Eczema in all the worst places

[Guy-jin]

Long time avoider, first time poster.

Anyone else have eczema? I am unfortunately a sufferer. Usually it's on my hands and feet exclusively, but rarely I get patches of eczema on my scrotum and it is just. So. Not. Cool.

Tonight is one of those nights. I've applied some cream to try to cool it down and relieve the itch but goddamn. I feel like going outside and scraping my balls against a tree.

Anyone else experience the joys of eczema crotch? How do you deal with it?

 

[ConanTheBarber]

I have had eczema all my life, as have both my siblings.
If you have eczema, the inflammatory tendency will always be with you, though with luck it will remain largely latent.
I assume you are using steroid ointments. Are you using strong ones? The stronger ones are truly more effective.
My dermatologist has put me on Methotrexate, a drug you don't fool around with, but which has proven effective in difficult cases. You work your way up to a fairly strong dose (I am still in the early going). Each month, you have blood tests to ensure that the drug is not having a bad effect on the kidneys or the liver.
So far, I take the drug only once a week, and take folic acid on the other days. I will continue on this regimen, using stronger doses, for quite some time—exactly how long, I haven't yet been told ... and I imagine it depends largely on my response to the treatment.
The next step, if this one fails, is oral steroids, which are very hard on body and are best avoided if possible.
I guess I'm lucky. My eczema has never spread to my crotch.
Good luck with this problem—and don't scratch!!! Of course, you know that.

 

[Guy-jin]

I do have steroidal cream but I avoid using it as much as I can for reasons I'm sure you're aware of. I have another no steroidal cream as well that at least cools the burn.

It's maddeningly itchy!

 

[MisterVIP]

Has your dermatologist suggested changing (or eliminating) your soap and shampoo?

I had a bit of mild eczema on my hands for a little while; they told me from too frequent/near OCD hand washing. GP and dermatologist in the US gave me the steroid creams - I didn't use them because I still kept washing my hands too frequently for it to be of any use. When I got to Australia, a pharmacist told me to toss those away and to use QV Gentle Wash by Ego. Problem all gone and hasn't come back. You can use that in the shower too.

 

[MrHangman]

My dermatologist prescribed Locoid lotion for my eczema. It is insanely expensive for extremely limited quantities, but when I use it it clears up my eczema so quickly. Which is important to me because I am so paranoid about stds.

 

[Guy-jin]

Has your dermatologist suggested changing (or eliminating) your soap and shampoo?

I had a bit of mild eczema on my hands for a little while; they told me from too frequent/near OCD hand washing. GP and dermatologist in the US gave me the steroid creams - I didn't use them because I still kept washing my hands too frequently for it to be of any use. When I got to Australia, a pharmacist told me to toss those away and to use QV Gentle Wash by Ego. Problem all gone and hasn't come back. You can use that in the shower too.

Mine is genetic, but excessive dryness would not help. I tend to avoid strange soaps and go for something mild as well as using oil on my skin. And I'm now a no shampoo person.

 

[ConanTheBarber]

I do have steroidal cream but I avoid using it as much as I can for reasons I'm sure you're aware of. I have another no steroidal cream as well that at least cools the burn.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't worry too much about the steroids in the cream. They have very local application and shouldn't have too bad an effect on your body. Meanwhile, the eczema itself opens your skin to infection, and the cycle of inflammation you're trying to fight worsens the longer it lasts. So, arguably, applying more rather than less cream may be better for you—assuming that it succeeds in stopping the itch/scratch cycle and ending the inflammation.

 

[MisterVIP]

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't worry too much about the steroids in the cream. They have very local application and shouldn't have too bad an effect on your body. Meanwhile, the eczema itself opens your skin to infection, and the cycle of inflammation you're trying to fight worsens the longer it lasts. So, arguably, applying more rather than less cream may be better for you—assuming that it succeeds in stopping the itch/scratch cycle and ending the inflammation.

My dermatologist said the opposite regarding the steroid cream and even a GP in Australia said the same; that using more is a waste of expensive cream, because the caked on stuff doesn't get where it needs to go, so less is more. But I switched to soap free cleanser anyway and it's resolved. The pharmacist also suggested a companion moisturizer with the QV Gentle Wash, but I haven't needed it.

 

[ConanTheBarber]

My dermatologist said the opposite regarding the steroid cream and even a GP in Australia said the same; that using more is a waste of expensive cream, because the caked on stuff doesn't get where it needs to go, so less is more. But I switched to soap free cleanser anyway and it's resolved. The pharmacist also suggested a companion moisturizer with the QV Gentle Wash, but I haven't needed it.

Guy-jin said he avoids using steroids cream as much as he can. I highly doubt that your dermatologist had such a notion in mind.
Steroid creams are not peanut butter and should not be slathered on.
My point is that one must ensure that one is using enough; of course, using too much is pointless.

 

[185248]

I was only sending some information to my son this morn about Potassium Permanganate..Condy's crystals, as they have two children that suffer quite badly from eczema. It seems to be genetic also as their mum suffers as well. I remember my mum using it for us kids when growing up for other purposes. It's not a cure, but seems to have the ability to soothe and allow it time to settle down and give creams a chance to do their work from reading more about it.

You may have already have tried it since being a long term sufferer. I just visited my son on the weekend, it drives the little ones crazy with the itching, and it's difficult when there is not much you can do to try help them except try to place their attention on other things.

 

[deleted924715]

Sorry you're going through this - I had a small patch on my abdomen for a few months once that seemed to be triggered by being run down and stress - drove me insane. The scratching for a millisecond was divine but then the itching would be worse. Anything medicated seemed to aggravate it very shortly after the inital application soothed it. The only thing I found that cooled and genuinely soothed was a blob of Aloe Vera Gel with Tea Tree Oil by Aloe Pura mixed with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil. Completely stumbled across the concoction by accident but it worked for me. Could keep the gel in the fridge thinking about it, for added cooling.

 

[Guy-jin]

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't worry too much about the steroids in the cream. They have very local application and shouldn't have too bad an effect on your body. Meanwhile, the eczema itself opens your skin to infection, and the cycle of inflammation you're trying to fight worsens the longer it lasts. So, arguably, applying more rather than less cream may be better for you—assuming that it succeeds in stopping the itch/scratch cycle and ending the inflammation.

It really depends. I don't get cracking to the point of bleeding very often, so the risk of infection isn't really higher. My eczema is generally mild, fortunately. For people with more severe cases, definitely the pros outweigh the cons.

Sorry you're going through this - I had a small patch on my abdomen for a few months once that seemed to be triggered by being run down and stress - drove me insane. The scratching for a millisecond was divine but then the itching would be worse. Anything medicated seemed to aggravate it very shortly after the inital application soothed it. The only thing I found that cooled and genuinely soothed was a blob of Aloe Vera Gel with Tea Tree Oil by Aloe Pura mixed with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil. Completely stumbled across the concoction by accident but it worked for me. Could keep the gel in the fridge thinking about it, for added cooling.

Tea tree oil definitely can help! This is generally what I try first line before resorting to a prescription cream.

 

[ConanTheBarber]

It really depends. I don't get cracking to the point of bleeding very often, so the risk of infection isn't really higher. My eczema is generally mild, fortunately. For people with more severe cases, definitely the pros outweigh the cons.

With mild eczema, you will have less risk of infection. But if you're getting cracking at all, you have some risk of infection. And sometimes you do crack to the point of bleeding.
My point was that, since you're having problems controlling the condition, you should perhaps make more use of the creams, which are fairly harmless in a systemic sense ... not a patch on taking steroids orally.
However, you're a very bright boy, and if you think that the cons outweigh the pros in your case, I will just go sit in the corner.

Bises,
Yah psychotic stepmother,
Connie

 

[davo163]

I really sympathise with your situation, as I also had severe eczema. The groin is the worst place to get it - warm places and all. After suffering for some months without any success using steroid creams, I embarked on a two year experiment in 2010 to find a cure. I was prepared to try every possible treatment if I had to. I saw a specialist dermatologist, tried ayrveda, kinesiology, herbalism, you name it! I saw varying degrees of relief, however the most remarkable improvement came when, on a whim, I eliminated wheat/gluten from my diet. Within two weeks of starting a gluten-free diet, the eczema had almost vanished. It took another 6 months for the skin to return to normal and the hair to grow back on my legs.

As you mentioned you get eczema on your hands, it might also be worthwhile to get a doctor to check if you have a nickel allergy.

Hope this helps Guy-jin

 

[davo163]

I really sympathise with your situation as I also had severe eczema. The groin is the worst place to get it - warm places and all. After suffering for some months without any success using steroid creams, I embarked on a two year experiment in 2010 to find a cure. I was prepared to try every possible treatment if I had to. I saw a specialist dermatologist, tried ayrveda, kinesiology, herbalism, you name it! I saw varying degrees of relief, however the most remarkable improvement came when, on a whim, I eliminated wheat/gluten from my diet. Within two weeks of starting a gluten-free diet, the eczema had almost vanished. It took another 6 months for the skin to return to normal and the hair to grow back on my legs.

As you mentioned you get eczema on your hands, it might also be worthwhile to get a doctor to check if you have a nickel allergy.

Hope this helps Guy-jin

 

[Guy-jin]

Thanks. It's great that you found something that works for you. I actually know what causes mine. I am deficient for a particular protein due to genetics. I still have one copy of the gene for it that has partial function, which is why I don't have substantially more severe disease.

 

[ConanTheBarber]

Thanks. It's great that you found something that works for you. I actually know what causes mine. I am deficient for a particular protein due to genetics. I still have one copy of the gene for it that has partial function, which is why I don't have substantially more severe disease.

Mine too is considered genetic. Not sure of the particulars. However, I also have conical corneas and asthma, which are considered to result from the same genetic misfiring.

 

[Guy-jin]

Mine too is considered genetic. Not sure of the particulars. However, I also have conical corneas and asthma, which are considered to result from the same genetic misfiring.

Hmm, I've not heard of conical cornea being related, but the combination of eczema (technically atopic dermatitis), asthma, and nasal allergies is known to be associated with mutations in the FLG gene.

 

[ConanTheBarber]

Hmm, I've not heard of conical cornea being related, but the combination of eczema (technically atopic dermatitis), asthma, and nasal allergies is known to be associated with mutations in the FLG gene.

Apparently, conical cornea (keratoconus) is related.
BTW, there are several types of eczema, of which atopic dermatitis—the type we apparently both have—is only the most common.

 

[technopeasant]

I have it the same place you do on my scrotum and around the base of my penis. Dermatologist gave me Protopic, tacrolimus is the generic. It sales for under number of names around the world. Those are the US names. Helps as long as I put it on regularly. Nightly works for me.