eczema, skin allergies

[Lenky]

Can anyone help? I was born with eczema but slowly grew out of it (I'm 32 now). I would get some mild eczema when on holidays by the sea along with my skin allergies, hayfever and asthma. This would normally bother me for up to 5 days an then would clear. I moved from Europe (UK) to Australia where I was hoping all my skin conditions would disappear forever, well at least my dermatologist back home was a strong believer of that. I've been in Oz, living by the beach for almost 3 months and been having bad eczema and even worse allergies...I thought it might be sun allergies as it gets worse a few hours after sun exposure...So now I've stayed away from the sun but still had a bad episode of itching & scratching last night again... Perhaps from a glass of red wine? Or is it pityriasis rosea?
I went to see a GP in Sydney but got some antihistamine tablets and Advantan cream - neither is helping!
I itch all the time and find it so hard not to scratch, my confidence is non existant and now I'm even considering moving back to Europe.
I normally get eczema at the back of my knees, wrists and elbows (once a year in Europe) but all the time in Australia? Why? Also various skin allergies, looks like hives - red itchy lumps that tend to disappear the next day but then I get red itchy patches (not lumps this time) on my neck or arms, tummy...
I really dont know what to do anymore. I dont think I'm allergic to any food as I keep eating the same food as I would back in the UK :(

[skepticalpeach]

Stress definitely doesn't help. It can do weird things. Have you tried using a powerful sun block, like the infant strength? I think it's SPF 50. You could also wear long sleeve, light weight clothing when you go out in the sun.

The one way that I've been able to get rid of eczema is by using Caladryl with Cortizone 10-plus over it. I also bought a shower head that filters the water because I have a bad reaction to water softener.

If you are really worried about allergies you could always ask your doctor to perform an allergy test, that way you would know for sure.

[Lenky]

I've tried eliminating all sorts of food but after last Saturday I got a bad reaction after 2 hours being in the sun. My skin was itching and burning all over (this was about 4 hours after sun exposure). I'm still extremely itchy now and find it really hard not to scratch :(
Sun never used to be my enemy so I'm very confused. I am under some stress too which I heard is not helping any skin conditions at all.

[ChitChatNine]

So sorry to hear of your skin issues .. that is not easy to live with.  My kids used to get bad eczema from food allergies .. have you thought about trying to eliminate key things that may cause allergies .. with your docs permission maybe do an elimination diet ?  Just a thought, especially when you mentioned the red wine.  

Keep us posted ....

C~