A Day in the Life: When Skin Falls

After 13 years of suffering from eczema, my skin began to change. My skin, which normally forms a thickened rash when aggravated, began to dry and flake. This new, flaky skin comes off when I towel dry it, rolls off when I put lotion on it, brushes off when I touch it and falls off while I sleep.

The use of triamcinalone and hydrocortisone ointments have helped to thin my skin.

Now, after 3 years of shedding dry skin, my skin is so weak that healthy skin rolls off when I rub it or put lotion on.

Dermatologists don't seem to think that there is anything hazardous about thin skin. But, how can you ward off unwanted bacteria, if there are openings and cuts all over your skin?

So far, the thinning of the epidermis seems to be an irreversible side effect of topical and oral corticosteroids. I'll keep searching for solutions. 

Love,

Lhea J.

A Day in the Life: Weeping Eczema

Dear Concerned,

The first time that one's skin begins to weep can be a very scary period. If you continue with your normal dietary, hygienic, professional and recreational activities, ceteris paribus, unfortuanately sometimes your body chemistry may still change.

Weeping eczema, also knows as wet eczema, is characterized and identified by a thin, colorless film that is emitted from damaged skin tissue. This fluid adheres to the skin, dries, scabs and begins the lichenification of the affected area of skin. Lichenification is when an affected area of skin thickens to the point of a leathery, bark-like, reptile-like appearance. 

Despite the thickness lichenified skin, the area often rips easily especially if it is located in an area where the muscles move frequently such as the neck or face. When a lichenified area rips, the oozing, weeping process begins again. And the affected area become stiffer, less elastic, thicker, rougher and more uncomfortable.

The lichenified/weeping areas exacerbates the itch-scratch-rash process that normal eczema patients experience. If you neck is covered with a lichenified rash, making normal head movements is enough to crack the skin and cause the affected area to weep.

If you are experiencing lichenification and weeping skin simultaneously, you must take the highest safety measures to prevent the area from getting infected.

Normal lotions and emollients that normally sooth your eczema breakouts and rashes, may cause the immune system to overreact and make the skin weep more. The very process of gently applying a steroid or topical immunomodulator to a lichenified/weeping area of skin is often enough to break the skin and cause the leaking of more fluid.

Covering the area with a thick coat of petroleum jelly/vaseline may be enough to sooth the itching. Covering the area with a bandage, gauge, or cotton fabric (a soft cotton scarf, cleaned daily, for an affected neck) may protect the area from potention irritants and remind you to not scratch, or even move the affected area that much. 

In these cases oral medication and supplements works much better than apply topical ointments to a weeping area.  An oral corticosteroid or oral anti-biotic is the best bet to clear up an area of weeping/lichenified eczema.

The best way to treat weeping eczema, is to prevent it. Begin to treat sensitive rash areas before the lichenification and weeping process begins.

Hope this helps.

Love,

Lhea J.

We Are What We Eat: Eczema and Vegetarianism

Dear Vegetarians,

In many ways a vegetarian diet can cure and prevent many common health ailments. Maintaining a vegetarian diet may significantly lower your chances of heart disease, many forms of cancer and osteoperosis.

But the question remains, is a vegetarian diet healthy for eczema-sufferers?

A few problems present themselves. While vegetarianism can not create or cause eczema, vegetarians who already suffer from eczema may be at a disadvantage due to vitamin deficiencies and dietary surplus.

Often, meat-less diets are very low in B vitamins and Fatty Acids. The B Vitamin complex is crucial to both maintaining healthy skin and damaged skin repair.  B-6 and B-12 are particularly low in vegetarian diets and both, collectively, may significantly improve the condition of eczema-prone skin.

The metabolism of poly unsaturated fats takes place in the epithelial layer of the skin. The metabolites help form a semi-permiable layer of skin. Dietary dificiency of linolic acid (of Omega 6) often results in epidermal water loss. Omega 3 is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Increasing Omega 3 oils in one's diet may help regulate immune responses in one's skin.

Also, there are several staples in a vegetarian's diet which may actually serve as allergens or irritants to the eczema prone person:

-----Soy (The vegetarian's dream, may be one of the largest problems of them all)

-----Lactose

-----Eggs

-----Nuts (Great for protein, great for allergies)

-----Citrus (Geez, what fruits don't have a little citrus acid in them?)

-----Gluten (Wheat, Rye, Barley)

So if you are vegetarian with eczema... your biggest concern isn't whether or not you are getting enough protein. You've got quite a few things to think about. 

Love,

Lhea J.

SKINtimacy: Eczema and Healthy Relationships

Dear Young Folk,

Fifty percent of Eczemapedia is dedicated to health awareness and how Eczema-sufferers can develop healthy skin and healthy immune systems. But, fifty percent of Eczemapedia is also dedicated to how Eczema-sufferers can develop a healthy life.

In 2007, dermatologist Alexa Boer-Kimball published the results of a study to the American Academy of Dermatology stating that young people with eczema and psoriasis may be at disadvantage on the young dating scene. 

Basically, many people who do not have eczema or psoriasis are often confused about whether eczema is contagious or not. While the diseases that people should be worried about such as HIV and Herpes lurk invisibly. 

It turns out,

-----83% stated that physical appearance plays a major part in whether they would date someone or not.

-----62% stated that skin condition plays a pivotal role as well. 

I don't think the results of this study come as a surprise to any person with a skin disorder. Just have a skin disorder and you will know how important looks are, how important appearance is in dating, friendships and professional settings. 

Now, the study I would be interested in reading and discussing is the correlation between Eczema/Psoriasis and sexual abuse, sexual molestation and domestic violence.

Are people who suffer from severe eczema or psoriasis more likely to place themselves within dangerous relationships? Or, more likely to stay within dangerous relationships?

Here are a few signs of a healthy relationship:

----- Communication

Everyone communicates differently. Our communication patterns are largely based on the household we grew up in, and our early relationships.

*Can you communicate openly with your partner about your eczema, about both your insecurities and about your physical pain?

*Can you be careful not to take your insecurities and the results of your physical/emotional pain out on your partner?

----- Mutual Respect

Pat Allen/Marianne Williamson "A man greatest psychic need is to have his thoughts respected and a woman's greatest psychic need is to have her feelings cherished."

Does your partner respect when you don't want to have sex? When you do?

Does your partner respect when you need space?

----- Mutual Support

Each individual can make it in the world by themselves keeping acquaintances and family at bay. But life's difficulties are better handled with close support, and life's victories are better celebrated with friends and family.

*Does your partner support and encourage healthy lifestyle habits for people with eczema?

*Does your partner celebrate your victories? (When your skin clears up, etc.)

----- Intimacy

Emotions. Understanding. Sex. Is it healthy? Is it positive?

*Does your partner fulfil your emotional, spiritual and physical needs?

*Or, does your emotional, spiritual, and physical relationships hender other aspects of you or your partners life?

----- Realistic Expectations

Expectations are everything. You will never get what you don't expect. But, if you expect the impossible, you are destined for disappointment. 

*What does your partner expect of you? 

*What do you expect of your partner? 

*Most importantly, what do you expect of yourself?

----- Mutual Flexibility

Can you comprimise, and know that which can never be comprimised?

*Are you in a lopsided relationship? 

*Do you give as much as you get? 

----- Balanced Life

The most important aspect of maintaining a healthy relationship, is maintaining a balanced life. Your relationship should not be 100% of your life. Your relationship should not be 100% of your partners life.

Hope this helps!

Love, 

Lhea J. 

Professional Skin: Traveling with Eczema

Dear Frequent Flyers,

Sometimes if we are not careful, eczema, psoriasis and adult acne can become a debilitating condition. A physical condition, if not carefully monitered can begin to affect ones psychological and social health. 

Eczema does not have to harm your peace of mind, your social status or your professional career. 

Here are a few things you can do so that you can travel with ease:

1. Request a non-smoking hotel room

2. Travel with eczema travel kit

----- Daily Medication (if any)

----- 1% Hydrocortisone Cream (for unexpected breakouts)

-----  Vaseline (great emollient)

----- Olive Oil (In well sealed, small, portable container)

----- Lotion (stay away from hotel lotion. Cera Ve, Cetaphil, Eucerine work well)

----- Soap (stay away from hotel soap/detergent. Aveno, Cetaphil, Homemade Soap, or Oatmeal may work well)

---- Shampoo (stay away from hotel shampoo)

---- Plastic Covers for Pillows

I reckon, when you have eczema... you can never be too careful. 

Love,

Lhea J.

On the Shelf: Prescription for Nutritional Healing

Dear Nutritionists, 

I am a firm believer that every person has a responsibility to learn about how their body functions.

If your mother died of breast cancer, and your grandmother did, too. You have a responsibility to learn about carcinogens and to do self breast checks. 

If alcoholism is prevalent in your family and many people have died of liver disease, liver cancer or pnemonia. You have a responsibility to observe your alcohol intake and take care of your liver.

Obtaining Prescription for Nutritional Healing might be your first step in understanding yourself. Many of our ailments are just the result of vitamin deficiencies, and many of our problems could be derailed, avoided or cured by change in our diet and lifestyle. 

For those suffering from eczema it is extremely important that you observe your diet and your lifestyle and that you understand the impact of your daily activities. It is the best way to control your health, and ultimately control your life. 

This book is always available at Health Food stores, it has become a staple in American Nutrition. And it is definitely worth owning a copy in your own home. 

Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Love,

Lhea J.

Lhea's Secret Remedy: Aloe Vera

Dear Bumpy Bodies,

Many people suffering from eczema are prone to other allergy-related diagnosis as well: asthma, psoriasis, hives. People may find that they suffer from asthma in their childhood, outgrow it, while their eczema remains. Others may find that they grew up with eczema, and start to develop hives, quite randomly, later in life. 

Each person's skin and immune system functions differently. You must develop your own personal regiment and remedies. 

There is one plant that every person with sensitive needs to have in their house: The Aloe Vera Plant. 

Yes, you can buy lotion with aloe vera if you want to... You can buy juice with aloe vera from the store. But, the fact of the mater is, there's nothing like the real thing. Besides, the gel within the aloe vera plant oxidizes very quickly, thus there may be preservatives in aloe vera lotions and products that irritate the sensitive skin of people eczema or psoriasis.

The gel inside of the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant are known to have anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties. 

Aloe Vera has cleared up hives within 24 hours on my skin and has helped with hyperpigmentation marks left from healed rashes.

Growing an Aloe Vera plant in your house, just might be the answer to your prayers. 

Love,

Lhea J.

InSKINcurities: Steroids and Antidepressants

Dear Melancholy,

Dealing with skin disruptions and disorders can be quite a bit to handle. And honestly, if your condition becomes chronic, it can have long term effects on your self-image, your self-esteem, your mood.

Friends and family member may become concerned. Someone may even consider  antidepressants to cope with your mood, which probably fluctuates as often as your skin does.

The fact of the matter is,  by the time your condition becomes chronic -- you are probably taking a combination of corticosteroids and antibiotics to cope with the constant inflammation of your skin. 

So how do Steroids and Antidepressants interact? If neither your dermatologist or your psychiatrist can't answer this question... you need to find a new dermatologist and/or psychiatrist. Don't worry. I had to.

Remember, it's your health. It's your life.

(And personally, I think most doctors don't do enough reading anyway. Too many practicing doctors don't keep up with recent medical research, anyhow.  Your best bet would be to find a practicing doctor who also does research, probably affiliated with a university -- at least you know he or she is keeping up with the latest and greatest.)

It turns out that cortisol and other corticosteroids also affect mood, behavior and cognition through "genomic and nongenomic" mechanisms. Many anti-depressants are effective because they increase corticosteroid receptors and actually lower cortisol levels.

Meanwhile your corticosteroids are working to raise cortisol levels.  Cortisol, is an immunosuppressant which when increased lowers inflammatory effects.

On the other hand, the first month I used Cephalexin... it felt like an antidepressant. Taking it seemed to make me feel so great. I asked my doctor if antibiotics had any antidepressant qualities. She assured me they did not. I guess I was just so happy to have beautiful, healthy skin again... Meanwhile, each time I accidently forgot to take the anti-biotic for the day my mood dramatically dropped. But, hey... maybe that's just me.  Sometimes my body does what it wants, anyhow.

Stay healthy, stay aware. 

Love,

Lhea J.

Happy Housekeeping: The Allergy Free Home

Dear Homebodies,

After battling with your boss and coworkers, dealing with your extended family, and bearing the brunt of everyday life, your home should be your haven. 

Your house, your apartment, should not be a battlefield. Unfortunately, for many with eczema their household becomes a battleground: allergens versus skin. And many American homes are not fit to fight the battle.

The number one enemy to an Allergy-Free home is dust mites. Please refer to Happy Housekeeping: The Battle Against Dust Mites.

Here are a few things that you can do to allergy-proof your home:

-----Maintain Indoor Temperature at 65 degrees or below. Heat causes your blood to dialate leading to an itching sensation.

-----Keep humidity below 50% to prevent mold growth. Purchase a dehumidifier. 

-----Use Air Conditioning. Open Windows invite pollen. Fans attract dust.

-----Consider filtering the air.

-----Don't allow smoking in your home.

-----Consider keeping pets outside, or at least out of the bedroom.

-----Beware of areas where mold can grow.

Until next time...

Love,

Lhea J.

Eczema Files: Systemic Steroids

Dear Anxious,

So you've been living with eczema you whole life, eh? I bet your doctors told you when you were younger, not to worry, that you would grow out of it. And, let me guess, it only got worse. 

So, you've been waiting your entire life for a miracle cure... something to ease the pain of constant itching and soreness... something to rid the embarrassment of rashes and hyper- pigmentation.

Well, I am here to give you good news and bad news. The good news is that there is a miracle cure for extreme, chronic eczema, they are called Systemic Steroids.

The bad news is: all miracle cures have side effects. 

When steroids are taken orally or injected into a muscle they are called systemic steroids, since they affect your entire body.  The systemic steroids are made to mimic cortisol, your body's natural hormone, and suppress the activity of the immune system. 

A person who is having a reaction due to chronic, contact eczema may have many open lesions, cuts and scars on the surface of their skin.  Unfortunately, when molecules enter their body through these openings, the immune system begins treating many of the molecules as if they are invaders. The molecules may just be additives from soaps and detergents or fragrances from lotions and conditioners. The immune system rushes a host of white blood sells to the area of contact and begins an unnecessary healing process similar to the formation of a scab.

Well, by suppressing the immune system, we can slow down or stop the unnecessary scabbing and rashing that occurs in the skin of people with eczema.

And, often systemic steroids return the skin cells to normal without signs of hyper-pigmentation. (No sorry, I haven't figured out the science behind that one, yet.)

Now, here's the bad news. The side effects of long term steroid usage:

--Obesity (The redistribution of fat in your body)

--Osteoporosis (The thinning of your bones. Take calcium! Take vitamin D!)

 --Glaucoma and Cataracts (Eye problems)

--High Blood Pressure

--Heart Disease

Think you want to take steroids short term? Well there are side effects for that too. After you stop taking steroids, your body goes through withdrawal and often can't even produce/regulate it's own natural cortisol.

It's a sticky situation.

Just remember, there are no miracle drugs. Everything you do has an effect. You can't just let your eczema bubble over, rash, lichenify, and leak... you'll catch an infection so quick. And your immune system will be so used to fighting off things that aren't really invaders, it won't know what to do when a real threat enters your body.

But while curing the infections with antibiotics, and lessening the inflammation with steroids, you are creating short term and long term hazards as well.

It's a tough road. Talk with your dermatologist closely. It's your health!

Love,

Lhea J.