Discoid Eczema, How do you deal with yours?

Self diagnosed myself with discoid eczema, all on my back, diagnosis confirmed by the GP. This coincided with a very stressful period in my life. I was prescribed hydrocortisone ointment which helped, it eventually cleared but occasionally get a few patches, even now, which again I treat with the above.

Rubbed on the cream prescribed by the doctor, mand it cleared up.
Thankfully, it has never returned.

It's s horrible condition that people don't really understand who haven't had it. The pain and itching was intorable at times.
I can't tell if the wrapping cured my eczema or I just got used to being bereaved. I will never know.

My brother was 'wrapped' AGAA4 but it didn't work, nasty stuff too.

I forgot to say I had a 'clear period' of about three weeks a few months back when I started taking 1000 strength Vitamin D - but it all crept back, sadly.

I spent 5 years of regular appointments to a hospital dermatologist with severe eczema. It was brought on by stress after my DH died.

I had strong steroids and emollients for all this years.

My legs were the worst. In the end another doctor smothered my legs in aqueous cream and bound them in bandages. Pretty drastic as washing was difficult.
After 4 weeks they removed the bandages and not a sign of eczema. It had also gon from the rest of my body.

A few minor flare ups in the
20 years since but nowhere near as bad.
Ask your doctor to see a dermatologist.

I’ve suffered from this but it now seems to be under control. I use Zerobase cream, which I buy from the pharmacy, as a shower gel and face and body moisturiser with steroid cream for what are now very occasional flare ups. Doesn’t seem to be related to stress, as you say quite random, but take heart it can calm down. The best advice I had was from my gp who said to use steroid cream at first sign of a lesion.

I have acute psoriasis and the doctor said I can take two cetrazine hydrochloride per day, it does help with the itching. Do check with your doctor as it does state one on the packet.

I use a lot of E45, Bodyshop hemp body butter, anything really but unfortunately it is a greasy boring grind of constant moisturising. My skin is very sore at the moment, always happens when it gets cold.

My daughter has eczema and uses a 1% hydrochloride topically when it is very sore.

As per above post I have eczema skin flare ups with Rheumatoid Arthritis and I find the Doublebase range of products really good. There are skin washes as well as shower gels and emollient creams. It doesn’t contain any skin irritants and delivers moisture quite a bit better than many of the other things I’ve tried,

Thanks for your suggestions. Actually I haven't used soap on my face for years and years and started using Aveeno for showering some months ago and also for face. TBH I don't think it's anything that I'm using which is causing the eczema as it is very random with patches on most parts of my body but I keep getting flare ups in the same place on my face. I've trawled the net for treatments but I think it's just one of those stubborn conditions that I'm going to have to learn to live with and manage! I've been so lucky with my skin until recently but it's always been a bit dry and now I'm in my 70s it's definitely drier and more fragile. C'est La Vie.

(and) coconut oil on skin!

Antihistamines and Omega 3 capsules, an Eco egg for laundry (no detergent) - and an anti-inflammatory diet, avoiding eggs, nuts and dairy.

foxie48

Calistemon

Ps it's not ringworm, is it?
That is a fungal infection and needs different treatment.
Has anyone taken a skin scraping for testing?

Nope, I was treated for ringworm, also seborrhoaic dermatitis, hence my drawer full of creams and potions!

At least they have ruled out those.
I agree re diet, oily fish, fish oils, probiotics could help.

Have you tried Aloe Vera?
Also ome people recommend Balmond skin salvation products.
balmonds.co.uk/

I found this on the NHS website
There are also things you can do yourself to help, such as avoiding all the irritating chemicals in soaps, detergents, bubble baths and shower gels.

Bearing this in mind I suggest you avoid showering and using any soaps at all. I suffer from dry and itchy skin and try not to wash my hair more than once a week although I shower more often with no soap. Top and tail the rest of the time. Try using a gentler detergent in your wash as well.

I’ve also discovered that eating my two plus portions of oily fish weekly seems to help, plus nuts and seeds. Olive oil can be very soothing as well.

I hope your eczema improves soon. I’m pretty sure the stress is not helping either. Itchy sore skin is so uncomfortable and I feel for you.

Are you having any problems with your joints - pain, swelling etc ? Certain forms of eczema are linked with Rheumatoid Arthritis and flare ups coincide with flare ups of joint inflammation. Might be worth getting it checked out if you suspect this might be the case, as treatment for RA will address the eczema as well. Hope you feel better soon.?

lemsip

hydromol ointment.. 500g tub about £6. is what cleared up mine, it's clear non sticky

Thanks I'll give it a try. I am currently using cetraban but it isn't keeping the skin on my face happy, it's red, itchy and sore (not a good look).

Calistemon

Ps it's not ringworm, is it?
That is a fungal infection and needs different treatment.
Has anyone taken a skin scraping for testing?

Nope, I was treated for ringworm, also seborrhoaic dermatitis, hence my drawer full of creams and potions!

hydromol ointment.. 500g tub about £6. is what cleared up mine, it's clear non sticky

Ps it's not ringworm, is it?
That is a fungal infection and needs different treatment.
Has anyone taken a skin scraping for testing?

I haven't had this but has your GP prescribed a soap substitute?
It's more like a cream or lotion.

Finding out what irritates your skin and trying to eliminate stress is helpful if you can do that.

The hand sanitizing gels we have to use at shops now gave me contact dermatitis so I avoid those and use one of my own with aloe vera.

Eliminating stress, perhaps taking vitamin supplements eg cod liver oil, might help.

I should add the different strengths refer to steroids!