Hi, I've been prescribed steroids now for this rash:( I do not want to take them if at all possible and I am looking for alternative ideas please. Doctor reckons it is a form of eczema, I'm not sure as most of the rash spreading is a result of using the steroid creams. I've tried tea tree oil, aqueous cream up to now
Thanks so much I'm getting quite desperate now as it is so sore.
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The stuff I use to called Eczema & psoriasis cream by natralia. It contains no steroids, cortisone, coal or pine tars. Gentle enough for use on children.
I don't know if this will be a quick help, but I have heard that turmeric is good to be taking and using in your cooking for excema. Here's one website. I just googled natural excema remedies. There are a lot of links listed on the google page.
http://www.natural-homeremedies.com/homeremedies_eczema.htm
Good luck Amber. :)
Fish oils, flax seed oil or any other essential fatty acid supplements help a lot. You'll need to take them for at least a week before seeing results. Good luck!
This from Dr. Andrew Weil, whom I trust.
Itching to Beat Eczema?
How can I get rid of arm eczema without using steroids?
Eczema, an allergy-related skin condition, is characterized by red, scaly dry patches that are extremely itchy. The disorder is especially common in young adults, children and infants. Dermatologists usually treat it with topical steroids, but I believe these drugs only suppress the problem and may worsen it over time. Steroids can also negatively impact immunity. A new class of drugs introduced recently may be better. In clinical trials, these agents, called topical immunomodulators, or TIMS, appear more effective than steroids with fewer side effects So far, however, only one of these new drugs, tacrolimus, has been approved by the FDA.
My approach, outlined below, does not rely on drugs at all and has worked well for many of my patients:
Eliminate milk and all milk products from your diet, as well as products that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (often found in snack foods and baked goods) and trans-fatty acids (margarine, vegetable shortening).
Take 500 milligrams of black currant oil twice a day (half that dose for children younger than 12). It contains gamma linolenic aid (GLA), an essential omega-6 fatty acid that promotes healthy growth of skin, hair and nails. You should begin to notice positive changes in six to eight weeks.
Apply aloe vera gel (from a fresh plant or buy lotions or moisturizers containing aloe) or calendula cream to the affected areas of your arm.
Experiment with lotions and salves containing chaparral (Larrea divaricata), a desert plant used topically in Mexican folk medicine for skin conditions.
Visualization and hypnotherapy can have a significant positive impact on allergy-related skin conditions. And try to relax - stress can make the condition worse. Explore relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and yoga.
In addition, be sure to bathe or shower as quickly as possible, and use a non-perfumed moisturizing soap. Apply a thick moisturizing cream immediately after patting yourself dry - don't rub your skin when you towel dry your body.
(You also may want to look into hot spring water - many Japanese doctors believe that daily mineral soaks can relieve eczema symptoms. If you happen to live near a hot spring, go for a dip to see if it helps.)
Andrew Weil, M.D.
It's probably easier to read on his website:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA182732
Hope you get some relief.
I can totally understand your unwillingness to take steroids. It's a one-way ticket in my opinion.
I think, in your position, that I would go and see a homeopath. Some medically qualified doctors are also homeopathically qualified and I'd probably try to find one of them. Given the alternative,a nd that nothing you've tried or excluded seems to have worked, I think it would be money well-spent.
If this isn't possible, before agreeing to take steroids I'd ask to see a specialist dermatologist (and ensure I saw the consultatnt not some junior with zero experience).
Sorry, does my contempt for the phamaceutical-industry-controlled mainstream medics show? ;)
I second the fish/flax oil, and I recommend cutting back on dairy if you haven't already - that's where my main source of skin rash is. I recommend just using something highly moisturising on the skin e.g. cocoa butter (as basic and pure as you can find it without added perfume if possible), plus cutting out SLS in your wash products (as a side note my skin and hair hasn't been as good in ages after getting rid of SLS - people keep saying how shiny my hair is :) )
If you haven't done all these already obviously! Otherwise, aloe vera gel direct from the plant onto the skin. But tea tree oil is too drying for that kind of thing - you need something to seal it and keep the moisture in. And frankly I'd go back to give a sample to send off if the rash is spreading with the steroids - they've clearly triggered something :S
Believe it or not, the most effective relief for my eczema is acupuncture and a spoonful of honey everyday.
Hi Amber, I got my eczema treated by a chinese herbalist. She gave me a cream and some herbs which I had to make into a tea and drink twice a day. Within 12 hours a lot of the soreness and redness had gone down quite a lot - enough to make it a lot more comfortable.
I think it took about 3 to 4 weeks to completely heal up. It hardly ever comes back now too.
Lily
SOS cream by barefoot botanicals (http://www.barefoot-botanicals.com/natural-skincare/face-body-cream-sos/b/products.aspx) is pretty good. I don't have eczema, but my Mum does, and she's very keen on this stuff (so am I, I just can't say much about its eczema curing properties personally!)
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