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Chronic eczema

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March 24th, 2010
Hello, well I have had this stuff all my life. Im 22 now, and this stuff is eating me alive, physically and mentaly. I have full body eczema, my face and skin is always ashy/flakey dry. my hands.....my hands. they have it the worst, they look kind of grotesque. cracked up, and dry almost like elephant skin. And when they crack you have the small anoying cracks and the large bleeding cracks that last for weeks to months. I have had this stuff so bad ive had staff infection twice. And I mean everywhere, even my private parts.(im a male). Is there somthing I can do?? dermatologist just gives me creams that costs in the hundreds. im unemployed right now, and I have no way of taming this plague. sometimes I cant even use my hands, I wake up through out the night and have to put some type of lotion on or they will crack and bleed in my sleep. even my finger nails have indents, grooves and lines in them from this stuff. I have a few fingers(4) that im actually missing the cutaculls. I have no love life, and im limited on jobs I can do. I cant progress in life without getting rid of this stuff. can anyone help?
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replied March 24th, 2010
Hi,

Welcome to the ehealthforum and I am really glad to help you out. This dry skin can be due to eczema or psoriasis also. Psoriasis is a long-term (chronic) skin problem that causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in thick, white, silvery, or red patches of skin.It is thought that psoriasis occurs when the immune system overreacts, causing inflammation and flaking of skin. I suggest you to get an examination done from a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care.



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bastionv
replied March 24th, 2010
Experienced User
I have not had this issue myself but you could try using Selsun Blue instead of soap to clean that area and use a neem cream or put neem oil on it. Im using a neem cream that has a mixture of oils in it including coconut oil and etc...The site is called Health and Yoga..Do some research on herbs and the above for treating that particular issue. There are lots of over the counter herbs and vitamins you can take for healthy skin.So far, neem seems to heal different types of issues..If you take internal herbs make sure you can take it with other meds that you are taking. You can also try a liquid grapefruit seed Extract and mix it with water into a spray bottle and spray it on the skin..Its supposed to help with skin conditions..Good luck!
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illius
replied March 30th, 2010
thanks for the replys, Well the dermatoligist had said it was eczema,but Im starting to doubt it. It could well be Psoriasis. ive used selsun blue with no luck. If I even get water on my skin it flakes up and cracks. its horrible. I have to wake up at least three times throughout the night to condition my hands or else they end up bleeding while im asleep.
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jods
replied April 23rd, 2012
Im 27 and like you have had it my entire life. It sux. Some tricks ive learned to tame it is to cut back on your dairy intake. Im a milk aholic so to b honest i cant do this step yet but something in the milk breaks out the eczema more. Start on a protine shake. At least one a day. Do not use a patrollium jelly like vasoline it suffocates the skin and even though it feels moist at the time its going to be worse later. Also just to hopefully get some sleep try moisturizing your hands with extra lotion and put on some light gloves or socks over your hands it will keep them moist longer so u might only have to get up once. I still get it so bad im bedridden for a while so i wish i could help more but this has helped me from going crazy sofar anyway.
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jods
replied April 23rd, 2012
Im 27 and like you have had it my entire life. It sux. Some tricks ive learned to tame it is to cut back on your dairy intake. Im a milk aholic so to b honest i cant do this step yet but something in the milk breaks out the eczema more. Start on a protine shake. At least one a day. Do not use a patrollium jelly like vasoline it suffocates the skin and even though it feels moist at the time its going to be worse later. Also just to hopefully get some sleep try moisturizing your hands with extra lotion and put on some light gloves or socks over your hands it will keep them moist longer so u might only have to get up once. I still get it so bad im bedridden for a while so i wish i could help more but this has helped me from going crazy sofar anyway.
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bastionv
replied March 30th, 2010
Experienced User
Maybe the neem will help. It would not hurt to speak to someone who owns a herbal medicine store. They should be able to help. i would also suggest you check out some Library books on types skin conditions and treatments. Its free and you can at least try everything suggested. I would keep a log of everything you try. Hope something helps.
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isabella02
replied March 30th, 2010
Try indoor tanning until it clears up and then keep your skin moisturized. Worked for me Smile
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rocknvibe
replied May 3rd, 2012
my son has eczema and he is just always having issues especially with the steroid creams, things i did find that helped was, neem soap for awhile, this thick stuff called unpetroleum jelly by alba- its castor oil, and gluten-free products- gluten can be an allergen for some, comes from wheat. so i heard goat milk soap works, and i will try it soon, calendula helps with irritation but u would have to find a potent one. i hope you find something soon.
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Tryit
replied April 5th, 2013
If giving up milk is difficult try almond milk. Its non dairy and I think its a great substitute... tastes great on cereal. You might also check the lotions your using to see if mineral oil is among the top ingredients. Mineral oil is a drying agent and found in lots of lotions.Other than that try a thick repair type lotion before you sleep and then cover your hands. Hope this helps. I'm 50 yrs old and had eczema all my life. Be strong and good luck
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