How do you cope with an eczema flare up? – What Allergy

Over the years you learn to cope with eczema. You know youll never be quite free but once you can get a handle on keeping your skin moisturised and avoiding the things that trigger flare ups it gets easier.

Some people do grow out of it but sadly that is not the fate for all of us. Some people have cyclical flare ups which seems to be the route Im taking. I have no idea what happens to trigger the flare up. It isnt always bad diet, late nights and over indulging, as you might imagine. Sometimes its just time. Its time your skin gave you a good kicking.

FREE ebook 10 Eczema secrets your doctor wont tell you

It seems very hard to stay organised. Steriods are no longer left on your repeat prescription. You can only get them now if you visit your doctor or phone up to request them, and you need a good reason. It isnt good enough just to say youve run out and would like to stock up your first aid box in case of a flare up. Oh no! You must now wait until such time as you really need it, but perhaps not wait quite as long as I do.

Eczema on my hand a wrist. Shows how dry my skin is

Its not nice. Its painful, frustrating and stressful. I get by on a concoction of pain killers, antihistamines, vitamins and minerals and omega oil supplements in the vain hope that my skin will realise its getting some goodness. I drink plenty of water and try to get plenty of sleep, keep the eczema clean and moisturised but sometimes it decides its here to stay for longer than I planned for!

I often forget what its like for my husband to live with me when eczema strikes. When Im good Im very very good, but when Im bad Im horrid! If Im not sleeping, neither is he. If Im in pain and upset, he is usually the one who gets the brunt of my sharp tongue. Through thick and thin he is there for me though. He rarely complains and supports me as much as he can, short of organising a skin transplant. When he asks me, What can I do to help? and I demand, New skin please, NOW! Like yours please but minus the bristles. He will laugh, hug me and it is a bit better, but I know noone can change my atopic skin.

Doesn't quite capture the tightness, soreness or rawness...

I never learn. I always wait, leave it, try to cope, try to keep going, until I am literally on my knees with exhaustion, pain and frustration. These flare-ups seem to come to visit every six months or so and I just cannot cope without the intervention of steroid ointments. Winter does seem to be a common time when eczema gets worse. Whether thats the cold weather, central heating or just pure coincidence, doesnt really matter, but the dreary weather never helps the dark moods that come with it.

Well today I came home with a stern lecture from the doctor that my skin is far too dry, not to leave it so long before getting treatment, and a potential referral for further help. What Im really pleased with though is the big paper bag of different steroids, emollients and antihistamines and whether its the placebo effect or just some sympathy from someone who was shocked at how bad my skin was and how raw, red, tight and sore who cares! One application of steroids and I already feel ten times more positive, calmer and less in pain. Could just one application really start to make a difference that fast? Or is 50% of this battle that I am not making a fuss, this is really bad and that I only have to ask for some help

I am telling myself I wont let my skin get so ravaged and damaged again before seeking help. Im pretty sure I will though, it seems the memory fades and living with eczema you get used to ignoring the itch and using natural things to try to keep it at bay. Allergies too dont help. Often a mild reaction to a trace of an allergen will cause itchy skin and hives. If I can ignore it sometimes the lumps will recede fairly quickly without too much discomfort. Sometimes though its not allergies, its just eczema, an unwelcome guest who never announces his arrival, nor books to stay, just turns up unannounced and always outstays his welcome. Sorry boys but eczema is a man!

Sometimes oil baths, tea tree oil and aloe vera are just not quite enough. I have no idea why the flare-ups take hold, when at other times they fade and heal.

So I thought Id share my sad little story. I talk about the allergies easily and a lot since they are so often life threatening and frightening, but I rarely talk about the eczema. Eczema is not life threatening. Its just common old boring eczema. Its not exciting and scary like allergies. It doesnt need to be taken so seriously or does it?

I find the eczema is pretty disgusting. It repulses me. I hate it. Im ashamed of it. I feel dirty, the emollients make this worse. I feel in some way I am to blame that it comes, and it looks so horrid and it feels pretty awful. I get eczema all over too. I cant hide it, though I can hide some of it. The worst of it gets my forehead, cheeks and neck. The eyelids take a bit of a battering too. I look pretty dreadful and generally become a bit of a recluse when these hard times hit. This just compounds the general feeling of depression and frustration. Add to this that I cannot exercise because this on bad eczema is like pouring acid into the sores. Sweat and eczema do not mix. But with no exercise you just feel worse, more isolated and more grumpy. If you can get yourself moving, even just for a walk it will help, exercise is so important but also, for the person with eczema, can be so painful.

I become paranoid that some allergen is invading my house. I am frightened to touch anything. Dont want to eat anything in case its food making me so sore. I even cringe from be hugged because it hurts to be touched when really, a hug is just what I need, even if its a gentle one and not a painful bear hug.

Today eczema is packing its bags and lets hope its gone for some time because quite frankly me and my husband could do with a good nights sleep.

So for now the rant is over and I thought Id share a few eczema tips, though after reading this I wouldnt blame for not taking them seriously! Clearly Im not quite on top of this baby! But Ill try anyway. I have learned quite a few things that both soothe and help heal and cheer me up.

Well, this was a fairly miserable, sad, ranty blog post. But sometimes things get hard. If you ever want a moan or have a question, come along to what allergy and well do our best to either help, find someone who can, or make you laugh.

FREE ebook 10 Eczema secrets your doctor wont tell you

And finally, here is a totally free pdf ebook with ten things your doctors wont tell you about eczema, they are all really simply practical things that could just make a difference.

Ive read it and its packed with ten really useful things everyone with eczema should know and its true not one of them has ever been mentioned to me by a doctor

Its really interesting and anyone struggling with eczema flare-ups should consider reading it.

Its free too so whats stopping you? You never know, it might just help you to cope a little better.

Hows your eczema? Good? Bad? Gone for good? What do you find some useful tips on here to help keep yours at bay?

Did you like this? Share it:

Follow this link:
How do you cope with an eczema flare up? - What Allergy