Eczema - tell me what you know....

[libra01971]

I went to the dermatologist Monday because I've had a rash on my neck that's been coming and going for about a month now. (mostly coming...) When it's REALLY bad it affects my eyes, too. Looks like a black eye but instead of being black it's red. Plus my neck looks either like I've got a whole bunch of hickies or it's really dried out and I look old. (wish I could say it was hickies....;-) )

Well - derm said it was eczema. He prescribed a dandruff shampoo to put on my neck and gave me samples of a "topical cream". Neither has seemed to help so far (since Monday). Am I just being impatient or should I seek a 2nd opinion? I don't know much about eczema and honestly, I'm too lazy/busy to research it on the web. I haven't changed anything that I can remember - I'm very routine... but I don't know what to do. I feel like it;s making me look OLDER and making BAGS around my eyes and Lines around my neck.x( This derm helped when I had chicken pox 2 years ago by the way.....

 

[hippahips]

Laura, here's a link:
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/eczemanet/

Andrew has mild eczema. His doctor told me to use mild, unscented soap (Cetaphil, Dove) and lotion (Eucerin, Lubriderm, Keri) on him. I used the generic ones from Target and Wal-Mart. They work just as well. I also got him cream from here:
http://www.freederm.com/
The thing works. He had red areas in his armpits of all places and some rough spots on his back. All gone in two days. So I use the freederm on the eczema itself, let that absorb, and then lotion him all over. Seems to be best.

Also, don't take hot showers or long showers. The sooner you can get yourself out of the bathroom, the better. And apply lotion when your skin is damp to trap moisture.

I don't know if these will work on what you have but it's worth a try.

Is the cream that the doctor gave you Elidel? I've seen ads of those on TV.

Pinky

 

[dhcsim]

Pinky was right on the money. My daughter Sarah had severe exzema when she was 2-4 years old. From her neck down to her ankles. The things that worked the most w/ her were. Cetaphil lotion, Eucerin cream and oatmeal put into a sock. Cetaphil: I used to use this as her "soap" in the tub and also apply after she was dried. The Eucerin worked great just applying it like lotion. The oatmeal in the sock baths were also great. You just rub w/ the filled sock like you would your regular soap.It made her less itchy and calmed her down. I also would go to the store to get the Aveeno packets (oatmeal packets). I never liked it when they perscribed a cream because the Dr. said they have a certain % of steroids in them.HTH

 

[Mckmain]

Pinky is completely right....I have had bouts of excema too. This might sound weird but fish oil capsules really help me....sometimes just adding in the right kind of fat to your diet will help too.......Carole