areas appearing whilst drying my self with a towel. From there it developed on my chest, and spread to my groin. It's recently spread to my inner legs. I feel VERY let down by the medical establishment. All they seem to know is to push Dactakort cream onto you, and its use has scarred my skin. I am extremely bitter about that, and don't trust them at ALL! I have changed my dietary habits over the years which feel have helped, i.e., I drink plenty water, as much organic food as I can, and try and keep away from stress (though, as you know, is hard to do in this society) ... I believe in my case it was stress which was a contributing factor, plus environmental influences. I contracted the disease when at art school, 1992-1995. I had a very stressful time there, and the building was right next to one of the busiest traffic junctions which included flyovers. Any way, I am now involved with community arts. Last week I was invited to a lecture concerning acupuncture. A member of the audience mentioned that she knew of a person who had had ear acupuncture sessions, and eczema had cleared up! I was thinking maybe Deborah might consider this as possible treatment for Alice.

Lavender/rose water in the summer - Yvonne, Diss, UK

Summer is bound to turn up eventually (?!!) and I always keep a bottle of lavender water or rose water in the fridge! A quick spray brings great relief and prevents the scratching from getting under way!

A note of caution about lanolin - Bridget, Grantham, Lincs, UK

Just a note of caution regarding advice on using E45 moisturisers - some of these contain lanolin, to which many eczema sufferers are allergic (especially me!). If you are allergic to wool, avoid anything with lanolin as this is a derivative of wool. I have lived with eczema for all but 2 years of my life and have two children, the youngest of whom is worst affected with eczema. I am fortunate in that I have a brilliant GP who works in partnership with me in managing both my skin and my daughter's. As a result, I have always been able to ask for a consultant referral and have never been refused. There are very few consultant dermatologists in the UK and eczema is not taken seriously by many (quote: it's only on the skin so it can't be that bad). Please harass your local MP by asking them to ensure that the recommendations from the All Party Group of MP's on Skin are pursued in the next parliament (see the Observer, 27th May). I can be contacted through 'Find a Friend' and look forward to hearing from you!

Tips for an eczema-free life! - Chantal, Holywell, Wales

I have had eczema since I was 3 months old and still have it today. I have been to 10 different schools in my 14 years of life. Here are some tips for people with the same problem as me: keep your house as dust free as possible and change your bed covers weekly. Try not to eat a lot of foods which contain a lot of fat. Use E45 creams - there's a whole range of them. Try and take a walk - fresh air is good for your eczema. Open your windows regularly to let in that air. If you follow my advice you'll be well on your way to a normal eczema-free life! Thank you for reading this article.

There is hope! - Joanne, Southampton, UK

Thanks for setting up this web site. I am 29 years old now, and when I was young there appeared to be nothing like this to give my parents any help. During my early teens I spent many months with my arms bandaged from wrist to shoulder because the eczema was so bad, and I had my fingers bandaged on and off for as long as I can remember (since I was small). Then when I was about 16, it just suddenly got better. One thing I would say is that eczema often bothers the parents more than it does the child. Sometimes adults can underestimate a child’s capacity to deal with things and get used to things. As a child, eczema was just part of my life and it was very rare that anyone would comment at school - if they did the comments were usually curious not nasty. My parents tried not to make a big deal about my eczema so I just accepted it as one of those things that made me a bit different to other people. Don’t ever think that there is no hope - there is!

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Page updated: 8 July 2008