How to deal with Eczema??

Question

... I've always had it and still searching for answers. As a child I had terrible eczema all over from head to toe... as I got older it started to get milder and sometimes it comes and goes.
Changing my eating habits has certainly improved my skin alot... but still have this problem once in a while. Once it starts to flare.... how to deal with it... would you let it run its course OR is there any way to calm it down??

Answer 1

I've also had eczema all my life. A lot of different things can cause flare-ups; from eating certain foods, some lotions/soaps, and stress is a big one too. Mine flares up when I'm under a ton of stress or having anxiety issues (family drama, relationship problems, or even an upcoming exam).

To keep it under control, especially when I'm having a really bad breakout, I take Benadryl before bed. It's an antihistamine, so it helps if your eczema is brought on by environmental issues. I use desonide ointment on the affected areas about 3+ times a day, unless I'm breaking out on my face, in which case I use plain vaseline. Desonide (and any ointment with steroids, for that matter) should not be used on your face because it thins out your skin. I break out on my scalp too, so I use Nutrogena T-gel to shampoo my hair when that happens.

Above all, try not to use lotions or soaps with perfumes in them. Dove is a great brand, and Keri lotion as mentioned. Nutrogena has some good eczema friendly products as well. You may want to change your detergent to something allergen free; Tide makes one, and there's also Dreft (used mainly for baby clothes, but it's still a good brand).

And speaking of laundry, make sure your clothes don't have any materials that will irriate your skin. Wool, angora, stuff like that, can be really itchy and bring on a break out.

Hope you get better!

Answer 2

My little boy had eczema on his cheeks. I was not sure what method to use but I didn't want to make my boy go through any surgery treatments at this young age. Some suggested a plastic surgeon since it was in a very visible location but our family doctor recommend this natural guide.

Best Eczema Treatment?

Answer 3

You should pay attention to what you are eating. You wrote that changing your eating habits has improved your skin. Food allergies are a cause of atopic dermatitis or eczema. You can log what you are eating when you notice a flare up. Leave that food out to see if it helps. I am allergic to numerous foods. Especially things that are not cooked, vegetables and fruits. Sometimes a person may be allergic to animal dander, dust, mold, the seasons changing, and dairy products. You will need to see what is affecting it. You also can see an allergy doctor to help with the new meds that now treat some of the symptoms.

As for never getting it to go away, mine has been under control for years, and I used to have it bad like you. You can bring it under control.

Answer 4

My daughter had eczema very bad as a child and our pediatrician said absolutely no more than 2 baths a week and to use Keri oil in the bath water when she did get one. Also using a good moisturizing lotion on your skin, preferably one that does not have perfume in it as that in itself can cause an outbreak. Limit your exposure to the sun and wind as both can dry the skin. And use of the clear gold colored bar soap, I can't remember the name of it, but it is very mild and non drying.
Some of the most common food allergies associated with eczema include peanuts, chocolate, oranges and strawberries, but you could have allergies to most anything, and animal dander is another very common cause. Hydrocortisone creams can be helpful in controlling some of the symptoms, but it should be used only according to the directions.

Answer 5

you will never get eczema to go away. I have it as well. you can only control it with medication. I was given a topical cream called Clobex. It works for the most part and controls it for me.

Answer 6

The use of the natural remedy in Repcillin could well be the best solution for you.
It is not widely accepted in South Africa as one of the best remedies for eczema.

Answer 7

vaseline. Hydrocortisone. lotion. Baby oil.