Eczema

Audball started this discussion · 1/23/2010

So I know this isn't strictly related to pole dancing (except for maybe the dry skin aspect), but looking at the forum, it would seem that people here have a wealth of knowledge on lots of different topics! Basically, i've started suffering from eczema. It's unusual because, while eczema is common in children, i'm 20 and have never had eczema before (that i've noticed anyway). However, I do have asthma, which goes with eczema. I'm using hydrocortisone cram sparingly along with various moisturisers. But i'm wondering if anyone else has any suggestions on how to deal with it as its quite unsightly and can really bother me when it gets itchy. I'd be interested in finding out if there are foods I should avoid. I looked this up online and found a website that sad i should give up meat, citrus fruits, wheat, soy, fish, dairy etc etc, which doesnt leave much! So i'm just wondering if anyone has any advice!

32 replies

chemgoddess1 · 1/23/2010
The first thing that popped into mind was zinc. Zinc deficiency can cause allergic reactions and also eczema. I know that fish oil and vitamin E are also good for it. DO NOT buy cheapo fish oil. Spend the money for the good stuff (Carlson's, Barleans). Also look for vitamin E that has mixed tocopherols. Amlactin is also a really good lotion/cream for it. You can buy it at the pharmacy but you need to get it behind the counter. It is ammonium lactate (12% lactic acid) and I will tell you that it will burn like a mother when you put it on. It comes as both a lotion and a cream. I like the lotion better. It runs about $18 for 8oz. BTW, I buy most of my vitamins from Swanson Vitamins. They have really good quality supplements at a really good price. They also often run coupons (you can find them online) and their shipments come within a few days. I found this: Diet plays an integral role in allergy/sensitivity-type disorders such as atopic and allergic contact eczema. While the buildup of chemicals in the body puts increasing stress on the immune system, a nutrient-deficient diet weakens immunity even further, causing it to eventually buckle under the toxic overload. Below are some key nutrients that have been proven to be able to help ease the symptoms of eczema, as well as to restore balance to the immune system and to strengthen it against further flare-ups. * Antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E and selenium). Ensuring that your diet is rich with these well-known free-radical scavengers can help support the body’s defences against the daily chemical onslaught. Vitamin C strengthens the skin; vitamin E improves skin healing; and vitamin A helps to regulate the rapid turnover of skin cells seen in eczema. The trace mineral selenium plays a crucial role in the glutathione-peroxidase system (the body’s natural antioxidant process) and is effective for detoxing heavy metals. Suggested dosages: vitamin C, 1000 mg twice daily; vitamin E, 400 IU/day; vitamin A, 5000-10,000 IU/day; selenium, 50-200 mcg/day * B vitamins. B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine) are both integral to the process of new cell formation, and play a key role in the healthy function of body tissue - especially skin, which has a quick rate of turnover. A deficiency of these vitamins has been linked to various types of eczema and other skin disorders. Suggested dosages: B3, 100-500 mg/day; B6, 50-100 mg/day * Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid found naturally in borage (starflower), evening primrose and blackcurrant oils, could help to improve the roughened skin seen with eczema, as well as keep inflammation under control (Am J Clin Nutr, 2000; 71 : 367-72S). One study gave 3 g/day of GLA for 28 days to children with atopic eczema; although none were completely cured, all experienced improvement in their symptoms and a reduced need for medication (J Int Med Res, 1994; 22: 24-32). Suggested dosage: 2-3 g/day * Omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids have recognised anti-inflammatory properties. A double-blind study found that atopic eczema patients given 10 g of fish oil for 12 weeks all achieved a reduction in itching, scaling and other eczema symptoms (J Intern Med Suppl, 1989; 225: 233-6). Suggested dosage: 1000 mg three times daily * Zinc. A deficiency in this essential mineral is common among people with allergies, and may play a role in the development of recurring or chronic eczema (Br J Dermatol, 1984; 111: 597-601). One team of Hungarian researchers found that zinc supplementation reduced the severity of eczema symptoms in children (Orv Hetil, 1989; 130: 2465-9). Suggested dosage: 15 mg/day of zinc with 2 mg of copper (as zinc is known to deplete the body’s copper reserves)
Audball · 1/23/2010
Thanks chemgoddess, I will look out for that cream, and get myself some decent fish oils, zinc and vitamin E. Hey they'll be good for me anyway. Im in ireland, not sure we have swansons here, but i'm sure i'll find it somewhere, thanks!
margie · 1/23/2010
I don't have Eczema but I have Arthritis and in doing research I found that Aloe Vera is a natural anti inflammatory and it has been known to help Eczema. I actually bought the pills and taken them and it helped but there is a gel that I got from Holland and Barret's and my husband uses it everyday on his head. Mind you he shaves his head every couple of days and it is something that moisturizes but is not greasy. Might be something you can try since it isn't greasy. Best of luck 😀
margie · 1/23/2010
I got this from the web for you. If you need to treat your eczema skin symptoms, you can consider using the Aloe Vera plant for help. Eczema skin symptoms are typically dry, red, itchy and inflammed. Perhaps you have tried the conventional medication such as moisturisers and steroid creams, but you have found results unsatisfactory. If you or your child have not gotten much relief, try treating your eczema skin symptoms with Aloe Vera. You can consume Aloe Vera as a nutritional health drink, or you can apply it topically. As far as possible, you should use Aloe fresh from the plant, but remember it oxidises quickly upon exposure to air. If you get a mature plant, cut a leaf, slice it lengthwise, and apply the gel directly. Otherwise, cut the gel into pieces and cook it with rock sugar for a drink. If you cannot get Aloe fresh but only as a product, then be sure to get one that is as close to the natural plant as possible. After all, it is in your best interest to use quality ingredients to apply for relief of your eczema skin symptoms. If you apply Aloe topically, the fluids in Aloe Vera form a thin film on the surface of your skin. These gum resins have hydrating thus moisturising, as well as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe Vera has the ability to penetrate to the inner layers of the skin, supplying moisture directly to the underlying tissue. Dr. Peter Atherton, one of the leading authorities on Aloe Vera in the UK,
Audball · 1/23/2010
Thanks margie, I think I may even have some aloe vera gel lying around the house. Would be nice to use something natural too, instead of steroid creams and the like. 🙂
TammyS · 1/24/2010
I have some skinproblems too. First they thought is was an eczema, but it seems to be a fungus. Eczema comes from your body (like an alergie) and a fungus is caused by a micro organism. I have more problems with it during the winter than during te summer. I have miconazol hydrocortison creme but I do not use that very often as it depigment your skin. I only use it when it is really itchy and inflammed. I hate the spots on my face! But I found this creme called Vichy Nutrilogy 2 and it really helps me without using the miconazol hydrocoritson. I try to keep my skin moisterised, to keep it from drying out. Never tried the Aloe Vera so I will do that too! Hope that will help! xx
rachie · 1/24/2010
i have had eczema when i was a kid and grew out of it for a while and then grew back into it. The stuff my doctor gives me is called oilatum and i've seen it in savers and those kinds of places. I definitely wouldn't recommend putting it on the days you pole it is very oily, it feels horrible when you put it on but it does help. Or when my skin isn't too bad i use E45. I found things like changing washing powders and some bath and shower gels can make it worse. I know E45 do there own shower gels and bath stuff which helped me before. I hope some of this helps 😀
azzwoo · 1/24/2010
I don't personally have eczema, but my younger brother gets it really badly all over his body. He uses a gel (although I think it has to be got on prescription) called doublebase, throughout the day, and before or after he goes in the shower to protect his skin. The other thing he found that really helps is seaweed baths - we bought a large tub of powdered seaweed and it cleared up almost instantly, and when he ran out it came back. It think thats something to do with the zinc somebody mentioned before? Also he uses seaweed soap, and we are lucky as we live 20m from the sea, in the summer he dips himself in the sea regularly (not sure how it works) and that seems to really help too?
Audball · 1/24/2010
Tammy - yeah at first the doc thought mine might be that fungus, but confirmed its eczema because of the appearance. rachie - Oilatum looks good, might give it a try. I tried E45 at first, but some of the ingredients in it irritated my eczema. Maybe the skin was broken though.. azzwoo - yea it looks like doubelase is an emollient, which i need some of, so I might try that one. And I will definitely have to give the seaweed bath a go! I live right beside the sea too, so I could have a dip, but it is freeeeezing!! (think i'd rather fork out for the seaweed!) Thanks guys for your suggestions, I really appreciate it, need to get to the pharmacy today to try some of these out! 👍
moonflower · 1/27/2010
My eczema came back recently. I thought I got rid of it when I grew up, I guess I was wrong. I have bad patches on my shoudler and scalp and it causes bald patches, mostly becuase I have horrible control and I scratched it. I have a hydrocortisone lotion from the doctor, but honestly, I dont; see any improvement. My skin is also very dry with patches all over. I've been using a natural bees wax cream for my body. It's made from wax from a local apiary. This wax based cream functions more as a barrier, rather than a moisterizer though. So it's protects but doesn;t cure the dryness.
Rouge_LAmour · 2/19/2010
try ti tree oil. It worked for me when I reacted badly to rosin. Also check out the chemicals in products you're using: do they contain any methyl or ethyl parabens - these cause skin irritations in a lot of people. I get contact irritation from rosin (used by gymnasts / tissu etc for grip), chicken, honey and surgical steel in addition to many other things. It's part of why I went vegan and that has helped. I can minor irritations from very dry skin and have had eczema all my life. Keep the irritations well emoliated with pure oils; lavender may help reduce the itch, ti / tea tree oil will work wonders, but does take some time. Don't use hydrocortisone too frequently, the body builds an immunity to it and it stops working. 10% doesn't work on me now and neither do many alternatives. Ergo manuka and kanuka oil. Good luck!
moonflower · 2/20/2010
I"m using tea tree oil right now diluted it with grapeseed oil. It does really help with the redness and stops from getting oozy. BUT the smell makes me so nauseous! 🤮 The patches are on my neck, shoulders and scalp so it's close to my nose too.
Vdub · 2/26/2010
Audball, you may want to figure out if there's yeast in your system. Yeast buildup is a frequent problem that goes unnoticed in traditional medicine. Here's a quick test to see if yeast is the culprit: In the morning BEFORE you put anything in your mouth get a clear glass and fill it with water. Work up some saliva in your mouth and spit in the glass. Check it every 15 minutes or so for an hour. If you see legs travelling down from your saliva then you probably have a yeast problem. If there are no strings and the saliva is still floating after an hour then yeast probably isn't a problem. If you find you have a yeast problem, I would recommend reading The Yeast Connection (forgot the author's name). Follow the diet in the book for about a month and see if you notice any changes. You may also want to pick up a good quality probiotic. Evening Primrose is good for eczema as well. Also, use the hydrocortisone and any steriod based creams as little as possible. Steriods can cause problems down the line if used too much. I have clients (I'm a health and wellness coach) that have this problem so use them sparingly and try to find a more natural solution to the eczema. Hope this helps!
goforit · 2/27/2010
Try Amlactin 12% Lotion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The GENERIC version is Ammonium Lactate and works JUST as well and will save you money. Please give it a try and let us know the results. It is actually over the counter, but you may need to ask the Pharmacist for it because it is usually kept in the pharmacy (in their "special" over the counter section). I have a relative that has had eczema and asthma since birth and no other topical has worked better for her than Amlactin Lotion.
Audball · 2/28/2010
I will write this down and try and get it during this week, as several people have mentioned it now. My bedroom is full of tubs and tubes of all sorts of creams, so maybe this will be the one! Lol, for anyone else suffering with eczema out there, I have been using dexeryl lotion, and it's great 🙂
SissyBuns · 2/28/2010
I work as a Dermatology nurse and we see patients with eczema all day. i was reading through the posts with all of my ideas in mind but everyone has said them already LOL. I wasn't aware of al of these home remedies like tea tree oil and such but that's because where i work, we give prescriptions. LOL One of the main ones we do give is lac-Hydrin lotion/am-lactin/ammonion hydroxide. It works wonders for several conditions. two of my kids use it currently for 2 other skin problems. Give it a try and see how it goes. also, have you seen a dermatologist yet? There are a ton of topical steroids and other medications that could help.
Audball · 2/28/2010
I use hydrocortisone cream when it's really itchy, but I try to stay away from as much as possible as steroids can cause skin thinning etc. and apparently you can become tolerant to it. I've been to my GP (physician) and she just prescribed me hydrocortisone and emollient cream. Haven't been to a dermatologist. I wonder if they'd do allergy testing to see if there's something causing this, as before I got this, I didn't have eczema before. Sissybuns, is it mostly babies and children with eczema you see, or are there many people like me, with later onset eczema?
SissyBuns · 2/28/2010
You are right about the topicals causing skin thinning and your skin getting addicted to it, but hydrocortisone is a really low grade steriod and carries a low risk of those things unless you use it several times a days for several months. We see eczema in all ages. Babies, kids and grown ups. I'd reccomend a trip to a dermatologist at least once. They could give you something stronger that you don't have to use as much...
Dancing Paws · 8/22/2012
Hey ladies. As a kid I would randomly get little tiny itchy blisters on my hands. They would come for periods then go away for a long time. I now find out that it is dyshidrotic eczema. There is no known cause, but nickle allergy is one suspect. Anyways, I wanted to see if anyone has this. I am having a HUGE flare up, and I haven't had one in years. They started right after I got a chrome pole off craigslist. I'm worried it might be the chrome pole or grip aides...
calipolepixie · 8/22/2012
I've had eczema all my life, so can sympathize. It really is alot of trial & error to find what works best for you but neutagena soaps, lotions & shampoos have worked the best for me to keep the flare ups to a minimum. Also aveenos eczema products work well for me too. As someone mentioned i've found that certain foods cause my eczema to flare up as well but it took me years to figure this out lol
calipolepixie · 8/22/2012
Wanted to add that i cant use any shampoos or body products w/sulfur in the ingredients if i do, im guaranteed a flare up, so pay attention to that. And watch out for certain detergents...like i cant use Tide...like EVER.
Dancing Paws · 8/22/2012
I haven't figured out my triggers. The only new thing is my chrome pole.
Piaketz · 8/23/2012
I have eczema too. It came down significantly when I changed from commercial soap (which are really technically "weak detergents") to real soap (you'll see oils listed in the ingredients). I always read the ingredient labels now. If I can't pronounce more than half of them, I'm not using it. I prefer handmade soaps, but if I can't have those, I find the best store bought one for me is Dr. Bronners. They have a tea tree version, but my favorite is the lavender, I find it more soothing. 🌸
Lana Lee · 8/23/2012
I've had eczema since I was in grade 7 and it's extremely annoying when I start to break out. Lucky for me, it has only been localized on my fingers. But lately I've seen it start to spread onto my palms. When it gets really bad, I'll have to use corticolsteriod creams to stop it from getting worse. I can only use that sparingly and only when it gets really bad, because that stuff is NOT good for you. I went to a dermatologist and she told me that I was allergic to a lot of surfectants in soap. The culprit is sodium laurl/laureth sulfate. One of the main ingredients in a lot of soaps, shampoos and detergent, and occasionally found in some hand creams. It is usually the 2nd ingredient listed! This is a sudsing agent. But then I wonder why it would only be localized on my fingers and no where else on my body? When I use regular soap (whether it be by Ivory or Oil of Olay soap bars), my skin is extremely irritated, all itchy and red. So I've switched to all natural soap bars with goats milk in it. It's very moisturizing and nourishing and I've not used any other product other than Alabu's goats milk soap http://www.alabu.com/home.php I wear rubber gloves when I have to do the dishes or any sort of cleaning to avoid having dish soap on my hands. And my hands always seem really dry so I always have a lot of hand creams around to make sure that my hands don't start to get too dry, or else they will be more suseptable to an eczema breakout. I use pure shea butter from a jar because it has healing and restorative properties. I once used a hand protectant cream called Prevex B, but they've long discontinued it and it was the best thing ever. I had never had an episode of eczema since I started using it. Now that it's gone, I'll break out every now and then cause of hand soap that I am forced to use after using a public bathroom! As for some of the ladies who have suggested using aloe vera, it's not moisturizing enough for my extremely dry hands, heck even shea butter itself (which is so very moisturizing and buttery) doesn't do the trick during winter time! Hope this helps!
Dancing Paws · 8/23/2012
I'll have to look at the ingredients in my soap. I've been buying Trader Joe's hand and dish soap lately. I'll check that website out. Thanks! I put some hydrocortisone on my hands last nihgt and they look a little bit better.

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