A Day in the Life: Life without Health Insurance

Dear Card Holders:

If you are one of the fortunate Americans who has health coverage, count yourself blessed. You will be able to use a combination of prescription drugs and home remedies to nurse your skin back to good health. 

If you, like me, are one of the 47 million Americans without health insurance, you will have to make the best of home remedies and over the counter drugs until your condition changes.

Within the last week, I have changed households. My skin is making the adjustment as well. 

When I was a child, I had atopic dermatitis or or atopic eczema. The rashes were a result of an allergen or irritant that I ingested.

Now that I am an adult,  have a combination of atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. My skin reacts to allergens and irritants that come in physical contact with my skin.

So, I my skin and my immune system is learning to cope with a new environment: an environment with cats!

I have discovered that the most important defense against eczema and psoriasis is CARING. No matter what your skin looks like, or how your skin feels, you must wake up every morning and care. Literally care for your skin.

1. Short daily showers - 10 minutes or less.

2. Olive Oil on body, avoid olive oil on face

3. Cetaphil on body and face (Or, my skin prefers Cera Ve)

4. Oatmeal face mask, once per day

5. At least 8 glasses of water per day

6. Leave the house everyday. I'm not sure if this house is skin friendly.

7. Purchase some over-the-counter hydrocortisone until I can get a prescription

Unfortunately, since changing households... my face has begun to swell into small hive patches on my cheeks. and my eyes have begun to swell with huge bags.

This is a sign that my skin is battling an infection, not just eczema.

If I had health insurance, this would be a great time to take an anti-biotic (Cephalexin). The swelling usually goes down, along with the raised patches of skin, within 24 hours.

Well, I'm doing the best I can. Hope you are, too. 

Love,

Lhea J.

Eczema Files: Cephalexin

Dear Eczema Survivors,

Many forms of eczema may evolve into contact dermatitis or contact eczema overtime. Regardless of what has actually triggered the reaction (food allergen, stress, etc.), the rash may grow due to ongoing infections on the surface of the skin.

Many doctors have begun to prescribe antibiotics such as Cephalexin to combat the infections that accompany and prolong the side effects of eczema.

Antibiotics are often prescribed along with an atopic steroid. However, patients may find that the antibiotic is strong enough to clear infected skin without the aid of a steroid or immunomodulator. 

The results are often noticeable within 24 hours time. Please take Cephalexin as prescribed. Taking the antibiotic in short bursts to offset minor outbreaks may build resistance within the immune system. And, eventually, the drug may be rendered useless.

Love, 

Lhea J.