Problems with eczema

military spouse · May 8, 2006

Hi,

I have eczema on the outer portion of my ears. I find that if I keep it well lubricated with vaseline, I can make it through the day. I must keep reapplying the vaseline frequently. Prior to having a Doc recommend vaseline, I was using steroid creams but now rarely use a steroid. I hope that helps!

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 8, 2006

I have psorisis on the palms of my hands, feet, scalp and elbows. I havent ever gotten any infections or had problems except occasionally the soap irritates it a little. Just have to be careful and use your universal precautions and wash frequently. Use bandaides if needed on areas that may be open to protect yourself.

PedsER-RN, BSN, RN · May 10, 2006

I am a student LPN and my eczema seems to be flaring up with all the stress of studying, etc. I am worried my eczema on my fingers will only worsen when I am finally working in the 'real' world. Do any of you experience this similar problem? If so, what OTC lotions do you use?
:typing

Hey-

I also have eczema and also get it on my fingers (among other places). I use an Rx steroid cream (nothing OTC works for me except hydrocortisone for the itching). At work, when gloves are required, I wait for the last possible second to put them on. You've probably noticed that if you've had gloves on for a while your hands get sweaty, and for me, sweat/humid environment really makes it baaaaaaaddd. My hands get really dry and crack, so I've used Gold Bond hand cream (can be a *little* greasy but works well), and just recently discovered Aveeno Intense Hand Relief-works great, absorbs quick, and not greasy at all! It's a little expensive (about $6 at Wal-Mart) but it works so good!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · May 10, 2006

My son has eczema and the doctor prescribed polysorb. It works really, really well - his skin goes from cracked and bleeding to smooth within a day of applying the cream.

SFlorida · May 10, 2006

HI, I had the same problem and used Desowen for years. A while back I had no insurance so I could not buy it since I need a prescription for that.

However, it is one of the best things that have happened to me since I did an internet search and i decided to give www.FreeDerm.com a try. This thing is a miracle! even better I found out that Desowen is for eczema and sorasis of the skin. It actully is a TOpical STEROID that works by disimflaming the skin. I will never use DEsowen again.

Hope this HEps..

SFlorida · May 10, 2006

oh, i used the freederm hc eczema/dermatitis cream. is relly weird because when ever i went to the doctor before he would always say that my condition was quite common and that he even had it. after using freederm hc, the irritation and scales don,t come back unlike desowen that i had to put every few days.

stonegrace · Sep 29, 2006

re:problems with eczema

Have you had better luck these past months? I ahve been a nurse forever and have recently developed terrible eczema on my hands. fingers cracked and bleeding. Not good for the patient population I work with. I did develop impetigo at one time last month. Can't use steroid creams - makes it immediately much worse and my skin is already very thin - they would further thin it. Have been using Aquaphor, and a cheap vit. E cream from one of the drug store chains that are on every corner (it is sold near the bandaids, not the lotions.) But, I also recently found a doctor that is using light therapy called Gentle Waves. My hands heal much faster although the first 36 hours after the treatments there is actually a slight increase in itching and flaking. The cracks in my fingers have healed for the first time in months. He also presecribed a lotion called Hylira which is terribly expensive, but my insurance picked up the bulk. It looks and feels like KY jelly, but dramatically improves my skin overnight. (Not bad for crow's feet either I found out when I got too much on my hands one night.) By trial and error I found two other things that helped me - I try to avoid anything I can that has very much methyparaben or propylparaben in it. These are the preservatives that are in most lotions, soaps, shampoos, etc. They greatly irritate my skin although they are hugely hard to avoid. I don't even bath and body type shops because of their reliance on thoses chemicals. Also there is a product from Monostat that is for prevention of shafing, etc. The main ingredient is dimethicone which helps protect from water. I put it on several times a day, but exspecially before I take a shower or bath. Gets me through a shower without gloves on and without wanting to scream. (Still have to put gloves on to wash my hair.)

Didn't mean to be this long winded. Please let me know if you have found any miracles. I care for MRSA patients every week and am scared to death that this is going to be the end of my career or worse. Luck to you!

Trauma Columnist · Sep 29, 2006

I am very sorry but we at All Nurses can't provide medical advice. It was very generous of our members to post what has helped them but you are advised to follow with your OWN provider because he/she knows you the best. Good luck and take care.