Your Stories - Scratching

'The Eczema Solution' has stopped me scratching - ls de Guerin, Guernsey

I have had eczema all my life and am now free of it thanks to the programme for overcoming scratching as explained in the book 'The Eczema Solution' by S Armstrong Brown. I was fortunate to have visited the Chelsea and Westminster hospital this summer where the strategy was explained and great encouragement given. The combination of steroid creams and anti scratching strategy has really worked. I still can't believe after all these years that learning how to stop scratching has brought such fantastic results. (September 2005) Contact Is de Guerin

Dermahydra - Lynne, UK

Having had eczema all my life, I was delighted to discover that Derma Hydra handicklenz foaming formular stops itching immediately. This is the only product ever to do this and I wanted to tell other eczema sufferers in case it helps them too. I got it from allerbuys. Thank you for the opportunity to share ideas with others. Lynne (November 2004)

Gammaderm - Ms T, Northern Ireland

At the age of 4 months my son developed a patch of eczema on his shoulder, as the years went on several other patches showed up on the usual places, inside elbows, behind his legs. Often he would wake up in the morning with his skin in these places raw and bleeding from him scratching during the night. The doctors prescribed the same creams over and over again, Diprobase, Fucidin, Eumovate and Oilatum for the bath.

He is now 4 years old and his skin has dramatically improved why - Gammaderm cream. I read an article on Gammaderm and telephoned my local chemist to see if they had it in stock, they had not heard of the cream. I then phoned my doctor to see if he would leave a prescription for my son which he did without hesitation. I had to wait a few days for the chemist to order in the cream but once I started to use it on my son I saw almost immediate improvement.

He no longer scratches his 'itchy patches', and the cream has a pleasant smell. Anyone who has a young child who is suffering from eczema should try it, I am sure you will find it worth your while. (November 2004)

The Eczema Solution - Phil, Bournemouth, UK

I developed eczema during my university years (from 1997 onwards). In the second year it extended badly to my hands, arms, back-of-knees etc etc. A year later during my work experience year it was beyond belief - I couldn't bend my fingers without the skin splitting and then bleeding badly. Visits to the GP were pretty much a waste of time. They prescribed stronger and stronger steroids and creams, which seemed to work for a limited time and then the eczema would always come back. Eventually I was referred to a dermatologist. I underwent the patch testing routine (which rather amusingly told me that I wasn't allergic to any of the 100 odd patches used). I continued using wet-wraps on the nights where the eczema was particularly bad and this provided some relief for a day or two afterwards - it always came back though. Well, this year saw a dramatic change due to a number of factors. Firstly, I booked a long holiday to Australia and New Zealand and didn't want to 'suffer! ' whilst being away. In addition to this I had a particularly bad outbreak about a month before leaving. I decided to visit the GP again - it was a new doctor and she was really understanding and supportive. She prescribed a new steroid cream and a short course of antibiotics (as they do!), but the real winner was finding talkeczema.com - I read through the stories and saw the recommendations for a book by Sue Armstrong-Brown called 'The Eczema Solution'. I am a pretty cynical individual in general and don't believe in wonder cures. I remember believing that the eczema would be that bad for the rest of my life and becoming thoroughly depressed as a result. I did however order the book from Amazon and it was THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE! The author has provided the means for me to dramatically improve the condition to almost perfect skin. Alongside the book I made some other changes to my life - cooled the water temperature down in the bath, had a grade 3 haircut so didn't! need to put hair-gel on (as I'm sure this may have been a contributing factor, but OK I do now look like a bit of a thug admittedly :o). I stopped drinking milk and replaced my obligatory cuppa-tea of an afternoon for hot water with Manuka honey in (which I'm told is somewhat health-giving)! I gave up alcohol for a short while too.

I can't begin to tell you about the improvement - I honestly can't believe the change. Things are sooooo much better now. I still have to be careful and follow certain precautions (as the book advises) but it seems to be genuinely under control (hmm - I feel the need to touch some wood here; guess confidence is still an issue)! Anyway, I would really, really suggest reading the book as for me, it was a god-send! After reading it you think 'that makes so much sense - why didn't I realise that was what was happening'. It would be easy to disclose the contents of the book here, but I feel that the author should make a fortune for developing the strategy and seemingly helping so many people like me out of a very very deep hole! Best of luck to all of you in your quest for no more itching! (July 2004)

The Eczema Solution - Farhana, London, UK

I also followed the book "The eczema solution" with amazing results. I had severe eczema throughout my teens and by the time I was in my 20's I had given up on it ever getting better. The book was my miracle! I only have a small patch of eczema now, the programme did transform my life. I have been struggling to raise awareness about this book and am totally frustrated by the lack of interest from dermatologists. If anyone wants to discuss their experience with me, or wants to know more about my experience, please e-mail me at free_from_eczema@yahoo.co.uk ~ Knowledge is power, we have to break down the myths about how eczema should be treated by educating one person at a time... (March 2004)

Gammaderm/Evening Primrose - Catherine, London, UK

I recently bought some Gammaderm from talkshopdirect to try to stop the intense itching my 5 year old suffers from with his eczema. It's been fantastic and I was so pleased to see it featured again in the latest In Touch newsletter. I would strongly recommend people suffering from itching should try it as it does stop the need to scratch. More information can be found on www.linderma.co.uk (March 2004)

Apple cider Vinegar, Joanne, Kitwe, Zambia

My story is about scratching. I have had eczema most of my 37 years and have passed it to my daughter which breaks my heart. I just thank God that hers is not as bad as mine was at her age (6). I often thought if I could stop scratching I wouldn't break the skin and it would be great. I got fed up of people looking down at me as if I had a contagious diseases. I came across some natural gel that stops me itching made from apple cider vinegar (which I found on a natural product web site but now they have their own web site - www.grandma-vines.co.uk) as soon as I want to scratch I slap some gel on and the itch is relieved immediately!!!! I feel like it is my miracle gel. I use it on my daughter which is so easy as when they are small and you are trying to make them stop itching its hard. I have now just bought more of their products after having samples of body cream and bath oil. Oh they are heaven after having a cupboard full of products and medicine that just do not work. I was over the moon to see it advertised on your web site as it has really made a difference to my life and my daughters. I live in Zambia and I have it sent over and it is worth every penny I spend on postage !!!! (March 2004)

Book recommendation - Sam, Leeds, UK

Just wanted to say what a fantastic site! You have created a much, much needed online community for Eczema sufferers to exchange stories, tips and potential cures!

I am a 27-year-old Web Designer working in Leeds, and have suffered from Eczema all my life, and until recently I never thought I would get out of the vicious itch-scratch circle! But after spending one Sunday afternoon browsing around your site, I noticed someone had recommended a book called The Eczema Solution, by Sue Armstrong-Brown.

The book deals with every aspect of the condition, not just physically but also emotionally. The basic gist is that in order to get Eczema under control you have to not only use emollients and steroids, in the first instance, but also use Habit reversal for the scratching. Which obviously sounds easier said than done! But by using the steroids, emollients and the habit reversal techniques together, it really does work! And something which I have never been told by doctors is to use the steroid cream, not only until the skin is visibly clear, but 2 weeks after that in order to calm the skin underneath, as stopping the application too early leads to the skin just flaring up again and again. I am now in week 3 of this programme and can only say that my skin has never been better, and is continuing to improve day by day.

I just want to shout from the rooftops about this book, as it has given me such immense relief from what has been ruling my life for the past 27 years. I feel like I've been given a new lease of life, and for the first time in years, I am in control of my skin and not the other way around.

I hope others will find it as useful as me. Please can you advertise this book more widely as it has changed my life! (September 03)

Book recommendation - Helen, Prague, Czech Republic

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)

False nails have reduced my urge to scratch - Tania, UK

I recently read that you can stop the 'itch scratch cycle' by having nail extensions fitted. The idea is that the false nails are much thicker than normal nails which makes them less able to tug and damage the skin. Dubious as ever but willing to try anything, I popped down to my local nail shop. Half an hour later I became the proud owner of long, healthy looking nails that were as blunt as a plastic sword. They felt really weird and at first made even the simple task of picking up a piece of paper almost impossible. After over thirty years of having short, nibbled nails, however, my hands looked long and elegant for the first time. But what about the theory - did they stop the itch scratch cycle? Well, yes...and...no. What they did do was reduce the impact that the constant itching has had on my skin. To my amazement it is actually looking much better and seems much easier to maintain with a simple routine of bathing and emollients so, in addition, I have been able to cut back on the steroids to practically nothing. I do still itch to the same degree, but I create much less havoc when I do. The blunt nails have, however, meant that the satisfaction gained from scratching the itch is greatly reduced, to the extent of frustration sometimes....but all in all I've been really pleased. What makes this all that really nice is that the improvement has been gained it is such a nice pampering way - it must be worth a try. Initial nail fitting = £25.00 and the monthly maintenance - £10 to £20 (dependent on damage) (July 02)

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Page updated: 19 September 2005