Chronic Eczema...help please

[toxic_man]

Hello Everyone,

I come to everyone for answers/feedback on Chronic Eczema that I have on my leg.

I had this on my leg for a little over 3 years and I did not go to a dermatologist because i thought it was just a rash and it would go away...

I was also a little bit embarassed to seek help because it looks really bad.

I think it looks bad because i scratched it every time i could.

The good thing is that i dont feel the urge to scratch it. However, it is really ugly and I would like to improve the appearance.

The skin is slightly raised(i am brown, but the raised portion of skin is whitish). There is also significant hyperpigmintation that looks black/dark brown.

I see alot of places that state there is no cure for Eczema...do they mean that there is no cure for the itching? or a cure for the appearance?

is there any hope that i can wear shorts in the future?

some thoughts i had were chemical peels? laser treatments?
would these work? if so, which professional should i go to?

Thanks!
Toxic_man

[toxic_man]

is there a way to post pictures on this website?

[toxic_man]

jemma116 - I actually am not 100% sure it is eczema. I actually never went to a dermatologist because i am so ashamed at how ugly my condition looks.
I either have Eczema or Psoriasis.

Sorry, i just want to understand you a little bit more clear.
what do you mean there is no cure for Eczema?
There is no cure for the constant itching?
or there is no cure do the hyper pigmentation/raised skin caused my eczema?

I am just having a hard time believing that some type of peel/laser cant help my cause. maybe im having a hard time believing because im thinking its my only hope.

zzz2112 - sorry i think people would notice it...it covers a large area of my lower leg...

[zzz2112]

I have had eczema on my arms and lower legs for many years. Moisturizing helps, as well as being consistent with any prescription medication you have for it. I have found that using lotions and soaps without chemical ingredients or perfumes has helped a lot - it helps keep it from getting itchy or irritated, which in turn helps it heal and get into a less noticeable appearance. Most people don't notice it as much as you do so try not to worry about it.

[jemma116]

How do you know this was eczema?  

You are right in that there is no cure for eczema or contact dermatitis.
But there are medications to treat the condition and also lotions and creams to use instead of soap.  Soap is very drying and should be avoided.

By scratching, you have caused damage to the skin and now that the scabs have gone, you are left with thickened skin and the white colouration.
It is more noticeable because you have a darker skin tone.

Try not to scratch in future, but cool the itching down by washing with cold water, apply calomine lotion which you can get from the pharmacist.  As a good home remedy you can apply lots of natural set yogurt to cool down the itchiness.
A doctor would prescribe the appropriate cream or ointment, antibiotic, antifungal cream or a combination of antifungal and antibacterial cream, depending what was causing the problem.  Sometimes antihistamine medications can help if this caused by an allergic reaction to something that you touched or bug bites.

If the patchy skin makes you feel embarrassed, get some make-up to match the your skin tone to mask the white marks.