Acne, Eczema & Skin Conditions

Well, I don't know who will remember me...I posted awhile back. So I will probably repeat some, but I'll try not to too much.

I have the worse case of eczema that I have ever had. From top of my toes, top of my foot, sides and back of ankle, up and all the way around half of my lower legs [yes, both legs/feet]. If that's not enough, its on both arms as well...though not as severe, or to the point I want to chop them off as I do my legs.

The weather is getting cooler, and just the last couple days...I have noticed my skin drying out more. It seems to have been less itchy and painful, though when it does start on fire...its as any other time, where it drives me all most to insanity.

I have started moisturizing it once a day with this cream I got from the pharmacy. I only do it once, as if I do it more....it becomes TOO moist and itches just as bad, if not worse than before. Though I would swear its just as dry as the day goes on, but I just don't push it. After I put the moisturizer cream on...I put bag balm on it very lightly. If I have any real raw spots or cracked spots, I focus most of it there as bag balm is very healing.

However, my latest concern is a big spot in front of my leg, which has started oozing very badly. It is not a spot that hurts at all, in fact its the only spot that isn't raw from itching or dry like a dessert. But it's oozing a clear liquid constantly. Tonight, I realized the whole front of my lower pant leg was drenched, all most to the point I could take the pants off and ring the liquid out of them. It does not smell, hurt, burn or itch...so I don't think it's a infection. It just drains constantly. I have not been putting the moisture cream on this spot, because I think it's keeping itself plenty moist. However, I have been cleaning it daily [no more than once] and putting a little bag balm on it.

Today, I actually haven't put any bag balm on any part of it [prob will after this]. I'd say the oozing was worse today than the last few, but it's been draining enough where it's left my pant leg damp or wet in spots.

Any suggestions to get rid of the oozing? It's really more uncomfortable than anything, but I'd take it over the screaming itch and burn any day. I was just hoping someone has had experience with this and could steer me in the right direction [anything but the doctor-it is NOT a option right now].

Thanks and take care

Hi there ... I remember you!  I'm sorry you're still struggling with your eczema.  :(

I don't know why your leg would be oozing so badly, but it sounds like you're doing about all you can for it.  If it gets thick or smelly, or the area is hot to touch, I would highly recommend a trip to an ER or urgent care since that could indictate an infection.  Even if you cannot afford medical help, an Emergency Room cannot turn you away and must provide assistance.  Good luck!

Hey thanks for the kind words and encouragement, as well as the advice. Just a little update....

I was at my folks when I started to feel a pinging pain where it has been oozing on the front of my leg [as well as a spot on back of my leg, but not as bad]. When I got home, I took my pants off to see that it looked like someone took a razor and shaved off the top layer of my skin in that area. That morning, the skin was white and very cold, as if it was a huge blister that was popped...so my guess is the white skin rubbed off exposing whatever was under it all.

Since then, it has mostly scabbed over, with a few oozy spots. They don't ooze all the time and not nearly as bad. I have started washing the entire area with bleach water. It's my only guess on what changed. My toes, top of feet, sides of ankles are all most clear and I can see the skin has lightened up and not so red on my legs. Though after I wash it with the bleach water, get all the moisture cream and bag balm on...it's red again, but has been lightening back up after awhile.

The only thing I can think that may of helped is the bleach water or perhaps the mix of that with the weather getting colder. It still itches, still pings pain here and there but it's a lot less.

I'm just hoping it keeps getting better and clears completely. My arms are even looking better, but I haven't done anything to them.

My only question is, the area where it was oozing real bad was and still is at times, very cold. All most ice cold. Is there a reason for that? I suppose its good it's not hot or burning up, but the people I have talked to all find it odd it's so cold to the touch.

Anyhow, thanks for listening to my crap-I know I've been a real pain. I will post a update down the road on whether or not it keeps getting better or worsens.

It's nice to finally get some solid sleep.

Take care

First of all, you haven't been a 'real pain'.  Not even a little bit!!  I just feel so bad that I can't help you more but PLEASE don't take that to mean you've been a pain.  :O)

Second of all ... I have no idea why your oozy patch would be so cold, but I do think cold is better than hot in this case.  It sounds like it's been getting a little better.  Is that still the case? 

Finally, I just read this morning at the gym a brief article about increasing Vitamin D intake helping eczema, especially severe cases.  I wish I could link you to it but it was an old copy of Women's Health mag and I can't find it on their website (like last year's Jan issue old!).  The general info in the article was that women with severe eczema who took a daily supplement of vitamin D had tremendous improvement in their overall skin quality but especially the eczema patches.  They reported clearing up of scaly areas and oozing patches, and also a decrease in overall itchiness and discomfort.  I thought of you right away while reading it.  Sounds like it might be worth a shot.  I know there has been a lot of info in the news lately about an overall lack of vitamin D in our diets and how beneficial it is for so many things (skin health, heart health, emotional health, fatigue, etc.).  The recommended supplemental dose for women (according to another issue of Women's Health a few months back) is 1000 IU of Vitamin D3 (apparently the other versions of vitamin D aren't as readily used by the body). 

Hang in there ....  :O)

ty for thinking of me with that article....I am definitely going to try the vit D. I don't know what else to do.

Once I start to think it's getting better, it just flares right back up worse than ever. For days, I've hardly itched. The skin was looking like it was improving and I've been sleeping like a rock...for the first time in ages. Then I laid down today, fell asleep like usual and within a hour, I was up scratching like I would die if I didn't. It was to the point of insanity, I just couldn't stop and before I knew it, the skin was all bright red, bleeding in some spots and burning like I lit a match to it.

I'm exhausted and it's still burning all most 5 hours later. Most the scab is gone from where it was oozing and it just turned to liquid again. I washed it all down with the bleach water and put moisture cream on it....the whole thing started to sweat [not sure if thats how to describe it-but it just turned all wet]. Now it's just oozing in its usually spots as it burns. I guess the good thing bout the burn, is it doesn't itch hardly...it hurts too much.

I just wish I would die...I couldn't be any more miserable. :(

Ty again for the tip on vit D....I will be getting some tonight.