what can help eczema?

[deedee24]

i've got it on both my legs and arms, nowhere else, it is red and bumpy and very painful and itchy, the doctor give me tablets to help me sleep better so i didn't wake up itching but i have a 8mth old baby who wakes up alot so i don't want to take the tablet incase i don't hear her. I've used betnovate cream, e45 which makes me itch more, i've even tried derma cream from holland and barrets i bought some lanacane crean cos it said it stopped you itching but i cant use it for more then a week, its getting me really down cos my legs look awful and i have to cover up. Please can anyone recommend something that has worked for them cos i'm desperate. thanx in advance xxx

[sqad617]

Well, first of all it doesn't sound like eczema, more a hypersensitivity reaction.
Are you on any medication predating the skin problem?

You need antihistamine tablets e.g Loretadine which will not make you drowsy. You should be able to get these "over the counter"

[deedee24]

the only meds i take are my inhalers i have done for the last 22yrs, i don't bathe with soaps and use non bio for clothes washing, the skin is all red and sorry for the too much info but when i itch it bleeds and then scabs over thats when the problem occurs cos the skin gets tight and the cycle of itching starts again. i'm worried that i've scarred my legs and arms by doing this, it only happened when i fell pregnant, i've never had anything like this before, but when i was 3mths pregnant that when it appeared and its never left.

[sqad617]

deedee, my opinion hasn't changed, I still feel that it isnot eczema.

What was the diagnosis when you saw your GP ?

[deedee24]

p.s will this loretadine clear it up or just stop the itching?

[sqad617]

Initially stop the itching which will then clear the skin problem.

What was you G.P's diagnosis?

[deedee24]

i saw 4 different doctors over the space of a year, the first looked at it and said 'oh yeah that looks painfull' the give me a script of betnovate to pick up, the chemist said don't use it longer then a week blah blah so after a week of having the same problems i went back and she said just keep using it. 2nd and 3rd doc just give me the same cream again, and the 4th doctor decided that since betnovate wasn't working he'd give me the cream that isn';t as strong as betnovate!! i asked to be referred to a dermatologist but they said it wasn't needed. i wish i could take a picture and show you, i often wondered why it is only on the side of my legs not all over, the stupid doctors don't seem concerned.

[samuelcat]

are you sure its not psoriasis?
Does the area affected build up skin layers on its own that look like white scabs?

[sqad617]

So, no diagnosis eh?
Try the Loretadine three times a day.

[deedee24]

its hard to say if the skin builds up cos i itch before it has a chance to heal, it is all bumpy and looks really dry, even though the skin and leg around it is healthy and hydrated. Just rang the doctors and made a appointment and i'm gonna demand that i get to see a dermatologist cos i've had enough now. thanx for all your help xx hopefully i'll get better soon xx

[yinyang]

You say it started during your pregnancy? i had a condition when pregnant called ' Cholestasis', which was connected to the liver but caused the most incredible itching on my arms , legs and feet. I I used to use a bristle brush and rub at these areas until they were red raw.
It went away after the babies were born but then some stupid doctor told me it was fine to go back on the Pill, and the same thing happened again.
Chances are it's not that as it can be dangerous to baby in later stages of pregnancy and would probably have been picked up by a midwife but if you are on the Pill or mini pill it may be worth looking into.

[amaham]

Have you tried an allergy testing, it's amazing what it can pick up. I think Holland & Barrett used to do them, but if not I am sure your doctor can refer you to someone, if not, perhaps try a homeopathic practitioner or acupuncture. I swear by the latter as it cured me of a 20 year plus back pain problem! Failing that a friend of mine many years ago, used to have to sit in a bath of potassium permanganate crystals to cure the same problem, but not sure how it would fare now! Good luck.

[clydeserani]

I used to have shockingly bad Psoraisis on my face, legs and arms for many years. I am scarred by it..My son had mild eczema. I used loads of different treatments from the doc to no avail, as did my son when he had a flair up. I began using Hemp moisturiser and Hemp hand cream and Hemp Body Butter from The Body Shop, again as did my son and neither of us have had any symptoms for over two years. I still use the Hemp facial moisturiser, but only as part of my normal moisturising regime.

[lilacben]

If I was you I would listen to sqad617,he or she, really know what they are talking about. Alwas very knowledgeable about medical things. sqad617 have you any medical background.?

[kakaduka]

Hello, I think that you want to get more info about it. Go to http://asdurben.blogspot.com/?q=eczema

[sqad617]

lilachen....yes.

[frogdancer]

my daughter had itchy bumpy skin, sometimes raised, in patches mainly on chest, stomach, arms and legs.. tried e45 itch relief cream for days, and oilatum but these didnt seem to do much, and it seemed to get worse at night which disturbed her sleep. Doctor unsure if its excema but prescribed Dipro Base. Since first use her skin has been amazingly better. Hope that helps you.

[deedee24]

hi all, been back to the docs i've been giving more betnovate and some antibotics flux.....i've forgetten the name lol. Still just trying to clear it, hopeing it goes soon x