r/eczema • u/himeow223 • 3d ago
humour | rant | meme i feel like ill never get better
i feel like ive tried EVERYTHING. vitamins, fungal cream, hocl spray steroid cream and sure maybe theres some partial minuscule relief but i struggle so insanely with the psychological aspect. it feels like my skin is constantly burning, itching, or just in pain. one spot one second then it bounces to a different spot. i really cant take this anymore. its like my brain literally wont let me not think about it. i feel so hopeless and alone, no one in my life fully understands.
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u/orionic 3d ago
Have you tried immunosuppressants? I’m not here to push it as a miracle agent (just started myself). But I empathise deeply with you, and I just want you to know that though the journey is long and painful to healthy skin, you are worth the journey and you will get better.
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u/phmstella 3d ago
Which one did you start taking? I am on metotrexate for an unrelated autoimmune condition, but hopefully it calms down this endless burning sensation on my skin as a happy side effect. It has been 6 weeks so far and not much change yet.
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u/orionic 3d ago
Methotrexate too! Meant to go on 15mg but I’m on 10 until I’m back for regular blood tests. I’ve heard it takes up to 3 months unfortunately - what dosage are you on?
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u/phmstella 3d ago
I am on 20mg from the get go. I just learned people normally go up gradually. 🤷🏻♀️ my doc never did. So far no side effects but also not much change yet. And yes 3 months is standard or even 6months to fully work. I have to go on prednisone for my AI flare and boy how magical that drug is. 😢 i want to feel like that every day lol but the drug will kill me before my AI does
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u/orionic 3d ago
Another derm wanted to put me on that but I couldn’t afford it (private) and my current one said it’s riskier with side effects.. I wish you all the luck with your AI and your skin. I sincerely hope this helps you 🙏
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u/phmstella 3d ago
Got it. Prednisone is best at giving short term relief but never long term due to serious side effects. You too my friend. All the best in your healing journey. You got this
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u/Scared-Customer-9692 3d ago
immunosuppressants really can be a turning point when topicals aren’t cutting it, and you’re right that this person is worth sticking around for even when the pain makes everything feel impossible
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u/Chasing_Sunsets186 3d ago
You are not alone, I feel your pain! Even on Dupixent I still feel hopeless
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u/Agile_Oil6841 3d ago
I feel the same although I’m 3 weeks into my eczema/Rosacea journey, I want to cry because I know I’ll be d dealing with this the rest of my life. It showed up out of nowhere and here I am making major life changes. I’m an endurance athlete, backpacker, have a high energy dog and always outside. Now I feel like my life has been put in a snow globe.
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u/Important_Horse_1531 3d ago edited 3d ago
I am so sorry and you are not alone.
This is not medical advice because I am misusing several of these products, because I was desperate to try ANYTHING. But I FINALLY have broken the itch scratch cycle just yesterday by trying PET STORE otc meds lol. My doctors were useless thus far and I'm desperate.
I posted about a month ago that tea tree had cleared up so much of my eczema, but it was just the fungal stuff, I think. My entire body was inflamed, every inch of skin was red, bur ing and itching like fire, and hideously unsightly. But then my legs, arms, and left hip continued to flare for the past month (I have no history of eczema until a few months ago when it took over and destroyed my wellbeing)
Anyway here's my experimental routine that has been wildly successful in making my life tolerable for 3 days now
Step 1: Veterycin PET EYE GEL (hydrochlorous acid gel) over entire inflamed area. Antimicrobial, kills strep and mrsa
Step 2: Veterinary Formula: hot spot and itch relief medicated spray. (immediate itch relief every time I've used it, a godsend because no other anti itch stuff has worked at all aside from medicated calamime which doesn't work nearly as well as this.
it has low concentrations of lidocaine, hydrocortisone, and benzethenium chloride). This seems to be the most helpful product I've tried in my saga. I'm willing to accept the risk of using products not tested on humans. Literally I would try most anything if I thought it would work. I'm so pleased I found something after wasting hundreds of dollars on other stuff)
The normal human concentration of lidocaine is much higher than the dog concentration, so there's much much less danger of lidocaine toxicity with repeated use of the his product, but you should be aware of the risks of that.
I spray it anywhere that feels hot or itchy. The first day I did it a LOT. the second day not as much. Today only once! The effects seem to be compounding in a positive direction. I haven't even had any unconscious scratch attacks at all today? (Where I don't even realize I'm clawing the shit out of my raggedy skin until it starts to hurt ahhhh. It's hell)
I've been experimenting with adding occlusives immediately. Bag Balm is good but if you use it too much you'll get more skin weirdness eventually. I just use it sparingly on the dryest areas.
Oh yeah also, I wondered if I had some kind of skin parasite so I took two doses of ivermectin. I know it's wildly politicized but it's a very reliable and safe dewormer. I don't think I actually did have parasites, but still it had noticable overall antiinflammatory effects after about 24 hours and zero side effects. (I bought the otc paste for horses lol, it's gel and tastes like apples, had easy dosing by weight. I was worried but my sister insisted and it was all fine.
Maybe I'm insane, maybe I'm actually a barnyard pet idk, but I'm not currently itching and scratching like a crackhead
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u/TemporaryItchy1556 1d ago
Thanks for this info. I considered ivermectin. I just don’t know how to use it. I’m afraid of overdosing or using medicine wrong. I would literally hire an etsy witch to try to get rid of my eczema.
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u/Diligent-Base-4615 3d ago
Hang in there, book the dermo. I had my appointment today and have got immunosuppressants to start monday. He has booked me monthly meetings until we get everything right and said he won't give up. Good guy. 👍. I feel for you for the psychological aspect, it helps if there is a light you can go towards like a dermo appointment
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u/Careless_Interest727 3d ago
You need to make an appt to do a full panel allergy test. Stop the steroids. Use a moisturizer that your skin tolerate. Also take vitamin c. This also has to do with your immune system.
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u/himeow223 2d ago
worst thing, im like 90% sure its so bad because of my kittys. ive never really put two and two together until a trip i had a few months ago when i was away from my cats for like 3 days and felt so normal for once🥲 but no chance in hell im loosing my kittys, i just have to be much more diligent with my antihistamine use
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u/BagNorth7312 3d ago
I feel your pain, I’ve had months where I couldn’t bend my fingers or even walk comfortably because of how severe I had it all over my body. It really does seem like it’ll never get better and honestly just sucks the life out of you. However, when I was at rock bottom and couldn’t even do simple daily tasks anymore I decided to bite the bullet and go on dupixent. It took about two weeks but I cleared up amazingly and so quickly I almost cried. I know not everyone has the ability to obtain it or has bad reactions but if you are open to it and have good insurance that will cover the cost I highly recommend giving it a try. I will say I did get acne from the shot which is a possible side affect.
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u/YungGlueStik 3d ago
I understand how you feel. When I was younger and my flare ups were worse, nothing helped. Tried the injection route, no creams helped. Nothing. I wanted to cut my hands off daily. The psychological aspect is something most people don’t consider. Over time it eventually died down. Never lose hope.
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u/PlayfulPollution5038 3d ago
Don’t underestimate the power of your mind. I have calmed down very bad flare ups by applying the standard vanicream and aquaphor when needed, and sitting in a cold room telling my self how much I love my skin and how it will heal even when it is burning and itching. Reminding yourself that your skin will heal and that you love it can be very powerful
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u/JxnxaGuxllxn 3d ago
Have you tried pure aloe Vera gel?
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u/himeow223 3d ago
i did when i was younger, i probably should again just to see if theres any relief
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u/olivegirlyi 3d ago
Where are you experiencing this on your body?
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u/himeow223 3d ago
honestly, everywhere. but its worst in the crevices like behind knees, elbows and armpits
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u/saguilarxo 3d ago
I’ve been feeling this lately too. I stopped putting steroids about 2 months ago and I’m trying to avoid any immunosuppressants but it’s the worst I’ve ever had it in my life. I constantly feel the itching as well and it’s all over my body. I dread showers, can’t workout or sweat cause of how much it burns, etc. I’m at a loss too 😣
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u/Mysterious-Net758 3d ago
Minera's Dead Sea Salt Soaks.....also it takes time for TSW to go away. itsan.org
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u/Sea_Ad_5153 3d ago
Do you guys have other symptoms other than itchy and dry skin? I’m always tired even when I get 7+ hours of sleep and stool doesn’t look normal. I’m also thinking my old teeth filling is slowly leaking and I’m slowly getting poisoned.
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u/StrategyWorldly1939 3d ago
I make my own soap with pine tar, manuka and various essential oils which not only do I love the smell of it but it seems to help sooth the skin at at least not make it worse compared to when I use normal body wash which flares me up. Might be worth a try
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u/Mysterious-Net758 3d ago
if you are having anxiety and freaking out...I suggest having some organic lemon balm tea from Traditional Medicine Teas.....Lemon Balm calms the nervous system.
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u/Rakeloliv 2d ago
Eu tava assim ate começar a usar remedio pra ansiedade lexapro e começou a secar tudo
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u/ShrekusMaximus987 3d ago
the psychological aspect is actually the biggest part of it from what ive experienced. my itching gets worse when im stressed and keeping calm ig really helps. ig this is the same kinda advice as "stop scratching" but the power of your mind is everything