Posted by papillon2 on July 24, 2012, at 11:03:28
In reply to Re: Please Anyone Know How To Cure Eczema???? » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2012, at 21:25:28
Cure? No. Make more bearable? Yes!
The best thing I've found is soaking in QV Flare Up Oil. I think this may be an Australian product; if it is not available to you there is likely a US equivalent.
You don't necessary have to take a bath depending on the area being treated. I get pomployx on my hands, so I fill up a big bowl of the solution and soak them. It really does take out the itch.
Step two: DO NOT SCRATCH. I thought this was just an old wives' tale until I experimented with it. My goodness it works. I think part of it is that it stops the development/worsening of staph infections which contribute to the itchiness.
Step three: use your topical corticosteroid (really thinly, they are not lying when they say it thins the skin, my fingers are testament to this). When it comes to corticosteroids, ointments are better than creams. More effective.
Step four: once the corticosteroid dries, apply a thick layer of an eczema-friendly emollient ointment/cream.
Step five: DO NOT SCRATCH
Step six: If the eczema is on your hands, put on some clean cotton gloves. If it's really bad elsewhere, you may need to bandage the area.
Step seven: did I mention not to scratch?
What has also helped but may not be relevent for you is:
(a) Getting my allergies (dust mites and various grasses) treated with desensitization injections. The allergies were partly responsible for triggering the eczema. You would need to be referred to an allergy specialist / immunologist for testing.
(b) Taking an anti-histamine daily. These can apparently interact with psych meds. I haven't had a problem with this, thank goodness, because without anti-histamines my allergies keep me up all night and I am absolutely miserable. Which is not good for depression!!!
(c) using the full range of allergend linen. I just use the dust mite stuff, but they also have linen specifically for eczema which helps stop the cracking/bleeding overnight.
http://www.allergend.com.auDetails of QV Flare Up Oil
www.qvskincare.com.auBENEFITS
Dual action formula reduces the level of bacteria and helps prevent moisture loss.
Calms irritated skin and reduces roughness and scaling.
Leaves a thin film of occlusive oil on the skin, which helps to rehydrate skin.
Suitable for recurrent eczema where secondary staphylococcus aureus infection is a problem.
Prevents the itch-scratch cycle.
ACTIVES
Light liquid paraffin 65.1% (w/w), benzalkonium chloride 2.0% (w/w) and triclosan 0.7% (w/w)Ring the bells that still can ring
forget your perfect offering
there is a crack in everything
that's how the light gets in
~ Leonard Cohen
poster:papillon2
thread:1021994
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120718/msgs/1022046.html