Sort of new to me malady, atopic dermatitis (55, years, best)

[Dustyroad70]

It just started recently, came on sort of like a snake in the night and then flared up pretty harshly, my hands began peeling, I mean big time. One of my feet is peeling bad and since the skin is thick, it is awful ugly. Red spots on my arms that seem to dry up and fade as time passes. Sort of an itch, I find myself scratching and picking and don't even know it. Went to Dermatologist, she said atopic derm and said to take this steroid. What a life. Any wisdom?

[SoCal_Native]

Originally Posted by Dustyroad70

.... she said atopic derm and said to take this steroid. What a life.

And???
Do you have to take a steriod the rest of your life?
Will it be expensive?
Does it hurt to take it?

[Dustyroad70]

Originally Posted by SoCal_Native

And???
Do you have to take a steriod the rest of your life?
Will it be expensive?
Does it hurt to take it?

I hope not. I have been on it about two weeks. I think it is clearing up some. It is a cream and not painful. It is not expensive this year. I actually had my first episode about a year and a half ago. It went away then came back. Somewhat differently. I need to be very careful and use a somewhat expensive moisterizer every day and actually more than once a day. I am a thin skinned person and for the last few years I have dry skin. I can probably expect flares and remissions the rest of my life. It could be worse.

[jaminhealth]

OP: Do you take Omega 3's, and you can do a search on Coconut Oil and your issue. Both these oils are valuable as I see them, CO too to reduce chances of dementia.

Also, any changes in soaps, detergents,etc.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by SoCal_Native

And???
Do you have to take a steriod the rest of your life?
Will it be expensive?
Does it hurt to take it?

there are a lot of different types of eczema, I've had it for about 10 years, it comes and goes. I use CeraVe cream (available over the counter) it provides the best relief from itching than anything I've ever been prescribed. The doctor describes what I have as xerotic annular eczematous plaques. I don't have them all the time, but when I get them they are bilateral, on the outside of both lower arms and lower legs and the itching is maddening. I was prescribed Kenalog and a bunch of antihistamines for it, the kenalog did nothing and the antihistamines made me feel like a zombie, I could hardly stay awake.

[YorktownGal]

My son had terrible eczema as a child. We tried all types of creams and steroids.

You are in luck, because what really helped, was sunlight. He tanned well and the darker the tan the less eczema over the winter. It must have something to do with drying out the skin or increasing Vit D. Whatever, it worked.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Dustyroad70

It just started recently, came on sort of like a snake in the night and then flared up pretty harshly, my hands began peeling, I mean big time. One of my feet is peeling bad and since the skin is thick, it is awful ugly. Red spots on my arms that seem to dry up and fade as time passes. Sort of an itch, I find myself scratching and picking and don't even know it. Went to Dermatologist, she said atopic derm and said to take this steroid. What a life. Any wisdom?

I ended up with something similar and it kept getting worse. It was my detergent. I switched to Seventh Generation, within weeks it cleared up.

I’m wondering if your hand soap changed or if your dish soap changed? One recommendation? Keep a log. It’s difficult to remember when you make the change, unless you write it in a journal or calendar.