what next?

[beatrice99]

Being that I have had eczema on my hands many times, I assumed at the beginning of Dec., that's what I had when it started itching but soon I had an itch on my eyelid, which progressed to both. They turned red, flaky, and very embarassing, with bags underneath. In order to go out of my house required tons of makeup. Due to being unemployed/uninsured since Oct., I tried several home remedies. It was almost gone and is now returning. My hands are red, itching, peeling, cracking(ouch! bactroban helps the cracking some) but I noticed I am red and  swollen around my eyes, and itching quite a bit. I had two job interviews last week but, if I had been the employer, I would not have hired me! I am 53, used to look 43, but now look 73. I have changed makeups and cannot think of anything that I have changed that may have caused this "repeat problem". By staying confined, as much as possible, I am becoming very depressed and desperate. Does anyone know of anything, inexpensive that I could try?

[beatrice99]

Being that I have been to dermatologists many times in the past and the latest episode did not respond to their suggestions/medicines, I ruled out eczema, this time. I had also seen them for itching on my arms, which are now scars. I saw them twice for that condition, and was prescribed the same treatment twice, which never worked so excuse me, if I lost faith in what seems to be imcompetent dermatology services, in my area. They even apologized to me once for giving me medicine that made my condition 10 times worse, and very painful. At this time, I am still fighting the itching, dryness, etc. but my eyes/face are better, but far from normal. Along with my hands continuing to give me problems, I now have a new itching rash in the bend of one of my arms, sometimes a little on my neck. I do not have any insurance so, between gathering information on the computer and talking to pharmacists, I have concluded that this is an alergy, but cannot figure out what is causing it. I guess this is going to be an ongoing battle but, I am hoping and praying that it will at least leave my face alone!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of eczema skin. Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

If the symptoms persist then you need steroid for which I suggest you to consult a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.