Anyway, for years I've suffered with eczema. While it's not a serious, life threatening condition, it is embarrassing and annoying. Being that itchy everywhere is no fun, and neither is having people constantly ask what's wrong with your skin. I get it pretty severely if I don't do anything for it, and ALL over. Finally, for the first time in years and years, I've got it all under control. So I wanted to share what worked for me in case others have the same problem.
Okay, first off, I'm allergic to a lot of scents. Not all, but a good number. So I have to use unscented detergent and no dryer sheets. If you can eliminate most if not all irritants, that will really help. Some things that I use are still scented; for example, I use Dove body wash in whatever scent I'm feeling (the one I prefer is the mango or peach or something one). For some reason, Dove won't break me out. all other body washes that I've tried, even "moisturizing" ones, kill my skin. So do scrubs. I tried one once, and it was a horrible idea. Also, antibacterial soaps kill my hands. I still have to deal with this, since that's what they have at the hospital, but at home I make sure to not use it.
Okay, moving on. I first have a product to spot treat any active breakouts, and then a product for keeping skin smooth after everything is healed to keep breakouts away. Also, everything I'm going to talk about is over the counter. You can go to the doctor and get medication for it, but if you don't have insurance it gets VERY expensive, and in my opinion the OTC stuff has worked just as well. And with a lower dosage of steroids.
Alright, first spot treat any of your dry skin with Cortizone 10 Intensive Eczema Healing Lotion, for Itchy Dry Skin. You get a decent sized tube of it (3.5 oz, especially useful if you're like me and get it ALL over), and where I usually buy it (Wal Mart), it costs a little under $8 for a tube. Yes please! Now after the dry skin is gone, I would quit putting it on that area. While it will prevent breakouts IF you keep applying it, it's much better for your skin to use a product that does the same thing without the steroids. Also, in my experience, I haven't noticed any delay in breaking out again or any lessened sensitivity to things I'm allergic to by using this. But it does clear up the break outs wonderfully, which is what I bought it for.
Next, after I have gotten rid of the dry skin, I religiously apply Curel Itch Defense For Dry Itchy Skin Lotion. This lotion is truly AMAZING. I can't get over how much I love this stuff! I've tried so many lotions trying to help my eczema and none of them gave this sort of performance. And it is soooo affordable! Again, purchased at walmart, for the smaller bottle (13 oz) it was somewhere between $5-6, and then when I bought the bigger bottle after going through that one (this one is 20 oz), it was around $7-8. If you make sure to put this on everyday, it WILL keep your eczema under control. For me it did anyway, and if it worked for my stubborn skin, I'm pretty confident it will work for anyone. But, you need to make sure to be very diligent about putting it on daily. I just added it to my routine after I get out of the shower. I've noticed if I'm in a big rush and skip a couple days, I can feel my skin starting to act up. But, when I catch it that early, just by getting back to putting the lotion on will usually clear it up without using the Cortisone 10 cream. I actually haven't used that stuff in forever! I especially don't want to use it right now, since I'm pregnant. I don't think baby needs any steroids in his/her system. Seriously though, I could rave forever about this lotion, and I don't understand why the grocery store shelves had to go so long without it! Even with my hands breaking out a lot from being at the hospital doing clinicals, just putting this lotion on at night nearly clears it up the next day. I also get really dry skin under my eyes (which really stinks because I also get horrible under eye circles that beg for concealer), and after spending more money and research than I'd care to share trying to find something to work for them, it dawned on me to try some of this. Lets just say they no longer look/feel dry. :) Miracle lotion, for real!
If you stick to this plan, I'm pretty sure your skin will clear up beautifully. I will say that after the dry patches disappear, I'm usually left with bleached spots in my skin. I just try to spend some time in the sun when its warm out and they tan up to the rest of my skin color (not that I'm tan by ANY means, ha!). So basically, it's not a permanent thing. Plus I would take having some spots of my skin being paler than others over having a massive, flakey rash overtake my body any day.
I also would like to say that I'm definitely NOT being paid/sponsored by either of these companies to talk about or use their products. This is just what has worked for me, and I would like to pass it along to others. I just know I wish I knew about this forever ago!
