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

Hello all. I can fully appreciate how a bad flare up has a major impact on mental health for people, over the years I myself have been really depressed when the eczema has been at its worst to the degree that I didn't want to leave the house, it has always got better eventually. At the present time because I am going to the Hospital twice a week for sunbed treatments they are keeping a close eye on my skin, so it is manageable at the moment with steroids & emollients. One thing they have recommended to do is to soak my hands & feet in Milton as this is to help kill off the bacteria on the skin that would aggravate the eczema, I am going to try this & update you guys. I also find having a massage at least once a month is really helpful not only for aches & pains but also the moisturization of the skin.

Hope this is helpful.

@DeanH1988 Hi Dean, I’m with you here, I’ve been trying to manage my full body flare up for about 14 weeks, it’s under control atm with steroid cream but I just know as soo bad I stop it’ll be back. 

The anxiety I get that every itch may be a new patch is becoming really hard to deal with - I’ve tried to keep my mind busy with audio books and plying guitar. 

I hope you manage to get to the bottom of what’s causing you to flare up so you can get it under control. 

@Carl_B hi Carl, yeah I feel for you. This thread has helped me just to see and hear other people feel the same  its so difficult to really get people to understand just how much of an effect it has on your head space. I cycle a lot and find that helps relax me, as long as I'm extra  careful afterwords with my routine as it involves wearing tighter clothes.

In the past 48 hours mine has faded back a fair bit, but every time I get to this point and get excited I know how easily it can go wrong. Hopefully I'm over the worst part though. 

Guitar is a good idea. I play drums and as long as I dont let myself get too hot, that helps a lot.

@DeanH1988 yeah it’s the hope that depresses you the most - just when you think you’re turning a corner it’s seems to kick you back down. 

It’s definitely comforting to know that there are others going through the same, it makes you feel less alone.  I’d never have guessed what eczema can do to someone’s overall well-being! I’ve always thought it as a mild irritant in the crease of your arm when it’s too hot. How wrong I was. 

My cardio routine has gone out the window - I’m scared to get to a point where I feel to hot and may be aggravating it, on a plus it’s let me focus more on compound weight exercises haha.

id have loved to play the drums but never had to ability to make my hands and feet keep a different beat so my hats off to you mate :)    

Hi all- I have suffered from eczema all of my life and have recently had a bad flare up.. I am now trying to cut out certain foods in my diet - sugar, dairy, wheat and have begun to take fish oils, evening primrose capsules and Vitamin D daily. I'm also not applying huge amounts of moisturiser as I find it increases the itch. This disease is so frustrating. You are not supposed to get stressed, but the eczema causes so much stress! 

@Rainbow195757 it’s definitely a catch 22 situation - eczema -> stress -> eczema... 

Cutting out the foods and taking the supplements seems to be the go to thing. I’ve just picked up ‘the eczema diet’ book - looks like a total overhaul of my diet but if it means results I’m happy to do it. 

I’ll let you know how it goes and if it’s positive you may want to check it out yourself 

@Carl_B‍ -  I would be very interested in hearing how you get on with the diet book. I may check it out myself.  Nice to meet you!

@Rainbow195757 hello. I had an 8 week flare up and finally convinced my Dr to give me antibiotics and its calmed right down. Still not gone and still very dry, but 80% better and more importantly, my head is in a better place. Worth asking for them i think

@DeanH1988‍ - Hi Dean - so pleased you’re feeling a lot better. I’m also a little better. I’m on my elimination diet - and taking the supplements. I have had antibiotics mixed in with a compound but something in the compound affected me.  This illness is so unpredictable.  Many a time I have had an appointment at the doctor and the practice nurse doesn’t take eczema seriously enough. I think it can affect you physically, psychologically and emotionally.   Very tough for us eczema sufferers and really appreciate reading people’s comments.