Chronic severe eczema

Prncesta · February 2016

Hi ladies...Ive had eczema my whole life, when I got pregnant with my first baby, at 7 months it became severe and never went away. I used to use potent steroid creams and cortisone which helped a ton...now that I'm pregnant again, I'm so afraid to use the creams even though my doctors have said they're ok...I've been to numerous skin doctors, allergists, and my OB and they've all said with my condition they recommend using the creams to control the eczema. Once in a while I'll use the cortisone but I will NOT use the potent cortisone or take the prednisone they prescribed...my question is has anyone had any relief from natural sources for their eczema? I'm extrememly uncomfortable and I'm CONSTANTLY scratching until I bleed...I need some relief some how without prescriptions, or if you've used the cortisone did you use it 1st tri? Thanks in advance for any input!

KarenBeth714 · February 2016

Hey- so sorry you are going through this... Must be such a pain in the butt. I don't have any personal experience, but my husband did at one point have severe eczema and none of the topical creams worked for him. The only thing that worked was the light therapy. It cleared it up for good. I think it may have some kind of risks, but he benefits outweighed it for him. Its probably not recommended during pregnancy but maybe after you can look into it? Hope you can find a remedy soon.. Take care!

Prncesta · February 2016

@KarenBeth714 thank you, I will look into it once I'm done breast feeding...does he suffer anymore or did it "cure" the chronic outbreaks? I'm suffering terribly and I hate using cortisones everyday!

RedMar · February 2016

Just out of curiosity, what allergies were you tested for?

Prncesta · February 2016

@RedMar I did a complete panel for indoor/outdoor and food allergies...the typicals came up, dust mites and roaches which I think 90% of the world is allergic to...I constantly clean my bedding and have a mattress cover and I don't have contact with roaches so those aren't the problem...a few people have said to cut out gluten and dairy and it may help but it didn't show in my panel so I'm hesitant to cut any nutrients...

RedMar · February 2016

Sorry you're going through this! I'd try cutting out gluten for awhile and see if symptoms improve. It actually takes up to a year for it to leave your system, so don't get frustrated if you don't see results right away. I'm with you- I HATE taking any sort of meds/applying creams, especially while pregnant. I am GF (have been for 6 years) and I undergo immunotherapy once a week for similar environmental allergies (dust mites, pet dander, pollens, etc). I do the immunotherapy to help with sinus infections (I used to have at least one per month.) For my skin, I've seen improvement since I gave up gluten. Good luck to you!!!

Prncesta · February 2016

@RedMar that's so interesting! I was under the impression that since I was tested for celiac and it came back negative that I didn't have a gluten allergy so it wouldn't matter...I guess at this point it doesn't hurt to try since I'm suffering...what kind of autoimmune therapy do you go for? I wonder if it's something I should look into?

RedMar · February 2016

There are allergy shots (not as bad as it sounds) that I get every Friday. They help me become more immune to the environmental allergies I have.
Just and FYI too, you can be gluten sensitive and not have full blown Celiac's.

RedMar · February 2016

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/treatments/allergy-shots-(immunotherapy).aspx
(information about immunotherapy)

RedMar · February 2016

Side-note, make sure you copy/paste that link as it won't work if you just click on it...

KarenBeth714 · February 2016

It's been completely gone since he had the therapy!

Prncesta · February 2016

Wow @KarenBeth714 that's amazing! I'm glad to hear he's completely free...its def something I'm going to look into!

@RedMar thank you! I will read up on them

glitzandglam · February 2016

I've been suffering with it on my arms and these products have offered some relief.

frogdog06 · February 2016

Ugh, so sorry. I had a flare up on my back and behind my ears for like two weeks...I still have a small patch on my upper left chest. The doctor did say occasional steroid ointment was okay, but if you're against it, have you tried a Domeboro bath?

NashBelle · February 2016

I've had some history with this in a couple different scenarios.
I have been a long time shin-itcher, especially at night. I will scratch and scratch until I bleed occasionally. I also had some issues with gluten, not celiac, but intolerance, and gave up gluten for a couple years. During my first pregnancy I found my intolerance improved greatly and have been able to reincorporate gluten back into my diet. Looking back, mine was a stress-gut issue. I had a stressful job that I quit pretty early in the pregnancy. I have had other stress-gut issues throughout my life that have shown themselves as GERD, IBS, and other issues. I found during the time I gave up gluten I did notice an improvement in my itchy legs. I also gave up using bath and body works type lotions that are heavily perfumed and that helped too.
This past summer I started having eczema all around my eyes and tried a few different steroid cremes plus a nightly Benedryl to treat it with varying success. Once I got my BFP, I wanted to try an all natural option. I stopped using my makeup remover wipes and switched to Arbonne's Calm face wash and lotion, and I apply Honest Co Organic Healing Balm on my eyelids and sockets morning and night. That combination has completely healed my eczema. COMPLETELY. If I miss a day, my eye will be red and itchy again. If I miss two days it'll start to peel. But if I keep up with it I am totally symptom free. Hope this helps.

Prncesta · February 2016

@nashbelle thanks so much! I actually have those products and started a regimen yesterday...I see some relief on my blistered nipples which makes me extremely happy! I'm going to continue to use the ointment all over in hopes its heals the patches within a few days...hopefully this is my saving grace!

fiorip · February 2016

@NashBelle I seem to have exactly what you've described around my lips and my chin. I just ordered what you recommended of Amazon so thanks. I hope it works! I've tried everything and everything burns.

Anya Lynn · February 2016

I'm in the same boat with you! During pregnancy the eczema gets terrible! The one thing I tried after checking with my doc was bleach baths, sounds crazy but it stopped the itching so I could actually heal! Just about 2 cups of bleach to a tub of water. Mine was mainly on my legs and in my elbows so I would keep the water shallow and soak for a bit and then rinse. Or dry and coat myself with cerave. It's the one lotion that when I use twice a day will help without the use of steroids. Not as natural as I would have liked but when you're desperate. I hope something helps mama! I know exactly how miserable it is!

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