Help me..... Eczema is killing me !!!

I have lived with eczema for my whole life, well at least as long as I can remember. I had tried everything and had been to special doctors but nothing seemed to be working. I remember just about 2 months ago sitting on the floor with a comb bawling and just scratching at my skin continuously until it bled or hurt. My eczema was everywhere too all over my legs, my tummy, my arms, and my neck. Finally it got so bad that it started spreading to my face.... it was horrible. I was so embarrassed that I would wear long sleeve shirts all the time and long pants even in gym. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. So anyone out there with eczema I totally feel for you... Cause I can clearly remember those painful nights, and embarrassing outdoor activities. 

Well today I came home with a stern lecture from the doctor that my skin is far too dry, not to leave it so long before getting treatment, and a potential referral for further help. What I’m really pleased with though is the big paper bag of different steroids, emollients and antihistamines and whether it’s the placebo effect or just some sympathy from someone who was shocked at how bad my skin was and how raw, red, tight and sore – who cares! One application of steroids and I already feel ten times more positive, calmer and less in pain. Could just one application really start to make a difference that fast? Or is 50% of this battle that I am not making a fuss, this is really bad and that I only have to ask for some help. 

I am telling myself I won’t let my skin get so ravaged and damaged again before seeking help. I’m pretty sure I will though, it seems the memory fades and living with eczema you get used to ignoring the itch and using natural things to try to keep it at bay. Allergies too don’t help. Often a mild reaction to a trace of an allergen will cause itchy skin and hives. If I can ignore it sometimes the lumps will recede fairly quickly without too much discomfort. Sometimes though it’s not allergies, it’s just eczema, an unwelcome guest who never announces his arrival, nor books to stay, just turns up unannounced and always outstays his welcome. Sorry boys but eczema is a man!

I was so stressed and i sometimes cry thinking of how awful I look. i read numerous article about eczema, and i found out Eczema can be caused by STRESS. So now for the good part and i hope this will help. Just remember that your not alone and many people deal with this. Try and stay stress free.... stress just makes it worst.

Instead of stressing myself, i try to find healthier resolution for this problem. I will post my before and after picture 2 months from now if everything goes well. I am giving myself 1 year time not only to clear eczema but also to be scar free so i can wear my short skirts or shorts without any hesitation.

I just went to Dr Ranjit clinic at SS15 and i feel we have a good chemistry. I use to treat my eczema with him 4  years back and only with 2 times visit i was fully recovered. and when it came back i have no idea why i was wasting time lingering around visiting some other doctor. After 4 months of battle i just made up my mind, i have to go to him, by hook or crook, no matter how long i have to wait and no matter how much it cost. it was totally worth it- I paid RM 183.00 for topical creams and antibiotics. he refuse to give me injection saying that it is high in steroid and can cause many side effects later on. so after 3 days of taking the medication... i feel cleaner. 

Today eczema is packing its bags and let’s hope it’s gone for some time because quite frankly so i could have a good nights sleep. So for now the rant is over and I thought I’d share a few eczema tips, though after reading this I wouldn’t blame for not taking them seriously! Clearly I’m not quite on top of this baby! But I’ll try anyway. I have learned quite a few things that both soothe and help heal and cheer me up.

1) GREEN TEA- I am starting on Green tea remedy as my friend said she heard that green tea have good effects on Eczema and Psoriasis. After consuming green tea for few weeks i found that green tea actually helps you to relax and stay focused. i admit that i am a coffee addict and cant live without it. but now, i am learning to consume less coffee than any of my normal days.

 

2)  Have a supply of steriods for emergencies! Don’t wait till it’s too late, till you’re not sleeping and in agony. It’s not worth it. People go to the doctors with a tiny blemish so never feel bad about going with painful eczema, especially if you think it might be infected. The general rule is that you should use a strip of steroid the length of the distance from the tip of your finger to the first join or bend in the finger to cover an area the size of the palm of your hand.

3) Keep moisturised! – this is so key. Once the skin is dry it’s so much more easy for eczema to get worse. The eczema you can see actually Goes much deeper into the skin. It’s not just on the surface. Twice a day is imperative but if you change clothes or have the time and space, more often will help if it’s really bad. 

4) Treat eczema immediately – with steroids but use sparingly, and because it can go deep into the epidermis, keep treating with smaller amounts and less frequently even after it looks like it’s gone, because it can flare right back up again if it’s not quite gone. Reduce the strength of steroid as you reduce the treatment.

5) Get plenty of rest - early nights will work wonders. Once your skin starts to heal getting enough sleep will really help the rejuvenation process. 

6) Have a warm oil bath – Too hot is not supposed to be good, but sometimes I find just the opposite. I use diprobath with a few drops of healing tea tree oil. When you get out of the bath, put baby oil onto your wet skin. This will seal in even more moisture. I’ve also been trying Epsom Salt baths which are also really soothing and help promote healing, my skin always feel better after a salt bath. 

7) Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water

8) Try not to touch your skin – This is very easy to say, but it’s key. The itch is persistent but if you can sit on your hands, wear cotton gloves, anything to try to break that habit. The less you touch your skin the better. 

9) Stay positive – keep smiling. Not easy in the face of an attack on your skin. Remember there is always someone worse off. Eczema is pretty horrible but there are far worse things you can have. Imagine your skin healthy, smooth and fresh. Wish hard enough and click your heals. Together, after three? One, two, three… see! I made you smile. 

10) Tell people how you feel – don’t suffer in silence. Explain how you feel to your family and friends, tell them you’re suffering and need some slack, help, just a cuddle. Explain to your boss at work and colleagues, most people will see you are struggling and be compassionate and understanding. If they don’t then they’re not worth bothering with

11) Demand help from your doctor – Never just accept eczema as the norm. It’s not normal and it’s not something anyone should have to live with. If yours is really bad you need to nag your doctor till you’re blue in the face, make them refer you to a specialist dermatologist or allergy specialist if you think allergies may be playing a part. Don’t settle for pain, suffering and isolation. Fight for your health so you can get on with life. I believe there are always things you can do to help your situation – just being told you have eczema and probably will never grow out of it now does not help. Don’t let your doctor fob you off just because he doesn’t understand. It’s not good enough. I have been in tears begging before mine has referred me but I got there in the end. 

12) Stay cool – heat can really irritate eczema. Make sure you bed especially is cool, not hot and stuffy. Ventilate the room, put the sheets and bedding back to air them in the morning to hinder dust mite growth. Make sure you have the right kind of bedding for your skin, especially if dust is a skin irritant. Think about mattress, duvet and pillow covers to keep dust mites away from your skin and wash bedding at 60 degrees to kill all dust mites. 

13) Skin care and cosmetics – be aware of what you put onto eczematous skin, many skin care and cosmetic products can contain skin irritants which can in turn trigger eczema in people with sensitive skin. Always read labels and stick to simple, natural products that are for sensisitive skin and test on a small area before slathering on all over. Avoid all makeup and products you’re not sure of when you’re having an eczema flare up, allow skin to heal and calm before trying new products or irritating it further. 

  

15) Cotton and natural fibres are best – avoid man made synthetic clothing on your skin when it’s bad. Wear 100% cotton, silk thermals and pure merino wool in winter. Some people find removing itchy labels and wearing clothes inside out so the seams don’t rub also help. 

16) Smile – stay positive no matter what. The power of the smile can work wonders. Even when you feel really rubbish you probably don’t look as bad as you think you do. So smile. Even when it hurts to. I will make you feel better and others smile back at you. Positive thinking rules.

 

 17) Collagen-Taking oral collagen supplements benefits the overall condition of your skin. The collagen can help improve acne conditions and eczema and even help with the appearance of cuts and scars. For adolescents and adults who suffer from acne or other skin disorders, short-term collagen supplementation can be an effective form of treatment.