Thursday 14 September 2017

my eczema story




For some of you this may be boring to read but if you suffer with eczema like I do then you'll know how frustrating and never ending it seems. I first had eczema when I was a baby right up until the age of 11 I struggled with it, it would get infected and made me dread summer. I would wear pants in school to cover it up.
At the age of 11 it suddenly went away, I was happy that it had finally gone after struggling for so long with it. At the age of 18 (3 years ago) It decided to come back it started off with getting really sore swollen red lips followed by eczema in my joints exactly what I had when I was younger, after numerous doctors appointment and dermoglotist appointments over the 2 years I found out I had a peanut allergy along with a slight dust allergy and allergic to two ingredients found in many cosmetics and skincare products. All of which make my eczema worse, I have had so many different creams and I have really struggled to find anything that helps. Surprisingly the sun really helps my skin when I go abroad in summer it compleltey clears my eczema up which is always a welcome break.

My dermatologist has since told me "its eczema its going to flare up there isn't much we can do" which was quite upsetting to hear as over the last year my eczema has got progressively worse, I now have it all over my face which flakes like crazy it gets infected and makes my face unbearably itchy. Its now quite embarrassing as I get so many people staring and commenting on it yet suppodlsey there is nothing they can do.

Over the past few months it has been infected twice resulting in me visiting the out of hours GP twice were I have been on steroids and antibiotics which isn't great as it only helps during the period of taking the steroids.
I have found a new products that have helped along the way to relieve the itching and help make my skin feel a little less tight and sore so I thought I'd share them with the hope of possibly helping someone else.

Dermol - I have been getting this off the doctor for some time now, I use this as a general moisturiser, i use it all over my body and face. It helps to keep my skin moisturised without being to heavy as many are quite rich and make you even itchier.

Hydrocortisone 1%- I know many people have a difference in opinion on this as it can thin the skin out but used sparingly I don't mind. I only use this when I have an area that is really bad and need something to help calm it and stop it from feeling so sore.

Simple eye cream- I find most creams I put around my eyes really irritate them they always feel too thick and heavy and always make me want to take them off straight away. I found this to be nice and light and doesn't irritate my eyes at all.

Glad skin eczema cream- I have been using this as well as the dermal on my body rather than my face mainly in the joints of my arms and legs. When they get quite red and sore this really calms them and makes them feel nice and relaxed. (A post all about this will be up soon)

I would love to hear of any of your experiences with eczema, if you have eczema I hope this may of helped or at least made you feel not alone in your situation!

Olivia
x
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20 comments

  1. I had eczema extremely bad as a baby! I had to be wrapped in bandages full of cream from head to toe (like a mummy!) and have 3 baths a day to change them so they didn't get infected! My eczema went away for many years after about the age of 12, and then these past 3 years I've been suffering from dry skin and dermatitis all over the palms of my hands. I'm glad you've found something that helps you! I have yet to find something but I'll have to check these out!

    - Lauren xx

    www.laurenannbeauty.com

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  2. I suffer from dischrotic eczema which is slightly different than the eczema most people get! My skin gets covered lots of little bubbles filled with clear liquid which eventually burst and then my skin becomes, flaky cracked and red raw so honestly hun I feel your pain! Steroid creams really are the only thing that relieves it sometimes! Definitely going to give your tips ago! Have you tried salts? I have salts that I dissolve in water that really help when I've a flare up, I'll check the name and send you a dm on twitter if you'd like!
    PaleGirlRambling xo

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  3. I luckily have never had eczema but I know a few people who have. I'm glad you're finding products that work for you!

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  4. I've had eczema all my life, it was particularly bad when I was a baby then as I grew up it sort of got better, but I'm 18 and still get bad flare ups now, it tends to be in summer, but also if I'm particularly stressed! I found it interesting to read about your story, and it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one suffering!!

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  5. I've luckily never suffered from eczema - apart from maybe a small tiny bit as a kid (as lots of kids do). My boyfriend has it though and it flared up quite bad this summer right when he ran out of cream- typical! xx

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  6. Luckily I have never suffered by I know people who have and they have used a lot of e45 products xx

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  7. I've always suffered with eczema too. Have you tried Aveeno? I find it's really soothing when I get a flare up xx

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  8. I've not suffered with it for years, I've had the odd flare up but by watching the products I use i think I've kept it in check.

    Hannah @ The Northern Writes | www.thenorthernwrites.co.uk

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  9. I've never had eczema or known anyone with it but it sounds so tough, bless you :( x

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  10. Aw hun, firstly thanks for sharing your story with us, I know it'll be so helpful to so many sufferers out there! I'm relatively lucky with my skin, it tends to peak and trough in terms of behaviour. I was prescribed hydrocortisone a while back when I got a nasty infection which spread all over my face! Also I'm not sure how helpful this is for eczema and you've probably tried it but aqueous cream is good as it contains no nasties and is more 'medicinal' I guess than standard beauty moisturisers etc! Sending you a big hug, you're super brave for sharing your story!
    Kate x
    http://www.findingkate.co

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  11. I don't have eczema but I think it's lovely for you to be sharing this with everyone❤️

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  12. I don't have eczema but my little brother does so thank you for sharing your tips which I will definitely be passing on!

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  13. One of my friends used to struggle real bad with eczema, I believe E45 helped her out a lot.

    I'm happy to hear that you've found something that works for you.

    Jamie | www.jamies-corner.com

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  14. I'm glad you've found some products that work well for you and your skin x

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  15. I have Uticira which is a little little excema except my skin flares up in hives. I've never found what triggers it and I've never had anything that's helped it. Nothing seems to work. It's so frustrating having a skin condition 😩

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  16. I have a dear friend that suffers form chronic eczema, it's been such a struggle for her.

    A Sparkle Of Grace

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  17. I'm lucky to never have had eczema, but my boyfriend does so I understand how frustrating it is. I'm glad you've found some products that work for you x

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  18. I've had eczema since I was a baby, but thankfully it's not as bad as it was. I just get general patches on my body that sometimes get irritated by fabric conditioners, and I use Aveeno on those areas as I find the oatmeal in it really soothes the skin. Recently though I've started to get dermatitis outbreaks on my face- I have some around my eyes as we speak! It's just a never-ending battle x

    http://georgieminterbrown.blogspot.co.uk

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  19. I hate eczema! I get it on my hands and sometimes it gets that bad it starts bleeding. I have to be so careful with what I use and I hate doing the washing up. I use aveeno cream on them. My eczema used in more places when I was little and like you it went and it can back when I was about 18/19 but just on my hands

    Tasha x

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  20. That sounds really rough, did you start uni at 18- maybe it is a stress reaction? I only get mild ecsma every now and again and my general rule of thumb is to kind of ignore it or slather in sudacrem. My friend had it really bad though and used to have a perscription to go on the tanning bed for 3 mins once a month, I was told something similar for acney years agon the only other weird one is once alrhough very painful a friend of mine put good quality vodka over a really sore area. It seemed to work however? She just used very plane creams and didnt smother her legs, but it could have been a coincidence? It was a bit of an old wives bit but it seemed to work for her... please do not rub vodka in your eyes! It's a good post though as I generally never know what to do even with my mild ecsma apart from leave it alone which isn't always possible on joints.

    Jen xxx

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