Question:
Very sore itchy facial skin?
Hi, just wondering if anyone could help. About six weeks ago I developed very dry, itchy and sore skin on my face round my mouth and nose, after trying to deal with it myself I went to the doctor who gave me hydrocortisone cream and told me to use this as I had stress induced exzema. I've now been using this twice a day for a week and if anything, its made the problem worse! I am getting really distressed about this as its right there on my face and I can't cover it with make-up as its too dry and sore. I'm going back to the doctor asap but I was just wondering if anyone had any suggesstions for me. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi there, sorry to hear about your troubles :(
My sister suffers very badly from excema and from her I've heard that you should apply hydrocortisone cream very sparingly (if at all) to the face as it has steroids in it and can thin the skin, in turn aging it prematurely. I'm sure this happens over a long period of time but just a heads up!
Natural remedies can help with excema, honey is excellent at softening skin and should be applied after very very gentle exfoliation (gentle because excema should be treated like very sensitive skin). Once a week you can use an intensive night oil, something like lavender oil in a meringa oil base is nice as lavender is balancing and promotes healing.
Another strange thing that can help is to change your pillow case to a 100% cotton one as man made fibres against the skin can exacerbate excema.
I suppose good general advice is to reduce your stress levels as it is stress induced :lol: Book yourself in for a massage lady!
There's a bagger called JasmineBarley who is knowledgeable on excema. She has under her sig a link to information about excema.
It may be worth reading it if you can.
I hope it clears up soon. I have dermatitis on my cheeks so I know what a pain it is when it comes to applying makeup etc. Luckily mine has gone for now but I've had to change all my products like facewash, moisturisers etc.
There's a bagger called JasmineBarley who is knowledgeable on excema. She has under her sig a link to information about excema.
Hello ;)
As Rosypose said, have a read of the Eczema notes in my signature.
If the hydrocortisone cream is making your eczema worse, then stop using it! You could be reacting to one of the ingredients and that's why it's making your eczema worse. Go back to your GP and ask for something else - if he/she isn't very helpful then push fora referral to see a dermatologist.
RE eczema products, unfortunately, there isn't a universal product to treat eczema that will work for everyone but through trial and error, you'll find something that works for you.
I'm currently using Eucerin Dry Skin Relief Shower Therapy for my face and body, Eumobase as a moisturiser and Eumovate (contains corticosteroids) for flareups. These are all available from Boots. I've tried Eucerin cream, Oilatum cream, E45 as well as aqueous cream and they either made my eczema worse or didn't help it at all.
I know it's very difficult, but you shouldn't cover it with any makeup until your skin is better - flakiness and rough red patches are likely to show through anyway.
You might also like to try the olive oil cleansing (see Natural Products forum). I do this occasionally at night to clear up any dry patches.
You should also check your cleansing and wash products for sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate. These are common ingredients in cleansing and wash products, but they also disrupt the skin barrier and are very drying.
You haven't mentioned your diet in your post, but I'd say that it would be a good idea to drink at least 2 litres of water a day and perhaps an evening primrose and/or omega 3,6,9 supplement - ask your doctor for advice. Also make sure that you are getting your 5-a-day fruit and veg.
All the above are ways of managing the eczema - you also have to do something about the source. So, since your eczema is stress induced, as blackjack said, you will need to look for ways to reduce your stress, such as reducing your workload, taking more breaks, exercise, etc.
Also, I'd imagine that you are probably very stressed about the eczema. Try not to be! I had a massive facial flare-up over a year ago and remember how awful it was and was in tears at one point, but ultimately, I just had to stay calm and just figure out a way to deal with it.
Hope it clears up very soon.
:)
Hi, just wondering if anyone could help. About six weeks ago I developed very dry, itchy and sore skin on my face round my mouth and nose, after trying to deal with it myself I went to the doctor who gave me hydrocortisone cream and told me to use this as I had stress induced exzema. I've now been using this twice a day for a week and if anything, its made the problem worse! I am getting really distressed about this as its right there on my face and I can't cover it with make-up as its too dry and sore. I'm going back to the doctor asap but I was just wondering if anyone had any suggesstions for me. Any help would be appreciated.
Answers:
Hi there, sorry to hear about your troubles :(
My sister suffers very badly from excema and from her I've heard that you should apply hydrocortisone cream very sparingly (if at all) to the face as it has steroids in it and can thin the skin, in turn aging it prematurely. I'm sure this happens over a long period of time but just a heads up!
Natural remedies can help with excema, honey is excellent at softening skin and should be applied after very very gentle exfoliation (gentle because excema should be treated like very sensitive skin). Once a week you can use an intensive night oil, something like lavender oil in a meringa oil base is nice as lavender is balancing and promotes healing.
Another strange thing that can help is to change your pillow case to a 100% cotton one as man made fibres against the skin can exacerbate excema.
I suppose good general advice is to reduce your stress levels as it is stress induced :lol: Book yourself in for a massage lady!
Answers:
There's a bagger called JasmineBarley who is knowledgeable on excema. She has under her sig a link to information about excema.
It may be worth reading it if you can.
I hope it clears up soon. I have dermatitis on my cheeks so I know what a pain it is when it comes to applying makeup etc. Luckily mine has gone for now but I've had to change all my products like facewash, moisturisers etc.
Answers:
There's a bagger called JasmineBarley who is knowledgeable on excema. She has under her sig a link to information about excema.
Hello ;)
As Rosypose said, have a read of the Eczema notes in my signature.
If the hydrocortisone cream is making your eczema worse, then stop using it! You could be reacting to one of the ingredients and that's why it's making your eczema worse. Go back to your GP and ask for something else - if he/she isn't very helpful then push fora referral to see a dermatologist.
RE eczema products, unfortunately, there isn't a universal product to treat eczema that will work for everyone but through trial and error, you'll find something that works for you.
I'm currently using Eucerin Dry Skin Relief Shower Therapy for my face and body, Eumobase as a moisturiser and Eumovate (contains corticosteroids) for flareups. These are all available from Boots. I've tried Eucerin cream, Oilatum cream, E45 as well as aqueous cream and they either made my eczema worse or didn't help it at all.
I know it's very difficult, but you shouldn't cover it with any makeup until your skin is better - flakiness and rough red patches are likely to show through anyway.
You might also like to try the olive oil cleansing (see Natural Products forum). I do this occasionally at night to clear up any dry patches.
You should also check your cleansing and wash products for sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium laureth sulphate. These are common ingredients in cleansing and wash products, but they also disrupt the skin barrier and are very drying.
You haven't mentioned your diet in your post, but I'd say that it would be a good idea to drink at least 2 litres of water a day and perhaps an evening primrose and/or omega 3,6,9 supplement - ask your doctor for advice. Also make sure that you are getting your 5-a-day fruit and veg.
All the above are ways of managing the eczema - you also have to do something about the source. So, since your eczema is stress induced, as blackjack said, you will need to look for ways to reduce your stress, such as reducing your workload, taking more breaks, exercise, etc.
Also, I'd imagine that you are probably very stressed about the eczema. Try not to be! I had a massive facial flare-up over a year ago and remember how awful it was and was in tears at one point, but ultimately, I just had to stay calm and just figure out a way to deal with it.
Hope it clears up very soon.
:)