quick fix for dermatitius eczema?

[joy division]

Hi guys

I wonder if anybody can possibly help or advise.

My mum has always suffered with dermatitius eczema. More recently however, she has experienced an extremely severe flare up, brought on by the fact that we have a family wedding in the offing.

I think it's the stress & fuss of the wedding ect..that has triggered this latest bout of this seriously debilitating skin complaint.

Trouble is, this time the eczema has spread to her feet resulting in mum being unable to walk or put pressure on her feet (as the skin cracks open)...sorry to be so graphic.

We've been to see a doctor, but only a courtisone cream has been prescribed which hasn't helped much.

I know there is no cure for this particular complaint, however has anybody out there experienced this, or is suffering with this & do you know perhaps of a short term fix that might give mum a bit of respite? even if it's just short term i'd appreciate any advice or suggestions.

I have heard that a soap exists in Co.Durham UK that is said to have some kind of healing properties in relation to dermatitius eczema.Has anybody heard of this ?

Thanks people :)

[spangle111]

It could be coal tar soap - it's supposed to be good for that kind of thing. What used to help my mum with hers when it got bad was sea salt. Use quite a strong concentration of sea salt to tepid water - its healing and soothing and may reduce the inflammation. Above all though, get your mum to try and relax. Enjoy the wedding x

[PringlesQueen]

Sorry to hear about you Mums problem.

I suffer with cracked skin on my heels not caused by eczema but by dry skin. I use Scholl cracked heel cream (I bought it in the supermarket) and after using it for a few days there was a tremendous improvement.

 

Have you tried looking on the internet for self help groups for eczema? They might be able to offer some advise.

Regards

[niknak]

Hiya Joy Division,

Do do a gis (google internet search) on atopic dermatitus and also make sure that your Mum isn't allergic to cortisones.Ask the GP for a referrel to a skin specialist-it isn't going to happen tomorrow but they cannot refuse the request.

[lindapinda]

A previous answer in March reccommended Protopic 0.1%.Put that name into the category search in Body and Soul, and it should bring up the question eczema,which included that reference.Hope this is of some use.

[undercovers]

my girlfriend suffers quite badly after using all the creams and lotions going she started adjusting her diet, in her case cutting out wheat / glutten and massively reducing her diary intake really helped her skin to the point that though not completely vanished is greatly reduced and controlled by the cortisol creams - i really would recommend adjusting diet as a means of control - at least give it ago for a month and see what happens... she also uses a special soap that her doctor recommended, it isn't tar soap but a special lotion used to clean with that stops the skin drying out in the affected areas - i will have to check tonight and get a name to you tomorrow. all the best undercovers

[Oneeyedvic]

Try goats milk - worked for me for a while. (all creams seem to clear up my eczema but when it recurs won't work a second time)

[mats01_99]

I've been drinking Soya Milk (Alpro) for about 6 months as I react to Dairy. To be honest I can't understand why it's got such a bad reputation, I prefer the taste and it's much better for my skin.

[Rach4018]

I suffered for years and years nothing worked until i cut out all rubbish from my diet and went organic.

[doc_steve]

You could ask your GP to prescripe something stronger, such as Fludroxycortide, which will not only fight the condition and help to clear the area up, but contains anaesthetic properties, helping to reduce the pain.

A more common drug that a GP will prescribe is Betnovate which is used for severe inflammatory skin disorders such as eczemas unresponsive to less potent treatments. This has good results but can slightly irritate the skin when being applied and often gives a reddening effect, although this subsides after an hour or so.

If all else fail, do what Niknak suggests and asked to be refeered to a specialist. If the condition is so severe, the patient may be required to spend 3 or 4 days in hospital having intense treatment, but this shows amazing results, and brings the condition to a level where it can be easily managed and is not causing and any noticable problems.

As for a soap bar, most over the counter medications for skin have low steroid content, and are good for minor ailments. Anything more severe should be treated by your GP.

[joy division]

I rang my mum and read out all of your answers and suggestions over the phone and she was really appreciative (as am I ) for all of your help and advice.

Mum has found some relief over the past couple of days by bathing her feet in salt water (thanks spangle 111) and using a moisturiser prescribed by her doctor.

Unfortunately she has the same problem as you squsalminney, she mentioned that over the summer she had been wearing sandals & felt that exposing her feet to the air exacerbated the cracked heals problem.

I�m doing a bit of research on the net about self help groups for those who suffer with eczema and will pass on the info to her.

Thankfully niknak mum has now got a referral to a skin specialist & is currently awaiting an appointment.

I have noted your reference about the Protopic 0.1% lindapinda, and am hopeful that this might be the solution she has been looking for.

Like your girlfriend undercovers, my mum has also been using cortisol cream, she�s going to kill me for this but she alledges that a side effect of using this cream is that she believes it�s given her hairy fingers!!  Yikes !
I hope your girlfriend hasn�t experienced a similar side effect.

Oneeyedvic, Matts01 & Rach ..when I told mum what your advice was she strongly agreed! She has been experimenting with milk and cutting out processed foods from her diet. So far she says that yup diet plays a big part in her flare ups.

Thank-you doc_steve for the recommendation of the fludroxycortide and Betnovate.
Mum has written down the names of these medications and will ask her g.p. about these.

Again every-body thank you so much!

Mum was really touched by the fact that anybody responded to her plight at all!

Hopefully she�ll be happy and healthy for the wedding.
It�s the first in our house & we want her to enjoy the day as best she can.

Cheers guys !