Please help me understand adult eczema...

[boysmom2]

I think my avoidance of dairy is helping to clear up my newborn's eczema. But, DH and I both also have it and I'm not sure why.

I have never had it, or any other allergy issues at all, until about a year ago. I thought I had athlete's foot, but when I couldn't cure it with OTC cream, I went to the dermatologist. That's when I found out it was eczema. It's only on my feet. I haven't treated it with anything since I found out I was pregnant with DS3 right before I went to the Dr. It seemed to get a little better during my pregnancy, but now it's back full force.

DH has had it on his hands and feet for as long as I've known him (12+ yrs). He treats it with rx cream, but nothing seems to help all that much. He had a severe case (all over his body) as a newborn as a reult of a dairy allergy. That's why I thought it might help to eliminate it for DS. He claims he outgrew the allergy, but I wonder. He drinks milk like crazy now.

So, I wonder if he's just still reacting to dairy. But for me, I have no idea. Is it always an allergy? If it is, dairy's not it for me, since it hasn't improved.

I'm new to all this, so sorry if these are stupid questions. I'd appreciate any thoughts you could share.

[aris99]

Hi,

Not sure if this will help BUT my dh has a fungal infection that flares up on his hands, legs and back every so often. I have never had dishydrotic eczema in my life but suddenly developed a case of it on one finger. It blistered, itched, cracked, dried, started all over again. My mainstream dr told me that fungal infections are very often at the root of eczema. I tend to agree w/her.

So if you can find some natural cure for a fungal skin infection I would try this. I couldn't find anything that worked for me except Protopic. Protopic controlled it a LOT better than steroids. I believe that a high dose of iodine finally knocked it out completely after having suffered w/it for 2 yrs. Not sure if a high dose of iodine is safe for everyone though.

[WuWei]

Where to start? Help 101 regarding digestion, absorption, detox and gut healing.


Pat

[ASusan]

I don't know if I have an answer, but I've never had adult eczema until my allergic/intolerant breastfeeding son came along. I now get it on my index fingers and thumbs. It's dry and crusty. I would not have thought it was eczema except that my chiropractor pointed it out and said, "Oh, you have eczema, too."

I don't know what I react to, or whether it is the same things that DS reacts to. I think that MAYBE driving the car contributes, because the edges of the steering wheel (where the horn part meets the wheel part) rub my fingers right where the eczema develops. But I don't drive more than 10 minutes very often, so I need to remember to pay attention when I do drive into the city (an hour) to see if there is a correlation with eczema developing.

And I think I react to dairy now. I never reacted to dairy before DS came along.