Your Skin: Cure for Clo Clo’s Eczema in the Sunday Wash.

Rosie S I did. They did that little test on the back...nothing came back positive.

Christelyn Rosie S I would recommend asking for a blood allergen assay, like a RAST test. They are much more accurate than the skin prick tests, especially in regards to food allergies. I had some pretty excellent food allergies that were ruining my life. So bad, they thought I had leukemia, but two of my symptoms was persistent mild eczema and hives, which prompted my lovely internist to test my blood for allergies (something my former allergist had not done because the blood tests are expensive, and tend not to be fully covered by health insurance. The allergist had given me the prick scratch and sniff test, and it had come out negative for everything). My blood test results came back with a full list of everything I was allergic to, including dairy, gluten, and soy and some other random foods. My insurance only covered 50% of cost, but it was worth the peace of mind and the subsequent lifestyle change.

There are two types of blood test that are commonly used. The RAST and the ImmunoCap RAST. The both tell the same thing, but the immunocap tells you how high the levels of IgE (the allergy antibody) is in your blood and from what reactant. It basically tells you how allergic you are to which allergen. The ImmunoCap is the one that the insurance companies are funky about, but the basic RAST is cheaper, and will tell you the same thing, without the details. But I've heard that dairy and eczema are pretty hot and heavy.

VeronChristelyn Even if you can't do the blood test, a good idea would be start an elimination diet. First eliminate things from your diet, and gradually reintroduce them back in to see if it might be food.

I've heard that people have improved their eczema by becoming Vegan, avoiding soy, avoiding peanuts and other nuts, or some type of food...so it's possible that there's food that's triggering it also.

Brenda55 Whole Foods had this soap on sale (10 for $10). I bought 5 bags (50 bars) and gave out bars as Valentine's gifts. I love this soap!

KarlaBrenda55 Are you showering with lukewarm water too? Hot water will dry out the skin.

Rosie SKarlaBrenda55 +1 about the hot water and soap issue. I had awful eczema growing up and it only went away when:

*I started taking my own baths and showers with Neutrogena..on my own sched. (Mom was a clean freak, scrubbing us up to 2x daily with things like Dial, Zest and Coast..eeek)

*Started using a tiny bit of liquid det. when I washed my clothes(Mom used too much powdered Tide ec)

*I also have to avoid too much citrus or be sure to drink tons of water with it.

Growing up we went to tons of drs., including one who thought my rashes could've been caused by "stress, from braiding her hair too tight?". My parents talked about that for years. haha Hey, at least the guy noticed. lolz.

ForestElfQueenKarlaBrenda55 In NY it gets cold so I can't use very cold water, but I use water as cold enough I can handle. Usually its a good idea to put moisturizers (creme, lotions, etc.) and sealants (oils, Vaseline, etc) immediately after the shower to seal in moisture. +1 for not showering too much. It'll dry the skin.

I know you live in the land of super-hot sun, but if you can try to make sure not to get her too overheated & sweaty. Super Hot Temp+Sweat on skin=Nasty nasty flare up. Trust me, NY has terrible sweltering heat waves for 3 months out of the year. I remember camping out in front of the A/C.

Rosie SForestElfQueenKarlaBrenda55 You know what's funny? It seems climate-related. Our family spent a week in Mexico--near the beach, very humid. Her skin was like butter all week. But we can't seem to duplicate it here. We even have a cool air humidifier in her room. le sigh.

Christelyn Rosie SKarlaBrenda55 I too have a thing with heat (can't be too hot either) and fabric. Smooth cotton, silk, some rayon blends are okay. Nothing too rough, textured or pill-y (like how sweats get on the inside? arrrgh) against my skin, esp in heat or when walking. I don't know how much of it is psychosomatic/flashbacks to flareups or what ..but i can't take the feeling of anything scratchy like some rougher linen/flax. *shudders* ...wool & cashmere are also OOTQ without a protective layer between it and my skin.

Christelyn Rosie SForestElfQueenKarla That is what I am getting at. Some time commercial soaps strips way too much of the natural oils and moisture off the skin. Goats milk soap does not do that. I like Canus because it is made for whole goats milk and not goats milk powered like some other brands. As Karla mentioned you can get it at Whole foods.

Christelyn Rosie SKarlaBrenda55

"Our family spent a week in Mexico--near the beach, very humid."

maybe it was difference in water quality?

I notice a difference in my skin's tightness and dryness(temptation to scratch and 'wannabestartinsomthin') when it's time to change the water filter.

Brenda55Rosie SForestElfQueenKarla Okay you got me convinced. Off to get some goat soap.

ForestElfQueenChristelyn Rosie SKarlaBrenda55 OMG, I have this issue with fabrics too. I hate wooly and rough fabrics that give static shock. Cotton is my fave.

Christelyn Rosie SForestElfQueenKarlaBrenda55

Climate makes a difference. I have dry skin and when I move to a more humid area, my skin gets softer and more moisturized. When I go back home, my skin goes back to its normal dryness :)

I'm learning to use the right products though.

Karla I picked up two sleeves of the stuff myself just to make sure I do not run out. Hubby, who has had life long skin issues loves it. I keeps him comfortable. My skin is in the best shape it has ever been between that soap and the body butter I make.

Brenda55 I buy handcrafted goats milk soap at our farmers market from a local work-at-home mom. It's great stuff!

Deborrah This should be done anyway. People with eczema tend to also have problems with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergies. She may have to take a test to figure out if she is allergic to foods, plants, pollens, dust mites, etc. Cutting the allergens out will reduce the symptoms (runny nose, flare ups, etc.) Besides, you do not want her to go through anaphylactic shock...which is what can happen if you are allergic to foods, etc. Very, very, dangerous.

Eh. We took that test years ago. Clo Clo isn't allergic to anything. Except bathing regularly. Rosie S Deborrah

Christelyn Rosie SDeborrah

that was the key for me, mom was overbathing me. ....poor lil acid mantle didn't stand a chance. When I got older and skipped some of those baths(and picked my own products, Cetaphil, Neutrogena etc) my skin cleared up.

http://www.eczema.cc/acid_mantle.html

http://www.theremustbeabetterway.co.uk/acatalog/Eczema_Tips.html

lolz. i can laugh now but i was a miserable little elf. ,,,,Much sleep lost and horrible hyperpigmentation, crusting, oozing etc from the itching scratching itching cycle. sigh. *shudders at the memory.*

Freshman year, I slipped back into too-frequent-showering again..mostly because everyone else was going to shower, i dint wanna look dirty. lolz. I had an eczema relapse and was just miserable. It re-clicked to cut back on the showers and all was well soon. To hell with appearances. haha

The Working Home Keeper i agree! she is darling!!<3

ForestElfQueenThe Working Home Keeper Thank you!