Click Here to Visit our Sponsor
|
 HealthBoards Bulletin Board
 Skin, Hair, & Nail Problems
 Severe eczema
|
 Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Severe eczema | Page views: |
|
IamJane Member  Posts: 22 |
posted 12-14-2002 12:32 AM
  
My husband has severe eczema covering his entire body. The only place he doesn't get it is on the soles of his feet and in his hair. He's 40yo, and spent most of his life (from age 6 months) on cortisone creams and tablets. He's also tried diet elimination, and also "natural" products such as Emu Oil (boy that stuff tastes disgusting), and nothing has worked. He's tried all the tar preperations as well as cetaphil creams and lotions. He spends all day and night everyday and night just tearing himself to pieces. Each morning the bed has to be changed as it looks like a massacre has occured. It's got to the point where he's even contemplated suicide. We've changed the detergents, use non-soap body washes, don't use anything that's coloured or perfumed. Basically he's at his wits end. When he goes out, people stare at him like he's a lepar. He can't wear short pants in summer as the backs of his legs are always torn to shreds. Really, after eading a lot of the posts here, he's been there done that with just about everything. The only thing he hasn't done is cut out caffeine. He has about 2 cans of Coke a day, and 2-3 cups of coffee a week. Could the coke be causing his life to be a nightmare?? Thanx in advance, Jane IP: Logged |
|
crcaz Senior Member Posts: 172 |
posted 12-14-2002 01:46 AM
Eliminate all sugars and dairy in his diet if the skin irritation improves chance are it's a candida overgrowth that is causing the ailments. Perspiration like in a sauna, cardio, tanning bed will help to release toxins in the skin. Topical steroids will thin the skin try switching to quality aloe vera(i like NO AD) w/ clotrimazole u will get similar results- the aloe will improve the integrity of the skin. Try taking probiotic- Primal Defense starting off w/ 1 tab a week and then working up to 10-12 a day for a week. Candida die off can make symptoms temporary worse, also wreaking havoc on your liver (so don't rush the die off)and drink lots of water. An anti-candida diet is essential (no dairy,sugar-( even fruit sugar) as much as possible.)I have been following this for the little eczema that I have with slow but steady improvements. Because of the expense of Primal Defense and being only a potent probiotic, I will be switching to caprylic acid(natural anti-biotic), pb-8(probiotic), pau-darco(immune system support), and Grapefruit seed extract- for gargling only. This is a good alternative and may even be of more help. Hope this helps if it is Candida linked. [This message has been edited by crcaz (edited 12-14-2002).] IP: Logged |
|
IamJane Member Posts: 22 |
posted 12-14-2002 02:27 AM
hmmmm, so now I have to break the news to him to get off the coke for a while to see if that helps. He rarely eats fruit, so that's not a problem. Dairy is basically eliminated except for that odd coffee he has. I'll look around for some probiotics. Have tried the clot, which didn't help, but not with aloe, so I'll see if I can get that and try it. Have you heard of Protopic? It's supposed to be exceptionally good, but isn't available yet here in Australia. I think it was origionally marketed as a kidney transplant antirejection drug, but had the side effect of fixing skin conditions. I saw it on a medical program on TV. Thanks heaps for that. Jane S IP: Logged |
|
bjg Senior Veteran  Posts: 653 |
posted 12-14-2002 08:28 AM
you did not mention that he has seen a dermatologist.why not start by calling some hospitals to find the name of a dr that specializes in his type of problem...might be that you will get the name of someone who can help.. IP: Logged |
|
IamJane Member Posts: 22 |
posted 12-14-2002 05:37 PM
He has been to many dermatologists over the years, but probably not in the last 10. He's basically lost all faith in them, cos he keeps going away with a 'script for more cortisone. I've tried to tell him they are finding new treatments all the time, but he's at the point where he doesn't trust them anymore. I've just caught him early this morning about to take a handful of pills. He was like a walking massacre. There was a trail of blood from the bedroom to the kitchen. It was lucky that I'd woken at 5am too, and stopped him. I asked him what he was doing and he told me he was "stopping the itching".....permanantly. Very distressing. Obviously, I can't leave simple pain killers in the cupboard anymore. Maybe if I make an appt with a dermatologist (4 hours away), I could go armed with photos and maybe even some skin scrapings. It's the only thing I can think of, as he just refuses to go anymore. Thanks again for your help, Jane IP: Logged |
|
crcaz Senior Member Posts: 172 |
posted 12-15-2002 12:43 AM
No, I never heard of Protopic. Oh I forgot too mention to try using a high grade topical coconut oil. I recently heard a lot of good things about it. It is a antibiotic also used to make caprylic acid. But it is more powerful as it contains lauric acid(and I think another type of acid)- the phillipinos have a coconut based diet and candida infections there are very rare. I plan on using it topically, for cooking and maybe as a spread but it is highly saturated, but okay to use I think in moderation as long as your overall diet is okay. I heard of story of a peron being cured in 2 weeks of eczema after using this topically. Hope this Helps IP: Logged |
|
IamJane Member Posts: 22 |
posted 12-15-2002 01:22 AM
Wow, coconut oil.....hmmm. Only problem with that is he has high cholesterol. So I might get him to discuss with the Dr about that before he tries it. He's aggreed to give the caffeine a miss. So he's got some caffiene free diet coke (ewwww yucko!!) I read about a site this morning which may be exremely beneficial to everyone here concerned. It's an eczema site put together by a Brisbane (Australia) couple. The man has severe eczema, and so does their small child. Over a period of time they concocted a cream made from all natural products, and so far they are having excellent results with it. It apparently was all trial and error until they got it right. The site is www.eczemasite.com.au And you can purchase all the products online. I don't know if they ship to the US yet or not though. The ingredients of the cream are Calendula, Manuka Honey, Centella Asiatica, Propolis, Emu Oil, Aqueous. I think they are anti inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti itch. I will definately see if I can get some from my local pharmacy. Also, i read that people with ezcema suffer from a lack of omega 3,6,9 fatty acids as well, which is interesting. I'll keep you all posted on how it works, and if it does, I'll encourage them to send to the US if they don't already. Nothing else has worked so if this does it will be a miracle. Jane IP: Logged |
|
crcaz Senior Member Posts: 172 |
posted 12-16-2002 11:34 PM
Thanks for the info, I just read something on oil fats (m.media mag.) that if u take a omega-3 oil like flaxseed then u need to supplement w/ a omega-6 oil. For optimal benefits there needs to be a 2-3:1 ratio between omega 6(1) and omega-3(2-3). Hemp oil provides this. IP: Logged |
|
pinkcat Senior Member Posts: 201 |
posted 12-18-2002 05:45 AM
i suffered with horrible skin problems last year. can your husband tolerate a warm bath? epsom salts relieve itching and recently i started using herbs in the bath that help skin conditions. lavender and rosemary have healing affects and help infected skin. you can buy them on the web inexpensively at herbcom. put a pot on the stove, let the water boil then drop the herbs in for about 10 mins. on a low flame covered, or, put in a small drawstring muslin bag and drop in the tub. these baths really helped me. best of luck. pinkcat p.s. if he's itchy can he take Tylenol Allergy or some over the counter stuff? my doctor gave Zyrtec and Allegra which help for 24 hours. The dermatologist gave me Clarinex and i get about 30 mins. relief. IP: Logged |
|
IamJane Member Posts: 22 |
posted 12-18-2002 06:28 AM
Thanx for your reply Pinkcat. People with Eczema shouldn't have hot baths at it can flare the condition up. (he still has them occasionally though!!) He's tried the medications that you mentioned and had about the same or worse results than you........ i.e very short acting. However, he hasn't tried the herbal baths, so I'll have a look on the site you mentioned and give them a go. At this point, anything is worth a try. Thanx again for that. Every little bit helps. Jane IP: Logged |
|
pinkcat Senior Member Posts: 201 |
posted 12-18-2002 09:58 PM
hi jane, the baths don't have to be hot. infact, the rosemary and lavendar baths are supposed to be at a comfortable temperature to relax you as well. i mix lavender, rosemary, scented rosebuds and a few drops of carnation essential oil into a warm bath and my skin is cleared up now. while his skin is really bad you might want to omit the scented rosebuds and carnation oil unless they are pure essential oils. a great website is aromavera.com for the best quality essential oils in the U.S. best wishes. pinkcat IP: Logged |
|
radawn Newbie Posts: 3 |
posted 12-18-2002 10:28 PM
Although I usually always have a patch of eczema somewhere, I have a severe flareup about once a year. During the flareup, the only thing that will heal my skin is Prednisone. It is a powerful steriod that I call a miracle drug. I only take it for a week but by the end of that week my skin is as smooth as a baby's. I manage my "normal" eczema outbreaks with Protopic, a newer cortisone treatment that is very effective. Perhaps if your husband could get his skin cleared up, he could then keep the eczema under control. When I get out of the shower and while my body is still wet, I slather on a thick unscented creme, trapping the moisture. I try to stay away from synthetic or irritating fabrics. I wear non-latex gloves to clean and wash dishes. I have also identified triggers such as certain foods, odors, products, etc. Once the skin is clear it is easy to identify the triggers because you see an almost immediate flare when you come in contact with an irritant. Hope this helps a little. I know how agonizing it can be. IP: Logged |
|
IamJane Member Posts: 22 |
posted 12-18-2002 11:14 PM
Ahhh, so you use Protopic! I've heard it's quite good. I saw it here in Australia on a Medical show on TV, but unfortunately it's still not available here. I think the program described it as "a revolutionary breakthrough". Is it that good?? Thanx, jane IP: Logged |
|
radawn Newbie Posts: 3 |
posted 12-19-2002 05:05 PM
Yes, it is a good product. I don't particularly like the way it feels on my skin right after application. I use the ointment which is greasy and it initially (for me) makes the eczema itch even more. However, if you can wait out that initial aggravation, it really will clear up the rash. My complaint is not a common one. Most people I've spoken with love Protopic and don't experience that additional itching that plagues me. I used to use Topicort which is also very good, but it thins the skin and is not recommended for the face. Unfortunately, that's an area where I often flare. IP: Logged |
|
IamJane Member Posts: 22 |
posted 12-19-2002 11:55 PM
I suppose we'll just have to wait until it become available here and give it a shot. I just thought, maybe it's being produced under a different name here. Each time I go to the pharmacy, I ask about it, and they just give me a strange look, so I'll find out the scientific name, and maybe they can check that way. My husband gets it quite bad on his face too. We got married a few months back, and I only just picked up my photos yesterday. Every photo has him with the awful eczema on his face. he didn't realise it was so bad on the day or he would've covered it somehow. He nearly cried when he saw the pics. He won't let me show anyone........even though everyone can see it on his face and hands. It's such a disgusting disease. I've had to hide all his sandpaper, as I've caught him using that to scratch with. I've also had to remove all the other "weapons" from the house as well. It would be just soooooo nice to wake up one morning and not be lying in a blood bath. He said it's been well over 10 years since he's slept right through the night without scratching at least once. No wonder he's been suicidal at times......... jane IP: Logged |
|
SIK IN DA HED Member Posts: 26 |
posted 01-09-2003 03:24 AM
interesting info on some treatments for eczema.. i have a case of eczema, too... my skin gets dry and i try to moisturize it with lotions and apply triamcinoline prescribed by my doctor. i have 3 spots that dont seem to go away... one on my head... one on my knee.. and one on my back. they are round spots that tend to dry and peel. i apply the cream and put lotion on it... but it never seems to go away. any of you have those same small round spots? anything you would recommend? IP: Logged |
All times are ET (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
|
home |
join free |
boards |
search |
about us | Copyright (c) 1998-2003 HealthBoards.com All rights reserved.
|
contact |
disclaimer |
board guidelines |
privacy |
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46
(