I have Eczema, I REALLY NEED HELP?
Depressed Soul asked:
It’s a very long story; but I hope you guys will be patient to read it, as I really need help. 
I had chicken pox in the mid of 2004 (aged 16), it lasted for a month. After that, skin problem begins. At the end of 2004 I began to have this red and peeling thing at the side of my lips and I was prescribed a cream called Decocort. I used it regularly for about 6 months and the problem went away completely. But the problem came back around end of 2007 (aged 19) when I attend my sister wedding I put on Clinique makeup. Because of that “incident” I dare not to use any makeup anymore. I tried to use back Decocort but it doesn’t work effectively on me like it used to. I did a skin patch test and it came out that I am allergic to a fragrance called Lyral. I also transferred to see a senior dermatologist and he prescribed me Betamethasone 0.0125 cream which I used it on and off until early this August (2008) because I couldn’t stand the side effect that was giving me, pimples. It’s just a bit of pimples but I don’t like it, I mean who likes having pimples? I also noticed that my cheeks and chin often flushed, and my chin is always itchy. I went back to the dermatologist, he took a close look with a bright light and he finally said that I am diagnosed with eczema. I reacted quite skeptically because the problem is I don’t even have asthma and my parents don’t have eczema. My brother and sister have asthma and eczema though. I double checked with him if it’s Rosacea and he told me no, it’s eczema, he said mild eczema. He added that I can’t treat pimples and eczema at the same time so I was left with no choice but to treat my eczema first. He prescribed me a non-steroid called Elidel. I gave up after using for 3 days because it gave me slight cough and this warm feeling thing. I went back to the dermatologist and he prescribed me Fluocinolone cream and another non-steroid, an ointment called Protopic. He told me to apply Fluocinolone first for a few days and when my chin gets better I’ll have to switch to Protopic. He also gave me Cetaphil moisturizing cream and told me to apply it after one hour of applying Fluocinolone/Protopic. Take note I personally don’t like putting moisturizing cream, just don’t like having to feel an extra layer of something on my skin. I put Fluocinolone for a few days and my chin gotten redder. I stopped putting it and went to put Protopic and decided to listen to the dermatologist advise by putting moisturizing cream after an hour but to my shock, it worsen the problem by making my chin itchier, and it was only 2 and a half days Protopic already caused my chin and the side of my lips on fire (very red). I gave up and felt depressed. I stopped by not putting anything for a week and the condition subsided. Then I went on to put ONLY that Cetaphil moisturizing cream because my chin was peeling a bit. Then a week later the condition got under control. So I figured that the previous experience was either Protopic’s fault because it’s an ointment and ointment have this greasy/oily feel plus it contains paraffin and white petroleum (which I did a research and found out that petroleum is actually BAD to the skin) or perhaps I can’t put both Protopic and moisturizing cream.
Recently the new problem is that I suddenly have this small patch of orange-red kind of thing appearing around the left side of my lower cheek, a bit near to my lips which I figured it is eczema because it’s very itchy. This time I went to a GP because I have ran out of cash to see the dermatologist. The consultation itself for that dermatologist is not cheap, plus I’m very sick of all the strong steroid stuff he gave. Anyway, the GP refused to give me oral steroid because he’s afraid that it might cause me side effects such as fatness to the face and some bone/joint problem. He prescribed me antihistamine tablets “Xyzal” and the mildest hydrocortisone cream that required to store in a fridge. And this morning the small patch of thing on the lower part of my left cheek almost gone, it’s not itchy anymore BUT another one appears on the lower part of my right cheek and is itchy so I quickly apply that hydrocortisone cream to control the itch.
And now after typing all these out I feel extra depressed. Do I have to go on with this for the rest of my life? By the way, two days ago I saw an article online that the singer LeAnn Rimes also has eczema the article says that she is taking Elidel to treat her condition. It didn’t state whether she has facial eczema and so out of exasperation and utter desperation I went on to her Official MySpace music page and sent her message to ask about it. Today I check my MySpace sentout mailbox and it states that she hasn’t read it. I know that thing on my right cheek should be gone in 2 days time but I’m thinking if I should give Elidel another try to manage my condition. Since it’s a cream, and it doesn’t give out the greasy feel like ProTopic does. What would you do if you were me? Ca
Can someone please tell me what EXACTLY do I need to do in order to manage my eczema to prevent flare up? I’m really upset with my skin. I’m acting like an OCD freak ever since I’ve been told I have eczema. I keep washing my hands and using tissue to clean my laptop keypad and mouse at least 3 times a day.
I’m using Cetaphil gentle wash for my face and dove soap for my body. I’m the youngest in the family and I don’t have asthma. My sister had severe asthma and moderate eczema (more on the body) as a child but now at the age of 30 her asthma is mild and her eczema only comes in once in a while and it’s very mild, she has perfect facial face though. My brother also has asthma as a child but grew out of it by the age of 18. Now he’s 28 BUT strange thing is he got diagnosed with eczema last year and till now his condition is SEVERE.
I thought about it maybe my house has something that caused flare ups but the problem is I am only allergic to that one particular fragrance which is Lyral and that only appears in cosmetic (certain cosmetic). My mom also keeps the house as clean as possible. But weirdest thing is my parents don’t even have asthma or eczema.
My mild eczema is more obvious on my face, because my cheeks always flushed and the things I mentioned above. I hardly go out anymore because I have this feeling that people stares at my flushed face and my face is also very sensitive to the sun.
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Filed Under Skin Conditions |
Tagged With Betamethasone, Cough, Skin Problem
Comments
2 Responses to “I have Eczema, I REALLY NEED HELP?”
1. Eczema is not contagious.
2. Stress has been known to cause flair ups.
Solution, relax and try to concentrate of doing other things. In case you are wondering, yes, I have eczema too. I have it on my ankles now, but I used to get spots on my face, but not as bad. They were all related to stress. Use the meds that the doctor prescribed and try not irritate your skin too much when washing your face.
Wow, that’s a long story. Your immediate parents don’t necessarily have to have eczema for you to have eczema. It could be from a previous ancestor. I have had eczema since I was 2 years old, I’m 25 now and same thing, my parents don’t have eczema. So it must have been a previous ancestor. And there are different levels of eczema that either you’ll completely grow out of it or it will just subside. In my case, I have rare break-outs and the break-outs have subsided a lot.
Anyway, keep everything in your house clean and keep your hands and face clean. Don’t overwash your face or hands but try to wash when you touch something that has a lot of bacteria. I would try the Elidel one more time to see if it works. If it does, great. If it doesn’t, stop it and just try not using anything. And don’t stress out about it. Stress is also another cause of eczema break-outs. Seriously! If you’re looking for other products to use on your face, I have a few suggestions. I use Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer and it’s great. I have never had a break-out due to that. My break-outs were from fragrances or cosmetics.
Sorry so long. To sum up, keep things around you clean as well as yourself. Stop stressing out, just relax. No one will think you’re a freak. Okay? And if the Elidel doesn’t work, try nothing and relaxing. Do you use any facial soap? If so, does it sting your face? In terms of the Cetaphil moisturizer, does that sting your face? If any of the above stings your face, stop using it. When a product stings your face, it usually means that it’s too strong and it will cause break-outs. I hope this helps. Feel free to e-mail me if you have questions.