Struggling with eczema physically and emotionally

[clairebear23]

Hi everyone. I am a nineteen year old female and have been struggling with eczema my whole life. It has always been bad, but over the last two years it has been unbearable.

I have been to the doctors and dermatologists so many times, with little results. It has always been just a temporary fix with the implementation of steroid creams and harsh antibiotics, which my body has reacted to in other ways, stretch marks, tiredness, weight gain, ect. It just seems like there is no hope for it to get better when no doctor or dermatologist can make it clear up.

I have always been a person who loves being around close friends and going out for dinners and parties, but lately I have been avoiding leaving my room. I am too embarrassed to go outside and socialising with the outside world. It is depressing. I am so demotivated to do anything and would rather lay in bed away from others. It is effecting my relationships with close friends and family. I am so lucky to have my boyfriend of two and a half years who has supported me through this, but I always hate bringing the mood down by how sad and embarrassed I am of myself. I haven't been going to the gym as much as I would like to as I am too sore, dry, or embarrassed to leave the house.

It is emotionally draining. I am want to burst into tears when I see myself in the mirror and wonder what people think when they see me. I never wear short clothes, embarrassed by my arms and legs. It is impacting everything. I don't have the energy to do uni work or go outside. I have tried everything. I have tried changing my diet, creams, antibiotics, changing fabrics, ect. It is exhausting. I feel like I am losing my youth and young years.

I am lucky to have the support of my friends, family, and boyfriend. I hope that everyone in the same boat as me feels they have people to talk to.

[Marcie Mom]

Thanks for your sharing Claire, it is difficult to have eczema esp when it's severe and apparent. It's always nice to have family and support of loved ones, hugs! Sorry to hear though that no treatment seems to have worked.. any chance of seeing another specialist or asking around for a doctor to work with for your eczema? Also consider support groups in your area!

Take care,
Mei

[sunniedhaliwal]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your eczema. I know what you feel as I was born with eczema and had it all over my hands. I was constantly embarrassed and would call in sick for work when I had an outbreak because I was a server and didn't want people to see it on my hands. And yes stress was one of my triggers. I tried every cream, lotion the Drs would prescribe and nothing ever helped. I knew all those steroid creams weren't good for me, but they were the only things that seemed to help a little.
I was told I would grow out of it and to hang in there and would eventually grow out of it. Well two years ago I was 27 and still waiting! I wanted to reach out to you because last year I tired something for my health, I was loosing lots of hair and was constantly tired and seemed to have helped my eczema go away! I haven't had an out break in over a year and half and have connected with many people who have had the same out come.

If you are open to hearing the natural approach that worked for me please let me know.

Sunnie

[Voodoohwy]

I have been through what your going through for 46 years, the young years were the worst, if you want to know any of my things I have learned to live a normal life with this let me know and I will give you some ideas from someone who has done it all

[UmairahR]

Hi,

This is my first post on this forum i just want to tell you that it is okay. It will go away. I had it since a baby and it some how went away after primary school. It didnt 100% went away but it was definitely under control. But now im in my 20s 23 this year. And it came back it actually came back last year. Im not sure whats the cause if it. I am a social butterfly, I LOVE interacting with people going out with friends. But ever since it came back i pull myself away. Used to have bad acne in my teens. I went to a dermatologist and it prescribe me accutane. After i went of it my acne came back really back. And i got tired of it and decided that i wanted to heal from the inside out. And went to a naturopath and she gave me supplements and went on a intense diet. And late i found out i was allergic to alot of food like dairy, egg gluten. I avoided consuming alot of sugar. And it heal. Now my acne is all cleared but im dealing with my eczema. It is painful mentally and emotionally. I have it on my chest my neck the fold of my arms and the fold of my knees. I even find dating embarrassing. Right now im trying to clean up my diet and try to be calm have self acceptance. I know it hurts but trust me it will go away. We have to believe that it will.

You should really look up the correctional of eczema and the gut health.
Im eating a more paleo based food.

[skincareaddict98]

hi, so sorry to hear that and i kinda know how it feels, i had eczema since i was born till now (21 yo), and it really came when i'm on midterm or exam, everytime im on stress. i know it wont be gone like forever but it still okay. wanna share it with you and hopefully it could works. after about last years i stop going to doctors, because the drugs just wont help, like it would come back worst ever. and i kinda try diet like (no sugar, no dairy, no salts (maybe just a little bit)) , i found out excercise really help. i try to change my shampoo, skincare, makeup and soap as in no parabens, perfume, and etc. maybe it wont like really fast but you should be patient and live as it is without feeling insecure. now it quite good, i would lie if i say i heal from my eczema but seriously it was better now.
sorry for my bad english, and kindly it would help you. stay strong and dont stress out too much.