Do I have to use the steroids?

[boysmom2]

I have REALLY itchy eczema between my toes. I'm trying to fix it, but in the meantime I would like some relief from the itchies. I have a Rx steroid cream, but I'd rather not use it if I don't have to. Any thoughts?

[wallabi]

if you figure out what is triggering it, and succeed in keeping it out of your diet, you will eventually heal. it may take quite a while, though.

I found using the steriod cream for a while, as I worked out what was causing the eczema, to be worth it. I had terrible itchy eczema on my hands (could barely use them - no making a fist, no holding a pen!) and the steroid cream gave quick releif for which I was most grateful. The eczema still flares up when I mistakenly eat or touch gluteney stuff, and because in the beginning of being gf I made a lot of mistakes, it would have taken a long, long time to heal on my own.

good luck, whatever you decide.

[bean-e]

straight tea tree oil always help relieve the itch for a number of hours for me, though some might find it too strong. good luck.

[boysmom2]

Thanks! Question about the TTO: is there any reason I shouldn't use it while I'm BFing? My LO is 14 mo. THanks!

[Marnica]

You can use TTO topically while BF but dilute it with a carrier oil. Don't use it straight. It is very irritating to the skin at full strength

[JaneS]

I like Desert Essence Skin Relief Spray, great on a number of things like bug bites and fungal infections... I had a toenail get infected b/c I cut it too close and this cleared it up really quick.

I think it's probably yeast/fungal and not eczema?

[boysmom2]

Thanks, everybody! I'm glad to hear there are some other options.

Originally Posted by JaneS

I think it's probably yeast/fungal and not eczema?

That's what I thought at first too, but when it didn't respond to every athlete's foot remedy I could find, I went to the dermatologist and she diagnosed eczema.

[dancemama23]

When I was pregnant I got eczema on my arm and was prescribed steroid cream, I didn't want to use it and treated my arm with dandelion root tea (just soak the tea bag in water and apply to your skin), aloe, and vitamin E in rotation. It was gone in three days. The steroid prescription was for 7!!!
I'm not a doctor and I don't know how bad yours is, but I would try this first for as long as it doesn't get any worse.