May 1997 Eczema Mailing List Archive

We're interested in hearing from anyone who has tried to treat their eczema with acupuncture. Did it work? Did it fail?

I have had asthma -- which we all know is related to eczema -- for fifty years. A few months ago I started having acupuncture treatments, with remarkable results. I went from 10 puffs of Azmacort twice a day down to 1 puff once a day, with no change in peak flow meter readings. This is thrilling, so we're thinking of trying acupuncture for our 12 year old daughter, who has eczema and seasonal pollen allergies (but no asthma).

Remember my recent email to you about free radicals and grape seeds? Well, see "AntiClogging Flavonoids in Purple Grape Juice" from http://www.injersey.com/Living/Health/Eating/grapejuice.html and a special note for infants & toddlers.

Here are some sites I found on the Net that have more information about free radical scavengers.

• http://www.hyperweb.com/jlpm/report.html Go to the index page and look at the microscopic live blood analysis
• http://www.marketamericausa.com/IsotonixOPC3.html
• http://www.usana.com/products/proflavanol.html
• https://www.accelenet.net/lifeplus/pages.cgi/8019 

I have had eczema all my life, but it wasn't until I moved into an old house during my first pregnancy that I became chronically total body irritated with AD (I've decided to tell people, when they ask, that I have atopic dermatitis. It sounds more serious than saying eczema, since so many do come back with, "oh, I have that too." And then they seem to be thinking, What's her problem that she can't deal with a little rash? It's really a different animal when you are constantly bothered by itching and soreness.)

Even though I'm an adult, the Julius Roth Foundation agreed to treat me. During my second pregnancy my skin, that was under control (after 3 years of trying everything--acupuncture, topical antibiotics, prednisone, vitamin therapy, urine shots!), became unbearable again. The chairman of JRoth, was extremely kind and helpful. They offer a bath therapy oil, therapy gel, and therapy cream that work together. I was able to keep my eczema under control during pregnancy, in the hot, dry summer (even without air conditioning). I really get unbearable itching when I sweat. No exercise.

Of course, after about five months, the creams stopped being as effective, but I still haven't had a flare-up comparable to where I was before. I would definitely recommend JRoth's treatment to everyone. Although they do mainly treat children, I would give them a call if you feel it might help. At least take a look at their web site.

Also, my new baby started getting eczema at three months (not too severe), but after using the JRoth treatments I had for me on him for a couple weeks he cleared up.

I have tried acupuncture for my eczema for 6 years (I have eczema in the summer due to sun and heat) and have not found it to help or if it did, it was only slightly. I am currently taking Chinsese herbs and my herbal doctor, who is also an acupuncturist, believes that herbs make a much better and quicker treatment for eczema than does acupuncture.

In late 1990 I decided to try this treatment. I went to a leading acupuncturist. I went twice a week for 8 weeks and then once a week for 10 weeks with no meaningful results. In 1992 I decided to try it again with a more well known clinic. I moved in with my daughter for 3 months all together.

To make a long story short, the only thing I got rid of was a lot of money. They just kept saying that I needed more and more. There seemed to be no end to the treatment which was daily. I finally had to say that enough was enough. I know others have had good luck with this treatment but it didn't work for me. One thing that I feel like they should do is to provide you with references. I asked for these from the start but was told that it was confidental material and couldn't be supplied to me. All I asked for were some names and phone numbers of persons that had good results and would be willing to talk to me. In retrospect, I should have declined treatment at that time.

This has also been my experience, but I only tried acupuncture for 2 months, 1 time per week.

My CHT (Chinese Herbal Tea) cleared up my eczema in a matter of about 2.5 weeks. I can't say it's only from the tea, however... I've also been following the "Skin Deep" program, have cut back on milk products about 80%, and have been laying in the sun for about an hour per week.

Let me past on something that was quite a miracle for me. I had been on Azmacort (plus Slobid and Serevent) for over 1.5 years when my allergist asked me how the medications were working for my asthma. I told him that they were working in terms of basically preventing asthma attacks from waking me late at night, but I'd be happier if I could go running without inducing asthma attacks. He said he was having a lot of success with Flovent versus Azmacort for a lot of his patients. I went from 9 puffs of Azmacort per day to 6 puffs of Flovent per day and my running went from inducing an asthma attack in 10-13 minutes to being able to run for as long as I want (typically 20-30 mins) without inducing an attack. I would highly recommend Flovent.

Hannah's derm also said the worst soap for ANYONE, especially those with eczema, was Ivory. He also told me to add Aveeno colloidal oatmeal powder to her bath and not use any soap on her body. He said the oatmeal was a natural, mild cleanser that was close to the pH level of skin (or something like that). And he said that an 18-month old would rarely get so dirty to warrant using any other cleansers. Anyway, that is what I have been doing for Hannah and it seems to help.

At this point in time I am refraining from putting corticosteriods, occlusive barriers or humectants on my skin. That pretty much leaves me with nothing to put on; but, then, I won't have to wash it off every day either. The time I really feel the need to moisturize is after a shower. I really have to fight the impulse to put on corticosteriods, but I find that just using a little jojobal oil ("virtually identical to human sebum oil") will get me through until the itching and drying reaction from the shower wears off.

I go for acupuncture once a month for a few reasons. For a while I thought that hormonal stresses on my body had something to do with my eczema because I would always have a premenstrual flare-up. Supposedly acupuncture is good for PMS & other stresses on the body. I think acupuncture has helped alleviate these stresses on my body and in turn has helped my eczema. So, what I think is that acupuncture indirectly helps my eczema.

I'm wondering what other people do to get over their eczema cycles... Personally my skin will be nice for a while, and then regress back into the nasty status of eczema. Of course I'm always trying to figure out what exactly causes the eczema to come back again but it's a long and dull process of elimination.

Anyway, my skin usually gets the typical fiery red and then subsides to a darked red... Then the skin gets rough, dries, and exfoliates. It's a pain in the rear especially on my neck and face... I have to pile on moisturizers in order to avoid looking like a snowfall in January (hehe).

Obviously the skin drying and flaking is not pleasant and I'm wondering what people's "best method" is for dealing with this stage of eczema. Sometimes I'm wondering if giving my skin a good scrubbing every few hours is the best thing to do as it removed the dead skin, but it seems to also irritate my skin and increase the redness.

It's a mixed period for me... Sometimes I'm glad because usually once the dead skin is gone I'm clear for a week or so before the whole thing starts over... But at the same time I wake up in the morning (like today, for example) in a good mood until I hit the bathroom and flip on the light, only to see that my skin is red and irritated. It ruins my self esteem.

I'm also wondering what everyone's "first warning sign" was that they were starting to get affected by over-use of steriod creams and such? I've been using creams and ointments for a while now but don't want to go overboard... 

I've already noticed certain areas of my skin are more prone to break out and/or sunburn - and these are the same areas I've been using topical crap on for a while now.

I read an article a while ago that basically said if you used moisturizers on your skin for too long a period of time the body slows down its production of natural oils and such.

If this is true, it's possible that dependance on moisturizers could actually be hurting our skin more than not using them... Everyone seems to agree that "most" moisturizers actually cause the skin to dry out more (at least that's what I have gathered from this list).

Now, I know that moisturizers didn't cause my eczema but what I am thinking is that using moisturizers a lot may actually be making my skin more prone to flare ups if I miss moisturizing often... 

I'm trying it out right now... I've stopped using moisturizer on my face (the area where my eczema is the most troublesome in terms of looks) for a few days now... Although my skin is a little bit dry and it feels a little tight, it looks and feels better. I'm washing my face with water every couple of hours and then letting the water evaporate.

I've got bad allergies as well and it might help to not be putting additional crud on my face.

My oldest son just came down with chicken pox, which means my youngest with eczema will eventually get it. I am really concerned how this is going to affect him. As if he didn't itch enough...

Has anyone tried bathing in the Dead Sea salts? I found them at my natural health store. The Dead Sea is supposed to be excellent for skin diseases. It has a very high concentration of salts. I'm assuming any sea salt would probably be just as effective though. My derm recommended reg. sea salt in my bath. Can anyone explain the logic behind it?

While this is an eczema group I saw a comment regarding Flovent. As it happens my sister in law is a pharmaceutical rep who gives me sample flovent inhalers. I already have tons of other inhalers but decided to try the Flovent. I was very impressed. As long as I use it consistently I was able to reduce my inhalations by at least 1/3 and still be asthma clear. It comes in Canada in 3 different dosages -75 mcg(micrograms) 125 mcg 250 mcg. I have always required the higher dosage as I play squash regularly. But it has kept me asthma free with less medication than anything I have used before.

All that to say, I highly recommend it.

Tonja, I do not want to scare you, but ezcema & chicken pox could be very dangerous combination. We have a baby who has had ezcema since she was two months. She caught chicken pox last December. Although we had had a lot of problems with ezcema before, after chicken pox it became a real nightmare. Eczema became much worse, including bleeding from all itchy areas. After that my wife and me also experienced Margareth's breathing problems, spasms and asthma-like attacks.

She spent a week in hospital on antibiotics, affilin and ventolin. When we came to hospital and said to doc that she had had chicken pox she replied "Oouu, that is the only thing which should not have happened!". Several times we have been to the emergency room where she has been given inhalation and cortisone injection. All in all, in our case chicken pox was really the turning point (unfortunately towards worse). Now, almost six months later situatuion is still tough. She has severe ezcema on face, arms and both legs, she is scratching herself almost all the time and sometimes sha has spasm. Recently whole skin became infected so she has to receive antibiotics injections one week, twice a day. It should finish coming Tuesday and we hope that it will be better afterwards.

The sad thing is that nobody had told us before about possible problems regarding ezcema and chicken pox. Afterwards talked to lot of people (including doctors who are ezcema specialists) and read several articles about this topic. Even for the normal child without eczema chicken pox ruins immune system and it takes up to three months to build up immunity again. For children with eczema (who bassically already have weak immune system) it could be much worse. The worst thing (which we fortunatelly have not experienced) is something called Koupie (I am not sure this is a right spelling) syndrom which could be dangerous for life. It is caused by some herpes virus which is (at least it is what I read) similar to chicken pox and often misinterpreted.

Well Tonja, I know that what I wrote above upset you but that is the fact. I would like to make aware other people of possible complications with chicken pox. I hope that you WILL NOT experience something similar. So, if you can, try to "isolate" your son! (although we were told that once that sympotms are recognised it is usally to late because everyone in the house is already infected), but I think it is WORTH trying.

We've stopped using moisturisers on our son's skin; not so much because we thought they might do much harm, but mostly cos they weren't doing any good! After we targeted Rees's allergies and he stopped scratching, we found that the skin was still very rough, dry and cracking quite a lot, especially in the back of his knees and on his ankles. We doubled the amount of evening primrose oil he was taking as a food supplement and cut out all creams and within three weeks he looks great. The skin is still red, but the thickness is diminishing and his bad patches are no longer cracked. Also, we stopped using emollient in the bath - someone a couple of weeks back suggested using vinegar. We started doing this in conjunction with the EPA - this may have had some contributing factor as to how good Rees looks. Good luck - as always with this condition, it's perseverance that gets results - hope you don't find the dryness too maddening too soon!

Polenta is an Italian dish made from cornflour (the corn meal kind not the thickening kind) and water. They are boiled together slowly until it forms a thick doughy substance (a bit like playdough!) It sets a bit when it is cooled, and is really good with stews and casseroles though a bit bland by itself. Very filling though. It is sold in Australia as polenta flour but its just ground up corn. You can do the same thing with buckwheat flour. If you find some buy the coarsest grade it is easier to cook. It also has to cook slowly so a thick pot (cast iron) is best.

My son's eczema has been *magically* under control lately. I don't know what is helping him, but I'm trying to keep it up. I was in the process of weaning him to soy formula when after six days of it he broke out worse. I decided to go back to nursing him and he's cleared up except around his mouth. We did recently purchase a whole house water treatment system -- maybe it's actually working.

Even though it was a while ago, I remember when I had the chicken pox. It was really itchy along with the eczema but I was used to the itching & scratching so it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (my parents were really concerned that it would be awful). I think I liked all the attention for something that was more "normal" to itch about. My younger sister & 2 cousins had them at the same time so we all itched together. Although I had the worst case out of the 4 of us, the fact that 3 other people itched along with me probably made it a lot easier. It was probably the only time they could somewhat relate to what I go through daily. Sorry I can't offer any advice but I thought you might like to know that someone with severe eczema got through it okay (and without any scars). Best of luck with your little one.

My daughter has eczema and had chickenpox a couple of years ago in the middle of a heat wave. She was unlucky in that the spots got infected with a secondary skin infection and her skin looked a real mess (the spots ended up looking like sores about 1.5" in diameter). I was told at the time that this sort of secondary infection can happen to anyone but is more common with people with eczema.

On a brighter note they cleared up really quickly (within a day or two) once she was prescribed antibiotics.

With hindsight we should have got the antibiotics as soon as we noticed the first infected spot, but as we had already seen our Dr, and hadn't been warned that this might happen, we didn't react until the next day whenmany more had got infected.

She recovered really quickly and has no major scars so apart from the fact that they looked so horrific at the time there was no long term damage.

Remember everyone is different. Just because acupuncture worked or didn't work for someone on the list doesn't mean it will do the same for anyone else. This is true of all treatments for eczema.

I tried acupuncture about 10 years ago. The first time there was immediate improvement within a couple of days. I was amazed, since I had been quite skeptical and only tried it because of friends' insistence. But after a couple of weeks, my problem returned and unfortunately, it never worked again. I tried it for 20 weeks and my skin gradually began getting worse so I stopped it. The practitioner agreed that it wasn't helping anymore. I did not take herbs. I've been told that herbs with acupuncture has the best chance of helping.

I had the chicken pox when I was 18. It was much easier to deal with than eczema! It might be harder for a child, but a kid with eczema might enjoy the fact that he could say "Chicken pox? Ah, that's nothin'!" Preparing you for chicken pox is one good thing about eczema.

Someone wrote: >> if you used moisturizers on your skin for too long a period of time the body slows down its production of natural oils and such. <<

I would assume that the article was referring to "normal" skin. Our skin is different. I don't think mine produces any natural oils! I ignore articles that aren't specifically about eczematic skin.

I have two symptoms of steroid saturation.

1. My skin became so thin that light scratching would tear it open. In the past I would fiercely scratch as hard as I could. That's no longer possible for me. It's as if my skin became like rice paper.
2. Getting black and blue marks all over my body. At first that really alarmed me. I thought I was getting leukemia like my mother. But the doctor said it was a symptom of steroid overuse. The marks turn yellow and go away just like regular black and blue marks. But they come back right away. 

My herbalist who also does acupuncture at his facility, told me on my first visit that Chinese herbs have a good record in clearing eczema. He didn't say anything about acupuncture even though he needed to excuse himself from our session periodically to check on two acupuncture sessions. I asked him whether he thought acupuncture is useful in the treatment of eczema and he said that the herbs are much better. 

I have tried dead sea salts and various other mineral compounds in my baths. (I'm somewhat of a health and beauty aid addict). They do seem to have an overall beneficial effect on the skin, as long as you don't use ones that are loaded with dyes and/or perfumes. I asked the homeopathic dr. I was seeing why they were so good for the skin, he replied that they (and regular ocean water as well) are loaded with beneficial minerals. The dead sea salts in the bath never cured my eczema, but they make your skin feel good, plus it is just nice to relax in a hot bath.

I use baking soda daily for my bath. It's worked quite well for the past 4 or 5 months. I've been able to avoid getting full fledged folliculitis (I've had it 5 times this year). It's also very affordable.

I tried acupuncture for my skin. It did seem to help, but they required me to come everyday--at $30 per day. I soon found that it was not worth the little bit of help. I found Aquaphor, which helped. But always there's that continual search for relief.

I've been extremely allergic all my life. It runs in my family--my dad has bad airborne allergies and skin reactions (not eczema); one brother has bad psoriasis and allergies; another brother has asthma; my sister has skin allergies (again, not eczema). I've been plagued most of my life by airborne allergies to almost anything, drug allergies, skin sensitivity, and in the past year and a half almost constant eczema (which in the past had only been an occasional thing a few days a year).

My eczema is mostly on my forearms and goes between being barely noticeable to being extremely red and so itchy that I'll scratch it until it bleeds. (Yes, I know that's not good, but I don't even realize I do it until it's too late.) I don't want to become a slave to topical medicines (diprolene & psorcon) so I only use them when I think it's so bad I want to rip my arms off.

Unfortunately, the other place that I get eczema is a little more of a problem, and I'm wondering if anyone has similar experience with this: in addition to my forearms, my eczema seems to be concentrated on my nipples. (I wish I was kidding about this.) Unfortunately, wearing a bra aggravates it, and (I apologize if this doesn't sound too "pretty") then the skin breaks open, the eczema starts "oozing," which in turn gets stuck to my bra and dries there, and when I take it off at night, I end up ripping the skin open some more, sometimes causing bleeding. This has become unbearable, and I've taken to now wearing "non- stick" bandages in my bra in the hopes that they'll be easier to remove with less grief. This is driving me absolutely insane. Any suggestions on how I might deal with this?

I'm also wondering if anyone has ever found a connection between eczema and water in different areas of the country. I have noticed my my eczema got really bad right about the time I moved to where the water is much harder. Could it be possible that the water is also having an effect on my skin?

My eczema got really bad when I moved up here to college from my old town. I had some skin problems before as I have bad allergies as well, but nothing like this. I only drink bottled water and I find it hard to believe that 10 minutes in the shower a day can affect my skin that much, though.

The most frustrating thing about my eczema is that "anything" can cause it. It seems there is no definitive way to solve the problem... If I could just figure out what it was that was causing it, I would feel a lot better.

I've had eczema since I was about 2. But when I got pregnant with my first son I started oozing on my breasts. I understand how you feel. I used to wear nursing pads so I wouldn't stick to my bra. I went to a derm, but the cortisone (can't remember which kind) didn't help enough. I know I used olive oil to help not stick to my clothes. Eventually what worked for me was vitamins, minerals and spring water. I think.

It's always hard to tell which of the remedies is really doing the trick. Also, the therapy offered by J Roth Foundation in England (they have a web page) helped keep my eczema under control during my second pregnancy.

I bought a water softener when I moved to a city with really hard water. It does seem to help, though I still get really red and am itchy unless I keep lubricated.

When I stay in a hard water area and use the water there my skin becomes very bad. Whereas it can clear up, quite miraculously in soft water areas. At the moment I live in a hard water area and my skin suffers for it. I will be installing a water softener soon in the hope that I will improve.

I know I have to work out a daily routine which I MUST ADHERE TO. Work will have to fit around it, not the other way round.

Yesterday was my last day at work and I have been signed off for a month. My colleagues and especially my boss have been superb and the support they are giving me is overwhelming. I will be doing a daily diary during this period to log what I eat and what I do during the day. I will also be having various allergy tests.

I know I will not be cured but my goal at the end of this time is:

1. To have a daily routine. This includes exercising, yoga, eating properly, taking vitamin and herb supplements, and general stress management.
2. Be totally committed to looking after myself and work will fit around my well being. Not the other way round. 

Even though I am a man, I can attest to the fact that sore nipple(s) are very aggravating. Clothes just make it worse and even wearing a light T-shirt bothered me. First, I started going around bare-chested - at home, of course - my nipple looked awful. I tried cutting a circle in a T-shirt so it wouldn't rub my nipple - it looked silly, and you can't walk around town looking like this - man OR woman!

My regular treatment for my hands (Beta-Val & Ultravate) didn't seem to work at all. I too tried bandages that (sort of) helped. I have a Dr friend (not a derm) who suggested that I try an antibiotic ointment and gave me a tiny sample but told me that any OTC product would work the same. I bought a tube in the drugstore for a couple of bucks.

Hey! Guess what! It worked! My nipple now looks pretty good. I would smear some of the ointment on, put on a bandage to cover it, and it slowly (2 weeks) got better and better. I kept it on, night and day, changing it twice a day or so. At this point, it is normal. Has been, for a few weeks - and I haven't put anything on it for the last week or so.

One thing, though: The Dr told me NOT to use steriods on my nipple. I tried it anyway, and it did not feel good. Gave me a "burning" sensation, different from where I usually use it - on the backs of my hands.

BTW, the Dr also told me NOT to use Beta-Val and/or Ultravate on eczema that was infected. Infection should be cleared FIRST. My nipple was cracked and bleeding, but was obviously much better just 24 hours after using the antibiotic ointment. Did not try zinc oxide, but that was after my experience with the Beta-Val.

Sue, Your story sounds similar to mine. One thing that I have found to help is breaking open vitamin E capsules and spreading that on them. It's kind of sticky to so it stays on and helps with itching. I also think stress is a big part of the ezcema.

Last summer I went to Hawaii, and I went swimming in the ocean a lot. DID WONDERS FOR MY ECZEMA. I was scared at first and brought a lot of mosturizers with me to the beach because I thought that as soon as I get out of the water, my skin would be bone dry and I would itch.

However, my skin was soft when I got out of the ocean, and the reddness and the eczema really subsided. (this was at a time when my eczema was kind of bad.) I think that the salt water disinfects bigtime and perhaps that is a reason why the eczema got better.

For anyone lucky enough to live near an ocean, try swimming in it regularly to see how it helps the eczema.

After joining this list, I have also realized the importance of not overusing steroid creams and ointments. I only use them on select spots, sparingly, and NOT EVERY DAY.

Thanks guys, for always providing a wealth of info. It really helps. One fine day we are all going to wake up with "Noxema" skin.

I only use steriods as a last resort... interestingly enough, I went back to Ixtapa last December, and stayed in a hotel room below which (the floor below) where they were painting. Instead of my skin being helped, I had a reaction to the paint which caused me to have to use steriods to get back into a liveable state. My advise to you is to not expect a given formula to work, because as you probably have noticed, things that work one time do not necessarily work each time.

You may even find that in the future, for periods in your life, stress will not be a major factor in your eczema. I would encourage you to deal with what you know has been bothering you and your skin during this one month period, and don't give up even if you don't get all the results that you want this time... things do not always work out the way we want them to so we have to keep trying different things and see how they go. Good luck in your endeavor. Look to yourself as well as the allergist and dermatologist to figure out what is helping and what is not. I believe that over time, most of the answers have to come from oneself and gathering information for oneself thru places like this, etc.. The medical practitioners have a set of experiences and methods for helping people, and we, who have the most interest in and experience with ourselves, need to be the major players in caring for ourselves.

Mallika, Did it burn really bad when you were in it though? I tried last year and it burned so bad that I got out. Now I'm wondering whether or not I should have toughed it out.

In my opinion you should have toughed it out. It has at times taking me a while before I get results from sun and salt water.

I have eczema on my hands and eyelids and a very itchy scalp (Head & Shoulders is helping) but these I can live with, my main problem is around my MOUTH. I have been on antibiotics for a couple of months which has helped with secondary infections, but it is a constant problem, and sometimes I wish I didn't need to eat.

I'm really interested to know if anyone else has this problem - sometimes my whole mouth area is a big scab or a big angry red moustache!

I have seen on other internet sites and from my doctor that steroids even 0.5% hydrocortisone actually make this worse - definitely true - I used steroids almost constantly for 2 years (betnovate 1/4 and 1% hc) - now my skin is REALLY THIN - I can't even rub it without it breaking, also the lines, deep, deep cracks around my mouth are really ugly I look like an old lady smoker (which I'm not) and of course the usual redness and flaking/peeling.

I am in a two day cycle at the moment - vaguely clear, then dry then peeling/sore/red - I lose a layer of skin every two days, this is the most in control it has been since I stopped using hydrocortisone.

I have come to realise that stress, aggravation and worry make the itching come back (within a few moments) but I do have a few things that have helped:-

1. I have tried giving up milk and all dairy products for the last month - I have noticed that I have lost that terrible itchiness, but the redness, itching, dryness and deep lines remain.
2. I have been using a complete multivitimin plus 1000mg Evening Primrose a day.
3. Another useful cream has been Calmurid (which is listed on the FAQ) - this contains 10% urea and 5% uric acid, I use this diluted with aqueous cream as the stinging is intolerable otherwise. This is not greasy or occlusive and seems to penetrate the skin and soften it a bit, considerably better than any of the other many OTC creams I have tried, although it becomes a bit sore it seems to be able to 'breathe' and does not become too shiny and dry. 

I do not use soap (ow!) lipsticks, normal moisturisers (only aqueous cream and emulsifying ointment) - I have been very interested to read all the info on not using moisturisers, humectants etc, but I tried using none for a week and the skin felt like I had tape stuck to me - it was so dry and in just broke open and oozed continually.

I also suffer from cold sores (herpes simplex) and I sometimes wonder if this is connected.

Sun seems to make it worse - I also suffer from sun allergy/prickly heat all over. Dry air, wet air, hot air, cold air make it worse too!

I have come to realise that eczema is very personal, caused by different irritants, aggravated by different things and unpredictable and irrational in its progression, but please, if anyone knows anything else I can try or knows of anything that has worked around the mouth, let me know!! I try to search deep into my psyche for deep emotional problems that cause this - ie why do I need to show the world that I am not perfect by having this obvious manifestation on my face and most specifically my mouth, but I think I just tie myself in knots by this questioning - is this the classic eczema personality?

We recently purchased a Rainsoft water treatment system from a local dealer. It is a whole house system. The unit comes with a lifetime warranty (except for the computer component). It was very expensive ( almost $3000), but our water was extremely hard and something had to be done.

I haven't had to use any hydrocortisone on my son's chest, back, arms or legs since we purchased the unit. He truly has remained clear. I hope this is what helped him, but I can't say for sure. He does still have some spots around his mouth and his neck.

3% tannic acid solution should be easy to make. Has anyone tried to make their own dust mite spray? Tea has tannic acid.

Due to overuse of steroid creams, I have that rice paper skin too. I also have stretch marks that are pink in color in my inner thighs and behind my knees. On top of that I have loss pigmentation in many parts of my skin from overscratching for over twenty five years. My dermatologist said that those parts will eventually return to a normal color but I doubt it.

I think one of the major reasons why I scratched so much (as a child) was because my dermatologist prescribed a cream that really hurt when applied. Therefore I did not use it very much (even though I lied to my mom that I did). It was only when I switched dermatologist and switched to a non-stinging cream that I started putting on the creams as instructed. My advice to all parents is to ensure that the cream that your doctors prescribe does not sting. If that is not possible, then I would keep a close eye on your child to ensure that he/she is actually putting it on.

I guess my eczema is atypical looking, whatever that means, because 2 of the dermatologists that I have seen have taken scrapings of my eczema to make sure that it wasn't a fungus, both of the tests came back negative, so I assumed that my eczema was not fungal. However, I am not sure if this is true of all types of eczema, as we all experience it very differently.

I wish I had received better information as a child. When I found ointments I was mad that no dermatologist had given me the option for my steroid creams to be in ointment. Ointments work better for me.

I have not had much luck with dermatologists. The most recent ones I've seen have not seemed to care what I thought. I kept telling him that the cortisone was no longer effective and that I wanted something else, but I guess there just isn't much else.

I am wondering if the brown patches of skin on my inner wrists is a symptom of steroid problem. I don't remember using cortisone there. Does anyone else have dark patches of skin at their wrists? Could this signify liver deficiency? (it seems like I heard that once somewhere). 

I have experienced the same problem and found that putting Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on my nipples really helps avoid the sticking/crusting and helps the eczema to some extent. (learned this from some guy friends who run marathons and have to prevent nipple chafing, or they also stick to their shirts!!)

I have eczema on my feet, so of course I had scrapings done on my feet for fungus, so the results came back negative. I also had patch test work done, and found out I was allergic to some type of glue that is found in leather shoes. I didn't believe that so, I went to another derm. and he said I had a fungus which a person that has eczema can easily catch. I was given fungal medicine which cleared up everything, but now I think the eczema is back.

So I have decided to play doctor and I am now using an OTC product called Vanicream (for dry skin) and the evaporation method. Now it looks like I have a new pair of feet.

I would appreciate if someone could give me a few pointers on *why* my eczema has become so bad. I've had it since childhood , but it wasnt that bad until 5yrs ago. Now it gives me terrible problems.

They funny thing is, when I spent 6wks in the the US last year it *vanished*. Then when I came back home it gradually progressed back to its present state in no time at all.

Wendy, Yeah, it did burn a lot when I went into the ocean because the salt stung all the open wounds, but it was worth it, because it did help me.

My dermatologist has just given me a formula for an anti-itch preparation which you can prepare at home. As you can see, it contains aspirin which, when applied topically, was found to inhibit histamine induced-itch. Here's the formula:

• Pulverized aspirin 1 gram
• Heavy mineral oil 30 milliliters
• Acid mantle cream 4 ounces 

However, other pharmacies carry the acid mantle cream on the retail side of the store or, they can order it for you if you request it. I had to call three different pharmacies before I found one that would sell me acid mantle cream, but it's worth it and cheaper to make your own topical application. The above formula works great for me and cuts the itch, which in turn eliminates *some* eczema and prevents me from resorting to stronger (steroid-based) creams in some cases.

A view on the flipside: I think you did the right thing by getting out of the water when it felt bad. Last year my husband encouraged me to tough it out. Unfortunately, I took his advice and caused myself to suffer so much. It was horrible. How horrible was it? It felt like a swarm of mosquitoes with wings of fire were living under my skin (and that is putting it lightly). This was probably because my skin was raw from inflammation. If it were just dry, it probably wouldn't have felt that way. You know, though, thumbs up to those who have been helped by the sea; and, maybe next time it will help me when my skin isn't raw. In sum, don't wonder about the past; because you did what was good for you at the time.

You have to be really strict in reading labels on all foods, even those which don't seem obviously 'dairy' -- milk and milk byproducts are put into almost everything... and make sure you not only check for the obvious (i.e. milk, cream, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, butter), but you'll also have to eliminate enything containing whey, casein, or caseinate... 

I had a mixed drink today and shortly after began to itch horribly. I wonder if it could have been the alcohol. It has never affected me in the past. Has anyone else had a reaction like this?

I've found that red wine sends me into an itching frenzy, although I haven't noticed that reaction with an occasional mixed drink.

I am taking what are called the Essentials (multi-vit, minerals, antioxidant) which are 3 separate supplements plus the proflavolin daily. I couldn't tell you exactly what specifically is helping my eczema as I have not really questioned it nor have I tried to find out as yet!!! I guess I am not willing at this point to upset the applecart so to speak.

However, if I were to speculate, I think that the antioxidant component is important. There is quite a mixture. I might, at some time, be willing to start to eliminate the effects of each individual supplement but as I have said am not in a real rush at this time.

I have noticed in the past, that sometimes when I drank, I would go really red. However, strangely enough, it doesn't happen anymore. The thing with alcohol is, it is very dehydrating and so it really dries the skin out. This is of course, with large consumption of alcohol.

Maybe it was the type of drink.

Kieran, This episode suggests that you are probably allergic to things in your current environment. For example, you are likely inhaling molds, pollens, and house dust that are indigenous to your region and these irritants may be producing allergic reactions which result in eczema. When you came to the USA, you removed yourself from the offensive environment, your allergies subsided and your eczema vanished. It can take one to two years for a person to metabolize new environmental irritants in a new location. Then, when you went home again, your body already "knew" the irritants there, so it started reacting again.

This is a common phenomenon in people with allergies. A good allergist, for example, would never prescribe allergy shots for a person until they had been living in a new location for at least a couple of years. Also, I have moved around quite a lot and each time I am always protected for at least a year or two, but eventually my allergies come back, and hence the eczema, as my body "learns" to react to the new irritants in the new location.

People who have allergic tendencies will become allergic to whatever (usually protein-based) irritants they are exposed to frequently. Another clue as to your possible allergies to local irritants would be if you were better during some parts of the year. Irritants in your environment inciting eczema can be potentially positive in the sense that you can control your environment.

For example, many people get eczema by inhaling house dust (excrement from dust mites). The way to deal with this is to cover your bedding in plastic (comfortable bags for this purpose are available from commercial allergy retailers) and remove carpeting from your house. This removes dust mites by removing the environment in which they otherwise thrive. Other possible solutions are to install filters (HEPA filters) in your heating/cooling systems to filter out mold and pollens. Some people have "sick houses" and might, for example, have a lot of mold growing in the walls or in the drip pan of the refrigerator. This is a major problem and cause of allergy-related eczema for some people but worth investigating.

You might also avoid going outdoors from 5 am to 12 noon during the high pollen season as this is time when tree, grass, and weed pollens are most active in the air. However, before doing any of this, you should visit an allergist and be tested to see what you are allergic too. You would then be able to devise a strategy, along the lines suggested above, to avoid contact with the things that give you eczema. You should also buy some books on eczema and allergies (for most people, eczema is fundamentally an allergic problem) and try to educate yourself as much as possible.

I can't use oils on my skin as it seals the skin and causes a flareup. Any suggestions for an alternate ingredient without oils anyone?

Something I wanted to mention: I discovered that when I am itching I hop in the shower and with the hand held spray head, direct the spray where it itches and I gradually increase the temperature to where I can barely stand it. It feels heavenly and stops the itching for at least a couple of hours. When I get out I put a good moisturiser on to help replenish my skin. Has any one else tryed this? I would be interested in hearing if you had similar results. This also works if your hands and/or arms are itchy. You an do it in any washroom using the tap in the sink.

What do these brown patches look like? I have brown patches too on my legs. My derm said that it is just dry skin build up. He gave me a prescription cream which seems to work when I use it. The only thing is that when I stop using it, the brown patches come back.

I have two eczema related problems and I was wondering if anybody has experienced them or has any suggestions and how to treat them.

1. The skin on my face is really dark and my derm said that it is the result of my eczema. His explanation was that when the eczema acts up on my face then it is like when someone gets a sunburn. When the area heals, then the skin darkens. My problem is that the skin on my face acts up so often that my face is about 5 shades darker than my siblings' faces.
2. My other problem is that I have these small 1 mm in diameter warts all over my face and neck. They don't hurt or anything and my sister claims that they are not noticeable unless someone is standing really close. However I see them and I would like to get rid of them. My derm said that for regular people, the treatment would simply be to put some Vitamin A cream on them. However, because I have severe eczema, putting on Vitamin A cream will just irritate my skin. (I tried it anyways and as expected it irritated my skin, so I stopped.) My derm further explained that because of the eczema, my skin has very low resistance to bacterias and viruses. He said that the only way I could get rid of these mini warts is to burn them off. I've burned some of them off, but boy is it painful and costly (about $25/wart). He also prescribe Vitamin A pills-25,000 I.U. per day. I tried that out for about a month, but it didn't work. I also got scared because I read that large doses of Vitamin A is toxic and will cause liver damage.

Forgive me but I think the eczema is causing stress and not stress causing eczema. It is very likely that allergies are causing the eczema . First step is AVOIDANCE. Get out of environments that contain allergens for you, then avoid food that causes allergens and it is likely that 80% or more of your problems will go poof. But many steps intervene before that state is reached.

With your time, go to the beach or swimming somewhere where there is clean water. Take vitamins.

One can shower almost as often as one likes if soap is not used every time, especially if the water is not hot. I prefer to use a cleansing at night as sleeping with the days dirt doesn't seem wise. The hair alone must gather lots of pollen and dust that would go on the pillow. I sleep better if I feel clean, so some kind of cleaning agent at that time seems wise to me.

And remember Ice and vitamin C are a big help. Excercise and/or sex/massage relieves a lot of tension which helps to reduce scratching.

Royce, I've tried hydrogen peroxide (9%) on my underneath-the-skin bubbles, and it does seem to dry them out almost immediately; but oooh, does it sting & ITCH! Did you experience this, too? What I'm really asking is, I suppose, is it worth persevering?

Paulina, See if you can find a derm or general surgeon who will freeze the warts off.

I've had this sort of reaction to alcohol for years. Also remember that it weakens your immunity.

Unfortunately alcohol is one of the worst offenders for me. If I have just a couple of drinks I know my face will be sore and red the next morning. The rest of my body is not far behind. I am also allergic to all types of yeast, barley and malt so all these these put together can have a devastating effect on me.

I have been advised Gin and Vodka do not have yeast. If I do go out and have a few drinks I make sure I drink I have a litre and a half of mineral before I go out and the same after. This is to offset the dehydration alcohol causes which obviously is not good for our skin.

At the end of the day alcohol is a poison which our bodies can only tolerate to a certain extent. I know I certainly have become less tolerant over the years. I am trying to abstain.

I have had a couple of fungal infections in the past few years. However since I have drastically cut down on the intake of Bakers and Brewers yeast I have not had any problems.

When I did have these infections the doctor prescribed me with specific creams with antiobotics to fight the infection. My normal steroid creams had no effect, in fact they made it worse.

In principle I agree. Stress does not cause eczema it does make it worse though if you already have eczema. A friend asked me the other day what stress I have in my life. I replied by saying, Work and my eczema.

I also know it is down to allergies and I am working very hard at this with tests and elimination techniques.

I am fortunate that I live on a beautiful island with many beaches. In my teens I used to live on the beach in the summer and my eczema used to clear up. Now when I go in the sun my eczema becomes very itchy and flares up. I put this down to the steroids reacting to the sun. I am a big believer in the benefits derived from the i.e vitamin D, as my eczema seems to be at its best around the autumn time. My body has stored enough vitamin D through the summer to last me a couple of months.

I know I have to gradually wean off these steroids which will be difficult (I have been using them for 29 years) and with the help of vitamins, minerals, correct food, and a less stressful lifestyle I'm confident I can succeed.

I do however disagree that stress and eczema is balony. Too much stress is good for noone, never mind people with eczema.

Thanks, John, for the tip about the antibiotic ointment for eczema on nipples. I too suffer as Sue does but have never tried an antibiotic ointment. I was afraid to use anything on such a sensitive area, so I've just suffered. My story was similar to someone else's story posted over the weekend in that my eczema started on my nipples when I was pregnant, went away when I nursed, and now is back again.

Those who react badly to alcohol, wheat, and SUGAR, amongst others foods may have candidiasis - which can aggravate eczema.

Candidiasis causes thrush and can cause athletes foot too. There is a fascinating site on the subject, the address is in the FAQ but to save you time - http://members.aol.com/docdarren/med/candida.html.

Personally I did not have enough of the listed symptoms to suspect this was my problem, which was a relief as the lifestyle changes recommended are quite daunting, but definitely worth a try if there is any chance of being more comfortable.

Anyone out there have any information on the effects of taking PUVA, followed by ultraviolet light A? A dermatologist we are presently seeing is claiming that it can go along way in helping those suffering from eczema. My daughter is currently having a flare up and he is very positive about the PUVA treatment, but we are not convinced.

Also, a recommendation for an OTC cream made in Rochester, MN called Vanicream. My daughter has been using it since she was 2. It was introduced to us at the Mayo Clinic and was made for them specifically for their dermatology patients.

Most definitely a fungal infection can cause eczema to flare up. I had a fungal infection on my feet for months which was misdiagnosed as eczema (actually I had eczema as well as a fungal infection on my feet). My dermatologist gave me prednisone to take orally, which appeared to clear it up. However, once I ran out of prednisone the "eczema" would come back with a vengeance. Finally, another dermatologist correctly diagnosed my condition and prescribed antifungal medication for me. She said it was the fungal infection that was causing my eczema to flare. Within days after taking the antifungal medication my feet were back to normal!

I have what seems to be the same brown patches on my neck and instead of getting better over time it's spreading down around my collar bone & getting worse. BTW, this area has been eczema-free for well over a year. I've been using a mild bleaching cream but it's not doing anything. Mine sort of looks like weird tan lines or something -- like crooked horizontal lines (dirty looking) -- I HATE IT!!! - Does this sound like what you have?

I had terrible nipple eczema a year ago, and I second one person's recommendation of petroleum jelly. As for steroidal ointment, Ultravate (halobetasol proprionate .05%) works for me; I only need 1-2 applications to clear up a flare if I catch it at the beginning. I also use it around my lips but generally don't have to do that more than 1-2 applications/month. I think it's pretty potent.

Also, take a look at the construction of your bra. If it has seams inside the cups, those might be irritating your nipple eczema. I personally can't stand bras anymore; I'm wearing tank tops. Not b/c of nipple eczema, but b/c of back eczema; the elastic bothers me.

Kelly has a good point about food allergies and perioral derm.: I noticed flare-ups when I ate tomatoes.

Now, for those of you who take salty baths: how much salt do you put in the bathwater? I'd like to try this myself.

Aspirin is acid isn't it? Much has been said about the pH value of the normal skin. Skin has to be slightly acid. Would a mild vinegar solution help as much as aspirin? Does it work if you dilute aspirin in water and soak the skin with a washcloth of the solution?

Ice helps to reduce itching almost immediately, perhaps you can make a mixture of aspirin solution into ice cubes and apply to skin.

Hot water is supposed to be bad for the skin. A dermatolgist told my mom to soak her hands in hot water and it caused havoc. She went nuts.

Do the same shower routine and slowly turn the water to as COLD a setting as possible. It might work too and be less harmful to the skin.

Vitamin C 500 mgs also reduces itching within 20 minutes.

I have gone through some of the toughest times in my life and my eczema was minimal. Stress is bad for sure, but I think it only affects eczema if it causes you to scratch. I don't think it's a major contributor to that either. I think it's all allergies.

Stress is bad for everyone and should be avoided for good health. No doubt.

It's pretty hard to find a job with no stress, unless you are one of the few who just loves his/her work. Even then there is stress.

I don't think the steroids are causing your skin to get worse at the beach. It is the allergies. I think, when you perspire at the beach the sweat irritates your skin because it contains waste products. The skin is the largest elimination organ we have.

To reduce this irritation at the beach you can do a few things.

• Eliminate food allergens for a few days before the beach. Try no food.
• Drink a lot of water the day before you go to the beach a few hours before you go and while you are on the beach.
• Showering cold water before going to the beach .
• Shower at the beach in cold water as soon as you get too hot, and lightly towel off. Repeat. 

If you skin has no openings then getting into the ocean water will be a big help. Otherwise it might sting. But the sting will subside after about 10 minutes if your skin isn't too flared up. Be sure the beach water is not polluted.

Be sure to do the beach thing in steps. 15 minutes the first time etc. Go at noon.

I guess everyone with eczema tries the hot water thing. I use it regularly too. Only don't tell your Derm Dr - they usually don't like it. But it does work for me too. After the hot water I put on some Beta-Val (which starts it to itch again sometimes) at which point, I do the hot water AGAIN, and then (again) the cream. That usually does it. Seems to soak into the skin better after the hot water. I also use cold water sometimes, but you don't get the same "heavenly" feeling!

Instead of, or in addition to moisturizers, try your favorite MEDICINE after the hot water, on those affected spots.

I just wanted to say that yes hot water feels good, I actually like the feeling of ICE COLD water better, it seems to numb all the nerves and subside the itch. I keep wet wash cloths in the fridge to stay cold so if my face gets itchy I can just lay with this on! But everyone's eczema is different and this list proves that!

Karen, I had that combination one time. One derm. said it was just my eczema, then another said I had fungus and he gave me fungus medicine which also cleared up the eczema, but it soon came back.

Once you get a fungus it can look like eczema and the only way to clear it up is to get fungus medicine.

Has anyone ever heard of this: I keep some Lamisil or Gyne-Lotrimin for yeast infections with me at all times because I believe a person with eczema can easily catch a fungus than a normal person can. I use the Lotrimin along with eczema creams to make sure I get the fungus and the eczema at the same time.

I love the idea of a cold wash cloth in the frig for emergency itching. Cold stops my itch, heat starts it.

BRIGIT, What causes your bubbles? (Best guess?) When I get them, it is an extreme reaction to eating a few foods that I know I am allergic to. I usually have to eat at least two to cause the bubbles. I am not perfectly positive about this. Yours are allergic though aren't they?

BRAD, How did your dermatologist diagnose the fungal infection? How did you happen to go to the second dermatologist? Are you going to go back to the first dermatologist?

DARCY, What a good idea! How about putting a tiny amount of vinegar or vitamin C in the washcloth water. I guess you are using the evaporation method and adding coldness to it. I am suggesting that a mild acid be added for proper pH of the skin. I am not sure how much though. A tiny amount probably.

Another possibility is icecubes made with a tiny amount of vinegar in them. Hold them with the washcloth. Stroke the skin with the cubes lightly.

Tom, I haven't tried this myself, but it looks to me as if one could make an aspirin "wash" from the fizzy type of aspirin (not the normal ones that don't dissolve completely in water).

Howard, I know that you feel very strongly about the allergy link; obviously, it is so for you. However, it isn't for me: there is NO link between what I do and/or eat and my outbreaks. And believe me, I've tested!

So, those bubbles (often much too small to be called that, really, sometimes I stare in horrid fascination at what looks like hundreds of them to one square centimetre, although at other times they're spaced out and big enough to be pierced with a needle, which does not help either but I cannot stop myself from trying) simply appear on my hands and nowadays feet FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

This is NOT an allergy. There is a cycle to it, they come, get very bad, then slowly go; and come back after a few days (used to be much longer in between).

The bubbles you are talking about sounds like how my outbreaks tend to start if I'm stressed. There seems to be a definite link between how relaxed I am and how my skin is. As some as life wears me down and I'm worried I get lots of tiny bubble-like blister things which will turn to sores if I scratch them.(Could also be related to effectiveness of my immune system when stressed too I guess) If I eat things that disagree like dairy foods or come in contact with detergent etc the sores start as hot red itchy patched. For the bubbles I put ointment on them straight away and try (emphasise the try!) to leave them alone.

In the last 6 months I have been to a Derm Dr 4 times, each of which she has taken skin scrapings from my eczema. As opposed to sending it out, she examines them herself, in another room, under a microscope. At no time did she say that I had any kind of (bad) fungus. Also, as I understand it, fungi are always with us, most of the time doing no harm. Guess I should have asked what kinds she was looking for... 

I tried PUVA and did not have positive results. I have found that UV-B treatments work much better for me and are also much more pleasant-with PUVA, one must take a medication which opens one up to better acceptance of UV-A and which means that you must wear eye protection for the remainder of that day. From what I understand, PUVA is the treatment of choice for psoriasis patients. My experience, however, may not be the same as anothers, and therefore it is worth a try. For me, the UV-B works best when I do it 2 days in a row, rather than spread out.

My 18-month old had very stubborn spots on the back of her knee joints and elbow joints of what I thought was eczema. The rest of her body was looking OK at the time and the only place I was applying any medicines was those spots. During a follow-up visit to her Dr. I showed him the stubborn spots and he said that it was a fungal infection and not eczema (which seemed to make sense to me because I heard of this through this group) but it looked just like eczema to me.

Anyway, he gave me a prescription for Lotrimin (which is now sold over the counter) and it cleared right up. He told me those spots were more likely to get fungal than most other parts of the body because they stay moist. He told me to put the Lotrimin on and make sure that her skin stayed dry... he told me to put powder on those places after the Lotrimin. (YES, POWDER. I was a bit more than surprised when he said this, but sure enough I tried it and the spots have gone away).

People with eczema may have a physiological propensity to react to stress by having skin reactions. Our nervous systems have more wiring to our skin than most people, I guess. I look forward to more studies of this phenomenon.

Brigit, I know *exactly* what you're talking about. I get these blisters on my palms over a cycle. It usually happens weekly (Hmmm... related to my 9-5 / 5 day workweek?), gets better over the weekends and gets worse over the week. I've tried popping them with a needle (Doesn't work), using ice (Can help a little), hot needles (It kills the blisters, but sometimes leaves heat-blisters), have used cryo-wart-freezing machines (Doesn't work, and leaves large cold-blisters which hurt more).

To keep my 'blister' outbreaks under control, I take lots of Vitamin A (9000-15000 iu) and Zinc (50-100 mg) vitamins in pill form usually in the morning (I'm also experimenting with Vitamin B and E). I've tried to substitute Beta-Carotene for the Vitamin A, and it just doesn't seem to work as well. Apparently, taking too much Vitamin A can be detrimental over the long run, so I'm looking into that now. All this helps to prevent the blisters from forming, but doesn't seem to do much *after* breakouts.

My real weapon against the blisters is A&D Ointment. Putting the stuff on my palms several times a day *really* helps my fight against the blisters. I've also used Desitin, which works during heavy outbreaks, but the talc-powder dries out my skin too much. Remember to wash your hands once in a while. Both of these items can be found in the baby-section of most grocery stores. A&D Ointment costs about $3 for 1.5 oz, and the Desitin is a little more.

The main disadvantage is that your hands smell like Baby-butt, but several of my co-workers are newish mothers, and they *like* the smell of Baby-butt... 

I personally believe that the blisters are actualy viral or bacterial colonies because of the way they spread. I can purposely (After throughly washing my hands with soap/water and alcohol) transfer the blisters by popping a blister on my right hand and wiping the fluid to a completely non-infected portion of my left hand. The blisters will form in 20 minutes to 2 hours, and will then spread from the infected area down the hand and over to adjanctant fingers. If it's not a virus or bacteria, the fluid *definitely* contains some sort of irritant which spreads the blisters.

Wearing cotton gloves slows the spread of the blister.

I think it's stress related, but if I take care of my hands, I won't break out. This weekend, I drove for 8 hours to go to Disneyland, spent 15 hours there, and drove 8 hours back. A very stressful thing to do, and yet my hands are better than they've been in the last 6 months.

Just need an ear for my frustration. Last Friday I went to my derm for a followup visit after finishing prednisone for 15 days and using Acetonide(sp?) cream 2-3 times a day.

When I questioned him about trying the elimination diet to see if it would help, he looked at me and said, "People with your type of eczema, severe atopic dermititis, just have it and I don't think foods really contributes." In other words, I felt like he was saying that I'm doomed to have severe eczema and have to just LIVE with it. Also when I mentioned to him that I had started vitamin supplements, he rudely interrupted with "You have to be sure that info you're getting has had scientific research, not just from lay people." "You have to be careful not to get sucked into buying products/vitamins from someone cause they're just interested in selling a product." I then told him that I wasn't purchasing the vitamins from someone, just a local store. I didn't even get to mention to him about taking evening primrose oil and borage oil capsules, and at that point, I was so frustrated and angry that I figured what's the point?! He had a comeback for EVERYTHING I said.

Needless to say, steam was coming out of my ears when I left. I'm going to search for a new derm. on my benefits plan. I'll be damned if I'm just going to sit by passively and accept that fact that I have and always will have severe eczmea. I plan to do whatever I can to help reduce or at least help control it.

My poor little Brian is so red and broke out all over again. Switching him to soy formula about 5-6 weeks ago (and off all other allergenic foods) does not seem to make any difference. It's so upsetting to see him suffering; rubbing his face and scratching all over.

To other E moms: I think I'll look into getting borage oil or evening primrose drops that I can give him orally or open a capsule and put into his bottle. Has anyone tried this?

Tom, the problem I have with hot water is that though it relieves the itch, the damage to the skin prolongs the eczema. 

Tonja, We have been TRYING to expose our son to chickenpox, on the assumption that it's easier for him to deal with it as a kid than as an adult, but now it sounds like we've been lucky that he hasn't gotten it... 

Does anyone know about the implications of the chickenpox vaccine on kids with eczema? Does it cause problems? We've been avoiding it mostly because it was just going to be one more artificial challenge to Isaac's immune system. 

Linda, Sorry to hear about your bad time with the Derm. I don't know what its like to actually have eczema, just trying to get through Daniel's. My husband use to have it pretty bad as a child, but just when he sweats a lot or in the winter his fingertips crack open.

I thought things were going a little better with Brian, since seeing the allergist. I don't know what to think about all the food stuff, because Daniel is better staying off the bad foods, but still scratches up a storm, and has never stayed clear! The only time was when we used steroid creams three times a day and an antihistimine twice a day.

I hope all goes well with you and your family, hang in there. Just about every night my husband asks "How are we going to get through this?" I always say "Just like we have been, slowly, day by day"

I did PUVA light treatments for a while & it helped clear up the eczema temporarily. A friend of mine did the treatments with much success and has been clear for years. Now she goes tanning once in a while which she thinks helps to maintain her clear skin.

The bad side: I found the treatments to be time-consuming, expensive & annoying. The medicine you take to make your skin sensitive to the light made me nauseous and you have to wear big dark sunglasses after each session because your eyes become sensitive to the light too. But I've heard that it helps many eczema and psoriasis patients.

Something I've found useful on those itchy little bubbles is calamine lotion. I'm sure no derm would agree, but sometimes it dries them out before they can break and spread, and the calamine is very helpful with the itching.

I don't mean to be splitting hairs, but I don't think you need "gynelotrimin." I think the regular lotrimin or mycelex will do the same thing (sold for athletes foot). Just in case some of the guys might be embarrassed to buy the former.

I am also in the cold water camp. I spent 35 years as a hot water fan, but my skin has much improved after I switched to cold water about 5 years ago. I keep ice packs in the freezer and only take cool-cold showers. In the beginning I missed the heavenly hot water feeling, but now when I try to take a hot shower it feels weird and I go back to cold immediately. It's so much better for my skin. I wish I could have made the adjustment years ago...

Paulina, I was just saying to my husband today how I wish I had white skin. I am constantly being told how tan I look, or asked if I'm sunburned, depending on how bad my AD is. I have a 6 mo. old baby with white, white skin and I hate having my picture taken with him because I look so dark. I guess I shouldn't be so vain about it. But we all know our skin is the first thing people see--that's why this support group is so helpful. . . before I found it I didn't know other people have suffered the same as I have--and worse. Sometimes I thought it was just something I was doing wrong to have such irritating skin.

Does anyone know if this darkened skin will ever lighten up? Am I asking a dumb question--like is there a cure for eczema? I'm still hoping for one.

I guess dry skin buildup would be a good description of what these patches look like. Although they don't seem to exfoliate when the rest of my skin does. But they are a bit tough to the touch. I'll have to look into that cream you use--although I generally try to avoid any steroid (it is steroid based, isn't it?).

I wish more dermatologists knew this. I had to find the help on my own after much agonizing. I have a supportive husband, but still my AD was a great strain on our marriage and life in general. It wasn't until I found a book, Skin Deep (not necessarily the best, but it was helpful), was I able to gain more control over my eczema and over my life.

The quality of my life has greatly improved since I accepted my AD as part of it instead of wishing for the healthy life I used to have. I think the book described what I was doing as partial (this is the wrong word, I can't remember) suicide--where you gradually stop doing the things you enjoy in life, and let your disease take over. I followed some of the steps in the book and was able to stop living a dead life. I guess having a new baby helped too (although pregnancy drives my skin crazy).

I hope anyone out there feeling depressed and overwhelmed by their skin will get help and find happiness. It's worth it. Best of luck.

If you itemize your deductions, I believe that after you have spent a certain percentage of your income (not sure what that number is, but my guess is 6%), the amount over that percentage is tax deductible.

I've never been able to do it, but the $17/week I spend on herbs plus what I spend on special soaps, lotions, and prescriptions is well worth it to me if I consider the alternative (cringe).

I too itch from alcohol, plus I get a pounding headache. I save a lot of money by not buying beer or wine.

Linda, My experience with dermatologists leads me to believe that without steroids, they would be out of business. Keep up the quest. Occasionally, we seem to find things that work for us.

Sage, I had a bad and long bout of facial eczema that reeked havoc on my skin color. My skin color is normally olive and my face became a good brown, I don't really know how many shades darker exactly. However, it did lighten up though it took a while, I think about a year. I don't believe my face will ever return to its normal color though. Bleaching creams may help although they aggravated my eczema, but I think I am allergic to the sulfites that were in the one I used.

Linda, this is exactly what we were told by both our GP and the derm at the hospital - in our case it was about our son. Their attitude was that as most children grow out of eczema (which I think the membership of this list clearly demonstrates!?!!), there is no point in testing for allergies, you should just use steroid creams, lubricants, antibiotics for infected patches and wet wrapping until it magically disappears around the ago of 6 or 7! Needless to say, we didn't see him again! Instead we went independently to a natural therapy centre and had Rees tested by a nutricienist there.

As regards giving Brian an EPA supplement - do it:-) We get capsules from our new GP called Epogam and we give Rees 4-6 daily of 80mg (you just cut off the end and squeeze out the oil - Rees takes it straight off a spoon, but you can hide it - a friend of mine put it in her son's breakfast). Before we got these, we just used to buy the capsules of the shelf and do the same thing, which was just the same, only this way is much cheaper as we get them on the NHS.

If your Derm is getting you down, do get rid of him - he obviously isn't going to change his opinions, and you sound really stressesd out by your meeting with him, which won't do you or Brian any good:-) There must be someone else out there who would suit you better.

1. My temperature control is crap - and when my skin is worse my temperature control is crap. Those of you who have woken up panting sweating etc while scratching the heck out of yourself at 3am probably know what I mean.
2. Psychologically I could be a lot better - I have strong anxieties about doctors and hospitals and have constant anxiety abouit health. (which seems to tie up with what one of the reports was saying about anxiety) 

I had UVB treatment which was extremely successful in giving me a 'new start' since when my atopic eczema has been well controlled. My atopic eczema came on in the early 90's (though in retrospect, the atopic tendency was always there) and my doctor referred me to the Dermatology Clinic at the local hospital.

As things were getting most unpleasant, a course of UVB was suggested. They have the machine in the hospital. It is an American-made machine and for UVB emits wavelengths of 290-310 nanometers. For UVB it is not necessary to take Psoralen, the photosensitising drug. Treatment started at 9 seconds, and was carried out Monday, Wednesday, Friday each week, building up in 9 second increments to a minute and a half after which the increments increased to 18 seconds. I got up to about 5 minutes. During the time I had the treatment I used moisturising emollient only (Aveeno Cream) and never required any steroid cream. The treatment was free on the National Health Service, and I got a super tan in the middle of winter!

UVB treatment is well tolerated and has high patient compliance in Britain, possibly because sunshine and tanning are associated, in our dull and damp climate, with holidays, relaxation and health. There may be a different perception of this treatment in areas where the sun in seen as 'the enemy'. PUVA is more generally used for psoriasis treatment. I will write later of the excellent results I have had from "Aveeno" cream, an oatmeal based emollient, which for me acts like no other.

I'm kinda the opposite now, I was never allowed to be in water above lukewarm. Now I use warm water, not hot and finish with a cold rinse to close the pores so I don't itch.

I also get bubbles that itch like crazy, not under the skin, but on the skin; and they are *caused* by peroxide! My husband had cut his hand pretty severely and was instructed by the Dr. to soak his hand in peroxide several times a day. So when I cut my hand, I did the same - and that hand broke out in zillions of these tiny bubbles! Then, after bypass surgery, without my realizing it (sometimes you just don't want to look!), my incision was being cleansed daily with peroxide. You can imagine the result and no one seemed to know why until one day I happened to notice the peroxide bottle. That was the end of the cleansing with peroxide. I also have a reaction to ordinary adhesive tape.

Thankfully, I'm not having any problems to speak of at the moment. I stopped using fabric softener in the washer and dryer, use detergent without perfumes, etc., and ony use non-scented, mild soaps. So life is good... for the time being! :-)

Linda, How about soy formula? Brian may be allergic to soy.

Paulina, you are probably overly conscious of how you look and to others it looks perfectly normal...

1. Re black-and-blue marks attributed to steroid overuse: I also get lots of blacks and blues, and never knew why. I have not used steroid creams too extensively, but was on oral prednisone for 13 years, so I guess it's not just the topical application directly on the skin but the basic systemic effect of steroids that leads to the bruises. I always thought that thin skin was due, at least partly, to the eczema itself, since my skin is paper thin when I am having a flare-up, but seems more resistant when the eczema is under control. I also wonder if the blacks and blues may be caused by taking too much borage oil and vitamin E, which thin the blood, perhaps to the point of excessive capillary leakage?
2. Re aggravation of eczema from alcoholic drinks: Many wines also contain sulfites, which are known to precipitate asthma in susceptible individuals. Could be that they irritate our eczema, too. I personally always get sick headaches from wines that contain sulfites (which are esp. common in white wines).
3. Kelly posted an abstract that mentioned that "[skin] barrier perturbation was induced by application of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)... SLS irritation led to a 6-fold increase in transepidermal water loss as a sign of severe water barrier perturbation... " I have been reading lately that SLS is increasingly being found a possible carcinogen and, at the least, a strong detergent (I'll try to find the references). It is an ingredient in so many cosmetic products and shampoos. I wonder if it is used to "open up" the skin to the effects, by stripping the natural barrier. 

Three weeks ago I stopped using all lotions and creams on my skin (except for Epiderma the first week). I spent the previous month weaning myself off of corticosteriods by just watering it down and skipping days. At first my skin experienced withdrawal symptoms. I had to resist the urge to reach for the corticosteriods. But, then after a couple of weeks, with the help of evaporation and jojoba oil, it's getting to the point were my skin is becoming better at moisturizing itself.

Something I did during the withdrawal was to put the inflamed skin on the healthy skin so the inflamed skin could "borrow" some natural cream (the hydrolipid film) from my healthy skin. Even during snuggle time with my husband, I put my dry skin on his healthy skin to borrow some of his hydrolipid film. Just tucking my hands behind my knees helps moisturize my hands during the withdrawal.

Remember, I don't soak in baths to preserve my NaPCA and I don't use soap in order to preserve my acid mantle, and I only shower with lukewarm water (hot water will remove your natural cream like hot water removes grease from your pans), and I only shower every 4 days in order to maintain healthy bacteria which is the only thing that is going to naturally fight off bad bacteria. The chlorine in my water is already killing some good bacteria that I want. Remember that I use a non-soap cleanser *twice daily* in certain places.

Concerning eczema on my scalp, the Nizoral helped, but the problem didn't go away. So, instead of shampooing every day like many web sites suggest (alternating medicated shampoos & regular ones) to remove the flakes, I took the principle of **less soap is better** and just washed my hair with water (practically daily & used a trace amount of jojoba oil where it flaked). I just shampoo twice a week with a shampoo. The result? No more eczema on the scalp. Once in a while at the beginning, I gave my hair a final rinse with just a **tiny bit** of vinegar in a pitcher of water (not much vinegar so that it isn't smelled or tasted).

So what is my final observation? It is better to preserve than to add.

Sage, I save all my health related reciepts that are not covered by insurance & deduct them each year. It needs to add up to a certain percentage of your salary to be applied but having eczema and trying to treat it with all these expensive products & services not covered by insurance have allowed me to deduct quite a bit on my taxes.

Does anyone know of a shampoo that doesn't contain sodium lauryl sulfate of any other harmful chemicals like propylene glycol?

I just moved from where the weather is tropical. Initial reason for moving was to get away from the sea salt in the air. Even though I lived 12 miles from the beach, I would still wake up with a film of salt on my windshield. Over time we came to realize that the salt was a definite problem.

We didn't move too far, but now the beach is 40 miles away and I can't taste the salt on my lips anymore but enter a new set of problems, THIS PLACE IS COLD, at least to me not the natives here. It's May and my windows are open. The climate is considerably drier too, this is NOT tropical weather. Just have to see how I do here in the winter.

My eczema always clears up when I vacation in a tropical environment.

Brigit, I've tried so many different treatments- some at the same time (as I know many of us have) so sometimes I can't remember the exact reaction to a specific treatment. I was very itchy at the time from those tiny little blistery bubbles so I didn't attribute the itchiness to the hydrogen peroxide. I just remember the bubbles drying out and finally disappearing. The stinging felt okay to me because it stopped the itch a little bit. Before the hydrogen perox. I was putting scalding hot water on the bubbles to stop the itch. I tried alcohol too which probably helped to dry it out too but talk about stingging- ouch. It really sucks (for lack of a better word) that we all have to go through this kind of agony. I'm sure there's a better way to dry out the bubbles. My point was just that my derm. said they need to be dried out and the regular cort. creams I use on the other e wouldn't work.

Linda, I think looking for a new derm is a good idea. You deserve someone with an open mind and who is willing to listen. Nutrition is not a big part of a medical doctor's education (something like 2-3 hours worth!) and unless they are willing to read the research and learn on their own, they just don't know. But there are doctors out there that do know, or are willing to help you try something besides steroids and medications.

Don't give up on the elimination diet--I've been on it for 2 weeks now and my eczema is MUCH better. Obviously it is food related. And Shaklee's EPA & GLA have helped a lot. I like Shaklee products, I like their research. I give my 8 year old son GLA (borage oil) for his asthma and it has helped. If I had a baby with eczema I would certainly try it.

Good luck in your doctor hunt.

Remember that doctors are selling something too. Usually their solution ends up costing a lot more (dollars and side effects) than the price of preventive medicine like good nutrition, vitamin therapy, etc. The whole medical establishment has been set up in part at least to generate large amounts of cash for an elite group of generally intelligent people. My allergist buys a new Cadillac every year, giving me a particular impression as to where his values lie.

I've tried many doctors over the years and they all tend to have a similar mind set. Most doctors are like most people. What they know about their field is what they learned in the particular school they went too, including all the mental models and socialization processes that go along. Vitamin therapy and other "radical" solutions are not generally included in the current model of traditional medical training in the USA. If, as a doctor, you don't think and behave like all the other doctors, you have a hard time interacting with and achieving acceptance in your community of interest.

Thus, we shouldn't expect the average doctor to propose or even believe in different models of dealing with medical problems. It just goes against the grain of their years of indoctrination into doctorhood. A better solution is to accept doctors for what they are, take advantage of their strengths, and forget about their weaknesses. Then, have faith in your own abilities, learn as much as you can about your own medical condition, and treat yourself to the extent you can, within reasonable limits of your knowledge base. Don't let any doctor make you mad. Don't expect most of them to behave any differently than how they have been trained and socialized to behave. If you can find the rare person who has managed to escape from the established paradigm, count your blessings.

I have had luck with Vanicream, it is really not greasing at all. Mostly, though since with cut out dairy I have seen lots improvement with only a few "bad" nights which I have no idea what caused.

My son, Daniel, has eczema; he's 29 months old and has had it for a year, before that had really dry, dry skin. Anyway, I have tried putting EPO in his bottle but they recommend such high doses for so long that I didn't do it very long. Before I got on this list I had many doubts about whether it would do any good--but people here have found it really helpful it seems.

Daniel's eczema comes and goes during the month, sometimes every few days; right now it's worst around his eyes and cheeks. I use what I think is steroid cream (I don't want to go into his room and wake him up to see the name of the cream--acetonide-something-or-other?) and it clears things up in a day or two, but after reading everything here about long term use, especially on certain types of areas, I don't like the idea.

However, before, nothing else worked. I have a hard time caring for his skin properly. He fights me putting ANYTHING on him--so I have to do it fast with a kicking, yelling kid! He sometimes helps with the Eucerin but gets big gobs on his hands and puts it on his clothes and his tummy--the two places he doesn't really need it! I have a question, too. What is the difference between ointment and cream?

Check your toothpaste for sodium lauryl sulfate - it's in there too! (It's in Ultrabrite)

Christine: How are you using the jojoba oil and how often do you use evaporation? I'm guessing that using evaporation once at night followed by a light coat of jojoba oil would be enough? I'd like to try what you are doing, although it would be hard to only shower every 4 days, and I'm not sure that my coworkers would appreciate it either! I don't believe it is necessary to shower every day, I know it isn't good for my skin, and yet it is a habit and cultural norm, so difficult to change.

Has doing all this actually cleared your eczema?

I have a bottle of Nature's Gate biotin treatment shampoo ("for troubled hair and scalp" the label says), it's supposed to be natural but there are still several chemical sounding names in it. Instead of sodium laurel sulfate, it has TEA-lauryl sulfate, would that be the same thing? It also has methylparaben and propylparaben, I don't know if those count as harmful chemicals or not, I don't know what they are. I rarely use this shampoo because it seems to leave my hair fairly dry (like most shampoos do) and I don't have scalp eczema and rarely have dandruff. Jojoba oil is also listed as an ingredient.

Could someone recommend a face cream that keeps your face hydrated for a long time, but isn't too thick, causing itchiness? Sometimes I put vaseline on my face, but I'm wondering if that is bad because the skin can't breathe.

I'd also like any suggestions about what foundations or cover-up are okay to use. And for the lipstick users out there, do you have any particular brand that doesn't dry out your mouth? Every once and a while I like to pretend that I'm not ugly and lumpy, but I worry about the aftermath. Wearing foundation also makes me feel less self-conscious. At the same time, I don't want to deliberately make matters worse.

Sue, Poor you and your nipples. If you can find this product it could help a lot. This product is used by nursing mothers, kind of a cup or plastic shield (with holes in it) that you put in your bra over the nipples. It could be called breast shields or something similar. It is used for leaking breast. It does not touch the breast and will also leave the air go around the nipple and leave it breath. They can be gotten here in my local hospital at the gift shop. You can try there or call the maternity ward at you hospital or go at a women's clinic. I hope this can help your BIG problem, good luck

Does anyone else have Reynaud's syndrome? For those who aren't familiar with the term, it basically means that you lose circulation to the tips of your fingers and/or toes in cold weather because of vasoconstriction--so much so that the fingers/toes look yellow from lack of blood flow.

I like to think that some day, all my physical infirmities--eczema, Reynaud's, calcium deposits on my teeth--are going to be found to be linked, and they'll name the condition "Andrea's syndrome."

I am very sensitive to alcohol. Just a sip of beer or wine in my mouth and I can feel my capillaries dilate rising up to the top of my head and down to the tips of my toes and fingers. Then... that wild itching that will ruin the rest of my evening. I test it every year or so... the effect is the same. It is a shame. Some events just call for a beer or a toast of wine.

I never have talked to a doctor about it as I don't think there is anything that can be done. Most doctors would probably like to spread a symptom like that to their patients that overindulge.

Good thing there are lots of tasty beverages without alcohol.

Ugh, Dermatologists can be so irritating. I have pretty much given up hope of finding one that will actually listen to me. I've tried three in my area. But I also have given up on cortisone, so no point in going to the Derm. My most recent success was with the Julius Roth Foundation in England. Their products helped keep my eczema under control during my pregnancy--during the summer. They are on the Internet--look them up under eczema on Yahoo.

You sound like a real trooper to be able to handle your own eczema and your son's. It's great that you are determined not to succumb to your eczema, fight it! Good luck and hang in there. The hope for relief is the next best thing to relief.

I found two "Ionil" shampoo products that have eliminated all itching and flaking.

• One is plain "Ionil" therapeutic salicylic acid shampoo which also contains: laureth-23, SD alcohol 40 12%, laureth-4, bensalkoniumn chloride, tetrasodium EDTA.
• The other is Ionil-T which says it helps eliminate the symptoms of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis and it contains: coal tar topical solution USP 5%, (equivalent to 1% w/v coal tar) and the ingredient listed above for the plain "Ionil"

Okay, let's try something here (I can hear you guys snickering). You're not going to reek; because, you would be washing under the arms and between the legs with the oatmeal cleanser twice daily. Further, you can rinse your hair with warm (not hot) water to cleanse it and make it look fluffy. If you work out at the gym and need to cleanse, just use the oatmeal cleanser on those two areas I mentioned before; because, water will cleanse the salt off your skin (you don't need to use soap). If you continue to use hot water and soap every day, you can say adios to your hydrolipid film and your acid mantle. Without them, though, your skin cannot be healthy. I welcome any debate to set this record straight, for I'm not out to change what's good for you or tell you what to do, I just think this is a fact that will help people understand one reason why their skin is sick.

I had patches of eczema the first twenty years of my life. At age 20, I got acute full-body eczema and was using corticosteriods daily for 15 years. Many times I had to go on prednisone. I was black and blue all over from overuse of steriods. Last year I was taking twenty benedryl a day for the itch (it took me 9 months to work up to taking 20 antihistamines day). Nothing was working, and nobody could help me. For the last year of the suffering, it was **more** than I could bear. But, God spared me.

Now, I don't use creams or lotions on my skin, I don't take any antihistamines or use any steriods. I live a new life, not consumed by the pain of eczema but by a desire to help others get better as I did.

I use Vitamin Discount Connection at 800/848-2990 for my supplements. I've yet to see another company with better prices or variety.

Here's their Web address: http://www.vitamindiscount.com/ Free Catalog: 1-800-848-2110 Customer Service/Order: 1-800-848-2990

10 years ago I was sent to an endocrinologist who put me on a very strict diet where I could eat little more than rice cakes. I kept this up for six weeks and then re-introduced basic items one at a time to test my reactions. I could choose, and made flour my first choice. Nothing happened. I was a heavy tea drinker and was torn between making it or wine my next choice. Tea won and my skin went crazy. When that happens you have to withdraw and give time for things to settle before going on. Wine was next and red wine had the same effect. I concluded, maybe wrongly, that tannin was the common ingredient. Certainly I have always found Greek wines pure poison.

I actually lived elsewhere for 2 years before suffering a major flare-up of eczema.; I don't know if I became sensitized to the environment, or what. I haven't lived in very healthy places here (first floor apt. with a dirt basement underneath me, and diesel trains across the street; third floor apt. under a leaky roof, near the turnpike), and I think the H2O is absolutely gross (leaves a rust-colored buildup in our Brita filter). Also, the major flare-up started when I was working on an underground construction project. Water everywhere, bizarre foamy growths coming out of the ceiling. I've often wondered if I developed a sensitivity to mold/mildew after spending 8-10 hrs./day in the tunnel, but I also wonder if we eczema sufferers tend to "slant" our stories to fit our latest hypothesis of "Why We Have Eczema".

I've told Drs. about the conditions in the tunnel, and only one expressed any interest in it. The others take the view that I'll just "always have terrible eczema (even though the eczema that predated the tunnel job was *never* this bad).

I think that our combined knowledge here is greater than the information we could get from any Dr. But just in case there are some Drs. reading this: I'd be more inclined to return to a physician who's receptive to my ideas, than one who writes me the steroid prescription and sends me on my (itchy) way. Think about it.

<wiping sweat off brow> Whew! Got that off my chest.

I have always believed that eczema is largely what we make of it. That is, it can be controlled to some degree by our reaction to it.

I know, that eczema does horrible things for my self esteem. I totally avoid looking at myself in the mirror, it's become such a habit, that even when my eczmea is clear, I am scared to look at myself, and when I do, sometimes I am pleasantly surprised and other times totally disgusted. I think that sometimes I am my own worst enemy.

Jessica: Brian was tested for soy and didn't have an allergic reaction -- who knows??? He goes to the derm next Tues. so I'm curious to see if she changes his formula to something else to see if it makes a difference.

Ruthy and others: Thanks to all of you for your support. I think it's time to search for another derm -- preferrably one who supports nutritional supplements, etc. I heard of an MD in my area that is great and recommends vitamins before prescriptions. I think I might switch to him and see if he can recommend a derm that's a little more open-minded.

Medical expenses are tax deductible to the extent that they are not reimbursed by insurance, and then only if you itemize deductions (Schedule A) on your tax return. In addition, the total of unreimbursed expenses must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for you to qualify for the medical deduction.

In terms of products, only costs for prescription meds are considered a medical expense. This means that OTC products are not includable. I don't know whether the IRS considers visits to CHTs a medical expense (maybe they think some people have exotic hobbies?!). Hope this clarifies our absurdly convoluted tax statutes here in the USA.

Linda, It's good to hear you've made it through 2 weeks on the elim. diet. Good for you! There's a lot to be said for giving up foods you love. I think I'll be on that road soon. As I wrote previously, I just bought the book Eczema & Psoraisis, a Nutritional Health Guide. The author, Stephen Terrass, states that food allergies plays a vital role in eczema. So once I read the book, I plan to follow his suggestions -- which I haven't read quite yet, but I'm sure some type of special diet will be recommended. I'll keep you posted and you do the same.

Also, thanks for the info about giving borage oil to your son. I think I'll start breaking open the capsule and put it in Brian's food/bottle.

JESSICA, I may be very naive. I have asked this question before here and gotten no answer. How about mother's milk? I know it must be a great inconvenience but is there a possibility it would help? What a huge relief for Brian if it did.

What your dermatologist "thinks" is irrelevant. What does current research say? Have others had success with elimination diets? YES !! Including me. Dramatic success.

Get another dermatologist. One who will give you hope. One who will encourage you to try anything safe that has the possibility of helping you no matter what he "thinks".

Dark skin is healing skin. If it doesn't get scratched or rubbed it will lighten, I think. It's like getting a tan. The sun burns and injures your skin, the red fades and you get tanned. After a while the tanned skin fades unless you go out in the sun again and irritate the skin again. I am making a comparison with a sunburned skin

Use ice to prevent scratching. Try putting a trace of vinegar in it to keep the pH slightly acidic. Take lots of vitamin C a vitamin/mineral daily complex that doesn't cause you allergies and doxepin at about 4pm. If one of these doesn't work for you try to others. Ice is very successful.

There is still no excuse for a doctor's arrogance. When I get a "I know it all" attitude from a doctor, I ask him (rarely do I get this attitude from a woman doctor) if he's offering me a money-back guarantee. If the answer is "no" (which of course it is), I politely tell him "then you don't know as much as you think you know".

As I've come to understand it... eczema can be inflamed by a lot o' things. Just depends on the person, and the type of eczema that you have. I moved to the dorms over a year ago, and my eczema broke out like never before. I was told by a physician here that people who suffer from eczema lack the resistance to infections, skin stuff, skin viruses, and things like that than other people... I've also been told that new environments with new things can cause eczema to break out.

Having to share showers with 25 other girls (okay that sounds bad... But you know what I mean) can expose you to stuff you've never been exposed to before. The whole idea that a musty old, moldy tunnel made you break out is, in no way, surprising at all!!! I've been told that fungi and things of that nature can also make eczema erupt. So, just hang in there. Your doctor/physician type should be more sensitive to the fact that the body reacts to things, period. It's a shame that more doctors don't think holistically... So, good luck all the same... And find a new doctor-type... Who understands your problem... They're out there. I've met a couple of them.

I understand about the low self esteem gig as I am a sufferer of eczema, too, who knows a little something about self esteem. For a long time, I wished I had never had to deal with eczema... It's a hard thing to deal with. of course, I have other issues... that's probably why I'm clinically depressed... which is a whole other ball o' wax. so, hang in there.

Sage, I know how you feel. I've lost count the amount of times when people have commented on my "tanned" face.

It's funny how other people are used to my slighlty red complexion which probably looks normal to them. On the rare occasion when the burning sensation and itchiness goes and my face is supple and WHITE, I get comments like "Are you alright you look so pale OR your tan's faded, Steve, you need to get into the sun." They don't realise that during this short time I feel great!! It soon comes back though.

Don't think I would like to know how much I've spent over the years, what I do know is that I have spent upto GBP 300.00 this week alone on products and tests for eczema. They'd better work!!

For years I have hid behind hats, long sleeves ect.. but lately my skin has been really good and my confidence is amazing but what I realized was that my friends who liked me with eczema, like me without it and true friends are there no matter what!! So don't worry about what other people think, the people who really care about you are those who like you skin good or bad! so just be happy to have those few good friends!!!

My dermatologist told me to avoid drinking alcohol.Wine has sulfites which are apparently bad for the skin.(I'm not entirely sure why. I do know that I had a severe allergic reaction to a medication containing sulfur.) Alcohol raises the temperature of our skin which leads to irritation, then scratching. The same is true of spicy foods. So go easy on the cayenne pepper.

I do occasionally like to have a drink. But I'm always ready for the aftermath. Wine seems to be particularly evil the day after. Just another frustrating part of having eczema.

Biolage shampoo for dry/damaged hair does not contain either propylene glycol or sodium lauryl sulfate (although it does have some other ingredients with similar names). I'm not sure whether their other types of shampoos contain it or not. Biolage is one of those expensive brands that you need to purchase in a salon, but it is a good shampoo.

Today is my fourth day away from work and all I seem to have done is gather info from many different sources. I am eager to learn as much as I can about the condition but I am becoming aware that I can only digest so much info at a given time. I thought I was well up on eczema and what effects it but my eyes have been opened somewhat at the detailed analyses that have appeared on this list. I am reading a month of the archives every two days, printing relevant pages.

My daily routine is coming together but the exercise part hasn't fitted in yet. I will introduce that next Monday.

Now I have an admission to make, I smoked twenty cigs a day and I knew they did not help with my allergies.I had to stop NOW in order for this free time to be used properly. I know it's been only four days but I have not had one since and am not using anything to aid me. I know it only takes three days for the nicotine to get out of the system so I have got over the worst part. And it was hell!! I told my boss last week if he sees me smoking when I get back to work he will have every right to accuse me of wasting the company's time, by taking this month off. Hopefully that's the first goal achieved in my quest.

Back to the routine.

Up at 6am - Luke warm shower - never hot or cold. Trying not to use any moisturiser on the face. At the moment I am using a pasta picis and eumavate mix on my shoulders and upper back. The only bad parts of my body. Last week I was completely covered, big improvement already.

For breakfast take 100ml Synerprotein drink. This is dairy free and yeast free and includes many vitamins and minerals. Then take following vitamin tabs

• 1 x EPO High strength
• 1 x multi-vitamin
• 1 x vit B complex
• Vit C - 1 gramme
• 400mg Calcium 

Lunch - As I am allergic to yeast I try to avoid bread. I normally have a salad with pasta and tuna, or chicken. Always drinking spring water throughout the day. I also take the following tabs -

• 1 x EPO
• 1 x Multi-vit
• 1 gramme Vit C - Only if itchy
• 1 x B complex
• 400mg Calcium 

• 1 x EPO
• 1 gramme Vit C - only if itchy
• 1 x B complex 

If you don't mind I will do a short diary note each night on things I have come across or have introduced to my regime, and also things that have failed. I promise they will be a lot shorter than this... got a bit carried away. I will do this only during the month I have off.

Steve, Congrats on being cigarette free for 4 days! I have smoked since I was 14 and know that I also need to quit soon since it cannot be good for my eczema.

As to dinner, do you have a grill? Meats, fish, and almost any kind of vegetable can be grilled quickly and fairly simply. Grilled vegetables are tasty over pasta and provide an alternative to tomato sauce. Salads are also easy and quick to prepare, and you could top them with tuna or chicken to make more of a *meal* out of it. The best way to learn how to cook and enjoy cooking is simply to experiment with making dishes that you enjoy, hope this helps, good luck.

I like that! (asking about a money-back guarantee) I have to give a money-back guarantee in MY business, why shouldn't they? And I don't even make as much money as THEY do - by a LONG shot!!

We need a Derm Dr that HAS ECZEMA!!

Daniel has actually been sleeping through the night for 3 nights, again, now. I think he was sleeping worse when I gave him a bath every day-which will be hard since the nice weather is finally here! I also think the Aveeno cleasing bar and bath powder dried him out worse. He got a bath last night with no soap, powder. When he got out he was rubbed down with Vaseline, got his antihistimine and ate a piece of banana cream pie (Made with a Rice Krispie crust, no wheat) then went to bed and slept all night until 7 am! It is wonderful when we can have a night like that.

As for the food alleries--I have seen a big improvement taking out what we know for sure he's allergic to. We just can't clear him completely. What actually looks the worst is the scratch marks all over him that scab over. The eczema is just a little pink. But he is not old enough to understand the itch yet.

I have this huge drawer in my hallway that has extra bathroom supplies--there are so many creams and lotions in there (lots of money worth) that we have tried and then Daniel cries. I just keep them thinking we can try again later or I can use them up in the next 10 years... 

Yes I do have a grill and I do use it quite often. To be honest it boils down to me bothering to get off my butt and taking that little bit more time to cook properly, rather than throwing something in the microwave.

Something I have noticed recently is that I sometimes become extremely tired after eating potatoes in any form. I tried it out at lunch time today. Had a bag of crisps and some oven chips. 15 mins later I was flat out on my couch, exhausted. I'm gonna give potatoes a miss for the next week and see if my energy levels pick up.

I fed my daughter soy formula, not knowing she was allergic to it in addition to cow's milk. The allergist recommended Carnation Good Start (regular, not soy). Apparently the milk protein is broken down. You may want to ask your son's doctor about this.

Don't give up on the EPO, even if it does seem such a lot to give a tiny tot - it does no harm and may do so much good! Me and my 3 year old suffered "the cream thing" for ages - he hated having anything put on, whether it was steriod cream or just a water based moisturiser. But after increasing his dose of EPO to 6x 80mg capules a day, after three weeks I didn't need to rub anything on. Obviously this was in conjunction with detecting his allergies to stop the cause of the itch.

Has anyone got any ideas on ridding teddies of dust mites - a friend of mine suggested putting them in the freezer for a while instead of through the washing machine.

I get honeycomb from the local organic shop. I have also seen it in the health shops. If you can't find it try contacting a local beekeeper, who would be happy to sell some to you. It is expensive though, 3 - 5 pounds for a week's supply.

The freezer treatment does kill dustmites... not that I've got any teddies you understand... *lol*

My 2 year old son has just developed eczema which is definately affected by what he eats. My Health visitor referred us to a dietician, who is advising us regarding what foods we should try eliminating (so far it appears to be milk, soya, some food additives, tomatoes and blackcurrants).

However she does not think it is worth carrying out any allergy tests as she believes that they are too inaccurate, and that they give both false positives and false negatives (ie type one and type two errors).

Has anyone any experience of allergy testing, and how accurate the results are ?

From Lilian R. Blanco, Ph. D., MOIF, D.G., see a great site at:
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~lblanco/topics.htm

Concerning stuffed animals: I would wash them in hot water, gentle cycle with no soap and thoroughly dry them. Although freezing stuffed animals may kill the mite, would that inactivate the allergen found in the waste? I prefer to just kill them with hot water and wash away the waste.

Linda, If you think Brian's eczema is even just partially food related, I strongly recommend trying Alimentum formula, although that's the most expensive formula on the market, but I think it is worth to give a try. We had a very good result after switching Andrew's formula to Alimentum when he was 7 1/2 month, his face stopped oozing, started to clear up in 3 days. It is hard to switch the formula at the beginning since its special smell.

Andrew got his first allergic test around 8 months old, he tested positive to egg, milk, soy, peanut, walnut etc., negative to wheat, fish, shellfish etc.. but after I fed him the baby wheat cereal, his face got red the next day, his allergist told me he should be safe to meat, but I find he had some sort of reaction to beef, veal and pork, like red face, more itching. My experience is absolutely avoiding those positive tested food, it is very dangerous to even give a try, (I tried 1/4 teaspoon ice-cream to my son when he was one year old, he got very severe reaction in a minute.) For those food which tested negative, you still need to them, start from a small amount. Trying food is a very slow process, Andrew's diet was very limited before he was one year old, his basic food includes Alimentum, Rice, Lamb, Carrot, Spinach, Apple. Whenever he had some reaction to some trying food, I knew he would be getting better in 3 days if I switch him back to his basic food group.

Now he is 12 1/2 month, more different kinds of food have been added into his diet list, like turkey, fish, pea, grape, pear, a lot of vegetables. small amount of wheat, chicken, shrimp. He still drinks Alimentum (16 oz /day), calcium forbidden apple pear juice. he doesn't scratch his face during the day time anymore,( only does that when he is angry or feels sleepy), he sleeps through the night by himself, we used to hold his hand at night in case he made his face bloody, it was part of my life to be waken up by his crying in the midnight, and try to put him into sleep in another couple of hours. We only use otc 0.5% cortide occasionally on his neck, the skin on his leg is getting better everyday after we switch Aphaphor to cephil since it is not very dry anymore.

He was 80% on everything when he has his one year old regular check up. To a baby who has severe eczema, is on limited diet, and stayed in hospital for a week because the Herpes Eczema infection, his Ped. said we did do a good job. I want to thank God to let us pass the most difficult year in my life, hope my son is on the right track to outgrow his eczema soon.

I have heard of nursing mothers who have cut out all known allergies for the baby and it has helped. Unfortunately, it's too late for that for me -- I quit nursing Brian about 3 months ago upon his derm's request (and I was ready to stop). Trying to nurse and work full-time got to be too much. I appreciate the suggestion anyhow though.

I'm a nursing mother of a 15 month old (she has the eczema). And I have noticed that after an occassional beer or glass of wine she seems itchier the next day. (Supposedly, it takes 12 hours to reach them). But I've wondered about this too: I read in one book on psoriasis that alcohol is very bad... 

Mallika, I'm glad that this group helps support you. I had eczema on my face a year ago, and I just hated looking in the mirror. I cried a lot, too, which just made the redness around my eyes worse! I called it my "clown mask", because it looked as if I had pink makeup all around my eyes and mouth. It's cleared up, thank goodness, and it turned out that most people didn't notice it very much unless I mentioned it. I think it's almost always worse in our minds.

I'm thinking of a staff member at my alma mater. She must have had very bad psoriasis on her face (red flaky patches), and I remember thinking that I was glad that I wasn't her (and then look what happened!), but I also remember that she was always smiling and friendly, so I began to see the person behind the skin condition. I only hope that other people do that when they meet me (even if I'm grumpy!).

A local beekeeper is your best source for honeycomb, for it to be most effective, it should have been made within 10 miles off where you live.

Also, mother's milk is good source for GLA.

Interesting about the bathing every day. Sometimes I wonder if it's better or worse for Brian too. All I know is that it seems to soothe him so it must feel good. Most days I use the Cethaphil soap on him but think that I'll start just using soap maybe every other day. How DIRTY can a 9 mos. old get, it's not like he's out playing in the dirt.

Anyhow, we know there's hope. And as moms, we're doing the best we can for our children!

Karen, Actually, Carnation Good Start was what Brian was on originally when he had his allergy testing done. So the allergist told me to switch him to soy. Like I said, he's still bad with either one.

Last night at his ped. appt., she gave me a bunch of Alimentum to try for a week and see if that makes any difference. I know it's very expensive stuff, but if helps him it will be worth it! How can you put a price on relief/healthy skin??? I'll keep you posted.

I've been nursing Julia for her entire 15 months and she has had eczema (in varying degrees) since 2 weeks old. She was worst from 7 to 12 months old. She has calmed down to a very "manageable" level now. Supposedly nursing is best. So, what am I supposed to think? Would she have been even worse without breastmilk or was she getting her "toxins" from my milk? Or elsewhere?...

Mallika, I also walked around with a beet red face for while. It was so frustrating trying to figure out what was causing it to get so red. I hated looking in the mirror. Everyone thought it was a sunburn or something. One woman actually asked me if I went for a chemical peel- I didn't even know what it was. Then I found out that is the last thing someone with eczema would need. They actually peel layers off your skin to make it smooth or something & it gets all red after- probably looks & feels as irritated as I was. Thinking back, no one really treated me any differently, it was all in my head. I felt so ugly & it hurt so I was miserable all the time.

Grapes have long been touted as a good detoxifyer. But grapes are also heavily sprayed with pesticides, which apparently do not wash off very easily (because it's hard to scrub grapes; also, I think they penetrate somewhat). I try to buy organic grapes for eating when I can find them. But I would wonder about how much pesticide might get into commercial (non-organic) grape juices? Could this negate the otherwise good benefits of drinking it?

A derm doctor with eczema (under control, that is) would be great (I once had a dermatologist with emphysema, and he was a *great* guy)!

The tiredness could be a blood sugar problem (either way, too much or too little). Potatoes are quickly turned into sugar.

It isin't really that my eczema is that bad. However, one portion of it is pretty noticeable because the rest of my face is clear, except for my forehead. I also have it mildly on my neck, arms, backs of legs. It is so frustrating because it is nearly gone, but not quite, and I'm so scared that one day it will come back full force. It really restricts that way I live my life. I never play any sports because if I sweat I ITCH LIKE CRAZY.

In the summer, I am very self conscious about wearing clothes that show my legs or arms, because of my eczema. I'm probably making a mountain out of a molehill, but the little things make all the difference regarding self esteem.

I just wish the eczema would go away on my forehead. The rest of it, I can live it and deal with. 

I am no longer a baby (for a long, long, time) but find that bath oil (such as Keri or a generic brand -I live in an area with the CVS chain which has their brand for about 40% of the price of Keri) and colloidal oatmeal (aveeno or again generic brands) are very good for my skin. They cleanse gently and seem to add moisture. There are also oilated versions of the colloidal oatmeal, but I feel that controlling the amount of oil is better. I also add other ingredients from time to time: sea salt, epsom salt, tar oil, vinegar. The tar, bath oil, and oatmeal are the gentlest of these ingredients and I would recommend starting with those.

I guess it was too good to be true. Just in the last 24 hours or so, the eczema has been raging on my hands. I mean, raised, red, angry blotches in all the old spots they always are. Worse than that, it seems that when it gets that way, eczema starts appearing around my upper lip and nostrils. Not quite as bad as my hands, but it's there and I can FEEL it.

My question is this: What do you men do about shaving when the eczema is on the parts of your face that you shave? I don't usually shave every day, but I HAVE to after day 2, because I start to look like a bum if I don't. Shaving this morning seemed to aggravate it, but it was already there - usually I have no sign of it on my face unless it is really bad - as it seems now. And if my whiskers grow for a few days it is much harder to get my Beta-Val down into the skin. Usually I shave with an electric razor - would a blade be better or worse for my eczema?

Usually, I sit here at my computer, horrified with what I read from the list, wondering what I would do if my eczema spread to the rest of my body. Luckily, I guess, that hasn't happened yet, but this time the eczema seems like it is even on my lips. This never happened before. What medicine do I use on my lips? Any suggestions?

This is my first real flare up with eczema. Before last week I only broke out on my hands and wrists due to too many cleaners. Jewelry will also break me out. I was raised all my life where I had to deal with the cold weather attaching my inner and outer thighs every winter.

I moved in February and figured with the warmer weather I would not have any problems. As of last week I started breaking out on my thighs, lower legs, hands, arms and now it's working its way up my arm and onto my chest. The only thing I have been doing differently that I could think of was working outside in the yard and taking long walks in the fields.

Here is my question that I hope someone can answer. I'm living out in the country and someone told me that I probably got into poison ivy or poison oak. They told me I should purchase something like cala-gen. Should I still treat it like eczema or go for something like cala-gen? My thighs are already so dry. Cala-gen and things of this sort dry the skin out more, right?

I'm using 1% Hydrocortisone cream and Eucerin at the moment. They help some, but I still wake up in the middle of the night scratching the hell out of myself. I don't want to make my condition any worse then what it is. HELP!! I'll listen and take in everything that anyone has to say at this point in my life.

I can get extremely depressed and angry with my eczema and at these times I can become a zombie. This is the main reason I had to take time out of work. To get my mind right and to focus completely on my eczema. So, as well as finding out about all the technical stuff I am also looking into relaxation techniques and exercising.

We took our son back to the nutritionist this week and in the course of the conversation she mentioned that other ways of getting free radicals from "without" are fried foods (unless you use olive oil which is apparently okay) and any burnt foods. We didn't really have the time unfortunately to go into further detail.

Argentina doesn't use pesticides.

Poison ivy and oak are just allergic reactions which causes dermatitis, remove the contact and treat it like eczema. Are you taking an antihistamine?

Our sleeping through the night ended last night. We had to give him a good bath since he was filthy dirty from playing outside all day!

I don't know if he didn't sleep because of the Aveeno soap, or the slight sunburn on his arms. Does anyone know what is safe to use on sunburned eczema kids? I know prevention is best, but I didn't have him during the time he got burnt yesterday... We were outside for about an hour today, so I made sure I lathered him with 30spf, it did't seem to hurt him any.

No I'm not taking any antihistamines. I was taking Hydrocodone when it got so bad that I could not sleep.

I do have eczema on my face. At the moment it is bright red and hot. Two years ago I gave up on shaving. It just tore my skin and became quite sore and unsightly. I now have a close cropped beard.

Yes, the beard does irritate the skin at times but nowhere near as much as dry or wet shaving did. If I keep it clean and tidy I generally do not have too many problems.

When I did shave I did use shaving balms but after a while they also became an irritant.

The only tip I can give (which you probably already know) is to shave after washing the face with warm water. This softens the bristles and opens the pores.

Decided to have a rest today. Anyway my face has flared up. It's beet red and hot. I think this was caused by walking around in the rain yesterday. I mentioned that I hadn't put steroids on my face for a week now, well I had to this morning to calm the flare-up.

Also my back is being a nuisance, again I'm using steroids in this area only. It's still a big improvement on the last few weeks where I was using the stuff all over my body.

Bought some large cotton handkerchiefs for the evaporation technique. It's only my face, neck, shoulders and top half of my back that flare up at the moment so I'm going to try the technique on these areas. Don't laugh but I've cut out holes on one of the hankies so it can fit over my face and I can still see and talk!! Will inform how this works on my bad areas.

I'm reading up on the elimination diets and food combining which I am going to try out for next week. Any tips here will be welcomed.

I have been introduced to ECOVER for washing clothes and dishes. It's enzyme free and bio-degradeable. Haven't used it yet but will inform you some time next week if it cleans the clothes and is indeed irritant free. To date I have not found a washing powder that is totally eczema friendly, and that is after two rinses. This is what I think my shoulders and back are reacting to. I only wear cotton T-shirts but my back and neck become very itchy soon after contact. Since I have been away from work (where I wear cotton shirts) my arms have cleared up. Coincidence?? 

Tomorrow I will be spring cleaning my flat. Does anybody have any suggestions of products I can use instead of polish and bleaches. I am highly allergic to both of these.

Those that are concerned about pesticides on grapes (and maybe also in grape JUICE), remember this: Grapes here in the northeast (maybe other places too) are often imported from Chile. In Chile, the common insecticide used on grapes is chlordane - which has been banned in the US for at least 10 years, and not used, above ground, on crops (in the US) for even longer. BTW, the open-field efficacy test for chlordane is a whopping 32 years!

Chlordane is a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide, related to DDT. Chlorinated hydrocarbons build up in the fatty tissues of mammals and have been (mis)used so much that they are easily detectable in the fatty tissues of polar bears and eskimos.

Steve: I did laugh, but it can't be as funny as me walking around in a T-shirt with a hole cut out for my nipple! We'd make a cute couple... 

And thanks for your reply to my shaving dilemma - I had thought of letting my beard grow, but being clean-shaven all of my life, it really bothers me after a few days growth. I guess because I'm not used to it. Much to the chagrin of my wife, I may try the beard if this keeps up.

John -- Brilliant... now that made me laugh!! Sounds like the secret attire of a certain gentlemen's club I know.

On the beard front. The first couple of weeks of growth is very itchy but it soon settles down.

Steve, It really helps me to know what other people are doing to help their eczema. I have been taking zinc and vit. e. and fish oil. Also bathing in baking soda, lukewarm bath, followed by aquaphor. I still itch a lot--and scratch way too much even with the shortest fingernails possible.

Kudos on giving up the cigs. That must be hard, but I'm sure it will be worth it. I was fortunate never to start. Allergies to wheat, yeast, etc. can sure be a pain. Good luck during this month of cleansing. Don't forget to relax mentally and spiritually too to really give yourself a full renewal. Keep in touch.

I use a Norelco on my face. It works very well and is not irritating at all. I don't have too much eczema on my face. Before I shave I shower with very little or no soap. I don't use much soap on my body.

Sue, Did your nutritienist just work on prior experience when suggesting what you should eliminate, or did he/she do any other kind of testing? For example, our Nutritienist tests by getting you to hold a sample of the product you may be allergic to, while she tests the stength of your muscle control - the result being that if you are allergic to the product your muscle control weakens - it's based on energy flow, along the lines of Meridians in acupuncture. We have found that this kind of testing is sufficient for our 3 year old, and we don't have to put him through a full scale skin-prick test (not that we could have got one through our GP if we wanted on!)

Hi Mallika, I know how you feel. I have eczema (and the related scars and lost pigmentation just about everywhere on my body). In the spring and summer, I do not wear short sleeved tops and I do not wear shorts. Aside from my immediate family, most people do not know the extent of my eczema. I also do not play any sports. In fact, I did not take Physical Education (PE) starting from age 11 (on the advice of my derm).

I am actually glad I was not allowed to take PE because I felt like an odd ball when everyone was in their shorts and t-shirts and I was in my pants and long sleeved shirts. I actually still feel like an oddball in the summer and spring. However, having lived with eczema for over a quarter of a century, I have learned to cope and to focus on all the positive things in my life. There is really so much to be thankful for and sometimes it just takes some effort to remember those things (especially when we're busy scratching). So hang in there. You're not alone.

Hi Sage, I'm always being asked those same two questions too! I just say 'yes' sometimes so I don't have to explain to them that I have eczema. With respect to your question on whether the skin will lighten up, the answer my derm gave me was "If you sit in a dark room for six months and your eczema does not act up, it will lighten up." I guess that means yes if I can stay away from the sun and prevent my eczema from acting up (which appears almost impossible).

Sue & Isaac, I know that when I was a child, my derm told my mom that if I take the chicken pox vaccine, I will get seriously ill. Sorry I don't have any other info to share.

Ruthy: I don't know, but this method sounds a little funny: Like dowsing for water or sticking pins into dolls. Just doesn't sound very "scientific" - more like what you might expect from a witch doctor. How can just holding something prove whether you are allergic to that item - or am I reading your post wrong?

So far, I find that nursing pads stick a lot less than the "non-stick" bandage pads I was using. I'm sorry other people are suffering, but it's wonderful to find out that I'm not the only one with this problem.

A holistic doctor on the web that I was in touch with is convinced that the reason people have eczema is because they are suffering from candida syndrome (put simplistically, a full-body yeast infection). A diet was suggested that was *extremely* strict as it excluded all forms of sugar (including fruit) and anything refined, in addition to a drug (I don't recall which one, but can find out if anyone's interested). Has anyone heard this or have experience with treatment for candida syndrome and, if so, how did it affect eczema? I allegedly fit the "profile" for someone suffering from candida syndrome, but don't know if I want to get involved in this type of diet if it may have no effect. Any thoughts?

I've been reading that some people in hard water areas have installed water softeners to their water supply and that it's been somewhat beneficial to their eczema. However, I live in an apartment and cannot install any sort of devices to the main water supply in my landlord's basement. Does anyone know if there is any sort of device that can be installed on a showerhead and/or a particular faucet to soften the water?

I rarely get eczema on my face, but the skin on my face is always so dry that it flakes off, and extremely sensitive (getting blotching at times for no apparent reason). Someone recommended a line of skin care products from Estee Lauder called Verite which is solely for people with extremely sensitive skin. Their "moisture relief cream" is the first moisturizer I've ever used that actually kept my skin soft for long periods of time, and you can use so little of it that it doesn't feel greasy or thick.

HOWEVER, there is an exorbitant price to pay for it. The regimen is a Light Lotion Cleanser, followed by a Calming Lotion, then the Moisture Relief Cream, and I also use a suntan lotion for the face which also gives me no reaction. However, I believe the retail price for those 4 items is about $200. If you go to a better department store (I went to Macy's), you can ask them for a free sample of their Verite products. It was enough for about a week, and I went to a number of stores to get enough product to last me almost a month--I figured that if I was going to potentially spend all that money, I didn't want to do it based on a week's worth of samples.

I had some allergy tests done last week and should get the results this week. I have also been tested for Candidiasis (I think that's how you spell it). I to seem to have all the symptoms and am intrigued to know if I have this. My specialist informed me that I will be put on a short course of drugs and then on a strict diet. Not much different to what I'm on now it seems!!

I think most of us would agree that stress aggrevates our eczema. I had no better proof of this than very early this morning. I was having one of those bad, highly stressful, dreams that keeps repeating itself. When I finally managed to wake up, I found myself frantically itching, and had torn several new holes in my legs.

I tried 4 vinegar baths. The first one helped a lot. I felt like my legs (e) were at peace that night. The second one had no great affect. The third and fourth bath started causing my legs (e) to burn. Has this happened to any one else? I kept the baths very short will the water has cold as I could stand it (lukewarm).

I was going to ask about shaving, but I saw John beat me to the question. Thanks for asking John! Even though I don't shave my face, I would love to shave my legs again. The place were I had my first outbreak of eczema about two years ago is finally starting to heal for the first time. I would love to shave it and have a "sexy" leg for vacation, but I'm afraid I might start a new outbreak. Well, better hairy than eczema.

Totally agree on the stress front. Somenone replied to me saying that stress is not a factor if you don't scratch. Well, when I'm stressed out I automatically start getting hot and itchy and then start scratching... It's easier said than done.

Spend $200 on facial moisturizers?? Apparently, one must be wealthy to have eczema! I've found creamy petroleum jelly or creamy baby oil either one make excellent facial moisturizers. I don't have eczema on my face, but I also have extremely dry flaky skin there, and either of these two cheapies work wonders.

AquaOne Shower: Price is $79.95 (GBP430). (Suggested retail in U.S. currency, does not include shipping.) Shower filter. Installs in minutes. 15,000 gallon capacity (56,800 liters) Standard with water and energy saving shower head, and the web address is:

http://www.marketamericausa.com/AquaOneShower.html and http://www.marketamericausa.com/AquaOne.html

I have been thinking about stress and eczema. There's different kinds of stress. Kinds that require immediate action which improves a situation are fine for me. FRUSTRATION is what exacerbates my condition. Stress when there's nothing I can do to alleviate the problem. I don't know how "normal" people deal with frustration (someone told me "They drink and smoke and fight etc") but I take it out on my skin. I learned to do that as an infant and have been doing it ever since. Nothing else feels as satisfying.

As an adult, I've learned to not automatically rely on it for relief and try other outlets whenever possible, but I must admit that scratching is my instinctive response to frustration.

Ok, so I hold the product in my hand... In the box, in the tube, or what? And someone can tell if I'm allergic to it?!! Sounds like mumbo-jumbo to me. Is this an accepted science?

Those of you looking at Kinesiology for help (and other "new age" cures), might check the web at this site:

http://www.rapidnet.com/%7Ejbeard/bdm/Psychology/newmed.htm

>> Is this an accepted science? <<

Yes and you can do it yourself, you don't need someone to do it for you.

Well, I don't know. I don't think so, seeing as how I don't believe it can happen from what I've read in the past 20 minutes. How can it work if I don't believe it can work? And if I need to believe in it, I am even MORE suspicious. I guess, someone has to show me a scientific study as to how it works. Not some crap about bodily fluids and stuff like that. I saw all the universities that have courses on the subject, but that still doesn't prove it to me. Universities also have courses on basketweaving too. I STILL say, "how can someone say I am, or am not allergic to something if I hold the product in my hand?" Show me ACCEPTED scientific study(s), using the scientific method, that this practice WORKS! I want a recognized M.D. to SHOW ME it works. I'm sorry, but I find this so totally ridiculous to even consider.

Tell you what: I'll hold SOMETHING in my hand, (I won't tell him WHAT) and he has to tell me I'm allergic to it. But I will agree to a test, as I described, at any time, and I will BET that he/she/it will be unable (except for a guess) to tell me if I am allergic to it. I have several items in mind: (1) a lollypop (2) a drop of water (3) rat poison. I DARE him/her/it to tell me the difference.

Here, let me jump into John's hornet nest. Part of what is used in double blind studies is a placebo. And sometimes that placebo works as well as whatever drug is being tested. Sometimes better. I can believe the concept of kinesiology to an extent. If I hold my guinea pig up next to my neck, I itch and break out with hives. Is this not somewhat the same?

Kelly wrote: >>Argentina doesn't use pesticides.<<

Are you sure? Most farmers will use a pesticide if they believe they will benefit from it. Grapes, being a delicate crop in high demand, almost always have some sort of pesticide (organic or synthetic) applied to hem. Most countries don't have the resources to effictively enforce broad pesticide bans, so you can pretty much assume that most (not all) of the grapes, fruit juices, rasins and wines you consume have some pesticides in or on them. Unfortunately, most crops are like this... you can try buying locally and buying organic produce from farmers you know, or grow your crops yourself, but this doesn't necessarily protect you from exposure to pesticides. No great solutions here, sorry... 

And we eczema-folks might want to pay attention to this as well as other environmental factors and see if they play a role in our conditions.

Patsy, this is not what would be called a scientific method. You can SEE the Guinea pig, or you KNOW it's there, and the itching you experience may be a direct, sympathetic response to what you see. It would not be a double blind test, nor would it be scientific proof that you (or anyone) were allergic to guinea pigs. A placebo works because you THINK it works - doesn't mean it will work every time, or give a measurable effect that any scientist would be interested in, UNLESS he could prove a cause and effect.

Commonly, when double-blind tests are performed, the placebo effect is rare and almost never able to be reproduced. Most scientists consider this placebo effect as an anomaly in their testing. Rarely is it given any significance in a scientific study of any sort. This is why double-blind tests are still performed.

I don't really want to stir up any hornets. What I DO want is a straight-thinking attitude unencumbered by false hopes and black magic. From what I see, kinesiology (notice I didn't capitalize it) might as well be ranked just above black magic and voodoo. If not, I await some kind of scientific, legitimate PROOF that it works. I just hate to see anyone waste their time and money on stuff that just DOESN'T SOUND KOSHER!

There are lots of people out there, desperate for something (does this sound familiar?) and willing to try anything. And, if by chance, something SEEMS to work, they latch on to it with all the help of people looking for Mr. Goodbar.

Hey! Heaven's Gate thinks they're going to "The Next Higher Level" -- and the funny thing is, NO ONE can prove they didn't. You CAN'T prove a negative - and THAT is the truth! You CAN, however, prove a POSITIVE, and that's what I'm waiting for.

I just wanted to say that I think it is real apparent that stress and eczema go hand in hand for some people. It is already so with my 18 mo old son. When he is upset about something, mad, doesn't get his way... he starts crying and scratching! The scratching will even stop sometimes when I give in to what he wants, or give him a piece of candy, etc... 

I don't really KNOW whether Argentina routinely uses chlordane on crops - I tried to find out, but couldn't. I DO know that although chlordane use is banned in the US, it is still manufactured here, and shipped to many countries in South America, among others.

Let me give an example: If you were a farmer, and it cost you $100 each time you sprayed your fields with an (expensive) organophosphate insecticide, and a chemical salesman came along and showed you a product that only cost $20, AND you only had to use it ONCE a season, which would you use? And THEN, you found out from your farmer buddies, that if you doubled up on the titration, and applied in the fall season, that you would only have to do it every TWO years, THEN what would you do? Yup. You'd use the chlordane, double or triple strength, saving the costs associated with spraying a more expensive insecticide 3 or 4 times a year - which is what you have to do with organophosphates.

This is what happened in the US. Remember Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" and all the osprey eggs that wouldn't hatch? The US farmer is at fault. Using chlordane (or other chlorinated hydrocarbons), with the effluent washing into streams and rivers is what caused the problem. I hardly think a farmer in South America or elsewhere would be MORE ethical and educated than US farmers. If they have it, they'll use it. Hell, they'd still use it HERE, if they could get it!

I still eat grapes though.

My 6 month old son, Isaac, has suffered from eczema since he was 2 1/2 months old. It has truly been and continues to be a kind of non stop marathon: going to doctors, reading and trying treatments, staying up with our itching baby at night.

I'm writing to ask about our latest findings discerned by our allergest and the local Children's hospital. Isaac has the normal AD symptom of elevated IGE levels. In fact RAST testing has found him to be allergic to everything: wheat, corn, soy, milk, peanuts, nuts, oats, barley and more. In addtion, he has a very low anti-body count. Recently the doctor said it had dropped even lower, to 65, and she is recommending a treatment, IVIG, intravenous immunoglogulins or gammaglobulin transfusions. She admits to not knowing if the "cause" of the AD sxs are allergenic or immunologic but she feels that because Isaac seems to remain in a constant state of infection--weeping eczema--that we should do this treatment immediately.

My questions are: has anyone heard of or tried this treatment for atopic dermatitis of infancy? Please let us know. Also, since learning of my son's food allergies one month ago, I have tried to limit all the named allergenic foods from my diet as he is mainly breastfed (we now supplement with Nutramigen). I think I have done a good job eliminating foods but so far I have not met with a nutritionist and am not sure I'm limiting enough things (RAST testing is supposed to be unreliable). Anyway, Isaac is not getting better and now I think I may have to wean him. Because he is often so uncomfortable/miserable, I feel bad about taking away the breast from him, often a source of comfort in the middle of the night.

Hello everyone, I have somewhat of an education on the production of skin cells. I also have read numerous books on allergy and dermatology, not just for a better understanding of eczema but for other reasons as well.

My point: It is my understanding, that regardless of the fact that eczema resembles a "dry skin condition," in fact it has nothing to do AT ALL with dry skin. It is merely a rapid metabolic rate of skin reproduction in a particular area. This translates to scaly exfoliation instead of microscopic exfoliation. That scaly patch that can be scratched off resembles dryness, but is not. It is merely dead, unnecessary tissue that the body must shed. All the moisturizers in the world will not make it live and stick on the body. Corticosteroids merely slow the production of skin cells, but in some instances, it also may exacerbate the condition.

I for one am leery of any steroids, as they not only exacerbate my own case of eczema, but also thin the skin out terribly. I want all the sun protection I can get. My Derm recommended a product called Z-sorb. It is a hyper absorbent and antimicrobial talc that has helped me on the areas of my skin that are covered, like my feet. It is all I need to control that area.

Given that, I must deduct that my condition is highly reactive to excessive warmth and the moisture that warmth produces.

Point: eczema is not dry skin, it is dead skin that must be shed, thereby exposing a new layer of skin that has not had the proper opportunity to oxidize and toughen. It is tender and vulnerable, thereby the body must produce some coating to protect this tender tissue. That means oozing and itching. Moisturizers may only worsen this condition. Moisturizers also if used MUST be kept very clean. If you have put your fingers in it, throw it away as you have contaminated it. Fingers carry bacteria.

Bacteria breeds best on a media (such as those in moisturizers that have any kind of protein or sugar base) and they just breed and breed and breed. In using this new primordeal soup, you have infected the tender new emerging skin with gunk the body must work hard to remove, ergo: more oozing and more eruptions. The vicious cycle goes on and on. That's why so many people find relief in the sun and salt water (which further damage the skin's natural immunity cells.)

I have for a long time noticed that when I'm under stress I start scratching. The clearest connection for me has been when I find myself in mildly stressful situations I start scratching my legs with a vengence, quite automatically. Sometimes this has helped me stop scratching when I realize what's going on.

I've been shaving right over my eczema for quite a while, because it's worst in summer, and shaving is less irritating than covering up hairy legs with long pants or pantyhose, none of which I can tolerate touching sensitive eczema. I've mostly given up worrying about the appearance of my white and red legs, but at least they're not hairy! That would kill me on top of everything else! The shaving itself doesn't bother me much (sometimes it almost feels good, like a little scratching), I worry more about the soaps or lotions I use to make shaving easier. Sometimes just a layer of lotion is better than soap for shaving.

In all my years of eczema, I can not remember of any medication that was prescribed for me that contained menthol. It has a very distinctive odor and sensation. I did put some "Vicks Vapor Rub" behind my knee one night when I had a bad itching fit. I don't remember now what made me put it on, but I do remember trying to wash it off. It made it worse and the burning didn't go away for about 2 hours. I never tried that trick again. In what ways have you or anyone you know used products with menthol in them? Also, how does menthol help eczema?

My son looks gorgeous :-) And the ONLY treatment he's received is through a "Witch Doctor" called Carol who advocates Nutritional Therapy using Kinesiology techniques. No steroid creams, infact no creams at all, no antihistamines, no antibiotics, no emollients, no wet wrapping and no quick 5 minute (if you're lucky) appointments with a dermatologist, who basically couldn't care less about possible causes of his skin disorder.

It doesn't matter how "scientific" it is if it works. And yes, contrary to what you have read, my experience is that it has worked on my son. Have you tried it yourself or are you going on what you've read alone? If you are really waiting for a scientifically researched "cure" for eczema then you will have a very long, painful, unhappy wait.

I daily use 1 part ethyl alcohol and 3 parts hydrogen peroxide in a old fluocinonide bottle with a little lotion added. This is a personal mix, it seems to work for me without tearing up my skin but the point being you have to disinfect the eczema. Remember, the stronger the steroid you use, the greater chance of infection.

I definitely don't want to burst anyone's bubble, and I agree that whatever works is what you use. I also know that there will be no cure, and I've never looked for one. My eczema is relatively minor, usually only on my hands, so I can't say what will work for you. Everybody is different, and what works for you might not work for me. But if something works, I like to see a reason. I'm just not satisfied with mind control or yoga or whatever.

But my mind is open. Let's see the people kinesiology has cured. What I REALLY don't understand is how a mortal person could tell if I'm allergic to something if I hold it in my hand. I just do not have any confidence in this and I need some kind of proof that there is a method to this madness.

Menthol's a mild analgesic, to temporarily subdue the itch. That's why people think a lot of the OTC's work so well, if the itch is being minimized then it must be healing not realizing that menthol is more than just an aroma.

My derm recommended "the bump fighter" razor for shaving my legs. I don't know who makes them. A pack of two cost $2.88 here in the Northeast. The theory behind it is that it goes over bumps without shaving them off. You don't get as close a shave, but you also don't do as much damage.

By the way, my derm also says that the fact that my skin breaks open and bleeds when I bump my hands on something *is not* a sign of thinning skin. Despite this, I have stopped using steroids almost entirely. I have used one once at night so I could sleep.

I live downwind from a town that has many chemical plants, one of which daily emits formaldehyde. Funny thing, it turns out I am allergic to it now. Formaldehyde is in *everything*-- books, paper, inks, dyes, carpet, particle board, sizing [including linen cloth on hardback books], new clothes, plastics-- EVERYTHING. It's also in shampoos and skin care products, but it's never listed as "formaldehyde." I am still trying to find all the different forms and names of formaldehyde.

I am also allergic to methyl- and chloro-isothiazolinone- the preservative in Eucerin lotion, which I was using by the gallon, and which is in those shampoos without formaldehyde! (It took the derm almost THREE years to do a patch test to determine what was causing my eczema, all the time urging me to use more and more Eucerin.)

I've had two rounds of PUVA. The pills cost $5 each, and I had to take three before each PUVA session. The first round, I had about 9 months of treatments, which I stopped when my skin looked like a desert after a drought. The second round (about 15 months) I quit because I got tired of sweating in the hot box for 12 or more minutes, wearing those dorky UV shields, and shelling out for the pills. PUVA made my skin sensitive to the sun- any exposure made me itch like crazy. I tried UVB (without the pills) and it just made me itch. And in the end, I think the PUVA helped me only marginally.

On Hannah's favorite stuffed dolls I carefully undid the stitching on one side and removed all filling and replaced it with polyester batting which was reccommended by the allergist to get rid of dust mites. He said whatever is in Hannah's room (whether it is suffed toys and comforter, etc.) it should be filled with synthetic, polyester batting. I honestly cannot remember why, though. Anyway, after I refilled the toys I took them to my mother-in-law to restitch them (I cannot sew - can barely thread a needle!) On some of her toys there was a zipper which made it much easier. 

Date: 12 May 1997 10:41:51 From: Robert Subject: razors/thin skin/formaldehyde/PUVA

I have also had severe reactions to chemicals which have caused my skin to break out and even after being away from the initial cause, it takes a few months to stabilize the result (caused by paint and polyurethane). If your location is really the cause of the problem, I would suggest that you move upwind pronto. What I have found is that once sensitised through a large dose of fumes, I than react to even small doses. Getting away from the large dose source and treatment (prednisone) until I reach a steady state than allows me to handle the small doses once I am "desensitised".

I have also had PUVA and found it to be difficult to deal with those "green pills." There is an alternative method used instead of ingestion by adding them to a bath and getting treatment within 1/2 hour of the bath. I found that UV-B (not the UV-A used with PUVA) helps me much more if I get treatments 2 days in a row, and you don't take those pills or need to wear the shades. I get sore (from the burn) and itch like crazy for a while, but I am usually rewarded a few days later.

The other day I had a teenaged girl as a cashier in a store I was shopping at. She was African American but had a disorder (vitiligo?) that stripped the pigment out of parts of her skin, so that they appeared very white. It was quite noticeable, all over her body and neck. However, she seemed to be a very cheerful and outgoing person and totally oblivious of her skin. She acted just like the other teens she was working with, bantering about boys and dates, and wearing the same makeup, long fingernails, and trendy clothes as they did. And she was a pleasant and helpful person, which is probably what most people remember about her.

For a moment I felt like telling her that I, too, had a very bad skin disorder (to make her "feel better"), but she obviously needed no help in feeling good about herself, at least from my brief observations. In fact, on second thought, I almost asked *her* for some tips on self esteem. Made me (who has often been a victim of eczema-induced loss of self esteem) remember that ultimately, beautiful people with eczema beat mean ones with porcelain skin any day!

When I first heard about this I thought it was crazy and I was extremely skeptical about taking any advice form the homeopathic doctor who was doing this muscle testing on me (I thought he must be a quack). He actually said not to pay much attention to what he was doing because he knew I'd be skeptical.

Anyway, I'm now a believer. Everything he tested seemed to be accurate. I brought some stuff in that I thought I was allergic to for him to test on me and his testing showed that I was in fact allergic to these items. He even tested some vitamins that I thought were causing a reaction (which he said was highly unlikely) and my muscles were weaker when tested. It took a while before I believed it but it was too much of a coincidence for it to be a fluke. I understand people's suspicions of Kinesiology but you have to actually try it to believe it. I don't know how it works but I really think there's something to it.

Dear Jessica, Brian's ped gave us FREE cans of Alimentum to try for a week. We gave it a try on Saturday with no success. First I tried to just given him Alimentum (he hated it). Then I tried to mix it half soy/half Alimentum (but he still didn't want it). I also made his rice cereal with the Alimentum and he wouldn't eat it! Finally, I gave up and gave him his Iosmil again. Didn't try again yesterday. I suppose I should be persistant and see if he'll make the switch since I'm curious to see if it will help him.

Yesterday, Brian got very itchy on the face again and I wondered why because Saturday he wasn't very itchy at all (without antihisthamines). Then I found out that while my mother-in-law was babysitting for us, she fed him some "Hawaiin Delight" baby food (fruit dessert) which has egg yolk in it -- a big NO-NO for Brian. It also contained orange and pineapple juice in it (which he had never had before). I was so frustrated because she knows how careful we need to be about foods he eats, but she just assumed it was ONLY fruit. I told her that she MUST read all labels before buying/giving to him. So now my husband wants me to check her baby food supply and make sure everything is OK for Brian to eat. I know she means well, she buys baby food to keep at her house since she watches him half-days while I'm at work. But as the Moms of E babies know, you have to be ever so careful!

My opinion is that if you have eliminated the allergenic foods from your diet since you are breastfeeding, then you probably don't need to wean him. I can sympathize cause I weaned my son about 3 mos. ago. Nobody even suggested to me that I could eliminate certain foods from my diet to see if it helped Brian. They simply suggested that I wean him -- so I did! But, take it from me, it hasn't made much difference (if any at all). He did clear up for about a week when I stopped nursing, but then the eczema returned. And as I said before, even knowing his food allergies, he still is red all over and oozing face the past few days. In short, if you feel that breastfeeding is comforting to Issac thru this time, and I'm sure it is, then I wouldn't wean him! Just my two cents.

My suspicion about how it works (if at all) is that, if your mind is ready to accept the proposed product, or believes the allergen in question is not harmful, then your muscles will resist the pulling, whereas if you believe the product is harmful or unnecessary, or that a food is a possible allengen, your mind tells your muscles not to resist as much. Another, more cynical, explanation is that the tester just doesn't pull as hard when they *want* you to accept a product. A woman in Austin who sells vitamins and purports to be something of a holistic healer tries to use this method to tell me if I "need" a vitamin or not -- but she has never told me I didn't.

A homeopath I tried once in France did something similar. She wanted to see whether my skin problem had its origins in my liver (the source, according to the French, of *most* physical disorders), so she pressed hard on my liver while asking me to raise my leg against pressure from her other arm. When my leg appeared weaker when my liver was pressed than when it was not, she said, "Aha!" (actually, what she said was "Voila -- la preuve!"). To me, though, it seemed quite obvious that if someone were poking you in the liver, or anywhere else, it would be harder to keep a strong, concentrated effort in some other part of your body.

But maybe I've just run into practitioners (or pseudo-practitioners) who have not inspired faith in me when using this method. I am willing to suspend disbelief. Even if it only works by one's belief in it, harnassing the mind can be a powerful tool (see Andrew Weil's reasoned support of the placebo effect). But Kelly, could you give a hint on how to do it on oneself (how to test your own muscles while holding onto a product -- seems like you would need more than 2 hands?). Thanks.

Several people have gone into detail as to why petroleum is bad: the crude oil theory, not letting the skin breathe. If that is the case, why are there people in search of Aquaphor? That has petroleum in it, as well as mineral oil and glycerin. Also, the only cream that seems to work for us is Eucerin. That too, has petroleum in it. Is it about the combination of elements, or what? Something please enlighten me. Vaseline seems to be the only thing that helps my dry upper lip and dryness around my ears.

Recently, I have learned how to cut my nails to the point right before bloodshed. By that I mean, I have cut them so short that I can not easily tear my skin. For the past week, I have not torn my skin. Okay, so I caused some brusing here and there. I got a little annoyed that the bliss of satisfying the itch was dimmed. Instead, I look a little sunburned and my skin seems to crease more easily. What is that? What causes our skin to crease so readily? Are there any scientific explanations or witty speculations?

The last topic I wanted to bring up is one that is a little embarassing and gross: PICKING. I am a terrible "picker". When my scalp gets flaky-which is often- I try to get rid of all the flakes. I use a comb, or sort of scratch it off. Then, I get sores on my head, because I scratch it too much. It's a bit of a cycle and it's gross and annoying. Another embarassing thing, if I scratch in public, and I get skin under my nails, I have a really gross habit of trying to clean my nails with my teeth. I know you're all probably grossed out, and believe me, this is no proud moment for me, but I'm asking if anyone else has that habit and how they deal with/stop doing it. My mother pointed out that she noticed I was doing that, and I felt like such a scum bag. I was also horrified to think that I had started doing that without even thinking. Pleeez give me some advice.

I think that people should be aware that "Science" is really just another cultish quack practice. Placing your faith entirely in "Modern Medical Science" is a pretty dangerous thing to do. Especially since multi-national pharmaceutical companies decide how medical problems should be treated more frequently than science does.

Of course there hasn't been much scientific research done on aternative medicines. Why would funding be supplied to research methods that would reduce the income of the funders? Drug companies are just like McDonalds, they want to make money by selling their product. It is actually in the best interest of drug companies if people stay sick. Scary thought? Many drugs are in use today that have suprisingly little research behind them, Prozac, Ridalin, Bovine Growth Hormone, over-use of antibiotics. These are drugs where evidence exists that they have detrimental effects to humans, yet they are in wide spread use. Many popular cold and flu medicines don't actually help you get better faster, they suppresses your immune system so you stay sick longer, but feel better. Now, you can go to work and get your co-workers sick, yahoo.

Actupuncture, homeopathy, etc.. are hundreds or thousands of years old and there is a considerable body of evidence that such practices do work. However, the amount of research that has been done on them is pretty negligable. Such methods work on principles that sound a little wacky, but this is mostly because they differ from accepted theories. Evolution is a pretty wacky concept too, yet it is widely accepted despite a number of glaring problems with it ( notice it is only a theory and not a law ). Researching these methods would involve going back to first principles, not just trying to fit them in with accepted theories. Most research I've seen into alternative medicines just say, "well it doesn't work the way I do things, so it is wrong". Researchers need to take a clean slate approach and actually apply the scientific method when investigating alternative medicines.

The whole concept of holistic healing techniques that attack the root of a problem and promote a strong self-sufficeint immune system rather than treating symtoms, without the use of side-effect producing drugs, is a really good one. I think that participating in such techniques is an nobel thing to do. Many people may be wasting their cash on healing methods that don't work. However, if it sparks some serious objective research into these techniques, that would be a very good thing.

I have been using jojoba oil as a moisturizer on my face and neck for about a week. It feels very gentle and does not irritate, and penetrates quickly so it is not oily, like vitamin E oil.

Yes your son can be allergic to milk and soy! My gastroenterologist (note not the dermatologist) placed my son on Alimentum. His eczema went from 100% coverage to 15%. After one year I tried soy milk again, he is still very allergic to it. He is presently allowed to eat 15 foods, which is much better than the original 3 he could eat 6 months ago.

My heart goes out to you, we were there also. My son was 100% covered at 2 1/2 months. After many doctors visits I went to a gastroenterologist who diagnosed him with an inflamed intestinal lining, thus he is allergic to everything. He is now 15 months old and under control with alimentum formula and 15 foods he can tolerate. He is growing out of it with the aid of periactin - a antihistamine and cortizone cream. Also, check the archives for last November - February, quite a few of us E. moms got some information together. Also check Debbie - her daughter was dramatically helped by a chiropractor since they found the baby's back was out of alignment due to a hard birth. 

I really don't think that I would be able to sufficiently explain to you how this is done but I'll give it a shot.

With nothing in your hand, extend your left arm and with your right hand press down on your left arm in the mid forearm to wrist area while resisting, take note of the resistance to use as a guide of measurement for each particular session. Now hold your test item in your left arm and test the resistance. Solid holdings mean positive (good for you), arm lowering means negative (not good for you).

It takes time to get this down, it has to do with the bodies energy flow, a negative item disrupts the circuit. For me this has been quite effective in determining what is good and bad for me, when I test cheese, if my arm could, I think it would fall off to the ground and that's the thing, you already know things that are good and bad for you directly from experience and when my resistant testing started matching those I knew were good or bad, I knew I had it down and then this became an effective tool for me.

I suggest reading up on it or if you have holistic practitioner, have them show you how to do it yourself. This is where I originally learned about it and her testing was extremely accurate and I didn't have a clue why I was sticking my arm out then but she made me believe.

For those of you who know me from before, know that conventionally medicine falled me hard but I haven't tried Voodoo as of yet.

I must say, since I stopped **shampooing** my hair every day, the eczema on my scalp has disappeared. Every day the condition of my scalp improves.

When I first got the eczema on my scalp, I just kept shampooing it every day to get rid of the flaking. Then, I tried using shampoo for scalp problems like Nizoral and T-Gel. My scalp remained inflamed and continued to flake. So, since **shampooing** wasn't helping, I decided to apply my theory of "soap messes up skin"; and, I began the backward habit of just using water to wash my hair. Steadily, the inflammation and flaking subsided. I also used a tiny bit of jojoba oil on the scalp while I was "recovering from shampoo damage".

So, since I like to have clean hair, I just rinse it with warm water (**not hot water**) in the morning, and it's so nice and fluffy and clean. Then, maybe twice a week I'll wash it with an irritant-free shampoo. I must say, if any of you would like to try this particular line of attack on your war against scalp eczema, it may be helpful for you, too.

Linda, Sorry to hear about the experience with the new baby food for Brian. It would be a good idea to go through Grandma's food supply before she feeds him again. We take all Daniel's meals to Grandma's. The only thing she feeds him on her own is fresh bananas.

Even for Mother's Day yesterday, we took Daniel his own food. The family had fried chicken, potato salad, rolls, and deviled eggs. All foods Daniel can't have. So he got dry cereal, fresh fruit and chips. It saves a lot of heartache that way.

Just a thought for those of you who like Pyrithione Zinc. Why don't you check into having a pharmacist mix you up some with your choice of base. See if this would be more cost effective.

I'm rather certain that if you see a course called "kinesiology" offered by a university, it deals with the study of how different muscles move your body in different ways, ie, what movements are your different muscles responsible for. This kind of course will be common in physical therapy and chiropractic programs. I don't think the syllabus will include kinesiology as we are discussing it here.

This reminds me of the difference between the meaning of the word "organic" in the phrases "organic chemistry" and "organic farming"

Michael wrote:

>> I think that people should be aware that "Science" is really just another cultish quack practice. Placing your faith entirely in "Modern Medical Science" is a pretty dangerous thing to do. Especially since multi-national pharmaceutical companies decide how medical problems should be treated more frequently than science does. <<

Do you happen to know how much industry spends on research funding compared to how much the government spends?

>> Of course there hasn't been much scientific research done on aternative medicines. Why would funding be supplied to research methods that would reduce the income of the funders? <<

If the funding is ssupplied by the government, by NIH or NSF for example, then progress in the field is not going to reduce the income of the funders

>> Actupuncture, homeopathy, etc.. are hundreds or thousands of years old and there is a considerable body of evidence that such practices do work. However, the amount of research that has been done on them is pretty negligable. <<

So the evidence is anecdotal? There are many practices that are very old, but that does not mean that they work. Does crossing your fingers really bring you good luck? Imagine a culture that performs a ceremony every year to please the gods so that the crops will grow. They perform the ceremony every year, and the crops grow every year. It must be the ceremony, right? If the crops don't grow so well, then the gods must be pissed off about something, better sacrifice another lamb next year.

>> Researching these methods would involve going back to first principles, not just trying to fit them in with accepted theories. Most research I've seen into alternative medicines just say, "well it doesn't work the way I do things, so it is wrong". Researchers need to take a clean slate approach and actually apply the scientific method when investigating alternative medicines. <<

Agreed. It is curious that you are touting the virtues of the scientific method when the subject of your post is "Science just another cult"

>> The whole concept of holistic healing techniques that attack the root of a problem and promote a strong self-sufficeint immune system rather than treating symtoms, without the use of side-effect producing drugs, is a really good one. I think that participating in such techniques is an nobel thing to do. Many people may be wasting their cash on healing methods that don't work. However, if it sparks some serious objective research into these techniques, that would be a very good thing. <<

Agreed. If these techniques really work, it should be possible to demenstrate their effectiveness in a scientific manner.

I too have a scalp problem which I am always picking at. Same outcome... sores that will not heal.

I use betnovate scalp lotion, which is heavy stuff, though it does help. I also use Capasal shampoo, which is the first shampoo that I have found that seems to work and sooth my scalp. BUT if I don't stop picking it defeats these products. I feel better because I am not the only one with this unsociable habit..

Blue Star Ointment has menthol in it. My husband had some and suggested I try it. All I can say is OUCH! I would not recommend it. I think that it is used more for minor skin irritations.

John, I don't have any figures at my disposal, do you? However, I am aware that large cooperations ( by way of $$$ ) influence government policy and allocation of funds.

Ok. Where is the majority of medical research done? Industry, I believe. Also in Universities, which compete for funding from various sources. Universities tend to have the attitude that it is always safer to stay mainstream.

Anything worth researching starts out with anecdotal evidence. I believe there is enough anecdotal evidence to justify some serious research.

I have read arguments that the evidence supporting vaccination against polio is anecdotal. The argument there was that diseases like polio tend to have a lifecycle of their own and the vaccinations occured when the natural cycle of the disease was ending ( sorry, a bit off topic). I think people tend to put too much stock into what modern medicine tells them. You should question everything, including alternative medicine.

I meant modern accepted science when I said Science. There are too many scientists that don't seem to follow the scientific method that well. Main-stream science has become complacent and close-minded. It seems to me that modern Science needs a kick in the head.

I will admit that my attitude here is fairly radical. The more I have become educated the more I have realised how uneducated we are as a society. I think that we think we are a lot smarter than we actually are. We have just scratched the surface of many scientific diciplines. Medical science is one area that we still know very little about, but act like we have it nailed down. I have a number of common ailments that doctors have failed me completely on. Allergies (totaly clueless), Eczema (even worse), Mononucleosis (go lie down for a couple months), Carpal Tunnel Sydrom (stop working and quit your hobbies). So, now I am going to give alternative medicine a chance.

My eczema has a direct correlation with Candida infection. I have kept the candida under control and my eczema has gone. It is wonderful.

I was tested for candida and it showed up that I had it--although I've been told it can show up in about anybody. I followed the doctors advice--no yeast, no sugar, took nystatin (a yeast killing drug--that tasted horrible). But there was no clearing of my eczema --which at the time was unbearable, huge flakes falling off red painful skin. I guess some people may get over their eczema if they follow the candida regimen, but it didn't work for me. Maybe I just wasn't dilligent enough, but I tried my best. I am convinced I tried enough that if it was going to work I would have had some improvement.

If candida was the cause of everyone's eczema we wouldn't need this list!

Oh boy, I'm going to jump into the kinesiology debate too! It's really kind of fun, you certainly don't have to get stressed out about it. And you don't have to spend a lot of money on a holistic healer to try it out.

I played with it in college. I think it's harder to do on yourself and maybe less reliable that way, although Kelly seems to have it down. But you can easily do it with a friend. It's like a lie detector test. Hold your arms straight out, firmly, and say "my name is.." while your friend with moderate effort tries to push your arm down. You will find that when you give your real name, your friend gets considerable resistance when pushing your arm, but if you give someone else's name, your arm will be unable to resist. I have had suspicions that it has something to do with what you believe, i.e., I know my name and my body knows it too, mind-body connection and all that. But it's basically a way of letting your body talk to you, if you can stand the non-scientific phrasing. Eczema is just another way that your body tells you that something is hurting it. Unfortunately, eczema doesn't tell us *what* is hurting us, too bad, things would be much simpler if it would.

I don't believe it is trickery, it's just too widely used for that, and besides, this is one *treatment* where you can try your hand at both ends, patient and healer, if you try doing it to someone else. There are no side effects, it's harmless.

I have no doubts that it has good potential for use in healing people. A friend of mine used it very effectively as part of her therapy.

I actually seem to remember that you are supposed to use a specific arm for the testing. I think the left arm is receiving and the right one is sending info (translating). That would translate to holding your possible allergen in your left arm and testing it with your right? I'm sure that sounds crazy to you skeptics, I don't care. Anyway, I'm really not terribly sure about that, but it's probably to do with your left and right hemispheres. It actually makes some sense if you think about what we know about the brain.

Check out http://www.pycnogenol.com/

I'm still looking for the least expensive way to buy pycnogenol.

What kind of irritant free shampoo are you using? I don't shampoo my hair everyday, usually every other day with neutragena.

I don't have dandruff or a lot of flaking, just some gross scabs on my scalp that are not healing. Any suggestions?

I was wondering if anyone has ever heard or tried using pure baking soda on their eczema.

My grandmother and mother bothed used pure baking soda mixed with water so it formed a paste. You cover the whole area with this paste, then cover it with sheets or a T-shirt works better. It stops the itching and if you have any open sores it will form a scape over it by morning.

Both my wrists have been really keeping me awake for the past few nights. I decided to give this old home remedy a try last night. It stings like crazy when you put it on, but oooooh how nice it felt to sleep through the night with no itching. I'm happy to report that it dryed up all my open sores and my wrists have not itched me all day long.

I did find that using a T-shirt works great. You have to make sure the T-shirt is tight enough so the mixture don't fall off the skin.

I don't know if using baking soda is good or bad on the skin... I know it worked for me!

Kelly, We attempted to do our own testing but failed miserably. Can you give me any hints or suggestions - or perhaps run through how you do it.

Has anyone heard about some anti-iching remedy based on maize starch? I was told that it is widely used in the States for kid's eczema. It should be some kind of powder which is put in the bath.

John, I really didn't mean to come across as sharp. I guess it's really easy to get wound up over such a sensitive issue. In terms of Kinesiology, it's just really frustrating to hear negative thoughts over something that I have had good experiences of, but I guess I should also expect people to doubt the methods - I must confess it took us a while to get our heads round it!

Also, a lot of people where I live probably think I'm mad too for not putting up with Rees's condition and just applying the creams like a good girl! If it's for yourself, people feel you can do what you like, but God forbid you should mess around with your kiddie - perhaps I just take the whole thing too personally:-) I'm really glad your eczema is good at the moment - I think the best solution is to do the least you can for the best results - this seems to comply with your posting today - here's looking forward to many more things we can agree on!

Wow, this really has opened a bag of worms! No tester in their right mind would want to convince you a food type is okay if it isn't - your eczema wouldn't improve and you wouldn't return for further treatment. This is kind of the wrong way round isn't it? Surely, if a tester was going to attempt to falsify the result of your test, he/she would make it so that you would be allergic to more food types not less, so that he could improve his chances of getting it right!

Not that I hold with this theory anyway. Our tester is female and my husband is a strong man - before we began properly testing our son, she prepared my husband for testing (this will freak the cynics out - as my son is only 3 she tests him through my husband!) - she could not budge his arm an inch (I can't either), but after pressing on a spot on his forehead for maybe 10 seconds, he could not resist the pressure on his arm. When she tested Rees on the foods we did not know what they were as they were phials of concentrated products, and my husband said that there was a very definite difference in his arm movement when she tested products that Rees had an intolerance to. We have only eliminated 2 food groups and Rees looks wonderful - I don't think this is a fluke.

Just writing in support of mentholated lotions (I use Sarna). I really like them, but then again, I have the "dry, discolored" type of eczema, not the "red & bubbly" type. Sarna feels even better after I've been scratching (naughty, naughty!). I almost always try using it before I use a steroid ointment.

I just want to clarify: My daughter saw a dramatic change in her eczema after the chiro but I don't necessarily attribute it to any one thing. In fact, I have no idea if was due to that or a combination of everything we tried. Out of desperation we tried everything at once, which included, strict diet for both of us (nursing), new homeopathic remedy, chiro., vit C, flax seed oil, colloidal trace minerals, and better dust mite control. At the same time I introduced Atarax (prescription antihistamine) and a bit of topical hydrocortisone & antibacterial ointment on her face to break the severe cycle she was in.

She cleared up the best she's ever been immediately. That was 3 mos. ago. She's still been good/great since then. Never completely clear. Her face has a little break out once every couple weeks, pink, maybe a little chapped looking. But it has only bled/oozed a few times in these 3 mos. We usually sleep very well now, might wake up itchy once or so (rubs her face into the bedding) and nurses back to sleep. Sleeping was horrendous for 6 mos. Now, it's only bad during an oozy flare. I notice it's about a 3-day cycle of symptoms after exposure to whatever causes it.

BTW my friends pediatrician/homeopath (sounds like a dream to me) said he notices that 6 to 12 mos. of age tend to be an infant's peak worst period. Hmmm. That was exactly my daughter's worst time. Anyone else notice this?

If someone scratches because of tension or some other non-allergenic reason, the resulting damage is not eczema to me. That is scratchzema.

If one has eczema (caused by allergens) and one gets tense and scratches, the scratching is a learned response (from the scratching habit acquired from having eczema) . One can just also learn to do sit-ups, or meditate, or jog or swim, or apply ice, or get a massage, or make love, when one is tense.

Therefore I do not believe that tension aggravates eczema. Our habit of scratching aggravates our eczema. Let's choose some different habits than scratching.

My son, another Isaac (age 2) had eczema starting at about 4 months old. He only tests allergic to peas, peanuts, and dairy, but we know that he has reactions to several other foods--corn and eggs, especially. We do a lot of diet stuff with him--rotation diets, food challenges, etc.

I understand that many kids who have eczema have elevated IgE levels--it comes with the allergies. Isaac never had the low anti-body count, so I don't know anything about the treatment your doctor is suggesting. Is it a one-time treatment that's supposed to supplement his antibodies? Or is it supposed to give his body a boost so that he produces his own more effectively? And why does the doctor think that eczema has depleted his antibodies so much?

It must be hard for you to get enough to eat, trying to avoid all those foods and still have enough milk for Isaac. I struggled hard with that, because I lived on peanut butter sandwiches and yogurt while I was nursing (which probably helped create Isaac's allergies to those foods), and when I gave them up, I was HUNGRY all the time. I finally threw in the towel and started weaning him (he was also not gaining weight fast enough) at 5 months, which in retrospect I wish I had not done. We battled to find a formula we could trust (we used Nutramigen for a while, then to Isomil), and when we started introducing solid foods (trying to get more calories in him) his eczema just got worse and worse. If I had to do it again, I would have sucked it up and totally cleaned up my diet and stuck with the breastfeeding. I would have not introduced solid foods til 8 or 9 months. I think this strategy could have saved Isaac a lot of problems.

It seems that if your Isaac is having troubles with antibodies that this wouldn't be a good time to wean him--you can help him with YOUR antibodies in your milk. What does your doctor say about this?

Robert, Your message about the eczematous skin being so young and raw that it has to protect itself by oozing and the skin reproducing itself far too quickly. This seems to exactly correspond to how the eczema around my lips - perioral dermatitis - responds.

I appreciate what you were saying about spreading bacteria through your fingertips and I shall avoid using my fingers in my tubs of cream from now on; I know cosmetics counters recommend using wooden spatulas.

Are you saying that we should avoid ALL creams, emollients, humectants whatsover, however non-allergic to allow the skin to restore itself? If so, how long should we try to avoid all these things? I am scared that if I let the skin dry out I may just get scabby, infected skin. I desperately want to get out of the vicious circle you described - do you have specific recommendations?

How do you deal with this new, tender skin? - or am I asking too much?

My CHT creams all have menthol in them. They work very well and do not exacerbate eczema.

Rachel, I have done all the things you mentioned and in public. Making soars in my scalp, picking skin from under my fingernails with my teeth (and eating the skin, I might add), scratching my head and body with a comb or anything sharp, standing in the sunlight to see how much skin comes off when I rub or scratch it (making piles on the sink too), etc. My advice is to not suppress yourself due to other's opinions, but to cut yourself a little slack and know that we all do things that we think others think are gross. Big deal.

Hi all, This morning I took Brian to his derm. She kept him on the Periactin and cortizone ointment. He's also on antibiodic for infection of eczema (on face). She also recommended the blood test for immune system and RAST for environmental allergies, including pollen, ragweed, etc. She asked for about 4-5 tests from the bloodwork. So they took blood this morning, and my brave little boy didn't even cry! They also took swab sample of bacteria from infection on his face to do some test for sensitivity -- should have results by Friday and the bloodwork results within two weeks. Now I can empathize with the mom who wrote yesterday about Issac being scheduled for the immune therapy, etc.

I wonder if the blood tests they scheduled for allergies will show foods -- hmmm, I should have mentioned that to the derm. I didn't only because he already had food allergies tested in April. Since Brian won't drink the Alimentum, I wonder what else is out there to try if he IS allergic to soy? I'd like to try an experiment of getting completely off soy to see if it makes any difference.

Kelly, I'm afraid I'm still a little dumb as to the exact process involved -- maybe because the muscle testing that the vitamin-lady uses on me consists of my holding my thumb and middle finger in a circle while she tries to break them apart; this would seem hard to do to yourself while holding a product.

So, when you do it you hold the suspected product in your left hand and... then what? How exactly do you measure your muscle resistance? And, if you were holding something in your hand that your body reacted badly to, wouldn't that *also* make your tester-arm weaker at the same time?

Also, my vitamin-lady told me you had to make sure you had the exact question in your head when you tested. For instance, "Is this product bad for me?" and "Is this product good for me?" would produce opposite results, so the results of just holding an allergen without thinking the proper thought could be ambiguous.

Today my son's derm recommended massaging mineral oil into scalp and leave on over night. Then in the morning, wash with dandruff shampoo (she gave me samples) every other day and Head&Shoulders the other days. So I suppose we'll try it starting tonight. In the past, we had been washing Brian's hair with Head & Shoulders each night to help soothe/stop the itch. My only problem with washing his hair in the morning is that my husband and I are at work when he wakes up -- which means my mother-in-law or my mom will have to shampoo his hair.

I disagree. Scratching is not learned behavior. From Skin Deep, "You cannot tell yourself not to scratch because you never told yourself to scratch in the 1st place."

We all know the causes of eczema are complicated, but (again paraphrased from Skin Deep) there are 3 main causes: you inherited it; or you ate something you are allergic to (e.g. milk) or were in contact with something in the environment you are allergic to (e.g. mold); or Stress (esp. repressed anger).

Everyone has a threshold for reactions... e.g. you might be allergic to .25 cup of milk if consumed in one hour, but not allergic to 1/100 of a cup of milk consumed in one week.

Given this, let's say the contributing factors from the above factors to having the visual appearance of eczema are: 1. 60% 2. 20% 3. 20%

A given individual may need contributing factors to be greater than than 82% to have an eczema flare. Since this imaginary person has inherited eczema, he already has 60... if his combined total for (2) and (3) are greater than than 22, he will have an eczema flare. [Note that the 82% used as an example varies for everyone and for each person at different times. E.g. having a cold could lover the necessary contributing factors to 78%, or maybe (ironically) even raise it to 85%.]

My speculation is that creasing comes from that famous TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss) that Christine has shared much research about. When skin loses water, it no doubt loses its functional elasticity. When my eczema is in its dry-and-scaly phase, my face gets so wrinkled I look like an 80-year-old, but when it is in remission, the wrinkles pretty much disappear. I feel like that's a no-fair double whammy: to look eczematous *and* old-and-decrepit at the same time. I'm wondering how much worse I will look when I truly am old and wrinkley and still have eczema. (BTW, a derm once told me that he had never seen a post-menopausal woman with eczema, and assured me mine would clear up when that happened. Ha, no such luck. I guess hormones were just another one of those theories. Or maybe post-menopausal women with eczema just didn't come into his practice (because he was something of a jerk, to boot)).

When I first got eczema, although it was on my hands, the texture and condition of my hair changed. It also began to thin. My cosmetologist told me to stop washing it so often, to use a moisturizing shampoo, not to over-condition, and to apply a humectrant after every shampoo. She also said not to shampoo twice at a time, that once was plenty. It has been a long slow process, but she was right. My hair is in much better condition than it was.

Re the recent discussion about the scientific standards that alternative medicine should be held to... I have this same debate with my husband all the time. We both believe in the scientific method. However, through my own personal experiences as well as more widespread reading about alternative health, I am much more disillusioned than he is about conventional medicine. To me, it seems that, just because something is (as yet) UNproven doesn't mean that it is thereby DISproven.

If there is nothing to lose, and an alternative remedy resonates with someone for some reason (be it their own logic, experience, or a charismatic practitioner), then let them go ahead and try it. If it ends up working for them, so much the better, even if they cannot show scientific proof why it should work. Likewise, those individuals who feel uncomfortable trying anything that has not been written up in JAMA or Nature should not feel pressured to do so by advocates of the practice.

For me, some alternative approaches seem quite whacky -- and because I don't believe in them, they probably wouldn't work for me; On the other hand, I have tried others (acupuncture, homeopathy, colon cleansing) which seemed to me to have plausible, though unproven, reasons for working. Andrew Weil's books (highly recommended, though he does not have a universal cure for eczema) seem to take a reasonable middle ground and even my sceptical husband takes them seriously.

I did mention earlier that when I'm stressed out I get hot and itchy AND then I tend to scratch. I get hot and itchy first. That is MY body reacting to stress and it occurs on my face and forearms.

I do try to relax but the damage has already been done. If I am at work I cannot leave my desk to relax or make love (Errrrm what a good idea) sorry I wandered off then... I work to tight deadlines dealing in a lot of money. Later I will run cold water over my arms and sit on the toilet to relax. Unfortunately It doesn't go away that quickly and would still be red many hours later.

Don't forget how individual everyone's eczema is. I for one will definitely not go around saying such and such does not cause eczema when someone could be suffering for that specific reason. For me it is one of a number of triggers.

You may be aware I have taken time off work, which I am in my second week, and I feel relaxed and calm. I can honestly say it has been a very long time since my skin has felt so good. I do agree scratching does come into it, but it is the reaction to the cause.

The brain in either its conscious or unconscious state controls how our bodies work. I am a layman on this subject but I am currently reading up on how the brain works with and sometimes against the body.

May I leave you with this saying which I feel I quite apt: "You are healthy because you are happy not happy because you are healthy. A healthy body grows out of a happy mind."

The dictionary defines seborrhea as an abnormal discharge of the sebaceous glands.

One of the derms I went to several years ago said that another name for eczema is hyperhyrdosis (I think) which means hyperactive sweat glands.

I know I've seen some name like "seborrheic dermatitis" in the myriad web sites discussing eczema. Are these the same thing? Can someone connect the above thoughts into a coherent statement?

Anyhow, on to my real question; what exactly does the term "antiseborrheic" mean?

I'm wondering this because the Merck index classifies pyrithione zinc as "antibacterial, topical antifungal, antiseborrheic."

I think that it's very difficult to measure responses to the highly reactive foods let alone the least... I mean, if you think about it... At what point do you say a "problem" exists? When there is visible evidence of it? Because I'm sure that it's got to be doing something internally long before it is noticeable as a skin condition.

It's also hard because according to my allergist it can take a couple days for something you eat to start showing up as a skin reaction... Certain foods can happen very quickly while others do not.

My allergist also said that if you're have reactions to food it's a "bucket of water" situation. For example, if you've got a bucket that could hold 100 units of water... Say eating eggs takes up 20% of that bucket, milk 25%, etc... The point being, any foods your are allergic to will fill up the bucket a bit and when you overflow you start getting bad reactions. The trick is to remove the foods that cause the most amount of your bucket to fill up.

Obviously it's different for everyone... But it makes sense to me that if you are having reactions to foods I would rather remove two or three from my diet completely and greatly reduce the problem than only eating 10-15 different things.

I just found out recently that I am also allergic to methyl and chloro isothiazolinone, parabens, formaldahyde (as well as many other things), the three major preservatives found in lotions/shampoos etc. I have eczema on the palms of my hands for about 7 years (the backs are fine). I DO notice it get much worse about a week after I have a stressful event (e.g. an exam). Sometimes I'll get real dry skin on my neck and scalp too.

Anyway, since I am allergic to these things, the allergist recommended I just wet my hands at night, pat them dry so they are still damp, and then put vaseline on them and cotton gloves. It has worked wonders!! My hands still look all wrinkly, but they are remaining healed. I only have to put a mild steroid on maybe once every 2 weeks, and usually that is my own fault, by using wrong products.

I laugh now because for years the derma MIXED Eucerin Cream and a steroid to give me. One must have cancelled out the other!

I found an all natural shampoo and conditioner without any parabens or Methyl-chloro isowhatever in it, my scalp and neck completely cleared up. Also I'm sure that helped my hands eliminating contact with the preservatives. I just hope it remains that way.

New activity (again, on my hands) has showed up on BOTH hands, in exactly the same place as the OTHER hand. In fact, if you placed both of my hands side by side, my eczema always looks like a mirror image of the other hand, almost completely symmetrical. I have to admit, I am constantly surprised that this happens. I don't think mine is caused by stress, making love or anything else other than my screwed-up body. In high stress times I am clear - OR active. I can't get a handle on it, and have given up trying to keep track. This time of year, I am constantly under stress, but I am also intermittently clear! Amazing.

ALTERNATIVE VIEWS vs. ACCEPTED SCIENCE:

Ok, now for the dead horse beating: I like precision. I like to see how things work. I can understand most traditional scientific views. As a regular subscriber of at least 20 or 30 periodicals that deal with all types of science, and none that deal with these alternative views, I am immersed in one side of this issue. While I like to think I am open-minded enough to consider some of these methods, others just do not lend themselves to a scientific test - specifically, for one, the "muscle-testing" mentioned in several past posts. To quantify this, it seems, you should be able to set up a standard testing procedure - hard to do when it appears that each practitioner has a different method for applying the procedure, even, perhaps, testing a third party to exact a result from another.

The human mind is a very powerful thing, and nobody really understands exactly how it works - agreed? So I CAN accept that some method might work for some people, especially since this disorder of ours is thought to be caused by our own bodies. But to extrapolate that into a scientific discipline, applicable to the main, is anathema to the scientific method. Mind control, pure and simple. Nothing wrong with that - we all use it, consciously or unconsciously every day. Unfortunately, it cannot be measured, or reliably reproduced in today's world. UNproven? Yes. DISproven? Impossible. You can never prove a negative - simple fact.

And that's my last word on the subject. I promise (I think) not to mention it again!

A couple of days ago, my husband noticed that my skin doesn't feel or look like rice paper (thin, dry, non-elastic) anymore. It's getting **thicker** and is "learning" how to moisturize itself. Remember a long time ago I posted that a nutritional biochemist said he believed that atrophy (thinning of the skin) was reversible? I think he was right. I look like I have young (almost baby-like) skin again, and it looks and feels thicker.

The wrinkles on my hands came from using too much zinc oxide ointment (containing mineral oil, beeswax, vaseline & zinc). As I quit using everything on my hands except for trace amounts of jojoba oil (now just once a day (if that)) and **totally** avoid hot water and soap and chemicals on my hands, I continue to see daily improvement.

I remember pinching my skin together (on my legs) and seeing the dry and thin skin wrinkle up like I was 100. That was not so nice for a 35 year-old person to have skin that looked that way. I remember thinking that my skin was going to look that way forever. Now, when I pinch my skin together on my legs, the skin doesn't wrinkle up. That says a lot.

I would hope that many of you take seriously my advice of cutting down on baths, reducing shower time, not using hot water, avoiding soap, stopping the use of occlusive barriers and replace it with jojoba oil for now, and begin to try and wean yourselves off of corticosteriods (by watering it down and skipping days) as you focus on nutrition. Somtimes the things that consume us the most are the things we focus on. Try to preserve your hydrolipid film and acid mantle and try and focus on nutrition.

I don't think that formaldehyde is so prevalent in many things as one might think, however consider that there is an ingredient contained in many items that is very destructive to skin, as well as the general physiology that is most often overlooked. That ingredient is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - look also for its cousins: sodium laureth sulfate, and even the far milder and best form of surfactant: TEA lauryl sulfate. These surfactants make things wetter, thereby washing away (through dilution) the things we wish to wash away.

They are serious skin irritants and they leave a changed flora and fauna of the site they are in contact with.

Soaps - shampoo - dish detergent - bubble bath - wallpaper remover - etc. etc. etc.

I hope this helps to re-direct some thought. In the meantime, do always look for the word formaldehyde and try to avoid it as much as possible. There is only one time we should come in contact with it and it's not now.

Please look at the following book titles and consider them as a means of locating an official word or two about cosmetic preparations you might be concerned about.

• Perfumery: The psychology and biology of fragrance S. van Toller, G.H. Dodd Published by Chapman & Hall Paperback ) 1990 ISBN/ISSN: 0-412-40720-5, Price: US $32.95, UK GBP29.95
• Poucher's Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps: The complete set, Ninth Edition W.A. Poucher, G. Howard, H. Butler, A.J. Jouhar Published by Chapman & Hall Hardback ) 1993 ISBN/ISSN: 0-412-49920-7, Price: US $296.50, UK GBP199.00
• Poucher's Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps: Cosmetics, Ninth Edition W.A. Poucher, G. Howard, H. Butler, A.J. Jouhar Published by Chapman & Hall Hardback ) 1993 ISBN/ISSN: 0-412-27360-8, Price: US $96.95, UK GBP75.00, Canada $189.95
• Poucher's Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps: The raw materials of perfumery, Ninth Edition Poucher, Howard, Butler, Jouhar Published by Chapman & Hall Hardback ) 1991 ISBN/ISSN: 0-412-27340-3, Price: US $134.50, UK GBP65.00
• Poucher's Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps: The production, manufacture and application of perfumes, Ninth Edition W.A. Poucher, G. Howard Published by Chapman & Hall Hardback ) 1993 ISBN/ISSN: 0-412-27350-0, Price: US $134.50, UK GBP75.00
• Perfumes: Art, science and technology P.M. Muller, D. Lamparsky Published by Chapman & Hall Hardback ) 1991 ISBN/ISSN: 0-7514-0157-9, Price: US $254.95, UK GBP139.00
• The Perfume Handbook Groom Published by Chapman & Hall Hardback ) 1992 ISBN/ISSN: 0-412-46320-2, Price: US $75.50, UK GBP49.00
• Fragrance: The psychology and biology of perfume S. van Toller, G.H. Dodd Published by Blackie Academic & Professional Hardback ) 1993 ISBN/ISSN: 1-85166-872-1, Price: US $128.95, UK GBP89.00
• Chemistry and Technology of the Cosmetics and Toiletries Industry Williams, Schmitt Published by Blackie Academic & Professional Hardback ) 1992 ISBN/ISSN: 0-216-93224-6, Price: US $151.50, UK GBP69.00
• Chemistry and Technology of the Cosmetics and Toiletries Industry, Second Edition D. F Williams, W. Schmitt Published by Blackie Academic & Professional Hardback ) 1996 ISBN/ISSN: 0-7514-0334-2, Price: US $154.95, UK GBP85.00
• The Psychological Basis of Perfumery, Fourth Edition J. Stephan Jellinek Published by Blackie Academic & Professional Hardback ) 1997 ISBN/ISSN: 0-7514-0368-7, Price: US $126.95, UK GBP69.00

I have two friends, not related, who had the above diagnosed. Their hands sweat profusely, but there is no rash involved. One uses an electrical apparatus of some kind, and over time, that has helped her. There is also surgery to correct this but both feel that is a drastic step to take, not without risks, so live with the condition which is not painful or unsightly; they just don't like to shake hands! :-) 

I can only speak for myself, but I know that stress CAUSES a lot of my flare ups. I know it's not the scratching, because I never scratch anymore (in part because my eczema isn't as bad as it used to be). My eczema was the worst it's ever been when I was a teenager. I had a series of total body flare-ups that required prednisone injections. That also happened to be the worst time of my life... It seems like no coincidence that my eczema was at its apex at that time, and drastically cleared up when I started living on my own.

How does one get tested for things like ingredients found in shampoos, lotions, etc.? Does the derm do this? I was wondering because I don't seem to improve when I eliminate foods from my diet, even though I tested positive for allergies to yeast, wheat, oats, barley, hops, and corn.

I disaggree with the notion that tension does not aggravate eczema. If we knew what exactly set off our eczema, we probably wouldn't be in a constant battle against our skin. A flare up is often the result of several elements. Let me say for the record that I don't think tension CAUSES eczema -- unfortunately, we are born with this genetic disposition, but I strongly believe that it is a significant factor.

Whenever I have a family get-together, my skin immediately gets bad. It usually starts a few days before the family event, and then by the time it actually takes place, my skin is a mess. If something upsets me, it's commonplace for me to start itching or to break out in hives.

Eczema is an evil disorder. I really think it's a very complex problem. If it was as simple as allergens, I don't think we would have embraced this discussion list so passionately. All of us are participants of a common battle to narrow down what the cause of our disorder might be. We have SO many things to deal with, and tension is a very big part of that. I even would go so far as to say that babies suffering from eczema suffer from a kind of tension. True, the allergens may be the catalyst, but coupled with a tremendous frustration, the eczema lingers, and allows for the onslaught of a really bad flare up. (Not to mention the fact that a baby can't express to its guardian that it's feeling dry and could you please get it some lotion.)

Taking anti-depressants and anxiety medication has helped me a lot. Sometimes I even ask my self what comes first, tension or eczema?

I have always found it interesting that, on bad eczema days, EVEN when the eczema is apparently not on my scalp (no itching or scabs, though it may be red -- I can't tell), I invariably have a "bad hair day" -- dull, limp and floppy. My perm seems to completely droop. Yet my hair perks up and curls nicely when the eczema calms down. I was wondering if the same bodily processes that affect our skin also at the same time affect our hair, and whether this might give any clue to what's going on (e.g. "global" transepidermal water loss, not just from eczematous sites but from hair shafts as well?) Does anyone else's hair (not scalp) seem affected by eczema as well?

Does anybody have any suggestions for calcium for a child if they are not to drink cow's milk? I guess Goat's Milk. But isn't that hard to find? Or soy milk? We stopped our son from drinking cow's milk and tried soy formula. But it bothered his stomach. I don't think his eczema got better either.

We are now trying corn elimination. Boy is this tough! So many products have corn syrup, corn starch or corn oil. It looks better, but we've only been doing it for awhile.

Maize Starch (GB) = Corn Starch (US). It is an alternative to talcum powder.

Some people recommended using it over a moisturizer. It traps in the ointment. I tried it on my son. It seemed to stop him from scratching but the eczema didn't get better. As a matter of fact, he started getting little red bumps all over him! So now we are cutting out corn altogether out of his diet!

Animal products are much harder to digest than vegetable products. The calcium in milk is not as easily assimilated in the body as calcium from vegetables. The calcium from dark green vegetables is a better source of calcium, because it is much easier to assimilate and digest by the body.

Milk is mucus-forming and clogs the digestive process. Notice how the doctors tell us not to give children milk products when they have a cold? Did you know that the United States is the largest consumer of milk and has the highest rate of osteoperosis and bone problems in the world? The U.S. relies too much on the media's advertisements that milk is a great source of calcium. The Orient hardly consumes dairy products, and they have the strongest bones in the world.

I just asked my chiropractor (also uses applied kinesiology) about perfoming muscle testing on yourself. He said that there was too much concious control over it, so it wouldn't work properly.

I also have the problem your friends have, my hands and feet sweat all the time. I have noticed when I use lotion the sweating is really bad. Since I also have eczema, I don't like getting dry. I don't shake hands with people either.

I hate that my hands and feet sweat the way that they do, my eczema is the worst on my feet.

My two and half year old son has asthma/eczema. His asthma is much better and he needs albuterol only once in a while. But his eczema is still very active and he goes in to scratching frenzy several times a day.

I am thinking of buying him a bird as a pet to keep him occupied and away from scratching. I thought of this since he does not scratch even if he is itching badly if his mind is occupied. As an example, he rarely scratches at his preschool. He also does not scratch if we take him out for long walks when he feels itchy.

Is it a good idea to buy a pet bird? Would it cause any more aggrevation of eczema? Is there any other animal which may be a better choice?

I went to a new dermatologists today. My initial reaction was that I was really impressed with her. She asked a lot of questions about my health history, general health, life style, etc. She spent several minutes looking at my skin closely, and she actually *touched it*! This really established trust on my part. The other dermatologist acted like he didn't want to get close to me.

My second reaction was that she spent a lot of time with me but she really hasn't done anything yet. She biopsied my leg. I'll get the results next week. The other doctor didn't discover anything is his biopsy. She gave me another script for hydroxyzine HCL (10mg) for the evening, and a script for Claritin (10mg) during the day. I've seen Claritin mentioned here before, but I've never been on it. I have another secondary infection, so I'm on CEPHALEXIN again (500mg) also.

She diagnosed me as having Papular Mucinosis. The doctor seems to think I have too much mucin in my legs. Does anyone know anything about this? This doctor really didn't think it was eczema as the other dermatologist thought.

Finally, she gave me several OTC samples. I liked this. If they don't work, I haven't spent any money on the products. One product was Moisturel, a skin protectant lotion. Other than glycerin, I don't see any on the "forbidden" chemicals in this product. Dimethicone 3% is the main ingredient. The other product was Cetaphil cleanser. I'm supposed to wash without a wash cloth; the only thing I'm supposed to use is my hands. This is sort of the reverse of what I was doing. I was using just a wash cloth and water, no soap or cleanser.

She recommended that I buy Aveeno Shave Gel. I'm supposed to shave my armpits right away, and my legs after the infection is gone. Yeah! I was so excited about hearing I could shave, that I forgot to ask why I should shave, when the other Doctor told me not to shave. Finally, she told me to buy Almay Hypo-allergenic anti-perspirant. I liked the Aveeno recommendation because of the oatmeal. I really liked the Sativa samples despite the smell. I hope the Aveeno works just as well! I'm out of the Sativa samples. If the moisturel sample doesn't work, I'm going to buy the Aveeno lotion.

Finally, I'm taking all this info and new products with a big grain of salt. I'm not putting all of my hopes in them. When I entered the office lobby, there was a great big display of Almay and other products. Even though the doctor didn't push the sales from her office, I knew she was influenced! Nevertheless, I'm excited about next weeks appointment. This doctor won me over with her sincere interest and great bed side manner.

I'd suggest an aquarium.

Mindy, Sounds like all of the same things my derm started me off with. The only deodorant I can use is Almay. I also use Moisturel although only once in awhile. If I use it too much then I get the patches of stuff back. Same thing for the Cetaphil. The only moisturizer I have found that I can use long term is the Creamy Vaseline. I tried Aveeno soap and wasn't too happy about the smell. Sounds like you've got new options.

Thanks for your confession about sharing the little picking problem. It's been cause for my embarassment in the past. Knowing that I am not alone makes me feel better. I have wondered if others have the same problem and now, I have a little peace of mind.

Also, is there anyone out there that any advice as to what to do if you are going to be spending time at someone's place who has cats/dogs/hairy pets? Or any other kind of quick remedy for an allergic reaction? (Other than anti-histamines, or anti-itch stuff.) I actually had a weird allergic reaction to a soap today. I know it was stupid to use soap. It had calendula in it, which I thought might be good. It also felt scratchy, so I thought to myself, maybe I'll get rid of some excess dead skin. Man, what a bad move. I am now INCREDIBLY itchy and it's driving me nutso. I've taken three anti's to no avail.

I am using quercetin right now (an antioxidant I think) and was wondering if anyone else uses this for their eczema and how effective it is. I heard that it's supposed to be good for people with allergies.

Does anyone have any experience of tea tree oil and its properties in relation to eczema, good or bad they would like to relate? What does it do and how does it work?

To be honest I'd advise against any furry/feathery pet for a kid with asthma or eczema. He may well have the asthma under control at the moment but start introducing a pet and you are asking for trouble.

And I know that some people disagree, but I find that when I have allergic reactions to things in general (dust etc) my eczema can get worse - so there is a fair chance that if he gets allergic to feathers he'll have the same problem.

On quercetin, see:

http://www.thorne.com/quercetin.html
http://www.vitamindiscount.com/

This may sound a bit weird, but if I am experiencing reactions like sneezing, etc., I stick my head under water (for less than 4 minutes) and breath a little water in thru my nostrils and expel it... this removes whatever was in the air and got into my nostrils thus causing the reaction. As far as cats, dogs, etc., since a friend of mine has them and I blame her cat for breaking out lately, plenty of baths, etc., are helpful but once I start breaking out I (skin) I believe that then it is too late as a total reaction takes over. So I would suggest that you don't sit on things that gather hair which in turn will get in your clothes or put a clean towel (maybe bring your own towels) , and use the water trick as well.

I would recommend a box turtle. Just make sure you clean its home periodically to avoid mold growth. My dermatologist told me that her kids all have allergies and that box turtles are a fine choice of a pet. I am sure fish would also be fine, but less interactive than a turtle.

As for a bird, well, it's more maintenance than a turtle. Turtle eat every other week. Birds need to be fed almost daily, there water changed every day and their cage cleaned everyday as well. Will it exacerbate the eczema, I'm not absolutely sure. My mother used to have a bird, and I felt a little sneezy and itchy around the eyes in its presence. I would just say, better safe than sorry.

I have heard from several sources that the main benefit of your antibodies helping the nursing infant is drastically reduced (or gone?) by the age of 6 months.

I'm also the person who posted the note yesterday stating that a local homeopath/ pediatrician had told my friend that infants he has seen tend to suffer their worst stage of E from 6 to 12 mos. (I have no idea which percentage of them have been nursed or not.) And this is also the time period they start eating solids and moving around (crawling). I wonder if there's any connection here? Anyone else notice this as a bad eczema time frame?

Now, I am confused about something. I've read in some book (forgotten now) that sufferers of eczema ".. have hypersensitive immune systems," described as "super healthy, reacting to things the average system tolerates," and as a result, will probably even live longer than average... "

On the other hand, I always hear that they have weakened immune systems. My daughter's on a homeopathic remedy to boost her immunities.

Is this contradictory or semantics?

Rice milk is fortified with Calcium, and vit A & D. You can buy it in health food stores and some supermarkets in the sugar free/ fat free/ health food section. Doesn't have to be refrigerated until opened. It comes in choc., vanilla, or mocha flavors in addition to plain. Even comes in small cartons with a straw (like juice boxes). Start off with it in cereal, if it takes getting used to, then it's most disguised. When I started it in Sept. I thought it was a little nasty but now I'm so used to it I can't even tell (in my cereal, that is!). They even have Rice milk "ice cream" in a variety of yummy flavors.

It is not intended to be for infants in place of formula, but my daughter nurses and will not touch formula... so it's better than just offering juice all the time.

Yes, from 6 to 12 mos is the time period that my son had his worst eczema. Actually his peak was between 5 1/2 to 10 months, and we started to introduce him the solid food when he was 5 months old.

Regarding withdrawal symptoms from stopping the use of occlusive barriers, using jojoba oil will moisturize your skin. Remember, it is virtually identical to human sebum (see http://www.armchair.com/warp/jojoba1.html).

I used to load on the corticosteriods and moisturizers after getting out of a nice burning hot shower that I used to kill the itch. Now that I preserve my hydrolipid film by not using hot water and avoiding soap, my skin doesn't dry out as much. I still get a little itchy when I get out of the shower, but I only use the jojoba oil sparingly where the skin feels a little tight and itchy. The less I use, the less I need to use.

Try using the jojoba oil instead, because there is nothing in this world I know of that is closer to human sebum. It doesn't have any fragrance, preservatives, and it won't block your pores. It should help your skin become healthier because it isn't an occlusive barrier.

We have 4 birds in the house. You have to confront food and poop all over the place if you let them out of the cage. Also, their down feathers go everywhere. They also have the disposition of a 2 year old child who never gets older. Unless you're a bird lover, I'd try a hamster.

Macadamia nut oil is the closest to human sebum that I know of not jojoba oil; but I would prefer jojoba over macadamia.

Actually JO is an occlusive barrier, it is a light wax.

Does tension aggravate eczema? I imagine tension might well aggravate any number of health problems - if you're unwell, it can't help to be stressed from other causes as well. But I guess that how great a role tension plays will vary from person to person. Some years ago, before I ever had eczema myself, I worked beside a girl who had long-term severe eczema, affecting her hands among many other parts. She was the most phlegmatic and undemonstrative girl! But there was a strong family history of eczema.

I don't find tension has any particular effect on my own (atopic) eczema --Not that I'm particularly stressed, but life has its moments! I think one would need to be careful of getting into a cycle of feeling guilty because think your eczema is worse because you're tense, so in some measure it's your fault. That would make you more tense, perhaps! Conversely, I must say also that I know someone who has had eczema a long time, and when a horrific family tragedy struck, he immediately got incredibly worse. I suppose it's a matter of recognising thet there are different types of eczema, and one should become an expert on one's own particular case.

If it is suspected that Candida is an important factor in an individual case, it might be worth trying the antifungal oral itraconazole (Brand name 'Sporanox' in Britain). As this works systemically, it should remove any problem from the inside outwards, thus avoiding the need to put another preparation on the skin. 

Kelly, if jojoba oil is an occlusive barrier because it is a wax, does that mean that it will not allow our skin to breathe?

Has anyone found a non-toxic, non-occlusive, non-irritating sun block or sunscreen. I have tried Neutrogena but it makes me itch. I also tried one that was supposed to be all "natural" for the natural foods supermarket, but it burns when I apply it. I am one of those eczema sufferers who reacts adversely to even a minimal amount of sun.

I generally try to cover up when I'm in the sun and wear a wide brimmed hat (makes my head perspire and itch, of course) but it's nearly impossible to avoid sun entirely since I do spend quite a bit of my leisure time outdoors.

I lived in A. a year ago and my skin got really bad there. I think it may have had to do with tension, of which I had tons, and not watching my diet (chicken and tomatoe which aggravate any pre-existing eczema I have) and also the pollen count there was high.

However, I also have hashimoto's thyroiditis (hypothyroidism due to autoantibodies against your thyroid) but had not been taking my thyroid medication for a couple of months since my tests showed that my levels were normal --my husband, a doctor, thought I didn't need to take them therefore. However, around that time I gained 13 pounds and I had never been that heavy in my entire life. My skin got so incredibly dry that when I used to wake up in the morning my face was all taut and I could barely open my eyes and had a hard time making any facial expressions. It was real scary b/c I had never had skin like this before. After taking a shower the skin would gain moisture and would rub off.

Later on when my marital problems came to a peak and I had severe depression due largely b/c of my eczema which became full-bodied and severe I had to moisturize my face/neck every half hour, I wish I had had this list then for support, considering my husband (now ex) was not supportive in the least. My facial skin would just not retain any moisture and I resorted to using thick greasy moisturizing creams which didn't help much either. My skin would just soak up all the water in the cream and I would be left with an oily film on my face which seemed to make me feel drier. I found that the only thing that helped was putting wet compresses on my face which felt wonderful.

What I'm wondering is wether not eating my thyroid medicine, something which I was told by my endocrinologist that I would have to do for the rest of my life, contributed to my dry skin and thus my eczema. I have been told there is a connection by some doctors. My aunt also has hypothyroidism and really dry skin and eczema. She is in her late 50's and her skin looks so wrinkled, more than my grandmother's did when she was 80-something. God I don't want that to be my fate! Does anyone on this list also have hypothyroidism? and if so could they offer their insight as to the connection between the two diseases?

Not only do I suffer hypothyroidism, but it's the same cause as yours, Hashimoto's thyroiditis... which means your autoimmune system attacks and destroys your thyroid gland, resulting in reduced output of thyroid hormone... you will need to take a thyroid supplement the rest of your life, and should NEVER stop taking it for any length of time. Your aunt should also be taking daily hormone supplement, and if she is, her prescription may be out of date -- as you age, your dosage requirements usually increase, she should be retested, if she hasn't been tested in the past few years... 

And yes, hypothyroidism results in extremely dry skin, which is something the endocrynologist checks right off... also dry scalp and hair conditions... 

Interesting. I had to take thyroid as a child, but when I had my thyroid checked about 6 or 7 years ago, it was normal. PS- The eczema was adult onset.

It's "good" to hear about someone else's skin wrinkling. My 29-month old son Daniel sometimes has hands that look like a grandpa's hand on the backs, and creases in his face. I have to confess I don't do anywhere near-enough moisturizing of his skin--and people do get critical about that and tell me "should... " But it is difficult, first to remember after a bath or while I'm changing his diaper in the morning and evening, and secondly, to fight his hands and feet kicking and yelling "no, mommy, no... " It doesn't hurt him because our daycare provider is able to do it with him standing perfectly still.

His skin gets dry little patches that look almost like a sort of puckering--you have to see them in the light--very strange, and they feel a bit dry. I've been letting him go naked outside these past several days as it's been very hot and he likes it, and I am half-testing, half-hoping to see his skin improve or at least stay the same. Plus, I think it will help with potty training! And I am not putting any sun screen on yet--he is hispanic and has gorgeous brown/golden skin--but I worry it will be too much and I won't know until it's too late. Any recommendations from other parents?

Here are the vits and minerals I am taking at the mo:

Breakfast Time:

• SyberProtein nutrition drink - This is yeast, wheat, dairy and gluten free
• 1 x MultiVit and Minerals
• 2 x 1000mg EPO - This is my starter dose to get a store in the body. Will reduced by 50% after 12 weeks to maintain levels.
• 2 x Vit C 500mg - Buffered variety only. It works for me as a great anti-histamine. My fave VIT.
• 1 x Nutri-Calm - This essentially is Vit B-complex with some herbs and minerals.
• 2 x Calcium/Magnesium 400mg - I do have calcium deficiency and am working hard to correct this.
• I also take 30ml of Aloe Vera Juice and a cube of honeycomb.

I am also taking some herbal/mineral/vit tabs to detoxify the liver (recovering from Chinese herbal medicine last year) and the Glands. I will be finishing these within the next two weeks.

I also take at least 2 litres of spring water. Try and find one with the least Chloride or filter your tap water.

Taking supplements can be expensive but I cannot stress how important it is to ensure you are getting top quality supplements. In this industry I'm afraid the saying "You pay for what you get" is all too true.

Also be patient. It will normally take a few weeks before you will start seeing real benefits. Also you must stick to the regime. It is a waste of time and money stopping and starting.

I can only speak for myself but I feel I am now reaping the benefits. I have not used steroids or moisturisers for nearly ten days. Now, I should be completely covered and very very sore... instead my skin is supple and is healing itself. I don't want to go into too much detail at the moment but I will say that this is the best my skin has been since 1990.

I have just received my allergy test results. This included things like dust mites, pollen. grasses, moulds and other natural substances aswell as common food. I will post my results over the weekend as like you I am allergic to foods but have now found I am hyper-allergic to other things. It is these and not the foods that are really doing the damage. I will elaborate later.

It used to be common to routinely prescribe thyroid supplements to overweight children, without even checking if the thyroid was functioning normally or not... at the time, it was thought that additional thyroid supplementation even in those with normal function was, if not beneficial, at least without harmful side effects... which actually turned out to be the case. It is no longer considered a proper procedure... 

I nursed my son until he was 18 months when social pressure convinced me to stop. Although he had a lot of colic as a baby, his skin until this point was fine. I wasn't until about one month after quiting nursing (19-20 months) his eczema started, first on his face and now all over his body. Boy do I feel guilty now about stopping!!!

I didn't know chunky children were, at one time, given thyroid routinely. My being on thryoid however, was not due to a weight problem. I actually had hypothyroidism and had to take replacements until I was 3 or 4.

I've wondered about tea-tree oil too, recently. It's supposed to be an effective broad-based anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Since Staphyloccocus Aureus and Pityriosporum Ovale are said to be aggravating factors in Atopic Eczema, tea-tree products might prove useful. Worth investigating, I guess.

We think he' s allergic to rice!!!! So rice milk wouldn't work. Actually, we are still eliminating corn from his diet. Boy is that hard to do in the U.S., especially with all the processed foods. When you start reading labels, you realize how much "junk" (and I use that term loosely) is put in packaged foods. We'll see if it's helping. If corn is the problem, we may put him back on rice to see if he can eat that.

Nursing is a very personal decision. But how long were you going to continue nursing him? What did you start substituting for the breast milk? Therein, perhaps, lies the reason for the eczema.

Or maybe the pediatrician can diagnose some of those breast milk ingredients that are available in other forms that he can take. I know breast milk has certain things that you cannot synthetically make.

Don't feel so bad about quitting the nursing. You would have had to have done it sooner or later. That is a long time to nurse. I know it's a lot of work. Give yourself credit for the amount of time you did.

My little one is allergic to both cows milk and soya - so we have been giving him Oat Milk from our local Health Food shop, (I haven't seen rice milk so will look out for it) I'm not sure what the nutritional value is (does any one out there know ??) but he loves it and we no longer have him screaming cos he can't have anything on his CornFlakes. I must say I haven't tried it myself cos it looks disgusting (it looks like thin porridge which I guess is what it is).

As for goats milk - given the fact that Edward is allergic to milk and soya, our dietician has recommended avoiding goats milk cos the proteins of all three are similar. Any comments/experiences ?

We replaced breast milk with cows milk (he always refused any formula which contributed to why I fed him for so long). We have since removed all milk from his diet (and soya cos that seems to be just a bad) but the eczema, although it has improved a bit, still bothers him quite a lot. I don't know if its just the increase in milk which has triggered the allergic reaction for other foods, or if there is actually something in Breast Milk that actually protected him ?

I think part of the problem for many of us (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) is that eczema and skin conditions seem more closely tied to mental outlook. I don't know to what degree how you feel about a particular course of treatment is going to affect the actual outcome... But I have tried at times stopping the use of soaps and my skin conditions have gotten worse... 

I have had eczema for a long time and for me personally it seems more tied to stress than anything else. I wish I could put my finger on key things that cause flareups like other people seem to be able to, but I've only been able to isolate a few things so far over the years.

In my mind if you stop something that you have been doing for months or even years to try somethign else, your skin may get worse in some regards in the short term... Many of us aren't patient enough to stick with something three or four weeks when it seems to be making our skin conditions work.

If there was more feedback on the immediate benefits and "costs" of various treatments I think it might help some of us to continue. If I knew I wasn't alone in (for example) having increased itching when I stop using a moisturizer I might stick with it... I know I"m rambling here but all too often people just say "This worked and I'm better now." The amount of time it took to get better, any noticeable worsening before the skin cleared up, etc would be an invaluable thing to know.

Unfortunately for me, making love often irritates my eczema. I get very itchy all over afterwards. I read recently in Newsweek that many women are allergic to their partner's semen. Could be my problem.

I have been adding baking soda to my bath, or using it like a cleanser in the shower for almost 4 months now with good results. My eczema is under control. Although with Spring starting and warmer weather coming I've started to itch more at night.

I first tried the baking soda, in thick paste, when I had a terrible case of folliculitis. I didn't know what it was, was pregnant, and a nurse suggested using baking soda paste on my huge pustules. It did sting some then, but since I haven't had trouble when I add about a 1/2 cup to my bath, or more. And I don't use soap at all.

TEA TREE OIL

Today I have used tea tree oil (a few drops in cooled, boiled water) on my oozy, raw eczema (around my mouth) - it has healed within a hours in the less bad places and has stopped oozing in the worst places, ie - its still a bit sore and dry, but I'm not covered by oozy scab and no more is forming, it feels a lot better and from a distance the COLOUR IS QUITE PALE too. Its definitely worth a try (but don't use it neat), although like all things it will probably cause a reaction in the long run.

I actually used it first to wash off some cream that had become irritating and I've resolved to leave creams for a few days to allow my skin to heal - so if I have good results I'll let you know.

BAKING SODA

I've been reading a book called Nutritional Medicine, by Dr Stephen Davies & Dr Alan Stewart - well worth a read if you are looking at food allergies - they say that taking baking soda in water can help to lessen an allergic reaction as an emergency measure - so it seems to make sense it could help applied topically.

Linen is cloth woven from flax (the same mother plant as linseed - incidentally VERY HIGH IN GLA) - it is not actually as soft as cotton - its the stuff that takes ages to iron and then crumples within seconds, but possibly the connection with flax makes it hypo-allergenic?

I do find my linen shirt very soothing when I've erupted in bumps caused by a sun allergy.

Does anyone take the herb Scutellariae ---- recommended In Stephen Terrass's book?

I've tried both flax oil straight from the bottle and in oil capsules. I highly recommend taking the capsules, even if they are huge. In liquid form, Flax oil tastes a bit like rancid furniture polish, leaves a strong aftertaste, and seems to spoil more quickly in the bottle form.

The straight flax oil is OK if you put it on a salad and mask the flavor with strong salad dressing. It's tolerable in a milkshake.

I had a hard time taking daily doses of straight flax oil, I kept missing my morning doses. I started taking flax oil in capsule form about two weeks ago, and haven't missed a beat.

And yes, my skin is in much better condition... the eczema is mostly gone... of course, there's been other changes in my life as well. It's been pretty humid lately here; I started taking about 25000 IU of vitamin A and a better multi-vitamin in the morning; and work has been much much less stressful for the last two weeks. I plan on doing more controlled experiments on myself in the near future (ie taking flax oil without the vitamin A and seeing how my skin does).

I will go as far as to say that I am *positive* that flax seed oil has helped my skin. It has not *cured* my eczema but I have seen immense improvement while taking 1 tbs. of flax seed oil mixed with 1/2 cup of soy milk every day. I know there are other forms (seeds in cereals, capsules etc.) but I think this is the most effective (?).

It's interesting that it provides all those vitamins & nutrients; no wonder it's helping me without taking additional supplements. I had a hard time finding any vitamins that I didn't have a reaction to so I stopped taking them and stuck to flax seed oil only. It has, I believe, helped my skin, digestion & menstrual problems which BTW I think were all related for me. Any stresses on my body caused my eczema to flare up.

Do you know if DHA is totally different than DHEA or is there some relation? My DHEA level tested very low at one point and I was taking DHEA supplements for a while (I don't anymore). Since I started taking the flax seed oil I stopped taking the DHEA and I think it's at a normal level now- I wonder if the flax seed regulated that too.

Skullcap (Scutellariae) is a nervine and nervines are good for eczema but I have never tried this particular one.

I too have really wondered about which way the immune system problem is in eczema sufferers. From my own experience I think maybe it's the hypersensitive--I'm not sick very much. I'd think if it were the other way around where my immune system was weak then I'd be catching everything around.

I've also wondered about swollen lymph nodes. Does anyone else have permanently swollen nodes? I've had them checked and it's not cancer. The last doctor I asked about it told me that was a good sign. A swollen node was cleaning out the lymph fluid.

I was convinced about the damaging effects of soaps, shampoo and detergents a long time ago, but a recent trip to the derm has me confused again. She did a biopsy, and told me to clean with an anti-bacterial soap (Dail or Lever2000). I told her soap, especially these two, really aggrevated my skin, that I itched more, and my skin burned more. She told me that not only do I have to clean the biopsy area, but I have a secondary infection AGAIN, and I have to keep it clean. How do you keep your skin clean without soap? My eczema seems likes it get reinfected every other month. (I'm not using any steriods currently.)

I don't care much for baths but I have been wetting myself down in the shower and then applying the baking soda on my eczema. Letting it sit for about 5 mins. I'm happy to say my eczema is almost cleared up. I might just start doing with the baths. I never been tested to see what causes my eczema. I always figured it was caused by the cold as I only broke out in the dead of winter. Then I moved and my eczema came out like a bomb going off. Never had it this bad in my whole life. Of course getting posion oak on top of the eczema did not help matters any. Maybe the change in weather was just too much for my body to handle.

My heart does go out for the people on this list that must live with it on a daily basis and have it all over their body. It's very painful and depressing to deal with for just a short time. I can't imagine having to deal with it day in and day out. When I have my eczema I don't want anything or anyone touching me on my eczema. I find the only time I'm totally happy is when I'm totally naked. Of course we all know we can't go out into the world with no clothes on (pout).

Something that is great that I use that is antibacterial and VERY VERY soft and mild on the skin is Spectrajel (spelling?). It's available in Canada, I'm not sure where you live but I hope you can get your hands on it. It is really soft on the skin and doesn't irritate me.

I have several swollen nodes as well. They haven't changed in many years. I don't know if it is actually a GOOD sign, but at least it is not something to be alarmed about!

Thanks to all for your concern re our son Isaac (hi to the other Isaac and his parents). We continue the wheat, soy, oat, corn, milk, peanut, nuts free diet (that is, as a breastfeeding mom, I'm doing it) but we also supplement with Nutramigen, an elemental formula like Alimentum. Like your son, Linda, Isaac refused it. Finally I talked with a mom/nutritionist who suggested that I add some sugar to the water I mixed it with-- instant success. I continue to add sugar but am trying to reduce the amount.

Why don't doctors tell you these things? I believe Isomil and Enfamil are dairy milk based and that the proteins in them are not as broken down as the more expensive, hypoallergenic formulas. Today we learned of a British formula which is even more broken elemental than Nut. or Al. called Neocate. FYI just heard a news story about a family who challenged their HMO to pay for this formula as they claimed it was medicinal as well as being food for the baby. Apparently they won and now the HMO is paying for it (in Mass.)

Anyway, I hope this info about the formula is helpful. It sounds like you're doing so much to keep Brian clear, Linda. It's such a confounding condition as there seems to be so many contributing variables. We haven't even tackled dust mites yet. Isaac seemed to be responding to the antibiotic, Keflex, but again today is weeping. We're in the hospital now getting the gammaglobulin infusion. It is just the beginning of a long course of treatment. I'm going to try one more week of even a more pure elimination diet (I had been using Rast test results as a guide before but am now wondering if I was strict enough). I think I really need to look at the possibility of weaning Isaac within the next month because I'm feeling frustrated and irritable by the dieting and the lack of results. I'd be very interested to hear from Sue to know exactly how she went about structuring a diet for herself and how she maintains it after so long.

Debbie, Please find the source and let us know. I could use a little assurance of longevity, when I sometimes feel that eczema will end up *shortening* my life (because of constant inflammation, overuse of steroids, and an immune system that will eventually get tired of working overtime). I hope the authors have some good documentary evidence!

I too have heard quercetin touted a lot for allergies. It's a derivative of a tree bark, I believe. The problem is that it's poorly absorbed, and you have to take it on an empty stomach (3 hrs after eating and 1 hr. before). I attempted to use quercetin once but could rarely find a 4-hour period between food ingestion, so couldn't give it a fair try.

Male cats are apparently three times more allergenic than females.

Kelly, Where did you hear that corn starch microscopically cuts eczema? I have been using the baby powder with cornstarch (after I apply my tar cream) for the last year or so and it has (on most occassions) stopped my itching.

Mindy, Is your skin cracking open from dryness, or are there raw patches of inflammation, or is it where you scratched that the infection is?

I used to use zinc oxide ointment for the cracks because it's a protectant, astringent, and it promoted healing. Then, I stopped using it because it kept on drying up the skin. So, after the skin had healed, then I started using jojoba oil while the skin is wet with water droplets.

I keep my skin clean by using lukewarm water and a non-soap oatmeal cleanser.

Bromelain is not needed for quercetin to be absorbed BUT quercetin is not well absorbed and bromelain increases the absorption of quercetin. Use equal parts per dose.

As promished my report on the first part of a test of a new medicine against eczema. I stayed in hospital for one week, and was embrocated twice a day with a new developed cream. The farmacateucal firm which developed it, Novartis, is new after the merger of Ciba Gigy and Sandoz, Switserland. The component which is active in this cream is cyclosporine, an antibioticum; until now also tablets with cyclosporine are prescribed for heavy eczema sufferers, but the disadvantage is always that to much of the component will be absorbed in the blood. Already earlier one tried in one or other form to use cyclosporine, which is diminishing overreaction of the defence of the skin, but in the new form, in this cream, the results seem to be promising.

I was among 12 persons in this clinical research, and so far, after one week, I am very enthousiastic about the results. My eczema has nearly vanished, and it is hoped that negative results as with corticosteoride creams will be avoided. Frequent users of the latter know that your skin becomes quite thin, and the cream after a while won't even be effective anymore.

In this clinical research there was a very intensive blood research, to determine if and how much of the cyclosporine, which was now embracated straight at the eczema spots, eventually was absorbed by the blood. So far only very limited quantities are (with other patients, my results weren't known so far), nearly impossible to measure with the available equipment.

The use of a cream based on cyclosporine could give eczema sufferers a better perspective for an effective medicine, but the clinical research is still in the first stage. It will take some more years to complete the whole research, in order to registrate the medicine.

After this research there will be a follow up with creams with different doses of cyclosporine.

Unfortunatelly I have to stop the use of the cream after the complete research program of three weeks. The cream created a soft, non-red, non-scaly skin and the question is how long it will remain like that.

I think rinsing clothes in warm water will get the soap out better than using cold water. (Most cycles use cold water.)

When I double-rinsed my clothes in cold water, I still smelled the detergent. When I double-rinsed my clothes in warm water, I didn't smell the detergent.

My understanding has always been that cold water rinses are equally effective as warm water. Consumers Reports makes this statement also, in their latest review of washing machines, and they say that that's why most machines have only cold water rinses, in addition to being an energy saving feature.

Putting fewer clothes and a bare minimum of detergent in your load might help the rinse cycle to be more effective. I wonder if you could use baking soda or water softener without the detergent. Maybe a combination of baking soda and vinegar with a warm water wash. That's what I use to clean spots on my carpet where my cats have had "accidents", and it really works, gets really foamy and takes away the smell too.

I'm embarrassed about the way I look. I know, there's more to life than appearance but I can't help it. Sex also makes my eczema a lot worse since I have a very bad reaction to my husband's sweat.

I'm feeling so damn lousy, I just want to scream, BLOODY MURDER!!! Seriously, I look like a puffed up, wrinkly tomato with sprouts coming out of it. I've tried anti-hist, antibiotics, anti itch, anti-friggin everything! All to no avail. The only other solution that comes to mind is: lobotomy. Let me not be aware of this horrible physical dicomfort, pleeez! I'm thinking of taking a cold bath-yuck! But my skin is on fire, and cold water might just fend off the flames. Anyone have any thought about Aloe Vera Gel? Do people use salts in their baths? I like colloidal oatmeal, except it's a bit of a mess.

I hope all of you are not in the same boat as I am, be well.

Using a warm rinse as compared to a cold rinse: Depends on your water. Use only enough soap or detergent to make the water feel slippery. Two rinses are better than one and most (if not all) laundries use COLD water - although that's because of the cost of warm water - takes a lot of BTUs to raise the temperature of water.

I have a tendency to walk around in a loose cotton robe (that doesn't close well) when I'm at home. It feels much better on my skin, even though my eczema is under control. It only makes it hard when someone comes to the door and my four year old answers before I can put something on.

Oh well. Maybe we could all move to a nudist colony!!

I use baking soda with my free and clear soap to help take out odors. It has been very effective. I use baking soda everywhere in my house! In my bath, my laundry, my food, and now they even put it in my baby's diapers!

Rachel, Sorry to hear you are feeling so bad today. Have you tried evaporation, wrapping your self in a damp sheet or damp pajamas, and then covering your self in a blanket for warmth? I only have eczema on my legs, but sometimes that takes away the burn after a little bit, and it feels really comforting. Actually I tried it again last night: I went out and really wanted to dress up for a change, so I put on a new pair of pantyhose with my dress. It mostly felt ok while I was out, but when I took them off that night it itched really bad, so I put on the wet pajama bottoms and went to bed. But this time it didn't help, it just got worse and worse so I had to practically jump out of bed and rip it off. I went and washed my legs with the oatmeal soap. Actually I felt a lot better just taking off the pajamas, but the eczema was very red and angry looking.

Anyway, this story is the exception, I think I should have washed or at least rinsed my legs before trying the evaporation last night. I shouldn't wear the hose at all without washing them first I guess. Usually don't wear them at all anyway. I hope the evaporation will help you if you haven't tried it yet.

I use Mary Kay foundation. It doesn't seem to bug my face too much. I usually put a little Clinique moisturizer over my flakes (over the Aquaphor) and then dab a little foundation on. Some mascara, a little Mary Kay lip stick and then I might even curl my hair. Presto, I'm not as ugly feeling anymore.

For the longest time I just quit trying to look okay. But then it got too depressing. One day I picked up Cindy Crawford's beauty book (was that a stupid thing?), but it inspired me to try a little harder. I used to look pretty good, then I stopped even trying to make my hair look okay. My husband was nice all along, but I can tell he appreciates my effort.

Milk is food for baby cows. If you are a baby cow - go for it, if not give it the flick.

Doesn't the mixture of baking soda and vinegar create a chemical reaction, similar to a science lab explosion?

Mindy, I read your post on the new dr. it sounds great. Have you ever tried the "mineral" deoderant? It is sold at health food stores and is clear and supposed to be a natural mineral. My husband swears by it, he had E as a child and now is just REALLY sensitive to a lot of things that touch his skin. Using regular deoderant his armpits would be bright red. I first got him the trial size for about $3.50. I don't know your situation but just noticed your post and wondered if you had tried it.

Does anybody have any really creative ideas on how to get your 1 1/2 yr old to eat more kale and broccolli for sufficient calcium intake? I mean, what would us humans be eating for calcium, especially toddlers who are used to this modern diet?

I am also doing the no dairy with my 2.5 year old. He hates the rice milk but likes the "ice cream" I have read that sesame has lots of calcium so we are eating sesame butter and lots of dark green vegies (as many as a toddler will eat) but I a still concerned about the lack of calcium. I guess we are in the same boat, have you found a good dietian to talk to, the free one I called was no help at all.

I mix the vinegar with warm water first, and then watch it burst into foam when I add the baking soda. It dies down really quickly when the baking soda starts to settle, but if you stir it up again, voila! I suppose it would make a huge mess in your washing machine! It really does work wonders for the carpet though. Actually, I use Arm and Hammer detergent in my wash, I think it does contain baking soda, and I also throw in some vinegar to the wash at times, never had a problem with it.

Baking soda and vinegar is used to simulate lava exploding out of toy volcanoes. I sure wish Bill Nye the science guy was on this list.

I've currently won a battle against cracks and inflammation. My current infection is in the sores I've scratched open. I really didn't' even realize I had it, it's very minor this time compared to past occurrences. I'm using polysporin and cetaphil on the biopsied area. It seems to be healing well. (Much better than the remainder of my leg. Hmmmmmm?) I've bought some jojaba oil, and I will start using it tonight after I shower.

We are all veggies in our house, so I guess we eat some fairly weird looking concoctions anyway, but I've found the best way to get kids (and husbands!) to eat unwanted veg is to hide them in red lentil stew! You can chuck the whole thing in one big pot - so you lose no nutrients cos there's no cooking water to throw away - and it's nice and easy too:-) Also, my eldest who is nearly 3 likes broccoli as itself if I steam it 'cos then it doesn't go all mushy (it's also better for you that way) - he calls it eating flowers.

I went looking for shampoo without sodium lauryl sulfate (or its cousins sodium laureth sulfate or TEA-lauryl sulfate) and found very few without any of them. Those few that didn't have it often had something which sounded similar: ammonium lauryl (or laureth) sulfate. I assume that's not good either.

The only ones I've found so far without any of the above are: Neutrogena Solid Bar Shampoo and numerous shampoos by Jason Natural Cosmetics in Culver City CA. Now the Neutrogena bar shampoo has propylene glycol, which I remember is also a problem for some people on the list.

So, it comes down to Jason Natural Cosmetics. I didn't buy any because they only had huge sizes (18 oz for $7) and there were so many different kinds that I wasn't sure which would be best. I liked the fact that all their bottles were marked with a bold statement NO LAURYL/LAURETH SULFATES. It was the only company which seemed to recognize the problem with those ingredients.

Since semen is unique to males, it is certainly possible for females to be allergic to it. There are plenty of proteins and other macromolecules on the surface of the sperm that could trigger an immune response by the female. In fact, this is related to a possible birth control strategy that is currently being developed. Women could be "vaccinated" against sperm with an injection, so that their body could destroy sperm before they reach the egg.

I have two questions:

1. I have been told by my specialist that my IgE level is 1580, which he said is very high. I forgot to ask him where I fit in the IgE scale before he went on his holiday. Does anybody know?
2. For the past ten years I have been having hot flushes that shoot thru my shoulders, up my neck, all over my face, down my back and arms. They happen when I am hot or stressed out. Sometimes that creep up when I am doing nothing. Is this caused by the eczema, or is it a reaction from the steroids I have used for the past 29 years? Personally I think it is to do with the steroids but the docs I have spoken tio have no real idea. Also does anybody else experience this. I haven't met anyone else who has eczema who also gets the flushes. 

I plan to stay away from cyclosporin treatments. Cyclosporin, also called FK506 or tacrolimus, is what transplant patients take to suppress their immune systems so they don't reject the transplants. These patients develop cancer so frequently that it has a specific name: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

Obviously the new cream is an attempt to localize the effect to the skin and keep it from effecting the entire body but there are so many other less harmful treatments that I would try first before resorting to something that may cause cancer!

I grew up with a girl all through school that was allergic to her tears. I felt so sorry for her. Nobody wanted to play with her because her eyes where red and watered all the time. It finally faded on her when she hit her teens, thank god.

I used to be allergic to eggs as a small child. Now I can eat eggs anytime I want. Makes you wonder why the body can be allergic to something at one point in your life and then disappear. My youngest brother as a baby would get eczema all over his legs and feet when he ate chocolate. Now chocolate don't bother him at all. He does get flares up of eczema on his hands every now and then. He says he only gets it when he is really stressed out.

I must agree with you. It does make a difference when you have loved ones that will stand by you through all the itching, scratching and long nights of no sleep.

After this last outbreak of eczema I have been telling myself to think positive. Like this morning I got up and my arms where itching like crazy. I told my boyfriend I'm not going to let this itching get me down. I have found if I sit and worry about the itching it seems to get worse. Maybe I'm causing my eczema to break out in my own mind. Be surprised what the mind can do.

Corn is a big problem for me. I think one of the forms that bothers me most is the corn sweetener which I usally encounter in soda and pies.

But corn is in so many different forms.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. My fiance sweats profusely, and if I wrap my arms around him while I sleep, sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with my forearms feeling like they've been bathed in acid. He feels absolutely terrible about it, and I feel terrible that I can't be free to hug him sometimes unless I'm using a sheet as a barrier.

I just wanted to let you know of my own experience with Almay antiperspirant/deodorant. I find that the "regular" Almay (with the blue lid) still irritates my skin terribly, despite it being "hypoallergenic." If you find this as well, try looking for the one with the pink lid, called "super sensitive." I've never had a reaction to this one at all. Unfortunately, this one seems to be a lot harder to find than the blue lid product.

Once I moved here and showered on a regular basis, that's when it flared up. There are other factors that are probably aggravating it, but considering that the water here is so hard that it leaves unsightly mineral deposits in the toilet, I can't imagine what it's doing to my skin. I think I'm going to invest in the water softener that someone recommended on here to me. Can't hurt at this point.

Once your child reaches 12 months old all the calcium you will need is in calcium fortified orange juice available everywhere.

Hello, NO rice, wheat, corn? Me too. I also cannot take white potato. I can eat with no problem YAMS, sweet potato seems to be ok too, but I am not sure. But do not use canned versions, they are filled with corn sweetener.

Yams are extremely nutritious. High in vitamin A and fiber. A tribe in South American jungles eats almost only YAMS (and Monkeys occasionally - I eat Natural turkey instead of monkeys.)

Give it a try. Wash them throughly though (any vegetable) and maybe peel the skin off. I cook them in the microwave for about 12 minutes after cutting them into 2 inch chunks. Covered. They have a different flavor when the are cooked covered. You might want to try cooking them uncovered too.

I do react to the "super sensitive" Almay but only slightly. I react to this one the least. I buy it from Eckerd's.

About Sodium Laurel/Laureth Sulfate... The Johnson's No More Tears/Pooh Shampoo did not have this EXACT ingredient. It had something similar, but not the same name. I don't know if that makes a difference.

Aveeda makes a dual performance facial powder that can be used wet or dry & it is supposedly natural. It doesn't contain any humectrants (glycerin or propylene glycol) which irritate my skin. It's expensive but worth it when I want to wear some makeup.

Someone wrote a couple of months ago about trying cleaning disks and said they didn't really work very well, only on clothes that were pretty clean to begin with. 

Rachel, Hope you're feeling better by the time you read this. I have felt like that so many times, and the worst part was thinking that it would continue indefinitely, that it was so bad, my body would be wrecked forever and could never get better. But usually, eventually (after what seems like an eternity), it has remitted, at least to the point where I could function reasonably. The last time I was so godawful bad was just a few weeks before I found this list. It feels so-o-o good to know I now have someplace where I could "scream" if necessary and others would know exactly what I was feeling. Hang in there... and know that you're not alone (and also that there is probably glorious remission at the end of the tunnel).

Steve, In parenthesis you said (recovering from Chinese Herbal medicine last year). What did you mean? Did you have a bad experience with CHT?

It was actually nearer eighteen months ago when I was recommended to see a doctor who specialised in Chinese herbal medicine. I saw her over a period of about five months. My local GP was doing regular blood tests and eventually advised me to stop as my liver was starting to suffer fron the toxicity of the herbs. I have since been on herbal tablets to detoxify my liver.

Funnily enough I have just returned from my reflexologist today who confirmed that my liver and all my other organs are now fine.

I was disappointed the treatment didn't work for me as this doctor has had national acclaim in the UK press and TV. Just unfortunate my liver couldn't take it.

Personally I didn't see any improvement with my eczema during this time. I am also glad I don't have to face drinking the awful concotion.

I have to say that I agree with Jeremy about not being able to wait for improved skin by avoiding occlusive barriers. I only tried to go one day without using mineral oil and was SOOOO dry and itchy that night. So from then on, I continue to use the mineral oil, etc. So is it true that you got worse before you got better? Would it help if I purchase the Jojoba oil Christine talked about? A couple weeks ago I wrote that I was much better due to prednisone, etc., but now my eczema is flaring up all over again. I haven't tried any diet modification yet, as I still haven't finished reading the book by Stephen Terrass on "Eczema and Psoriasis, A Dietary and Nutritional Approach". The book has been very interesting so far. I just need to finish reading his recommendations and try to adjust.

It just all seems kind of overwhelming right now because there's a lot going on in my life with Brian's eczema too. Here's an update. On Friday, our derm called me with RAST test results. He is HIGHLY allergic to cats & dogs (we have 2 dogs), so they'll have to go, which is easier said than done. But even worse are the food allergies. We found out he's allergic to a few more things than we originally thought. Highly allergic to Rice, Soy (was on soy formula!), Rye, and Corn. He's also moderately allergic to oat, wheat, barley, cow's milk, casein (milk protein), egg, beef, and pork.

So what grains can I feed this child? Any ideas from anyone who's been there before? I'm going to call the nutritionist at Children's Hopsital today to get some help/appt. This weekend I spent trying to get Brian to take Alimentum (mixed with about 3/4 Isomil and 1/4 Alim.) I'm trying to transfer him to Alim. slowly. I also got a tip to add a little sugar to the Alim. for taste which I plan to try.

I use about 1/2 cup of baking soda in my full tub of water. If you're using a baby bath try 1/4 cup or less. I don't think more will hurt, but maybe start out with a little less. I seem to sting a bit if I use too much, or if I have a lot of open sores. But after an initial stinging it subsides and comforts.

In my laundry, when I use All Free and Clear I often add about 1/2 cup also to help with smells etc. Also I've started buying the Arm & Hammer laundry brand which doesn't seem to bother me at all.

If you can't seem to get your son's eczema under control I would recommend e-mailing the Julius Roth Foundation in England. You'll find their website under eczema on Yahoo. Sorry I don't have their address handy. I used their therapy method for about five months during my pregnancy and it helped a lot. I've also used it on my baby when he had a little and it went away.

I've found that when I freak out over a flare-up my skin gets worse and I'm practically paralized with skin pain. Somehow though, with the support of my husband and kids, the last couple times I had flares, I was able to be calm. What a difference. Last time I noticed the start of folliculitis, a skin infection, I remained calm about it again and it didn't turn into an all over nightmare like the five times before!

There's so much our state of mind can do for our health. I have to just remember this when I'm feeling itching and pained.

Hey Rachel, that stinks that you are suffering so badly right now- I've been there. I eventually got better and I'm sure you will too. I've found that dead sea salts in the bath were very soothing but what helped me most was concentrating on what I put in my body & on my body. I think that the flax seed oil (1 tbs. per day with soy milk/protien) and zinc capsules (30 mg per day) helped the most but watching what I eat helps too.

I am also very careful about putting things on my skin. I never towel dry, I drip dry & rub jojoba oil on my wet skin instead. I find that to be very soothing. I read all labels for hair & skin care products to be sure that NOTHING contains propylene glycol or glycerin and I use Aveeno gentle skin cleanser instead of soap. It's so hard to pinpoint exactly what causes this horrid skin disease for each individual but this is what helped me & I really hope that some of this info helps you. If nothing else, know that many of us have been there & are thinking of you.

I've been giving things another shot... I haven't used any moisturizers for four or five days now... It seems to be getting better slowly but surely... Unfortunately, I don't know if this is just me or if everyone feels this before an outbreak, my skin "feels" like it's at that perfect point to just go nuts. It's not very red, not dry, but it... Just feels that way! I don't know how to describe it, maybe someone else can explain this better.

At any rate, I'm trying to stick with it. My skin never seemed to be bad until I started giving attentions to the areas that seemed bad... Maybe everything I have been doing for the past two years has actually harmed my skin more than helped. I guess thinking the skin can recover from being bathed in moisturizers and cortisone creams in a few days is asking too much... I imagine it might take weeks. The problem is, what to do during outbreaks. I can't go around looking terrible and I just can't stay in my house either.

I'm not a baby anymore; however I can share with you a tidbit from MY baby experiences. I was allergice to most of the things you mentioned. I was removed from milk and dairy products and ended up on formulas and soy rather than the real thing... There are a bunch of examples but the whole point is: The things that were subsituted completely in my life with another item I am VERY allergic to now. I can't touch rice or soy stuff now. There is soybean in next to everything I am finding.

So, I would HIGHLY suggest a rotational diet if you can. I know it's a hassle and there may be no short-term benefits but I know a number of people who have had similiar things happen to them eg: Being given something else they "weren't" allergic to as a baby and then developing severe reactions to them later.

In reference to allegies... I am very lucky that I only have skin conditions caused and/or aggravated by my severe allergies. My allergist has often said that had I have asthma instead, I would probably not be walking around to tell about it... 

I hope someone else can point to some more scientific studies on what I have mentioned... allergies are an ongoing process especially during childhood. I think that parents should continue regular visits to an allergists throughout a child's youth if there are early problems... The "this is working" response can turn into a bigger calamity down the line.

My son is allergic to brown rice but not basmati or texmati rice. Forget minute rice, there are no vitamins left in minute rice.

About laundry disks: Don't fall for it. It is an old trick, and doesn't work. If it did work, commercial laundries would use them. They don't and never have.

Here's the scoop on washing laundry. ALWAYS use hot water in the wash cycle. Cold water doesn't kill the germs and doesn't clean clothes. A commercial laundry starts out with a "break" - we call it a "pre-wash." For the most effective job, use a pre-wash - most machines have a pre-wash. It should be SHORT - like maybe 4 or 5 minutes max. Then your regular cycle, which in most home washers is 1 wash cycle followed by 2 rinses. If you are going to use anything in the wash cycle besides soap or detergent, such as bleach, borax or baking soda, don't put it in until after the pre-wash (it works better that way), and the wash cycle works best at the 7 or 8 minute length. If you continue beyond that you'll get re-deposition - the soap (or detergent) and the dirt you just washed out is re-deposited back into the clothes. And to help get all the soap out, use an extra rinse beyond what your machine gives you. MOST important, is not to use TOO MUCH soap. Use only enough to make the water feel slippery - don't go by the suds. Any more soap than that is a waste of money, and you won't be able to get it all out.

We bought one of those ionization laundry disks, because we wanted to eliminate soap to help Isaac's skin. Frankly, I don't have much faith in it. It doesn't seem to do anything different than washing the clothes in plain water. I think part of the reason people like it *at first* is that there is still soap in their clothes--enough to get their clothes clean for a few washes.

What I do now is wash Isaac's especially dirty clothes in soap first, then do the whole load with no soap (and the disk, for good measure, but I don't think it does anything). This is a compromise, but a pain, esp. given that a LOT of his clothes qualify as "really dirty" by the end of the day.

About calcium--aren't all you Moms of dairy-allergic kids using calcium supplements? Is there something terrible I don't know about them? As soon as we knew that Isaac could not drink milk, we began crushing up calcium supplements and putting them in his food. Even though he drinks calcium-fortified rice milk, he doesn't drink enough of it to get enough calcium. I also seem to remember that eczema kids need even more calcium than average (can't remember why--is it that some other vitamin he's taking impedes the calcium, or something like that?). He can't drink the calcium-fortified organge juice--the citrus fruits are hard for lots of eczema kids, I think. And he is very suspicious of green foods (although broccoli is coming into favor now).

I also have a question/comment about the recent talk about obsessive scratching and picking at skin. Is it possible that these are all outlets that eczema sufferers (and others) use? I think I described once before my working theory about this. I think that we have lots of feelings that pile up on us when we're not allowed to express them (ie, we get hurt but aren't allowed to scream or cry; we get scared and we're not allowed to quiver or scream; we get mad, but aren't allowed to yell). I think our system NEEDs these outlets in order to heal all the random hurts that befall us in our lives. When the outlets are removed, we "store" (no, I don't know how this works--just hang with me for a second) those feelings, and we develop all kinds of behaviors to not notice them--to keep them in place. Things like scratching, picking, eating, having obsessive sex, working too hard... 

[please note that I am NOT saying that ALL scratching, eating, etc., is a result of this--I know that they're normal, necessary, rational actions--but they CAN become obsessions, too].

So, to counter this situation, we need to have the opportunity to get those feelings out--the relaxed attention from other individuals who can sit there and LET US express what we feel, without getting threatened, disgusted, scared, etc. This is something that we try to do with Isaac--when we see him doing something that looks obsessive (like scratching crazily on the changing table, but not trying to scratch anywhere else). We do whatever we can to get him to express the feelings that it looks like he's trying to repress. Sometimes just asking him about it (remember, he's only 2) is enough to get him to stop scratching and start crying, kicking, or yelling at us. Sometimes we forcibly stop him from scratching, which is sure to bring on the emoting-session we're sensing he needs.

These sessions can last from a few seconds to an hour--usually just a few minutes. By the end, he has howled, kicked, or whatever, and we have calmly and lovingly encouraged him to continue, assuring him that he knows the right thing to do and that we are there to support him. He slows down, starts to look around like he's noticing the room for the first time, then asks to get down, and runs to play... 

By the way, we use the same techniques on ourselves (I think everyone has squashed emotions that are pushing them into patterns they'd just as soon get rid of). We give each other these "sessions," and we have other people in our community who do it, too.

It's a little awkward to describe this, because I think it can sound pretty weird to someone who hasn't seen it for a while. And in some ways, it's a faith thing--this SEEMS like the right way to go, for us, so we're doing it.

So my question is, for those of you who see yourself doing something obsessive, but can't seem to stop yourself: if you were to pull aside a trusted ally, and ask them to just listen to you and remind you how wonderful you are, could you make a decision to STOP doing the obsessive thing, and just express whatever comes up for you when you do it? It might mean asking your ally to physically stop your hands from picking, and then listening to you, for example...

I'm so thankful to have found this list. I've been completely alone in this (except for my husband) and it has been driving me crazy. I have the whole shabang of allergies, asthma, and eczema. The eczema did not show up until three years ago. Up until then I had beautiful, smooth, unblemished skin. I have no idea what made this happen, but one day I just broke out in total itchiness and went nuts on my skin all over my body and since then life hasn't been the same. Physicians do not help (nor do I expect them to help) because they do not know what eczema is or how horrible and humiliating it can be to someone who has it.

I was put on Claritin and it turned out that I was one of those 0.0000001% who had side effects and I had a very severe immune reaction to it, unfortunately. I survived the asthma from that BUT it has exacerbated the eczema (that was about one year ago). I was really itchy from that incident for about eight months and just now it has begun to calm down after I started taking Allegra, which is a new anti-histamine. I also take Pepcid at night as an H2 blocker. This regimen has seemed to work for the past two months which is great, in terms of itching all over, but it has not done anything for my hands which are still yucky and I assume they always will be.

Anyway, I noticed people talking about white splots where the eczema occurs. For me the dry patches after they begin to heal turn BROWN. So I have all these disgusting brown spots all over my body. Does anyone know what causes this and how I can try and get rid of it (e.g., bleaching)? And whether those methods are safe?

Jeremy, Were you hydrating your skin every day with showers, and if so were you using anything on it afterwards or just drip drying. I can't get past a day without a shower or my skin feels so dry and taut I can barely move. And this is even when the eczema rash is completely cleared. I'd love to be able to stop using layers of moisturizers. It would cut my getting ready for work time almost in half, but I just haven't been able to get past those first couple of days (I think I'd have to take time off work to do it).

Royce, Are you allergic to glycerin? Is is a common allergen?

Jeremy, Have you been using jojoba oil? It really does feel good. I'm trying the no steroid/moisturizer approach, and put on the jojoba before I towel off after the shower. And I don't towel off my eczema areas at all, just let it air dry. 

I went a little crazy at the Eckerd's last night, I'm embarrassed to say. I found this bar of soap called "ZNP Bar". The box says "ZNP Bar with 2% pyrithione zinc is a unique medicated cleanser that relieves the itching, irritation and skin flaking associated with seborrheic dermatitis of the face, scalp and body." I asked the pharmacist about it and he said he didn't think it would hurt, and that it could be worth trying. He suggested leaving it on the skin for a little while. There are several ingredients, including disodium laureyl sulfosuccinate, glycerin, sodium potassium lauryl sulfate, among others. It cost $6.99 for a 4.2oz bar.

Has anyone one else tried this? I'm a bit afraid to try it, particularly as I'm sure it would counteract the no soap no occlusive game plan.

I also found something called IVY-DRY, containing zinc acetate 2%, in glycerin, acetic acid, methylparaben and isopropanol alcohol, for drying poison ivy rashes. It was only $3.49 for the 4oz bottle.

Jeanne mentioned she got brown spots from her eczema after it bagan to heal - I also have the same problem. My dermatologist said the only thing to help was hydroquinone, a skin bleacher you can find over the counter or with a prescription in higher strengths. However, the one I used had sodium metabisulfate and it made my eczema worse. I know I am allergic to sulfites in foods but didn't think that topically it would bother me but it did. Haven't tried any others. Another thing I used once was a product that said it was good for scars, blemishes, pigmentation and contained 25% zinc oxide, 5% salicylic acid and menthol (I forget how much). Anyway I did notice that my skin color seemed to lighten with this, although I was using sun screen as well at the time which also helped I'm sure. Has anyone else found that zinc oxide helps lighten their discolored skin?

What is Moisurel Protectant? Is it something other than lotion, a special product they make? Their lotion does nothing for me, as far as keeping my dry skin hydrated. So, I was curious to hear if they make something extra special. Would you believe that you can also use the liquid soap "Softsoap"? It's a lot cheaper than Cetaphil. Just don't get the one with anti-bacterial, I find that it stings my skin. The original one with aloe should be fine. One of my dermatologists recommended it because it has moisturizer in it. I quite like it.

Have you considered using a baby detergent to wash your clothes? I use Dreft and find that my skin doesn't get irritated. Tide on the other hand... owww!

To get all my EFA needs in a convenient manner I take "The Total EFA" by Health From the Sun. It has a whole bunch of stuff in it so three capsules per day provide 288mg of GLA. Is that enough or should I be getting more GLA?

Red lentil stew is the easiest thing in the whole world - and you can adapt it to use whatever you like! I usually use the following:

• 1 onion - which I saute in olive oil first
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 carrots
• 1 leek lots of broccolli
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 tin plum tomatoes & their juice
• 1/2 or 3/4 pint of water - you can add more if it gets stodgy!
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 1 big tsp of marmite (yest extract) or if you like (or can), this recipe is good with a whack of horseradish sauce or Horseradish mustard! 

I've been showering every other day or so now, simply because I'm in a brief period of break between my spring and summer semesters.

The skin was very dry for a couple days, but it seems to be coming back. Some of the "creases" in my skin are also starting to fade away. I've read in a couple places it can take 3-6 days for your natural skin oils and such to come back after they have been removed with soaps/detergents/or whatever. So I'm assuming that after the skin's natural abilities return to an extent healing will then occur.

My problem is that I think I have been helping to make my skin conditions worse by using moisturizer almost everywhere on my face for the last two years daily. I used it in areas on my skin but my face is obviously the most bothersome area to have a skin problem... Can't get through the day without people seeing it. :)

As I mentioned in an early post the "worse before it gets better" stuff doesn't seem to be very well documented. I used to notice if I got very sick my eczema would clear up a good deal. I'm sure the immune system has a lot to do with that but at the same time I wasn't using soaps or showering cuz I was in bed for a week. :)

I've almost completely cut all soaps out too... I just use soap on the sweaty parts of my body now and I try to get in and out of the shower as quickly as possible.

>> Forget minute rice, there are no vitamins left in minute rice. <<

And it's glue in the intestinal tract.

Yesterday, I went to have my eyes examined, and was told I 'definitely' have cataracts, and show signs of glaucoma, for which I must return this morning for a more detailed test... 

Just wondering if all those years of eczema on my eylids, and all the junk I've put on them trying to get rid of it, did something to my eyes... 

When I was a baby I was having all sorts of problems (I don't remember myself of course hehe) and my parents took me to several doctors... They did whatever testing they did (or perhaps it was assumptions, I'm not positive) and determined I was allergic to, let's call the foods, X, Y, Z... 

So my parents removed X,Y,Z from my diet completely and replaced them with X1,Y1,Z1... (As an example, replacing milk with formula). Lo and behold as I aged... I was no longer allergic to X,Y,Z but rather to X1,Y1,Z1... 

Basically what I am suggesting is that total avoidance to foods you are allergic to early in life may cause you to develop stronger allergies to the foods you replace them with.

I don't know if this is based in fact or not... But others and myself have had similar experiences over the year... eg: Meeting people who have had similar things happen to you. I know allergies can change a lot throughout your childhood and adult years, and maybe there is some connection there.

These are just my thoughts and guesses as to how things may happen based on my own experiences as well as others... I certainly have no empirical data to back it up.

Yams and sweet potatoes are super good baked with skins on, too. The slower the oven, the sweeter the potato, I've found - 325 degrees will take a long time, but usually I cut them in half and wrap the cut end in a little foil. You can also "bake" them in the micro, but then they are more steamed than baked. But still very good. Can also slice them in rounds and "oven fry" them, they have a completely different taste then.

I'm now into my third, and I think final, week of being off work.

I had many goals in the period and to my surprise most of them are coming to fruition. I will elaborate.

Three weeks ago I was in a total mess with my eczema. I was covered from head to foot in dry skin that was incredibly itchy and was cracking and revealing open wounds. I knew I had to do something dramatic. As most of you remember in my last postings I decided to take time off work and dedicate my time to working out a regime and getting my life back on track. So what's changed?

First I stopped smoking and drinking coffee, now gone three weeks without a drag... 

I have gone ten days without putting any steroids on my body or face. In the past If I went more than 48 hours without putting this muck on I would flare up.

I shower only once every three days (sorry couldn't stretch to four). I make sure I shower at least fifteen minutes and in water that is approx body temp. I do NOT use any soaps or detergents. I do clean the hairy bits everyday with oatmeal cleanser though.

I religiously take my vitamin and herbal supplements. Details posted earlier.

Changed washing detergent, washing up liquid, and general cleaners to ones with natural and less abrasive detergents. Ecover for clothes and Double CC for dishes and general cleaning.

Things I have yet to incorporate into my regime:

• A regular exercise and yoga regime. Still reading up on this.
• Relaxation and stress management techniques. Also still researching.

I have also received my allergy tests from my doc. I am hyper-allergic (MY DOCS WORDS) to house dustmite, cats and dogs. I have no pets. I am also pulling up my carpets and putting wooden floors in. I already have blinds instead of curtains and don't have any teddies.*s*. Surprisingly only shellfish came up as a medium allergy in the food category. Many others such as beef, chicken, cow's milk, codfish, wheat, oat, corn, rice. orange , lebakers yeast and cheese were all border line allergies. I avoid most of these anyway and think I am slowly becoming desensitized to them. A good rotation diet is the order of the day for me. I can't afford to skip essential food, being a skinny runt!!

Conclusion so far is my skin cleared up early in week two and I went nearly a week without feeling itchy. A first for me. Now the itchiness has come back on my back and partly on my face. However it hasn't flared up... Is my body finally fighting it. I think because of all this rest my immune system is settling down and starting to do the job it's supposed to do. I still have a long way to go though. My big test is when I get back to work.

I am also astonished how supple my skin is. It shouldn't be the case. I haven't put any moisturisers at all on!! Is my body starting to produce its own oils now it's not being suffocated?? Seems that way.

My self esteem has come back with a vengeance and also my sex drive. To be honest I haven't felt this good and confident in myself for many years. I hope this will continue. I will write next weekend when my quest comes to an end, and tell you how I am and how I feel about facing the real world again.

Sorry it's dragged on so much but I want to shout to the world how great I feel at the moment. I hope this is an inspiration to others.

Avoidance of allergic foods doesn't create new allergies, rather the substitute foods you were already allergic to but weren't prominent and over time and exposure became prominent.

For 28 years, I have had severe full-body eczema, for which I took 10 mg. prednisone daily for the past 13 years. Over time (since marrying my asthmatic husband, from whom I must have "caught" it), I developed asthma, but it was only occasional, like when I cleaned out the back of my closets and was exposed to huge amounts of dust, or when I kissed a rabbit. It would last for a few hours, then disappear. My inhalers lasted for 5 years, because I used them so infrequently.

Well, in mid-February of this year I made the radical decision to wean myself off prednisone once and for all, and by mid-April I was off it completely. Ironically, my eczema has been under good control since then (thank goodness, that made it so much easier to quit). On the other hand, my asthma has gone nuts! I don't know if I had had it all along but it was just being suppressed by the prednisone, or if my immune system and adrenals are just so depleted that I have become hypersensitive to the ordinary challenges of daily life .

I have also had bad respiratory allergies for the first time this spring. (I had never suffered much before this year. I had always surmised that *my* allergies played themselves out in my skin rather than my respiratory system). Plus I have had about 5 colds (or maybe just one long one) in the past couple of months. I attribute all this to my body's missing the prednisone and not being able to manufacture its own. I was told it could take up to two years for my system to get back to normal. On the other hand, my doctors think that 10 mg. daily was probably not enough to make my system shut down its production totally, but they disagree about whether you can actually test that or not.

It is only the fact that I am so delighted to be off prednisone that keeps me from feeling totally miserable from the seemingly interminable round of allergies/colds/asthma.

Sorry to be so long-winded. I guess I just wanted to give y'all a first-hand view of what it's like to wean yourself off long-term prednisone. (My husband recently had some kind of reaction whereby half of his face swelled up and the doctor prescribed a week's dose of a steroid. Having lived through my travails, my husband reacted as if he had been offered poison!)

I think glycerin's a common *irritant*. Glycerin & prop. glycol are humectrants which can be irritating to the skin because if there is not enough moisture in the air then it draws the water out of your skin (or something like that). 

I just bought an Aveeno bar to use instead of soap, but I noticed that one of the ingredients is glycerin, do you think that the amount of glycerin is enough to make it as bad as regular soap? Or is it still better to use than regular soap.?

I was also looking at different types of shampoos, they all seem to contain sodium or ammonium lauryl sulfate, or something else similar.

I tried the Aveeno bar. I'm not sure whether or not the glycerin irritated my skin but I like to use the Aveeno gentle skin cleanser instead. It's just a matter of getting used to a liquid rather than bar. It doesn't lather but it's the only thing I've found that seems to help rather than irritate my skin.

FYI -the Aveeno bar doesn't lather like regular soap & it gets kind of soggy. I didn't really care for it.

So then my original advice about not going with a total elimination, but rather a rotational diet would in theory reduce the number of high-level allergies a person might develop... Correct? Since you can't test someone very routinely to determine their responses to allergens (I would imagine you would have to do it fairly frequently during childhood) a rotational diet might be the best long term shot... 

Of course I guess this depends on statistics of how likely it is someone is allergic to other food items if they are allergic to some... Eg: If I'm very allergic to corn as a baby what are the probabilities that I'm allergic to wheat or soy etc... 

I checked with my dermatologist about this a while back and he said that when eczema is really bad your immune system is in overdrive. That's probably why we don't get sick too often. As soon as my eczema cleared up I started getting colds & the flu. Also, I now get a different type of allergic reaction. Instead of itchy eczema my eyes get red & itchy & my sinuses act up. I'd prefer this to the eczema any day but I thought it was interesting.

Washing laundry, for us humans, seems to engender the perfect expression of obsessive-compulsive that is in all of us. For that one reason, the companies that market laundry products have us at their mercy. The soap companies act exactly like the tobacco companies - the stuff you see on the supermarket shelf is a ploy to confuse you (so many products) - fractionalizing the market and giving all (the companies) a good chance to partake in the feast. Indeed, this is Marketing 101. Most of what you see is the very same thing - dosed up with brighteners and other assorted chemicals and synergists, depending on the brand. Think of us as the lion, in Africa, chasing a herd of zebras and getting confused by the myriads of choices, trying to find the BEST one. We are no better.

Laundry science is pretty simple, so DON'T get confused. Be the smart lion, grab the biggest and cheapest for the $$. Use powders - in general, they're more powerful than liquids. Take the recommended amounts with a grain of salt. Start out by using HALF of what they recommend. Always use hot water. If you can't use hot water, have it dry cleaned. Use a pre-wash (4-5 min) and follow your complete cycle with an extra rinse, warm or hot, depending how deep your pockets are. Wash cycles of more than 7-8 minutes run the risk of redeposition of the soap and dirt BACK into your clothes. Just as important is the mechanical action. Open the lid after it's filled, make sure the wash is rolling over and over. That's good mechanical action. Don't put so much wash in that it's not getting the proper mechanical action.

In the case of eczema sufferers, there are certainly those among us that will exhibit aversions to certain brands because of added chemicals. Avoid those brands. Actually, if you wash correctly, it won't really matter because most chemicals will rinse out.

If you use a liquid laundry softener in the final rinse, do the same thing - start by using HALF the recommended amounts. If you use the paper that you put in the dryer, tear it up in quarter inch strips, use one or two strips (I only use one tiny strip) - don't use the whole sheet, it's a total waste. Don't let Madison Avenue get the best of you! They spend more on advertising than they do for the product. Pass, on the funny devices you hear about - if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

And yes, I'm the one that does the wash in MY house. My wife wouldn't DARE.

Do both, elimination first to identify allergies and to remove from diet then, as a dietary lifestyle, rotation is definitely optimal. Your absolutely right on this part and by doing the rotation diet you can spot new allergies.

I don't know much about food families but within the same family the allergy is strongly connected but if not related, exposure is the main determinant.

I am the mother of an almost-7 year old girl who has had eczema in the past, but who right now is having an unbelieveably bad flareup. We have been to both the pediatrician and the dermatologist this week... the pediatrician said the eczema was infected from Becca's scratching and prescribed oral antibiotics and the dermatologist prescribed a cortisone-based lotion (easier to spread since she has it over almost ALL her body - waist to toes, arms, and sides of her face).

But, reading these messages is making me feel VERY frustrated and rather hopeless! We are all also dealing with Becca's newly diagnosed ADHD (she is going on Ritalin next week), and as if THAT wasn't a full time job, THIS has just added to it! I had to take her to the dermatologist because Becca's school sent her home and said not to bring her back until we had a note from a doctor, with a diagnosis, treatment plan, and duration of it. I am SO frustrated by it all!

I have horrible eczema breakouts on my hand (the attractive red and bubbly kind) from time to time, and was wondering what the best kind of anti itch gel/cream/something!!! is? I just recently noticed I have it on my feet too! When I have it on the rest of by body, I usually use Elocon (I don't remember exactly) I think it is a corteriosteroid. Anyways it works well on the rest of my body except on hands and feet, provides no relief whatsoever... any ideas?

Also , just want to add that I used to use Eucerin like mad, until I finally connected the wild eczema breakouts with the globs of Eucerin -- it was the lanolin... now I use Aveeno's moisturizing cream for dry, itchy skin, IT WORKS WONDERS!! I love it.. now that I don't itch, and don't itch my skin to pieces, my sores are healing nicely!! :)

I was going to buy some Aveeno, either soap or cleanser, but after looking at the ingredients, decided against it. Either one or both had tallow in it, which is soap made from animal fats. There were some other ingredients I was uncomfortable with, I didn't buy it so I can't remember now. I called Sativa and they faxed me a copy of the ingredient lists of their oatmeal soap and lotion. Both looked good to me. I think I will order more of their soap. I'm also thinking of just grinding some raw oatmeal in my new coffee mill and wrapping it in some cheescloth and using it instead of soap. Someone mentioned using it in the bath that way some time ago, maybe it would work in the shower too.

My 10-mo. old has eczema. It's not that bad usually just on her elbows, and behind the knees, although she does get it around the diaper area, actually, more where the elastic is. Her pediatrician prescribed hydrocortisone, but I only use it when her eczema is real bad. Otherwise, I just use baby lotion. I haven't found the baby lotion irritating to her skin, so I still use it.

Does anyone know if eczema resembles skin lupus? My baby's aunt has it, and they both look like the same thing. Her aunt's skin lupus is triggered by the and I have noticed that my baby's is also triggered a lot when she is exposed to the therefore my concerns.

Well, this little one doesn't play with mud pies yet, so I can still afford to give her a bath every other day.

I am the mother of a seven month old boy. My son has had full body eczema since he was about 3 months. I was told that the with the onset of summer the eczema should be more in control, however that has not been the case - my son seems to be getting worse with each passing day. His skin is so dry that it cracks and bleeds, not to mention the unbearable itching which keeps him from sleeping at night.

I wanted to know if anyone in the group had any suggestions as to what I could do to reduce the itch - it is very hard to see him so miserable all day. In addition, has anybody tried homeopathy to treat eczema?

I think the reason sodium lauryl sulfate is in so many shampoos is NOT because there's a conspiracy to make us suffer; it's merely because it's a substance you need in a shampoo for it to cleanse, lather, feel nice and generally speaking work. If you have an adverse reaction to it, try alternatives to shampoo, but be prepared for them not to be as pleasant to use as shampoo.

Why not simply PATCH TEST before you decide something is bad for you? That way you would know, and not miss out on more of the small pleasures of life than you really need miss out on!

How do you know it's the lanolin in the Eucerin that made you break out?

I have sinus problems due to allergies to dust and dogs, and don't know about foods. And my son, as you know, is also allergic to dogs, and lots of foods! Funny how just early last week I told my husband, I wish I could just be normal and not have all these health problems. Sometimes it really gets you down trying to deal with so many things.

Marilyn, Sorry reading the list has been a frustrating experience for you rather than a positive one. I joined a few months ago and was thrilled just to have others to communicate with who are enduring the same problems. All I can say is to try to hang in there. I KNOW it's tough, but I'd like to welcome you to a group of caring people here.

Forgive my ignorance, but could you explain what ADHD is exactly?

Once in a while I get the fluid filled type on my hands & feet only & it itches like mad. My Dr. said that it's different than the dry eczema in that this kind needs to be dried out. He said that none of the cortisone creams will work on this. I'm not sure what would work best but I tried hydrogen peroxide and it worked for me the last time I had the bubbles. Someone else on the list complained that it burned & irritated her skin so maybe you should ask your derm. Benedryl cream used to be useful in calming the itch but I don't use it anymore (I developed a sensitivity to it, I think).

I took Ritalin from 3 to 12 yrs. old then a year without meds then put on a variety of nerve pills until college graduation when I decided to quit. As far as a parent goes, it was a sanity saver for mine and my opinion is it definitely worked for me.

With Ritalin and the other sedatives, I had excellent grades, I could concentrate and was skipped a grade twice, tested out. The year I wasn't drugged, my grades went to hell immediately but docs wanted to see how I would do. When you are hyper, concentration is a HUGE problem, you can be smart as hell but if you can't put it together, you're useless.

Point being, Marilyn, if she has severe ADHD and is now going on Ritalin, you already went through the hard part, the Ritalin makes it easier on you and her both but if she isn't severe, try to avoid the drugs.

I thought sodium lauryl sulfate was a harmful chemical. There is a web site at http://www.oz.net/~johnre/neways/avoid.htm. I'm not sure how credible it is because they are selling products but they list information on what they say are harmful chemicals. They warn against propylene glycol, mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).

Prednisone IS poison! 2 1/2 years ago the derm doc put me on prednisone- said it would clear my eczema right up and I could enjoy the holidays. Well, it did not clear it right up. What it did do was screw up my moods so badly that I couldn't enjoy anything, much less the holidays! I felt as if I needed to go through detox- I had no control over my moods. It also porked me out. On top of that, when I finally got through the course of the drug, the eczema came back WITH A VENGEANCE! I have been told to consider that I am allergic to prednisone. This same derm doc and another doc have both tried to get me to take it since then, for a mild flare-up and for asthma, but I refused both times. They just don't consider the *other* effects that prednisone has.

I think I'm the only adult I know who has never had anything dry cleaned. I have read that it takes time for the chemicals to "out-gas" from a item of clothing that has been dry cleaned. Can this possibly be better than using cold water and/or regular detergents?

I never even realized you can get skin infections with eczema until I joined this group. Can you tell the difference between eczema and the start of an infection?

I also must tell you that I think I put my finger on what is causing my eczema to flare up so badly. It's this darn sun. I only spent 2 hours outside and I ended up sun burned and by evening my arms where breaking out and also my chest. I did carry some grass in my arms that I had cut for the horses so it may be the grass or something that was in the grass also. I'm sad to say that I have been wearing loing sleeved shirts and keeping my legs covered with pants.

I am happy to tell you that the use of baking soda in my bath is doing wonders for me. I soak myself for about half an hour and boy does my skin feel so much better. Thanks so much for the advice.

I have started a diet of nothen but slim fast so I can drop some weight like real fast. I was wondering if you or anyone else might know if going on such a drastic diet from food to liquid only will be harmful for my eczema. I am taking a multi vitamin along with 50mg of zinc daily.

Can someone please tell me why the FDA, for many years, would continue to allow all health and beauty aids companies to include these ingredients in our products? Is it perhaps possible that, depending on how they are produced, some of these products are ok for humans to use? If they are used in moderate or the directed amounts that they are not harmful to us?

I think you are overreacting to these products. But don't use these products if you feel they are hazardous. It's a free country.

I am not saying that I don't use any products that contain these chemicals. I was just sharing something that I read. It's so difficult to totally avoid all chemicals that can be harmful to our health because they're all around us. I guess we just have to learn as much as possible and use our own judgment with what we use. I'm not sure if these chemicals can or should be totally avoided but it sounds like they could do more harm than good when you have such sensitive skin.

Kelly, you mentioned a while back that dermablend is a foundation that is made especially for people with eczema. Does it work for dry, scaly eczema? I notice that even the best foundations I've tried make the dry scaly patches even more noticeable.

Somebody mentioned they use honeycomb, how is it supposed to work for eczema?

Donna, Have you noticed a connection between your state of health and your eczema? I ask because going on a crash diet using only slim fast is absolutely not going to be a healthy thing to do. Particularly because slim fast is not meant to be a replacement for all solid foods, unless they've changed things since I last read the label.

Please take good care of yourself, and use good judgement when trying to lose weight. It's just not worth sacrificing your health (or your skin). If your weight is *causing* a health problem, you will do better consulting a nutritionist or a doctor.

I noticed that pycnogenol is much more expensive than grape seed extract. Are those two products sorta the same? Does grape seed extract also contain pycnogenol?

DRY CLEANING I'm like you, Mickey. I very seldom get anything dry cleaned, but I also almost never wear things that need it. Business suits only for weddings, etc, and I have a couple of sweaters, winter coats that go. If I get three things cleaned in a year that's a lot.

Dry cleaners usually use trichlorethylene as the solvent in their machines. Quality dry cleaning equipment does a pretty good job and usually gets it all out - the solvent is very expensive so they want to recover all they can get. Most dry cleaning equipment is Italian or German these days. Look for a dry cleaner that has been around a long time and does their cleaning on site. Any solvents left in dry cleaning will evaporate readily, usually before you even get them home.

Cold water washing is much less effective - soap doesn't work as well and washing in cold water will not kill germs. If it's REALLY dirty, forget the cold water, go for the dry cleaning. Sweaters (or such) that aren't grimy might be candidates for cold water, just remember the caveats.

There is an excellent article in the May 17th weekly issue of Science News about the possible and probable (detrimental) effects of (over) using/prescribing antibiotics. Talk about poison? Makes you want to swear off them.

The antibiotics issue has been known for years, but old habits are hard to lose. Just a discussion of both sides of the issue and the fact that someone (the CDC) is going to finally DO something about it. They've been largely ignoring the issue up to now. I think we've all been following that.

Science News DOES have a website, <www.sciencenews.org> and usually their articles are posted, but as luck would have it, this is one article that they only mentioned, and wasn't posted. Maybe they'll post it in the future.

Moisurel Protectant is the lotion. I like it. It doesn't work fantastic, but it works better than my prior favorite, Lubriderm. It works about as well as the oatmeal without the smell.

Whoever you are avoiding corn, I have done that now for almost a year. It is really hard but I tell myself besides helping keep the eczema under control, I am helping he learn to eat well and since no corn basicly means no sugars, it should do wonders for his teeth and weight problems later in life. Have you seen the "Avoiding Corn" web site?

It is worth the effort and it does get easier with time.

I agree, the longer one cooks the yams, the sweeter they get. In the microwave uncovered, unpeeled, if cooked long enough they will begin to ooze sweet syrup. Cooked beyond that point, they will get crispy, hard.

I recommended peeling them for the infants who might be affected by any residual chemicals that might be present on any vegetable.

My book on cosmetics and how to make your own lists a few alternatives to sodium lauryl sulfate, but they still say you can never get a *nice* shampoo without this or similar stuff.

I wasn't trying to belittle other people's concerns, and I am really sorry if I came across as if I did. But *my* private concern is over people's apparent willingness to be scared on the basis of very little indeed, thus making life even more difficult than the eczema makes it!

Just because something is published on the Web does not make it true. On the Web there is no barrier whatsoever to publishing, no peer review, no nothing. If I wish to use my homepage to spread the word that ascorbic acid is a deadly chemical poison then I can do so, and I am afraid that many many people would take up the crusade and regard all scientific evidence to the contrary as a huge conspiracy -- even though ascorbic acid is just the official name for vitamin C.

When your eczema gets infected, the sores that you have scratched will be woozy, or a sort of clearish puss will come out . The scabs will have a slightly yellowish hue to them, whereas un-infected scabs will be the normal red-brown.(Yum.) If your eczema gets super-duper bad, one actually risks getting a staph infection, which if untreated can be very dangerous. That is why we are given antibiotics, to stop the spread of infection, as well as killing the infection. (I say this with such confidence, but I am not, by any means, a medical professional. This is simply my understanding of eczema infection.)

It is possible that you are very sensitive to the sun's rays. However, you should also be aware that if you are using cortisone or antibiotics, you are a perfect target for the sun. Your skin will be hypersensitive to the and you should really take care. Spending two hours in the sun with or without spf protection is probably unwise. Instead, I would suggest staying in the sun for an hour at most, at which point, I would put the long sleeve shirt back on if you wish to remain in the sun. I am not a particularly fair skinned person, and when I sit in the sun for even twenty minutes, I can burn. (The lovely effects of a cortisone user.) I have even gotten sun blisters in patches where Ii was using cortisone.

Having said all that, it is also very possible that you are allergic to grass. Or perhaps, even the horses themselves.(Though I suspect you would probably know this by now.) I myself, do not do very well in the presence of horses. (Or any hairy animals for that matter!)

Mitali, I can empathize with you as my 9-1/2 month old boy also has severe eczema and has had it since about 5 wks. old. You might have seen my post recently that Brian we just found out he is HIGHLY allergic to several things. Have you had any allergy testing done on your son? Brian had the skin-prick tests done first when he was 7 mos. old and then just last wk the RAST test. It's been very enlightening. Just changing his soy formula to the Alimentum since Monday seems to be helping already.

Have you tried the Cetaphil cleanser or an oatmeal cleanser for his bath? You may need to consult a dermatologist or check with your ped. to try an over the counter cortizone cream. For the itching through the night, my derm. suggested I buy the over the counter Benedryl for children to help him sleep (it seems to help a little) but be sure the dr. gives you dosage info as the bottle says "Under Age 2, consult physician".

Yams are also a good source of calcium in addition to vitamin A and fiber. We have some difficulty finding yams sometimes here. But many times one store will have them and others won't. Once in desperation I went to the local distributor and got a box. Asking the management may help too. They may be somewhat seasonal. Am not sure.

Have you ever noticed, when you are in the middle of an out of control scratching frenzy, just how GOOD it feels to scratch? You know that the moment you stop, the raw, bleeding skin is going to hurt like hell, but for the moment, it is a sort of ecstasy. I am too embarassed to scratch like that in front of anyone else, because I feel totally out of control.

I've noticed that my skin has always been worse overall when I was alone and had no physical touch. A doctor once told me, when I was in the middle of a really bad outbreak, to get some baby oil and have someone that I loved and trusted rub it into my skin. It worked. Maybe it was the regular touch, or maybe it was the relaxation brought on by the touch. I know that a full body massage can really release a lot more that simple muscular tension.

Our son was diagnosed as having a dairy allergy. He was retested 6 months later, only to discover a wheat allergy - it's nice to hear that this isn't as unusual as we originally felt!

I've had eczema all my life. It started out over much of my body in my younger years and slowly, over the years, subsided to just a few select areas (hands, face) with occasional outbreaks.

Recent history is a healthier lifestyle. Exercise, weight loss, healthier eating is the short of it. The frustration of it? BREAKOUT! My hands have been subject to probably the worst outbreak I've seen in my life -- rash, tiny blisters that form (usually overnight), cracking, peeling, itching, redness, deep fishers -- you know, skin destruction.

A rash developed just above my lip and under my nose when I had an allergy attack a few weeks ago... the culprit here, I think, was the constant blowing, sneezing, mucus action. But there is no more sneezing allergy going on and the rash is still there. This, coupled with paying more attention to my health now, caused me to think that internal toxicity or food allergies (candida, lack of health intestinal bacteria, etc.) could be possible causes. Also, I've also omitted using any lotions, creams, salves because with the cracking and open wounds I didn't want to subject the skin to any further distress and I'm not sure if the common allergens in many of the formulas don't make it worse (they certainly don't seem to help, although I may not be giving them enough time).

I'm starting a detoxification program (I've done this many times in the past) and am trying to be disciplined enough to explore potential food allergies and/or fungal infections by restricting intake of certain foods, but my question is now this. The only places that the eczema has flared is on my hands and beneath my nose -- exposed areas. Nowhere else on my body is affected. Could this mean that it is more probable that it is environmental and, if so, that topical treatment may be the better focus?

The eczema on my hands, at least in certain areas, is clearing up and/or being relieved a bit -- when the fishers got too hurtful, bleeding, and unsightly, I put a bandaid on them. I've heard fors and againsts for this method, but for me, it seems to lock in moisture somehow (my humble observation), stop the itching, and aid in clearing it up (except for the blisters). I've also applied a little borage oil directly to the areas and it seems to bring a bit of relief. The nose isn't cooperating. I finally got desperate today and put a little Carmex on it (it's meant for cold sores, fever blisters, and chapped lips) to relieve the constant itching and that's settled it down quite a bit, but I know that's temporary and I know little of the ingredients in it (Menthol, Camphor, Alum, Salicylic Acid, Phenol, Petrolatum, Lanolin, Cocoa Butter, Wax base) and their effects.

Your skin can be infected and NOT have any pus or ooze. That's why it's such a problem for lifelong full-body eczema patients. It can look the same as a bad outbreak that's gone on for a long time, in my case it just looks very red and blotchy and is constantly itchy no matter what treatments I try.

I was told by doctors that the biggest clue is when steroid creams and ointments don't even clear it up. Then it's definitely infected. But lots of doctors don't mention this. I didn't know about the likelihood of infection until just 10 years ago.

Each person has to realize how their particular case looks and feels when it is infected. I learned by experience, and unfortunately, that may be the only way to learn. My skin gets infected several times a year despite all my attempts to keep it clean and use antibacterial stuff on it. I've learned to accept that fact, and just get antibiotics when I do get infected.

Date: 22 May 1997 14:07:21 From: Shelley Subject: scratching

Melley: Yes, I know exactly what you mean about the ecstasy of scratching. I wrote about that in my essay for Skin Deep, but I don't remember if Dr. Grossbart edited that part out of it. And yes, it feels out of control, something that must be reserved for private time.

That ecstasy helped me survive the misery of childhood eczema. I always felt that the price you pay later was worth it. When your skin is already extremely horrible, more damage doesn't seem to make much of a difference. I also got massages, when my skin could handle it, and that soothing touch was very important too.

Parents of kids with severe eczema should give their kids enough privacy to touch themselves, and also provide them with massage so that they experience touch that is soothing rather than destructive. I make a big breakthrough when I realized there was tactile experience that didn't tear up my skin. Wow, amazing, to a kid whose skin was the battleground of her own private civil war. I made peace with my hands and learned to use them in other ways, like squeezing, pulling, pressing, etc. to relieve itching and give myself good feelings. Of course, I couldn't stop scratching altogether, but it made a big difference to have other tactics and strategies to try whenever possible.

Dealing with websites, and postings to this group, that alert people to problems with substances is a complex issue, requiring people to juggle common sense, with analysis of new information, awareness of their own particular sensitivities and past experiences. Each person is going to come to a different conclusion based on the variables in their own case.

Oldtimers can take this stuff into stride but newcomers reading the postings can become alarmed and distressed about all the "bad" things to stay away from. They were probably already freaked out about their skin and now they get totally overwhelmed. Newcomers need an orientation about taking all info with a grain of salt (unless you're allergic to it <g>) and remember that each case of eczema is different.

When I read postings of "warnings," I take it as a simple reminder to keep paying attention to what I use in my own environment that can be aggravating my condition. It's not cause for panic. If everything posted was bad for everyone and as bad as claimed, we would all have been dead long ago.

There's no point to getting worked up about sodium lauryl sulfate in shampoos if your particular condition is exacerbated by mold in your bedroom or dairy products or infections or too much heat or a thousand other factors. Just because someone posts a message saying they believe their eczema is caused by something doesn't mean it's YOUR answer too. Warnings are good, on the other hand, if they get you to consider something that you never thought of before.

Everyone has to focus on their own case, assess the factors involved, and figure out what helps and what aggravates their condition.

I am not sure in SLS is truly bad for everyone as the aforementioned web page claims, but I do know that when my dermatologist did a patch test on my back, I reacted to SLS. He told me it was formaldehyde and gave me a copy of a chapter from his textbook. I wish I knew where that was. I'll have to look around (it's been about 4 years).

I have noticed that since I've been using shampoos without sls or similar products I haven't had eczema as bad on my scalp. I have also not loved how my hair is, but it is passable.

I've been using the Jason Brand products--their tree oil shampoo. It tends to leave my hair a bit stiff, but with a conditioner it's okay. Another shampoo I'd recommend is called Free and Clear.

My latest discovery is grapeseed oil. When I went to buy the jojoba oil Christine suggested I also grabbed some less expensive grapeseed oil--about $3 for four oz. No brand. I've used it after a baking soda bath (after one day of no bath, only rinsing hair) and last night my husband said he couldn't remember the last time my skin felt so smooth. The itch has slightly diminished. And the redness on my arms is definitely lightened. This is still the first few days of use, but I'm very encouraged.

Both grass and sun seem to bother my eczema too. And horsehair is terrible for my allergies.

I've always felt the best eating habit is just to seek healthy foods. When I want to lose I just try to up the exercise and cut out the treats. Increase the vegetables too. Eating right makes you feel healthier--something we all long for I'm sure.

Once I tried putting just plain oatmeal (quick cooking) into my bath. It was a big mistake. I burned and itched from it right away and it made an awful mess. I'm one who since has not had much success using the oatmeal products, although I've tried. Take caution before trying non-colloidal oatmeal.

Marilyn, Sorry to hear about your frustration. I understand what you mean. I get frustrated when I try any new solution to my eczema. But, the best thing is to know that there are people who can support you, and can share what they've experienced. I am one who will not use cortisone anymore. I'm 29 and used cortisone creams on and off since I was 3. It wasn't until my first pregnancy that I developed full body eczema or AD (atopic dermatitis better describes the pain that full body eczema is, rather than the occasional small flare-up that many people experience). I have tried many methods to call my eczema, most successfully the Julius Roth Foundation's natural skin treatment for e. Check out their site: http://www.flair.co.uk/jroth/

Also, since then (it only worked for me for six months) I've bathed in baking soda and used aquaphor--which I'm now weaning off of for jojoba oil and grapeseed oil.

Don't despair--there's help out there.

A recent article by Professor Freidmann in 'Exchange', the magazine of the National Eczema society in Britain, mentioned that cat dander is almost always found even in homes with no cats, because it seems to be widely present in the environment.

My own RAST test results showed a very strong result for cat dander, and strong for housedust mite allergen. I am sure Steve is doing the right thing in seeking to 'reduce the load' on his atopic immune system. I have been tremendously improved since I moved from where we have had cats for over 20 years (up to three at a time) to a home of my own. It's just upstairs, though, and I still love the cats, so I can't completely avoid them.

Regarding tearing up carpets, I read that hard floors can actually be worse, as the carpets trap the dust and allergen in deep layers, whereas hard floors let it float up into the air in the room. Important here is the regime for cleaning the floor. Most vacuum cleaners absolutely load the air in a room with allergen particles, because they are easily small enough to pass through the bag. So frequent vacuuming with an ordinary machine can make the problem much worse. An exception is the excellent Dyson machine, which works in a different way, and absolutely doesn't put allergens back in the air. Hard floors would need to be 'damp dusted' frequently, to keep allergens building up and floating into the air. Another key area of course, is the bed, but no doubt this has been extensively discussed. In case not discussed recently, let me just reiterate that it is certainly worth fitting anti-dustmite covers to mattress, pillows and duvet, and hot-washing sheets frequently. In Britain, a company called "The Healthy House" has an excellent range of products.

As part of 'reducing the load' (I have atopic eczema, and patch tests also show sensitivity to nickel) I use "Surcare", a skin-friendly non-bio washing powder/liquid and I don't use fabric conditioners. This has made a big difference to my neck area, as I always wear a shirt and tie. Actually, I found that not using Bio powders, and using minimum quantites of powder, the washing is much softer anyway. I shower briefly (warm shower) every morning, and don't use soap or detergent, including shampoo. Someone said your hair adjusts to plain water and isn't greasy after a while, and I found that to be true, tho' it must be admitted I only have short, and receding, hair! For sweaty ares I might use a moisturising antibacterial cleanser as neccessary. I don't feel right at all if I go without a shower.

I also have a special vacuum from Miele which claims to collect 99.99% of dust mites. If I don't hoover for a week I can feel the symptoms coming on. When I get the floors done I will be hiring a cleaner once a week, whose main duties will be to keep the dust mite population down. I will mention that the floors need to be damp dusted.

I use Persil non-biological powder and until recently used the recommended amounts. My neck and the top of my back can become highly inflamed and I think it is due to the contact with this powder. However the NES magazine does recommend this as one of the least irritant powders. I have never heard of Surcare. Can you tell me who supplies this?

Up to six months ago I had severe hand eczema for about a year. I have eczema all over my body but I agree with others that eczema on the hands was the worst. It kept me up all night and it looked disgusting. Even worse than on the face.

Anyway the reason for the eczema on my hands was... .APPLES.

I finally worked it out but it took me a year. Apples just weren't the obvious culprit. Eighteen months ago I saw a nutritionalist who said I should eat an apple a day, which I did, that was when my hands flared.

I stopped for a month and my hands cleared. To make sure, I had two apples and sure enough my hands flared up again. I know this only relates to me but it might help someone else. Mty hands have been completely clear since. I wish it was as easy as that for the rest of my body.

Does anybody else have food allergies that only affect one part of their body? I think I've found another one. When I eat hazelnuts or cashew nuts the tops of my thighs start itching and turn red. I'm testing this one.

What is the typical delay people experience between eating something and the eczema flare-up? I find if I eat corn, I get a flare-up the next day (noticed as soon as I wake-up ).

Corn seems to affect my hands, but fish affects the backs of my legs... I think... or maybe it's pollen... or soy... or these new pants I have... or watching too many Godzilla movies.

I went on a pretty strict elimination diet and I seem to be narrowing down on what my eczema really reacts most severly to. Peanuts, chocolate, ( sugar?), corn, wheat, dairy.

Tums are excellent sources for calcium and safe for most kids that are old enough to chew them. I recommend one a day of the candy flavored ones if the child doesnt like calcium enriched orange juice.

I don't know how it would affect eczema, but I was on a doctor-prescribed liquid diet for many months several years back and ended up more medical problems than I care to get into here. It's by far the worst thing I ever did to my body in my life.

Normal eczema is a pink tone and infected eczema is a red tone and does not usually have a discharge that's why people don't realize it's infected. Infected eczema tends to get hotter the more it gets infected.

It is staph that infects eczema. Everybody has staph on their skin but people with eczema have a higher count even in our uneffected skin, just part of the makeup of our disease. When the staph count gets too high, treating eczema with steroids will only worsen it, you must get the staph back in check and until so severely limit steroid use.

Would Brian be able to eat Quinoa ? Daniel eats Quinoa noodles, they taste pretty good, but the ingredients are corn flours and quinoa. Maybe you see if plain quinoa exists. I saw something at the health food store, but didn't read the ingredients.

I have three boys. My #3 has eczema, countless to say we did everything, and some with a lot of tears.

We do have history of childhood eczema, which was sudsided by the year around 5yrs. Thanks to this list I have found A LOT of information.But it seems the less I worry the better my son does.

So what are the chances of my son outgrowing eczema?

I've had full-body eczema since I was a child and have had various flare-ups and remissions. Currently I've got a frustating case of dry ashy-dark patches (often framed in an attractive red hue) on my limbs that stubbornly refuses to heal. Well, actually, I believe my skin is trying to recover, but my sporadic scratch frenzies are thwarting its efforts.

Melley: I totally agree with you about the out-of-control pleasure of scratching. It's as if my eczematous skin has a memory--recalling the time-suspending ecstasy of relief which my fingers slavishly indulge. And it is oddly masochistic too--my skin practically hums while I feel the inevitable (and comfortably predictable) slow burn in the aftermath. I'm putting to use the advice I've gleaned from the postings to this group, and I hope to better focus my energies on healing myself. I'm trying not to resort to steroids, as I've definitely suffered the consequences of hi-potency topicals with thinning skin and some telangiectasia.

Some Trivia: BTW, did any of you know that people with AD often have hyperlinear creases in their palms? B/f I learned this, I had always thought my palms were just weird: lots of well-defined crisscrossing lines like a roadmap (probably a palm-reader's dream).

Kendra, I can certainly relate to the scratching frenzies you mention... ... Ooooooooh what a joy!

Why is it that most of the pleasures in life come with a price? I always feel completely ashamed of mutilating myself in such a way. I am always reminded of the guilt until that particular area has healed, which may take weeks or even months in some cases. It only takes seconds to damage yourselves but ages to recover.

I would like to know how succesfull you are in avoiding steroids and if you have any tips in weaning off. I have tried to wean off in the past but without success. I have recently stopped altogether which was working well until I had a big flare up on Thursday night. Unfortunately I had to return to them.

My daughter's allergist recommended Tums as a source of calcium for her, one tablet per day. Only he suggested the plain white ones instead of the flavored ones to alleviate the chance of a dye in the colored ones setting off an allergy/eczema flare. Plus, with her getting the plain ones she understands they are medicine and not candy. Understanding the difference between medication and candy is very important, especially for a busy 3-year-old.

It might be worth you looking at the Feingold Society Webb Site (http: //www.feingold.org/) for info. They are dedicated to increasing the awareness of the connections between diet and the symptoms of ADD, ADHD. They also claim that eczema is another symptom of ADD and ADHD.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is not destructive to everyone on every level, but it is a serious irritant that can cause sufferers of eczema tremendous problems. This is a PROVEN fact. It is not hard to avoid with a trip to the health food store, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to replace, so if anyone has worries about the potential problems caused by SLS, try an alternative. TEA lauryl sulfate, by the way, is a much more expensive raw material used in some shampoos. It is a 'distant cousin' but it is much more kind to skin and hair in many ways.

>> So what are the chances of my son outgrowing eczema? <<

I believe it's 60%.

My son' s dermatologist told me something like... 

33% of all children totally outgrow it, 33 % will have it their whole lives, 33 % will be able to control it/will have it due to allergies/grow out of it later in life.

Walnuts (and sometimes coconut--not sure why) make the roof of my mouth sore. I didn't realize that most other people don't experience this, until I asked my co-workers while we were sharing a tray of baklava (yum). They said that this had never happened to them.

Here's a few quotes from newsgroups.

From alt.support.food-allergies:

>>>>>

Subject: food allergy and binge eating Date: 05 Feb 1997 13:27:48 GMT

When food is ingested, we assume that we are absorbing the nutrients from that food, but when food intolerances are at work, that is not the case. Although there are a number of food intolerances that can cause similar intestinal damage, I will focus my discussion on gluten intolerance. It is what I know best.

In this intolerance, when we eat gluten, the peptides which derive from gluten, attach to the intestinal wall. Our immune system recognizes these proteins and peptides as invaders, and mounts an autoimmune reaction against them. In the process, the tissues in which these molecules are imbedded, are also damaged. This results in deformed and stunted intestinal villi. These villi the site where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. At an earlier stage in this autoimmune process, microvilli which are located at the tip of the villi, have sustained most of the damage. Not all are destroyed, but most are. This leaves patches of microvilli which may still be absorbing fats.

You see, the microvilli work a little differently than the villi. They absorb dietary fats into the lymphatic system, which then transports the fats to the liver for processing. Because not all microvilli are destroyed, some fat is still absorbed. Unfortunately, there is a further limiting process going on in the gut. Gluten, in susceptible people, damages the duodenum in such a way that it stops producing CCK. This is the hormone produced in the healthy duodenum, in response to the presence of fats leaving the stomach. The CCK signals the gall bladder to contract, and send bile down the common bile duct, to be mixed with fats, thus making them easier to absorb into the microvilli. That is not happening in the damaged duodenum. Little or no CCK is produced, so little or no bile is made available for emulsification with fats.

This might aid in staying slim, except that the fats not being absorbed are, in part, essential fatty acids. The body needs them to survive. The body continues to crave them, but they are not well absorbed. That means that there is still a strange urge to eat, due to the body's unfulfilled need for essential fatty acids. Even with a full stomach, and on a calorie rich diet, the desire, the need to eat continues.

Dieting may work, on a short-term basis, but it is unlikely to result in ongoing trimness. The reason is simple. Dieting asks the dieter to behave in a manner contrary to the body's own survival instinct. It needs essential fatty acids, but its capacity to absorb them is terribly limited.

I do not have a problem with being overweight. I have the opposite problem. 2+ years ago, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. The doctor laughed when I requested that my mom be tested. She was quite overweight, and that is not what doctors expect to see in someone with celiac disease. People who are overweight are only rarely tested for food intolerances. After some months of squabbling, she was given some blood tests, and was diagnosed. She promptly lost more than 40 pounds on a gluten-free diet.

Gluten, of course, is not the only food to which a person can have such an intolerance. Gluten intolerance is the one I know about. For more information, look at: http://www.panix.com/~donwiss/hoggan/

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From sci.med.nutrition:

>>>>>

Subject: add/adhd Date: 07 Feb 1997 05:48:24 GMT

Those who are familiar with celiac disease, especially in children, would most likely agree that ADD/ADHD symptoms are commonly demonstrated by those with this disease. The converse argument is more difficult to make. Dietary interventions have been used to investigate attention deficits, and the inconvenience of maintaining such diets has made stimulant therapies far more attractive. That is unfortunate because there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that opioid peptides derived from gluten and casein may be the culprits.

Equally unfortunately, it can take up to a year for the body to rid itself of the offending peptides, while following a strict gluten-free/casein-free diet. Still, the evidence of specific patterns of EEG abnormalities in celiac disease (more than 90% of which goes undiagnosed in North America) and specific patterns of urinary peptides, along with some anecdotal reports of symptom resolution with the institution of a gluten-free diet, may increase interest in this area. Why were previous investigations unsuccessful in identifying gluten and casein as exacerbating factors? The trials were much too short, often only lasting a few weeks. And I have been unable to locate any studies that excluded both dairy and gluten concurrently.

Unfortunately, the only references I can offer are in Polish and German. The Polish one is: Kozlowska, Z.E. "Results of Investigation on Children with Coeliakia Treated many Years with Gluthen Free Diet" _Psychiatria Polska_ 1991; 25(2): 130-134. The German one is: Paul, et. al. "EEG-befunde Zoeliaki-kranken Kindernin Abhaengigkeit von der Ernaehrung" _Zeitschrift der Klinische Medizin_ 1985; 40: 707-709 The first indicates that 71% of celiac children, when newly diagnosed, demonstrate EEG abnormalities.

Now please note this caution: I HAVE NO TRAINING IN THE INTERPRETATION OF EEG READINGS. Nonetheless, when I compare the author's descriptions of the EEG abnormalities in celiac children, and the abnormalities in children who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, there are some startling similarities. Paul, et. al. are paraphrased by Reichelt et. al. in "THE EFFECT OF GLUTEN-FREE DIET ON GLYCOPROTEIN ATTACHED URINARY PEPTIDE EXCRETION" _Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine_ 1990; 5: 223-239. They say: "In coeliac children provocation with gluten after diet causes alarmingly high frequency of EEG changes that persist up to a year (Paul et al 1985)"

I would urge you to be very careful to avoid contamination in your child's diet, and I would ask you to consider some alternatives to stimulant therapy (Ritalin is a brand name of the most commonly used stimulant.) The concept of drugging a child to facilitate learning is upsetting to me, especially when there is cause to suspect that, on the g-f diet, she may improve without intervention. I have been unable to find any reports that demonstrate any long-term improvements resulting from stimulant therapy. Diet seems a much healthier, more humane alternative.

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I get Surcare, Powder or Liquid, in Tesco! I can't recall the manufacturer offhand, but I'll check it and get back to you.

A little bit of background to my changing powder: I had UVB treatment a couple of years ago, which was very helpful. I needed no steroid creams at all while on the UVB. When the course of UVB finished, I was interested to see which bit, if any, would first show signs of eczema despite emollient therapy. It was my neck, spreading down the shoulders. At the next Skin Clinic consultation, I mentioned this, and Dr Fitzpatrick suggested I try non-bio washing powder (I always used Ariel Automatic, Biological.) It was actually while browsing through the washing products in the supermarket that I suddenly realised, yes, I wear a shirt and tie all the time, so the close proximity of collar to skin made sense of flare on neck.

The change to Surcare has proved very successful. I find liquid or powder eaqually effective. I have also used Persil non-bio, and don't think it caused any problems, but the Surcare is more specifically aimed at sensitive skin, I believe. There is a brand called "Bio-Q" sold by 'The Healthy House' which I tried, but the cost of postage is prohibitive. I find the washing is nice and soft with the Surcare, much more so than with Ariel. Fabric conditioner is unneccessary. This is a soft water area, however, it must be said.

The delay before allergy symptoms are noticeable can be as little as a second for something to which one is highly allergic. Usually the next day is the normal lag, although one may notice symptoms the same day. Anything your body does which is not normal could be a symptom of an allergy reaction: a small cough, itchy eyes, stomach discomfort, sleepiness, swollen legs or feet, blurry vision, almost anything different from your normal healthy body.

As a mother of a 3 year old with eczema I worry a lot about the psychological effects his skin condition will have on him. We try to get him to rub rather than scratch, but to do that you tend to give the child the notion that scratching is bad. If you do that, it's difficult to know how that will compute if they feel that scratching is satisfying - it's a rather mixed message to a kiddie.

A recent report in "Professional Nurse" magazine outlined how inadequate support facilities for families with eczema are in the UK (someone's finally noticed!?!!!!!) and next month there is going to be an article on suggestions on how to turn this around.

Our local health food shop had a notice on it's homeopathy section warning potential users that the little pills on which the remedies are carried contain an element of dairy! This is not something I've checked with the suppliers, but it may be worth noting that remedies are best obtained in drop form.

I think we have found the causes of her eczema to be dairy and parasites - namely roundworms and tapeworms to be specific, not candida-yeasty related.

We have found that taking Jodi off all dairy for just 1 month or 2 is not good enough. It had taken cooking from scratch and no dairy straight for 4 months before we saw good results. Jodi was cleared of all acne-like eruptions by about the end of the 4th months and her running nose and every-now-and-then minor wheezing were gone completely. I should have figured that one out long time ago if not because all the drs we went to advised that milk is not IT, except for our Dr. Bob.

No wonder she was so much better when she had the herbal treatment in China but as soon as we returned and used up all the herbal mixes, her skin erupted all over again. We were disguising the decoction in her milk. I was feeding her the toxins while cleansing her blood with the herbs at the same time. Just thinking about that can drive me crazy.

We don't have pets at home but our day care provider has 2 dogs. Though she keeps them outdoor except when it turns really cold, we have concluded that she got the parasites from the dogs. Jodi is now taking herbal extracts to fight parasites. I was told that the 20% will take time to kick but she should be well in 6 months.

Now, in addition to what I have been doing which include - cook from scratch, white rice fortified with C, use leafy green, yam, lean pork and chicken, apple and pear - no dairy, use Alimentum, no yoghurt, no ice-cream... - fight dust mites, wood floor, wood & leather furniture, keep home cool, no drapes or carpets etc - bathe daily with no soap.

I also add the following to my daily regimen for Jodi: - boil all drinking water - wash hands often - no playing in the basement - store all cleaning products, paints and stuff in the garage, avoid opening garage door if possible - use hepa filter vacuum cleaner - all family members on herbal extracts to kill parasites so their eggs and larvae are gone for good - stay away from moldy foods i.e. peanuts and nuts in general, dry fruit, crackers, bread... - wash hand before using her emollients and use wood tips to pick from the jar.

I believe Jodi's immune system is beginning to take back control over her conditions. And it makes sense. She never had an ear infection, never had thrush or yeast related symptoms, never had oral antibiotics, was delivered with no trouble at all.

I'm really hopeful that this time she'll be cured. 14 months is nothing compared to the sufferings many life long eczema sufferers on this list have endured but I still have not given up hope on a cure. I'm beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel again...

40% of kids with eczema grow out of it. 60% will have it in some form their whole lives, and be able to control it to greater or lesser degrees. That is the statistic stated by Dr. Hanifin, supposed expert, in a videotaped lecture that I have from the National Eczema Association.

ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - this means that Becca is in constant movement, cannot sit down for a moment, cannot get schoolwork done, distracts everyone in the class and anywhere else, and has trouble carrying out directions because of her inability to sustain an activity more than one or two steps (this is despite her well-above-average reading level and her other high academic abilities - when she is able to settle down, she can do anything the teacher gives her).

Also, when I said I was frustrated, I meant not that the PEOPLE were frustrating, but that this whole eczema thing just seems to be a full time job! (and affects every part of our lives).

In elimination you start out eating very few uncommon allergic foods like a lamb & rice diet then introduce different foods individually to see if you have an allergic reaction, if so eliminate.

In rotation you do not eat any food from the same food family in less than a four day period or longer, by doing this your body is less likely to develope an allergy to foods.

The Elimination Diet is used to identify allergic foods and the Rotation Diet is used to help prevent the development of additional food allergies.

Somethings I eat immediately start making me itch or turn my lips red. Ice cream with lots of chocolate does this as does some tomato based sauces.

It's so hard to determine what is making flare ups occur. I was cleaning my garage yesterday and the dust was irritating me. Then I went to a party and had some cheese bread dipped in sauce and some apple caramel stuff. When I got home I was itching on my hands so bad I ran cold water over them, put jojoba oil on--still itching I went to bed and tried to relax. I'm still not sure whether it was a delayed reaction to the dust, or something that I ate.

I find I'm not very careful in my search to find out what triggers my reactions.

I'm thinking of going on an elimination diet which cuts out wheat, corn, milk and eggs. I already have a hard time feeding myself (I'm living on a small budget, and quite a picky eater), and was wondering what sorts of things can be quickly and relatively cheaply prepared. I would also like to know if tofu is a fermented producted (just how is that stuff made, anybody know?) Eating is already quite a chore for me, so just wanted to know if anyone has any appetizing ideas I have already tried elimination, but was only able to keep it up for a week, and ended up stopping, there was just nothing left I could stomach eating, and I was down to one meal a day!

I've done all the steroids from hydrocortisone to lidex, have had it all over every conceivable part of my body over the years, including scalp, armpits, and other hairy areas (use your imagination). I have not used topical steroids for the last three years, and am looking for less harmful ways to keep it under control, such as dietary changes, etc. For the past six months, it's all on my neck and face, and I get frequent remarks like "what happened to your face?" or comments about my healthy tan (not!). Sometimes the skin is so dry, it hurts to turn my neck or make a funny face! Any good ways of making the skin more pliable and elastic?

I work in a lab; frequently, lots of small particles (metallic and otherwise), and an environment that can get quite hot, dry, and dusty. Anyone have tips on getting through the workday? Sometimes my skin is so irritated, I have to leave around 3 in the afternoon, while I would really like to stay the entire day till five. Anybody get so itchy at work they just go to the bathroom and scratch? I would really like to find a solution to this problem since this is the kind of work I'm interested in doing, and there's not much can be done to change the surroundings.

The shampoo I found in my health food store contained only sodium myreth sulfate as the major ingredient. Is that like the lauryl sulfates? I'm going to the library tomorrow to look for the books Rob recommended, I hope they will give some further information to the nature of the mysterious ingredients in all of these personal care products on the market.

I'm curious still about what is an occlusive barrier and what isn't. Primarily, I hear petroleum products described as occlusive barriers. How about vegetable oils--almond, olive, grapeseed oils, etc? Also, the advertisement for the Sativa products stated that the oat gluten worked as an occlusive barrier, so would this be a bad thing in light of Christine's information? She also recommends the oatmeal cleansers, so that all confuses me a bit.

My son and I swim in my Dad's outdoor pool which has chlorine and so far I haven't noticed any ill effects. Also, in the hot tub which definitely shouldn't be good for Daniel but doesn't seem to make anything worse.

Tonight I stuck Daniel in the bathtub after a messy poop outside and the water was hot because our cold water tap is stuck. It wasn't burning hot, but way hotter than I usually run for him (which is a little more than lukewarm), and his legs got blotchy red while he was in the tub and then seemed to be okay later, although he was wearing PJ's so I couldn't be positive much later.

Kelly, do you know what the likelihood is of a person becoming allergic to one food if they have been tested allergic to another? I don't think Rees has an allergy in the true sense of the word, in so much as I understand that a true allergy gives a very immediate effect, often critical. He has more of an intolerance to dairy, and now wheat, the effects of which are much slower to appear, very slow to disappear once the food is eliminated, and never really disappearing altogether, although the desire to itch does seem to go with the allergen.

Am I right in thinking this is a different ball game all together? I have avoided a full elimination diet for this reason and just gone on the advice of his therapist, and I wonder how relevant a full rotational diet would be to Rees (and how difficult with a 3 year old!).

To reduce or eliminate itching:

1. Avoiding allergens is number one. Spare no effort. Skip no possibility. Make as may changes as are necessary even if they require major lifestyle changes.
2. Use Ice directly on the itching spots.
3. Take Vitamin C regularly during itching spells. 500 mgs every 30 minutes or as required for relief.
4. Take Doxipen about 4 PM.
5. Use soap sparingly on your body. Once every 4 or more days at the most, except areas that are epecially soiled. Even the cleanding agents that are supposed to be mild should be used very sparingly.
6. Get some sun once a week or more.
7. Almost universal acclaim for benefits of swimming in the ocean if heard, If you can. The benefits are huge.
8. Reduce scratching by reducing tension by stretching thoroughly but gently, especially the arms neck hands and fingers and by reducing sexual tension. 

Allergic reaction times depend on the degree of the allergy. They could range from a second to a day or more.

The reactions that happen in a day or more are harder to pin down, therefore we keep exposing ourself without knowing it. The reaction becomes cumulative and the detective work has to begin. Keeping records of foods eaten, places visited or other allergens contacted help to track down the offender because one has to remember to what one has been exposed. Limiting possible allergens helps to make the detection easier. Detective work is necessary for reduction of symptoms.

My skin is being all weird. I have these prickley sensations all over and nothing seems to help. It's driving me bonkers!!!! Anyone have any suggestions? I took like four Benadryl at one time and it didn't do squat. Sarna barely made a dent, and all the lotion in the world just made it feel really gross. In fact, it was only when my skin was painfully dry that my skin felt remotely tolerable. If I don't figure something out soon, I'm just going to have dive into a pool of sulfuric acid. HELP!!!! Could it be that I'm taking too many pills, or my skin is at its worst, or what?

If it feels best when it's dry, I would suggest washing everything off and maybe just rubbing ice on it, or soaking it a short baking soda bath, which seems to have helped some folks. And if the pills aren't helping, then stop taking them, they might be making things worse. Take some vitamin C instead, maybe some E and zinc also.

Elizabeth, Have you thought he might be reacting to the antibiotics?? We had trouble with Keflex and Zethromax last year and I am a firm believer of the "leaky gut problem".

Wool fat alcohol IS lanolin. I suggest you shop with another pharmacist in the future, any pharmacist not knowing this must have been asleep during most of his or her training... <g>

At the same time, an allergy to wool (which many many people have) has NOTHING to do with an allergy to wool fat alcohol/ lanolin (which some people have).

I believe wool fat alcohol was determined to be a form of lanolin, but I have no problem with it, despite being allergic to lanolin in other forms. The only way to know is to try it on a small spot to see if you get reaction. I've been using Aquaphor for 30 years and it works great for me.

As for chlorine in pools, my skin hates it. But again, everyone must experiment with themselves. It doesn't matter what happened to others, what matters is YOUR reaction to a substance. And the only way to know is to try it and see.

My skin gets a tingley/prickely feeling under the skin when it is infected. Is it hot and red too? If so, go to a doctor. You may need antibiotics.

If not, keep trying various treatments until something helps. Use your gut level reaction as a guide. If dry feels better, then stop putting on lotion. Play/experiment with the basic ingredients: cold vs. heat, wet vs. dry, touch vs. no touch, etc. Compare different areas. Listen to what your skin is telling you. There's a body language that you must learn how to understand. Pay attention to the subtle layers of the experience. Focus on what feels good and do more of that.

Allergic reaction times depend on the degree of the allergy. They could range from a second to a day or more.

The causes of reactions that become noticeable after a day or more are harder to indentify, therefore we keep exposing ourself without knowing it. If we eat foods to which we are mildly allergic for many days, the allergic reaction becomes cumulative. It increases. Eating the offender once may not be a problem. The problem is the repetition and the accumulative effect.

Limiting possible allergens helps to make the detection easier. Knowing what the possible allergens are is necessary. Intensive prolonged detective work may be necessary for discovery of the allergen.

Keeping records of foods eaten, places visited or other allergens contacted help to identify possible offenders faster because one has to remember to what one has been exposed. Records are extremely helpful. Otherwise we repeat things that we have not noticed. Records help us notice. Without record keeping our period of suffering will be much longer.

I've heard a number of people talking about hand eczema lately and how it's different in terms of treatment than other parts of the body affected by eczema. I've been getting eczema on my hands very badly lately, between my fingers, where half of my finger is moist, itchy and blistered and the other half of the same finger is so dry and cracked that it's painful to bend the finger. (For those types of areas I've been covering it with antibiotic ointment (Betadine ointment) and a bandage to keep it moist until it heals, which has helped.

But I've noticed these new patches that I'm wondering if it's eczema or something else since it's very weird--small areas of my fingers look almost as if the skin has melted! It's sensitive to the touch and looks almost as if it's been burned by acid or something. When it finally heals, it looks as if the top layer(s) of skin is missing, and the entire area gets dry until the skin repairs itself. I was wondering if this might be a reaction to using my fingers to spread steroid creams on my eczema, a different type of eczema, or just something totally unrelated.

Never heard of being allergic to just one food, there will be others, maybe currently but not prominent or are on their way to being fully developed.

Depending on the amount of antibodies built and the amount of exposure, a reaction can take up to 2 weeks to show itself.

Give it any name you want but you still have to remove the food.

Full elimination on a 3 year old, that would kinda be hard to do, as for a rotational diet, still sounds tough to pull off with a 3 year old. How do you tell him he can't have something when other kids are or how do you tell the other kids they can't have something because Rees can't, gee, who would up the outcast! My daughter sneezes when she looks at the sun and that's it, I never had to deal with what you are but I've learned with just paying attention to his diet and how he reacts, even if not in the same day, you will pick up patterns that will help you locate possible culprits and with that you can remove them from the diet and then reintroduce them later and see what the reaction is.

I have a 20 month old son with eczema that is not extremely severe. But bad enough that it irritates him terribly. He doesn't get it on his face that much; more on his torso and limbs. He scratches so hard I'm embarassed to put him in summer clothes unless his scratch marks get better!

I have used Aquaphor as a wonderful cream to keep my son's skin hydrated. I put it on as much as possible. Aquaphor has been the best thing for my son's eczema. It works amazingly well. I've used it for just chapped lips, and after one application, my lips were healed! So this stuff must be good for my son's dry skin!

We've been using Goldbond powder over the Aquaphor to keep him from scratching. A friend who is a pharmacist said there is a Goldbond cream with an antihistimine in it. Anybody ever hear of it? Any opinions on this method, by the way?

I have bought Evening Primrose oil to put on the areas he scratches. I can't tell if it's working yet.

I'm going to try bathing him in baking soda to see if that works (been told it should).

I'm also going to ask the doctor to give me a recommended dose for liquid Benadryl as an antihistamine so that he won't scratch as much as night. Of course, he'll be very groggy the next day, though. It's not too fun feeling that way.

Cutting out foods has been extremely difficult. Everyone forgets not to give him certain foods, and processed foods have so much JUNK in them. (I don't have the free time to prepare all home-made meals!).

I've been having quite a problem recently with extremely dry, white patches of skin only in between my fingers. It's very uncomfortable, but only seems to turn into eczema bumps when I put on oil or lotion to try to soothe the dryness. I don't know what it is, seems to be worse in warm weather, someone suggested once that it might be a sign of a thyroid problem. It sounds kind of similar to what you described, although not really maybe. Mine wouldn't be from steroid use because its nowhere near my fingertips, and I haven't been using steroids lately anyway. I haven't found anything that helps, maybe I'll try the antibiotic ointment you mentioned.

I do suspect that my hands might be worse right now, because even though I've stopped using soap much in the shower, I wash my hands all day long with regular soap (because I've been scrimping on the rest of my sativa sample while I wait to reorder). I know it's not good, but I'm very conscientious about washing my hands, don't think I can change that.

Sodium myreth sulfate is, again, a take-off from sodium lauryl sulfate. It is not used very frequently. I am going to need to go back to my own reference manuals on cosmetic chemistry to look that one up.

Any oil placed upon a moisture rich environment is considered to be occlusive. By the way, oil is NOT moisture, it is devoid of moisture, but it does seal in moisture. There are other occlusive barriers as well. If you placed a sheet of saran wrap over an area of skin, it too would be considered as an occlusive barrier. Oat gluten hardens, becoming an occlusive barrier. Now, some occlusive barriers may possibly be absorbed by the skin. Olive oil is one of the purest and best skin prep's in the world, great for MANY problems. Grapeseed oil is awesome as a nutrient, it is as powerful, if not more, than some sophisticated pharmaceuticals. I've not heard of using it on eczema however.

I must tell you all, that my Oregano oil (pure) in a base of olive oil has totally cleared my eczema. There's not a trace left at this moment. We are, by the way, in the midst of our supreme allergy season in this region. Rain is prevalent as well each day, increasing the mold spores. I have been run down due to overwork and coming down with a cold. This is usually a time when I would look like a prickley pear, but nothing. I am as amazed as could be.

Someone showed me a book the other day on Oregano oil. I didn't have time to read it at all, but it looked promising. They seemed as if they were touting it as if it were Snake Oil. Too good to be true, but on a lark, I put up my $27 for one ounce of the oil, someone at work got it for me, and within one week, no more eczema. I am so impressed, I got the pills as well. They are mixed with garlic (deodorized) and onion. They seem to tout it as purifying, so I'm taking extra for my cold. It seems to be holding it down to some degree (I think, but who can really tell with a cold.)

Most Oregano Oil, isn't really Oregano (for some strange reason). If the oil is of Marjoram, often labeled as Oregano, they say it won't work. By the way, Oregano oil is touted for being totally destructive to candida, yeast, mold etc. Candida, yeast, mold etc. are usually the core hingepin that is usually missed in allergy testing.

Interesting note, I just recently came down with my eczema. It started on my feet. I actually didn't put too much thought into it, as it could have been a case of atlete's foot from the showers at the gym. I don't pay too much attention, just use the appropriate solutions, and go on my merry way having faith that it will clear fast. It always does. This time, no way. Nothing helps. Within days, my foot was raw and open. I, being the kind of person who can't really cope with the thought of bacteria on my body, reached for Clorox. Oh yes, just in case you cringed, so did my dermatologist. Everyone who hears it cringes, but it worked. It almost ended the first initial episode. Interesting huh?

I see it this way: There are many allergens and bacteria running around the surface of everything, all the time. They are in the air as well. My body couldn't cope any longer, so it began to fight. I see eczema as an over-reactive immune response. Purely and completely, immune response. The chlorine bleach rid my skin of any surface active bacteria, mold, fungus, allergens etc. and the skin had an opportunity to heal, and that it did, very fast. Now, the derm gave me a ketoconazole cream - which is purely antifungal. It worked too, but not completely. Nothing has seemed to work completely before my Oregano oil. Strange but true.

Pools contain chlorine (which is electrically combined and charged sodium - better known as salt) as well as calcium and acid. The well balanced pool, in essence, is like all drinking water should be. Doctors here recommend that their allergy patients spend time in the pool, washing away pollen and mold, cleaning it out of their ears, nostrils and eyes. It helps them very quickly.

Ocean contains salt. Salt is cleansing and purifying. it will wash away allergens, yeast, mold, bacteria, virus etc.

Be very careful with the sun though. eczema will respond very rapidly to sunlight. Ultra violet A & B light therapy works very fast and effective. That's what you're doing in the however, there are beautiful little cells in the skin, in the lower levels. These cells look like stars under a scope. They are the immune factors in the skin. Sunlight kills them off fast and they never grow back. Today's sunlight causes tomorrow's skin cancer. When the immune cells are gone, anything can happen.

Point being: The immune factors need to stay intact and healthy. eczema is considered to be (by many) an over-reactive immune response. The immune cells in the skin need to stay in the best possible shape. Didn't you ever notice that if you got a little sunburn, the eczema would go away completely? A few days later, it would return worse than it ever was! Approach any form of light therapy with a very conservative attitude. Sometimes, it pays to be as, if not more conservative that your dermatologist with respect to light therapy. My derm always sees me in a room that has a mirrored light therapy box in it. I tell him all the time that he's nuts for putting them in the toaster like that. We both laugh, but he concedes that it's a fine line between beneficial and destructive.

Just for point of interest: Benadryl liquid is used as a mouthwash and gargle to kill oral thrush in immune compromized patients. Thrush is yeast related. Yeast = mold, mold = yeast. Could be a link, in that skin responds to a reduction in mold spores on the surface.

For those that find a link between Candida Albicans, yeast, mold and eczema, feast your eyes on the New Scientist (May 24, 1997, p. 4). Basically, the article says that the yeast used in bread-making may in fact be a source of fungal infection.

The researchers will publish their findings in July's issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.

As a sunblock, I would suggest using Neutrogena. It doesn't irritate my skin. They have an SPF 30, 17 and 15. There are a couple of others, but I can't remember them at the moment. I'll get back to when I remember. Just know that PABA is a common irritant.

Overall salt water is suppose to be good for eczema but NOT if they're polluted... 

I use a facial sunscreen (SPF 15) made by Clinique. It's called City Block and it's "chemical free" -- whatever that means -- the active ingredient is titanium dioxide. I find that I don't react badly to City Block. It has a slight tint to it, so you might not want to use it all over your body (it's also expensive: $12.50/bottle).

Has anyone tried Skin Aide 1 & 2. I know they are for psoriasis, but there is a definite corelation between eczema and psoriasis. Just checking. In case you don't know about it, here's the link. Work your way from the homepage down the entire list.

http://www.psoriasis-cure.com/products.html

Another site I just found: Gosnells Amcal Chemist page on eczema and dermatitis:

http://www.gac.com.au/skidermatitis.html

They have some suggestions for children, including infants.

I read the website for the Gosnells Amcal Chemist page and was finally convinced about the hazards of soap!

We eczematic people must choose to keep our problems or make changes. Come changes might require major lifestyle changes such as moving into a new dry home, some might be as easy as changing soaps, or reducing their use. Clearly too much use of soap is a common cause of many eczema problems.

In any case, one must make changes or accept the condition. 

Oregano, Common and/or Wild Marjoram are all the same thing. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

I am interested in doing EPD, enzyme potentiated desensitization, for my eczema and was curious to know if anyone on this list has contemplated it or has done it.

Actually, I think that marjoram may be one type of oregano. I have a book on essential oils that lists Marjoram, with the latin name Origanum marjorana, and Oregano with the latin name Origanum vulgare.

There are many essential oils that are reported to be helpful for eczema, but interestingly enough, in this book, oregano isn't listed as one of them. Rob, what proportion of oregano oil are you using with the olive oil?

>> My skin is being all weird. I have these prickley sensations all over and nothing seems to help. <<

I've been the same way at times. These things have worked for me:

• Hot showers.
• Cold Showers.
• Alternate cold and hot water in the shower.
• Meditate
• Listen to music
• Take aspirin
• Go swimming 

Howard, If, say, my eczema is triggered by living in a moldy house, then the problem is not my living in a moldy house; the problem is that I suffer from a disease that does not allow me to live in a moldy house. If my eczema is triggered by eating tomatoes, then I suffer not because I eat tomatoes but because I have this disease that makes me suffer when I eat tomatoes.

If my eczema is triggered by my trying to live a normal life then I suffer *not* because I'm stubborn or stupid enough to try and lead a normal life, but because I'm unfortunate enough to be born with a disease that will not allow me to lead a normal life.

I am blaming the disease, eczema, for our problem not the people. This has been true in every case except for this ONE case when the person said that, (paraphrased) .."I cannot give up handwashing with soap frequently each day even though I know that this may be the cause of my deep misery."

Any logical person who reads that statement must have the same thought. Why would one keep doing this destructive thing all the while knowingly causing self suffering?

Is this similar to overeating, or drug addiction? In those cases, don't the people WANT to suffer? Perhaps not. Perhaps they do. It might be a method of self punishment or even punishment of someone else. (Look at poor me, and see how I am suffering. If you would help me, then I would be ok.) We might profit from physchiatrist's comments here. There are so many aspects I don't know about.

My more common message is closely related: do something about your problem or suffer. If you don't do something you are choosing to suffer. That is not blaming people for having a disease, that is blaming people for choosing not to help themselves. It's like not taking a doctor's prescribed drug. Assuming the doctor is an expert in your problem and is one in whom you have faith, how smart is it not to do what he tells you? Why would one choose to suffer by not taking the Doctor's advice, at least until you find out it does not help.

I had patches of red, raw-looking skin on my hands several years ago. They itched like crazy, then dried out and became very tight; getting them wet seemed to make them worse. I thought it was eczema (and it probably started out that way), but it turned out to be a fungus infection (I know, EEEUUUWWW!). I guess this is common for folks with eczema, though, because we have a damaged "barrier" to things that might not infect the average person. The derm. put me on oral Nizoral (rather risky for the liver), and I used a combination antifungal/cortisone cream with great success (can't remember the name; it's a prescription). I've only had fungal problems once since then, in the bend of my elbow, and I didn't need the oral meds. to clear that.

I personally have been contemplating going on an elimination diet but haven't gotten the push inside to do it. From what I've read lately, eczema can definitely be food allergy related. I've also thought about asking my dr. to do the RAST bloodwork test for food allergies. Does anyone know how accurate the RAST tests are compared to the skin-prick tests? Karen, you might want to check with your dr. about the above mentioned. I personally prefer one of the tests to a nasty elim. diet!

I did see the plain Quinoa at the store a couple of days ago. It looks like little nuggets, and didn't mention corn in it. Looks like you could fix it up like different rice dishes. I think the noodles probably have the corn flour to form them into noodles.

True, typical soap should not be used on iflamed areas of the skin, but not all 'soap like' products are soap. In fact, some soaps are pH balanced, betwee 4.5 -5.5, which is the correct pH balance for skin, not 5.5-6.5. Furthere, to clarify the point, all internal excretions, sebum, white cells from eczema pustules and moisture work to return the pH balance. The balance in skin returns rather quickly when skin is properly rinsed. Even water has a natural pH of 7, so if pH was the only concern, water would be destructive, but it's not. As the water dries, the skin's pH returns because skin is CONSTANTLY AND CONTINUALLY hydrated from within, therby maintaining pH.

Still true, don't use soaps on eczema, this could inflame the area terribly, but rinse and rinse and rinse in fresh water like a shower to wash off bacteria and virus and dust mite feces and countless thousands of parasites that 'live off' us. They could do a lot worse to skin that is broken out.

We need to keep a balance to our thought and not accept 'absolutes' unless they are very well and clearly delineated - standing on their own without credible challenge.

I've just had confirmation from Nelson's (the main supplier of Homeopathic remedies in the UK) of my earlier posting that the little pills on which the remedies are carried do indeed contain lactose, so are therefore not suitable to anyone with a dairy allergy. However, they do have all the remedies available either in 5ml bottles of drops (which contain 20% alcohol) or in sucrose only pills, which can be ordered direct from Nelson's on the following number:- 0171-4952404.

Regarding the quest for a good sunblock, I would like to recommend Mary Kay Sun Essentials sunblocks. There are a bunch of different formulas from the kind that soak into your skin to the kind that sit atop your skin and reflect rays off of you. The SPF ranges from 15 to 30 and are fragrance-free, oil-free, PABA free, non-comedogenic, non-irritating, protect against UVA and UVB rays and also contain free-radical scavengers. I love all the sunblocks and they don't have that goopy feel. They come in a good-sized tubes and cost between $9.50 and $11.50 US dollars.

I use the Sensible Sunblock SPF 15 on my face every day, under my foundation. It disappears right away and doesn't leave any kind of residue. I also use the SPF 15 Sunblock lip protector under my lipstick. If you already use Mary Kay products, ask your Beauty Consultant about it. If you don't have a consultant, you can call 1-800-MARY-KAY in the US or visit http://www.marykay.com/marykay/contactus/contact.html for a list of international numbers and addresses.

I may be wrong on this but isn't lactose milk sugar and a dairy allergy is from the different milk proteins. And just because you are affected by one, the other you may not be, 2 seperate problems.

A friend of my mom's saw someone on television the other day talking about their product -- Oregano Oil and some kind of capsules. (Sounds like what Rob was talking about). From what I heard, the show had many people who gave testimonies of it helping tremendously with eczema. Anyhow, I got their 800# but haven't called yet due to the holiday. I'll try to call tonight and get more details. Interesting to find out if it's the same company, etc. that Rob mentioned.

Several studies have shown that there is a linkage between steroids and the development of glaucoma and cataracts. It is now well known that people with eczema should not use steroid-based creams or ointments on the eyelids. Any dermatologist who is unaware of this or who fails to instruct patients not to use steroids on the eyelids is not worth his or her medical degree, in my opinion.

Audiotapes I obtained from the 1997 Dermatologists' Convention said that skin-prick tests could actually create allergies to more substances! Apparently, applying the allergens to eczematic skin somehow "teaches" the skin to react to it. If anyone really wants to know precisely what they said, I can listen to it again and transcribe it verbatim. But I know the gist of it was to NOT get skin-prick tests if an alternative was possible.

You're right about this, Kelly. Lactose intolerance is a problem completely within the gut. If you can't digest the lactose in the milk, the bacteria in your large intestine will use it, causing gas problems and osmotic potential problems (which cause diarrhea). This problem can be avoided by taking lactase pills when you consume dairy products. It is hard for me to imagine that there would be enough lactose in those little pills to cause problems in anybody but the very most lactose-intolerant people, especially if taken with food.

A bona fide milk allergy is due to the proteins in milk, and unfortunately, there is no pill to take with milk that will sidestep this problem.

To translate, 15 mg. is equal to 25,000 iu.

For those with access to the web, there are several places to look for info and recipes. You could start here:

<http://itsd-s3.agric.gov.ab.ca/food/nutrit/grain06.html>

Even though it is not on, I will run hot water over those areas when I can't take it anymore... I also squeeze and bite areas, and sometimes my skin ruptures and a liquid comes out. Often my skin becomes very weak and and sometimes I lose it from an area of my hand when I rub it hard, rub both hands together, or rub on a rough surface. Even though what I do causes damage, it seems to make me feel better even while it is painful... in the long run, I am not sure what other choice I have since it is so itchy, prickly, etc., at the time it occurs that I do not believe I could resist these destructive measures. I have not found anything externally or internally (other than the "stuff") which relieves the intense discomfort.

Rachel, have you ever tried ice cold compresses? When my face is really itchy I take a bag of frozen veggies and apply it like a cold compress, it helps me a lot.

My daughter's derm recommended PreSun for sensitive skin or Water Babies. Turned out she's allergic to the PreSun but not the Water Babies.

Things with my son's eczema have been going real good, I think the no dairy has really helped. Just last week with also took out butter and I can say he has not looked this good for a long time. However, we finally got some rain (it was a cold dry winter) and have not had the central heating on for three weeks so that could be a factor also. Anyway I am really liking the new Johnson's Baby Cream for very sensitive skin. It is one of the first lotions we have tried that doesn't seem to sting. The lotion has lanolin while the cream does not. Thought somebody might like to hear the good results.

I have read several times on this list people discussing how fungal infections can look like and feel like eczema in some cases. I was wondering what are some methods for telling the difference between the two?

The Oregano product, I came to find out, is manufactured by: North American Herb & Spice Co. P.O. Box 4885 Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 800-243-5242

What I have from them is the Oregamax Caps and the Oregano Oil. I take 2 Caps with each meal (unless I forget which seems to be 50% of the time). The product is costing me $27.00 for the caps, $27.00 for 1/2 oz. oil (which goes far.)

Watch, when the oil is rubbed on, if your skin is open, it's going to burn for a moment, as the Oregano is wild Oregano and very concentrated.

I've donated blood regularly for many years. I've noticed that I often seem to get a flare in my eczema for a few days after donating. It's usually not to bad, so I'm never quite sure if it caused by donating or by some other coincidental factor.

Anybody had a similar experience or have you not seen any effect between you eczema and donating blood.

I was wondering if anyone has advice about exercising and the repercussions of sweating. I worked out yesterday after a four day hiatus. As my skin has very clear or the past two days, the after effects of my "workout" were very pronounced. As soon as I came home, the itching frenzy began and the clearness turned to blotchy. I guess it was too good to last. Oh, how depressing. Today, after I exercise, I am going to try taking a freezing cold shower. Any words of wisdom?

Has anyone noticed a changeof itching patterns when sleeping on one's back? (Or any another distinct position.) I have noticed that not only do I sleep more soundly on my back, but I also seem to itch less. Perhaps, lying on one's stomach makes the skin hotter.(Air being more contained between the body and the mattress?) Or maybe it's all a matter of sleeping soundly. I don't know. Strange that I didn't notice this sooner.

My final question regards the use of chinese herbs. I am pretty skeptical and cynical in nature. I am one of those people who feel a little suspicious of taking pills that are not FDA approved. It's not a strange loyalty towards the FDA, but a basic concern that I'm consuming something that is monitored by the people selling it. Having said all that, I am actually taking three kinds of chinese herb pills. Two are supposed to cool body temperature, or balanced.(Yin-Yang) And the third is for stress. Sometimes I feel like an idiot for taking them. But then, I hate having eczema and try to keep an open mind to anything that might improve my condition. Admittedly, if I moved to the tropics and became a marine biologist, my skin would probably be very happy. But my life is currently quite different, and my skin is not pleased about it. Doesn't it suck that our skin can dictate where we live?! Okay, back to the chinese herb stuff. I hope I haven't touched any nerves here. Just remember we're all struggling to find a "magic cure". Although I happen to lean towards the scientific camp, I try to keep an open mind.

My son age 29 has been diagnoised with nummular eczema and we've tried everything... finally taking plaxil ... minimum dose and using zone A directly to the skin... seems to be doing better than anything we've tried so far... however, I would like to hear from anyone who may have tried these things

For those on no-wheat, no-corn diets:

There's a grain called spelt (yep, that's how it's spelt <g>) which I *think* does not contain gluten, and most certainly does not contain wheat or corn. It's an ancient grain which was popular in the Middle Ages, and is used today in breads and pastas; you can find these at health food stores. Again, read the labels.

You can also find rice flour at health food stores, and quinoa as well. Rice flour makes dense, but fairly tasty, muffins. My mum used to make a tasty quinoa, shrimp and snow pea mixture; I imagine that you can use it the way you might use couscous (which are made out of semolina).

If you are searching for recipes as you rule out foods which make your eczema flare up, you might look at cookbooks for those on yeast-free diets for the treatment of candidiasis. I tried this a few years ago, and, while it didn't make a big change in my eczema, it broadened my culinary horizons!

My CHT doc told me to lay off of corn which is coming into season and I've been eating a lot of. She said it isn't the allergy properties so much as the niacin content. I've seen the other postings on niacin and I guess it causes the skin to flush.

I took prednisone for 13 years and have had my eyes examined for cataracts and glaucoma almost every year. The doctors have told me I show no signs of either as yet. Now I am no longer taking prednisone but was wondering if anyone knows how long the risk of eye disorders lasts. Do cataracts/glaucoma take years of incubation, so that someone has not shown any signs so far, they will still be at risk (forever)?

I've had very similar problems to yours between my nose and mouth, also under my mouth but for 2/3 years. I'm trying a candida-cure type diet at present (also dairy free), and after 2 weeks I have found some improvement - so its well worth doing. I have used NOTHING on my skin in this area as everything sooner or later causes irritation (usually sooner).

Much of what I have read on this list suggests that the skin often does not want any more stuff on it and just fights harder, reacts more strongly to each new cream or cure. The only thing I've used is a few drops of Tea tree oil in cooled boiled water as a wipe when its itchy or sore - it quickly calms down - say 10 mins later, but be careful not to have a sneaky rub while you apply! I believe this is antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal, don't overdo it, it can be drying. Also someone else said eczema is NOT DRY SKIN, it is diseased skin and the disease superficially resembles dryness (flaking etc).

I've tried jojoba oil in this area and it was just irritating, although I used it above my eyes where the eczema is just mild and it has worked really well - so I'm hoping to use it eventually around my mouth.

There was also a web site which I cannot remember, but it said perioral dermatitis was CAUSED by face creams and stopping the use and keeping the area clean are the cures - I did not believe this at all when I first read it 3 months ago, but I wish I'd tried it sooner as the last 2 weeks of using no creams (also on the diet) have been the most comfortable for ages.

Last week my new derm started me on antibiotics again, and then she put me on a new steroid. I asked the derm what an appropriate length of time was to give the new steroid for evaluation purposes. She said two weeks. I would have given up on it after two days because my legs were looking worse, but I'm glad I stuck it out. They're much better now.

I've been on antibiotics and steroids concurrently before, but this time it helped because the derm addressed the infection first before starting the steroid. Make sure you ask your doctor how to identify an infection and address it as soon as possible. Sometimes it's not always easy to tell the difference between infection and eczema.

The first two dermatologists that I went to for my eczema thought it might be fungal, even though they took multiple fungal scrapings that came out negative. Their method for determining that it was not a fungus was for me to use an anti-fungal ointment, when there was no effect after a month they concluded that I had eczema, not a fungus. However, none of the topical steroids they prescribed for me had any effect either... 

I'd be curious to know why she warned you about Niacin since it's a common treatment for dermatitis. Please let me know.

I'm writing to ask other mothers with e babies about their babies development, overall disposition and affect particularly in the 5-7 month age range.

Our baby, Isaac, nearly 7 months old, is a very serious little baby. Although he's very alert, when he is in a room with other adults he looks away and won't ever respond with smiles. Sometimes he won't smile at me and his dad; rather he looks away at the surroundings or he'll just sit glumly looking at us with no response. Now I'm pretty sure there's a direct relationship to his mood and the severity of his outbreak (and his lack of sleep), but because he's in a constant state of itching, scrathing and then oozing rashes, this sober temperament is pretty standard.

He does have some playful times but I worry that he's depressed. Of course when I'm feeling depressed, I worry that something else is wrong and that we'll be dealing not only with eczema but also something else. I know this sounds so negative but I feel so overwhelmed by this problem (eczema) and because I work, I am quite isolated from other babies. On the days I have off I'm invariably running Isaac to doctor's appointments.

I'm contemplating quitting my job, something which is both financially scary for us but is also a big shift for me in terms of my identity. But I'm so worried that Isaac is too demanding for our daycare worker and that he needs extra love and attention from his parents while he's going through this hellish experience in his body. I don't feel this way everyday but the last few days have been bad and all of our many interventions including my elimination diet (to cont. breastfeeding), IGG infusions, Keflex, steriods everyday for months, bathes, lotions etc. don't seem to be helping so morale here is low.

Elizabeth, Your baby needs you, particularly since he has eczema. Your job will always be there or another one like it, but your baby needs you now. Were I in your place, I would quit and be with Isaac. I guarantee you'll not regret it. I must confess that I was the one with the eczema, not my son. I breast fed and lived out in the ocuntry and ate really well and for some unknown and wonderful reason, he never has had any skin problems. However, as a person with life long eczema I can identify with you boy's sadness.

My sons eczema was at his worst from age 6-12 months. I noticed he was not developing as fast as my other sons and other babies around him. All he did was cry, and when he wasn't crying I could not get him to sit still. When he was 12 months old he weighed the same as when he was 6 months, which had the doctors concerned. Most people had good days and bad days, not us we had good hours or bad hours.

I am a stay at home mother, but I seriouly considered going back to work just to get a break from him. Family would not help because they feared him. Getting a babysitter was out of the question because we were afraid he would cry the whole time. He would not play with toys or interact that much with us or his brothers, who loved him very much and could not understand why.

By the time he was 14 months old (also the time he started walking) his eczema got better. It was like was is a whole new baby. He's happy, always smiling, energetic, talking, playing with his brothers, and actually gave us hugs. He is now 16 months old and has eczema mainly on ankles, wrists, lower arms and around the diaper area. We are now even weaning him off the 2.5% cortisone and the Atorax, to 1% cortisone and benadryle. The first couple of days were bad, but now he is improving. I know sometimes these thing are temporary, but I am enjoying it so much. We still have him on soy formula, because he does react bad to milk.Trystan has caught up in size and development.

I know everbody is different, I am just sharing with you our experience. I know it is hard right now and I hope your son improves with age just as ours did.

I agree completely with the hot water. I use a hand held shower wand and spray it directly on the areas that itch. It seems to numb the nerve endings and lasts me at least a couple of hours. I take a Reactine (Zertec in the U.S.) tablet before I go in the shower and by the time I come out it has begun working. It is the only med (besides prednisone) that is very effective against the itching. I would encourage you to try it. I have heard a number of good reports on the effectiveness of Reactin - Zertec against the itching.

Has anyone on the list ever heard of EPD - enzyme potentiated desensitization? It is allergy shots that have a chemical in them that is supposed to induce cell-mediated immunity, as opposed to antibody-mediated immunity which comes from regular allergy shots. Cell-mediated immunity is supposed to be a lot better, can't recall why. They claim to be able to CURE a whole bunch of immune related disorders in about 75-85% of cases. I was thinking of trying it for my eczema.

Elizabeth, I'm sorry to hear that Isaac is having such a rough time. Daniel didn't really develop eczema until at 19 or 20 months. But I would like to offer a couple of things that occurred to me as I read your note.

I noticed that as soon as I got the steroid cream to help Daniel's eczema subside that within a week he was a happier baby and not sleeping so much. He laughed a lot more, and I was rather shocked to think that all this time, the disease was inhibiting his little self. Isaac may be responding, as you note, to the hard time his body is giving him. It takes a lot of energy and resources to react to the eczema, and it could be that. It could also be another physical problem. You may want to have your pediatrician give him a thorough checkup. Could there be a vision or hearing problem that might cause the lack of reaction?

Also, I encourage you to take care of yourself. I too went nuts, not just because of the eczema, but a lot of thngs combined. I'm kind of a thinker (read: worrier) so I probably spend a lot of my own energy thinking about what I could be doing wrong or trying to figure out what to do, just in general as a parent. For me, the solution fell into my lap (well, almost). I met someone who worked at home for an electronic publishing company and asked her to keep me in mind if an opening came up because I had decided I really was sick of working for someone else, and that I would get to spend a little more time with Daniel if I worked from home. A month later I started working for them and it has grown to half-time.

I quit half of my regular job and work on the computer around Daniel's naps and bedtime. But that is changing soon because he no longer naps as much and I am losing money by not putting in the hours I need. This is all to say, it has improved our relationship tremendously and I finally began to feel much more bonded and loving and loved. (I should say that for about 4 months before I did that I was dehydrated and on a bad medication, but didn't know about the dehydration--that all cleared up immediately in December with a new med and drinking more water!).

I sure would encourage you to be creative in anything that you believe will help you and your family. I'm so much happier now. And that has a lot to do with the kind of mom I am. And I think it makes dealing with Daniel's eczema easier. Other people have more fits about it than I do when I don't moisten his skin enough, but they don't have to get kicked and hit when they put the ointment on. And he does okay, but goes through scratching periods at night. That's when he asks for a bottle which I still give him (I know, I know--sigh).

Rachel, A freezing cold shower might help a lot. Also try showering before you exercise and after. And make sure you have double rinsed your exercise outfit. Flushing you body with adequate water daily might get rid of some excess itchmakers. Taking vitamin C before you exercise might help. The atmosphere of the gym is important too. Are the airconditioners cleaned regulary or is there a musty smell. Is the place clean?

Yesterday I had the unfortunate experience of dropping a glassful of scalding hot water down my stomach. In the course of caring for the burn, I was using a whole bunch of different gels & ointments one of which was a pad called "2nd skin".

It's a thin sheet of gel which is apparently just there as a carrier for the water that makes up "80%" of the pad. You peel off a sheet of plastic and apply it to the wound; the gel can then be taped on. I don't have the chemical name for the gel handy but it is supposed to be inactive. I used one on the eczema on my palms and it certainly relieved a lot of the scratchy feeling; healing is a separate matter. But it did make me wonder: what, if any, application could burn remedies have for eczema sufferers? If we're all talking about skin that is in some sense severely traumatized, we might do well to see what sorts of solutions other areas of medicine have come up with. I find that my eczema goes in cycles; basic maintenance helps sometimes but an uncontrollable flare-up may respond better to a more drastic intervention. Your thoughts?

The company that makes 2nd Skin pads is Spenco; they have a web address at www.spenco.com; look for sports medicine, although there's really not much more there than what I've told you here.

Elizabeth, How about a part time job. Flex time when you husband could be a home with your son. I know that I could not have held a "real" job the first two years of my son's life. His eczema was bad, he had ear infections, and I got no sleep. I work from home most days and so if it has to be in the middle of the night so be it. I think you have a point about the daycare, eczema babies need lots of loving which can be hard for even a good sitter when they have a house full. Plus since you can not control the environment there he may be coming into contact with something that causes the eczema to be worse (dust, cats, smoke, ... ).

As another working mom, I can totally understand Elizabeth's feelings and concerns with Isaac about daycare and getting enough love and attention. Right now Brian (9-1/2 mos) is with my mother-in-law half-day and a home daycare half-day. I know he's being well cared for and loved. Unfortunately, both have pets and Brian is highly allergic so something needs to be done quickly. I just don't know what to do. I am also thinking about changing my job situation (possibly cut back to 3 days/wk from full-time) so I can spend more time with Brian, and know his environment, and give him the extra attention he requires. If any other moms have been thru this and have suggestions, all are welcome.

It sounds like Isaac is possibly depressed. My only comparison is my son who has always been a happy/joyful little baby even through all the itching and infections, etc. However, whenever I forget to give him his antihisthamines or when skin is cleared up, he is like a different person -- he's even more happy and playful. So I do believe that the eczema (especially when flared up) has a definite effect on our babies. Maybe you can mention it to your dr. I know they're just babies, but you can tell when they're not feeling well, miserable from itching, etc. -- they have a way of showing it just like adults.

Helen, I just read your post to Elizabeth and my son it 26 mo. and I have had a lot of the same thoughts you have. While my son doesn't take a bottle he does have a pacifier. And I hear it all the time that he should be done with that. But it does help him get though the night so they can take a hike. I had a kindergarden teacher tell me "I have never had a kid come to school the a binky or not potty trained, so don't get excited he will just out grow it" Hope this make you feel better like it did me.

Kel, the CHT doc only said that Niacin makes one flush. In CHT terms, anything that causes "heat" is off limits (spices, citric acid foods, onions, garlic... ). I'll see her in 1 1/2 wks and ask more about it.

Okay Kelly, but Rees proved to have a problem with both, and I would rather be sure. They may also only be minute pills, but if you use them for a variety of things as we do, it can mount up and the pharmacist at Nelson's said I was absolutely correct to raise the point as the pills are pure lactose (and remedy of course). Also, for me, it's less effort to get the remedies sent directly to me, so I may aswell get them in drop form.

Today, I feel very demoralized. I had been in a postition where my eczema was so negligible for a year, and now I fear my respite may be coming to an end. My face is currently the worst. I tried Christine's suggestion of using evaporation and no moistuizers to let the skin on my face achieve it's own natural balance, but my face was so dry and tight it felt like it was covered with hairspray. I had to go back and take a shower and use my heavy emollients. I just couldn't bear the dryness. I didn't find the jojoba oil to be effective.

The top layer of skin pretty much has peeled off now. I had about 2 hours of smooth unblemished skin and then it started tightening up again. No matter what I put on it, Epiderma1, jojoba oil, eucerin, anything, 15 minutes later it feels dry and extremely taut and peeling. There is a question in all of this: those of you who have have sworn off moisturizers, how long did it take to ge past that terrible tautness? Did you continually apply the jojoba oil? Has anyone tried a water mister. I'm afraid the if I use one, the constant evaporation may dry my face further. I have a dentist appt. in a few weeks and I'm wondering, "Will I be able to open my mouth wide enough?"

Elizabeth, I am a stay-at-home mom and I just wanted to give my support for you if you do decide to go home with Isaac. Do it if you possibly can! I know that he needs you and will benefit from your constant care. It is hard sometimes identity-wise to be at home. But when you realize the benefits that your child will derive from your full attention, no amount of penny pinching will keep you from staying home and being there for your son.

I'm fortunate in that many other mothers in my neighborhood stay home. I'm also lucky to have a very supportive husband who understands I need to do things to keep using my mind and developing. Mostly though I am a mom and homemaker (in that order). I've done a joint preschool for my 3 1/2 year old, and will often have other children come to play at our home. But most of all, I relish being with my little sons and watching them grow.

I'm getting on my soap box here, so know this isn't a flame to women who work, I understand there are many situations which require a second income (or sole income) so that children must stay with someone other than their mother.

Society has pushed hard to convince women that staying home with their children is a waste of their talents, but this is so untrue. There are so many things that only a mom can do to bring up her child with love. There are many fulfilling moments in motherhood. Granted, you won't be rewarded financially, nor will your co-workers give you praise. I am lucky to have a son, almost 4, who tells me daily he loves me "and everything" and he will often thank me for making him meals or playing with him. I don't think that's the norm. But even if he didn't say those things I still find satisfaction in sharing my time with him and helping him prepare to live in society. Enough time has passed to show that many children whose mothers found fulfillment elsewhere have suffered from the neglect and in turn society has suffered. Okay, enough said.

What my sister did for her now 1 1/2 year old to survive eczema. She suggests covering his hands--using hair bands (terrycloth covered bands for girl's hair--if it has the metal clasp he may find a way to scratch with it) around the sleeves and even around the feet of the sleeper if he scratches with his feet. This will help him to sleep. She covered her son's hands for almost a year, and although it looks strange it helped get it under control. She did it any time he was itching, and all night long. Soak twice a day for at least 10 minutes, don't dry, but cover with Vaseline cover body with 100 % cotton clothing, long sleeves and pant--one piece, oversized works best. 1/2 tsp. Benadry before bed. Stop all other medication. Watch for infection--use antibiotic ointment. My sister's son didn't clear up until she did this even with internal antibiotics.Beware of keeping him too warm. Sweat can be very aggravating for eczema. Use all dye and perfume-free laundry detergent. During hard times during the day she would try hard to distract him with playing and hugs. Sometimes at night she keeps his feet covered too because he uses his feet to scratch. He was always a happy child except when his skin was flaring.

Elizabeth, Your letter sounded like a letter to myself! I have a 20 month old with eczema, although it is not as bad of a case as you are experiencing.

Your son's demeanor may have something to do with his problem. Mine is usually a happy camper, unless he's sick. Of course, when he's scratching he's busy with the itch and gets a bit irritated. And he wakes up at night with a howl, but I think that's a sleep pattern. Can you give him a benadryl or an antihistamine to let him sleep better?

As far as your work situation is concerned, you are a mirror image of my situation. I totally understand how confused you are. I have been going through the same thing myself this past year. It is very difficult when you have been career-driven, but your child really needs you.

I was told that when steroids don't work, it means the skin is infected. And that has been my personal experience too.

Shelley suggested that my skin might be infected, and that would explain why nothing had any effect on it. I have had one large patch of eczema on my lower leg for nearly 3 years, it never got better, it only got bigger until recently. Now my skin is discolored, but it appears to be healthy and soft. This change came about from a combination of things:

1. Using evaporation nightly on the big spot
2. Showering every other day instead of daily, using Aveeno instead of *soap*.
3. I used to be a moisturizer freak, I had probably 10-15 bottles of different kinds of moisturizers, I have almost completely stopped using these, and if my skin seems really dry I use the Sativa critical care lotion although I really am bothered by its smell.
4. I've also been getting some and tanning rather than burning through careful use of sunscreen.
5. For about 2-3 months I have been taking daily doses of a multivitamin, vitamin C, zinc, and evening primrose oil 1300mg capsules.
6. Also I have recently quit drinking coffee and stopped taking birth control pills. 

Hey guys! I wondered if anybody ever gets a reaction that is the like of hives? I seem to break out with one or two on my face at times, of course it's red & itchy , too. I don't know if this is part of my eczema or not. The only thing I can pinpoint as a trigger is when I get hot real quick or there is high humidity. Once I cool off the hives cease. Just wondered if any one has experienced this and had any tips.

Elizabeth, My baby has eczema since he was 2 months old. I am pretty sure the eczema does affect my baby's temperment. Yes, he would rarely smile to other people and even to us - when he is less than 1 year old - so much so that we felt guilty of not looking after him well enough. Things have changed a bit after his 1st birthday and ever since I learnt more from our eczema list. He still would not smile in front of a stranger but will run, jump, smile like other child otherwise. He is now 2 years old.

Overall, I think he has very bad temper and gets frustrated and gave up on things very easily. However, he is a good boy at night - that helps. Recently, we put him on 4x80mg GLA & 4x20mg Vitamin E + oatmeal bath + a moiseriser called DermVeen - and his skin is now pretty good and he scratches a lot less now. We are reluctant to eliminate his diet because we know "you are what you eat - diversication is important especially you are young - as a baby". The GLA+Vit E seems to help a lot on his itch.

He is always looked at as a lucky boy by all of our friends because we tried to give him as much love as possible - that helps. I think he is a lot happier with less itch - but I afraid it is a bit too late to change his temperment - we are still trying. The first year is very important - give Isaac as much love as you can and read/ research more information to help his eczema.

If one treatment would not work, try other - give at least 2 months per treatment though - yes there is not many months in a year. Don't give up. We have had a lot of bad times - but that's how you develop your relationship with your baby.

I am a person whose exercise usually consists of looking for the remote control. :) But two weeks ago I just happened to get off my lazy butt and start exercising on a daily basis (20-30 minutes aerobics or walking). I was a little concerned about what would happen to my eczema, and the only real difference I'm noticing (and this could be coincidence) is that my hand eczema is at its all-time worst. Otherwise my eczema is just as bad as it always is.

I've been trying the no moisturizer thing for a week or so. Jojoba oil doesn't do much for me either, but I happened to buy grapeseed oil at the same time and have found it helpful in texture and not being crazy with flakes.

I still think and hope there must be something better out there. But I do find that avoiding the lotions etc. has helped. I tend to bathe more often than Christine suggested, but otherwise my skin feels gross.

Perhaps the grapeseed oil would feel good on your face too. It's not very expensive.

I also get hives at times. It usually occurs when I'm hot and scrathing. Last time it happened on my arms--which is probably my worst area. I try not to touch them. It's like a red (no pun intended) flag that I should stop scrathing.

Other than that I can't offer much advice. But maybe it's good to know others get hives too. I think it's just the skin's reaction to overload.

My son's back sometimes looks like welts, almost in rows diagonally. In fact, they nearly look like bruises which of course is scary to let anyone else see wihtout explaining that it is his eczema, not me abusing him, as they look at me a little sideways! Anyway, when they are there they look terrible, but they may go away for a quite a while in between times. He's 29 months now.

My son was diagnosed with an inflamed intestinal lining or "leaky gut". This was diagnosed by a gastroenterologist. Not the pediatrition, dermatologist, allergist, etc, etc. I placed him on a special diet at age 4 1/2 months and have seen improvement since then. He still has e but not 100% coverage, hands and knees only. He can presently eat 14 foods, foods are the main cause of his eczema, environmental factors will also affect him.

My guy is in really good shape right now but it was one bad winter. I cut all dairy the middle of March and that has really helped he also eats no corn products. However, if the good skin stays for two more weeks I am going to try some corn back. He was on Antiboitics in December and then just this last week for a sinus infection that would not go away. I have my fingers crossed that the antibiotic does not set us back but so far so good. His first to years were just one dose after another. For the leaky gut did you get medication or just diet changes. I had gotten more "good" bacteria from an homeopath but have not used it yet. That only believe a M.D. really died hard with me and now I have problems accepting that they have our best interest at heart.

All the postings about the effect of eczema on babies reminds me of my own childhood. Severe eczema effected my emotional state from birth. I've been trying to think of anything that might help parents struggling with their kids now.

The inability to communicate was clearly the biggest problem in infancy. My earliest memories mostly involve the feeling "they don't understand" and feeling extremely frustrated. For instance, I felt very confined in shoes and items of clothes like feeted pajamas. I was probably overheated much of the time and my parents didn't figure that out.

My parents' efforts to stop my scratching with gloves and other restrictions made me feel trapped and forced to surrender to circumstances beyond my control. This feeling has haunted my entire life, with devastating effects.

Eczema gives kids the feeling that life is HELL, that they've come into a world of excruciating agony and there's no reason why. They are forced to accept it as the norm in this world. That's why their faces will look solemn or blank or angry. It's a horrible prospect. I spent my childhood hoping I would die.

I suggest that parents try to "tune in" to what their child might be feeling when you do something to them, and imagine how you might feel in that situation. Try to make your mind small and innocent, with no references to anything but what is currently happening. Open your mind to subtle clues of what your child is experiencing. Impose your will on them in the least oppressive ways. Try to give them the feeling of "fun" to show them that the world isn't ALL bad. This is very important.

I have a wonderful, cheerful 23 month old son who is so friendly and independent and who has had eczema from the day he was born.About two months ago his eczema went so bad that I had know idea what to do.The worst part was that his personality changed overnight and he became a shy, clingy child who wouldn't eat , wouldn't stop crying and wouldn't let me out of his sight.The change in personality really broke my heart more so than the redness and scratching.

After feeling desperate I decided to try and manage the eczema in my own way as I feel the medical profession only address the redness etc they don't even consider the emotional etc issues.Here are some of the things I have done which I think have helped .The listlesness has gone and my little boy has returned.

1. Only using natural products in my home
2. Put bicarb of soda in his bath and smother him in Vaseline two times a day
3. Eliminate all preservitaves, colourants etc from his food
4. Lots of hugs and kisses and spending more time with him 

I just ate some oatmeal that happened to have sodium bisulfite in it and an hour later my face got a little eczemic. I suspected the connection before but now I guess it's confirmed. Wierd thing is that last time I ate dates preserved with sulfites my face got all puffed up and my eyes looked so swollen and wierd. It wasn't really eczema but seemed more anaphylactic. The swollen face lasted a couple of days. God I can't believe I was stupid and crazy enough to try this oatmeal, how tempting is oatmeal anyway? Perhaps the zyrtec I am on prevented me from getting a full-fledged reaction.

I guess for me whenever I get an allergic reaction to something new I have to confirm it a couple of times before I believe it. I remember when I was an adolescent I was in denial for two years about my milk allergy because it was my favorite food. Also I used to be able to get away with eating a slice of pizza and getting eczema in front of my ears and a tad on my face. I don't know why over the years my milk allergy has gotten so severe. Now just a tiny amount gives me such a huge reaction, and of course lucky me its just on my face usually.

>> Does your hand allergy caused by apples, also happen when you have ANY form of apples? <<

It seemed that way until I tried apples from an organic shop. I had no reaction on my hands or anywhere else. I strongly beleive it is the chemicals not the apples I am sensitive to.

The apple problem for me was, I am pretty sure, the surface "coating". The apple that was so noticably a problem for me was VERY red and highly polished as if it had a wax on it. I bought it in an airport snack shop. It looked BEAUTIFUL !!

Nancy, Reading about all the products you have recently used has a familiar ring. I used to try all sorts of moisturisers and steroids to combat a bad flare up. This was usually to be able to get to work or to enable me to get out of the house and not frighten anyone... hee hee.

Seriously, if I have a flare I sit down and go thru what could have irritated it over the last 48 hours. At his point I try to put a perspective on my flare and realise that it will clear up eventually. I must stay calm and not get angry or depressed as I now know this will irritate my eczema even more.

I still use steroids, only on certain parts of my body and now very occasionally. I am slowly weaning off, I used to cover my body everyday with steroids.

I believe I am on the right road to recovery. However I also accept that I will have flare ups on the way. If I stay positive I WILL GET BETTER!

I recently took three weeks off work to sort my eczema out and how I handle it. This gave me time to solely concentrate on my condition without the worry of facing the outside world. I am now totally committed to controlling it. My outlook on life has completely changed. I now have a set regime of eating well and exercising everyday. I have not been this happy in quite a few years.

One of the pluses of having eczema is that we appreciate life when we are clear.

I took down some notes about eczema that I found on the internet and I came across one about foods that cause excessive release of histamine. It mentioned bananas among others I already knew about. Does anyone know if bananas make them itch? I personally never noticed.

Lately, my eczema comes and goes in QUICK cycles. For example, right now it is semi-quiescent. But just two days ago it was red, angry, itching and weeping - bothered me no end. And a couple of days before that it was almost gone - you could hardly see it. Not only that, but lately it has also popped up (mildly) on the back of my neck and I also have a particularly nasty spot on the inside of one of my ankles. Wish I could figure this out.

Just a thought but your son's probably not depressed, sounds more like an internal allergic reaction.

Quitting your job is a big shift, try not to let the eczema control you, locate the cause so you can control it.

Maybe it's time to get mad, scream, get it out (not in front of your child though). E can be quite frustrating and you sound frustrated. When your done freaking out, you'll feel better and then you can look at the problem more objectively.

Lactose intolerance is a enzyme deficiency problem and easily treatable.

Antibiotics don't have to set you back, take probiotics but not at the same time you take the antibiotic. Antibiotics can lead to leaky gut. The "good" bacteria is probiotic, most definitely take it.

I recently had some allergy tests and came up as allergic/intolerant to bananas - this surprised the tester - so it is obviously unusual, but it might be worth investigating, possibly they do produce histamine in large amounts?.

They are one of the million foods I am avoiding and I have had an improvement since avoiding, but sadly not a complete clear up. - They might be worth cutting out for a while.

I'm very interested in your question about how to deal with dryness - last time I visited the dentist I could not open my mouth properly! I keep on trying to use nothing, but I find I'm so dry that the skin cracks from dryness after 3 to 4 days so I put on something (which usually irritates - I scratch and it oozes - so back 2 paces) - I have found that a little tea tree oil and jojoba oil in cooled boiled water does not irritate too much, but does not moisturise too much either.

I am avoiding all suspected allergens and the improvement is noticeable, but this is my biggest problem now, if I use the wrong thing I make it worse (although it does not actually ooze for hours as when I came off steroids). So I am really actually asking the same question WHAT DO YOU DO WITH SKIN THAT KEEPS DRYING OUT AND FLAKING OFF, BUT IS NOT REALLY BADLY IRRITATED - IS THERE ANY AMOUNT OF TIME THAT YOU CAN USE NOTHING FOR AND FINALLY THE SKIN HEALS?

OR ARE WE ALL TO FRIGHTENED TO TRY BEYOND A CERTAIN POINT?

I was at the dermatologist yesterday as I was sure my hand eczema had finally gotten to an infected stage, but it turns out it's just especially bad--no infection. But she did say that the areas of my hand where I'd said it looked "melted" was a blister that had formed under the layers of skin, causing the upper layers to die but not detach yet. (Great.) The doctor told me that she's heard that hand eczema is more affected by stress than "regular" eczema and that she had a patient who had extremely bad hand eczema for a year and the it cleared up suddenly, which coincided with her divorce.

I know that stress aggravates eczema, but has anyone ever found that as soon as a major stressful problem in their life was gone that their eczema miraculously improved?

When people see postings like "Apples Caused my eczema" the reaction should NOT be "Oh, dear, now I must stop eating apples."

Those kinds of messages should just be reminders to pay attention to even ordinary everyday products that may be involved in your condition. Everyone has reactions to different things. The point is to become aware of what triggers your particular case.

The REAL message from the "apples caused my eczema" posting is "Even something as simple as apples could be involved. Let me think more about what I've been eating."

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