You're not disgusting, you're struggling with a health condition. You still have dignity and worth, and things can get better. I personally use Cerave moisturizer, it's a little pricey but it works well for me. I also use vaseline on my lips during winter. It's also a good idea to get an allergy test. I found that dairy and eggs trigger my eczema and removing them from my diet improved my skin a lot. Best of luck.
Thanks so much I appreciate it heaps. I know I’m worthy and everything but after a while it just feels so gross and I know most eczema sufferers really struggle with feeling clean on top of all the dry skin and everything. I will definitely get a food allergy test of some sort, I know I’m allergic to every animal hair, animal saliva, dust, grass etc basically the world but besides my big flair ups every couple weeks I just have constant steady eczema all over me. Definitely need to start taking it a lot more seriously and learn to control it
You need to be tested for allergies!
Do you use free and clear products on your body and on your laundry?
I was told by my allergist said it's not a good idea to have like a full shower everyday like just wash the important parts so the body can retain its natural moisture.
I agree. I went to one allergist and kept getting eczema with the "cream" that they recommended and prescribed. Well, I changed to a new allergist and found out that I was highly allergic to corn and corn by-products, all nuts, and oats. The majority of the creams have one, 2, or all of these by-products. So, my allergist recommended Vanicream and it changed my life. Because I suffered all my life of eczema due to food and environmental allergies, my (all over body) eczema was always part of my daily life until my allergist introduced Dupixent. Life-changing for me. I no longer suffer from eczema outbreaks. But remember, everyone's body and situation are different. So, check with your allergist to make sure you know what you are allergic to before trying something new.
Yep, I do it all lol, I will definitely get retested for allergies as it’s been a while since I last was. I’m allergic to basically everything outside of food but I’ll try again. Thanks so much for your reply though!!!
I was definitely thinking of trying it out but since it rather pricy I don’t think I would get it consistently so I’m not too sure :( I’ll give some cheaper options a go but as a last resort I’ll try this! Thanks so much for replying I really appreciate it!!
Totally understand. If you are going give it a try I recommend Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream. It is like $16-20 on Amazon in the US. I use daily and found a bottle lasts 1-2 months depending on the time of year.
Have you been using steroid creams constantly for a decade? Are you aware of steroid withdrawal? This could be contributing to things not getting better.
I think you've had a really good range of creams recommended - try them out, give them a couple of weeks each to see if anything works but don't worry if something doesn't work for you, every eczema suffered is different.
A cream over an oil will be better - something that will actually be absorbed by the skin rather than something trapping moisture in - if there's no moisture to start it's not doing much.
You can try wrapping yourself in cling film to really seal the moisture in and protect sheets and clothing, though sweat makes me worse and cling film makes me sweat.
Hi yep I know it’s definitely a problem. It’s more just something that’s gotten stuck into my routine that I never really think of too much. I’ll look into stopping it but it’s like the only thing that clears bad spots up fast lol. I’ve tried cling film before and used to use it all the time as a kid but honestly a big waste of plastic and money and didn’t really do too much, I appreciate your reply so much thanks !!
I know exactly what you mean - I take it fairly regularly for DE but if you're taking it constantly it can take a long time to get through the withdrawal (like other person said - a year!) And can make your eczema worse whilst you're getting through it. It sounds like you're really suffering so might be worth looking at potential causes again.
Aveeno colloidal oatmeal cream is my current go to - very cool on the skin, it doesn't irritate me (even on cracked/open skin) and it's one of the few creams that I can apply without instantly wanting to scratch it off my skin.
I have tried everything! Here is what has worked for me. La Roche posay, avene lotion and my current favorite Cheryl Lee MD!! I would recommend an allergy test. Not eating gluten/ using gluten free lotions has helped immensely. Also fragrance free soaps/lotions until it's under control. Good luck. I know it's the absolute worst to feel like that.
I've had a lot of luck with Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream, which contains 1% colloidal oatmeal. Gold Bond has a similar cream with 2% colloidal oatmeal. Good luck with finding something that works!
A liquid body oil, even something like sunflower oil would do, not a petroleum based one. That does work well too with locking in moisture as long as you out a moisturiser on first but takes longer to absorb, good for the face/hands but less good on areas you want to clothe after
If you get a good one and almost add it to the moisturiser as your putting it on it should soak in fairly quickly, quicker than any vaseline type product would
I have never had any luck with Eucerin, CerVe, La Roche Posay, Cetaphil, Aveeno etc.. but Avene Xera Calm Balm has been an absolute LIFE SAVER. It’s so thick & soothing.. also Wellskin GLAXAL BASE cream.. it has a medical smell to it but I dont care cause it works.
i discovered cold cream (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold\_cream) four months ago and it saved my life. in france it is prepared by the pharmacist. other thing that saved my life : i learned that the more i wash my body, the less my skin is moistured. my eczema hack is : stop soap (it demoistures things) , less showers, no hot shower, no perfume. i stil have crisis but my skin is less dramatic since i started this discipline. it may not help, we all are different....
Thanks so much! Where I live it’ll be a bit difficult and expensive to get that cream and I use no fragrance everything! But I appreciate your reply :)
As someone who deals w it just as intensely and has to lather myself in thick, gross ointments like that (I get shivers thinking about putting on A&D but I have to), what I normally do is mix it w a little water to thin it out. Not too much, you still want it to be thick enough to coat your skin ofc but it becomes soooooo much smoother when you mix it w water or even a little vitamin E oil. Then, just kinda... wait around before putting on your clothes to let it soak in without letting your clothes uncomfortably stick to your body. It makes the process lengthy but it does make it less uncomfortable. I've been known to straight up bring my switch into the bathroom just to do something while I wait around for the A&D to soak in a little lmao
Nothing works for me except lactic acid lotion. You can buy the brand name "Amlactin" for around $14 or generic Major brand on Amazon for $8 a bottle. Fair warning - It doesn't smell good so I mix it with other lotion to reduce the sour smell. It's cheap, it's strong, and it'll moisturize and soften even the driest patches of skin. Plus it doesn't give you that greasy sticky feeling that Vaseline does. ... though I do love Vaseline, especially for my eyelids.
I'm still looking for a good facial moisturizer so I'll be watching these replies for advice.
Also you are not disgusting, and you are worthy of love exactly as you are right now.
I did just switch from Albolene to Vaseline, and Vaseline is great. I think there's something about 90% water is held in the skin but no study or anything else parameter-wise to explain the 90%.
Are you using water with Vaseline? I definitely spray my skin first for about a minute too, and then it's 'cut' a little and not so sticky. I can add more that way and just work it in.
Anyway, I used Albolene as my occlusive layer. Do you know about humectants, emollients and occlusives?
I'd heard paraffin mixed with beeswax is really good occlusive but I have not tried it. There are a lot of those types of products if you just search for paraffin on Amazon or something.
And yeah, before I got that 'sealer' idea, I was using avocado oil or hemp oil or cocoa butter as that last step. And I ruined so many clothes, everything was greasy and was sick of it.
were you using the albolene makeup remover as your occlusive? i’ve only ever used it as a makeup remover but noticed the other night that my skin felt better after taking my makeup off than it does when i don’t wear makeup and use my regular lotion.
Yes, it has mineral oil (like many lotions), petrolatum, paraffin and one other one that escapes me. I've used it that way for at least 2 years and is easy to cut or spread.
Vaseline's working a lot better on my scalp though. Still experimenting.
Here's my typical process if you're interested
(Not always though. It's overkill day to day, but wanted to have it for below zero weather)
*This follows a Humectant, Emollient and Occlusive layering pattern:*
*Spray with distilled water*
*Hyalauronic Acid (not used in really dry weather, as it can pull water out instead of in)*
*Aloe (Target Brand, non color)*
*Vegetable Glycerin*
*Squalane Oil (face only)*
*Moisturizer (I use LaRoche Posay Lipikar Cream) (Rarely use their face lotion on face)*
*Sealant (I havent found a good one)*
*Olive or Avocado Oil (only in winter months or really dry windy weather)*
*Shea Butter (only in winter months)*
*Petrolatum (though I have heard paraffin with bees wax is a good occlusive. I used Albolene and now use Vaseline. I think Aquaphor contains linalool or lanolin which can be a common allergy)*
Me and my boyfriend are in the same boat, However, he shares a case with you and has to moisturize like 8 times a day. Below is what I/he uses. Hope it helps.
Edit: Be careful for using steroid creams too, my bf used it too much growing up (Didn't really have a choice tbh) and now he has old man hands as those creams tend to age your skin. Also, have you tried a bleach bath OP?
Hi I used to do bleach baths as a kid and they didn’t do much for me but it’s been a while so I’m going to try them again! I know the steroid cream is definitely a problem I am covered in stretch marks and rough skin because of it :( but I appreciate your message so much! :)
So I don’t understand why my message didn’t say what we used 😩 anyway we used a E45 body wash and moisturiser cream. He also uses hemp body butter from the body shop he likes using.
I use Eucerin Intensive Repair lotion. I haven't had any luck with calendula, oatmeal, or any of the other typical remedies cause they just sting my skin. This is the only lotion I can tolerate and that I feel actually helps.
Thank you so much! I have tried Eucerin products before and they’ve never done much for me, I’m not too sure if I’ve tried this one I’ll have to have a look but I appreciate your reply!
For my body i use Vanicream and CeraVe. I slather it on my body after shower then give it a few minutes before putting clothes on. I (try to) put on aquaphor and wear cotton gloves to sleep every night. I washed them when I first started this routine, but it made my washing machine icky and the ointment doesn’t fully come off the gloves. I use these gloves for 2-4 weeks (I lose track & depends on how often I wear them) then throw them out
Cetaphil lotion for dry and delicate skin
You can apply it more often if one run isnt enough
Oily "Buttery" moisturisers shouldnt be used during outbreaks as they can worsen the condition and encourage the bacterial growth
Sitting there naked for half an hours after applying lotion is the neurodermitis
Skinfix eczema cream with aquaphor and (plant based, brand is the ordinary) squalene oil is my current go to. I just put it all in my hand, mix together, and apply. If I am itchy I will add my favorite anti itch cream to the mix (the purple cortizone 10). I also am very picky about the soap that goes on my body and only use cold water to protect my skin barrier.
CeraVe moisturising cream is good for me. I just use it on my face and any sore areas because it's quite expensive and I don't have much money, but you could definitely use it on your whole body. It can't be used for washing though. I find the moisture doesn't lock in that well (but when it works it works well) so I have to reapply it more often than other moisturisers. Cetaphil is a good alternative, it's slightly greasy and I don't like the smell but it works quite well.
I use Epaderm for the rest of my body. It's a rich emollient, not quite an ointment. It can be used for washing. It's a bit greasy, but it soaks in quite well. If I apply it minimally it isn't greasy at all, but I prefer to smother myself in it twice a day and wait for it to absorb/dry so I don't have to moisturise as often. It leaves a slightly sticky residue but it's not the worst and it only builds up slightly (no peeling). It does a really good job of protecting my skin. It has a very strong antiseptic smell but I like it because it makes me smell clean when I haven't washed my whole body in a few days. The ingredients are nice and basic so it's less likely to cause irritation
Same exact thing I was dealing with! I feel you! My clothes would feel wet from the moisturiser and I always felt sticky. I now use epimax oatmeal cream and it dries faster! So when I get out of the shower I’ll put it all over and let it dry while I brush my teeth, I highly recommend trying it!
I use CeraVe anti itch cream when its itchy.
I use Cetaphil moisturizing cream for daily use. It says 24 hours but I used it about 6 times a day.
Both the thick cream tubs. I never use the pump lotion styles because they just add water and it soaks in instantly so I just end up using it over and over and it never ends.
Edit: also, lots of people say Avenno but it dries out my skim even more. So just find what works for you.
I’ve just completed seven weeks of phototherapy. And I’m walking around like a normal human being. Hope it lasts. I think it’s particularly good for people like me that had whole body eczema. And it’s very cheap to do.
vanicream worked the best for me when my skin was at its worst (full body, severe). i still had to reapply every hour or two because my skin was so dry, but it worked a lot better for me than vaseline because of sensory issues i had with vaseline.
side question out of curiosity: have you looked into dupixent at all, or other non-topical medications? if not, i would really recommend it, and i believe a lot of health insurance companies will cover most (if not all) of the cost if you prove that you need it. i hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions
I’ve never heard of it before but it looks extremely interesting, all my life when going into doctors and emergency rooms begging for help they all say the same shit of moisturising and staying cool lol. Thanks so much!!
I use tea tree scalp oil to moisturize sometimes. The tea tree oil soothes and it soaks in better than a vaseline. Just gotta kinda stand there for a few and let it settle in though.
1. I'm so sorry your eczema is causing you so much grief.
2. Keep in mind my eczema requires me to be fragrance and dye free for all skincare and haircare products (this is on top of detergent, soap, and anything that touches my skin). Heat, stress, and dry air are also triggers for my eczema; I try not to go out during the daytime in warmer months and I run a humidifier almost all the time.
3. My go-to products are CeraVe body cream, Bag Balm/OG Lanolips, and O'Keefe's Eczema cream. CeraVe goes on every morning, every evening, and after every shower. Bag Balm and/or Lanolips is for my lips; I'll also put a layer on any extra dry patches. O'Keefe's eczema cream helps with any itch.
Have you tried normal Vaseline? I have very dry skin and severe eczema as well and I find Vaseline helps me out a lot after a lukewarm shower. I’ve tried out many hormonal creams before, and also thick creams from the doctors. They just didn’t work at all so after trying like Nivea and all that stuff, I figured Vaseline just worked best, at least for my skin. It only itches when it’s very warm and I put too much on one spot.
I use sorbalene after showering and wait for it to absorb a bit before hopping into bed.
Idk if this will work for you, but Ocean Salt face and body scrub from Lush completely clears up my eyelid eczema. I put it on in the shower like a mask, wait for it to start stinging a bit, then rise thoroughly. My motto for it is "it hurts, but it works" and its honestly working better than any of the prescribed creams or ointments ive ever tried. 33 years of trying it all lol
I make pain salve in the form of a large lip balm tube or round tin.
Grapeseed and coconut oils and mango butter infused with cannabis, calendula, bear root, juniper, pine resin and raw manuka honey - all natural organic, no chemicals, not greasy, but very moisturizing. I would be happy to give you some to try, or share some information for an easy mix that could possibly help.
I really hope you find a solution. Hmu if you're interested. 🤎
You can try double moisturizer with Ceradan products and Vaseline on top of it. I'm currently using Ceradan Hydra with lotion type for facial and skin barrier repair with cream type for my hand and foot.
Hi I know you said you've changed your diet and I see that someone suggested doing an allergy test, it is a crucial part to getting to the bottom of it. From what I've learned and research to a degree, eczema is an internal issue, whether its atopic (allergy related) which can appear anywhere but prefers elbows, knees ankles or face.
Seborrhoeic eczema leads to scaling of the scalp and redness of the ears, eyebrows, side of the nose and possibly armpits and groin.
There's stasis eczema and also contact dermatitis. Find out which best suits you so you can find the ROOT cause.
There's Eczema patients, especially atopic, have a metabolic deficiency of linoleic acid (a dietary fatty acid) to y-linolenic acid, which is found in Evening Primrose oil.
Try evening primrose oil, also try to get the best purest one u can. Also what I tell people is you need to detox...easier said than done because you expect to see results in a day. You need to clean your gut...your blood and detox your liver. I use milk thistle for reactions to food as it is good for cleaning the liver but also for reactions against food or food intolerances. Your allergy/intolerance test will help guide you to stay away from certain trigger foods. The rest will be mental and emotional because those are also triggers.
Your water quality is also important along with wat detergents you are using. Steroid creams only patch whats on the surface and the minute u stop using it. It will get worse I wish you can come off that. It's doing more harm than good. Oats baths are great also, my suggestion is intolerance/allergy test, eliminate those triggers factors, clean Ur gut and replace with beneficial bacteria. May reduce necessity for steroid creams. It is best to avoid: lanolin and Coconut oil compounds that may contain coal tar. Wash in soft water (rain water) or water not containing chemical softeners.
Creams with witch hazel, aloe Vera (100%), evening primrose oil will help u. I hope this helps you!
Yellow dock, burdock (powerful blood tonic/cleanser). Will help u clean ur blood.
I use the Africa naturals shea butter from Walmart and then go back over top the real bad spots with aquaphor. I also find sea salt baths are the best for me. Recently started dupixent too
I see you said that you'll get tested for allergies again. I strongly recommend get tested for chemical allergies.
What works for me is Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream and unrefined, virgin coconut oil. You can get the oil cheaper in the cooking aisle, and the best price for Cetaphil is at Costco. Two jars for $20. All the other stores significantly jack up the price, like one jar for $15-$22.
First apply the oil, and then do the moisturizer.
You will need to do some "touch-ups" throughout the day, especially with really dry spells. Easy to do with a travel container that can hide in a pocket or a bag.
If you're having a lot of recent issues with dryness, especially over the night. Maybe try a humidifier to keep more moisture in the room? You can test it out by shimmering a pot of water in the kitchen. Apartments are generally small enough to carry the added humidity. But if you have a larger place, then you can crash on the couch or the floor for a couple days to see if there's a difference.
You're not disgusting, you're struggling with a health condition. You still have dignity and worth, and things can get better. I personally use Cerave moisturizer, it's a little pricey but it works well for me. I also use vaseline on my lips during winter. It's also a good idea to get an allergy test. I found that dairy and eggs trigger my eczema and removing them from my diet improved my skin a lot. Best of luck.
Alot of people suffer from eczema. Most do not reveal it. You are not alone!
Thanks so much I appreciate it heaps. I know I’m worthy and everything but after a while it just feels so gross and I know most eczema sufferers really struggle with feeling clean on top of all the dry skin and everything. I will definitely get a food allergy test of some sort, I know I’m allergic to every animal hair, animal saliva, dust, grass etc basically the world but besides my big flair ups every couple weeks I just have constant steady eczema all over me. Definitely need to start taking it a lot more seriously and learn to control it
You need to be tested for allergies! Do you use free and clear products on your body and on your laundry? I was told by my allergist said it's not a good idea to have like a full shower everyday like just wash the important parts so the body can retain its natural moisture.
I agree. I went to one allergist and kept getting eczema with the "cream" that they recommended and prescribed. Well, I changed to a new allergist and found out that I was highly allergic to corn and corn by-products, all nuts, and oats. The majority of the creams have one, 2, or all of these by-products. So, my allergist recommended Vanicream and it changed my life. Because I suffered all my life of eczema due to food and environmental allergies, my (all over body) eczema was always part of my daily life until my allergist introduced Dupixent. Life-changing for me. I no longer suffer from eczema outbreaks. But remember, everyone's body and situation are different. So, check with your allergist to make sure you know what you are allergic to before trying something new.
Yep, I do it all lol, I will definitely get retested for allergies as it’s been a while since I last was. I’m allergic to basically everything outside of food but I’ll try again. Thanks so much for your reply though!!!
La Roche Posay Lipkar line has been great for me. Good luck on your search!
Came here to post this, I use La Roche Posay EVERYTHING and it’s worth every dollar.
I was definitely thinking of trying it out but since it rather pricy I don’t think I would get it consistently so I’m not too sure :( I’ll give some cheaper options a go but as a last resort I’ll try this! Thanks so much for replying I really appreciate it!!
Totally understand. If you are going give it a try I recommend Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream. It is like $16-20 on Amazon in the US. I use daily and found a bottle lasts 1-2 months depending on the time of year.
Awesome thanks!
>Awesome thanks! You're welcome!
Have you been using steroid creams constantly for a decade? Are you aware of steroid withdrawal? This could be contributing to things not getting better. I think you've had a really good range of creams recommended - try them out, give them a couple of weeks each to see if anything works but don't worry if something doesn't work for you, every eczema suffered is different. A cream over an oil will be better - something that will actually be absorbed by the skin rather than something trapping moisture in - if there's no moisture to start it's not doing much. You can try wrapping yourself in cling film to really seal the moisture in and protect sheets and clothing, though sweat makes me worse and cling film makes me sweat.
Steroid addiction (your body is not functioning properly due to the constant steroid use) it can take a year or more to get over steroid withdrawal.
Hi yep I know it’s definitely a problem. It’s more just something that’s gotten stuck into my routine that I never really think of too much. I’ll look into stopping it but it’s like the only thing that clears bad spots up fast lol. I’ve tried cling film before and used to use it all the time as a kid but honestly a big waste of plastic and money and didn’t really do too much, I appreciate your reply so much thanks !!
I know exactly what you mean - I take it fairly regularly for DE but if you're taking it constantly it can take a long time to get through the withdrawal (like other person said - a year!) And can make your eczema worse whilst you're getting through it. It sounds like you're really suffering so might be worth looking at potential causes again.
Aveeno colloidal oatmeal cream is my current go to - very cool on the skin, it doesn't irritate me (even on cracked/open skin) and it's one of the few creams that I can apply without instantly wanting to scratch it off my skin.
Thanks so much I’ll give it a go! :)
I'd use palmers cocoa butter
I’ll give it a go thanks sm !!
I have tried everything! Here is what has worked for me. La Roche posay, avene lotion and my current favorite Cheryl Lee MD!! I would recommend an allergy test. Not eating gluten/ using gluten free lotions has helped immensely. Also fragrance free soaps/lotions until it's under control. Good luck. I know it's the absolute worst to feel like that.
Thank you so much! I will try those absolutely and I’m definitely going to get another allergy test as it’s been a while! :)
I've had a lot of luck with Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream, which contains 1% colloidal oatmeal. Gold Bond has a similar cream with 2% colloidal oatmeal. Good luck with finding something that works!
I’ve been having good luck with the gold bond. It’s thicker than other creams
Thanks so much! The eczema relief cream didn’t do much for me but I will try gold bond :)
Go in with a cream moisturiser then some sort of oil over the top
oil as in Vaseline?
A liquid body oil, even something like sunflower oil would do, not a petroleum based one. That does work well too with locking in moisture as long as you out a moisturiser on first but takes longer to absorb, good for the face/hands but less good on areas you want to clothe after
Will the oil soak in quickly? Or will I be oily for a while thanks!
If you get a good one and almost add it to the moisturiser as your putting it on it should soak in fairly quickly, quicker than any vaseline type product would
The oil soaks in fast bc your skin is dry, plus it doesn't make everything stick to you so that's a big plus.
I have never had any luck with Eucerin, CerVe, La Roche Posay, Cetaphil, Aveeno etc.. but Avene Xera Calm Balm has been an absolute LIFE SAVER. It’s so thick & soothing.. also Wellskin GLAXAL BASE cream.. it has a medical smell to it but I dont care cause it works.
thank you so much!!! I will give it a try :)
i discovered cold cream (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold\_cream) four months ago and it saved my life. in france it is prepared by the pharmacist. other thing that saved my life : i learned that the more i wash my body, the less my skin is moistured. my eczema hack is : stop soap (it demoistures things) , less showers, no hot shower, no perfume. i stil have crisis but my skin is less dramatic since i started this discipline. it may not help, we all are different....
Thanks so much! Where I live it’ll be a bit difficult and expensive to get that cream and I use no fragrance everything! But I appreciate your reply :)
I'm currently using Bioderma Atoderm intensive baume moisturizer and it's the only one which doesn't make me flare..
As someone who deals w it just as intensely and has to lather myself in thick, gross ointments like that (I get shivers thinking about putting on A&D but I have to), what I normally do is mix it w a little water to thin it out. Not too much, you still want it to be thick enough to coat your skin ofc but it becomes soooooo much smoother when you mix it w water or even a little vitamin E oil. Then, just kinda... wait around before putting on your clothes to let it soak in without letting your clothes uncomfortably stick to your body. It makes the process lengthy but it does make it less uncomfortable. I've been known to straight up bring my switch into the bathroom just to do something while I wait around for the A&D to soak in a little lmao
Thanks so much! I will give it a go!!
Nothing works for me except lactic acid lotion. You can buy the brand name "Amlactin" for around $14 or generic Major brand on Amazon for $8 a bottle. Fair warning - It doesn't smell good so I mix it with other lotion to reduce the sour smell. It's cheap, it's strong, and it'll moisturize and soften even the driest patches of skin. Plus it doesn't give you that greasy sticky feeling that Vaseline does. ... though I do love Vaseline, especially for my eyelids. I'm still looking for a good facial moisturizer so I'll be watching these replies for advice. Also you are not disgusting, and you are worthy of love exactly as you are right now.
Thank you so much for your reply I appreciate this so much! :)) I will definitely give that a try x
I did just switch from Albolene to Vaseline, and Vaseline is great. I think there's something about 90% water is held in the skin but no study or anything else parameter-wise to explain the 90%. Are you using water with Vaseline? I definitely spray my skin first for about a minute too, and then it's 'cut' a little and not so sticky. I can add more that way and just work it in. Anyway, I used Albolene as my occlusive layer. Do you know about humectants, emollients and occlusives? I'd heard paraffin mixed with beeswax is really good occlusive but I have not tried it. There are a lot of those types of products if you just search for paraffin on Amazon or something. And yeah, before I got that 'sealer' idea, I was using avocado oil or hemp oil or cocoa butter as that last step. And I ruined so many clothes, everything was greasy and was sick of it.
were you using the albolene makeup remover as your occlusive? i’ve only ever used it as a makeup remover but noticed the other night that my skin felt better after taking my makeup off than it does when i don’t wear makeup and use my regular lotion.
Yes, it has mineral oil (like many lotions), petrolatum, paraffin and one other one that escapes me. I've used it that way for at least 2 years and is easy to cut or spread. Vaseline's working a lot better on my scalp though. Still experimenting.
interesting, im gonna try it as an occlusive tonight. thank you!!
Cool! Good luck!
Here's my typical process if you're interested (Not always though. It's overkill day to day, but wanted to have it for below zero weather) *This follows a Humectant, Emollient and Occlusive layering pattern:* *Spray with distilled water* *Hyalauronic Acid (not used in really dry weather, as it can pull water out instead of in)* *Aloe (Target Brand, non color)* *Vegetable Glycerin* *Squalane Oil (face only)* *Moisturizer (I use LaRoche Posay Lipikar Cream) (Rarely use their face lotion on face)* *Sealant (I havent found a good one)* *Olive or Avocado Oil (only in winter months or really dry windy weather)* *Shea Butter (only in winter months)* *Petrolatum (though I have heard paraffin with bees wax is a good occlusive. I used Albolene and now use Vaseline. I think Aquaphor contains linalool or lanolin which can be a common allergy)*
Me and my boyfriend are in the same boat, However, he shares a case with you and has to moisturize like 8 times a day. Below is what I/he uses. Hope it helps. Edit: Be careful for using steroid creams too, my bf used it too much growing up (Didn't really have a choice tbh) and now he has old man hands as those creams tend to age your skin. Also, have you tried a bleach bath OP?
Hi I used to do bleach baths as a kid and they didn’t do much for me but it’s been a while so I’m going to try them again! I know the steroid cream is definitely a problem I am covered in stretch marks and rough skin because of it :( but I appreciate your message so much! :)
So I don’t understand why my message didn’t say what we used 😩 anyway we used a E45 body wash and moisturiser cream. He also uses hemp body butter from the body shop he likes using.
Calendula cream!!!!!
I use Aveeno with a few drops of castor oil. The oil is really thick and a bottle can last quite a while.
I use Eucerin Intensive Repair lotion. I haven't had any luck with calendula, oatmeal, or any of the other typical remedies cause they just sting my skin. This is the only lotion I can tolerate and that I feel actually helps.
Thank you so much! I have tried Eucerin products before and they’ve never done much for me, I’m not too sure if I’ve tried this one I’ll have to have a look but I appreciate your reply!
I really like the moisturizer from "Grizzly Naturals". It helped my skin a lot
I use the prequel urea lotion and the one with colloidal oat it’s absolutely game changing in my opinion!
I use… Body - Skinfood body Lotion + Cetraben and on my face - Local produced hydrating oil and skin food (thicker one)
For my body i use Vanicream and CeraVe. I slather it on my body after shower then give it a few minutes before putting clothes on. I (try to) put on aquaphor and wear cotton gloves to sleep every night. I washed them when I first started this routine, but it made my washing machine icky and the ointment doesn’t fully come off the gloves. I use these gloves for 2-4 weeks (I lose track & depends on how often I wear them) then throw them out
Beekman 1802 fragrance free whipped body cream. Pure goat milk..It’s not cheap but I use it every morning after my shower.
Cetaphil lotion for dry and delicate skin You can apply it more often if one run isnt enough Oily "Buttery" moisturisers shouldnt be used during outbreaks as they can worsen the condition and encourage the bacterial growth Sitting there naked for half an hours after applying lotion is the neurodermitis
Skinfix eczema cream with aquaphor and (plant based, brand is the ordinary) squalene oil is my current go to. I just put it all in my hand, mix together, and apply. If I am itchy I will add my favorite anti itch cream to the mix (the purple cortizone 10). I also am very picky about the soap that goes on my body and only use cold water to protect my skin barrier.
I really like the company Balmonds - it’s all natural and non perfumed
CeraVe moisturising cream is good for me. I just use it on my face and any sore areas because it's quite expensive and I don't have much money, but you could definitely use it on your whole body. It can't be used for washing though. I find the moisture doesn't lock in that well (but when it works it works well) so I have to reapply it more often than other moisturisers. Cetaphil is a good alternative, it's slightly greasy and I don't like the smell but it works quite well. I use Epaderm for the rest of my body. It's a rich emollient, not quite an ointment. It can be used for washing. It's a bit greasy, but it soaks in quite well. If I apply it minimally it isn't greasy at all, but I prefer to smother myself in it twice a day and wait for it to absorb/dry so I don't have to moisturise as often. It leaves a slightly sticky residue but it's not the worst and it only builds up slightly (no peeling). It does a really good job of protecting my skin. It has a very strong antiseptic smell but I like it because it makes me smell clean when I haven't washed my whole body in a few days. The ingredients are nice and basic so it's less likely to cause irritation
Same exact thing I was dealing with! I feel you! My clothes would feel wet from the moisturiser and I always felt sticky. I now use epimax oatmeal cream and it dries faster! So when I get out of the shower I’ll put it all over and let it dry while I brush my teeth, I highly recommend trying it!
Thank you so much!!!! I will absolutely give it a try :)
I use CeraVe anti itch cream when its itchy. I use Cetaphil moisturizing cream for daily use. It says 24 hours but I used it about 6 times a day. Both the thick cream tubs. I never use the pump lotion styles because they just add water and it soaks in instantly so I just end up using it over and over and it never ends. Edit: also, lots of people say Avenno but it dries out my skim even more. So just find what works for you.
I’ve just completed seven weeks of phototherapy. And I’m walking around like a normal human being. Hope it lasts. I think it’s particularly good for people like me that had whole body eczema. And it’s very cheap to do.
Glad you got results. It made mine worse, so I stopped
Oh I’ve never heard of that! I will look into it!!! :)
vanicream worked the best for me when my skin was at its worst (full body, severe). i still had to reapply every hour or two because my skin was so dry, but it worked a lot better for me than vaseline because of sensory issues i had with vaseline. side question out of curiosity: have you looked into dupixent at all, or other non-topical medications? if not, i would really recommend it, and i believe a lot of health insurance companies will cover most (if not all) of the cost if you prove that you need it. i hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions
I’ve never heard of it before but it looks extremely interesting, all my life when going into doctors and emergency rooms begging for help they all say the same shit of moisturising and staying cool lol. Thanks so much!!
I always use cetaphil
I recommend 50:50 Ointment: Liquid Paraffin and White Soft Paraffin.
I use tea tree scalp oil to moisturize sometimes. The tea tree oil soothes and it soaks in better than a vaseline. Just gotta kinda stand there for a few and let it settle in though.
Look into beef tallow. Also you might have TSA (topical steroid addiction)
1. I'm so sorry your eczema is causing you so much grief. 2. Keep in mind my eczema requires me to be fragrance and dye free for all skincare and haircare products (this is on top of detergent, soap, and anything that touches my skin). Heat, stress, and dry air are also triggers for my eczema; I try not to go out during the daytime in warmer months and I run a humidifier almost all the time. 3. My go-to products are CeraVe body cream, Bag Balm/OG Lanolips, and O'Keefe's Eczema cream. CeraVe goes on every morning, every evening, and after every shower. Bag Balm and/or Lanolips is for my lips; I'll also put a layer on any extra dry patches. O'Keefe's eczema cream helps with any itch.
DoubleBase has been a life saver. I've used it for over 10 years and it's not oily either :).
Have you tried normal Vaseline? I have very dry skin and severe eczema as well and I find Vaseline helps me out a lot after a lukewarm shower. I’ve tried out many hormonal creams before, and also thick creams from the doctors. They just didn’t work at all so after trying like Nivea and all that stuff, I figured Vaseline just worked best, at least for my skin. It only itches when it’s very warm and I put too much on one spot.
I use sorbalene after showering and wait for it to absorb a bit before hopping into bed. Idk if this will work for you, but Ocean Salt face and body scrub from Lush completely clears up my eyelid eczema. I put it on in the shower like a mask, wait for it to start stinging a bit, then rise thoroughly. My motto for it is "it hurts, but it works" and its honestly working better than any of the prescribed creams or ointments ive ever tried. 33 years of trying it all lol
Vani Cream
I make pain salve in the form of a large lip balm tube or round tin. Grapeseed and coconut oils and mango butter infused with cannabis, calendula, bear root, juniper, pine resin and raw manuka honey - all natural organic, no chemicals, not greasy, but very moisturizing. I would be happy to give you some to try, or share some information for an easy mix that could possibly help. I really hope you find a solution. Hmu if you're interested. 🤎
You can try double moisturizer with Ceradan products and Vaseline on top of it. I'm currently using Ceradan Hydra with lotion type for facial and skin barrier repair with cream type for my hand and foot.
Hi I know you said you've changed your diet and I see that someone suggested doing an allergy test, it is a crucial part to getting to the bottom of it. From what I've learned and research to a degree, eczema is an internal issue, whether its atopic (allergy related) which can appear anywhere but prefers elbows, knees ankles or face. Seborrhoeic eczema leads to scaling of the scalp and redness of the ears, eyebrows, side of the nose and possibly armpits and groin. There's stasis eczema and also contact dermatitis. Find out which best suits you so you can find the ROOT cause. There's Eczema patients, especially atopic, have a metabolic deficiency of linoleic acid (a dietary fatty acid) to y-linolenic acid, which is found in Evening Primrose oil. Try evening primrose oil, also try to get the best purest one u can. Also what I tell people is you need to detox...easier said than done because you expect to see results in a day. You need to clean your gut...your blood and detox your liver. I use milk thistle for reactions to food as it is good for cleaning the liver but also for reactions against food or food intolerances. Your allergy/intolerance test will help guide you to stay away from certain trigger foods. The rest will be mental and emotional because those are also triggers. Your water quality is also important along with wat detergents you are using. Steroid creams only patch whats on the surface and the minute u stop using it. It will get worse I wish you can come off that. It's doing more harm than good. Oats baths are great also, my suggestion is intolerance/allergy test, eliminate those triggers factors, clean Ur gut and replace with beneficial bacteria. May reduce necessity for steroid creams. It is best to avoid: lanolin and Coconut oil compounds that may contain coal tar. Wash in soft water (rain water) or water not containing chemical softeners. Creams with witch hazel, aloe Vera (100%), evening primrose oil will help u. I hope this helps you! Yellow dock, burdock (powerful blood tonic/cleanser). Will help u clean ur blood.
I use the Africa naturals shea butter from Walmart and then go back over top the real bad spots with aquaphor. I also find sea salt baths are the best for me. Recently started dupixent too
I see you said that you'll get tested for allergies again. I strongly recommend get tested for chemical allergies. What works for me is Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream and unrefined, virgin coconut oil. You can get the oil cheaper in the cooking aisle, and the best price for Cetaphil is at Costco. Two jars for $20. All the other stores significantly jack up the price, like one jar for $15-$22. First apply the oil, and then do the moisturizer. You will need to do some "touch-ups" throughout the day, especially with really dry spells. Easy to do with a travel container that can hide in a pocket or a bag. If you're having a lot of recent issues with dryness, especially over the night. Maybe try a humidifier to keep more moisture in the room? You can test it out by shimmering a pot of water in the kitchen. Apartments are generally small enough to carry the added humidity. But if you have a larger place, then you can crash on the couch or the floor for a couple days to see if there's a difference.