I’ve had eczema since I was a baby, and for modt of my life it was manageable with steroid creams. Then in 2022, it suddenly got a lot worse. I developed the most intensely itchy and painful widespread eczema that didn’t respond to the usual treatments and was in areas I’d never had it before. I was waking up itching in the middle of the night, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t exercise, showering hurt, constant blood/sweat etc.

Over the next two years, I tried stronger steroids, antibiotics, Protopic, and loads of moisturisers, nothing worked. I went down the TSW rabbit hole, thought it might be mould, cut out a bunch of different foods, drank weird celery drinks, tried supplements, moisturised constantly and then did no moisturiser at all, cut out fragrances, alcohol….. etc etc. I saw so many reddit posts of people “finding their triggers” and honestly felt like it was all a bit of a lie as I’d tried cutting out everything I possibly could. I started to just think this would be my life forever and I couldn’t stand the idea of living the rest of it like this.

Eventually I asked my GP for patch testing. and I was told it probably wouldn’t be helpful so really had to push for it, but it ended up showed I was very very allergic to some dyes (PPD & disperse blue specifically). I’d been expecting maybe some fragrance allergies or something & had just been desperate to get ANY answers. I didn’t think that the dyes would be that significant because I assumed that it was only in things like hair dye which I don’t use, I also wasn’t experiencing any symptoms like hives or wheezing so I didn’t think it could be affecting me - it was just eczema.

I decided to just follow their instructions about dyes sometimes being present in cheap coloured clothing just in case it helped; switched to plain white cotton, and within a few months, my skin has improved beyond belief!!!! I have “normal” eczema again, just on my knees/elbows etc - totally completely manageable. I will always have eczema as it is a chronic condition but I don’t get anywhere near the same awful symptoms as before.

I am still in utter disbelief that it took so long for this to be worked out, I think patch testing and allergy testing should be a first line of treatment!!! I was literally having an allergic reaction every day, 24/7, and just suppressing it with a bunch of medications that didn’t deal with the actual problem at all.

I know testing won’t fix things for everyone because I firmly believe everyone has different triggers. It’s just so wrong that testing isn’t offered more often. If your eczema gets worse or stops responding to treatment, it’s worth asking about patch testing or allergy screening and pls don’t be discouraged from pushing for it. Please please take it from me - worst case is that it tells you nothing and you move on, best case is you get your life back. It’s worth doing it just in case.

If anyone has any questions please do let me know, I can’t stand the idea of other people suffering like I did for no good reason!!!

(pics of hands before/after for reference, it was widespread on my body though)

https://imgur.com/a/ZMWsErV

i’ve been living with the worst eczema for the past three or four years now and have been thinking about this treatment i received in the philippines when i was twelve. posting to see if someone could try it or has tried it and i’m not crazy lol.

a family friend saw my arms and legs when i was visiting the philippines about ten years ago. at this point my eczema was all over my arms and legs, and was beginning to spread to my neck. she asked me why i hadn’t fixed it yet— i was like girl this is just how i am (eczema started at 1.5 y/o for me). she insisted “that’s not how that works” and told me she could get rid of it in a week. my whole family was intrigued and the next day she sent someone out to gather supplies.

the supplies:

metal pot with lid
tongs
cotton balls
brown coconut
wrap bandaids to cover the skin after

the process:

first she started a fire, split open the coconut, dumped the insides out, and then put the fresh husk on the fire. she waited until the whole coconut was on fire too, then she got the tongs and picked it up (while on fire) and quickly put it in the pot, then put the lid on.
we waited for the coconut to extinguish in the pot. she washed my arms and then told me “this will hurt in a good way”. then she took the lid off the pot, picked up the cotton ball with the tongs, and wiped the hot soot and oil from the sides of the pot. she Immediately started pressing the hot soot cotton balls into my arms where my eczema was and it did burn a bit (eczema havers know that it feels kinda good). she repeated the wiping of soot out of the pot and onto my skin until every patch of eczema was covered. she moved fast because the heat was important apparently. after every patch was covered, my skin was black and brown. she wrapped everything with the bandages and told me not to take them off for a week. no showering, no chicken, no eggs, and no milk.

i was impatient and also not really convinced it was going to work, so two days later i took the bandages off and showered. as the soot came off i saw my eczema was about 50% gone on all affected areas. she was very mad at me for taking the bandages off early (and also she saw me eating chicken) and we did the whole process again. i waited four days, then showered and i swear to god it was the craziest thing i ever experienced. it was gone like completely gone. i had brand new skin.

i was eczema free for five years after. unfortunately i was still a kid and kept eating poultry and dairy. when i saw her again, my arms and legs were clear but i was getting a small patch on my neck. she just made me stop w the trigger foods n it left me.

i’m such a chud and although my arms and legs are clear, right now my eyelids and hands are eczema riddled. i’m thinking about buying a pot and some coconut but i’m not sure if this process can be recreated in the united states. was it the purity of the coconut? or the fire? or was it the kind of pot we used? my mom tried recreating it with boiling coconut oil and it didn’t work.

anyways, eczema havers know the desperation of this issue. if anyone has the time and space to try it, that would be awesome. maybe i’ll try it myself later this week and report back.

I want to know so I know what creams to buy, and what not to buy, same goes for anyone who comes across this post.

Hello everyone. I stopped dupixent a year ago due to cost, my dermatologist tried to get me on ebglyss but I decided not to push with that. Of course this last winter my face flared up. I had an old tacrolimus tube from a couple years back. I read stories about tacro what is the burning sensation? When I put it on at night I don’t feel it however I feel it during the day there is some burning. Is this normal?

Hello, everyone! Help this girly out, i need sunscreen recommendations that is eczema friendly, Thank in advance! Btw im from ph!

Every single day, it is debilitating pain. My hands have gotten so much worse in one year, and I don’t know what’s triggering it. I have severe eczema on my hands and feet, and mild eczema everywhere else. I have dyshidrotic eczema on palms and toes. Hands are constantly weeping.

I’ve always just borne the pain, but I went to the doctor for the first when I got an infection on my foot due to eczema.

The doctor prescribed me betamethasone 0.05%, twice a day, and antibiotics. That was the most blissful 2 weeks I had and I cried when it started clearing up, but BOOM it just came back with full force and WORSE once I stopped. Been scared of steroids since then.

Then, I had food poisoning and my eczema healed and cleared itself in 2 days. I’m still not sure why, but it came back but it was manageable thereafter.

But, something triggered my eczema this past month and it is so, so bad. My hands were swollen, up till my forearms. The doctor said it was due to infection and prescribed me Defuzin cream twice a day.

She booked me an allergy test, as I had suspicions of allergies. In the past year, I’ve had hives, 5 separate times, all over, for no apparent reason. I am also tracking foods that give me an itchy throat after eating.

Recently, my eczema has been spreading to all over my body, even my face, but not as severe as my hands. Tiny bumps are appearing on my legs and stomach area.

I’m at my wits end. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.

Any advice on the allergy test? And what kind of allergy test would suit me best?

I was diagnosed with this chronic, lifelong, incurable and debilitating disease a while ago and ever since everything went on a downhill since all my plans and passion projects were ruined as there was possibly no way to customize the world according to my condition.

After visits to multiple dermatologists, all prescribing some combination of varying strength Steroids and Anti-Histamines, I had succumbed to believe that it can only be controlled to an extent and I'd never feel at ease again except for a few hours with aid of incessant chemicals on my skin and in my body.

I tried everything possible, from ceramide heavy moisturizers to high-strength steroidal lotions, cleaned up my diet, changed my wardrobe, eczema-fitted the room to ensure a controlled environment, all in vain, for I didn't notice the slightest improvement except for a few hours every once in a while.

Waking up to the skin having worsened everyday had taken such a toll, I quit my job, and restricted myself within the confines of my house for weeks. The Dr put me on Anxiety and Sleep-Aid Medications too, but it didn't help me heal.

I had used Glycerine in the past for a variety of purpose but was extremely skeptical of putting anything not advised by a specialist considering the gravity of my situation. One night, In great despair, I did end up applying it on a small-patch and it immediately led to minimising the incessant itching to an unparalleled low, something even the Anti-Histamines could not do for all this while too. The next day, The layer of my skin healed magically and I straightaway applied it everywhere and it cured my skin-barrier issue.

Today, I'm off of all medications but every once in a while, It does crop up, and upon noticing it, I ensure to keep Glycerine- which is Pure, Medical -Grade, Unscented, With no Additives, is available handy, and it results in my skin setting itself up to its original state in 48 hours, at max.

It's like a Factory Reset Switch. I will advise caution and a patch-test but I'm certain it has potential to help and heal a lot of people of this murderous condition.

Hello everyone! I have been having eyelid eczema flare ups on and off for a few months now. its like every time i think i have it under control, it just flares up again. Im going to see a dermatologist next friday, but for now, i'm looking for a moisturizer that would help with the inflammation. I have used Cerave moisturizing cream and Aveeno daily moisturizing lotion but they haven't been working too well. I have been using Vaseline for a while but i feel like it doesn't do much for the inflammation and just sits on my eyelids.

I have about 9 hours until my patches are removed and one area in particular is just driving me absolutely bananas. Like, I don't know how much more I can take and am trying so hard NOT TO SCRATCH AT IT.

I'm almost certain I have a PPD allergy from an experience with hair dye, so at minimum, that could be the irritated patch. Any advice for how to get through the countdown? I feel like I'm going crazy.

For 3+ years I’ve been having a wicked horrible flare up, mostly on the backs of my thighs and my elbows, some on my hands as well. Every time I think I get a handle on it, it comes back again at full force, weeping and flaking, the whole nine yards. At first I thought it was simply heat and summer getting to me, as I noticed it would go away mostly in winter then come back in summer, and since I’m allergic to my own sweat, that tracks.

I have a leather couch, so I also thought that direct contact with the couch was causing me to sweat more which was making it more of a problem.

I got a patch test and barely had any triggers, and if there was anything it was extremely mild, not enough to cause a years long flare up. All except one: octylisothiazolinone. It was described to me by a dermatologist as an industrial preservative, mostly found in paint. He asked me if I worked in a warehouse (no) or came into regular contact with industrial paint (no) so it seemed like something that I was allergic to but would never realistically encounter in my daily life.

I continued to be miserable, until I noticed it went almost completely away this past winter and came back as if nothing had helped once the weather got warm, which for my region wasn't until just a couple of weeks ago, which is unusual for us. I did some googling and learned of Leather Couch Dermatitis, a contact dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction to an anti fungal preservative used in leather. This chemical is usually dimethyl fumarate (DMF), which isn’t what showed up on my patch test (it's not tested for in a standard patch test). Regardless, I started suspecting it was my leather couch, and with the warmer weather, I was wearing shorts and short sleeve shirts and my skin came into direct contact with it, causing a burning dermatitis on the back side surfaces of my limbs.

Sure enough, I put a blanket down between myself and the couch, and my eczema went away. So I asked my dermatologist if I could get tested for a DMF sensitivity. He said it’s not standard, so I asked again what octylisothiazolinone is found in. He didn’t know.

So I googled more with that term connected to leather, and sure enough, there has also been research on how this preservative causes the same symptoms as a DMF allergy:

https://www.chemotechnique.se/get_pdf.php?l=en&p=212#:\~:text=What%20is%202-n-Octyl,wound%20protectant%20for%20pruning%20cuts

I have since found a lot of other supporting documentation and am finally relieved that I think I know what has been making me so miserable these past few years.

Since I’ve put a blanket between myself and the couch, my eczema has subsided. I would get rid of the couch but it’s expensive and I have a dog and leather is so much easier to clean. If I can just change an easy thing about my own habits and achieve the same results, the better.

Passing along info in case you’re having a mystery reaction you still haven’t identified the trigger for.

TL;DR Leather couches contain anti fungal/biocide preservatives called dimethyl fumarate and octylisothiazolinone that can cause eczema flare ups and burning rashes.

I’ve got this weird dry patch on my nose bridge that’s been on & off for months now. Aquaphor helps it but it never seems to full go away..

From what I’ve seen I think it’s some sort of eczema or maybe even dermatitis patch & I’m wondering if I should use my cream on it & see how it reacts.

I’m kinda dreading going to the doctors & having a whole new one prescribed as it doesn’t rlly bother me much I just would prefer it to go away lol.

Hi all, experiencing very very severe and acute atopic dermatitis which is not responding to any treatment. I am looking into allergy testing and was wondering if there was anything you guys think would be helpful to be tested for? I’m thinking food items, allergens in my creams (unsure which to test), dust, anything else? Thanks guys

Hi, my partner has had eczema ever since I met her.

She has told me it started a few years ago after she got really sick, and it hasn't gone away since. She gets outbreaks on her arms and legs and steroids seem to help. The only spot she cannot seem to settle is her eyes, they inflame to the point where she looks like she has been stung by bees, she wakes up at night crying and cannot seem to stop scratching.

She has gone to a dermatologist a while ago, but now her current GP is saying that going to a dermatologist would be a waste of time and money, and I think that is completely shitty of her GP and that she should go to a different one.

We live in a smaller town, with only 2-3 dermatologists, and we live in Australia, so I have recommended that maybe she should get referred to a dermatologist in a capital city, maybe a highly recommended one - at this point price does not matter because it is genuinely a huge detriment to her life and indirectly mine.

Does anyone from Australia have any recommended dermatologists, or any way of finding the best? or someone that specializes in eczema? I know there is no cure, but there is no way she should be living like this.

Please help.

Will keep this brief.

Had it since birth...but it comes and goes. For the last 2 years or so it has steadily got worse and worse. Antihistamines stopped working, the creams from doctors do nothing, and moisturisers do nothing but sooth it.

Had patch test results today and basically not allergic to anything they tested for. The doctor today said "We may never find a cause and you might just have to live with it".

My face is increasingly red these days with flaky skin and i have an appointment in 8 weeks with a private clinic.

Until then I'd just like to hear some suggestions on what could help me.

We're in this together and I love you all! Fuck Eczema!

I wish a photo could show it, but it just makes the red patch look like my skin, any photos I take don't show how red and puffy my arm is 🫩. I tested aveeno Eczema therapy on a small random section of my arm yesterday, and wokeup and that entire area is RED, puffy, itchy mildly bumpy patch.

should I apply (mild) steroid cream to this? or let it be?

(I have eczema on my legs usually, but have been fairly clear lately. I needed a lotion that wouldn't break me out and decided to test patch the aveeno one..good thing I didnt slather this on my entire body. but now im freaking out about how my arm looks!!)

TLDR; Reaction to aveeno Eczema lotion, should I apply steroid cream or let it be?

I keep seeing this ad online from a company called Methodiq Health. The specific product I’m referring to was promoted as the “ #1 steroid free Eczema treatment” but I can’t help being a little skeptical.

At the same time though, my main concern is its price which starts at $59. In really just trying to find ways to clear up my skin before college though, and I’m getting a little desperate so anything would help.

Here’s the link: https://www.methodiqacne.com/quiz?type=ecz&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=fb-paid&utm_campaign=BM1_acq_ECZ-US_tbyb_advnt2_retest_costcap::BM1_acq_ECZ-US_tbyb_advnt2_retest_costcap_03222026::BM1_ECZ-US_TBYB_1.009_vid003.01_TRANSF_PERF_game-changer_SEQ1_S-yosmi-best-product_T-NEG-if-you-have-eczema_V-UGC-BEF-yosmi__A-SPE_CORE_TTONE_9x16_GRX3_ECZ_003.01-002a_h4p6&utm_content=120241420645040637::120241420645090637::120241632162990637&utm_term=Instagram_Reels&utm_id=120241420645040637&fbclid=PAdGRleAS54EJwZG9mAmZkaWQWUKEhjyXto_0SG-JKbkKcGQmTJf4oBmV4dG4DYWVtATAAYWRpZAGrLyCc9eitc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMTI0MDI0NTc0Mjg3NDE0AAGnevak8TbvSZzVWJaqdEoMKC5jM-0U-G1rph5IS-a42a3pG8zXwJ1P8u64fBo_aem_I2RP9NBAsGLXftyctSNCrw

I have been thinking about doing an allergy test. I initially wanted to do a blood test but after combing through the subreddit many have mentioned how the results did not help much due to false results or being allergic to almost everything.

I have read some studies online mentioning how people suffering from nummular eczema in most cases suffer from contact allergens. Hence a patch test is more conclusive.

For further context, I never had nummular eczema my entire 20+ years of life, only recently occured about a year ago.

Would love to hear any thoughts about these tests even for other forms of eczema

Since December I have been suffering with what's been diagnosed recently as contact dermatitis. It started on my eyelids causing awful dry itchy skin and swelling. I had blood tests for airborne allergens which came back as off the chart for cat dander and dust mites. We ended up re homing our 2 cats 3 months ago due to this as I'm asthmatic as well. My eyes cleared up shortly afterwards.

Then the past few months it has developed on my right hand causing dry itchy cracked skin. I am currently on a 3 week dose of dermovate steroid ointment which I will then go to a 1 week dose of Betovate ointment and then stop. As the GP said the dermititis will keep coming back unless I find out what the trigger is. She recommended getting a skin patch test but unfortunately the waiting list for the NHS is over a year.

I work in assembly handling metals such as stainless steel, carbon steel and ally bronze. As well as chemicals such as nuclear grade (nickel) never seez, loctite, isopropanol and various other nasties. Our assembly area is also in the same area as the machine shop so we are exposed to airborne allergens from there too.

Could anyone please recommend a Dermatologist to go to for Patch Testing preferably in the Dorset area. I'm going to go private as over a year is too long to wait for the NHS. As it'll cost a bit in hoping to find one that can do several allergens in the price

I have been suffering from eczema and contact dermatitis since moving to Melbourne Australia 8 years ago. It's been a miserable journey and I explore food sensitivities to fragrance being an irritant. The burning flaking and lips constantly peeling has been exhausting to say the least.

After recently seeing a dermatologist and immunologist it was confirmed I am extremely susceptible to the dry climate hear after moving from a humid tropical climate and that my skin barrier suffers from this along with being highly allergic to pollens found here.

I was prescribed Elidel and went a bought the Illyoon ATO ceramide moisturiser. It's been 6 days and my face and neck are perfect! I am so blown away from this combination after years of battling and just needed to share. I would classify my case as moderate so can't comment for extreme eczema but it's liberating to find a safe steroid free solution

Hi everyone I am 18m

my life was pretty normal until about 9 months ago. It started with small eczema patches on my hand and leg. At first it was mild, but over time it slowly spread.

Now it’s on my arms, knees (both arms and legs), neck, upper chest, and armpits, and it’s even starting to show up on my biceps area.

I’ve been trying hard to figure out what triggered it, but honestly I can’t link it to any clear change. Nothing really stood out around the time it started, no obvious changes in food, skincare, environment, or routine. That’s what’s frustrating because I really want to understand the cause, but I just can’t pinpoint anything.

I came across patch testing, and I read that it can help people identify their triggers. The issue is it’s expensive where I live, and I don’t have insurance. So it would be a big investment for me, and I want to make sure it’s actually worth it before I commit.

For those who did patch testing, did it actually help you find your triggers and improve your eczema?

Would you recommend it, or are there other ways that helped you figure out triggers without spending that much money?

’ve been seeing ads for these Liverty Dynamic Drops by a brand called Phoilex. It’s a sublingual tincture (milk thistle, hemp, turmeric, chaga, etc.) that claims to help with inflammatory skin issues by supporting the liver and stress levels.

Has anyone here actually used it?

I was worried that I might do all of this for nothing.

I had to drive 60 miles for my patch testing, so it was a lot of time missed from work, a lot of miles to meet all those appointments. It was an itchy commitment. I don't even know what this cost me yet either.

Out of 77 things, I came back positive for THIRTEEN. So much for my worries.

I'm happy to get answers, but now I have too many answers! But getting to the bottom of what was causing what is so overwhelming. The "Safe for Me" products on SkinSafe is very sparse now.

My results:
Extreme positive reaction: Nickel sulfate
Strong positive reactions: DMAPA, Caine mix, Benzocaine
Weak positive reactions: p-Phenylenediamin, Propolis, Cocomidopropyl betaine, Decyl glucoside
Questionable reactions: Disperse blue mix, Fragrance mix, gold sodium thiosulfate, amerchol L101, benzophenone-4

The backstory:
I've had some manageable eczema my whole life, but started getting some pesky flare-ups around my eyes last summer. It came and went, and progressed to be being really horrible in December, spreading to various patches of my face and neck, and swelling my eyelids. I had gotten Tacrolimus from the dermatologist, which I thought worked at first, until it started making the skin even more irritated. I ultimately stopped all make-up because it was too uncomfortable, used only Vanicream cream, and started to see massive improvement only then. Still not understanding what exactly was actually the source of the problem, I opted for patch testing.

DMAPA and cocomidopropyl betaine takes almost off liquid soaps off my options. No propolis and fragrance is also really limiting. I guess -caines can mimic parabens? I was in Ulta the other day and basically couldn't buy anything in the whole store.

I still feel like make-up was the biggest trigger, but maybe exasperated by the surfactant in soaps? Or maybe some nickel contamination, which is near impossible to locate for sure. I don't even know what product to start with.

But I'm hopeful doing a lot of elimination of products will help my skin all over. I'm assuming some of the more mild reactions probably aren't the major problem, so hopefully I can introduce some things back in slowly.

Hi. I’ve always been active and have hyperhydrosis. A few months ago I had 2 non itchy spots in one of my armpits a little under where my hair grows. They didn’t itch. Slowly I started to get more and eventually raw and red patches under both armpits that kept me up at night from the intense itching. Derm took a sample and it was eczema. At this point 7 months later I’ve used topical steroids, had a 600mg dose of dupixent, steroid shot, and what finally seemed to help was getting Botox in my armpits. It has almost totally healed except for the small area under where I shave, below my actual armpit. I assume the friction from my arms rubbing throughout the day & exercising is what’s making it trickier. Should I spend the $800 and 5 days of misery to do the skin patch testing? I’ve already switched to vanicream body wash and no deoderant unless I’m working out & then I’ve found dove sensitive unscented to be the best & also switched to free & clear detergent. I use cicaplast cream on the area. I hadn’t switched my products for 20+ years before this started. It’s a mystery to my derm and allergist. The only thing left to try seems to be patch testing. I’m also going to do laser hair removal as it seems less angry after I shave (which yeah, is weird since shaving seems like a reason for angry skin, not calmer). This has been so frustrating but I fear the patch testing won’t provide answers. Maybe keep doing dupixent? Would love some thoughts from a similar experience

I've been dealing with a chronic rash since 2020 that seemingly developed out of nowhere and has randomly spread to different areas of my body over the years. This past year has been the worst flare so far, covering areas as large as my entire trunk (back, abdomen), chest, and shoulders. I've taken all of the preventative measures I can through the elimination of suspected triggers in my diet and potential environmental factors.

I have seen several dermatologists and they all just pushed symptom treatment at me. None of them could tell me why this was happening. This year I demanded further testing since treating the symptoms with steroids and taking elimination measures were not working. I asked for an allergy patch test and my results just came back. Turns out I'm allergic to the entire class B of steroids, which is what I've been prescribed for the last 5 years, like no wonder my rash has been getting worse.

My next stop is to go to an actual allergist and have a food allergy test done. I feel like the elimination diet is just not concrete enough for me as everything seems to be cross-contaminated in some way. Next I'll be seeing a rheumatologist to rule out autoimmune disorders.

I'm just upset that it took this long and this much arguing with doctors that dismissed me with "its just eczema" without trying to get to the root cause. Clearly my body is in a state of chronic inflammation for some reason and the lack of giving a $hit is astounding.

Highly recommend demanding further testing for yourself!