Eczema

[DermKid]

Can eczema ever be a sign of an internal disease, if so, when?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Not reallyrarely, if that.  "Eczema" of course can refer to many different problems: hereditary sensitivity, allergy to jewelry or poison ivy, etc.  Most of the time eczema is either external or hereditary.  Internal diseases can sometimes cause rashes of various sorts, but these tend to be lumps, growths, ulcers, and various other changes not in the eczema category.

I am speaking in broad generalities.  I don't know exactly why you're asking.  If you want a definitive answer which applies to your particular situation, you ought to consult a skin specialist and/or an internist.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[DermKid]

I was just wondering because my daughter who had a very mild case of eczema as a baby, has now developed it again but worse at the age of 20, just was wondering if I should be worrying? Thanks for your thoughts.

[Barend]

I got rid of my (weeping) eczema by an ointment from Johnson & Johnson for diaper rash and eczema.  It is called (in Canada) Penatin.  I fortified it by adding vitamin E oil.  Just poured the oil in the tin. Mixes itself when I applied the salve.  Barend.

[Debbo]

I read everything in this thread about rashes and found the feedback that mentioned the diaper rash ointment called Penaten (in Canada).  I went to the Wal Mart pharmacy looking for it today, but it did not show up in their computer data base, nor could I find it on the shelf.

Could the person who mentioned it, do some checking, and list the ingredients on the tube in a comment to my comment, so I can find an equalivent product in Arizona?  Thanks.

[Debbo]

I found this information on Penaten.
http://sgnis.org/publicat/96_19.htm

[DermKid]

Hi Debbo,

Have you had eczema your entire life or did it just pop up out of knowhere?  Mind if I ask your age.  I just found it weird that my eczema popped up at the age of 21.  Thanks for your comments and link.

[Debbo]

I don't know that it is eczema, but to answer your question, I'm about to turn 49 and it started as extremely dry skin a few years ago. I'm also allergic to almost all soaps, so bathing and washing my clothes is problematic.  I think it may be hormonal, or possibly linked to either hypothyroidism or a condition that mimics hypothyroidism.  That's what I'm researching now, but in the mean time, I got this response from Johnson & Johnson when I wrote them about finding Penaten Cream in the U.S. (I hesitate to use creams that will clog up the pores especially in the summertime because they trap the heat and make you hotter, and you can't sweat because you've clogged your pores)

"Johnson & Johnson manufactures and markets products on a world-wide basis. Our product lines are all of equivalent high quality. However, we do offer different products in different parts of the world. The particular product you are seeking is not sold in the United States.

Please note that there are certain foreign products in particular which consumers frequently look for in the United States. These include our ph5.5 products, Penaten Cream and Baby Cologne. These products are not sold in this country.

For further information about our products or services, please don’t hesitate to contact us again, either at this address or by calling 1-888-NET-JCIC (638-5242), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern time."

I have extremely dry skin from head to toe but I've found something that is giving me some relief.  Straight Vitamin E oil, but it's expensive so I'm looking on the Internet now for a gallon size.  I only shower (in luke warm to almost cool water) every other day and while still wet, smooth on the Vitamin E oil and air dry.  I don't itch all the time and even the rash areas of my body are soothed.  It is light and doesn't clog the pores of my skin.  So far so good until I can get to a Dr. who can track down the cause of this for me.