Eczema Free Forever™ Eczema Free Forever™

51 months TSW and a Belated Happy New Year!

During the horrific early months and years of TSW, the nights were so dark,  long, and lonely, and the days–though welcomed because of the light–were just as draining and frustrating, with no end in sight. Now here we are, four years later, and I’m amazed how fast the time has flown by!  Brian started TSW as a 10 year-old fifth grader, and he’s now a 14-year-old 9th grader.

                September 2013 just before TSW^          ^September 2017 51 months TSW

How’s he doing? Well, the cold, dry winter atmosphere has resulted in the usual dry skin; the added experience of being a freshman has contributed to increased stress scratching; and cat dander still results in itching, red patches, and allergy symptoms (benadryl to the rescue!). However, the last few TSW signs/symptoms I’ve been monitoring–red sleeves, oozing, elephant skin, profuse skin shedding–have not recurred this time. Now, of course he gets the skin flakes from the dry skin, but it doesn’t result in tablespoons of skin on the sheets in the morning. In fact, my arms are getting flabby because I’m no longer changing and shaking out sheets every day. I’ll exchange flab for TSW any day!

I posted the most recent progress photos in Pictures. Certainly, the skin is NOT perfect, nor will it probably ever be because dysfunctional skin is in his genes, thanks to me and my hubby. He also probably still has atopic dermatitis–which he chooses to manage without steroids and by not worrying about it. However, he is healthy and active and living life. What more can we ask for our child? 🙂

If you are just starting on this TSW journey, you are not alone. It’s a long, painful, difficult rollercoaster process, but for the health and welfare of your child and/or yourself, withdrawing ineffective topical steroids is essential for the body to heal. In addition, appropriate skin/wound care, nutritional, medical, and psychosocial support are needed to address the signs, symptoms, and sequelae of TSW. Find a knowledgeable or at least open-minded doctor who can support you during this process and communicate with others who understand what you’re going through.

You DO have hope for healing!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Beyond the Itch

Publication and Happy 48-month TSW Anniversary!

On October 6, 2013, Brian stopped using topical steroids for his eczema because they were no longer controlling his flares, and his skin and physical condition were getting worse. After surviving the horrific early years and weathering the subsequent storms and calms on this protracted journey, he celebrates his 4th year being free of topical steroids. And what a great way to celebrate: The JDNA has published a Systematic Review on TSW in Children.

Much thanks to the parents who wrote blogs to share their children’s stories with others, and a huge thank you to Dr. Sharon Jacob of the Dermatitis Academy who believed this information should be available to the public in order to help prevent Topical Steroid Addiction (TSA) and Withdrawal (TSW) in infants and children. CLICK to view article. The JDNA (Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association) has made it available FREE for 30 days. Thank you, JDNA!

Please share this pdf and/or link with pediatricians, dermatologists, friends, family, pharmacists, and others to help prevent TSA/Red Skin Syndrome and TSW.

Whether it be TSW, scleroderma, or other condition, documenting one’s journey via pictures, video, and/or journaling can provide a detailed record and data that cannot be captured in randomized controlled trials or 10-minute clinic visits. You can help others going through experiences similar to yours but also provide valuable qualitative information to researchers and clinicians who are looking for answers, willing to learn, and daring to think outside the (topical steroid) box.

“You made me glad by your deeds O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” Psalm 92:4


Beyond the Itch

From 5th grade to 9th grade! Where has the time–and TSW–gone?

I hadn’t intended to stay away so long, but a lot has happened since my last post in January. Between baseball tournaments, school, and traveling, I completed my transitional doctorate in physical therapy from Northeastern University in July and received my direct access certification for VA; my TSW systematic review paper and my capstone paper on scleroderma have been accepted for publication and will be available online soon; two other papers on scleroderma are being considered for publication; we met up with other TSW warriors in Denver; and the world-famous Briana Banos visited and interviewed us for her documentary, “Preventable: protecting our largest organ.” And, believe it or not, ALL this never would have happened had it not been for TSW.

Brian started TSW as a 5th grader in the  Fall of 2013. Today, he just completed his first month as a 9th grader! So far, he’s juggling a rigorous curriculum and baseball pretty well. Now, the lack of sleep is due to homework and projects, not the incessant itch of TSW. Although his skin is not perfect–no thanks to bad genes–three of the five persistent TSW symptoms I’d been monitoring (elephant skin, red sleeves, feet and ankle flares) did not rear their ugly heads this past spring and summer. Dare I say it and risk jinxing us? Could the TSW be over?

September 5, 2017       First day as a high schooler!

Nahhh…we still have to get through winter and spring. If there’s more snow on the ground than on his sheets and if his flares don’t reoccur, then I’d say we’re done. In the meantime, I’ll continue to gratefully and joyfully watch my sweet little boy grow into a strong young man, made wiser and more resilient by this unenviable journey.

 “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12


Beyond the Itch

Coping With Facial Eczema

Facial eczema is one of the worst types of the disease, because it affects the most obvious and exposed part of your body. Not only will the person suffer with flaking, rashes and redness around the face, they can also suffer from embarrassment, and most likely start seeing their self confidence drop.

Facial eczema is less common than other forms of eczema, although that is not much help to a person suffering from it, but don’t lose hope as there are ways to control the condition, especially if you lean towards more natural solutions.

When dealing with eczema on the face, the obvious route that people suffering from this condition is looking at medicinal treatments. You’re probably going to be disappointed by the progress medicine has made so far in this area, though doctors today are still trying to pinpoint the actual causes of the disease within the body.

It’s not certain that it will work for you, but it’s always worth a trying natural eczema remedies, which have proven to be highly successful for a lot of people. If over the counter treatments and medicines are not helping you, you should think about a more natural treatment for your facial eczema. By using the more natural approach you also have the added bonus of avoiding the side effects which you would get from using eczema medicines.

Certain allergic reactions or irritations may be what’s behind your eczema. You might not know this, but one of the main reasons for eczema appearing on the your face is normally due to something coming into contact with your face that your body does not agree with. The best way to proceed with treating your eczema , is to consult your doctor and get a blood allergy test.

This can determine what is likely to cause an allergic reaction in your body. It is well worth noting that not all of these types of tests will always pinpoint the cause. Anything could be causing the reaction, something in your diet, a particular material you are wearing, a type of cosmetic you use, or even the ingredients in a perfume. Once you find what is causing it, stay away from it, see if you notice any improvement.

Most people who suffer with this type of eczema will say that it is the worst type, due to it being so visible. If you’re affected by it, you have to realize that this is not the end of your social life, and you can easily control your problem with the right treatment.

Although there are a variety of eczema treatments out there, each person is different, there’s no guarantee how successful they will be. Don’t get to disheartened if the first thing you use is not successful, keep trying others you will find one to suit you. All it takes is some dedication to getting rid of the disease, and the right information about treating facial eczema.

Facial eczema can be very depressing for the people that have it. Great inroads have been made into natural eczema treatments and many people have reaped the benefits from this.

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Eczema – An Explanation

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Eczema is a chronic, recurrent skin disease and presents as one of the most common inflammatory skin diseases in childhood. Sufferers experience intractable itching with subsequent skin damage, soreness, sleep loss and the social stigma of visible skin damage. Although the cause is not understood , there appears to be a genetic predisposition as well as a combination of allergic and non-allergic factors that determine the diseases expression.

Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis is known as the itch that rashes. Eczema displays in infants as red skin with oozing cracks and small pustules. Eczema lesions are found on the face, wrists, folds of skin and nappy areas of the buttocks. As the child ages the eczema presents as papules and thickened skin in the joint areas. In adults eczema displays as papules and thickened crusted sores that often weep as a consequence of scratching. Adult eczema is found in flexures, on the face, neck, legs, feet, back of the hands and the genital areas.

Triggers of Eczema

Some people have a genetic inherited tendency to develop eczema, indicated by eczema occurring in families predisposed to hay fever and/or asthma. A normally harmless substance in the environment will often trigger an outbreak of eczema in people born with this tendency. How eczema is first triggered and how severely substances will affect the skin is uncertain as everyone with this genetic tendency is different and reacts differently.

This makes identifying triggers and controlling symptoms difficult. A process for identifying individual triggers is often by elimination and can be a long and drawn out procedure.
Although people react differently and different substances affect each individual differently there are some common substances that are most prone to triggering an eczema flare-up:

* Dust mite
* Animal dandruff
* Pollens
* Environmental and seasonal changes
* Stress
* Some foods ( egg, cows milk, shell fish, peanuts, wheat, nuts, rice, food additives and some fruits)
* Alcohol and coffee.

Nutrition

Nutrition plays a very large role in the outcome for eczema sufferers. An important reason for eczema occurrence is the western diet which promotes inflammation in the body. A defect in the bodies ability to metabolise Gamma-linolenic acid, (GLA) is thought to play a major role in the onset and development of eczema. GLA is the molecule produced from linoleic acid, the body makes Prostaglandins and Arachodonic acid from it. These two products are used by the body to trigger allergic reactions and the bodies response to injury and attack. When there is too much GLA, the body has excessive inflammatory response. The Western diets have an excessive amount of Linoleic acid (omega 6) to the alpha -linolenic acid (omega 3) of 10:1.so GLA promotes inflammation when the person has a defect in its metabolism or usage. This defect is, I believe, the reason that some people suffer eczema .

It is proposed that an eczema sufferer should supplement their diet with specific nutrients, particularly calcium, iodine, vitamin C and omega 3 fatty acids. Vitamin C @ 50 to 75mg/kg has been found to be beneficial. Flaxseed oil and fish are good sources of omega 3 fatty acids. The inclusion of Vitamins A & B6, Zinc and Selenium, Biotin, Evening Primrose Oil & Lecithin are also proposed. Dosages should be worked out by your Naturopath or “enlightened” Doctor .

www.healthfocusnow.com/eczema.php for more options.

Health Focus Now is a website bringing together non prescription drug alternatives and natural treatments for many common ailments and diseases. We strive to provide information and quality products that can be readily accessed directly to your computer. Embarrassing treatments can be viewed in the privacy of your own home, no doctors, no questions. Check us out at http://www.healthfocusnow.com

Better Skin Despite Eczema

Various skin conditions can attack the whole body. One of these is a common non-contagious allergic reaction called eczema or dermatitis. It typically affects those with a family history including babies, children, and adults. It appears like rashes with redness and inflammation.

The main cause of eczema cannot be established but its management involves corresponding skin care. For infants, the condition can be resolved by the time they reach the age of 3. For others however, it can recur in various times in one’s lifetime.

One can identify eczema through its various symptoms. The first one pertains to dryness. The skin appears scaly in the active areas as well as the surrounding skin that are not affected by the condition. Swelling and inflammation is likewise widespread. It is quite hard not to scratch on the rashes but the same action can actually aggravate the allergy.

What is worse is that if the eczema is not addressed with a skin care routine, flare ups can occur out of nowhere and infection can set in. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can easily penetrate and cause fissures on the skin. Take for instance a small kid contracting chicken pox. If the child has been observed to have itchy skin most of the time due to eczema, one may not notice the difference and thus neglect the problem.

Consequently, it is important to find out what factors can prove to aggravate the eczema or cause other skin illnesses to become more serious. Most of the time, it depends on your particular skin type and lifestyle. The key is to maintain a skin care regimen that is beyond the usual everyday set-up.

As such, if you have been used to an array of skin care products that make you feel good, it is time to put their use to a minimum. This is true for strongly-scented and harsh soaps, creams, body sprays, lotions as well as shampoos and conditioners. In particular, soaps leave the skin dry with its alkali properties.

Moreover, the face should be properly cared for with hypoallergenic makeup and other cosmetics. Go for skin care cosmetics that are perfume-free to protect the skin from further irritation and swelling. Try the products on skin that is not affected by eczema. Better yet, do not use make up especially on weeping lesions.

On the other hand, you might think about your diet and which foods cause eczema. The answer is that you have to avoid milk, cured cheese, alcoholic drinks, chocolate, fish, egg, honey, meat, soybeans, and peanuts. Evidently, these foods are included in typical meals and snacks that one has to be very conscious about consuming them and test which ones can cause eczema flare ups.

In terms of the food groups, milk protein and gluten are the main culprits. Casein or milk protein allergy has been shown in various studies to cause eczema. The same is true with gluten that is found in wheat, oats, rye and barley. Finally, the overgrowth of yeast can be attributed to the chronic symptoms of this condition.

Those who are suffering from eczema definitely want some relief from its symptoms. Prevention in the diet and skin care products used is the ultimate management.

Various skin conditions can attack the whole body. One of these is a common non-contagious allergic reaction called eczema to avoid this attacks use my recommendations.

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Scalp Eczema – How To Get Rid Of Scalp Eczema

Scalp eczema is also called seborrhoeic dermatitis which is characterized by red or pink in color, flaking of the surface and peeling of the scalp. This is a common disease which is harmless to patients but its irritating. Once the patient constantly scratches the affected area, it will lead to infections and complications.

There are numerous ways on how to treat scalp eczema. Below are tips on how to get rid of it naturally.

1) Use shampoo that contains natural ingredients. Avoid shampoo that has fragrances and scents that might be too harsh on your scalp. It is highly recommended to use oil-based shampoo such as olive oil. It will help treat the roots of your hair and will moisture your scalp.

2) Massage the olive oil onto your scalp after you bathe. For better results, you let it stay for a while onto your scalp. It is advisable to apply olive oil before going to sleep.

3) One of the best treatments of scalp eczema is to heal inside watch what you eat. You might be eating foods that trigger eczema that you have to watch out for. Take foods rich in vitamin E. It is known to give relief to itching scalp and treat affected skin. Include fresh green leafy vegetables as well in your diet.

4) Take as many glasses of water as possible. It will help you moisturize your scalp.

5) Control the urge of scratching. No matter how itchy your scalp is, do not scratch. It will just increase the inflammation, infection and scaling.

6) Prepare an oatmeal paste to relieve the itchiness. Soak in water cup of oatmeal. After 20 minutes, mix well and remove the liquid by straining in a cup. Add
5 drops of rosemary and another 5 drops of lavender oil. Mix the paste carefully. Dab the mixture on your scalp and let it stay for 10 minutes.

Do you want to discover great and amazing techniques you can use to naturally get rid of your ugly eczema? If yes, then you really need to get a copy of the “Quick Eczema Cure” Program!

Click here: Quick Eczema Cure Review, to find out more about this natural eczema treatment program and see how it has helped thousands of eczema-sufferers, just like you, round the world, to naturally treat their skin condition.

Related Articles: how to get rid of eczema, home remedies for eczema, best eczema treatments

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Nummular Eczema And Other Common Types Of Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition where your skin becomes red, irritated, and inflamed. This condition is also very itchy. In some cases, especially those that have been left untreated, the inflammation on your skin can turn to watery lesions.

There are different types of eczema. These different types are classified based on appearance, cause, treatment, and degree or intensity. Knowing the kind of Eczema you have will help you determine the right treatments for your condition.

Nummular Eczema

The word Nummus in Latin means coin. This type of Eczema is determined through the shape of the patches that form on your skin. Men who are 60 years old and older are at risk of getting this condition.

Contact Dermatitis

This type of eczema is caused by an external stimulus that causes your body to produce a number of allergic reactions. Common irritants you should be aware of are laundry detergents, perfumes and dust. You should also be careful of the food you eat. Poultry, nuts, or sea foods are common foods most people are allergic to. Initial allergic reactions which can lead to a flare up of Eczema symptoms are sneezing, palpitations and skin rashes.

Like Nummular Eczema, the way to manage your condition is to stay away from whatever it is that may trigger the allergic reactions.

Atopic Eczema

This is a hereditary condition. If any of your family members has this condition, chances are you will also develop the same condition, if you don’t have it yet.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

This is a localized form of this condition. This skin disorder usually appears on the hands, particularly in between the fingers. It is characterized by deep, blister-like lesions that can really be painful.

Seborrhoeic Eczema

This is a variation of dyshidrotic eczema and occurs on the cradle cap, scalp, and/or on the feet. It is believed to be caused by the bodys oversensitivity to yeast.

The symptoms of Nummular Eczema and other types of Eczema can easily be managed and treated by knowing the factors which can cause a flare up of symptoms. Once you know where you are allergic to, you can avoid these factors and follow necessary precautions if you can’t avoid to be exposed to these factors.

Kristy is a work at home mom of 2 and previous eczema sufferer. If you are seeking a eczema home remedy please visit our site at http://eczemaexperts.com/

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Eczema – Different Types of Eczema

The term ‘eczema’ originates from the Greek language. It means to ‘boil’ or ‘flow out’ and is used to describe a range of skin conditions. It is sometimes diagnosed as dermatitis, which is a general term meaning inflammation of the skin. Different types of eczema include atopic eczema, contact eczema, discoid eczema, seborrhoeic eczema, and varicous eczema.

The condition is also classified in terms of how quickly it appears and how long it remains. If it appears quickly and is severe for a short length of time, it is known as ‘acute,’ and if it appears more slowly and lasts for a long time, it is classified as ‘chronic.’

As the skin is the largest organ of the body, it is important that it functions correctly, and that the pain and discomfort of an eczema sufferer is not underestimated.

Atopic Eczema
Atopic eczema is the most common type of eczema and is characterised by the ‘scratch, itch’ cycle. Around 75% of cases are seen in children under the age of 6 months, but on the plus side, there is a good chance of growing out of it during the teenage years, or sooner.

A sufferer of atopic eczema may have allergies to pollens, detergents, possibly some foods, or it may be inherited from their parent(s). It often affects the inside of knees and elbows, but can appear anywhere on the body. Biological washing powders often cause itching and inflammation of the skin, as does clothing and bedding that are not made from cotton.

Contact Eczema
This is similar to atopic eczema, in that it is caused by an allergy to a substance such as detergent, or perfume. There are many possible causes of contact eczema and it is very difficult to diagnose the exact cause(s).

In the case of teenage children and adults the doctor may suggest a patch test if the suspected causes are few, for example animal fur, but if the patient has no idea what may be causing the problem, this test may be futile as there are so many possible allergens to test for.

Discoid Eczema
Discoid Eczema is usually seen in adults and has no obvious cause. Rounded patches tend to appear on the upper body and lower legs, which may exude fluid.

Seborrhoeic Eczema
The most familiar type of seborrhoeic eczema is ‘cradle cap’ on the scalp of babies. Fortunately, this is not itchy and rarely continues as the child grows older. If this does continue, however, the condition can range from having a slightly flaky scalp to one that is very itchy and scaly. Aswell as the scalp, it may also be found in the folds of the skin, such as under the breasts, or in the groin area.

Varicous Eczema
This type of eczema is often seen in the elderly, as it is caused by poor circulation in the lower legs. It may be classified as ‘chronic’ as it is unlikely to disappear. Varicose eczema can be difficult to manage, as the skin of an elderly person is fragile and prone to breaking, which can result in ulceration of the legs.

Pompholyx
This is characterised by blisters on the hands and feet, which are very itchy. They can appear irregularly and, unfortunately, may remain for several weeks. As the blisters heal, and the skin dries out, cracks can appear on the skin that may become infected.

Contrary to many people’s belief, eczema is not contagious, but that does not prevent the sufferer from being self-conscious about their skin. Stress and anxiety are known to make the condition worse, so it becomes a vicious cycle unless it can be managed effectively. If eczema continues into adulthood, it is unlikely to go away completely, so it is important to develop a routine that controls the problem as much as possible.

For lots of information and tips on how to cope with eczema, including many natural remedies and treatments, please visit http://copingwitheczema.blogspot.com

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Beat Eczema Review

Today you have an opportunity. An opportunity to finally cure your eczema for good. You have tried what the doctors have told you. You have put on creams and you have taken pills. The symptoms go away but the disease is still there.
My ultimate goal is to empower you. You can be in charge. You can put the embarrassment behind you. You can put the itching behind you. You can have beautiful skin every day.
This guide can help you do that. It will show you step by step how to finally get rid of your eczema for good.

Visit Official Site Beat Eczema

Here is what you will learn in the Beat Eczema guide
How to Eliminate eczema without the use of medication
How to treat your infants or your childs eczema (special section with special treatments just for your child)
How to stop the itching
How to eliminate dry skin forever
Focus on the root cause of eczema – rather than the symptoms
How to be totally free from pain and sleep soundly at night
How to stop using dangerous steroids
Learn the causes of eczema and how to eliminate them
How to slow down your skin aging process.
How to create younger, toned, firm skin – guaranteed
How to unleash your bodys natural ability to heal itself from all skin complaints.
Much, Much More

The system is all natural and easy to use. You are just minutes away from taking your first steps to having beautiful skin.

In less than 2 weeks, you will be totally free from eczema, living without the constant scratching, feeling free to expose your arms and legs. All you need do is follow the plan.

“Beat Eczema” is a step by step guide that shows you how you can eliminate adult or child-eczema within a few days. All you need do is use the readily available natural products in the correct proportions at the correct times.
Here are two examples of the many pictures that get sent to me to show the amazing before and after results of curing eczema.

Visit Official Site Beat Eczema

   

How to Eliminate eczema without the use of medication