Moisturisers and emollients
My mum made a cream that has helped my children - Evelyn, Hayes, UK
When I had my first child he had eczema the doctor gave me some cream and then steroids, when I told my mum she made me a cream she told me it was a family secret which I knew nothing about. Anyway, he used it for two yrs and he was cured and my now two yr old boy has eczema but he uses it only twice a week. I have tried to talk to experts but no one listens, maybe none of them knows how hard it is to live with eczema. Anyway if any one wants to try it, pls contact me. (June 2010) Contact Evelyn
Epaderm cream is the only thing that's worked - B Hunter, Leeds, UK
I discovered epaderm cream by mistake and I had never looked at this product. Over the years I have suffered with eczema and have tried every product possible. I also found out last year that I have eczema on private areas, all treatments did not work until I started with this product. Please tell everyone that this a fantastic product to use. (September 2009) Contact B Hunter
BNatural from Tesco has helped clear my eczema - Jackey, Ryde, Isle of Wight
Hello, My name is Jackey and I have been an Eczema sufferer since I was a child. I have used an assortment of treatments from the doctor and have had almost eczema free periods and periods where my eczema has been severe covering most of my body. When I became pregnant with my 1st baby my skin was pretty clear. At around 3 months pregnant, the Eczema came back, worse than ever, with a condition I now know as photo allergic dermatitis, the problems became worse over time and it became clear I was in trouble. Creams from the doctor were not working, basic emollients had not helped, I had to stop breast feeding my daughter as I could not cope and all my nutrients were going to the milk and not my body. After this the eczema eased a little but I was still covered and very uncomfortable. I returned to part-time work when my daughter was 9 months old and had to take time off due to severe flare-ups. I finally got a referral to a dermatologist in December 2008 and got allergy tested. I discovered I was allergic to Parabens (found in body care products - moisturizers, shampoo, conditioner, soaps creams etc) and chromates (found in make-up and leathers). Some strong steroid and cortisone creams were prescribed, but the flare-ups did not stop. I tried some expensive 'eczema cure' treatments off the internet which did not work, in fact made the condition much worse. I was at a loss and 2 months ago I resigned from work because of my skin and I began scouring the shelves of top high street pharmacies and supermarkets, and smaller shops, only to find there were very few, almost no products that did not contain these chemicals. There are some sites on the internet where you can buy paraben free products, but they are expensive and I needed easier access to them.
I then discovered, right under my nose, in my place of work that Tesco have a range called bnatural made with active botanical extracts and totally free from mineral oils and parabens. In the range you can buy almost every product a woman needs in her bathroom completely free
of these chemicals - shampoo, conditioner, body butter, eye cream, face masks, bath bubbles and salts, hand cream, body-washes, scrubs. I have been using these products for around 6 weeks now and my skin is 99% improved and actually feels soft. I have not used the prescribed
creams very often since and I threw all my emollients away- interestingly some of them contained parabens too.
I have just begun using the body butter on my daughter who is now 15 mths old and also has eczema and her skin is already feeling less dry and flaky. The bnatural range is not very expensive and the only range I have found on the high street that is totally free from all the bad
chemicals. I hope that my story will benefit anyone suffering with skin problems. (June 2009) Contact Jackey
Equate moisturiser along with vit supplements have worked for me - Cindy, Illinois, USA
The past 25 years I have suffered on and off with eczema but as I get older it seems to be getting worse and worse. It doesn't help the environment that I work in creates disaster for the flare ups with detergents, heat and constantly having my hands in water. Over the years the flare ups would occur on my hands starting with the red itchy patches, gaining momentum by spreading because of itching and scratching. Then cracking, weeping and flaking. I'm sure all of you that suffer with this can relate.
However this year is the first that I have had it break out on my legs. Just like the other episodes it started with a scratch, a weep, then spread across the inner ankle to a fairly good size of 2 inches in a matter of two months. All the while I brought it to the attention of my regular Dr. who wants to do a biopsy on it thinking it could be cancerous (because when he saw it a week ago) it was quite flaky looking, very dark red around the edges and still a little weepy.
In the meantime I took matter into my own hands because I had more then run out of patience with this...so I invested in a number of vitamin supplements. Those being Omega-3, Vitamin B Complete and Vitamin E. I have been taking the supplements for a week now and it all cleared. New skin is formed where it once weeped and flaked. No more itching. I also applied a thin layer of a very rich thick moisturizer (the Equate brand made for WalMart) but is equivalent to Eucerin. Just cheaper!!!! So between the supplements and the moisturizer I am a believer. (May 2009) Contact Cindy
Nivea creme works for me - Lindsay
I used to have very bad eczema, but tried homeopathy which helped me immensely. I still have it a little bit and suffer with fairly dry skin.
I recently bought Nivea Creme, which comes in a small, round blue tub. It is a very thick, fairly greasy cream, but I find it works great to moisturise my skin. It smells like it would contain perfume, but on looking at the ingredients I can't see that it does, so it shouldn't irritate people's skin. Really helps to soften and moisturise dry areas. (March 2009) Contact Lindsay
I make my own cream - Steve, London, UK
Our son developed eczema when he was about two months old, it started on his folds then spread to the rest of his body, the only area that was spared was his nappy region.
I can only tell you what worked for our son, it’s not a cure but the treatment we have discovered has improved his skin 99.9% to the point where we don’t consider he has eczema anymore just very sensitive skin. As with any treatment you should patch test first as every baby is different.
We tried all the creams and ointments the doctors could prescribe but his skin just seemed to be getting worse, we were just putting 50/50 on him in the end and he was screaming when it was applied. So I decided to investigate if there was any alternative treatment, using the internet I discovered all these ointments are mineral oil based and mineral oil can be very drying for the skin they also they contain some very worrying chemicals one being SLS (sodium laurel
sulphate) which started life as an industrial degreaser. SLS is also hidden in emulsifying wax.
I just couldn’t believe that they were asking us to put this stuff on our baby!!
After a lot of research I now make my own cream using unrefined shea butter, karanja oil, jojoba oil and coconut oil. I fill a beaba 300ml jar with the shea butter melt this submerged up to the lid in hot water (you have to keep refilling the hot water till the shea butter is melted) then add 50ml of karanja oil and 50 ml of jojoba oil two tea spoons of coconut oil stir well. This can all be brought from Shea butter cottage. I have been using this since January 2008 and his skin has improved beyond belief. You need to try this for at least a month to see improvement.
For bathing I use porridge oats wrapped in a muslin cloth secured with elastic band, run this under the hot tap and squeeze in the bath water, this helps soothe itching skin.
If you are using hydrocortisone we have found you have to wean the skin off of it by applying it for two weeks then every other day for one week then every third day and so on, otherwise you get a rebound affect where the skin just flares up worse again.
Other useful tips:
Don’t use Johnsons top and tail on a new born babies skin.
Use Surcare washing powder and always do an extra rinse.
Make sure the baths not too hot no more than 36.4 degrees.
Use 100% cotton clothing. Keep them on the cool side of warm.
Use cotton wool and plain water when changing nappies.
Cut and file nails as short as possible.
Use a baby sleeping bag if age and temperature appropriate to stop them itching their body while asleep.
Use an anti-allergen mattress cover.
Good luck I hope this will/has helped someone else with this terrible curse. (July 2008)
Aveeno cream & Manuka honey product help our daughter - Suzanne, Bude, UK
My 4 year old daughter has had problems with her skin since she was born. She gets stubborn dry areas around her waist, face and back of the neck. It can all flare up red and sometimes her skin breaks on her wrists. I got really fed up so started on the internet. We tried Freederm Hc from USA, she complained of stinging and we didn't see any improvement. We are now using a manuka honey product for eczema. We use it very sparingly as if it was a steroid and it seems to be working. We are also using for the first time, Aveeno cream, it's the first cream we have put on her that really stops her skin feeling dry and lasts well overnight. At the moment her skin is at it's best for a long time. (June 2008) Contact Suzanne
PEP 50 works for me - Julie, Liverpool, UK
I have very bad eczema and have tried lots of different products. I have recently tried a product called PEP 50 which I bought from the E-Bay shop. I paid £11.99 and it was free postage and packaging. I can honestly say that it is the BEST cream I have ever tried and an added bonus is that it is a huge tub so will last me about 2 months. (June 2008) Contact Julie
Acid mantel skin restorer - Maria, USA
I am suggesting a miracle lotion that you can buy at Cost Co. That was the least expensive place. A 16 oz tub is about $37. But well worth it. It is called Acid Mantel, skin restorer , pH balancer. My son's eczema is gone. I am so happy my Mom suggested this. What a miracle. No chemicals. We use it about twice a day and for sure after his bath. (January 2008)
Shielding ;otion - Louise, Walsall, UK
I have discovered a new way of treating eczema. It is called a "shielding lotion" and it bonds with the outer layer of skin to form an invisible barrier against irritants. It cannot be washed off and does not cause reactions. It can be used in conjunction with steroid creams. I have been using it for nearly a week and my skin is so much better. Hope this helps someone. (January 2008)
Aveeno moisturising lotion - Jay, London, UK
My daughter has suffered with eczema for 15 years. The only cream that has worked for her is Aveeno moisturising lotion with cooling menthol. The menthol stopped her itching and for the first time in her life, she has smooth skin. Please give this a try, everyone I have told is over the moon about it. (January 2008) Contact Jay
Creams that have worked for me - Lydia, West Sussex, UK
Hi my name is Lydia I am 12 years old and have had eczema since I was a baby. I have tried so many different remedies on my skin no wonder I have spots! my mum always says it is our cat and she is probably right! I would say go to the doctors and try new creams out! the only problem is I always am going down to the doctors they gave me three creams one Betnovate or however it is spelt most people may have heard of this. It works but.... I got it just after coming back form holiday when I had a tan! It made white blotches where my eczema had been and it made me soo upset. This is a warning. But I just say try new things out. I am there for everyone suffering because I know how it feels I cry soo much about it and I hate myself to pieces! I love wearing make-up but it brings my eczema out! so try not putting make-up where your eczema is also put gloves or long socks over your hands at night as it prevents you from scratching and just moisturise your skin all day! it will make your skin softer and not so dry! Pets make it worse as I found out. But still love having a cat. But also I found out that strawberries bring out my eczema very badly and a friend of mine found out fish brings out hers so when your eczema flares up see what you ate and next time you have it see if it flares up. Thanks xx (November 2007)
Vaseline works for me - Richard, Milton Keynes, UK
I am 49 and had Eczema most of my life in the common form behind my knees and around my ankles, sometimes bad, sometimes worse. A few months ago after a sudden loss in my family, it went mad and just about covered me even onto my back. There was nothing I could do, and hated even going to bed because it seemed every night brought on the itch scratch cycle while I was half dozing. I tried even sleeping in lose clothes, which helped slightly, but I still had the terrible dry skin. I had tried all the usual steroids, emollients etc. but it just came back worse. I saw this site and on somebody's recommendation bought a vitamin c style shower filter. I changed my diet to include oily fish and drank less tea and more fresh Orange and Grape juice. I also found a new Moisturiser!!! Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion. Thanks Tesco!!! I thought I'd give it a try on the "nothing to lose basis". What a difference.....this stuff really does work after 2 days the difference is better than changing my diet or the shower filter put together. Go and buy...better still...go and buy all the things above and good luck to you. I can safely say with using this stuff ...I go the whole day without an itch ... it's broken the cycle and all for £3.50!!! Good Luck, and No I'm not on commission!!! (November 2007) Contact Richard
Petroleum jelly - Selina, Wolverhampton, UK
Hi I'm 17 and got a really bad case of eczema over a year ago. I tried all of the products the doctor recommended but nothing worked and steroids were useless. My skin weeped and everything. About 6 months ago I was recommended Boots petroleum jelly (like Vaseline but purer so less likely to cause a reaction) and I found my skin cleared up alot. The redness went down and it stopped weeping. I then turned to Clinique. It is really expensive but its so worth it, my skin is now looking so much better no one can tell I ever had eczema. I hope this is helpful. (October 2007) Contact Selina
Fucibet and epaderm - Julie-Ann, Dorset, UK
My daughter has what they call severe eczema and has suffered for a very long time with it she was first diagnosed when she was 6 weeks old with infantile eczema I was given Oilatum and it cleared but soon after her 1st birthday it appeared from no where over night she was covered from head to toe we were then referred to see a dermatologist at local hospital we were given all kinds of steroid creams and antibiotics we have had countless hospital and doctors visits we have also had endless stays in hospital which is hard as I have another child. Well that was nearly 3 years ago and we have been given different creams antibiotics steroids and none have really worked since then my only wish is that she will grow out of it cause of her age I don't like having to see her suffer its so hard as a mother to watch her cry in pain my daughter is now on a steroid cream Fucibet and Epaderm she has also just finished her course of antibiotics which was Erythromycin. (August 2007) Contact Julie-Ann
Aveeno works for me - Susan, Jamaica
Hi, I just wanted to say that I have proven what I had always thought about eczema: what works for me might not work for you, but keep on trying. Someone gave me an Aveeno skin moisturizer fragrance free lotion for myself and I was out of Mustela for Rachel and decided to use it on her. She only flares mostly on the knees and outside of her elbows now. I hope it stays this way, but it has been some weeks now and usually the good effects last for only two weeks. I myself for some reason started getting reactions from fruits around my mouth and I used the Aveeno and it has helped. I am not saying it is the cure but try it, if it does not work try until you find the right one because there is something out there that is compatible to your skin. Don't try products for the first time by buying full size, get samples or mini travel sizes, that way you don't waste much cash if it does not work. All the best and never give up. (June 2007) Contact Susan
We've tried everything and want a natural treatment - Susan, Jamaica
Hi, My name is Susan. I have a two year old daughter name Rachel, and she has had eczema since three months old. She had it from head to toe! No part of her body was spared; I could not take her any where. If she was in a blanket when I lift her the flakes from the skin would fall off. They started her off on steroids, and each time I stopped, it would come back worse. The doctors then started mixing antibiotics with the steroids, at one point she looked half white. After she would go to bed I would cry at night because although I removed all the possible allergens, she was suffering. She was only breast fed, but sometimes I myself would eat the things that could trigger a flare, but at that time had not made the link. We started to take her to a top dermatologist, costing us over $20,000 a month, transportation to the capital City being the most costly. The coal tar and sulphur based concoction worked for a while, but we could not afford the trips.
When she was just over a year old, we heard of Protopic, and believed me it worked, and it did not discolor her skin. It was costing us $6,000 at $100 US a tube. To our horror we heard about the FDA advisory on it, and decided that as bad as the eczema was, the possibility of getting cancer was much worse. So it was back to the steroids, and I used the Elocon when she was bad and sometimes when she was not too bad, baking soda baths and sea salt. She had a bad flare, was recently prescribed Dermavate plus Tetra ointment, and I am just tired of the steroids. But in my country although there is an increase in the cases of eczema, no effort is being made to offer treatments aside from steroids to treat it. I can’t even get Aveeno for babies, Eucerin or other moisturizing creams meant for it. Right how her arms are sore and I don’t know what to put under it, for fear the steroid is too potent for it.
If there is any mom who has tried Hope’s Relief crème and Supersalve skincare balm and it has really helped please let me know. I will get someone to buy it abroad for me, but I need real honest feedback from someone who has used these products, they seem to have very good ingredients. Due to being on the steroids so long, and not being able to have dairy products some of her teeth have gone bad, especially due to the fact that she had teethed at three months (her brother did too).
I am taking one day at a time. At one point she almost had no hair, her hair is growing now, but can be extremely dry. What I found helpful for her hair is jojoba oil, and the green Dax hair oil on the end makes it soft. I have started using Redken ALL SOFT conditioner which I bought to try and I am impressed. When I am out of the jojoba oil, which I apply on the scalp nightly, her hair gets thin, so I know the jojoba oil really works. Any hair products with egg or milk ingredients get her scalp flakey. I know what can help her scalp, I just wished I knew what could help her skin, naturally. (February 2007) Contact Susan
Moisturiser that works! - Andy, London, UK
I've spent a good 20 years or so in search of a moisturiser for my face that works. I've found a few that seem to work short term and hundreds that exacerbate the eczema. I settled on Shiseido for a while but at £35 for a small bottle it wasn't feasible for too long. I have now discovered that Simple Moisturiser (the plain one with no additives) does an amazing job for my body and Simple Regeneration Plus "Anti wrinkle firming cream" is near miraculous for my face. Obviously it's aimed at a different age of skin (I'm mid thirties) but that's probably why it works. Neither cause any irritation at all (a first). The Plain moisturiser is around £3.50 per bottle (Superdrug or Boots in the UK) and the Regeneration Plus is a tad pricey at £13.50 but is often on 2-for-1. Try it, if it works for you like it does me you'll be over the moon. I look 10 years younger instantly (no longer appearing to be 50!) and it lasts for most of the day. (January 2007) Contact Andy
Skin salvation - Jane, Newcastle, UK
I have suffered with eczema all of my life. I am 48 Since 2005 I've been using range of products made by Skin Salvation. I have been using the course as instructed and I am delighted to say it works for me! If any body else is struggling to find relief from this problem, it may worth them at least looking at the site to see if they can compare situations, rgds Jane. (January 2007) Contact Jane
Freederm HC - Shauna, Southampton, UK
After reading some comments and questions about a product called Freederm HC, I felt the need to write in. I have suffered with eczema all of my life but more particularly in the last 2 years on my face. It has caused me much grief, as I'm sure know. I had tried every moisturiser, emollient, steroid cream and non-steroid cream on the planet with few lasting results. In desperation I did an Internet search and came across Freederm HC which I ordered on the promise that if it didn't work I could get my money back. That was 8 months ago and I have not needed to use another cream since. It is amazing. If I do have an outbreak, then I simply apply the cream and within an hour my skin has calmed down. I am not exaggerating when I say that this cream has been a God send! I urge you to try it and if it doesn't work, then the website say they will refund you and you have lost nothing anyway. Good luck! (January 2007)
Moisturiser mixture - Emma, London, UK
My daughter has had atopic eczema since she was 9 months old. I have tried everything from Eumovate ointment to Dead Sea salts. She is now 3 years old and the only thing I have found that gives her any comfort is Hemp oil. I mix half a tub of Aqueous cream and half a tub of Epaderm cream with half a cup of hemp oil and a few drops of Lavender oil. This mixture seems to keep her skin moisturised for longer and reduces the severe outbreaks she normally suffers. The only other thing that can also work is the cracked nipple cream Kamillosan, although this is an expensive option but has good results. (January 2007) Contact Emma
Fucibet is the one for me! - Michael, Northamptonshire, UK
Like many others on this site I have suffered for many years (since the age of 2 I think) with eczema. I am now 28 and until recently my hands (which have been the worst part) were red raw from where I had been itching. The ends of my nails were cracked and the skin on my fingertips was dry and cracked. This was horrible as I am currently renovating a house and every time I went to pick something heavy up they cracked open and started bleeding. After a long period of use of Elcon cream this caused the skin to thin beyond belief. One slight little knock caused a big crack to appear. After 4 months of pain and being conscious of people seeing my hands I decided to visit the Doc's again. I advised that I had been using various creams/moisturisers as an alternative to soap and also use after I wash my hands. I even used baby oil to try and keep my hands moist but this still didn’t work. He advised me to try Fucibet cream (60g). I didn’t think this was going to work and all I could think about was the cost of £6.80 for the prescription being a waste of money.... How wrong I was. This cream is amazing! I have used almost every type of cream and none of them have had effects like this. I have been using Fucibet for 1 week now and I cannot believe how my hands look. I don’t think that they have every looked this well. All of the dry skin has gone and there are no red patches. My nails are still bumpy from the use of the other cream but they have now started to grow straight and it looks like the cuticles are starting to re-attach to the nail. After years of suffering this cream has ended it in a week. I don’t normally advise people on medicine as I am not sure of what the ingredients would do but this one is great. It contains a steroid and an anti-biotic but I am sure your doctor can tell you more about them. (November 2006) Contact Michael
Advice on creams needed - Sharlene, Milton Keynes, UK
My son Colby has had eczema from 6 wks of age and is now 16 months old. I have taken him to a dermatologist and he's had so many creams to the point she said she could do no more!! His skin would have the odd good day regardless of whether he had cream on or no,t but even now it's still bad. My son was also diagnosed with a severe heart disease in June and if the eczema becomes infected it's not good for his heart. I am STILL pushing to be seen by a specialist consultant for eczema in Oxford now. He's on anti b's as his skin is infected again and has now been given Vallergan by doctor to try and ease the itching and to help him sleep but that has not worked and I also think it is not the answer! I was told they would not allergy test him because he's not bring sick or doesn't have an obvious allergy to something else!! (told by top hospital)! I screamed at my doctor the next day to demand he refer us for allergy testing which he has done so hopefully hear back soon. Anyone with advice on creams they have used on children would be great thanks. (October 2006) Contact Sharlene
50/50 - Becks, UK
Unfortunately eczema is one annoying thing. I know. I've got a 5 month year old baby with it. It all started with bumps, then it got infected. When any body touched the face it was like touching a wet flannel and I'd do my best to keep my baby creamed. I'd been given plenty of antibiotics but by this time I had enough of creams and steroids. So the next I saw my doctor I demanded to see a dermatologist. When I did she couldn't believe the doctors had left him to get red like a wet tomato. So my poor little baby ended up having a drip in one foot. When the nurses came in they gave me all the help I needed and changed the creams to 50/50. It's like a tub of grease "never let the baby dry out always keep the body covered with baby grows and instead of using mittens use socks as there less harder to pull off", one of the nurses said, so that's what I did. When I came home I worked so hard to not let it dry out. I would be lying if I said it was easy. I had to use Eumovate ointment twice a day and 50/50 when ever I felt he was getting dry plus his baby bath Oilatum. No mother should have to suffer to see their child in pain scratching their skin to pieces, It sounds easy but it's no,t but it paid off. My baby looked brand new. We where both happy, me and my baby. My baby still has eczema but not as bad as before and the hot weather doesn't help it, but we also have a free play time where my baby can have hands free but I have to keep my eye on my baby. I would recommend mums to use 50/50. (August 2006)
Sudocrem - Ally, Bristol, UK
If like me, when your eczema flares up your skin breaks and you can't use your regular cream, use Sudocrem antiseptic cream. It speeds up the healing process so you can get back onto your regular cream. It's very mild and causes no irritation and kills any bacteria on your skin to prevent infection. Use it during the day and night for 1-2 days before going back on your regular cream. It's very white and hides any red, angry colouring that is produced by eczema. Hope this helps someone. (October 2005) Contact Ally
Virgin olive oil for eczema - Theresa, San Jose, USA
To all who will listen- (Any Virgin Olive Oil will cure your eczema rashes forever). I was 29 years of age when I broke out with "severe hand eczema", it wasn't until three years later before I was blessed with a cure. I am now 37 years of age living free of eczema and want to pass this cure on to as many people who will listen. If it works for you, please promise me to use all the on-line method you know to pass this cure to all those living with eczema. Buy any over the counter virgin olive oil and apply all over any areas breaking out with eczema for 1 week, 1 month to 6 months and watch your eczema despair forever. Be patient and see if you don't see a difference in your break-out and rashes as the weeks go by. When I had the severe break-outs, even touching water hurts my sores and made it worst. Try not washing your body parts with any water. Rather, pore Olive Oil over the areas and wipe off with a towel or paper towel. As it starts healing, you can start washing with water again. After you are cured, off and on if the eczema slightly returns, use it again and watch it disappear again and again. Olive Oil can be use on children and babies free of any harm to them (it has been proven to work on my sister's babies and got rid of theirs). Sincerely - A Child of God, whose prayers for a cure for eczema where answered.
PS it doesn't hurt to start cooking all your foods with Olive Oil as well, since this is what I am doing also. (August 2005)
Curel lotion has helped my eczema - Penelopy, USA
I've tried it all on my face - or at least I thought I had until stumbling across Curel lotion to treat my eczema. I've slapped oatmeal on my face, evening primrose oil, baby diaper rash cream, etc. Didn't want to go the prescription med route so my quest for an alternative proved to be a success. It may not work for everyone, but considering there are no risks involved with this over-the-counter hand, body and face lotion - taking into account you have no allergic reaction to any of the ingredients (read the label) - I see nothing to lose, but everything to gain. Curel has an "Ultra Healing" 24-hour daily moisturizing lotion for extra-dry skin that is fragrance-free, and it works for me. (July 2005) Contact Penelopy
Oilatum natural repair cream - Gail
I have received a number of emails asking me about this product. I discovered it by chance in Boots. It has no preservatives, emulsifiers or fragrances and is made by Stiefel. They also make a face repair cream, but it has extra ingredients so I wouldn't use it. I tried this on my 10 year old daughter who developed facial eczema out of the blue. I had tried numerous creams, steroids, etc, from my GP, with no result. Oilatum Natural Repair Cream is made from natural plant lipids. It costs about £7.40 for a small tube, but I found it well worth it. I have been told that it is available on prescription by someone who lives in England. (July 2005) Contact Gail
Eumobase works for me - Greg, London, UK
I only have one thing to say and that is Eumobase. I have rather chronic eczema which up until now has affected me every day of my life. I tried Eumobase for the first time and it has changed my life completely. While it is rather a thick ointment a little greasy and quite expensive it has brought my skin under control and its just about fully rehydrated and healed. It is well worth the 7 quid or so it costs if I have to buy ten tubes a month to live a normal life. Very happy. (March 2005) Contact Greg
Creme de la Mer, worth every penny - Jane, Vancouver, Canada
I used to have extreme reactions to even some so called "sensitive skin" products where my skin would thicken and dry out to the point that it wouldn't absorb any moisture no matter what was applied and would have the texture of a flaky lizard. After a few days, the skin would have usually evolved so that it was incredibly red and had the consistency of burnt skin, raw and thick. It would usually get to the point where even water hurt and nothing was thick enough to help with the texture and dryness of the skin without making me break out. I'm here to say there's hope. I completely recommend spectroderm for the times where the eczema is really on the war path, and spectrojel for the milder times. Spectroderm I found was the only thing that didn't sting my face when I used it as a cleanser and the emollients in it were incredibly moisturizing. Spectrojel I recommend as well for those also suffering from acne prone skin, its antibacterial as well as moisturizing. For moisturizer, I recommend a combination of cetaphil and creme de la mer. Cetaphil is great because it doesn't clog up pores, but the real prize is the la mer cream. While it is quite costly (about $150CA), it's worth every penny. During the times where my skin felt like it was burnt and raw (and disgusting as it might sound, while it was oozing that clear liquid that eventually hardens the skin into a scab like texture), this was the only thing that could alleviate it. This cream made my skin feel and look like skin, and it also improved the overall texture and reduced wrinkles. Only a dab is usually required because with this cream, a little goes a long way. One jar of the stuff lasted me about a year, and I think that $12.50 a month for great skin is a more than fair trade. Though many may think that these expensive creams are just rip offs and don't really differ from regular creams, my (finally, normal and healthy looking) skin and I are here to say that you get what you pay for with this brand. (March 2005) Contact Jane
Baby magic and calomine lotion - Elaine
I just wanted to share with someone that I mixed Mennen's Baby Magic and Calamine lotion together and my eczema went away. That was approximately 30 years ago. I don't know what the measurements might be but probably about 3 parts Baby Magic to 1 part calamine lotion. Caladryl lotion will not work or it didn't work for me. I have shared this 'recipe' with a few friends and relatives but would like for everyone to know you can get relief without an expensive prescription or other lotions. I had been to doctors for years trying to get some relief and this is the only thing I have ever had that would give me that relief. (January 2005)
Last Reviewed: 4 May 2012
Next Review Date: 1 October 2012
