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June 8 Itching for a Cure walk in New Jersey: it’s not about you

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The National Eczema Association recently announced the second annual Itching for a Cure walk, which will raise awareness and funds for eczema outreach and research. It will take place June 8 on the Monmouth University campus in New Jersey–essentially greater New York City. (Last year’s walk was held in Asheville, North Carolina.)

The largest barrier for me, as an adult patient, to participating in such a walk–were one to be held in the area I live in–is embarrassment. Eczema is not a socially acceptable disease. It’s there on your skin, sometimes your face, where people can see there’s something wrong with you. And when it’s not visible, that’s a good thing. You want to hide it.

In this matter, there’s a huge difference between a parent of a child with eczema and an adult patient with eczema. The mother or father of a child with eczema is not embarrassed. They are concerned and want to do everything they can to make their child better.

On top of the embarrassment factor, it seems a bit selfish, a bit like a panhandler, for an adult patient to take part in an eczema walk. Sponsor me, it seems to say, to raise money for a cure for me!

Mothers and fathers are ready to fight for their kids. They are not doing it for themselves. They will proudly take part in an eczema walk, and look you in the eye.

The absence of adult patients from Itching for a Cure is probably not a major factor. After all, eczema is predominantly a condition that children outgrow. But how might we convince adult patients, including me, to take part?

I think the key lies in altruism. It’s not about you.

Let’s face it–if you’re raising money to increase awareness of the prevalence of eczema, or how it should be properly treated, or to fund research that might lead to a pharmaceutical cure–you are not doing it for yourself. There will be no cure for eczema in your lifetime. You are doing it for other people. Your grandkids, and millions of people you will never know.

It becomes a lot less embarrassing when you’re doing it for somebody else.

And that is why if there is ever an Itching for a Cure walk in my area, I’ll be signing up. I know exactly how shitty it is to live with this condition, and how important it is that other people be spared the torment and the embarrassment. It’s not me I’ll be doing it for–it’s you!
End Eczema

How to Stop Itching due to Dry Skin, Eczema, Psoriasis & Allergies

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Another great post from itchylittleworld.com – Natural remedies for eczema to soothe your itchy little world..

Have you ever had skin so itchy, you couldn’t think of anything but scratching it raw? If you suffer from eczema, then you’re probably most familiar with the feeling. However, if you’re not suffering from eczema, there can be several other reasons why your skin may be itchy.

This blog post is dedicated to all things itchy! Learn how to stop itching today. Find out what other skin conditions can be causing itchy skin, as well as which products to avoid. Lastly, we’ll share some natural treatments that will ease your itchy skin and decrease scratching.

Please keep in mind that although these tips and information have worked for several sufferers, I am in no way a medical professional. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms or have a topical infection, it is always best to seek medical advice immediately.

What causes itchy skin?

Dry Skin

Aside from more severe skin conditions, dry skin is usually the main factor that contributes to itching. Although there are many similarities between dry skin and eczema, there are several differences as well.

The biggest factor in determining whether you have eczema or just dry skin is understanding what may cause your itchy skin. Normally, dry skin occurs when the outer layers of skin become damaged due to the sun, exposure to water (especially chlorine) or dry air (especially with heating units in the winter) or ingredients in products that strip the skin of its natural moisture.

With dry skin, skin usually feels tight and stretched, but can be slightly flaky causing the skin to look a little white, gray or ashy.

Eczema

After dry skin, this is the most common cause of itchy skin. With eczema, the itch can be nearly impossible to tolerate due to its intensity and frequency. Usually the skin will also be red and inflamed or thick and scaly or weeping and oozing. Eczema is usually chronic and is caused by stress, sensitivities to food, environmental or seasonal allergies and/or reactions to topical products.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis, although sometimes incorrectly grouped with eczema, is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that is characterized by red, itchy and patches also known as scales. With psoriasis, cells build up rapidly on the surface of the skin.

Allergies

If your skin is constantly itchy and flaring up due to a reaction to a skin care or cleaning product, food or something in your environment, you may have allergies! Allergies can create hives, rashes and intense itching and can even trigger more chronic eczema if exposed to the allergen for long periods of time. When someone reacts to something topically only with the reaction only occurring on the skin, this is called contact dermatitis.

In order to know what might be causing the itch, there are a variety of tests you can do. First, if you think you might be suffering from a food allergy, it’s best to go see a doctor or naturopath that can help you find relief.

If you feel you might already be suffering from a food allergy or sensitivity, check out our post: How to Identify Your Reaction: Allergy vs. Sensitivity vs. Intolerance Defined.

There are also a variety of allergy tests you can carry out. For more information on those, check out our blog post: How to Know Which Food Allergy Test is Best For You? Or you can work with a physician to undergo an elimination diet.

If you happen to be experiencing allergies from the clothing you’re wearing, then you might have textile dermatitis. The best way to know if a certain material or fabric might be affecting you, would be to carry out a clothing elimination test, similar to how you would carry out an elimination diet.

To learn more about which materials can cause the most irritation, as well as how to run a clothing elimination test, check out our post: Your Guide to Textile Dermatitis: Latex Hypersensitivity & Polyester Allergy Explained.

How to stop itching, what products should you avoid?

Whether you are experiencing itchy skin due to dry skin, psoriasis, eczema or allergies, the following products should be avoided:

  • Artificially scented soap: You’d be surprised how certain added artificial fragrances and perfumes can irritate skin and are best avoided. Essential oils are usually ok and certain types can actually help to heal or prevent dry skin.
  • Harsh cleansers: It’s best to avoid any chemical filled body washes or skin cleansers that tend to be more alkaline and not pH balanced like the skin needs. These will strip the skin of its natural moisture and can definitely lead to itchy skin.
  • Alcohol: Avoid using products that contain alcohol or any sort. While some are slightly less drying than others, all forms of alcohol will without a doubt dry out skin. And if the skin is dry enough and has led to cracked skin, products containing alcohol will also irritate and burn the skin.

What products can help itchy skin?

For Dry Skin

If you know you’re experiencing itchy skin because your skin is mostly dry (or cracking), these products will help you lock in your skin’s natural moisture and provide relief:

For Eczema

With eczema, it’s best to look for a product that is made specifically for the eczema symptoms you’re experiencing.

  • Weeping/Oozing Eczema: EczeHerbal #1 Oozing Eczema Treatment: This formula was made to calm weeping, oozing eczema that looks angry and red.
  • Red Eczema: Emily’s Hot Skin Soother: Chinese herbs have been blended with natural oils to create one powerful anti-inflammatory balm to treat red eczema rashes.
  • Dry Eczema: Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream: This cream gets a second mention because it’s really great for so many types of skin conditions, especially any sort of dry skin.
  • Thick/Scaly Eczema: EczeHerbal #3 Dry Scaly Treatment: Another blend with Chinese herbs, but this time the formulation was created just for combating thick, scaly skin.

For Psoriasis

If you’ve been diagnosed with psoriasis these products will be a total lifesaver for you:

  • Emily Skin Soother’s Liquid Soap Soother: This soap is perfect for those suffering from psoriasis, as it’s extra moisturizing and free of nasty chemicals. Unlike other soaps available today, it won’t strip or dry skin out.
  • Coconut Aloe Moisturizing Serum: Coconut oil is extremely popular among eczema sufferers, but it can also be beneficial for those suffering from psoriasis. Not only does this serum contain coconut oil, but anti-inflammatory aloe vera helps keep skin cool and wounds healed.

For Allergies

If you have allergy-prone skin, check out these products that are great for those with allergies – of course – just double check the ingredients to ensure none of your known allergies are listed.

  • Organic Calendula Salve: This balm is so simple and pure it only has 4 ingredients: olive oil, calendula, beeswax and vitamin E, making it more tolerable and gentle for those with many allergies.
  • Grass Fed Tallow Balm: Unlike artificial balms, this mixture again uses very simple, nourishing ingredients like beef tallow for moisture and itch relief.

For General Itching

Regardless of whether you may be experiencing dry skin, psoriasis or allergies, these products will help all forms of itching:

  • Little Itchy Skin Rash Treatment: This red rash treatment is perfect for soothing any red rash or itchy spot with minor inflammation. Completely beeswax-free and vegan for allergy-prone skin.
  • EczeHerbal #2: Itchy Skin Rash Treatment: If you’re experiencing dry, red and itchy skin, then this is the product for you. This treatment is filled with natural Chinese herbs that are safe for infants, children, adults and even pets!
  • Organic Aloe Vera Skin Soothing Spray: Cooling aloe and soothing calendula can be gently misted onto itchy skin for fast relief with this spray. It’s great to carry in your bag for itch relief on the go!

Wet Wrapping

Something that works wonders for dry, itchy skin is something you may never have heard about, wet wrapping! It’s a popular form of treatment for eczema and psoriasis, but is very effective for many other skin conditions as well. It’s basically all about soaking with water and moisture and then sealing the moisture in for two hours or more using a damp layer of clothing. Read more about wet wrapping in Our Eczema Trials: Wet Wrap Therapy.

Gloves

If you can’t seem to heal your itchy skin from the above recommended products because you’re constantly scratching, make sure to cover your hands and protect yourself from scratching with mittens and gloves! The itch-scratch cycle is no joke. Your skin may start off smooth and normal looking, but once the itching starts, you can scratch so hard that you cause a wound to open up or you’ll create thick skin which will need treatment and time to heal. When the healing begins, the itching may start again and you’re back to scratching mode all over again. So, give your skin the protection it deserves and wear gloves or mittens when you feel the urge to scratch, but it’s most important overnight. If you’re itchy in the night, you will scratch and won’t even know it until you wake up and find the evidence written all over your damaged skin.

Acupressure

You can try acupressure at home! Yes, it’s that easy! And there are a couple of points that when pressure is applied, can really help to relief itching. Check out Acupressure: A Home Remedy for Itchy Skin. 

More Itchy Relief Tips from a Naturopath

Our resident naturopath, Dr. Amy Duong, is an expert in all things skin related. She has a few tips she always shares with her patients to help them soothe their itchy skin naturally. Check her tips out here.

If you continue to experience itchy skin, make sure to visit your doctor as soon as possible.

How do you stop itching? Let us know in the comments below!

Bio: Laura is a contributor and content developer for It’s An Itchy Little World. She is in no way a medical professional. Her comments, suggestions, and reflections are not intended to replace any medical advice. Always seek the help of a medical professional before undertaking any diet or lifestyle changes. Please see It’s An Itchy Little World’s disclaimer for information about affiliate links and more.

How to Stop Itching due to Dry Skin, Eczema, Psoriasis & Allergies appeared first on itchylittleworld.com. Come read more about natural remedies for eczema!

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Solutions to Eczema Itching – Relief From Scratching the Rash and Ways to Stop Skin Inflammation

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For many people with atopic dermatitis, it is the eczema itching that is the most frustrating aspect. Itching is a constant reminder of a problem. When you itch it disrupts your connection with whatever you are involved with. When I speak with clients with eczema rashes, psoriasis or other skin issues , itching is their constant reminder of something being wrong.

Scratching an itchy skin rash is almost impossible to resist. But when you scratch blisters, red bumps or patches you are making the skin problem worse. We don’t always remember to wash our hands and this can lead to a bacterial infection. Kids are very prone to this. Even if you do wash your hands, when you have an open sore, blister or pimple irritated by scratching, an external agent that comes in contact with the skin can result in an infection.

Reducing the sensation of itching is important for mental health as well. It is hard to concentrate on anything when you have the urge to scratch yourself frequently. This also can make sleeping tough. Without proper rest, you will slow down healing.

Oils such as coconut oil, olive oil and neem oil are all good for the dry eczema skin rash and can give the skin the moisturizer it sorely needs. Clip your nails and your children’s nails plus file them to remove any sharp edges. Using benadryl for sleep is a good way to get the rest needed. People scratch themselves during sleep so having short nails is important. During the day, there are non-drowsy formulas you can take of antihistamines. Oatmeal baths are soothing to the skin. Take a good B-complex capsule as well as multi-vitamin to build your system back to normal.

Though ultimately you need to find the root of the eczema skin problem and not just relieve the itching symptoms, it is important to not scratch the skin. A combination of stress relief, avoidance of problematical foods, awareness of how much sun your body can take and learning environmental triggers is a complete system to relieve the dermatitis problem.

Use a complete system to relieve the itchy eczema rash. Learn how to find Eczema Itching Relief by getting to the root of the rash problem at http://www.itchyskinrash.net/home-remedies-for-eczema.html

More Atopic Dermatitis Articles

Eczema Natural Treatments – Items to Use at Home For Itching Dermatitis Rashes

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Because there are so many products out there in today’s market that contain toxic and synthetic materials there are quite a few people who prefer natural remedies for eczema. These tend to be derived from very natural sources such as herbs, foods, flowers, and plants. Because the materials in natural remedies do no contain questionable chemicals they usually will not bother the skin for those with allergic reactions. Of course oils that have a nut-base may be a problem for some people, so be cautious of this.

One of the more researched herbs out there in today’s market is echinacea, which is usually discussed in the context of assisting our bodies in fighting off respiratory problems such as flus, colds, and other issues due to a low immune system. Yet, in addition to these benefits, it also has anti-inflammatory factors to help skin suffering from things such as eczema. It’s available as tea, capsules and in tincture form. Often it is mixed in capsules with goldenseal.

Another recommended home treatment for dermatitis is evening primrose oil. Some studies indicate that evening primrose oil taken orally can be helpful in relieving dry skin, scales, inflammations and redness. This is attributed to the fatty acids which produce prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are used for skin repair and digestion. Taking flax seed oil is also useful to fight skin inflammation and itching problems.

Probiotics are useful to take for those who may have eczema induced by allergies such as in the form of atopic eczema. This is because it adds health bacteria which can counteract the effects of antibiotics, environmental toxins and poor nutrition. Though you can get acidopholous and bifidus in some yogurts, it is also available at health food stores. Not all forms of yogurt contain live cultures so be sure to carefully read the ingredients. Foods such as miso, tempeh and sauerkraut all contain good natural probiotics.

Don’t lose hope about chronic eczema, but look into solutions to strengthen the body that in turn will help the immune system improve skin health and aid digestion.

Don’t let an itchy dermatitis rash create inner discouragement. Stop by Get Rid of Eczema for natural tips to relieve itchy skin at http://www.itchyskinrash.net/how-to-get-rid-of-eczema.html

Related Atopic Dermatitis Articles

How Do You Control The Dermatitis Itching and Burning

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When you have eczema, the constant remind of it is the itching. Itching is a sensation that even the most distant people can’t ignore. It brings you constantly back to your body and a reminder of your condition. When there are periods without itching, it is much more bearable and you can forget yourself and your problems. Because of this, the best thing you can do while working on finding a working remedy for the skin irritation is to control the annoying itching sensations.

Using a perfume-free moisturizer without alcohol is important. Your doctor may also suggest a cortisone cream, but even with this you need to use a moisturizer twice a day. When I did this, I noticed that I had some gaps in the day where I wasn’t in discomfort and anxious about the dermatitis. I could forget and get absorbed in activities and laughing again.

Another tool is to use antihistamines. These need to be used properly as using an evening formula can make you very drowsy during the day and unable to function properly.  Antihistamines are strong and can even relieve the awful sensations from red ant bites.  Don’t feel you are weak for needing them. There is no point in suffering unnecessarily and taking risks. The risk you take when you have itching sensations is that you will want to scratch your skin.

For children, antihistamines are important as they will scratch themselves otherwise. They also will be miserable from the feeling. Let your child know that the scratching can lead to an infected area of their skin. Use oatmeal baths to help them get relief. Have them wear cotton clothing to not have any scratchy materials on the skin. Also urge them to not check the skin every ten minutes. Explain it is a process of healing and it will take a little bit of time.

Children With Itching From Dermatitis

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It is difficult to see our kids suffer from the flu or stomach bug. If your child has a problem with dermatitis, that is also not easy to watch. This is due to the fact that not only are there bumps that are unslightly, but the sensation of itching can drive a child into crying fits. It isn’t always possible to know the source of the dermatitis. The easiest cause is when it’s due to contact eczema with a product or food that can be eliminated. For some people this means they may need to give away the family pet or change the personal care products.

Until the culptits are identified or the problem is controlled, one of the most important tasks for a parent is to help your child relieve the itching. The itching during the night can cause insomnia, scratching during one’s sleep and hours of misery. Speak with your doctor about the appropriate antihistamine for your child’s condition. With increased sleep, the mood and disposition will also improve. Many people take a non-drowsy formula during the day during seasonal allergies to avoid swelling and itching. For those with dermatitis, taking a daytime anti-itch medication can make a huge difference.

Applying lubricating mositurizers during the day is important as well. Your child may not remember to do this during school. If possible, speak to the teacher to help remind your child to add some layer of moisturizer after lunch to help the skin stay hydrated. Additionally, inform the teacher that your child does not have a contagious disease so that other kids will not tease or mock your child.

If your child appears to have a form of contact dermatitis, investigate what in the home or at school may be contributing to the problem. What does your child do during recess and are there any environmental factors that may be touching the skin and creating an allergic reaction? Look around your home as well, check the products used for bathing and cleaning plus investigate any jewelry or other items that may cause an allergic response.

Spend some extra time with your child to help them feel special and make sure to let them know that you’re working as hard as you can to identify the underlying causes of the skin disorder.

Learn more about Eczema Flare Ups and Eczema Photos

Ginseng, as effective as Benadryl for histamine itching?

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ginseng on a wooden boardResearchers find that several varieties of ginseng can lower histamine levels and stabilise mast cells (a key component of the immune system), preventing them from releasing  histamine and other inflammation into the blood stream. In certain animal studies it has been shown to be as effective at relieving histamine itching as Bendryl. Please remember, what works in animal studies or in test tubes (and for me) might not for you, and anything; any food, supplement, whether it has antihistamine properties or not, can still hurt us. So please make sure to check with a doctor and researching all contraindications before trying anything new.

There are three main types of ginseng:

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), which according to the University of Maryland Medical Center Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide, are pretty much made up of the same active constituents, and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), which is not actually a ginseng but it has similar active constituents.

American and Asian (or Korean red) ginseng 

Red ginseng has been shown to block histamine-dependent itching at the peripheral sensory neuronal level. Meaning that it prevents us from feeling the itch, but might not be treating it.

Ginseng extract has also been shown to prevent human mast cells from releasing inflammatory agents into the blood stream. In another animal study it was shown to be as effective as Benadryl at alleviating itching. It also performed well at resolving atopic dermatitis. A third study tells that red ginseng is able to relieve histamine itching by inhibiting interleukin and TNF expression.

Animal test subjects in another study suffered memory impairment when stressed (who can blame them, and I certainly do). Ginsenoside derived from ginseng was able to reverse the memory impairment in the stressed animals. Yes, I could probably use this. I’m still dealing with residual stress from what was possibly the most difficult year of my life and it has definitely affected my memory.

I’m going to stop there, but there were a lot more studies, leading me to seriously question why I had never researched this commonly found compound before.

Siberian ginseng

This traditional eastern extract has been validated by modern research which reveals that in animal studies it’s able to inhibit the development of systematic and skin allergy. It does this by preventing mast cells from releasing histamine and other inflammatory mediators into the blood stream.

  • The University of Maryland website tell us that this ginseng is traditionally used to prevent colds and flu and is “widely” used in Russia as an adaptogen, a substance that’s supposed to help the body cope better with mental or physical stress. It has been shown to be effective in preventing viral outbreaks of genital herpes and improve mental performance (so key for those of us with mast cell issues),
  • My favourite go to brand by far (and no I don’t get any freebies for mentioning them) is Herb Pharm.

  • See larger image

    Herb Pharm Asian (Panax) Ginseng Extract for Energy and Stamina Support – 1 Ounce (Health and Beauty)

    List Price: $ 16.00 USD
    New From: $ 9.83 USD In Stock
    Used from: Out of Stock

I was initially surprised to see that ginseng was contraindicated for breast cancer according to the University of Maryland website, especially given that the Mayo Clinic recommends Asian ginseng for breast cancer. It may be that the alcohol found in the preparations was the issue (the Herb Pharm liquid is alcohol-free) or because it is a phytoestrogen. Recent research revealed that though it does weakly bind to the estrogen receptor, it doesn’t do so strongly, but you must research this for yourself if you have any concerns. The other caveat is that it may not be suitable for people with autoimmune conditions.

Please remember, what works for me might not for you, and anything, any food, supplement, whether it has antihistamine properties or not, can still hurt us. So please make sure to check with a doctor before trying anything new. I’ve been taking a very tiny dose for a few weeks but I’m not quite sure that’s a big enough dose to make a difference. Time will tell!

  • I wasn’t living in a country where we could get any kind of oxalate testing so I just went ahead and did a modified low histamine diet combined with a low oxalate diet. You can read how I did it and find my food list for that particular adventure in my post The Low Oxalate Low Histamine Diet: The Missing Link?. Many of my more recent recipes like in the Man Food book are low oxalate and I have the Low Oxalate Cookbook which was my first foray into that world.

    The best resource to find more information on the Hashimoto’s oxalate link seems to be Dr. Wentz’s website (that I’m aware of).

    It’s finally here! Man Food – a high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredient filled book geared towards guys, women who love to work out, yoga like they mean it, or just load up on healing nutrients. Features my personal shopping list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods.

    The Anti-cookbook and all liquid Anti-Detox Book, don’t treat any conditions, but feature a plethora of the high nutrient antihistamine and anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been instrumental in helping me feed myself on a limited diet. The Anti-cookbook features a four page list of antihistamine and anti-inflammatory foods and comes in regular and Paleo.

    The Low Oxalate Cookbook features antihistamine and anti-inflammatory rich recipes.

    Don’t miss the Low Histamine Beauty Survival Guide for non-toxic beauty tips, the skinny on histamine releasing (mast cell degranulating) beauty ingredients, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory beauty alternatives and the top brands natural brands I’ve found.

    Take a peek at my other low histamine and antihistamine cookbooks for more high nutrient recipes

  • ——REFERENCES—–

“The Many Health Benefits of Ginseng.” Mercola.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

“Siberian Ginseng.” University of Maryland Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

Park, Eun-Kyung, Min-Kyung Choo, Myung Joo Han, and Dong-Hyun Kim. “Ginsenoside Rh1 Possesses Antiallergic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities.” International Archives of Allergy and Immunology 133.2 (2004): 113-20. Web.

Trinh, Hien-Trung, Yong-Wook Shin, Sang-Jun Han, Myung Han, and Dong-Hyun Kim. “Evaluation of Antipruritic Effects of Red Ginseng and Its Ingredients in Mice.” Planta Medica 74.3 (2008): 210-14. Web.

Samukawa, Keiichi, Yasukatsu Izumi, Masayuki Shiota, Takafumi Nakao, Mayuko Osada-Oka, Katsuyuki Miura, and Hiroshi Iwao. “Red Ginseng Inhibits Scratching Behavior Associated With Atopic Dermatitis in Experimental Animal Models.” Journal of Pharmacological Sciences 118.3 (2012): 391-400. Web.

Bae, Hye-Min, Ok-Sun Cho, Shin-Jung Kim, Byung-Ok Im, Soon-Hyun Cho, Se-Na Lee, Myung-Gyou Kim, Kyung-Tack Kim, Kang-Hyun Leem, and Sung-Kwon Ko. “Inhibitory Effects of Ginsenoside Re Isolated from Ginseng Berry on Histamine and Cytokine Release in Human Mast Cells and Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells.” Journal of Ginseng Research 36.4 (2012): 369-74. Web.

Jang, Yongwoo, Wook-Joo Lee, Gyu-Sang Hong, and Won-Sik Shim. “Red Ginseng Extract Blocks Histamine-dependent Itch by Inhibition of H1R/TRPV1 Pathway in Sensory Neurons.” Journal of Ginseng Research 39.3 (2015): 257-64. Web

Kezhu, Wang, Xu Pan, Lu Cong, Dong Liming, Zhang Beiyue, Lu Jingwei, Yang Yanyan, and Liu Xinmin. “Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 on Learning and Memory in a Reward-directed Instrumental Conditioning Task in Chronic Restraint Stressed Rats.” Phytotherapy Research 31.1 (2016): 81-89. Web.

Jeong, H. J., H. N. Koo, N. I. Myung, M. K. Shin, J. W. Kim, D. K. Kim, K. S. Kim, H. M. Kim, and Y. M. Lee. “Inhibitory Effects Of Mast Cell-Mediated Allergic Reactions By Cell Cultured Siberian Ginseng.” Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology 23.1 (2001): 107-17. Web.

Kuk Shim, Myeong , and Young Joo Lee*. “Estrogen Receptor Is Activated by Korean Red Ginseng In Vitro but Not In Vivo.” Journal of ginseng research (2012 ): n. pag. Web.

 

 

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Eczema, stress and itching

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It’s been a while since I’ve blogged on here and I apologise whole heartedly for leaving you all so lonely and ignored for so long. You’ll be pleased to hear that I’m back on it!

There is a part of the brain, I call it my blogging muscle, which sometimes gets all used up. It gets full and can’t blog or write any more. For a writer this is painful and I’ve lost my blogging mojo for too long now. Time to brush off that list of blogs I should have written…

And while I’ve been away my eczema has had a major flare up. I’ve managed to keep it under control with very short and regularly filed nails, epsom salt baths, early nights, exercise and just sheer will power. It’s been worst at night. Keeping me awake and the cycle of sleeplessness, stress and exhaustion that eczema can cause just gets worse and worse.

It’s been so painful I have been left almost crying in pain in the night. Could this really be caused just by stress?

Eczema cartoon

Eczema cartoon from the National Eczema Society

I think at least one nightmare of counting sheep through gritted teeth, clenching my hands behind me back in desperation to avoid at least some of the scratching, was caused by the most amazing gluten free falafals you will find out there. Now for most of you these will be absolutely fine. But not if you are allergic to broad beans… oh the pain, the hives and the agony they caused.

If you’re coeliac though or allergic to dairy, egg or wheat these are the best I’ve tried. Check out London Falafel® which is vegan and gluten-free as well as wheat-free, dairy-free, yeast-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, and free from all artificial ingredients and additives. It is 100% natural and healthy!

Damn those pesky broad beans. It was them. I had some more just to really put myself through pain, which meant stomach cramps, bad stomach pains and hives all over, the like that send you deranged.

I always think there is a trigger when my eczema flares and look to my diet, lifestyle and environment to see if I can work out what caused it. The falafal were the culprits on one occasion but not the rest of the time.

These last few months have shown me the power of stress over my body. Sometimes there isn’t a reason other than your mind is under stress and for some reason, those of us with eczema seem to get endless itch, scratch triggers.

Something fires a message from my brain to the pain receptors on my skin and it’s impossible to control once it gets going. It takes practise and wisdom to work out what is causing you stress but it’s not always easy to get yourself away from stress. Sometimes it’s a necessary evil that has be worked through.

This morning I have returned from my second ever ParkRun after a completely itch free night for once and I feel on top of the world.

The eczema has not completely healed but my skin is now much calmer, less inflamed and on the mend. After this morning’s smug ParkRun at Black Park, the usual agony of sweat on eczeme was bearable and I managed not to scracth at all! I have had to resort to some steroids but am now reducing usage once every other day for a week.

We can do this. I may never be totally rid of eczema but I can kick it into touch and take back control when I get my act together.

talkhealth Blog

Itching Feet From Eczema – Foot Eczema Treatment

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Eczema is a very common skin condition that generally causes dryness, itchiness and redness anywhere on the body. It can result in a lot of discomfort and even pain in some cases. Typically there is no cure for eczema all though their are treatments that are successful and work very well to get rid of some of the symptoms. Their is a condition known as dishidrotic eczema and this effects your hands and feet.

This foot eczema condition is a recurring condition where the skin reacts specifically in areas such as the toes and the soles. While searching for the cause is difficult, it is believed that a type of allergen is responsible for the reaction. Some also blame sweating conditions as the cause of it, either way we can see that their is quit some discomfort associated with foot eczema.

Facts Regarding Eczema On The Foot

Even though their are plenty of experts and doctors that are not certain about the nature of foot eczema, they have managed to understand a few important facts. Foot eczema affects women and men and is usually affects their skin before they are 40 years old. It has very similar symptoms as eczema in general where as dyshidrotic conditions are hereditary, where more than a single family member will get affected by this condition. If any of the parents have suffered from foot eczema, it is more than likely that their children will also be have a similar case.

The Development Of Eczema On The Foot

Foot Eczema usually develops in two different type of stages. The initial one is that develops within the first three days involves itchy raised bumps that become small blisters that are filled with fluid, usually clear. Note that these bumps will have a burning sensation and will feel very itchy.

The secondary stage that can last a long time is when the affected area has been itched so much that thick, red and cracked skin develops. You can even see large blisters appear on the surface of the skin. It is recommended to use steroids for this type of condition along with antibiotics in case an infection has developed.

Their are ways that can prevent eczema from occurring in the first place. You should avoid allergens as they are usually the cause of this skin condition. Things you should place special attention to are strong soaps, laundry detergent, scratching your skin aggressively, materials used on your clothing, such as wool and polyester, foods and other chemical allergens.

If you are a person that suffers from Eczema On The Foot and looking for effective that works really quickly to eliminate eczema without the use of medication, stop the itching and eliminate dry skin forever then please visit Foot Eczema for an all natural treatment.

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