Horrific Eczema... For 9+ years. Turning into reptile. HELP!

Hi!

I'm a mostly healthy 27yo girl.. who has been struck with the craziest "rash" for years. And now I don't have any health insurance... and it's been rough.

Type of rash: spots, ranging from 1cm to little bumps, scaling, red (most red after shower or swimming), sometimes itchy on occasion. My boyfriend thinks I'm turning into some kind of reptile.

Locations: mostly hips, side of breasts, lower back, lower belly (but still-- mostly on the sides), upper thighs on side... and LATELY it's been showing up weird locations (only 1 or 2 spots) on arms and 1 on the side of my calf.. and even one above my eyebrow! :(

Again- it's mostly on the sides of my body.

They are rough, patchy... and embarrassing.

Me: A little overweight, but I work out 5x/week and have lost 30lbs since December. I drink plenty of water. I take a multi-vitamin for women, and Vita E and B supplements. Drink GREEN juices often. 80% of diet vegetarian. I live in a big city- and, I admit, do go out and drink now and then. I sometimes wonder if this might have anything to do with it.

Treatments so far: Been to SIX dermatologists. First, in 2001 I had bad acne (now entirely clear)- and I went on Accutane for 8 months. I think this might have triggered it! I never had eczema before Accutane.

I've been to several to see my eczema since. Biopsies, cancer screenings, Elidel, multiple steroid creams, lots of anti-fungal creams and even sprays. Nothing has worked... except: TANNING.

If I bake my skin in the tanning bed for 10 minutes/day.. for around 4 days... this rash disappears! The issue being: I have a history of skin cancer in my family. I'm pale and of irish/norwegian decent.

Is this even eczema?

Was it brought on by Accutane (in which case- should i return to the doctor who gave me the FREE 8 months for my case-perfect cystic acne?)

Please help! I don't know what to do anymore...

[MiaNYC]

I have no allergies (except seasonal pollen bouts).

And I have more photos if needed.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of eczema. In most cases of eczema no one treatment will be effective. Medical research shows that the most effective treatment plan for eczema involves using a combination of therapies to treat the skin and making lifestyle changes(prevention of triggers and application of lots of moisturizers) to control flare-ups. My sincere advice is to follow up the treatment that you have been prescribed by your dermatologists. Also keep your skin well moisturized as dryness of skin aggravates the condition.
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.

[MiaNYC]

Thank you, Dr. Kaur!

I will see a doctor as SOON as I get health insurance- or look into low cost options in NYC.

Thank you!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Welcome! Best wishes and God bless.

[Faithpill]

Look at this thread - I provided the link bellow. Look for my posts at the end of it. This might help you.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dermatology/Treatment-of-Vaginal-Eczema/show/536297

All the best,
Faithpill

[MiaNYC]

thank you, all!

i went to the tanning salon and baked for 12 minutes--- 2 days later: magically gone.

[SuzanaCordes]

Eczema can be a real problem for adults and kids, especially the itching.  I will tell you what did the trick for me, it is a product called Regen.  It is an all-natural, cosmetic face cream that does not even sting if it gets into your eyes.  (Great for babies, try it on diaper rash too) But the real magic for me was that it takes out itch (even poison ivy) and eczema!  Look at these pics: http://blog.oli-co.com/?p=547  Even better, it is all natural, allergy free, not steroids or drugs, and it is guaranteed!  Best wishes, Suz.

P.S.  Knocks out sunburn pain too!