Old-time remedies for housewife's eczema--know any?

[raccoon]

I've got a problem with this. I've tried the obvious: use hand lotion a lot, wear gloves when working with household chemicals, etc. Still it pops up now and then.

[yellowdogintexas]

1. oatmeal ..like aveeno nt

[Warpy]

2. Change your soap

What you've got is contact dermatitis from something you're in frequent contact with. The culprit is usually dishwashing liquid, but it could also be that liquid soap you use to wash your hands in the kitchen. It's something your hands touch nearly every day.

I had it years ago and Ivory was the culprit.

What I switched to in order to clear everything up was Dr. Bronner's peppermint castile soap. Nobody out there has managed to be allergic to that stuff, although you can be allergic to just about anything. Once the problem cleared, I started to explore cheaper commercial products to see what I could use.

In the meantime, some over the counter cortisone cream can help with the itching and inflammation. If it fails to clear, consultation with a doc (preferably a dermatologist) is in order.

[spinbaby]

4. It could also be fungus

Contact allergy is a possibility, but people can also get an athlete's foot type fungus on their hands if they work with their hands in water a lot. Wouldn't hurt to try a fungicide.

[Warpy]

6. Fungus doesn't go away for brief periods

Once you've got it, you've got it.

However, my suggestion that if changing the soap and using a mild topical cortisone cream doesn't clear it up a trip to the dermatologist is in order stands.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. My aunt used to use Gold Bond salve

this was back when it came in a jar marked for use on livestock.

didn't cure it, but she swore it made it feel much better.

[woodsprite]

5. Evening Primrose Oil - break open a cap and put it on 2x daily.

That helped my daughter. Since it's an immune issue, taking vitamins to strengthen your immune system helps somewhat from the inside out. You can even take EPO to boost your immune system, but especially Zinc, Vit-B6, and Magnesium. Also, Flaxseed is good. I swear it seems to be good for a ton of stuff.

[TechBear_Seattle]

7. I have eczema

My solution has been to find products that don't trigger a reaction. That's been difficult, though.

Avoidance is your best bet. Otherwise, all you can do is alleviate the symptoms. A paste of warm oatmeal can help reduce itching, and a salve of beeswax and olive oil will help keep the skin from cracking open (hypoallergenic lotions are better though, as they're not greasy and allows the skin to breathe.) For large scale outbreaks (pardon :hi: ) taking a warm bath every day with some oatmeal in the water will help, followed by application of lotion. Remember to pat yourself dry with a towel and not rub.

[skooooo]

9. soak in salt water

Used to help me.

[TechBear_Seattle]

12. I've found that salt water can dry out the skin further

YMMV, of course, but I found it made my problem worse.

[Tanuki]

8. Cloderm

My dermatologist prescribed Cloderm cream, and it works very well for me. You do need to have a prescription for it, though.

[Horse with no Name]

10. A couple of things to try

1.Lavender essential oil followed by almond oil cream or 2.mashed avocados (leave it on the skin--it is cooling and soothing).

[tabasco]

11. 1% hydrocortisone cream.

Not old fashioned I know but it's the only thing that helps me.

And use a soap like Dove. Put lotion on after shower when the skin is still somewhat wet, and then apply the cream.

[skooooo]

16. late 60s was a bad time to have eczema...

Hydrocortisone was the only thing that helped me - and even that didn't always keep it under control.

[Coexist]

13. I battled eczema for decades, mostly on my hands...

then about 18 months ago, a new dermatologist took one look at my hands, said, "thats a nickel allergy, you need to stop wearing gold."

It cleared up within a week.

Amazing.

About 1/2 dozen dermatologists prescribed dozens of hydrocotisones for me over the past 25 years - and taking off my jewelry made it go away for good.

You might want to go to a new doctor, is my point. Good luck with it.

[bmbmd]

14. Baseball players

urinate on their hands to make them tough. (the hands, not the players) Has nothing to do with eczema, just seemed interesting.

[raccoon]

15. Thanks for the suggestions. nt

[DianeG5385]

17. Domeboro soaks followed by mineral oil

This worked for my son's severe exzcema after he developed a reaction to cortisone creams. Once it cleared up it was easily controlled with occasional soaks when he started to itch. I also switched to all perfume free soaps and detergents. That helped too!

Dissolve a domeboro packet in cold water and soak a wash cloth. Place over affected area for 15 minutes or so. Pat dry and apply a light coating of mineral oil. This helps to keep the skin from drying out. PS, I didn't make this up, it came from our doctor.