Eczema : Fragrance and Latex

[melbidd]

What causes eczema?
I've had eczema since I was around 1 or 2 (I'm 17 now).  It had gone away for a few years, but 2 years ago it came back.  When I was younger, I was sensitive to fragrances (laundry detergent, soap, ect.).  I'm still sensitive to fragrance, but now it is worse.  I have been using the same laundry detergent for the past few years, but a few months ago, I started reacting to it.  I use a different one than my family, since I had already tried the one they're using and it caused rashes.  Tide is out of the question, since I was a little girl (causes rashes EVERYWHERE, and they're quite bad).  What kind could I try?

Also, I have been having problems with latex.  In my biology class, we use latex gloves quite often.  I get rashes on my hands and anywhere on my body that I touch.  It stings and burns.  The rash only stays for a few hours (compared to my eczema that stays on for days, weeks, months ..).  That's why I'm thinking it can't be my eczema acting up.

I've been tested for allergies (no allergies), but the doctor said I was sensitive to perfume/fragrance (no surprise there).  I make sure to drink lots of water, and I try to moisturize as often as I can.

Any ideas?
Thank you in advance.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be due to worsening of eczema or allergies. Eczema is a form of chronic dermatitis (rash).Allergic reaction is one of the important causes of eczema. Allergic reaction can occur to strong soaps, Solvents, chemicals, certain foods, food additives, plants, metals, cosmetics, even urine and faeces of some animals (dust mites).
If the eczema is more severe, phototherapy (a type of treatment that uses light therapy) or systemic (circulates throughout the body) medication like oral steroids may be prescribed. You can discuss about phototherapy with your dermatologist. Also use non perfumed laundry detergents and instead of latex gloves, try using cotton gloves and then top it with latex gloves to avoid any contact with skin.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[martikadragoon]

When you speak to your nurse, if it's about the gloves, just tell  him/her about how the latex ones bother you and ask for a pair that aren't latex.

Regarding the rash area on your rear, I'm not sure a school nurse can do much for you there. They'd most likely tell you to see your doctor and it's possible they might ask to contact your parents to inform them...
If your wanting a way to break the ice about it to your parents about it then go the school nurse route and just be honest that your embarrassed to talk to your parents.

Since your 17 and underage, your parents are the ones taking care of health insurance for you, and many doctors require a parent to be with you at an appointment unless it's an OBGYN since there are often authorization forms that need signing.

With shampoo~ no, shampoo's don't bother me at all normally, and if they do it causes mild itching.

You  might want to look into BurtsBees. They make all sorts of products including shampoo. There's another by "Earth Science" and it's relatively cheap if you get it online.
I have no personal experience with either, but they are advertised as being completely fragrance free.

My skin disorder affects me head to toe, including my scalp. Basically it's called EHK and I make skin cells 300x faster than you. It's rare, and I get red when I get overheated and i don't sweat normally. If I have an allergy to something, it'll start as an itchy welt and progress to blistering. .  I do deal with  extreme itching when I get hot, and my scalp especially itches bad so I know how horrible it can be to experience stuff like that.

I'm sending a message to your inbox.

[melbidd]

Thank you so much for your information.
I'm thinking about going to talk to my school nurse, but I'm not sure what to say.
Martikadragoon : Yes, I'm in highschool, and since I'm going to University next year and will have a lot of sciences (which means, wearing latex gloves), I will probably buy my own.
As for the other problem, it is not dry .. It is a bright red rash.

Also, does your shampoo bother you?
Since about 2 weeks ago, I have rashes on my head (you can see it, it's red and flaky).  It is VERY itchy.  I found out it's because there's fragrance in it.  I tried a new kind that has less fragrance (on the bottom of the list), but it doesn't seem to work.  What kind do you use, if you have problems with shampoo?

Thank you !!

[martikadragoon]

I apologize for not addressing your initial question about Causes of Excema

http://www.eczemaguide.ca/basics/what_causes_eczema.html

Info about the cause of excema:

The cause of eczema (atopic dermatitis) is complex and not fully understood. Research has demonstrated a strong genetic influence in the development of this skin disease, which arises from the interplay of multiple genes with external environmental factors.

There is growing evidence to support the longstanding theory that eczema is caused by a genetic defect in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin), permitting environmental irritants, microbes and allergens to penetrate and eliciting inflammatory responses.

The filaggrin gene contributes to the formation and function of the skin.
Deviations in the gene coding for filaggrin can cause skin barrier defects that contribute to eczema.
Defects in skin barrier development prevent adequate levels of antimicrobial peptides to form in the epidermis. Consequently, bacterial (especially Staphylococcus aureus) and viral infections are common in affected lesions.
Eczema is a culmination of genetic and environmental factors that results in reduced skin barrier function and increased transepidermal water loss (water loss from within the body through the skin), which causes the persistent symptoms of dryness, itching and inflammation. Furthermore, an impaired epidermal barrier makes the skin more susceptible to hypersensitivity reactions that are caused by irritants and allergens, such as detergents, fragrances, synthetic or rough fabrics, certain foods, and dust mites.

Eczema is most common during childhood; the majority of eczema patients seem to outgrow the condition by adulthood. Coping with the physical and emotional aspects of eczema can significantly impact the quality of life of affected individuals, especially children and their caregivers. Therefore, effective management through medical treatments, avoiding triggering factors, and practicing routine skin care are central to limiting the severity of symptoms and reducing the frequency of flare-ups.

[martikadragoon]

Lilsnoozieq is correct. Dreft is a great product and it's used for babies. IT can be expensive however but personally, it's worth the price if it helps keep  flareups minimal.  A&H is another good one.

I too am sensative to certain products and as a child was Extremely allergic to Dove soap, it would cause hives and itching from head to toe and with my skin disorder itching caused my skin to tear.... leaving me open to infection...etc. etc. etc. (seriously I could go on all day:)   )  Kindof like if you scratch too hard when your excema is flaring and you make yourself bleed.

Does your excema affect the areas you have itching and bleeding"??? Are those areas dry and flaky?

If the area is excessively dry that could be why your having bleeding and itching and burning sensations.  Your going to need to speak to your dermatologist about it. If your embarrassed about your parents finding out, you can see if they'd let you speak to the doctor alone or you can just tell them.  When you have an open spot in your skin on any area of the body your opening yourself up to infection especially if this is a problem that's constantly there.

I'm assuming that since your 17 your in Highschool?     You can speak with your school about providing non latex gloves (they should do this anywayse) and if your in a pinch go see your school nurse about a pair of gloves for the day.

Speak to your parents about buying a box of non latex gloves, and make sure that you keep your hands  moisturized since gloves tend to dry out skin really bad.  You can get Non powdered gloves as well which would minimize drying out.  They're not expensive and can be bought at nearly any drugstore or large chain store (like walmart). .  

Feel free to ask any questions, and check out our "Ask an Expert Dermatology" forum.


Martikadragoon ~  Cindie
(Dermatology Community Leader)

[lilsnoozieq]

Hello,

I am not dermatology expert or anything, but they suggest people use Dreft for babies because their skin is so sensitive. Have you tried that detergent? Perhaps, Arm & Hammer Dye and Fragrance-Free Detergent.

As for the latex gloves, if I were you I would go to the store and buy some vinyl gloves.

[melbidd]

I have just noticed that I forgot to add one thing ..
Since about a year ago, I have a weird rash on my butt and butt crack.  Everytime I go to the bathroom, it bleeds.  Sometimes more than usual.  It is constantly itchy, and burning.  I don't know what to do about it.  I have not told my parents yet, as it is pretty embarassing.

Anyone know anything that I could do to ease the itching and burning and/or bleeding?
Thank you.