http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ Eczemaletters Forum: Last 35 Posts en Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:05:56 +0000 http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=4#post-23 Sun, 18 May 2008 22:28:24 +0000 Byoumamma 23@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>OMG, I am soooo happy to find this site. My doctor thinks I'm crazy. The bridge of my nose itches very badly directly related to where glasses fall - over the bridge for glasses without nosepads and at the tear ducts for those with nosepads. I have to change sunglasses and reading glasses frequently. I could just scratch my nose off; then I get red bumps on it that weep. It seems to be progressing and is no longer controlled by antihistamines. Now it itches mostly all the time, glasses or not. Throughout the day I alternate Benadryl cream and triple antibiotic ointment on my nose. Can't wear contacts. Is there a company that makes hypo-allergenic glasses? Would the deodorant thing work for me? </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=4#post-22 Tue, 13 May 2008 00:51:58 +0000 renamt 22@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>Marchon made a titanium frame w/o nose pieces. (41T-unisex) Wonderful- never broke out from them. Just lost mine. Write to them and try to get them to remanufacture them. </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=8#post-21 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:53:28 +0000 gavinsmom 21@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>My son is 25 months and suffers from eczema, lately it's been a few really bad trouble spots we can't seem to get controlled, around his eye and one finger. I feel so horrible for the kids and people out there who are really having trouble all over. I am in the process of typing up some information for myself as a reference and to share with others. I do think its a bit of a mystery, no 2 people are the same, and you have to use a lot of trial and error to see what works. And remember Drs have opinions, and they are just that, so you have to be an advocate for your child or yourself and do some research on your own too. I am learning not to just trust what they say and do as they say. Anyway, here are some things you may want to look into. </p> <p>Disclaimer! I can’t say I have tried or use all of the tips, medications etc mentioned below, but these have been suggested by some other people I have talked with. Try or research these tips with that caveat! </p> <p>• Use mild laundry soap, dreft or free of perfume and dyes, double wrinse loads<br /> • Sarna – Otc lotion<br /> • Probiotics – I have heard mixed reviews on adding this to food. talk with Dr<br /> • One mom said “vani cream” all over is great<br /> • She also said “osmotics” carries a cream called “triceram” which is great – very $$$. She said it also helps repair the skin. They sell at Nordstrom $30 a tube, special order,ships free, or from the website she said you can order (osmotics) and there is a discount with a larger purchase. She said they will have a new product out in July that will be a prescription cream. </p> <p>Recommendations/info from the National Jewish medical and research center in Denver CO <a href="http://www.njc.org/:" rel="nofollow">http://www.njc.org/:</a><br /> • This mom went there for a 10 day outpatient program for her son who has had bad eczema. it’s not cheap to travel there of course, but highly recommends them. They have info on their site as well. AND you can call and talk with a nurse!!!<br /> • Wash sheets every 3 days or more often and any items in bed/crib like a stuffed animal that can hold dust mites<br /> • “soak and seal” – take 15 min or 20 min baths then apply lotion within 3 mins of getting out, do not totally dry the skin, pat it dry, don’t rub<br /> • They do not recommend using a humidifier. Given the link between asthma, allergies, and eczema, there can be risks with a humidifier and mold spores etc. they actually said you can develop something called “humidifier lung.”<br /> • If you use steroid creams and plan to reduce, taper down, don’t go cold turkey off of them. Limit steroids as much as you can.<br /> • They showed this family how to do wet wraps in really bad areas, apply cream, then gauze</p> <p>Natural remedies to look into:<br /> • Omega 3 supplements, fish oil or flax – tip if you buy it make sure it says “molecularly distilled and tested for contaminants”<br /> • This mom recommended Carlson’s for kids cod liver oil, said it has a nice lemon taste! Her son takes a tsp a day and I assume it is by weight on the bottle.<br /> • Primrose oil, black currant oil, borage oil<br /> • Calendula lotion<br /> • Aloe vera<br /> • Lavender<br /> • chamomile</p> <p>Sites/Links: </p> <p>Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis CME Online Symposium (www.pedeczema.com).</p> <p><a href="http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=8" rel="nofollow">http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=8</a></p> <p>good article -<br /> <a href="http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/allergy/atopic_dermatitis/ad.manage.consult.htm" rel="nofollow">http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/allergy/atopic_dermatitis/ad.manage.consult.htm</a></p> <p>copied from another site:<br /> use TWO different moisturizers, one on top of the other after shower/bath, The first layer is Nutraplus lotion by Healthpoint, which contains 10% urea (this ingredient seems especially soothing). The second layer depends on how itchy I am. For good days, I use Pure Baby Eczema Care Lotion with biotin and aloe (888-311-PURE.) For the bad days (and winter) I use Lac-Hydrin Five (Westwood Squibb) which contains lactic acid and is buffered with ammonium hydroxide. </p> <p>National Eczema Association for Science and Education<br /> This site provides information on living with eczema, patient education pamphlets, and support group contact numbers.<br /> EczemaNet<br /> The American Academy of Dermatology developed this website to provide patients with current information on the management and treatment of skin diseases. It describes medications used to treat eczema and offers a database of dermatologists.<br /> National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Atopic Dermatitis (NIAMS)<br /> This is the primary National Institutes of Health organization for research on eczema and atopic dermatitis.<br /> Medline Plus: Eczema (National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine)<br /> This site provides a broad range of eczema links, including the latest news, information on diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, directories, glossaries, and statistics.<br /> Eczema Resource<br /> Produced in collaboration with experts, the Eczema Resource provides a forum for discussion about treatments for eczema, side effects of treatments, and ideas for tailoring treatments for infants and adults with mild to severe eczema. The site includes videos, transcripts, and articles that cover traditional and new treatments.</p> <p>I hope this is some help to someone! </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=8#post-20 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:18:36 +0000 madysonsmommi 20@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>Hi my name is jacqueline my 2 1/2 year old daughter Madyson was diagnosed with atopic eczema it covers her legs, arms, neck in her hair and sometimes on her back and stomach accompanied by puss bumps and scabs. She has been suffering since she was 4 months old.she sees the doctor twice a month .She was taking a steroid cream and hydroxzine. Now she is using elidel cream.Nothing seems to be working she cant sleep at night and she hates bath time.she will be starting school later this year and I want her to fit in as much as possible,and be comfortable with minimum itching.Any suggestions will be greatly appriciated. </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=8#post-19 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:24:39 +0000 chriss 19@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>Audrey, I run a small company over in England that sells a product called DermaSilk. It is an easy to use silk clothing which are intended to be used alongside normal medication - not replace it. they can help reduce itch and stop overheating.</p> <p>Get your parents to log in to the dermasilk website, <a href="http://www.dermasilk.co.uk" rel="nofollow">www.dermasilk.co.uk</a> . It might be some help to you.</p> <p>Chris </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=4#post-18 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:59:48 +0000 sharon 18@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>i am having the same problem....itching around the tearduct area from below the eye up to my eyebrow between the nose and eye area i just took some benidryl (sp) seems to help also this is mainly when i wear my other glasses (older pair) the info that it might be bacterial is informative .thinking of trying lotramin (carefully) and/or clear nail polish (on the pads) also one very important thing is using a eye lubricant with glyscerine (sp) felt really really good...as eye drops can be drying. hope you can read this , dont have glasses on this condition can be agonizing this is not pink eye. as for soap to clean around the eyes my daughter and i ocastinally get a condition where we get boiles or eye canker sores up under our lids called cselaziums (sp) from bacteria floating around our docter recommended antibacterial soap on a q-tip around the eyelash area (might get some in eyes a little) it works </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=8#post-17 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:42:08 +0000 AUDREYUH 17@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>I am a ten year old girl with Eczema. I have it on my ankle, knees and my hands. I use Mimyxx and a steroid cream. I also take Zyrtec and Hydroxizine daily. These drug help but not all the time.</p> <p>I’m wondering if you have any ideas that might help me with my Eczema. </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=4#post-16 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:55:53 +0000 JohnR 16@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>I buy reading glasses by the dozen, because I do not always have time to stop and clean them. Sense they are cheap glasses I do have an allergy to the metal on them. So if I am in a hurry I will cover the sides of the glasses with scotch tape or plastic from a sandwich bag. I am currently looking for some way to cover the metal with an epoxy or a plastic to deal with that. I have found that bacteria and even fungus can be an issue. Every now and then I will clean the glasses with rubbing alcohol. Actually, I clean a lot with rubbing alcohol because it is cheap, and it evaporates so you do not always have to rinse it like you do with soap. Of course it takes more than just cleaning the glasses, you have to wash the skin. I just use regular generic soap, but I am also looking for a special soap for cleaning around the eyes. I think I got something from Mary Kay or one of those companys for cleaning around the eyes once. </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=4#post-15 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:37:09 +0000 bel 15@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>bel I can totally relate to Lindalou. I too thought I was going crazy. I have a latex allergy and lactose intollerant. I have allergies to dust ,fur, feathers and smoke. Allergic to Demerol and Codine too. I have been having problems with glasses and contacts and an eye allergy about a week ago caused my eyes to close with swollen red blistered watering and may be from contacts? I have the same problem with glasses as Lindalou, my eyes water, itch , get red, and I wondered about the plastic nose pieces might have latex in them? I felt like I was reading my story when I read this one of Lindalou. I feel like its the nose pieces, the ear pieces and wondered what the lens are made of. I wonder if there is any way to find out? Can you help me. Please </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=6#post-14 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:11:08 +0000 John 14@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>Hi Jeanne</p> <p>I've been doing some research myself and came across the following products that seem to be truly hyperallergenic. One is from Europe it's called Elave and the other one is from the USA called Exederm.</p> <p>The Exederm people have an excellent website which compares ingredients and discusses the pro's and con's of things like parabens</p> <p>Just thought you might like to know</p> <p>regards<br /> John </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=4#post-11 Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:35:29 +0000 admin 11@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>If all the patch tests/allergy tests were negative, then I think we should assume that you do not have a contact allergy to a substance in the glasses. Furthermore, you reacted to all the different glasses, so a contact allergy is even less likely, because it will be very unusual to have so many different contact allergies!</p> <p>You do say that when you use contact lenses the problem is solved, so this would suggest that the glasses does have something to do with your problem.</p> <p>Sometimes localised sweating under the nose pads of glasses can cause a condition called intertrigo, that can cause itching.</p> <p>This might be a bit weird, but try using an anti-perspirant gel twice daily on the sides of your nose where the eye glasses rests. It must be a gel, not a roll-on or stick!</p> <p>You also have "severe" dry eyes. Are you having this treated? If not, have your dry eyes investigated by an ophthalmologist. It might be a part of your problem. Often people with dry eyes have dry skin. Dry skin can be more prone to the problem you describe. But, go to the ophthalmologist with your dry eye problem, not "this" problem.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=4#post-10 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:05:51 +0000 lindalou 10@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>I hope somebody can help with this problem I've had for years now, I am getting very depressed! I started wearing eyeglasses 7 years ago, and have switched frames several times due to skin irritation. I started with titanium, then nylon, then stainless steel, now plastic.When I get the glasses, they feel fine, then after 6-8 weeks, I have severe itching of the eyelids, some swelling, my nose runs, the inside of my nose itches and burns. I had allergy testing done last year where they took apart ALL my glasses and tested the metals, and I was told I had a negative reaction to ALL when they did patch testing. After one serious reaction, I was given prednisone, and Desonide ointment to put on my face which used to help during flareups. I just tried it again and it doesn't seem as effective. I only use it when needed. The worst thing is, I wake up almost every night, this is for years now, and the area between my eye and nose, where the nose pads would be, itches so terribly that I scratch until I think I will scratch the bones of my face. There is no relief. This wakes me every single night. (I have contac lens which do not bother me but I have severe dry eye so they are not an option.) I decided today I must be allergic to the LENS of all these glasses. I called the company and spoke to someone who is going to check and see what is in/on them-he said they get a "chemical bath" and are dipped in coatings. I have been to a dermatologist, 2 allergy doctors, 4 eye doctors, and my latest optician thinks I am nuts and has no time for me. No one has a solution. I can't see without my glasses. The itching/burning is causing me sleep deprivation for years now. My MD have me Vistaril, but it is very sedating and really doesn't help much. Has anyone heard of this, and would glass versus plastic lens be a possible solution? This has also cost me hundreds of dollars in appointments and replacing frames, etc. If it's of any help, I also had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine 2 years ago, maybe some common chemicals there? </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=6#post-9 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:32:39 +0000 John 9@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>Thank you so much for such a considered and thoughtful response.</p> <p>Yes, I would be interested in articles on common ingredients to avoid in skin care products.</p> <p>Haven't heard of many of the ingredient you mentioned but parabens does seem to be in a lot of different products.</p> <p>I have seen parabens free products advertised in Europe but not here.</p> <p>It seems that most companies cram as much as possible into the product especially the herbal products rather than just sticking to the essentials </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=6#post-8 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:39:03 +0000 admin 8@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>It is both a very important and a very wide topic you touch on. In reality there are no such thing as a product that is "sensitive" to everybody. Hypoallergenic is also a relative term, because people can be allergic to so-called hypoallergenic products as well. In some cases the words "sensitive" and "hypoallergenic" are simply marketing ploys.</p> <p>It is perhaps easier to try and answer your question by saying which ingredients should preferably not be present in skin care products. Broadly speaking a product should not contain any ingredients that is not essential to its function.</p> <p>Colorants and perfumes are the first two ingredients in this category as you rightly point out.</p> <p>Preservatives, although necessary, should be minimized. Parabens e.g. methylparaben , ethylparaben , propylparaben and butylparaben are quite common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. </p> <p>Imidazolidinyl urea is another common preservatives. The latter is known by many different names, including Quaternium-15 (Dowicil®), Diazolidinyl urea (Germall II®), DMDM hydantoin (Glydant®), Bromonitropropane diol (Bronopol™) and Tris (hydroxymethyl) nitromethane (Tris Nitro®). In any system that contain water, preservatives are almost always essential, but they should be used at the lowest effective concentration.</p> <p>Overly harsh surfactants (detergents) should also be eliminated as far as possible, because they can strip excessive amounts of fat out of the skin, which will lead to dryness. The best example of a harsh surfactant is probably Sodium laureth sulfate.</p> <p>I guess at the end of the day the product you should use is the one that works for you! There are simply too many ingredients to provide a comprehensive answer. Very few ingredients have also been compared as far as efficacy and safety is concerned, so there are no ranking of ingredients from good to bad.</p> <p>I think what I wrote above is a good starting point when evaluating a product and will already eliminate a significant percentage of products!!! </p> <p>Perhaps I should write a series of articles about various ingredients in everyday skin care products!! </p> http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/topic.php?id=6#post-7 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:14:15 +0000 John 7@http://www.eczemaletters.com/bbpress/ <p>Interested to hear about what ingredients are best and worst for everyday skin care.</p> <p>I find some products labeled "sensitive" are irritating and even some labeled as "hypoallergenic" can have color and perfume. </p>