Eczema questions

[Deja Q]

I've read up on most existing treatments (corn starch baths, steroid creams, and so on) but nothing seems to work. Even trying to make jokes out of it hasn't lifted my spirits either (:cry:).

For those of you who suffer with it, what have you done that helps?

Thanks!

[mopinko]

1. saran wrap?

not sure what part of you is afflicted. but i had it on my arms when i was a kid. it was where they sat against the desk all day. i was given some kind of cream to put on it, then i wrapped it with plastic wrap and adhesive tape. it kept the stuff on there, and softened up the skin to make it absorb it.
i wonder if duct tape will do the same for eczema as it does for warts. put a little patch on it, replace as needed for 2 weeks, and let us know how it works.

[Deja Q]

2. Will try...

Arms, chest, legs, ankles, it's pretty bad this year so far.

Not that I often date or socialize, but right now I don't even bother going out, it's THAT bad.

[Justitia]

3. My husband was prescribed steroid cream (temovate) & it works.

But, you must apply it twice a day and it goes away gradually.

I also use temovate for another skin condition, use it the same way and it is gradual for my thing too.

His dermatologist said that his type of eczema (on his hands) was probably caused (or exacerbated) by excessive dryness. She advised him to wash his hands less, don't use antibacterial soaps, and frequently apply thick hand creams. And she gave him the steroid prescription (temovate).

Best of luck.

[midnight]

4. Go to local health food store and look at some omega vitamins.

Also take a good vitamin b with an additional b-12. That is a start plus a good multivitamin. Those are steps for long term relief. For short term relief try Elidel cream- I believe it is non-steroidal.

[hedgehog]

5. Have you ever been checked for food allergies?

Maybe something you're eating is causing the problem. What about switching laundry detergents?

[flamingyouth]

6. I second this.

I was diagnosed with a slew of food allergies late last year (some biggies: soy, eggs, wheat, etc.). When I eat wheat (I mean, who doesn't want some bread when you go out to eat or an occasional cookie?), I notice that my eczema flares up.

My insurance wouldn't cover the more expensive allergy test, but I paid out of pocket for it and am glad I did because I feel that it's helped me. Good luck, HT - I've had eczema my whole life. It's not fun. :(

[BlackVelvet04]

7. turmeric capsules.....

seriously. My dad had a skin condition that was diagnosed as eczema by one doctor and psoriasis by another. The condition went away and only occasionally crops up if he goes a long time without turmeric. he takes turmeric again and it goes away completely for months.

[schrodingers_cat]

8. turmeric? really? does he just put the regular ground spice into gelatin capsules?

[BlackVelvet04]

10. AT first he just used the spice in tomato juice

but then he bought capsules at the health food store. (Sorry I just saw this reply.)

It worked for my eczema in my ears.

[pnwmom]

9. Have you looked for potential food triggers?