Dyshidrotic Eczema

[Saleen836]

As title, anyone else get/had this?

First time ever in 45years it has appeared on my left hand, a bit itchy so have been using eurax cream for that and have been applying Hydracorisone cream in the morning and before I go to bed, anyone have any recipes to speed up recovery?

[Steffan]

Saleen836 said:

As title, anyone else get/had this?

First time ever in 45years it has appeared on my left hand, a bit itchy so have been using eurax cream for that and have been applying Hydracorisone cream in the morning and before I go to bed, anyone have any recipes to speed up recovery?

I have had various form of eczema over 60 + years and every form I have known is a reaction to some substatnce or activity. Steroids may reduce the appearance but always be aware there're severe downsides to long term steroid use. I would try to isolate the cause. Change of detergent or similar possible allergen? Long term steroid use is definitely risky. Some individuals find unguentum Merck useful or palative creams. I find tea tree oil diluted in a water miscible cream base very effective. Best of luck.

[mrdelmonti]

My wife suffers from it on all of her fingers she swears by Aveeno and finds that steriod creams generally make it worse over time.

[Saleen836]

Thanks for the replies, mine is between my fingers and on the sides of them, have thought about it and cant think of anything that we have changed regarding soap/detergent etc. Will have to try the suggestions and see how it goes

[Steffan]

Saleen836 said:

Thanks for the replies, mine is between my fingers and on the sides of them, have thought about it and cant think of anything that we have changed regarding soap/detergent etc. Will have to try the suggestions and see how it goes

Alergic reaction between the fingers and on the sides suggests some remnants of a substance is remaining on your hands post washing IMO. Textbook example of skin reaction to an allergen. Go through all you're washing powders, fabric conditioner soaps shampoo etc. one of these or a combination of these are the most likely cause. Not an easy task but worth the effort. This is rarely quite so area specific ie on sides of fingers except where the reaction is caused by some form or directness contact allergy. Worth trying every possibility with such a specific area affected.

[CTO]

Useful topic....

I have recently started to experience D.E.

Really really localised though, the base of my right foot only. I'd love to know what is causing it as I've never experienced eczema before and I'm now 35.

Some theories causes include stress, bloody ironic that as the odd spots and itching is if anything increasing my stress levels.....

I don't know much about these things but surely a change in washing powder Tec wouldn't just affect the sole of one foot?

Answers on a postcard

CTO

[mrdelmonti]

CTO said:

Useful topic....

I have recently started to experience D.E.

Really really localised though, the base of my right foot only. I'd love to know what is causing it as I've never experienced eczema before and I'm now 35.

Some theories causes include stress, bloody ironic that as the odd spots and itching is if anything increasing my stress levels.....

I don't know much about these things but surely a change in washing powder Tec wouldn't just affect the sole of one foot?

Answers on a postcard

CTO

New shoes?

[0a]

Steffan said:

I have had various form of eczema over 60 + years and every form I have known is a reaction to some substatnce or activity. Steroids may reduce the appearance but always be aware there're severe downsides to long term steroid use. I would try to isolate the cause. Change of detergent or similar possible allergen? Long term steroid use is definitely risky. Some individuals find unguentum Merck useful or palative creams. I find tea tree oil diluted in a water miscible cream base very effective. Best of luck.

Steffan provided very helpful advice indeed here for me a couple of years back, all is well now: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[CTO]

I bought a pair of fur lined boots for winter from Clark's which did make my feet get hot (predominantly my right foot)

I thought the same as you and and have switched back to light footwear, it appears to still be spreading though

[Steffan]

0a said:

Steffan said:

I have had various form of eczema over 60 + years and every form I have known is a reaction to some substatnce or activity. Steroids may reduce the appearance but always be aware there're severe downsides to long term steroid use. I would try to isolate the cause. Change of detergent or similar possible allergen? Long term steroid use is definitely risky. Some individuals find unguentum Merck useful or palative creams. I find tea tree oil diluted in a water miscible cream base very effective. Best of luck.

Steffan provided very helpful advice indeed here for me a couple of years back, all is well now: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I do thank you Da I am delighted to hear that these suggestions helped. There is IMO no cure for eczema but emollients definitely can bring relief IF you can find the one that works for you. Hence my suggestions of various creams and tea tree oil. There is no cure as far as I know and I am old enough to remember steroids coming in which were hailed as a cure. But we now know the downsides and I strongly advise strong, caution with steroid use. I have used these for 50 ++ years and have the thin easly torn skin to prove it. Just scrating my skin could cause major skin trauma and is not at pretty sight. But then at 68 nor am I! They are still then best emollient but must be used with great caution.

On a slightly different subject I finished my latest kit car at Quantum H4 Surrey Top RS Turibo recently and I will get it on PH. It is an absolute rocket and has heated front and rear screens and power windows and Sat Nav with screens and handles exceptionally well Recaro seats etc. I am in Italy currently but I should get the car on PH this month. Only four more new kit cars to finish this year!! Could be my best KC year yet!

[TwistingMyMelon]

Ive suffered from Eczema all my life on and off, I get it on the back of my knees and bottom of back, not too bad, just annoying

Interestingly mine seems to be caused by my sofa! A new one is on order so will be good to see if it stops

With the onset of spring I have been using a prescription anti histamine everyday and I have found this to ease the eczema away, as soon as I stop the daily dose of the spray it comes back. Might be worth trying some anti histamines

[Coco H]

Mines in patches on the bottom of my feet. It's so itchy and I'm afraid I pop some of the bubbles ..... however this poses an infection risk.
I've heard all sorts of theories on how to get rid of it but everytime I get rid of mine, it re-appears a few weeks later. When it covered the sole of one foot, the GP gave me some anti-biotic steroid cream which actually cleared it up for a while and since then it's been much smaller patches.

[Steffan]

Coco H said:

Mines in patches on the bottom of my feet. It's so itchy and I'm afraid I pop some of the bubbles ..... however this poses an infection risk.
I've heard all sorts of theories on how to get rid of it but everytime I get rid of mine, it re-appears a few weeks later. When it covered the sole of one foot, the GP gave me some anti-biotic steroid cream which actually cleared it up for a while and since then it's been much smaller patches.

If you possibly can I would try to find an alternative to steroid use particularly in conjunction with antibiotics. Many years ago a consultant with a huge reputation on skin disorders warned me to stop using this combination except in emergencies. His reasons were simple. Continuous use always produces serious consequences and it was from that point that I began to seek a more natural remedy for daily use without the downsides.

Years of searching made me find Unguentum Merck as a base ream with a touch of steroid mixed in never steroids alone and tea tree oil in the mix which has virtually removed eczema from my life except occasional flair up usually from household cleaning products or detergents.. I avoid all forms of perfume in all cosmetics the simple range being my general choice. I am very allergic to all fabric conditioners and therefore avoid all of these.

I have never been free from Ezcema but now it is at the most controlled state in 68 years. Had it from two weeks and ever since. I also have the thin skin problem cussed by steroid use over 50 years but unless the skin is abraded or scratched this is a manageable problem. I use factor 10 SPF spray everyday and skin so soft spray in conjunction. These emmollients work for me. Best of luck to the OP and all the other sufferers.

[Coco H]

That was the only time I've ever resorted to that cream for the reasons you mention. Normally I would use ungumentum as you mention and tea tree oil and I've had some sucess with oat based creams. Or I just leave well alone.

[Steffan]

Coco H said:

That was the only time I've ever resorted to that cream for the reasons you mention. Normally I would use ungumentum as you mention and tea tree oil and I've had some sucess with oat based creams. Or I just leave well alone.

Used in that way I very much doubt you will ever have a problem. Very occasional steroid based topical creams are fine and effective if used very sparingly. Used regularly or daily this will result in serious thinning of the skin as I know personally. However I always say to other sufferers that I would do this again because as a teenager and young adult I was not prepared to look like a blotchy mess and Synylar stops my Ezcema dead. But I knew the risks and I would repeat them personally. I just want the sufferers to be aware of the long term consequences of heavy use. As far as I know steroids are still the only really effective cure (well close to a cure) but be aware of the risks long term. Best of luck to all sufferers.

[Saleen836]

Wow, a lot to read just on here!
Nothing has been changed i.e soap, washing detergent etc. The only thing I could think of was about a week before it appeared on my left hand I had an infection around my eyes, my eyebrows, lids and cheeks around my eyes were all swollen, the skin on my cheeks and eyelids looked just like it was sunburnt and was flaking/peeling, popped along to minor injuries where a nurse diagnosed an alergic reaction to something and prescribed me some anti histamine tablets (1 tablet 4 times a day). 3 days later the swelling was worse so got an emergancy appointment to see a doctor, their diagnosis was.."oh, looks like you have a bit of excema which has become infected!". As I have never in my life had any form of excema I was a little surprised, anyway the doctor prescribed antibiotics and the Cortisone cream, after about 3 days of taking the pills and using the cream I noticed the tiny spots/blisters on my left hand which have merged to make big spots/blisters. The swelling has gone but the skin on my cheeks still looks like the skin has had the top layer burnt and has peeled off, I have stopped using the Cortisone cream on my face to see if this lets it clear up.

[MentalSarcasm]

Steffan said:

Coco H said:

Mines in patches on the bottom of my feet. It's so itchy and I'm afraid I pop some of the bubbles ..... however this poses an infection risk.
I've heard all sorts of theories on how to get rid of it but everytime I get rid of mine, it re-appears a few weeks later. When it covered the sole of one foot, the GP gave me some anti-biotic steroid cream which actually cleared it up for a while and since then it's been much smaller patches.

If you possibly can I would try to find an alternative to steroid use particularly in conjunction with antibiotics. Many years ago a consultant with a huge reputation on skin disorders warned me to stop using this combination except in emergencies. His reasons were simple. Continuous use always produces serious consequences and it was from that point that I began to seek a more natural remedy for daily use without the downsides.

Years of searching made me find Unguentum Merck as a base ream with a touch of steroid mixed in never steroids alone and tea tree oil in the mix which has virtually removed eczema from my life except occasional flair up usually from household cleaning products or detergents.. I avoid all forms of perfume in all cosmetics the simple range being my general choice. I am very allergic to all fabric conditioners and therefore avoid all of these.

I have never been free from Ezcema but now it is at the most controlled state in 68 years. Had it from two weeks and ever since. I also have the thin skin problem cussed by steroid use over 50 years but unless the skin is abraded or scratched this is a manageable problem. I use factor 10 SPF spray everyday and skin so soft spray in conjunction. These emmollients work for me. Best of luck to the OP and all the other sufferers.

I had pretty serious eczema on the back of my legs when I was a teenager (weeping, bleeding, massively itching at all hours of the day), at one point I want on antibiotics and steroid creams, neither of which worked very well. The only times it would clear up was in the summer when we'd holiday in France, I'd spend pretty much every single day in the sea for several hours a day, salt water was like a miracle cure. It would always come back again once I was back at school, disappeared shortly after I turned 17, never managed to work out what the trigger was.

At one point at university it tried to crop up on my elbow and my usual aqueous cream didn't work on it's own, so I bathed it in warm salt water for around 10 minutes a night every night and then applied aqueous cream in the mornings instead, seemed to do the trick. Nowadays I just get a light rash on my arms but nowhere near as serious as it has been.

It will sting like a bh for the first few minutes, but try having a foot bath with just warm water and a bit of salt dissolved in it in the evenings. At the very least it will help kill off any lingering infection, although you will need to limit it as you don't want to dry your skin out further.

I don't have nearly as much experience as Steffan so go with his suggestions first, I just remember loving the summers because it was the first time in a year my legs weren't a source of massive embarrassment for me

[MentalSarcasm]

Saleen836 said:

Wow, a lot to read just on here!
Nothing has been changed i.e soap, washing detergent etc. The only thing I could think of was about a week before it appeared on my left hand I had an infection around my eyes, my eyebrows, lids and cheeks around my eyes were all swollen, the skin on my cheeks and eyelids looked just like it was sunburnt and was flaking/peeling, popped along to minor injuries where a nurse diagnosed an alergic reaction to something and prescribed me some anti histamine tablets (1 tablet 4 times a day). 3 days later the swelling was worse so got an emergancy appointment to see a doctor, their diagnosis was.."oh, looks like you have a bit of excema which has become infected!". As I have never in my life had any form of excema I was a little surprised, anyway the doctor prescribed antibiotics and the Cortisone cream, after about 3 days of taking the pills and using the cream I noticed the tiny spots/blisters on my left hand which have merged to make big spots/blisters. The swelling has gone but the skin on my cheeks still looks like the skin has had the top layer burnt and has peeled off, I have stopped using the Cortisone cream on my face to see if this lets it clear up.

Sorry Saleen, don't want to take over your thread. That sounds like a pretty bad inflamation for a first time. Is there nothing at all in the week or two before that? Went abroad and stayed in a hotel? Stayed at a friend's house? Got a new pet? Bought new clothes/bedsheets/bath towels and wore/used them without washing them first?

[Saleen836]

MentalSarcasm said:

Sorry Saleen, don't want to take over your thread. That sounds like a pretty bad inflamation for a first time. Is there nothing at all in the week or two before that? Went abroad and stayed in a hotel? Stayed at a friend's house? Got a new pet? Bought new clothes/bedsheets/bath towels and wore/used them without washing them first?

No worries, nope nothing changed out of the ordinary, been using the same soap (Dove) same washing powder (Bold) and shampoo etc for years. The redness/swelling etc around my eyes looked just like I was wearing a pair of goggles, but no idea what triggered it and I guess will never know, I just hope once it clears up it doesn't return.

[Mobile Chicane]

Could be a reaction to tree pollen at this time of year, which is sensitising everything else. Have you moved to an area where there are birch trees? These are major culprits.

As you rightly say, nothing else has changed.

Quite what you do about this if severe, I don't know.

Personally I have found that giving up all wheat and dairy products in my diet for the spring months lessens the symptoms.

Try it, you never know.