mbdean

I have had a cronic problem with eczema, or at least that is what the dermatologist has diagnosed. My skin, on the tips of the thumbs and three fingers on each becomes dry and cracks. The dryness usually extends down the side of the thumb and forefinger. It does not itch, but becomes dry and hard, cracking and scaling. It feels like my fingers have been dipped in wax. I have seen 3 dermatologists along with two other doctors, and have tried several steroid creams, other prescription creams along with just about everything I can get over the counter. Nothing seems to have any effect. I have had a patch test, with no indication of any allegery. I have also taken Grenz treatments, which is a form of xray and gama ray. That seemed to have a little effect, but nothing has really given any relief. I wear exam gloves much of the time at work and home. They seem to keep the mositure in, and give some relief. This has been the most disabiliting problem I have ever had. I am male, 65 years old, and this has been going on for about 2 or 3 years. I have never had any skin problem similar to this in the past, and I know no one in my family who has. The only other suggestion the doctors have offered are drugs that will lower my immune system. I am not anxious to try that unless it is the last resort. Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks,
mbdean

clinicpimple

I think thats you best bet. Theres a little scar about skin cancer before, but with the amount it was used today, the risk is small.

Depends on your need , you need to talk to your dr again

clinicpimple

any luck on your hand eczema?

mbdean

I am going to the Dr. tomorrow and will talk with them about the drug therapy. I will probably try more Grenz treatments first, though. A couple of Drs have discourgaged using the drugs that effect the immune system, suggesting that the side effects could be worst than the eczema.
Thanks,
Mbdean

gertine

I had eczema that was bad a few years ago. Now it's not as bad and it comes back every now and then. But that's only when I don't use Goldbond. It works amazingly! Try it, all over not just on hands and feet. It is strong and will keep your skin very soft!

Baz

Taking immune lowering pharmecuticles is about as bad an idea as i could imagine. A lot of eczema and most psoriasis is a result of a compromised immune system. Compromised immune systems are pretty much the norm these days, so were seeing more and more skin problems all the time. Remember that the epidermis is our biggest organ. It reacts to our environment, internal and external and of course to hormonal/emotional influences.

The reason the medical fraternity dont have a sensible answer to this simple problem is because they exist (operate) within a very narrow paradigm. Too narrow to deal with more holistic issues such as this. Nutrition is also outside their "area of expertise."

Topical treatments alone aren't the answer. There are a couple of products out there that are designed to give relief that work brilliantly but without addressing the cause, treating the symptom will most likely be only a "band aid"
Steroid creams are immune function supressents. Suppression of symptoms will not cure. In fact suppressing simptoms will lead eventually to the cause emerging elsewhere presenting even more dramatic symptoms. Good Immune boosters are available from naturopaths and health food stores. This is where i would start, after i address the following important points.
Cut out any immune supressents, this includes processed Sugar, alcahol and coffee.
If you smoke, dont worry about the eczma! You've got bigger stuff on the way!
Do you get eight hours sleep? Your immune system regenerates when you sleep.
Do you drink 2+ litres of alkaline water a day? I stress ALKALINE.
Do you eat a percentage of raw organic Vegetables every day?
Are you Happy? (before the eczma) Your thoughts create you!

Look Guys, its not rocket science. Eczma shouldnt exist!

davejohnson

Hi, I hope your eczema is healing... I agree with Baz I have to say. Eczema is an immune response to the skin's hypersensitivity, but reducing immune function is going to have effects on a lot more than your skin!

I have had eczema off and on for a long time, and I have tried ALL kinds of things, most of which don't work. Actually the best treatment I ever had was going to the Dead Sea. Soaking in the water there and going to a "clinic" (it was actually more like a spa!) wiped out my eczema for 6 months or something. But obviously, that's an expensive trip. I still soak in Dead Sea salts often, which really helps. There is something in all the minerals (there's like 120 minerals in the salts) that is amazingly helpful.

joyfullam

any luck on your hand eczema?

mbdean

Thanks for the advice. I tried another Grenz treatment,(2 times), but not much change. If I knew it would work, I think I would make the trip to the Dead Sea. What did the "clinic" do? Maybe I could just try something like Epison Salt. About the only thing that seems to give relief is wearing exam gloves.
Thanks,
mbdean

mbdean

No, unfortunately I have not had much luck. I have another appointment with the dermatologist in a couple of weeks, and maybe she can give me some more ideas. The Docs seem to be about out of ideas, though.
Thanks,
mbdean

mbdean

My wife has some, and I have tried it. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to do much for me. About like all the other creams I have. They all initally help a little, but nothing seems to make it go away. As soon as the creams dry, the skin get hard again, and will start to crack. Thanks anyway for the suggestion.
mbdean

titusna

I have been dealing with excezma for almost a year now. I am a 50 year old female that never had this problem before. I have gone the gamet. UVB treatments at the hospital twice a week, steroid pills, cortosoid creams & ointments. The worst of it is on the bottom of my right heel which makes it very painful to walk. I have never had any itching, only dryness, cracking, redness, and sore. I just had my second biopsy today. I am starting to believe that it is from exposure to mold in the classroom where I teach. I had to move out of the room 3 years ago to have the room stripped & cleaned. I have contracted pneumonia, 3months later I had auto immune arthritis wher I could not bend the fingers in my left hand for over a month, I now was diagnosed with asthma, allergies, & bronchitis 3 weeks ago. the fatigue is debilitating. For the last month I spend all my off time in bed. I used to be very active. Anyone have any suggestions for my poor immune system.
titusna

bathlab

Check with your doctor to see if you have a sinus infection. I have expereinced this myself as well as a few others i know. It may sound far fetched but...we have noticed it often acts up when we have a sinus infection. Also, ask your doctor about Bactroban. This is the only thing I have found to help. If I notice it starting, I put it on immediatly and with any luck it doesn't get to bad!! Good luck!

StayingYoung

My son suffers from horrible eczema. After doing a lot of research I realized how everyday products that we use (soaps, lotions and cream) were making his eczema worse. Most products use synthetic fragrances oils, which irritates the skin and makes it worse than it was before.

Fragrances oils are chemical reproductions of the real thing (essential oils) and contain alcohol. They add no health benefit to the final product, and can cause allergic reactions, dryness, and irritated skin.

Most soaps out on the market contain animal fats, petroleum derivatives, synthetic colorings and fragrances, along with chemical preservatives. Your skin is a living organ and absorbs all of these toxic materials into your body. No wonder your skin gets irritated.

I recommend a wonderful eczema salve I found at Siena Soap Company. Since I'm new on here I can't post the website. But if you google Siena Soap Company it will bring you to the webpage. The website is www (then a period, then) sienasoap (then another peroid with com) I'm sure you get the idea.

My son uses this daily and has gotten ride of his eczema. He also uses their Calendula soap. All of these products are handmade with natural products. I highly recommend them.

b angie b

Again try this drug called "Trizmicilone Cream" and this lotion called CeraVe it is a skin barrier and puts moisture in your skin. Also believe it or not "Mineral Oil" is really good after a shower. It is very thick but it is a great moisturer.

ebb567

Greetings,

I'm new to the forum, but I wanted to jump in here because I have been plagued with eczema in the past as have my children, and I found a way to get rid of it that worked for us. My eczema used to appear in patches on the insides of my of my arms, behind my knees and on the back of my neck. They would appear in the heat of the summer and then in the cold winter months. My daughter also had eczema all over her body when she was a baby.

To get rid of it I just took evening primrose oil supplements. They are just little capsules of oil that you can find at any health food store and they worked for me. After trying all of the creams, and the oatmeal baths that the pediatrician recommended for my daughter's rash, I asked him if it was safe to give my daughter the supplements. He said it was OK, so I did. I started with half a capsule squirted into whatever she was drinking. Eventually I used a whole capsule in her juice. It took a few weeks, but eventually the eczema cleared up completely and it has not returned.

Oddly enough when my cat developed an itchy skin condition where she would scratch herself until her skin bled, I squeezed some of the oil on her food, and not only did it clear up the itching, it gave her fur a noticeably shinier appearance.

Junebug

Wow this sounds really cool. I wonder why this is not recommended more often by doctors if it works so well.