Eczema

[vocabulary]

has anyone ever had eczema? i've had it for a long time, and it's currently unbearably serious. i'm sick of taking steroids. any tips on how to "recover"? skin flakes literally cover the insides of my shirt, and bathing is painful af. i wake up every night due to itch. anyone with similar experience?are there more "natural" methods to control this? i take oral medication and apply different creams and moisturizer as well. 

[Dekku]

Yeah I have it too but it's not that bad anymore it just makes my skin dry in some places and sometimes it flakes. It used to be so bad that I couldn't even write though...

 

I think certain foods can make your eczema worse

[removed929393303]

Do you have atopic or contact eczema?

 

For me I realized that I needed to allergy test myself with food and completely change my diet/the materials of clothes I wear/check the ingredients in things I let ave contact with my skin.

[Katie]

I have eczema on my hands. It showed up a few years ago and it's never left. Unfortunately I don't know how to fix it either.  Hurts like a bitch sometimes.

[vocabulary]

Do you have atopic or contact eczema?

 

For me I realized that I needed to allergy test myself with food and completely change my diet/the materials of clothes I wear/check the ingredients in things I let ave contact with my skin.

atopic! did u do a self-test or did u went to the hospital? 

[Sdm]

I had it between my fingers for a while.Then I realized I was allergic to dettol and strong handwashes. I use really mild ones now and it's gone completely. Drugs and creams didn't really work on me. So maybe you're just allergic to something try finding out what it is.

[Haus of Tzu:Lai]

Have you tried Chinese medicine?

The only thing is that it may be awhile until it takes effect and often tastes like shit. But hey, at least it's natural. 

[removed929393303]

atopic! did u do a self-test or did u went to the hospital? 

 

I didn't have the patience for a self-test because that means taking foods out of your diet for a while, seeing how your skin changes, and then adding those things back slowly so see what exactly it is you react to. You should probably just have a doctor do it. In the meantime try cutting down on dairy products and nuts since those are common triggers. 

 

Also try to use very mild soap, only bathe in lukewarm water, don't rub your skin too much, avoid contact with anything with too much perfume in it, avoid sweating too much (if you exercise take a shower immediately, sweat irritates eczema). 

 

I have atopic eczema too and mine has gotten really bad sometimes. Like skin cracking and oozing bad and while steroid shit helps the best long term remedy is to revamp your diet and your skincare. You can grow an immunity to some of the steroid creams doctors give you. They kept having to give me stronger and stronger shit because it would no longer be as effective. 

[Vagus]

yes. i have neurodermatitis. totally avoiding scratching and rubbing is key to breaking the cycling and healing the skin. topical corticosteroid can calm the itch. and do patch test to look for allergens 

 

 

[lovely_me]

I had it as child. From head to toe, the whole body and it was itch like crazy. It stopped as I came to Germany from itself. And started as I went back to Ukraine. So I not rlly can help u. Coz my safe was the movement to another country. Maybe other products I use, the food I eat, abit other clima and more away from Chernobyl. As fact it stopped here and I can't live in my mothers country.

 

I still have allergy tho sometimes.

[D a n t e]

I have a friend who has it really bad and she  tells me she really has to watch out what foods she eats, that she always has clean hands, doesn't wear any make up and stays out of the sun as much as possible. It's gotten a lot better now compared to a few months ago.

[vocabulary]

I didn't have the patience for a self-test because that means taking foods out of your diet for a while, seeing how your skin changes, and then adding those things back slowly so see what exactly it is you react to. You should probably just have a doctor do it. In the meantime try cutting down on dairy products and nuts since those are common triggers. 

 

Also try to use very mild soap, only bathe in lukewarm water, don't rub your skin too much, avoid contact with anything with too much perfume in it, avoid sweating too much (if you exercise take a shower immediately, sweat irritates eczema). 

 

I have atopic eczema too and mine has gotten really bad sometimes. Like skin cracking and oozing bad and while steroid shit helps the best long term remedy is to revamp your diet and your skincare. You can grow an immunity to some of the steroid creams doctors give you. They kept having to give me stronger and stronger shit because it would no longer be as effective. 

thank you for taking the time to type all these. may i know what should i do diet-wise? i've already decided to cut off dairy and nuts. anything else? i eat quite a lot of chips tho D; i find it hard to maintain my stress level bc of family probs, yet stress causes this to worsen. ah, i stopped exercising recently bc of the pain. my exercises last for like only 5 mins and i immediately stand in front of the fan afterwards, i guess that's fine (sweat-wise) when i get back to exercising 2 weeks later?

[h0neanias]

thank you for taking the time to type all these. may i know what should i do diet-wise? i've already decided to cut off dairy and nuts. anything else? i eat quite a lot of chips tho D; i find it hard to maintain my stress level bc of family probs, yet stress causes this to worsen. ah, i stopped exercising recently bc of the pain. my exercises last for like only 5 mins and i immediately stand in front of the fan afterwards, i guess that's fine (sweat-wise) when i get back to exercising 2 weeks later?

 

Stress definitely causes this to worsen, as does lack of sleep. You might try meditation, but mantaining a good sleep regimen is paramount. Another serious trigger are chemicals in food, far more serious than nuts or dairy in my experience (though yours may differ). At any rate, additives are your enemy.

[vocabulary]

Stress definitely causes this to worsen, as does lack of sleep. You might try meditation, but mantaining a good sleep regimen is paramount. Another serious trigger are chemicals in food, far more serious than nuts or dairy in my experience (though yours may differ). At any rate, additives are your enemy.

i'll stop eating chips then>< what about spicy food? i eat those for nearly every meal, because eating is very boring to me in general. thank you! so i'm guessing more natural food is generally better? 

[removed929393303]

thank you for taking the time to type all these. may i know what should i do diet-wise? i've already decided to cut off dairy and nuts. anything else? i eat quite a lot of chips tho D; i find it hard to maintain my stress level bc of family probs, yet stress causes this to worsen. ah, i stopped exercising recently bc of the pain. my exercises last for like only 5 mins and i immediately stand in front of the fan afterwards, i guess that's fine (sweat-wise) when i get back to exercising 2 weeks later?

 

You definitely need to start reading the ingredients of the foods you eat. Also, you might want to look into vitamins because usually those are recommended for people with eczema to help boost your immune system and skin. Cutting down on animal protein (red meat) and increasing your plant protein, fiber, and essential fatty acid intake. Really your diet would have to depend on your personal triggers because it differs from person to person. 

 

For the exercise I would recommend a quick shower afterwards because even when getting in front of the fan the sweat would still be on your skin, just drying into it and the sweat itself irritates eczema. 

[irenefanclub]

[h0neanias]

i'll stop eating chips then>< what about spicy food? i eat those for nearly every meal, because eating is very boring to me in general. thank you! so i'm guessing more natural food is generally better? 

 

I'd limit spices, yes. In general, they are an irritant. If they do irritate your eczema, you should be actually able to observe it, since they work fast. And yes, more natural food is better, unless that specific kind of food makes your eczema flare. The most common irritants are milk, nuts, and wheat. In general, however, I would say that if eaten in moderation, they are far better than heavily processed food (or at least I can get away with those). No instant noodles, don't even think about it.

 

The thing is, though, that the triggers are individual. My eczema appears in winter, so it's mostly cold, no matter what I do. But one can mitigate it -- sleep well, eat right, dry yourself gently but thoroughly after a shower, and avoid irritating materials, dirt, or dust. I get in on my hands; what helps me are soft cotton gloves and marijuana salve.

[vocabulary]

Have you tried Chinese medicine?

The only thing is that it may be awhile until it takes effect and often tastes like shit. But hey, at least it's natural. 

ah...i forgot those exists. have u tried before? have yet to hear about that, but i'll ask about around! but the pills dont taste bad xD

[sane]

Try moisturizing with oil instead of lotion, especially coconut oil or animal fat, since these absorb really well into the skin and keep it moisturized for much longer than lotion. Make sure you regularly wash your clothes and bedding (using gentle, unscented detergent) to remove potential irritants like dust and dried sweat. If you shower more than a couple times a week then only use cool water, and make sure to dry off and moisturize with oil immediately after getting out. Don't use soaps on any part of your body that you absolutely don't have to (so basically only use it on your scalp, hands, and general crotch area for the most part), and make sure it's unscented.

 

For food, try going organic or natural since a lot of mainstream pesticides and chemical additives give many people skin problems. It may also be a good idea to reduce your carbohydrate and fiber intake, as both of these can cause an inflammatory response in the body, which would exacerbate conditions like eczema. Excess carb consumption can also cause dry skin and eyes and whatnot because it reallocates your body's hydration to other places. Make sure you get lots of animal fat in your diet, as this is essential for healthy skin and a healthy immune system.

[vocabulary]

Try moisturizing with oil instead of lotion, especially coconut oil or animal fat, since these absorb really well into the skin and keep it moisturized for much longer than lotion. Make sure you regularly wash your clothes and bedding (using gentle, unscented detergent) to remove potential irritants like dust and dried sweat. If you shower more than a couple times a week then only use cool water, and make sure to dry off and moisturize with oil immediately after getting out. Don't use soaps on any part of your body that you absolutely don't have to (so basically only use it on your scalp, hands, and general crotch area for the most part), and make sure it's unscented.

 

For food, try going organic or natural since a lot of mainstream pesticides and chemical additives give many people skin problems. It may also be a good idea to reduce your carbohydrate and fiber intake, as both of these can cause an inflammatory response in the body, which would exacerbate conditions like eczema. Excess carb consumption can also cause dry skin and eyes and whatnot because it reallocates your body's hydration to other places. Make sure you get lots of animal fat in your diet, as this is essential for healthy skin and a healthy immune system.

(man, i typed a lot and i got logged out T.T)

 

i did think of using coconut oil, but will it be too oily? my current moisturizer is v oily and leaves the couch/chair oily after i sit. my mum complains. any suggestions? i bathe daily but use unscented soap. ah my diet is 90% carbs OTL i'm not sure how to do that since i'm heavily reliant on my family for food. thank u tho, i'll try to work things out. animal fat as in pork fat, chicken skin etc.? thank  u so much! my immune system is indeed horrible

[sane]

(man, i typed a lot and i got logged out T.T)

 

i did think of using coconut oil, but will it be too oily? my current moisturizer is v oily and leaves the couch/chair oily after i sit. my mum complains. any suggestions? i bathe daily but use unscented soap. ah my diet is 90% carbs OTL i'm not sure how to do that since i'm heavily reliant on my family for food. thank u tho, i'll try to work things out. animal fat as in pork fat, chicken skin etc.? thank  u so much! my immune system is indeed horrible

 

Rub the oil in until it's no longer really shiny, and wear long sleeves/pants so it doesn't get all over the furniture. If it's too hot to do that, just put a towel down between you and the furniture.

 

Soap strips your skin of its natural oils, and no amount of moisturizing will totally make up for it. Soap is made for washing things that are dirty (as in covered in potentially harmful substances), so sweat is fine to just wash with plain water.

 

 

Fish, sea mammals, and hoofed animals are your best bets for meat. Fowl isn't really that good for the environment, and it's not as nutritionally dense as the others either, but it's better than nothing. You should also try to stay away from non-natural processed meats, as a lot of the mainstream additives in processed meat are really unhealthy (although to be fair I don't know where you're from, you could be from a country where the mainstream is natural, in which case it'd be fine). For carbs, even just taking out grains and added sugars usually makes a huge difference for people.

[Insane]

I always had eczema. I have extremly dry skin so the first thing I have to do is hydrate it. Drink water and creams. One body shower which has almond oil and then the body lotion. For my face I clean it every day and use my face cream. All for dry skin, never other types of creams. For specific areas of my body, like eyes or lips I use a really greasy cream, it's called creme gordo(I think it only exist here in Portugal). But I have one, which is called Diprosone, is a cortisone based cream, which is my salvation. When I'm itchy and my skin starts getting red, I apply it and it calms down. I only have to apply like once or twice in the area which is nice because you can't use it many times because of the cortisone. I also have a shampoo for eczema. When it's worst I use it twice a week, when it's more calm only once so I prevent from appearing again.

I don't know if it helps but that's my story.