It's Getting Hot In Here

IT GOT ME.

I STOPPED TAKING VITAMIN C LAST WEEK AND I'VE BEEN SMOTHERED BY THE COLD.

I FEEL LIKE CRAP.

MY EAR HURTS.

AND I'M STILL ITCHY!

My skin is still red, I'm still uncomfortably itchy all the time and I'm still walking around make-up-less looking ill on a daily basis.

I read online a good while back about how some people find bathing in a salt water bath not only relaxing but soothing on the skin.  So me, wanting to believe every possible cure that I read about online in regard to eczema, I went and ordered some from Amazon for just £3.50! (50 p for the salt, £2.99 for delivery.) 

The 100% pure organic Dead Sea spa bath salts arrived just a couple of days after placing the order – which I was really happy with considering I didn't expect them till at least sometime after Christmas! 

I tested them out last night – and to be completely honest, I just wasn't feeling it.  The water stung for a little bit, mainly because I've been hacking at my skin in my sleep again – so I have a lot of cuts and scratches across my body.  When I got out of the bath (about an hour later) I felt uncomfortably dry – my skin felt tight and dried out, which meant that I had to apply more cream than normal.

I am going to give it another go though, maybe at the end of the week, just to be sure that it’s defiantly not going to benefit me. 

I've been using a lot more cream as of lately, purely because my skin is so dry and irritated.  Every time that I apply it to my skin, it absorbs really quickly and still feels really uncomfortable.  So because I've been using more than usual, I've been running out a lot quicker – which is not ideal when Christmas season is in peak and it would appear that my usual chemist comes to a standstill, (irritating isn't even the word.)

I've just over a week to wait until I have my appointment with the specialist, which I'm still really excited about.  Yesterday my skin was burning up to such an uncomfortable temperature – nothing that I tried, even an ice pack, helped to cool me down.  I think this means that it may be infected, which of course is not ideal, but it will emphasise to her that I have been suffering for some time now.

I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas, and I’ll update you on my trip to the specialist next week! 

Ice pack at the ready 

I just can't seem to make it shift :(

Same Old, Same Old...

So after another busy couple of weeks of deadlines, works, birthdays and UCAS.. (just the thought of it gives me a headache).. I’ve finally managed to scrape together enough time for a little update! 

So a couple of weeks ago I was told by a doctor that I would be referred to a skin specialist at the beginning of the New Year, and so I was delighted when I received the letter to confirm this, on the 31^st of December!  I’m super excited to get to speak to someone who specialises in this area, and who can maybe help to cure my condition.

Since last time, I’ve given up on make-up for the time being.  I bought a Simple tinted moisturiser from Superdrug a couple of weeks back, thinking that it would be kinder on my skin than my regular foundation as well as being a lot easier to apply.

I was so wrong.

The stuff is so sticky.  It doesn’t take to my skin very well, and I’m lucky if I get about two hours coverage before my face gets patchy and greasy looking.  The skin around my eyes is very sensitive all the time.  Even when I was little, before I got eczema, my eyelids used to be really dry –the only thing that would help was when I applied Vaseline to them before bed and let it absorb into my skin.  So because my eyelids are so red right now, I’m thinking that au natural for the mean time is for the best.

I have however been told on several occasions since I ditched the make-up that I look very unwell, tired, run down and exhausted – so cheers for the confidence boost guys! J

I just kid, I probably do look all of the above... I just currently don’t have the effort to care. 

I have also decided to ditch the organic hair products, purely because I’m a full time student whom is working part time for next to no dollas during the festive period.  The stuff hasn’t stopped my flare ups, and my skin has been a constant red colour for the past two months now, and so I am beginning to doubt that the SLS is playing that huge a part in my eczema.  It is however probably one of the best shampoos I’ve used on my hair – and so I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a more natural remedy for their hair!

Although I have still managed to avoid the god awful plague that is STILL circulating both the college and my home – I’m not sure that I am going to continue with the mega doses of omega 3 and evening primrose oil capsules.  It’s been a good 2 and a half months that I’ve given these time to kick in, and although some people may argue that I would have to give it longer to see results, I’ve quite frankly given up hope in finding any success with my own remedies.  I will be continuing with the vitamin C however- the longer I can avoid this winter flu the better!

My skin hasn’t changed since the last update…

Still red. 

Still sore. 

Still itchy.

The stronger antihistamines that the last doctor gave to me have done nothing to help.

The 31^st of December can’t come soon enough!

My arm was looking better last week...

And then this morning I flared up like nobody's business!

My chest, stomach and lower back are all pretty bad right now too - can't a girl get a break around here?!

Dreams DO Come True!

I’VE BEEN REFERRED TO A SKIN DOCTOR!

IT HAPPENED.

I’VE WAITED ALL YEAR AND IT FINALLY HAPPENED.

Pictures of my skin throughout the past week.  Very red, itchy and sore!

I don’t remember the last time I came out of the GP feeling as happy as I did today. 

I told the doctor about all the troubles I’ve been having over the last couple of months, (it was a very nice woman whom I have never be seen by before, and so it always helps to give some background info.)  I told her all about the different treatments I’ve tried, the creams, the steroids, the ointments, the swapping of my daily cosmetics and shower essentials, the vitamins, yada, yada, yada. 

And she got it.

She looked at my notes and almost instantly told me that the next step was the specialist.  Because she personally didn’t specialise in the area of skin, there wasn’t much she could do for me other than to refer me and offer some short term solutions – which today, I was more than happy to take! Although it’s not likely that I will be seen before the end of this year, it does please me that I have managed to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

In terms of what she did for me today – she’s prescribed me a steroid ointment (shock horror), alongside a different antihistamine that I’ve never used before.  The steroid is quite mild compared to the one I was given on my last visit, however it is still to be used thinly across the affected areas.  She’s also requested that I only use it when necessary – which, let’s be honest, with the luck I’ve seemed to have over these last few weeks, will be most likely every other day for the foreseeable future.

The antihistamine she gave me is much stronger than the two I had before.  I’ve to take it every 4-6 hours, provided that it doesn’t make me drowsy.  If it does, then I’ll have to keep it for night time only – which will suck if my skin itches during the day, but that’s just the way things go sometimes!

I know that it is still early days yet, but I think the use of the sauna has been a good thing for my skin after my gym and swim sessions.  I don’t tend to stay in long, between 10-15 minutes max, however my skin hasn’t felt itchy or stingy after my workouts – which needless to say, has been a relief.

Hopefully over the next week, with the use of the steroid ointment, moisturiser, vitamins and sauna, I will see a drastic change in my skin for the better.

*Touch wood*

Nothing Is Working

So I have yet another appointment with my GP tomorrow due to my skin flaring up again this week.  I've been walking around like a giant red lobster.. And it's not been pleasant.  Although I'm not hopeful that the doctors will be able to give me much relief (other than the steroid creams that they insist I use, despite the fact that they only work for a week or so), I am hoping that they will be able to give me some dietry advice as to what could be causing me to flare up so regularly.
I know cows milk can be an issue for some, but seeing as I have been drinking it from such a small age, I doubt this is the case.

I guess I will just have to fill you's in tomorrow.
Signed - a very itchy Lauren.

Not The Results I Expected

Hello again my lovelies!

It’s been just over a month and a half since I started taking my daily vitamins in a bid to try and heal my skin.  If I’m going to be completely honest, do I think it’s helped my skin in any way?

No.

I’ve seen no good change in my skin at all, and over these last couple of weeks, I’ve actually noticed that my antihistamines have not been as effective as they once were.  Alas, good things don’t always last very long!

I will however comment on how good I have been feeling this past month.  With winter finally upon us, I’ve been half expecting to catch this god awful plague that has been lurking around the college and sneaking up on everyone in sight.  So far, I’ve managed to avoid it – despite being around my constantly ill friend *cough* Kirsty *cough* and it doing the rounds in the family. 

I’ve switched most of my fizzy drinks for fruit juices, smoothies and herbal teas, and for the mean time, I think my body is enjoying its increased dosage of vitamins and nutrients.   I’m still taking the capsules for vitamin C, D, omega 3 and evening primrose oil every morning, and because I’ve read so many good things about the primrose, I’ve upped my dosage to 3 a day – which hopefully, over time, will help my eczema to come to some sort of calm.

This week, me and my boyfriend signed up to the gym just down the road from us.  The aim is to get at least 2 gym and swim sessions in a week, both followed by a wee chill in the sauna.  I’m not going to lie, I’m a little worried about how this is going to sit with my skin.  In the past, exercise has caused it to become aggravated and very red – however, since having read and having been advised that the sauna may help to relieve these problems, I’m willing to give it a go!

So for now, I’m just going to have to play it by ear and hope for the best.

Shower Essentials

So after a busy couple of weeks juggling between college, work and drunken birthdays (I’m twenty now *sob*)… I’m back! 

As far as my skin goes, it’s been pretty miserable and resulted in a trip back to the docs.  I’ve been prescribed two types of antihistamines, one to take in the morning and one to take at night (which pretty much knocks me out), which is fine by me because what student doesn’t like to sleep, right?  These seem to be doing the trick just now, however I am to go back and see my doctor in the next week just to check up on everything.

Since my last post, I’ve managed to find some shower products that are totally free from both Paraben and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), which I have been using every day since purchased to see if my skin will improve in any way, shape or form! 

Herbal Essence have recently released a new hair range called “Cleary Naked” which contains 0% Paraben and Coulourants.  The range aims to restore your hairs natural body and promises to leave your hair feeling refreshed, with extracts from fresh ingredients.  I have since found the conditioner to do just this - I purchased the volume conditioner with grapefruit and mint extracts, which smells divine and leaves my hair feeling fresh as a daisy till the next wash!   Unfortunately I found the shampoo was not to eczema friendly, (only after I spent £4 on it.. UGH), as it contains SLS – which I have since discovered is the key ingredient in shampoos to make them foam.  I would still however highly recommend the products to anyone that fancies giving their hair a well-deserved rest from the nasty chemicals we use all too often in our hair!  The range can be bought anywhere that stocks Herbal Essence, I’ve found it in both Tesco and Superdrug, varying in price from about £3-£4 per bottle.

I had MAJOR problems trying to find a shampoo that was free from SLS, it took me days to find one that was 100% pure and natural.  I eventually came across Hair Wonder by Nature on Amazon, whom have been on the go since 1985 developing the most natural hair products they possibly can without any of the nasty stuff.  Although it is a bit pricey – I paid £15 for two 200ml bottles – I honestly do not think that I will be tempted to return to the stuff I can grab oh so easily off the shelves.  I went for the Organic Mint and Rosemary Everyday Natural Shampoo, which smells beautiful to say the least.  You don’t need much to give your hair a real good wash, and after you rinse it out you can actually feel that your hair has had a good old clean!  The mint leaves your scalp feeling tingly and fresh, which I have never experienced before from any old product off the shelf.  In terms of value for money, I think I’m only about a half way through a bottle, which when you consider the size of the product and the two weeks that I’ve used it for – it isn’t really bad at all.  It’s since become my new favourite shower product.. EVER.

In terms of shower gels and washes, I’m left with a plain old shower emollient which was prescribed to me by my doctor at the beginning of the month.  Dermol 200 moisturises the skin whilst it’s being washed, and traps in the moisture when you’re drying yourself down afterwards.  This helps to prevent the skin from drying out completely, and ensures that your skin is getting the protection that it needs from there on after. 

I’ve also been applying the 100% Pure Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Virgin Oil to my face on a daily basis to prevent my skin from drying out throughout the day.  I bought the oil from Naissance for £2.79 for 100ml – which is a complete bargain when you consider the good it does for your skin.  I’ve been applying just a little oil to my face, both day and night for the past month now – and the results that I have seen have been amazing!  My face feels soft, it looks fresh and most importantly it is clear and healthy!  I’ve not had any major breakouts since I switched to the coconut oil, and I can honestly say that my skin has never felt so hydrated!  I’ve still got about a third of the tube left, which will do me another month at least, however I will be quick to stock up when I start to run low.  Eczema or not, I really couldn’t recommend this product more even if I tried.  It feels so good knowing that I’m using a completely organic moisturiser on my skin – and the results really do speak for themselves.

It’s still early days yet, but I’m hoping that by swapping my usual everyday essentials to the natural ones – that my skin will begin to restore itself overtime and my breakouts will become a thing of the past… wishful thinking I’m sure!

I’ll keep you guys posted on any changes throughout the next couple of weeks, and hopefully I’ll have some good news in terms of the vitamins and if they’ve done anything for my skin!

When Things Are About To Get Nasty

I can always tell when my skin is about to take a really random turn for the worst.  My right hand breaks out in these tiny little blister-like spots around the knuckles, and my fingers become unbearably itchy to the point where I usually break the skin around the creases.  My hand proceeds to become an unsightly shade of red, followed by the backs of my wrists joining in on the itch fest.  Usually by this point, if I have no steroid cream available, there is nothing that I can do about it, other than to lather the irritated areas up in copious amounts of cream and hope for the best.

I've thought long and hard about the products that I use on my skin as of late, and I can’t seem to come to any understanding as to what could possibly be causing the skin on my right hand to flare up, yet leave my left hand perfectly fine.  However I have since noticed that my flare ups do tend to be a hell of a lot worse on my right arm and leg compared to my left… I just don’t understand why!

One Dr that I visited earlier on in the year did make comment on the weird situation with my hands, because I am in fact right handed, he believed to think that I must be using something or dealing with something on a regular basis that my left hand has little contact with, hence the drastic difference in the two!  However I have since shot down that theory, after having read that it is not uncommon for people’s symptoms to be worse on one side of their body compared to the other.  The Dr did leave me wondering though…

Since then, I have been looking into the various types of remedies that can help ease the symptoms of eczema.  Of course, I’m not going to get my hopes up over any of the following, as each person’s skin is completely different from the next, and something that my act as a relief to one person may be the same something that causes the next person to become completely miserable.

I bought 100% pure organic, cold pressed coconut virgin oil from Amazon about 2 weeks ago after reading online that it is one of the purest and most effective remedies for eczema.  I read many good things about the product, how it cleared the affected areas of skin of eczema for good, how it completely changed the users life, how good it was in terms of value for money etc.  However, although I do completely love the product in terms of its texture, its smell and how far such a small amount goes in terms of actually helping my eczema, I’m not convinced it’s for me.  The product DID make my un-irritated skin ridiculously soft after as little as five applications, but it actually caused more harm to my eczema than good.  I’ve continued to use the product as a face moisturiser at night opposed to a night time serum, however I’ve tried to keep the coconut oil as far away from my eczema as possible.

Today I went out and purchased some vitamins which may or may not be essential to tackling bad cases of eczema over time.  To start off with, I’m trying out vitamin C, Vitamin D and Evening Primrose oil – one of each a day.  I’ve read some forums online that indicate that there is no evidence to prove that any of the above will have any impact on my skin – however I’ve also read that there has been many successful cases after increasing their daily intakes of vitamins… So I guess I’ll just have to try for myself.  I’ll stick it out for 30 days (when my evening primrose oil is all gone) and hopefully I’ll be able to comment on what kind of benefits I’ve seen from taking the 3!

In regards to my last post, my skin has stayed much in the same over the week.  I’ve been applying the Cetraben cream throughout the day to keep my skin moisturised, and I’ve also been applying the Bentnovate RD cream (steroid) to the most irritated areas of skin – my forearms and the back of my thighs mostly.  The itching seems to be at its worst in the evening – I assume because my morning antihistamine is wearing off – and so I’ve found that by using the steroid cream at night has helped to ease the problem.  However this will be a short term solution, as I am running short of the Bentnovate, again.

(I do apologise for these nasty images... as you can tell I am no photographer!)

Right now, I'm in the process of trying to switch my daily necessities to ones that are free from SLS, so I will be able to fill you in on how successful/unsuccessful that has been later on in the week!

The Moisturiser That Was Out To Get Me...

Aqueous cream was one of the first ever moisturisers that the doctors prescribed to me when I was diagnosed with eczema.  It was recommended that I apply the cream generously to the affected areas whenever possible, as well as use in the shower to wash with – opposed to a fragranced shower gel.  For at least two years I followed these instructions, never once doubting my doctors – their job is to make me better, right?  However, when my skin took a turn for the worst once again, despite me applying the cream whenever necessary, I decided that it was definitely time for a change.   Eventually, I was prescribed diprobase cream – which only up until very recently, was my 100% go to whenever my skin is feeling irritated and itchy.

Having done my research, I have since come to the realisation that this “moisturiser” does not seem to be all that it is cut out to be.  For many years it has been reported that sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a known skin irritant to people of all skin sensitivities, (eczema or not) is in fact one of ingredients in aqueous cream.

I repeat –

 THE CREAM THAT THE DOCTORS PRESCRIBED TO ME TO HELP CLEAR ME OF MY ECZEMA FOR OVER TWO YEARS CONTAINED SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE - A KNOWN SKIN IRRITANT! 

SLS causes damage to the skin barrier, meaning that the skin is more vulnerable to irritation and infection after long term use.  The National Eczema Society has since reported that aqueous cream should in so circumstances be used as a leave on emollient, and if it must be used at all, as a substitute to bathing lotions whilst showering.  Provided that the emollient is being washed off, it can’t really do any harm as it’s only in contact to the skin for a short period of time.

Just the other week, I revisited my local GP and was introduced to a new skin moisturiser called Cetraben.  In just a matter of days I could feel that my skin was already a lot softer.  The cream is really thick, but when applied to the skin it doesn’t leave a greasy feeling unlike all of the other creams I’ve tried – which means that I will no longer leave greasy marks wherever I sit/lean.. Hallelujah!

This last week my skin is beginning to become irritated again, this may or may not have something to do with my inability to resist the itch… (Oops)!  However I am hoping that if I up my dosage of antihistamines, that my symptoms may calm in the next couple of days.  If not, I'm sure I’ll keep you posted on any other remedies that may come into place.

So I Guess You're Wondering Why You're Here...

Hello there!  

My name is Lauren.  I'm nineteen years old and currently living at home with my parents and siblings.  I'm a student at Aberdeen College, where I have been studying Media and Communications for the past year. In about ten months’ time, I will be graduating with a HND, which is very exciting yet nerve racking to say the least.  When I'm not at college, I tend to be found working at Homebase, where I work between customer service desk and cash office shifts.  I enjoy both my studies and work, but at times the two can become very stressful.

I've been suffering from eczema for the past five years now.  It started when I was about 14, around about exam time - the problem area being the back of my neck and the creases of my elbows.  For those of you who do not know, eczema is a condition in which the skin becomes irritated, red, itchy and sore.  If left untreated, the skin can become broken from scratching and result in crusting of the skin and infection.  Steroid creams and moisturisers can be used to treat the skin for a short period of time, however at this moment in time there is currently no permanent cure - which I have become all too aware of!

To this day I am led to believe by my doctors that my eczema is down to stress, however if this is the case then it would appear that the only thing that is an indicator to my stress is the eczema itself!

Over the years I have tried various different steroids, ointments, moisturisers (both prescribed by doctors and all natural ones bought at the chemist), antihistamines and antibiotics to try and rid me of this awful condition - by alas, I'm still trying to find a remedy that works for me.

Over the last couple of months, I've been doing some serious research about eczema, what to avoid, what to look out for, what is the best kind of diet to cure the problem etc.  I've decided that I am ready to try and abandon the problem once and for all.  However difficult it may prove to be.

Compared to some, I've probably got it easy.  Over time the eczema has spread across the back of my legs, all up and down my arms, around my neck, across my waist and lower back, down the front of my chest, around my eyes and mouth as well as covering the back of my right hand.  However I consider myself lucky not be covered head to toe, like some people.  Overtime, my skin has developed a red kind of tinge to it – regardless of whether or not the eczema is at bay.  When I’m at my worst - after week or two of steroid creams, greasy moistures several times a day and various different pills – I manage to take control of the situation again for whatever length of time it allows me to.

When the eczema is at its worst, there are times that I don’t even want to get out of bed in the morning.  My skin burns up leaving me feeling hot and uncomfortable throughout the day, meaning that I have to be greased up in ointments that make my clothes stick to my skin, which is most uncomfortable when I'm just laying around – never mind going out and about my day.

My aim is to use this blog as a kind of document of my progress.  I hope that by sharing my trials and errors, that I may be able to help people understand that there is more to the condition than just “itchy skin”, as well as hopefully being able to support other sufferers along the way.

 The above pictures show my skin at it's very worst back in March of this year.  At this time, I had to take time off from work and college due to the uncomfortable state that I was in.