My daughter and I suffered from eczema too, so I feel your pain. You really should try Keys Tortuga Super Emollient Lotion (at http://www.hibiscusnaturals.com/Keys-Tortuga-Lotion-p/ktortuga.htm). It really gets rid of the itch and rash. I have tried everything, including steroids, and this is the first treatment that I can say really works and prevents it from coming back. It is also rated extremely safe to use by EWG Cosmetic Safety Database, so it is VERY safe to use. Switching to products that do NOT contain sodium lauryl sulfate (a very harmful, irritating detergent in many foaming products) will also help a lot. Avoid anything containing fragrance too. You may also want to try modifying your diet as well. Wheat, corn and dairy are common triggers for eczema and cutting them out may eliminate your condition all together. Hope this helps! Good luck to you!

Hi guys,its good to see I am not alone. I have had skin ailment since I was a kid,I have always been teased and bullied as a child,being alone I became withdrawn and depressed,stayed in My room,I was scared to go to school,even now I get nightmare's about it,most of My life I have tried very hard to get to school,get a diploma but I failed,I just could not keep up,was too tired,My body didn't want keep up,the flares were just horrible,it was agony and the infections,My God. I lost jobs because of it now I am 31,every one I know has achieved something,have a girlfriend/wife.

I have never been in a relationship before.now I am doing good,still get the looks,but I don't know what to do.I see the world now it feel intimidating feel lost. My family don't understand,My dad has always been ineffectual to My suffering,others just look down at Me,still I ache,ich,it feels like My life is gone.

Hi Nicole!!!
YES, I KNOW exactly how you feel. I think I suffer from depression and low self esteem because of my eczema. This is a great support group and we are all here to help eachother so I hope you will feel better soon.
I've had suicidal thoughts as well and I hate the feeling. I think that eczema is both a physical and mental condition and sometimes people may not support you because they don't know or understand the way you feel. I think that people who don't suffer from eczema don't know how bad it can get and how much it can affect a person's life.
I hope you feel better soon, hang in there and don't give up!!!!

Hi Nicole, I am new here, just joined today. I feel what you are going through as well, as has everyone in this support group. We are very fortunate to share our thoughts with people who truly understand what we are going through, not just empathy but real experiences. I hope your flare up has resided by now and that you try not to think about it too much. When ever I go through a flare up, the best thing to do is to try and put your mind onto something else, doing anything else other than thinking about it. Though your family might not really support you, we are all here to share what we know and help each other get through this together. :)

I completely relate to all the feelings everyone has conveyed here. In addition to eczema, I have battled acne pretty much all my life, and have gone through stages of severe depression. Mine tends to ebb and flow with flare ups (both acne and eczema, which I fondly refer to as "A&E" lol), and random discussions.

For example, today my co-workers were talking about their favorite spas/spa experiences. Never would I have the courage to enter a spa, even if my skin was in good enough condition to handle it. They all tried to convince me I should go to one -- my insides started to eat away at me because I couldn't even fathom explaining my situation to them. Like other people in my life, they don't really understand what is like.

I do like the suggestions you all made, and I know where to come when I'm in despair.

Nicole, I hope you pain has subsided. Hang in there!

hang in there nicole I know how you feel,:D

My eczema started when I was two, and within two months of my mother stopping breastfeeding, I was in hospital covered from head to toe with Herpez (cold sore variety, yes). It calmed down for a few years, until puberty hit. It's been gradually getting worse until these last two years (I'm now sixteen) are just a series of outbreaks of eczema, separated by marginally milder outbreaks. I've tried everything (even a few of the 'my uncle once had eczema' cures) and nothings work so far (I've just started Imuran). "Luckily" my mom also has severe eczema, so my greatest consolation is that we can cry over it together. My greatest preoccupation, surprisingly as a teenage female, is not how my peers criticize my eczema. But my self esteem manages to plummet despite this. As an 'A; student, I'm constantly criticizing myself on not focusing, on sleeping too much, my lack of productivity, yes, on my low self-esteem and how pathetic I'm being. I find myself unable to enjoy the things I used to: playing my music, reading, writing, taking hot showers (or even cold ones), dancing, camping, even a sleepover will cause a major flare. My creativity and sense of humour, which admittedly I prided myself on, have fled. But thanks to the support of my mother, I know I can get through this. I feel for those who don't have this luxury. But tell people about it. You are justified in feeling awful despite that you don't have a disease which society sympathises with, despite all those skin ads in TV. We need to remember that we are still beautiful, no matter how disfigured our body is.

Hi Nicole. I totally understand what you're going through. I often feel depressed and very self conscious. I have eczema on my hands and feet so the summer is the worst time for me when everyone is wearing flip flops and i can't because im too embarrassed. I dont even shake hands or give high fives. It can be a real struggle but u have to stay positive. Try talking to a friend or someone you trust. Or find an activity that takes ur mind off of it and allows u to have fun. it could be a lot worse. You could have cancer or another deadly illness/disease. Hang in there!

Just as a follow up, after my flare up (during which I wrote my first post) my mother gave up and admitted me to hospital. Four days later and my skin is almost as good as new. I'm praying that it stays that way. Thanks

First of all, it feels great to know that others know exacty what im going through. For a while, I thought I was the only person. Eczema really takes a toll on me. I always cover up because I dont want anyone to see my skin and how eczema has changed it. So I hardly go out in the summer time. I wont wear certain outfits it if shows too much of my skin. Eczema really saddens me and prevents me from doing certain things. Ive had it for about 6 years and I always try to remain positive thinking it would get better but from the looks of it, its not. I really look forward to meeting new people here that can relate to me. Its hard being the ONLY person in my family who has it. They have no clue of the emotional ups and downs I go through from dealing with eczema. And btw, im new here! Please reply!!!!

Just wondering, sylc4u. What was the treatment you received in the hospital? Do you know what was used, creams antibiotics, etc. Had you been to the hospital before with similar treatment and results? I think that the antibiotics I received the times i was in the hospital helped me the best, plus the bedrest, I guess?

Thanks,
Joe

Also, dse621, the first time I "met" people on line with eczema was quite amazing, I don't know anyone else with my condition. What was tough, though, was reading about parents with children with eczema, it is really hard for me to think about other kids going through what I had to. I had dreaded having my own kids and by chance my wife and I adopted our first child before being able to have one of our own. Ironically, guess which one has the skin problems? There are various skin problems with my siblings but not at the life changing level that I have or maybe I am just not able to deal with it as well. 2 of my sister's have flareups on occassion but I think it's a bit easier to handle for an adult, not so much when you're a teenager with the cruel way some kids can be.

Anyways, I try to wear lose fitting clothes, long sleeves and long pants, even in the summer. Pamper yourself as best you can and find some clothes that are comfortable and you like. And remember, you notice the eczema far more than anyone else does, really! It makes sense since you don't just see it but also have to live in your uncomfortable skin. I was lucky to find people who were able to see beyond my disease. Before marriage, I got involved by volunteering, you meet good people who are more interested in the work than superficial things. Also, I'm usually willing to help with any project, I guess it gives me a sense of satisfaction to counteract the way I feel about my skin, Now that I work, I learn to ignore the stupid comments and concentrate on the job I need to get done.

Sorry to run on,
Joe

I am so sorry to hear everyone's pain. I too suffer from eczema. Out of no where at 41 it hit me like a ton of bricks. I can't get it to go away unless I get steroid shots. Well I can't have those everyday. I to suffer the embarrassment of the whelps, sores, itching, bleeding. I feel cooped up in my own home. I have tried everything known to man. Nothing is working. I haven't felt the effects of depression yet. For me it is more disgust and exhaustion. I am so tired of this.

Hi I'm new as well. To NicoleO I just wanted to say that I have had eczema for 13 years now and I was left with scarring on my legs.It depressed the hell out of me when I was a teen and in high school. I hated not being able to wear what I wanted to and how it affected the quality of my life.I use to cry and feel sorry for myself.I went through hell (the itching, not being able to wear clothes at times, not being able to sleep,suffering burns on my legs from lazer treatments,have flare ups on my face etc.).So I know what it is like. But at the end of the day I rose above all that.I went on to become an accomplished professional with many awards in my field-and I did all of that whilst suffering with everything that eczema brings wth it.And as for my scars and my eczema, I accept what I have now and I don't ask 'why me.'We can't change what we have so why get depressed about it.I still have eczema and the scars but I would not remove my scars because they made me who I am today. If you need to let it out, cry or talk to someone but then give yourself a positive pep talk and move forward.It is a rollercoaster ride but you have to be stronger than it to get through.What made me feel better is to think of others worse off:I rather have my legs with eczema than not have any legs at all.I hope you feel better soon.

I've dealt with eczema off and on for as long as I can remember, always stress related. Now 2 of our sons suffer from it too, and the guilt that I feel as a parent is huge. I've started making our own laundry soap at home so we can avoid all the horrible perfumes in our clothes.