Eczema & Itchy Skin Discussion (compiled)

[dan82]

16 hours ago, Guest Eczema Patient said:

Just to share my experience ....

 

I got eczema many years ago.  Have consulted skin specialist, i was given steroid creams (mild and strong), anti-histamine, moisturizer and even done lab testing.  I was frustrated and demoralize after trying all this medicines but still doesn't help.  Steroid cream esp hydrocortisone in long run may thin the skin.

 

I have came across an article in the newspaper written by a TCM skin specialist about eczema. I am don't believe and skeptical TCM can help to improve eczema, but after many rounds of consultation with western doc but in vain, I decided to give a last try on TCM.

 

The TCM skin specialist gave me acupuncture and herbal medicine to apply on affected area.  Surprisingly, just after few rounds of treatment, my condition improved, my skin is less itchy and less flared.  It gave me confidence, I continue with the treatment until I am fully recovered. 

 

 

Hi, would like to know the TCM specialist. Thanks. 

[lovehandle]

On ‎7‎/‎1‎/‎2017 at 8:10 AM, tyan said:

For me, my eczema starts on my back, spread to front (chest), my neck.

Hands and legs are very little now.

Same here, apply cream but only stop the itch.

Very sensitive to weather change. I didn't notice and food that result in outbreak, maybe there is but controllable.

I bath in cold water. It ease the itch.

Now I think is more or less under controlled but what bothers me is the after scar. Whole of my back is ruined.

Used to like to go swimming but stop doing that.

but I pref hot water for the start....

 

 I m still having

[Royston90]

..

Edited January 10, 2017 by Royston90
Nil

[Royston90]

On 05/01/2017 at 6:38 PM, Guest Ezcema scars... said:

Anyone knows what is a good way to get rid of the red blotchy scars left my ezcema?

It's all over and when I look at the mirror, I don't even dare to see myself

 

Edited January 10, 2017 by Royston90
Nil

[tyan]

On 1/8/2017 at 7:35 PM, -Ignored- said:

but I pref hot water for the start....

 

 I m still having

Hot water is bad, It will burn the scars although it helps in the itch.

[lovehandle]

11 hours ago, tyan said:

Hot water is bad, It will burn the scars although it helps in the itch.

tks tyan for sharing

Now I know why I have scars , lol

 

the reason I was told not to use hot water is more of it will irritate the itch

[lovehandle]

confirmed mine is nt ezema cos confirmed don't have oozing, crusting condition and the itch is not persistent

but more of:.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/folliculitis-topic-overview#1

[Guest NeedHelp]

My eczema is spreading all over my body. Good thing it is not yet at my face.

[inbody123]

I had an outbreak of discoid eczema nearly a year ago. It was all over my body and trunks.

I consulted a skin specialist at Raffles Hospital and the doctor gave me steroid creams and some emollients 

Repeated visits with the specialist, different type of steroid cream were dispense but the eczema did not go away.

They reappear when I stopped the cream.

 

I did some research online and decided to treat it naturally.

 

What I did was the following:-

 

a) Fish OIL supplements ( now still taking ) 

b) Extra Virgin Cold Press Coconut Oil - apply thinly on eczema

c) Cetaphil Restoraderm ( bath and cream), cream apply immediately after short shower

(Cannot SHOWER LONG)

d) Take 2 pieces of papaya everyday

e) Drink KEFIR MILK with manuka honey / blue berries blend together ( delicious) 

f)  Drink Oolong tea everyday 

 

After a few weeks my eczema disappear and have not come back.

I am still doing the above on a daily basis except d + e ( I hate papaya and my kefir died when I went travelling for 2 weeks)

 

I hope my post help !

 

 

[lovehandle]

6 hours ago, inbody123 said:

I had an outbreak of discoid eczema nearly a year ago. It was all over my body and trunks.

I consulted a skin specialist at Raffles Hospital and the doctor gave me steroid creams and some emollients 

Repeated visits with the specialist, different type of steroid cream were dispense but the eczema did not go away.

They reappear when I stopped the cream.

 

I did some research online and decided to treat it naturally.

 

What I did was the following:-

 

a) Fish OIL supplements ( now still taking ) 

b) Extra Virgin Cold Press Coconut Oil - apply thinly on eczema

c) Cetaphil Restoraderm ( bath and cream), cream apply immediately after short shower

(Cannot SHOWER LONG)

d) Take 2 pieces of papaya everyday

e) Drink KEFIR MILK with manuka honey / blue berries blend together ( delicious) 

f)  Drink Oolong tea everyday 

 

After a few weeks my eczema disappear and have not come back.

I am still doing the above on a daily basis except d + e ( I hate papaya and my kefir died when I went travelling for 2 weeks)

 

 

 

seemed like many dislike papaya , one of the least-touched fruit is papaya for me too

 

kefir? and its milk? ooops

 

f)  I believe other tea can do so

 

I doubt cetaphil and all such related bath pdts work for me

 

I think coconut oil do wonder, I don't mind trying it, did u keep it in the fridge???

[thorzguy]

I have eczema on my toes. 3 toes to be specific. What started out as an itch turns out to be much more than that -  Drying up of skin to cracking the skin open... When it flares up, my goodness...

I have been having that for more than 2 decades. Correct me if I am wrong -  there is no cure for it. Dermatologist will advice to use moisture based shower foam (cheapest option like Dove) to worst scenario (bath oil). Always keep the area moisturized. TCM wise -  I have seen once many years back. His advice to me -  I am overall good. Just no chili and drink more water. The latter, no problem. The former? No way I am giving up! Especially chili padi!

My irony is this -  as per our climate, I am usually in slippers. Of course I do wear shoes as well. The problem is -  wearing of slippers, exposed my toes to the environment, no doubt airing my feet, but also causing it to be too dry. Wearing of shoes -  helps to keep away the dryness, but it also cause the eczema to flare up (faster) -  cos the toes are not "breathing"...

I just have to live with it. Lol. As a matter of fact, am like used to it. Just unsightly of my toes.

 

[Guest Gandhi]

7 hours ago, thorzguy said:

I have eczema on my toes. 3 toes to be specific. What started out as an itch turns out to be much more than that -  Drying up of skin to cracking the skin open... When it flares up, my goodness...

I have been having that for more than 2 decades. Correct me if I am wrong -  there is no cure for it. Dermatologist will advice to use moisture based shower foam (cheapest option like Dove) to worst scenario (bath oil). Always keep the area moisturized. TCM wise -  I have seen once many years back. His advice to me -  I am overall good. Just no chili and drink more water. The latter, no problem. The former? No way I am giving up! Especially chili padi!

My irony is this -  as per our climate, I am usually in slippers. Of course I do wear shoes as well. The problem is -  wearing of slippers, exposed my toes to the environment, no doubt airing my feet, but also causing it to be too dry. Wearing of shoes -  helps to keep away the dryness, but it also cause the eczema to flare up (faster) -  cos the toes are not "breathing"...

I just have to live with it. Lol. As a matter of fact, am like used to it. Just unsightly of my toes.

 

 

Wow. Can we meet? I like having sex with hot body and with eczema

[Guest Robin Goh]

On 10/03/2016 at 9:30 AM, inbody123 said:

Any updates from people suffering from eczema?

 

I started drinking OOLONG tea 4 weeks ago, it seems to help my eczema !!

 

Any BW members tried this ? 

 

That helped a log for me too

[keyboard]

Coconut oil seem to help lighten the scars but don't use it on healing spots cos it makes it itch more for me.

 

What sort of oolong tea are you drinking?

[fab]

People, there r different causes.

 

Oil is Only useful to those due to dryness.

[tyan]

Some people like me. Eczema is caused by heat or stress. Aggravated by sweat. Especially in Singapore where temperature are so erratic, it is difficult to cure. Once, a skin specialist told me the only way for me to cure is to migrate to other countries. 

[keyboard]

Migrate to other country? My eyes roll back until hit my butt...

 

Do you guys think that possibly that eczema is a symptom rather than a cause? Perhaps like anxiety and depression issues, or sweat glands misfunction or dietary concerns leading to eczema as a symptom.

[inbody123]

6 hours ago, keyboard said:

Coconut oil seem to help lighten the scars but don't use it on healing spots cos it makes it itch more for me.

 

What sort of oolong tea are you drinking?

 

I cannot remember the brand but try to get a good quality one.

My last outbreak is more than 2 years now.

 

My routine now is  : -

 

Short warm shower -   Apply Cetaphil Restoraderm immediately.

Take fish oil ( now upgraded to Krill Oil )

 

So far no outbreak for the longest time. 

 

Stop oolong tea MORE THAN 18months AGO ( Cant sleep) If I take it pass 5PM.

 

My outbreak was stress related, I am nearing retirement ( 6 more weeks) - stress less and less 

[Anderson]

On ‎1‎/‎18‎/‎2016 at 8:13 AM, inbody123 said:

My follow up with my dermatologist is today at raffles hospital.

My eczema not really subsiding, which today is a month of the outbreak.

Read online, some take months to subside.

Have checked with my siblings and my dad, none of them have ECZEMA before.

 

Been doing what some members suggested: 

- Drinks lots of H20

- de stress ( trying)

- emolients / moisturizers ( Cetaphil Restoraderm) 

- apply betasone ( steroid cream)

- anti histamine before sleep

 

Also up intake of the following:-

- Omega 3 Fish Oil ( EPA and DHA)

- Green Tea

- Probiotics (Yogurt + Kefir )

 

I will give it another month, if it does not subside might try TCM

 

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggie and add multi vitamins supplement to diet daily.

Try taking Manuka honey regularly if not daily, its a very good natural remedy for skin infection.

[tyan]

May I know any eczema patients here who taken royal jelly experience any side effect?

[keyboard]

Might have taken royal jelly when it was the heydays then... can't remember if got any bad effect but then it didn't "cure" anything. As with home remedies, might work for you, might not work for others, try if you can but read up online for adverse side-effects first.

[zyjd]

I used to have extremely bad eczema when I was in secondary school - the back of my uniform would have blood patches due to the number of open sores caused by broken skin on my back. My neck was so bad I couldn't turn my head without tearing the skin.

 

While I'm glad to recover from that horrible era of looking diseased, I still have pretty bad flare-ups caused by my many food allergies. I usually try to tackle the spots with Elomet (Mometasone Furoate) but when I need a quick fix I apply Dermovate (Clobetasol Propionate). Elomet is pretty expensive in Singapore (around $30 bucks for a small tube), but the much more potent Dermovate is much cheaper - especially when you cross the causeway to get it; you need a doctor's prescription in Singapore to get it but it's relatively cheap and common in Malaysian and Thailand pharmacies.

 

Take care, everyone!

 

Edited March 29, 2018 by zyjd

[Guest skin]

Anyone here suffers from eczema? What creams do you guys use, especially on days where it flares up and need steroid cream.

[wilfgene]

There is already a thread on the subject.

[Guest Guest]

1 hour ago, Guest skin said:

Anyone here suffers from eczema? What creams do you guys use, especially on days where it flares up and need steroid cream.

 

Dermasone 0.05% cream. But this is on a prescription basis in Singapore. And my case has subsided a lot so I do not need anything stronger. 

 

You might be able to buy something stronger off the internet and ship into Singapore from overseas. 

[Guest Nurse]

You can buy Hydrocortisone cream To try if it helps. 

[Guest guest]

No good to always apply steroid cream on skin. 

[Guest Guest]

But minor or mild steroids is needed to stop the rashes. 

[zyjd]

I personally use Dermovate for a very quick relief on especially bad flare-ups, but apparently it's one of the strongest steroid creams and most doctors are very hesitant to prescribe it to you for fear of thinning your skin too much too quickly (I got mine from Malaysian farmasis where you don't need a prescription lol).

 

I'm now about to try Vizomet which was prescribed by the national skin centre. Apparently it's the OEM version of Elomet haha I used to use that too and it was quite effective.  

[Guest root causes]

Well u should destress, detoxify your body and remove all allergens like chemical soaps and dustmites from your life.

 

Steroid creams don't target the root cause of eczema. It doesn't cure eczema from its root cause but manage its flare ups on a superficial level only.

[Guest Ezcema]

3 hours ago, Guest skin said:

Anyone here suffers from eczema? What creams do you guys use, especially on days where it flares up and need steroid cream.

Stop dairy product esp milk. My ezcema started from drinking too much milk to gain weight under the GOMAD diet, Gallon of milk a day. After ard 6 months, finally heals from ezcema. During this period, even drinking essence of chicken, can see orange exudates oozing out from the skin after shower. 

[zyjd]

 

1 minute ago, Guest root causes said:

Well u should destress, detoxify your body and remove all allergens like chemical soaps and dustmites from your life.

 

Steroid creams don't target the root cause of eczema. It doesn't cure eczema from its root cause but manage its flare ups on a superficial level only.

Imma try a sugar fast to see if it works! My bf and some close friends have suggested I cut down on my cakes and desserts (my achilles heel is my sweet tooth) to see if it helps. I know for sure I cannot take peanuts and crustaceans, and am already using Physiogel for my shower, but I think everyone's allergies vary. I perspire super easily too, so I've to take care to wipe off perspiration asap because the salt causes my skin to become irritated and itch a lot.

[Guest Fondue]

Eczema remains a poorly understood disease and apart from emolients,  steroids and topical immunosippressants (eg, tacrolimus) there's nothing much new to offer. Also what causes eczema flares in one may not be a cause for another, and a certain treatment might work for me but not for you. It's all about recognizing what triggers it ( certain food, stress, sunlight exposure etc) and avoiding triggers as much as possible. 

 

For me i tried using La roche posay products (such as their body wash and  lipikar balm) which supposedly helps restore the skin's natural protective microbiome.

 

Fortunately it worked for me. Despite the humid weather, the lipikar balm doesn't feel greasy and is hypoallergenic. A few weeks of use and my leg eczema is almost gone. I also feel less itchy all over and my skin has calmed down alot. 

 

Not saying it will work for you but you may want to give it a try. 

[Guest Stop using steroid cream]

14 hours ago, zyjd said:

 

Imma try a sugar fast to see if it works! My bf and some close friends have suggested I cut down on my cakes and desserts (my achilles heel is my sweet tooth) to see if it helps. I know for sure I cannot take peanuts and crustaceans, and am already using Physiogel for my shower, but I think everyone's allergies vary. I perspire super easily too, so I've to take care to wipe off perspiration asap because the salt causes my skin to become irritated and itch a lot.

You know what? Cakes and desserts may contain ingredients that contain preservatives and artificial flavorings. These are known to worsen eczema. And yes sugar too!

 

Any processed food with synthetic flavorings and preservatives should be avoided; all cured meats, luncheon meats, canned food, bottled sauces, packaged stocks and flavorings, bottled drinks, packaged snacks and tidbits should be avoided as much as possible.

 

Go for freshly prepared food instead, and use natural flavors in food preparation like herbs, fresh meat, vegetables, etc. 

 

Try switching to caffeine-less or low caffeine teas and coffees. Drink lots of white tea and herbal tisanes like lemongrass, ginger, mint, rosemary, lavender, camomile, rosebuds; adding star anises, cardamoms, cinnamon sticks, coriander seeds, cloves, caraway seeds, fennel seeds. Avoid too much chocolate and green tea as they contain caffeine too.

 

Invest in anti dust mite vacuum cleaner with HEPA 14 filter for your home. And get one of those portable dust mite vacuum cleaner with UV ray, vibration and HEPA 14 filter separately for your bed.

 

Get a sharp air purifier with plasma cluster technology that emits positive and negative ions that eliminates airborne allergens, molds and dustmites for your bedroom and living areas.

[Guest Stop using steroid cream]

14 hours ago, zyjd said:

 

Imma try a sugar fast to see if it works! My bf and some close friends have suggested I cut down on my cakes and desserts (my achilles heel is my sweet tooth) to see if it helps. I know for sure I cannot take peanuts and crustaceans, and am already using Physiogel for my shower, but I think everyone's allergies vary. I perspire super easily too, so I've to take care to wipe off perspiration asap because the salt causes my skin to become irritated and itch a lot.

Apply those generic fragrance-less moisturiser on your flare-up areas as dry skin contributes to eczema flare-ups.

 

Drink lots of water and remove stressors from your life like toxic relationships, bad work environment, etc.

 

I recommend castile soaps from Dr Bronners or the Blessed Soaps (tea tree option) as these are made from natural ingredients like olive, coconut and jojoba oils, mostly chemical free and are naturally moisturising and contain antibacterial essential oils like lemon, rosemary, lavender, tea tree, lemongrass, etc.

[Guest Stop using steroid cream]

And eat more fermented food like tempeh, miso (get those fresh ones from the cold section, check for any added msg), kombucha, kimchi, yogurt, cheese, wine vinegars, balsamic vinegar, etc. They somehow helped me maintain a healthy digestive system that eliminated my eczema. Eczema is known to be caused by a suboptimal and overloaded digestive system too.

[Guest guest]

22 hours ago, zyjd said:

 

Imma try a sugar fast to see if it works! My bf and some close friends have suggested I cut down on my cakes and desserts (my achilles heel is my sweet tooth) to see if it helps. I know for sure I cannot take peanuts and crustaceans, and am already using Physiogel for my shower, but I think everyone's allergies vary. I perspire super easily too, so I've to take care to wipe off perspiration asap because the salt causes my skin to become irritated and itch a lot.

Even you cut down on cakes and desserts, there are still many foods have some sugar in them. Even many fruits also have sugar. Very difficult to avoid sugar completely.

[Guest guest]

7 hours ago, Guest Stop using steroid cream said:

And eat more fermented food like tempeh, miso (get those fresh ones from the cold section, check for any added msg), kombucha, kimchi, yogurt, cheese, wine vinegars, balsamic vinegar, etc. They somehow helped me maintain a healthy digestive system that eliminated my eczema. Eczema is known to be caused by a suboptimal and overloaded digestive system too.

can take probiotics supplement to improve?

[Guest Stop using steroid cream]

11 hours ago, Guest guest said:

can take probiotics supplement to improve?

You would also like to benefit from the balanced nutrition afforded by the actual food. I am sure they will contribute to relieving your eczema.

[Guest Stop using steroid cream]

On 11/9/2020 at 2:31 PM, Guest Stop using steroid cream said:

You know what? Cakes and desserts may contain ingredients that contain preservatives and artificial flavorings. These are known to worsen eczema. And yes sugar too!

 

Any processed food with synthetic flavorings and preservatives should be avoided; all cured meats, luncheon meats, canned food, bottled sauces, packaged stocks and flavorings, bottled drinks, packaged snacks and tidbits should be avoided as much as possible.

 

Go for freshly prepared food instead, and use natural flavors in food preparation like herbs, fresh meat, vegetables, etc. 

 

Try switching to caffeine-less or low caffeine teas and coffees. Drink lots of white tea and herbal tisanes like lemongrass, ginger, mint, rosemary, lavender, camomile, rosebuds; adding star anises, cardamoms, cinnamon sticks, coriander seeds, cloves, caraway seeds, fennel seeds. Avoid too much chocolate and green tea as they contain caffeine too.

 

Invest in anti dust mite vacuum cleaner with HEPA 14 filter for your home. And get one of those portable dust mite vacuum cleaner with UV ray, vibration and HEPA 14 filter separately for your bed.

 

Get a sharp air purifier with plasma cluster technology that emits positive and negative ions that eliminates airborne allergens, molds and dustmites for your bedroom and living areas.

Aiya OCD me missed out dill seed and cumin seed from the tisane ingredients.

Add as many different types as you can to reap the benefits and intensify the detoxifying power of each ingredient!

You can add herbs like oregano, thyme, sage, dill, parsley, coriander, rosemary, mint, tarragon, basil, bay leaves to steep in the tisanes too. Drink these concoctions like you would water daily until the eczema subsides.

[Guest Guest]

Please lah ... no medicine is 100% safe. That's why all medicine must be taken in moderation as per how it is prescribed for use. Even your herbs like oregano, thyme, sage, dill, parsley, coriander, rosemary, mint, tarragon, basil, bay leaves for you to steep in the tisanes can become unhealthy is high doses too. 

 

Things like steroid cream is used only when you have some serious flare ups. Nobody is asking you to use it like some shower gel everyday. At the barest minimum, the easing of the symptoms can help relief the body of its discomfort so that it can focus on healing itself from within. 

 

If you want everything done naturally, maybe you can try going intothe Amazon forests and ask the witch doctors to mix some herbal tea for you to drink. Oh wait ...  even natural remedies may also contain poison! So best for you to do is do nothing and let your body heal or die by itself. 

[Guest You addicted to drugs]

39 minutes ago, Guest Guest said:

Please lah ... no medicine is 100% safe. That's why all medicine must be taken in moderation as per how it is prescribed for use. Even your herbs like oregano, thyme, sage, dill, parsley, coriander, rosemary, mint, tarragon, basil, bay leaves for you to steep in the tisanes can become unhealthy is high doses too. 

 

Things like steroid cream is used only when you have some serious flare ups. Nobody is asking you to use it like some shower gel everyday. At the barest minimum, the easing of the symptoms can help relief the body of its discomfort so that it can focus on healing itself from within. 

 

If you want everything done naturally, maybe you can try going intothe Amazon forests and ask the witch doctors to mix some herbal tea for you to drink. Oh wait ...  even natural remedies may also contain poison! So best for you to do is do nothing and let your body heal or die by itself. 

Instead of using steroid cream, one can choose to use moisturiser instead. It relieves the itching by creating a barrier between the dry skin and the environment. No witch doctor can same you if you insist on using pharmaceuticals. Nobody is asking you to gorge on herbal tisanes too, just a reasonable amount - one that can be managed with a reasonable sized teapot - daily or a few times a week will do.

[Guest guest]

Why eczema cannot be cure completely? I have eczema since a kid, and it comes and go off and come back again. Never end.

[Guest Stop using steroid cream]

1 hour ago, Guest guest said:

Why eczema cannot be cure completely? I have eczema since a kid, and it comes and go off and come back again. Never end.

What is the longest period you were clear?

[Guest guest]

22 hours ago, Guest Stop using steroid cream said:

What is the longest period you were clear?

i forgot how long my eczema was clear. I just remember i applied some cream on my eczema and my skin suddenly become clear without any itchy. Then after a while don't know what trigger it and it started to feel itchy and i started to scratch until the eczema come back again and the surface of the eczema become even bigger area than before.

[Guest medical test]

2 hours ago, Guest guest said:

i forgot how long my eczema was clear. I just remember i applied some cream on my eczema and my skin suddenly become clear without any itchy. Then after a while don't know what trigger it and it started to feel itchy and i started to scratch until the eczema come back again and the surface of the eczema become even bigger area than before.

Have you troubleshooted your causes? Was it sunlight, humidity, dust mite, pollen, mold, dairy, seafood, nuts or caffeine?

Have you considered going for a medical test to determine what caused your eczema?

[Guest Dry skin]

If your eczema is caused by dry skin, also try taking more omega 3 and 6, fish oil, flax seeds, and use humidifier if you sleep in air-con room, on top of drinking more water and slapping on a fragrance and chemical free moisturiser after showering and before going out.

[gstringuy26]

Sea water good for skin problems and vitamins D (sunlight).

[Guest guest]

On 11/12/2020 at 12:06 AM, Guest medical test said:

Have you troubleshooted your causes? Was it sunlight, humidity, dust mite, pollen, mold, dairy, seafood, nuts or caffeine?

Have you considered going for a medical test to determine what caused your eczema?

I seen GP and GP just say it is eczema but mine is not very serious one as it only affect one of my foot, so just leave it if it doesn't cause much problem to my life. If i feel itchy just apply moisturizer or eat antihistamine. No need to see skin specialist since they only give steroid cream to apply which no good for my skin. 

[Guest Guest Guest]

I used to have very serious eczema at my lower legs. Very itchy especially when I sweat. Really unbearable especially wearing long pant at work. Apply lotion, diaper cream and etc. No use. However after i took one of the supplement, problem solved. 

Just now someone mentioned about skin issue between toe, having that problem few months back, now much better. Not sure is because of stress or what.