Welcome to the skin conditions group! Come say "Hello"!

@Courtney_J Hi Courtney, I'm Zena, and i have eczema (if you didn't catch that already from my username 😛). I've had it since I was a girl, especially in the crooks of my arms, the backs of my knees, and sometimes even on my neck and scalp. I've been lucky that it's mostly seasonal, but I do go through terrible periods where it's very uncomfortable and unsightly. I'm here if anyone wants to chat! 😊

Hi, I've recently been diagnosed with vitiligo. I'd noticed patches of skin where I'd lost colour and went to my GP who referred me to a dermatologist. I'd heard of it but I thought it was something you had to be born with, I had no idea you could just develop it. I've had a bit of a stressful year what with COVID and some family things, so the doctors thing it's stress-induced. It originally started near my hands, but with time it's been creeping up my arms to my chest and neck. I've been told there's not much I can do about it, so I'm trying to come to terms with it. It can be hard looking in the mirror some days.

Hi everyone, I'm completley new here and was hoping for any kind of advice or just if anyone has experienced the same as me. 

I've had eczema my whole life (nummular, neuro and atopic) and from the age of about 15 it got so bad I was on antibiotics about 5-6 months a year. I had a dermatologist but they are so overworked I barely have the opportunity to see them more than once a year. I have general emollients (for baths, moisturising and soap) 2 types of steroid cream and ointment (one very strong) and take antihistamines and anti- inflammatories every day. I drink 4-6 litres of water a day, have never smoked and hardly drink alcohol more than a couple times a month. I have tried high grade manuka honey which blistered my skin, I cant bandage most areas as they include my chest, face, back, hands as well as my arms and legs. I have also been dairy free for 18 months and take vitamin D.

If I have so much as a single chocolate bar or alcoholic drink, about 3-12 hours later I break out in aggressive scarlet eczema all over my face and neck, it is triggered by new food, stress, sugar and alcohol. 

My mental health is spiralling from eczema controlling my entire life, and although I am no longer on antibiotics, I moisturise and treat about 3-6 times a day. I cant afford a private dermatologist and my current may take another 6 months to even see.

Has anyone got any possible new things to try or things to tell the doctor? Thank you x

Hi there.  I joined this site as I've suffered with eczema on and off for 20 years (the first time I remember a breakout was when I was 15).  I wanted to share my recent success having had a bad breakout 24-18months ago and having had some success in treating it.  Stress (particularly emotional stress), sugar and processed foods definitely affect my flair up's but the single most significant trigger I have found is..... COFFEE!.  After giving up coffee after university I enjoyed a decade of eczema free skin.  After receiving a coffee machine as a gift  3 years ago I then started drinking it daily only to end up with terrible skin on my hands, wrist, arms and legs.  

I have now stopped drinking coffee for a year and along with daily use of Eucerin eczema relief body cream I now have strong and clear skin.  As alluded to above, this is the second time I've achieved this by giving up coffee (I still drink 2-3 cups of teas a day).  I hope this can help someone.  I just wanted to share!!

@GGrant I had the same reaction to manuka honey. I'd heard it was a "miracle cure" for skin the skin but it just made mine even worse! I know what you mean, trying to keep up with the eczema and have it just flare up again after you think you've finally figure out what's triggering it is profoundly exhausting. I wish I had something new for you, but I'm in a bit of the same situation as you.

@gazgeorge That is so interesting! I wonder if it's the caffeine? Or if it's the coffee itself? I'll have to look into this for myself.

@BoneAppleTea Hi. Thanks for reading.   I’ve posted some pics to show the results. I should add that the 2-3 cups of daily tea I drink has no effect on my skin , but I don’t drink fizzy drinks which of course also contain caffeine.

I realise everyone had differing triggers but this was such an easy win I would really recommend it. What’s interesting is that I first remember having eczema at 15 (a school classmate asked if someone had put out cigarettes on my arm). Aged 15 is around the time I would have started drinking coffee as I wasn’t allowed it as a child,

i really hope this helps someone as I know how miserable this condition can be.