How can one get rid of persistent eczema?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am aware that I have eczema. But, everything I try does not work. I have been having severe eczema since I was 8. I am about to be 19 now. I have tried using unscented lotions, dermatology-approved lotions, organic oils, and even all of the ointments doctors prescribe me. The only thing that the lotions and ointments do is calm the irritation. Over the years, I have learned to resist the urge to scratch unless it becomes unbearable. But, I always find myself sleep-scratching. Yeah, I said it, sleep scratching. I wake up with tingling legs and can see how hard I have scratched in the middle of the night. I moisturize all the time. Yet nothing works. I am getting to the point where it is starting to interfere with my life. I am young. I want to wear shorts and sundresses whenever I want. But I cannot because of the ugly scarring I have on my legs. I forgot to mention that my eczema is only active on my legs.

Occasionally, it occurs in my hands and rarely on my arms. Sometimes, I even get it on my face. I have tried keeping my nails short so I do not have gross scratch scars, but it does not work. I get my nails done because it does not leave scratch scars, but it leaves bruises. And do not get me wrong, the ointment is the best thing that works, but I do not want to have to be wearing that ointment as a lotion. I have to leave the ladies' room about every hour so I can moisturize my legs to prevent the itching from happening, but honestly, who wants to live a life like that? It has begun to affect my life emotionally and I do not know how much more I can take of it.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Being a dermatologist, one observes in day-to-day activity that a few diseases have a bad impact on lifestyle, of which eczema is one of them. But, with your descriptions, it seems to be atopic dermatitis, which becomes better as age progresses. In adults, it involves the flexural surface, eventually localizing to the front of the elbows and behind the knees. You don't need to worry that much. Besides medicine, you should do some yoga exercises, which will help you a lot. A few general measures you have to follow are:

Moisturizer (coconut oil) should be applied two to three times daily.
Do not use hot water for a bath; it should be lukewarm.
Do not rub your skin after the bath, and it should be slightly wet.

In case of oozing, avoid ointment or cream; corticosteroids in lotion form may be used. When there is no oozing or dry eczema, corticosteroid cream is to be applied locally twice a day. Local antibiotic cream with or without corticosteroid is helpful where bacterial infection is present.