Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis

[DarrenB]

Long story short I've had two recurrences within a 3 month period this year regarding Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis focusing solely on my hands and I'm very much over it now. The last time I encountered it profusely was in Summer 2017.

I'm currently prescribed a strong hydrocortisone cream called Fucidin which helps relieve the basic symptoms: scarring, itchiness, redness etc but there have been multiple occasions after being on it for a few weeks where it has flared up causing immense irritation and stress for myself personally.

I'm scheduled to go back to work in my office within the next 1-2 weeks and I'll likely be interacting with people face to face on a regular basis... The dilemma is I don't want to be that abnormal guy that wears gloves or covers up their hands as if I'm some kind of hitman in the workplace. Alongside this i'm a Personal Trainer and with gyms in the UK set to reopen in the next 2 weeks I'm anxious with a plan going forward to prevent further flare-ups. 

I have a good diet and I've cut out everything I'm allergic to. My hygeine is great and I always ensure everywhere I've been and come into contact with is dusted down and cleaned on a regular basis (Pre and Post-Covid happening). I always ensure I use hypo-allergenic soap when I wash myself - same thing with washing my hair. The clinic who i'm with have never given me a proper diagnosis to help me figure out what the cause might be so I've only ever asked for the same prescription I had the first time as it has normally done the job.

Anyone experienced it before or know people who have? 

Please note: Having eczema or atopic dermatitis does not make someone contagious, nor does it mean they are subject to Coronavirus because of it. I say this just because some 'friends' I've asked have taken it way out of proportion and acted like I've come out of Chernobyl quarantine.

Thanks in advance  

Edited July 10, 2020 by DarrenB

[Ellener]

People are mean or stupid sometimes.

Yes, my ex got it bad sometimes. It's super-sensitive skin and scratching makes it worse or causes infection. The cream that used to be used in the UK for eczema was Betnovate, a prescription steroid. Fucidin is antibacterial. 

I personally think if cotton gloves help who cares what anyone else thinks...but if you don't want to wear them all the time find some which work for the gym as 'manly gym gloves' ( people wear them all the time here ) and use the thin plain ones to moisturise and wear them at night or just an hour here and there after applying unscented moisturiser?

Sounds like you worked out some of your triggers.

There's a UK National Eczema Society- Find out about the different types of eczema, treatments and triggers, and download our booklets and factsheets.

Here is US there's a National Eczema Association.

Good luck, feel better soon.

 

[Dork Vader]

On 7/9/2020 at 8:49 PM, DarrenB said:

Long story short I've had two recurrences within a 3 month period this year regarding Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis focusing solely on my hands and I'm very much over it now. The last time I encountered it profusely was in Summer 2017.

I'm currently prescribed a strong hydrocortisone cream called Fucidin which helps relieve the basic symptoms: scarring, itchiness, redness etc but there have been multiple occasions after being on it for a few weeks where it has flared up causing immense irritation and stress for myself personally.

I'm scheduled to go back to work in my office within the next 1-2 weeks and I'll likely be interacting with people face to face on a regular basis... The dilemma is I don't want to be that abnormal guy that wears gloves or covers up their hands as if I'm some kind of hitman in the workplace. Alongside this i'm a Personal Trainer and with gyms in the UK set to reopen in the next 2 weeks I'm anxious with a plan going forward to prevent further flare-ups. 

I have a good diet and I've cut out everything I'm allergic to. My hygeine is great and I always ensure everywhere I've been and come into contact with is dusted down and cleaned on a regular basis (Pre and Post-Covid happening). I always ensure I use hypo-allergenic soap when I wash myself - same thing with washing my hair. The clinic who i'm with have never given me a proper diagnosis to help me figure out what the cause might be so I've only ever asked for the same prescription I had the first time as it has normally done the job.

Anyone experienced it before or know people who have? 

Please note: Having eczema or atopic dermatitis does not make someone contagious, nor does it mean they are subject to Coronavirus because of it. I say this just because some 'friends' I've asked have taken it way out of proportion and acted like I've come out of Chernobyl quarantine.

Thanks in advance  

My mom has it, I have friends who have it. I do know that some of the prescriptions she has been given had some major risks, in her instance hydrocortisone was not enough to treat it. I would imagine your best bet health care wise would be to see a dermatologist and ask them about it in detail. Have you ever had an allergy test done to identify any specific things that might be more likely to cause flare ups? I'm not a health care provider or anything just curious if that might help?

I would not care much what people think or say if you wear gloves. If someone asks, just tell them you have a medical but condition and need to wear it. The people who matter to you won't care and those who do care won't matter. We all have out things and if someone is going to judge you based on you wearing gloves for your health, well they are about as significant as dust on your shoulder. I know that's all easier said then done. 

I'm also curious have you ever tried different laundry detergents and what not? It's environmental factors or allergens that trigger flare ups correct? My ex used a fabric softener I was allergic to, I'd get really bad rashes anytime I'd stay the night at her place.

[DarrenB]

6 hours ago, Dork Vader said:

My mom has it, I have friends who have it. I do know that some of the prescriptions she has been given had some major risks, in her instance hydrocortisone was not enough to treat it. I would imagine your best bet health care wise would be to see a dermatologist and ask them about it in detail. Have you ever had an allergy test done to identify any specific things that might be more likely to cause flare ups? I'm not a health care provider or anything just curious if that might help?

I would not care much what people think or say if you wear gloves. If someone asks, just tell them you have a medical but condition and need to wear it. The people who matter to you won't care and those who do care won't matter. We all have out things and if someone is going to judge you based on you wearing gloves for your health, well they are about as significant as dust on your shoulder. I know that's all easier said then done. 

I'm also curious have you ever tried different laundry detergents and what not? It's environmental factors or allergens that trigger flare ups correct? My ex used a fabric softener I was allergic to, I'd get really bad rashes anytime I'd stay the night at her place.

Yeah since I wrote the post back in July, the symptoms and general flare ups have been pretty minimal *touch wood* and I only really suffer from the occasional rash and skin dehydration which a stronger steroid variant of hydrocortisone cream (fucidin) has done wonders in clearing things up.

I've accepted the fact that there's going to be good and bad days where it may potentially worsen in future until it disappears in its entirety, but I've altered my diet again completely and incorporated different laundry detergents and shower creams/shampoos, conditioners etc so it's probably contributed to the healing process considerably.

Nonetheless, appreciate the response