Conditions
Eczema
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin to become reddened, dry and cracked. Atopic Eczema accounts for around 30% of skin complaints seen by GPs, and it is more common amongst children. The causes of eczema are not totally understood, but there are a number of factors that can worsen its condition, or contribute to a flare up. These include, dust-mites, pets and even foods like dairy produce, nuts or eggs. Eczema can also be caused by hormonal changes, and sometimes by stress and vigorous exercise. The treatment of Eczema normally consists of a variety of self-help treatments, but the most important thing is for sufferers to avoid scratching the skin (easier said than done as it becomes extremely itchy)! The key treatment involves moisturising the skin to keep it supple and to prevent it becoming irritated and cracked. In addition, GPs will normally look at a sufferers diet, and may prescribe complimentary therapies such as aromatherapy.
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
hey im 14 and i have eczema EVRYWHERE.. legs, back, arms, shoulders, stomach, bottom.. i cantt wear t-shirts or skirts.. its too embarassing.. people ask me why i cover up so i make excuses.. i have a boyfriend and i want to look nice for him but i cantt.. because of my eczema.. i wear long tops and jeans/joggers.. and im so ashamed,, i suffer in summer becausee i dont show any skin.. so i get hott .. i itch and my skin cracks and bleeds.. then scabs over.. but its itchy so i scratch and it gets worse.. ive tried every cream under the sun.. Betnovate, Aqueous, Sudocreme.. Doublebase, Oilatum.. and nothing works.. PLEASE HELP ME!!! i really wantt to get it cleared up as soon as.. any advicee or creams u recommend would really help..thankss.. much appreciated
I was in your case when i was 14, i wouldnt go to sleepovers, go swimming with friends, or go to partys in skirts/shorts. I tried every creams, i fould out that my skin was infected during the summer and really dry during the winter, But 2 years later i have found that i'm not bothered by it now. I have now found that steam rooms are helping loads but as i have had eczema all my life i found that it has scared me right foot but the bio oil is good. I use bio oil on the backs of my knees and i find it helps. x
Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/
i have been suferring 4m eczema since i was a baby, i am 40 years old, the scars on my body make me embarass and i feel very depressed, and ugly pls can you help me and tel me hw i can get rid off this marks.. thanks
Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/
i am now 16 year olds i have eczema all my life, i was bullied at school as i was 'different due to it' the names they called was unbeliveable. I hated going to school. I started of as little blisters on my feet and the sides of my fingers these were really itchy. They then tuned into keens (small cuts)these would bleed everytime in bent my finger. Creams would NOT clear my eczema up, but now it's started to clear up this is due to me watching what i eat - i find that bananas,oranges,chocloate and tomatoes if i eat alot of these.
hi, i've had a rash on my right hand for about 2-3 years now(my mom says it's eczema, but i think it's heat rash). it really flares up in the summer, but in the winter it goes. now it's spread to my left hand and palms of both my hands. i'm only 13 coming up for 14 now, and it really hurts when i write, and they it gets really itchy and sweaty...i've tried many creams, they never worked, they only made it worse.
Im 14 years old , and i've had eczema since i was about 8, i got it after my sister was diagnosed with it. I have red spots on my arms, back,shoulders, legs and bottom, it recentley started on my forehed. it really really affects my confindence, i dont wear t-shirts or shorts in summer; only long sleeved tops and jeans/trousers. I get really hot in that clothing but i cant take anything off, im too embarassed.Same at school, if its hot i wont take my jumper off, because my eczema shows. I sit and suffer. i have tried various creams like Hydrocortisone and betnovate, but it doesn't seem to be working. it still itches and flares up. I Love Takin Picture of my self, but i cant show skin. its too embarassing.i cant go swimming.. i cant wear nice clothes for nights out, or if im out with my boy friend or best friends.. Is there any stronger creams or treatment anyone can recommend. I cant bear it any longer!!! please help me . Would love to hear your advice ! thanks x
i'm 16 and i've had eczema all my life and i never found a cream that did anything for me until i found vaseline intensive rescue moisture locking cream for very dry skin. it's fantastic and doesn't contain any steroids which can cause other problems like skin thinning and only work for a short amount of time anyway. hope that helped :D
Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/
hi i have had excema all life ,and at the age of 37 it still here.oliatum lotion for in the bath,then wash yourself with dermol 500 lotion it locks in the moisture.when u come out the bath you a can use epaderm cream for the body a bit creasy though but does the job.on the face i use a thicker cream called hydrous cream which i find is the best.but on top of all that u can get a tablet called cetirizine its a bit like piriton but more heavy duty .it stops the itching very good.thanks hope this helps
i have red spots on my arms i have used alot of creams and they dont seem to be going away ,do you now what they are ?
i have had eczema on my right hand only for about eight years (i dont have it anywhere else!),now and again it gets infected with a staph infection,but this time i have a strep infection which has made me very ill.dermatologists have told me "it is coming from within" but i dont know what this means or what to do about it,can anybody shed any light on this problem thanks.
Hi i have had eczema from when i was born and i have really dark scratch marks that wont go away if there any cream that takes the mark away....i have tried bio-oil but it hasnt helped me....Thank you
heyya im amy ive had eczema all my life and just recently it has been the worst until i had light treatment from my gp ask for it everyone i no who has had it it has worked now im clear of the rash and just live on those moisturisers,, soo ask your gp/dermatologist to try ligh trement :) results are amazing !!!!!!
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here
The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.