Rub a generous amount over the itchy area, and the menthol, camphor, and eucalypus can sometimes overwhelm the itch. The itch is replaced with a mildly pleasant cool, tingling sensation. This can help curb the scratching, which really does then reduce the itch as it breaks the itch-scratch-itch cycle. It is also useful if there is one or two itchy spots that are keeping you awake a night. Usually the cool tingling keeps the itch down long enough to fall asleep. The downside to using Vicks is that is not the most pleasant perfume. When I put it on, my husband can smell me coming, saying "itching again?"
July 29, 2009
Vicks? Really?
I got a tip that Vicks Vapo Rub can really take away an itch. To a certain extent, it's true! For itches that are very localized (for me that usually means associated with a rashy spot) as opposed to that all-over, crawling itch that eczema patients can get, Vicks does provide some relief. It is also less useful when you have many, many spots. But it is still a good tool to have in the fight against itch.
Rub a generous amount over the itchy area, and the menthol, camphor, and eucalypus can sometimes overwhelm the itch. The itch is replaced with a mildly pleasant cool, tingling sensation. This can help curb the scratching, which really does then reduce the itch as it breaks the itch-scratch-itch cycle. It is also useful if there is one or two itchy spots that are keeping you awake a night. Usually the cool tingling keeps the itch down long enough to fall asleep. The downside to using Vicks is that is not the most pleasant perfume. When I put it on, my husband can smell me coming, saying "itching again?"
Rub a generous amount over the itchy area, and the menthol, camphor, and eucalypus can sometimes overwhelm the itch. The itch is replaced with a mildly pleasant cool, tingling sensation. This can help curb the scratching, which really does then reduce the itch as it breaks the itch-scratch-itch cycle. It is also useful if there is one or two itchy spots that are keeping you awake a night. Usually the cool tingling keeps the itch down long enough to fall asleep. The downside to using Vicks is that is not the most pleasant perfume. When I put it on, my husband can smell me coming, saying "itching again?"
July 28, 2009
Sleepless Nights
The persistent itching from eczema can lead to many sleepless nights. Sometimes the itch seems worse at night than during the day. This could be because the mind has nothing else t
o occupy itself with while lying in bed and focuses on the itch. Research has found, though, that cortisol levels are lowest while sleeping and that low cortisol levels is associated with more inflammation. So there might be more to nighttime itching than just a mind focused on the discomfort.
I remember reading somewhere that eczema patients often get an hour to two less sleep a night due to inability to fall asleep and waking up in the night from the itching. Lack of sleep can make you irritable and lead to frustration and anxiety -- I know, I've been there. And lack of sleep can make the itching and the flare-ups even worse. So finding ways to get a good night's sleep are especially important for eczema patients.
I've found the best way to try and get sleep is to take an anti-histamine before bed. I haven't found the anti-histamine to do anything for the itch, but some make me really drowsy - enough to fall asleep despite the itch. I used to take over-the-counter benadryl but often the itch would outmatch any drowsiness induced by the benadryl. My doctor then prescribed hydroxyzine HCL in 25 mg tablets. One tablet can put me to sleep on most nights despite chronic itch. It does make me groggy in the morning, but I much prefer grogginess and 8 hours of sleep to tossing and turning and scratching all night.
o occupy itself with while lying in bed and focuses on the itch. Research has found, though, that cortisol levels are lowest while sleeping and that low cortisol levels is associated with more inflammation. So there might be more to nighttime itching than just a mind focused on the discomfort.I remember reading somewhere that eczema patients often get an hour to two less sleep a night due to inability to fall asleep and waking up in the night from the itching. Lack of sleep can make you irritable and lead to frustration and anxiety -- I know, I've been there. And lack of sleep can make the itching and the flare-ups even worse. So finding ways to get a good night's sleep are especially important for eczema patients.
I've found the best way to try and get sleep is to take an anti-histamine before bed. I haven't found the anti-histamine to do anything for the itch, but some make me really drowsy - enough to fall asleep despite the itch. I used to take over-the-counter benadryl but often the itch would outmatch any drowsiness induced by the benadryl. My doctor then prescribed hydroxyzine HCL in 25 mg tablets. One tablet can put me to sleep on most nights despite chronic itch. It does make me groggy in the morning, but I much prefer grogginess and 8 hours of sleep to tossing and turning and scratching all night.
July 21, 2009
Atopic Triad
Eczema is part of what is often called the atopic triad of eczema, allergies (rhinitis), and asthma. Patients often suffer from more than one of these or they may run in families. They are all characterized to some extent by the immune system reacting to things that it shouldn't - or doesn't in non-atopic people.
At a time of a serious flare of my eczema I underwent comprehensive allergy testing. My dermatologist wanted to make sure that contact allergies were not making my eczema worse. I found out that I had a number of allergies that gave me hives or triggered my eczema. A big one was nickel. What I had thought was eczema around my neck was actually an allergy to several necklaces I had that were made of nickel. I now have a nickel testing kit to avoid exposure. I also discovered a serious allergy to dust mites and have dust mite-proofed my home. This has had no noticeable effect on my eczema, however.
I have also always suffered from rhinitis and as I paid attention, I have noticed that some things I am allergic to also trigger my eczema. Cats, for instance, and grass. After being around
cats or sitting in the grass I am very likely to have a bad flare-up. Other allergies cause a runny nose but no change in my eczema. I think it just takes a lot of time paying attention to what you are exposed to and how your body reacts. Once you notice patterns that lead to flare-ups, you can start to avoid those triggers.
At a time of a serious flare of my eczema I underwent comprehensive allergy testing. My dermatologist wanted to make sure that contact allergies were not making my eczema worse. I found out that I had a number of allergies that gave me hives or triggered my eczema. A big one was nickel. What I had thought was eczema around my neck was actually an allergy to several necklaces I had that were made of nickel. I now have a nickel testing kit to avoid exposure. I also discovered a serious allergy to dust mites and have dust mite-proofed my home. This has had no noticeable effect on my eczema, however.
I have also always suffered from rhinitis and as I paid attention, I have noticed that some things I am allergic to also trigger my eczema. Cats, for instance, and grass. After being around
cats or sitting in the grass I am very likely to have a bad flare-up. Other allergies cause a runny nose but no change in my eczema. I think it just takes a lot of time paying attention to what you are exposed to and how your body reacts. Once you notice patterns that lead to flare-ups, you can start to avoid those triggers.
July 20, 2009
Eczema on your eyes?
A couple years ago, I had trouble with eye irritation. My eyes would itch. When it was very severe, they would feel like there was something in my eye that would not come out. It could get so bad that I would have to lie down with a cold washcloth on my eyes for long stretches at a time. After weeks of suffering with these symptoms, I went to see an eye doctor. He was certain it was not an infection and gave me antihistamine drops. We tried two types of antihistamine drops that did little good. Then he prescribed me Alocril - that solved the problem. They are bright yellow drops. A couple in each eye twice and day and symptoms went away.
I learned later from Nasir's book that eczema can inflame the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is tissue covering the eyeball. When inflamed, it feels like there is something in your eye. This could be what I was experiencing. If it happens to you, ask for Alocril.
I learned later from Nasir's book that eczema can inflame the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is tissue covering the eyeball. When inflamed, it feels like there is something in your eye. This could be what I was experiencing. If it happens to you, ask for Alocril.
July 15, 2009
Treatment: Ointment
Ointments -- my husband fondly calls them goop -- are an eczema patient's best friend. I just use Vaseline and apply it liberally morning, noon, and night.
Some patients may dislike ointments because they leave you feeling sticky. They can then also get on sheets, clothes, or furniture. Ointments do wash off in the laundry but will stand out on fabrics as discoloration until they are washed. I find that applying them liberally and then putting on cotton pants and a long sleeve cotton shirt for protection is very helpful for my skin. Doing this as a bedtime routine can be a good alternative for those who do not want to be sticky during the day.
Why are ointments good?
Patients with eczema get tiny cracks in their skin. These cracks let irritants into the skin and moisture out. Nasir, author of Eczema-Free for Life, calls this "leaky skin." Ointments are doubly good because they keep moisture in and keep irritants out. Use them often!
Book Review: Eczema-Free for Life
Eczema-Free for Life
Adnan Nasir, M.D.
In Eczema-Free for Life, Nasir comments that eczema is not an allergy or a disease but a vulnerability. In this readable and informative book, he explains to the reader exactly what this means. The first section of the book covers diagnosis, management of the condition, physiology and genetics, and the itch-scratch cycle. The next two sections of the book are divided into chapters for adults living with eczema and chapters for parents of children living with eczema. In each of these two sections, Nasir covers daily routines, preventing flare-ups, and dealing with the emotional toll living with eczema can have on patients and their families.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone suffering from eczema or for those who have loved ones suffering from eczema. Nasir clearly describes what eczema is and how to best manage it. He is keenly aware of the impact eczema can have on one's life and offers empathetic suggestions for coping.
The book is available at Amazon.
July 14, 2009
What is eczema?
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, refers to skin conditions characterized by dry skin, rash, and persistent itch. It can affect people of all ages. Eczema has been called the itch that rashes, because the persistent itch leads to scratching, which causes the rash. Eczema is a terrible cycle of itch and scratch that is difficult to break.
Why so dry?
In patients with eczema, the skin loses its moisture rapidly, causing chronic dry skin. Lipids hold skin cells together. As discussed in Your Guide to Eczema by Sarah Wakelin, in some patients with eczema, not enough lipids are produced, leading skin cells to dry out and be lost more easily. This makes the barrier layer of the skin thinner and thus even more likely to dry out and crack. The cracks can let irritants into the skin, exacerbating the eczema.
Further, eczema patients do not produce enough of the oils made by the sebaceous glands. This also leads to very dry skin.
Why so rashy?
The dermis is the deeper layer of the skin. In the dermis are many blood vessels. White blood cells that fight infection come to the skin through these vessels. In patients with eczema, the natural barrier function of the skin has broken down. This allows irritants to enter the skin, which trigger more white blood cells being sent to the skin. These white blood cells trigger inflammation, releasing antibodies and cytokines to fight off bacteria or infections, even when they don't need to be fighting. Steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs to help limit this response.
Why so itchy?
When the white blood cells get to work in the cell, they can trigger nerve endings in the skin, causing the sensation of itch.
Why so dry?
In patients with eczema, the skin loses its moisture rapidly, causing chronic dry skin. Lipids hold skin cells together. As discussed in Your Guide to Eczema by Sarah Wakelin, in some patients with eczema, not enough lipids are produced, leading skin cells to dry out and be lost more easily. This makes the barrier layer of the skin thinner and thus even more likely to dry out and crack. The cracks can let irritants into the skin, exacerbating the eczema.
Further, eczema patients do not produce enough of the oils made by the sebaceous glands. This also leads to very dry skin.
Why so rashy?
The dermis is the deeper layer of the skin. In the dermis are many blood vessels. White blood cells that fight infection come to the skin through these vessels. In patients with eczema, the natural barrier function of the skin has broken down. This allows irritants to enter the skin, which trigger more white blood cells being sent to the skin. These white blood cells trigger inflammation, releasing antibodies and cytokines to fight off bacteria or infections, even when they don't need to be fighting. Steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs to help limit this response.
Why so itchy?
When the white blood cells get to work in the cell, they can trigger nerve endings in the skin, causing the sensation of itch.
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