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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Eczema/Thinning of the skin/Alcohol related?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Eczema/Thinning of the skin/Alcohol related?
by captainflash, Dec 27, 2006 12:00AM
I am 26 yr old male and suffered from eczema for many years as well as acne. However, I grew out of this at around 18 and only in the last couple of years have I suffered again. My eczema is treated with Fucidin H although as this contains Hydrocortisone I do not use it more than 2x per week as this keeps it under control and I am worried about long term regular usage. I also use a rich moisturiser called Oilatum which is effective at keeping the skin supple. Recently my skin has become increasing more sensitive and although I know that this can be related to stress, I do not feel that his is particularly the reason at the moment.
I can always tell when my skin is going to be bad and "flare up" and when this is the case I apply cream when I go to bed at night and this tends to deal with the problem. Over the last 3 - 4 weeks I have had the same issue with my scalp and dry sore skin has occurred on the back of my head and I appear to have been scratching this at night and caused the skin to break.
I am still however unconvinced that what I have on my face is actually eczema. Most of the time my face is fine, maybe a little red after showering but after appliaction of moisturiser it quickly settles. When my skin does flare up it is on my face, particularly my forehead, cheeks and round the ears. My skin becomes very thin in these areas and cracks or becomes red raw in patches usually only 1 cm square (as if the first layer of skin has gone completely). After a couple of days this clears up. I am quite sure that I am not scrathing my face and I find it strange that without doing, my skin can become like this.
I have also noticed that this tends to occur more frequently when I have been drinking, the next day my skin does not feel in good condition. I try and drink a lot of water etc to rehydrate myself and sometimes my skin is absolotley fine, sometimes it is not (which makes me question whether it is an allergy - maybe wheat allergy?) I do also smoke around 6 cigarettes a day. I know that smoking and drinking is obviously not good for the skin, but I drink for 1 night of the week and smoke 6 per day, eat a very healthy diet, drink pleanty of water. I am becoming more and more confused by this - does anybody please have any advice? Similar issues? My doctor always simply refers to it as eczema, however I am not convinced. Thanks in advance for any info. Neil.
I can always tell when my skin is going to be bad and "flare up" and when this is the case I apply cream when I go to bed at night and this tends to deal with the problem. Over the last 3 - 4 weeks I have had the same issue with my scalp and dry sore skin has occurred on the back of my head and I appear to have been scratching this at night and caused the skin to break.
I am still however unconvinced that what I have on my face is actually eczema. Most of the time my face is fine, maybe a little red after showering but after appliaction of moisturiser it quickly settles. When my skin does flare up it is on my face, particularly my forehead, cheeks and round the ears. My skin becomes very thin in these areas and cracks or becomes red raw in patches usually only 1 cm square (as if the first layer of skin has gone completely). After a couple of days this clears up. I am quite sure that I am not scrathing my face and I find it strange that without doing, my skin can become like this.
I have also noticed that this tends to occur more frequently when I have been drinking, the next day my skin does not feel in good condition. I try and drink a lot of water etc to rehydrate myself and sometimes my skin is absolotley fine, sometimes it is not (which makes me question whether it is an allergy - maybe wheat allergy?) I do also smoke around 6 cigarettes a day. I know that smoking and drinking is obviously not good for the skin, but I drink for 1 night of the week and smoke 6 per day, eat a very healthy diet, drink pleanty of water. I am becoming more and more confused by this - does anybody please have any advice? Similar issues? My doctor always simply refers to it as eczema, however I am not convinced. Thanks in advance for any info. Neil.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Dec 27, 2006 12:00AM
, Dec 27, 2006 12:00AM
Hydrocortisone is not strong enough to thin the skin, even temporarily. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels and make the skin look redder for a while, but cause no other damage. I am not sure what you're seeing to think that "the first layer of skin has gone completely," but I can assure you that it isn't.
I can't be sure, but your symptoms do sound like mild eczema, but they certainly don't sound like anything else. If low-strength hydrocortisone helps, even temporarily, then eczema is even more likely.
I don't know what it would take to convince you of this diagnosis, but if you're skeptical of your dermatologist, find another one. You won't get anything more than confusion and anxiety by asking anonymous internet respondents.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
I can't be sure, but your symptoms do sound like mild eczema, but they certainly don't sound like anything else. If low-strength hydrocortisone helps, even temporarily, then eczema is even more likely.
I don't know what it would take to convince you of this diagnosis, but if you're skeptical of your dermatologist, find another one. You won't get anything more than confusion and anxiety by asking anonymous internet respondents.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
