The Right Clothes and Accessories Help Me Avoid Flare-ups

Published on WebMD blog.

It may surprise people to learn that clothing and accessories can actually cause eczema flare-ups. I often get contact dermatitis, a type of rash that results from my skin coming into contact with an irritant. There are two main types of contact dermatitis:

Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common and isn’t caused by an immune system reaction. Instead, the irritant directly damages skin tissue.

Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your immune system has a delayed reaction to an irritant that touches the skin, like how people typically react to poison ivy.

For me, contact dermatitis occurs when I use or wear a product or item that has one of my many allergens. This includes ingredients that are in makeup and body cleansing products, but also in clothes and accessories.

Dust Mites: The Invisible Allergens on Clothing and Accessories

My dust mite allergy is consistent and life altering. I do all the typical things to handle the allergy: my mattress and pillows are enclosed, my house has no carpet, there are no curtains in my bedroom, my couch is leather, etc. I take it even further, though, because I know that dust mites can be on my clothing.

When I wear a sweater that I haven’t washed recently, for example, it might give me a rash -- and after I wash it, it no longer makes me itchy. Coats, scarves, and hats that aren’t enclosed will gather dust and cause flare-ups, too. Sometimes, if I wear a new garment and don’t wash it first, it makes me itchy. I’ve concluded it’s because it was likely in a dusty warehouse.

I also use HEPA-filtered vacuums and steamers to clean my coats and hats, I wash my sweaters often, and I keep my hats and accessories enclosed. This helps minimize clothing flare-ups caused by my dust mite allergy.

Metal Allergies Limit Jewelry Options

Everyone reacts to metal jewelry differently. I have family members that can’t wear gold below 18 karats, for example. I myself get a rash when I wear copper jewelry or fake-gold jewelry (which I assume is because it probably includes copper). I can sometimes wear sterling silver, but not any gold (regardless of karat), except for my gold wedding ring. I’ve been patch tested by an allergist to determine my metal allergies. Results showed I have none, even though I’m at the point where I can really only wear plastic, non-metallic jewelry.

It doesn’t make sense, and I wish I knew exactly which metals my body rejects so I could purchase the right jewelry for me. I have tried to wear enough metal jewelry, though, to know I should avoid it. So I shop for wooden or plastic items with no metal clasps. It’s not easy, but it makes my pieces even more special once I find them.

Wearing the Best Materials

Even if you don’t have allergies that cause contact dermatitis, wearing the right clothing can improve or worsen flare-ups of atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema. Loose-fitting cotton clothing that lets your skin breathe is best. On the contrary, polyester clothing will overheat you, causing sweat and irritating eczema. I’ve read that superfine wool can be good for people with eczema, but I haven’t tried that type of wool clothing. However, the wool sweaters I have tried were a terrible idea -- in general, itchy people should probably avoid wool clothing.

Cleaning Clothing

The cleaning process can turn a non-triggering clothing item into an allergen if it’s cleaned with triggering materials. Keep your skin allergies in mind when cleaning your clothes. For example, I have many allergens that are in cleaning products, including the fragrance. So I’m careful with the fabric detergent, stain cleaners, odor eliminators, fabric softener, dryer sheets, and dry-cleaning services I use to clean my clothing. In general, I use the fewest products possible.

Clothing Can Carry Allergens

An article of clothing may be fine for your skin, but if it’s been in contact with an external allergen, it may still cause a reaction. Picture this: Your partner goes on a walk wearing a sweatshirt and is amongst plants and pollen that you avoid due to allergies. If you wear this sweatshirt before it’s washed, those allergens could still be on it and could cause a reaction. It’s safe to always keep in mind where your clothing has been before putting it on your body.

The Known Unknowns

Be aware of how your body reacts to your clothing and look for patterns. Are you always itchy when you wear a certain item? Even if you don’t know why an item is causing a reaction, avoid it altogether to be safe. I recently realized that my new Teva sandals were causing my ankles to flare up where the straps touch my skin. Sandals! I would probably not have made the allergy connection 10 years ago, but now, nothing surprises me and I do my best to listen to my body. I don’t know why my Teva sandals cause a rash on my ankles, but I avoid them, nonetheless.

Pay Attention and Act Quickly

Most importantly, pay attention to your body. An eczema flare-up starts with a small itch. Have you noticed you’ve scratched a little, for just a few times, but in the same spot where a new article of clothing or accessory touches your skin? Notice any little bumps? Take it off or change your clothes before it gets worse!

The best thing you can do for your eczema is to control your flare-up when it’s in the early stage, before the area starts spreading and you are red, inflamed, and unbearably itchy. This leads to uncontrolled scratching, bleeding, and likely scarring. No article of clothing or accessory is worth an eczema flare-up!

Getting Diagnosed With Eczema

Published on the WebMD blog.

It may seem that a chronic illness journey starts with getting a diagnosis, but for many people with eczema, it’s a milestone met after years of confusion and distress. I spent my childhood and teenage years with symptoms but didn’t realize I had chronic eczema until I went through severe eczema in my early 20s. To start taking control of atopic dermatitis, you must first know you have this condition and then take the time to understand both the condition and your own body.

Be Aware of the Symptoms

The most important step is to pay attention to your body. A small rash here or there may not seem like a big deal, but it could reveal an allergen or the beginning of a worsening condition. Identify patterns, if any, when a rash or itchy patch appears. Could it be an allergic reaction to a new food? Have you started using a new product recently? Did you wear something on the same area within the last few days, like a bandage, makeup, or a scarf? Anything can cause an allergic reaction, so think big! Plus, these are the types of questions a doctor will ask, so be prepared in advance.

Go to the Doctor

Don’t suffer through eczema without trying to make it better. Go to the doctor! If you try one and they aren’t helpful, try another. When I went through very severe eczema during my first pregnancy, my thoughts were dark and I gave up on getting help. But after giving birth, a spark of hope crossed my mind and I decided to try a new doctor. I discovered an allergist that was a much better fit for me and significantly helped me. I’m so glad I didn’t give up.

Ask your doctors and friends for a dermatologist or allergist recommendation. Once you visit the doctor, share any patterns and details you can provide. When did your symptoms start? If they’re recurring, share your ideas on when and why they happen, even if you’re not totally sure.

Get Allergy Tested

Although stress is a big trigger for eczema, so are allergens. Both a skin prick test and a patch test are important tests to determine allergens that could be triggering your eczema. The tests will identify different allergens, so talk to your doctor about getting both tests. Conveniently, these tests can show the severity level for each allergen.

Once you find out your allergens, learn about each of them, especially the most severe ones. An allergen may be simple, like pineapple, or annoying like dairy (there’s dairy in so many foods!). Other times, an allergen is complicated and may be an ingredient you can’t even pronounce. Do your research and get to know your allergens; after all, they are a part of you.

Adjust Your Life Accordingly

If you find out you have skin allergies, there’s hope for improved skin! Adjust your life as needed to avoid your allergens. Most important, pay attention to your skin. Does it like to be moisturized, or is it better to keep it dry while it heals during flare-ups?

Sometimes an allergen won’t cause you issues. But you should test products that contain allergens one at a time to better understand your body’s reaction to each one.

Give it a few days before trying another new product. This will likely be the phase where you compare yourself to others and think things like, “Everyone else gets to use X product, why can’t I?” Well, because you can’t. That may not be fair, but that doesn’t change the situation. Accept and embrace yourself entirely, from mind, body, and skin to allergies. It’s easier said than done, I know!

Stay Informed

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition that can range from mild to moderate to severe throughout your lifetime. Thankfully, research in the eczema industry continues to advance and new treatments are being made available to patients. This is why it’s important to continue visiting your doctor every 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on the severity of your eczema. Even if your eczema hasn’t changed, staying in touch with your doctor will give you visibility into medical advancements.

Being diagnosed with atopic dermatitis is a milestone for eczema fighters. It’s a point in time where new information can help you take control of your skin situation. Although eczema is a lifelong condition, monitoring your body and getting medical help can make the journey easier (and less itchy!).

Leaning on Family When Eczema is Painful

My daughter is four years old and she loves me to pieces. She knows about my chronic skin condition and says “eczema” in the cutest way possible. She supports me - tells me not to scratch and that she’s sorry for my flare-ups. But nothing made me feel more overwhelmed by her love than on this day:

My daughter and two-year-old toddler son played in the pool in my patio, which is next to my bedroom. I brought them in and I decided to bathe them in my room’s big spa tub. The tub is fun for the kids, since it’s extra big, but it’s hard to bathe them in it, since it’s so deep and wide. I had to step into the tub myself. Well, the tops of my feet and front of my ankles have been flared-up for weeks and my skin burned a ton when my feet hit the water. I had to give myself a few seconds to adjust to the stinging and my daughter wanted to know what was happening. I told her the eczema on my feet and ankles was hurting me. She became so sympathetic and immediately put her tiny little hands over my flare-ups, putting pressure on the spots. 🖤And it helped! The burning cooled down with her hands protecting my skin. I felt so loved and grateful for her support.

A few days later, I was nervous about taking a shower, because I had flare-ups on much of my body, including my legs, arms, back, feet and neck. My husband hung out in the restroom while I showered to support me. I gave him a play-by-play of my shower, because, really, I just needed to talk out loud to myself to motivate myself to put water on my flare-ups and clean my body. “Okay, I’m going to put my leg in the water … okay now I’m going to wet my back … my thigh is burning - that’s okay … my arm doesn’t hurt - awesome … okay I’m done!”

I feel very lucky to not be alone when my eczema flare-ups are painful. Though I may want to hide from the world at times, I’ll never hide from my family. They help keep me strong.

Five Tips for Loving Your Body this Summer

Published on the National Eczema Association blog.

For many, summer means sunny days, tank tops, shorts, pool parties and beach days. Understandably, this hot, skin-showing season can cause body image anxiety for people living with eczema. We could become hermits during our flared-up days, but the better option is to embrace your eczema condition and love your body. Here’s how.

1. Go big on your good days

Eczema warriors know that there are good days and bad days. Embrace the good days wholeheartedly and show off your skin when you’re feeling good about it. Did you wake up with your eczema flare-ups gone or improved? Embrace it: go to the beach or that pool party your friends invited you to and enjoy yourself!

When a flare-up on my face or body passes, I feel extra confident and excited to be out of my house. Going big for me is running errands, going shopping, hanging out with friends, dressing up and taking selfies – anything that has me proudly showing off my face and skin.

2. Manage your expectations

A few years ago, I had an outdoor wedding to attend, and my face was red, itchy and swollen. In my eyes, I looked terrible. My husband shrugged it off, saying that many people have bad skin on their face and that facial redness is very common. My reaction was to think, “yes, but my skin is perfect and beautiful when it’s not flared!”

However, his comment lingered in my head and I still think about it today. He’s right. Most people don’t have perfect skin, or even nice skin. People deal with acne, acne scarring, rosacea, anything. Why was my expectation to have supermodel skin every day of my life? If our expectations are too high, we will always be disappointed. How about “no oozing” as an expectation instead of “no flare-up”? Setting realistic expectations for ourselves will set us up for more positive self-image in the long run.

3. Have social media work for you, not against you

By now we’re all aware that our social media feeds can be toxic and negatively affect our self-esteem. People (myself included) take selfies when they feel and look good (see my point number 1, above). But your friends’ personal feeds don’t usually show the bad days, the imperfect skin, the circles under the eyes. On top of that, there are so many image filters on social media, most of those photos you see aren’t even real anymore. For people with eczema, it can seem like everyone on Instagram or Facebook has absolutely healthy skin, whereas we all know this isn’t true.

I follow eczema social media groups on Facebook, Instagram and Reddit. These groups are authentic and real. Eczema warriors post photos of their bad days, ask their peers questions and celebrate their “skin wins.” Whether you choose to post or just observe the posts, these groups help you feel supported and offer you the empathy you need on bad days.

4. Wear clothes that do you justice

The people who succeed in living with positive self-image embrace their body type and wear appropriate clothing for it. Not everyone can pull off high waisted jeans, halter tops, low cut shirts, or empire-waisted dresses. Skin should be no different. What materials and cuts look and feel best on your body when your eczema is flared or has scarred your body? Examples are cotton fabric or pants that cover your legs.

There are great fashion options available for all body types, so figure out what looks and feel best for your skin and make the best of it. Find a fabulous cotton top instead of grabbing a raggedy tee because you feel down. Or, if you’re having a terrible flare-up, use an accessory to cover it up or distract from it – like wearing an extravagant, big hat to cover a flared-up face (which I’ve done!). An exciting outfit is a great way to boost your mood on a bad skin day.

5. Love your body

Ultimately, the most freeing option is to embrace your condition, skin and body altogether. Do not worry about other people’s reactions – the point is for you to love your body, not to have others love it. Beauty can be found in behavior, emotions and actions, regardless of your skin’s health.

Don’t feel control over your skin? That doesn’t mean you have to let go altogether – find other ways to feel beautiful, like staying fit and eating healthy. For me, I feel great when I can go on a run (on good skin days!). It is a privilege to run, and it makes me feel strong and healthy.

By embracing your eczema condition and loving your body, you can move beyond your skin and appreciate your full body – including your healthy organs, capable mind and working limbs. This body-positive mindset will definitely get you into the “fun in the sun” summer vibes!

What It's Like to Be a Mom With Eczema

Published on the WebMD Atopic Dermatitis blog.

Imagine you’re a parent on a Saturday morning and it’s your turn to wake up early with the kids. Of course you’re tired when you get up -- you’ve been tired since you became a parent!

You smile when you see them in their cute pajamas. You brush their teeth and head to the kitchen to make them breakfast while they watch cartoons. They start fighting and you go into mediator mode, while ensuring the pancakes on the skillet don’t burn.

They eat happily and are messy -- as expected when you give little ones pancakes with syrup. It’s time to change them out of sticky pajamas and into their outfits for the day.

Fast forward a few hours and you’re tired and need a break, which you can take during nap time after you feed the kids lunch.

Fast forward more and it’s the evening, which means cooking dinner, feeding kids, bath time, bedtime, and the post-bedtime kid shenanigans that follow. At that point, you can finally relax until you go to bed and do it all again the next day.

Being a mom with atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is like that -- except you’re doing it all while also being itchy. Although my daily routine and activities will change as my children grow, I’ll likely always be itchy.

Eczema Can Scare Children

My children are Nico Atlas, 2, and Nina Sol, 4. I can’t hide my eczema from my children. Their experience with my eczema will evolve as they get older.

Nina was a baby when she and my husband joined me at my allergist’s office for an allergy skin prick test on my back. This test should instead be called the skin stabbing test, because it’s painful! But with my baby girl next to me, I knew I had to be extra tolerant and calm to not scare her.

What I’ve Learned: Choose products like shampoo, soaps, and moisturizes for your children that you can tolerate. You’ll avoid flare-ups on your skin when you use them on the kids.

Throughout the years, I’ve been careful to not bleed in front of her because blood can be scary for kids. Most important, I’ve been open with my children about my eczema. Nina knows that I have eczema, because when she was younger she asked me why I had polka dots on my body (so cute!). I told her it was my eczema.

When Nico gets older, I’ll tell him, too. Eczema shouldn’t be scary, but it can seem that way to kids when they’re confused or uninformed.

Eczema Affects Your Family Activities

Chronic eczema affects my daily life. As a parent, this means my family may be affected by my condition. Do the kids want to walk outside on a sizzling hot day when my eczema is flared? Maybe we’ll do something indoors instead.

How about getting in the pool with the children? Some days, it’s best to not get wet. But it’s OK. We just do a different fun activity that won’t worsen my skin. The kids will be just as giddy.

There are, however, some activities that eczema fighters must do even if it will hurt a bit. For example, even if my forearms are flared, I’m still going to give my kids a bath. This means my arms will hurt as I dip them in the water. Stinging arms aren’t a big deal to me when I get to enjoy watching my babies play in a bubble bath. Now, if my eczema is severe, I’ll ask my husband to do the bath.

Children’s Compassion Helps

One of the wonderful perks of being a parent to little kids is being showered by their unconditional love and affection. Since my daughter was almost 3, she showed deep empathy and support for me when I was itchy.

At a very young age, she began telling me that I shouldn’t scratch and should tap instead. (Only my adorable toddler can tell me not to scratch!) Last year, my back was unbearably itchy during an allergy patch test and Nina was especially supportive, checking in on me and asking when the test would be over. My 4-year-old helped me get through gruesomely itchy 4 days.

Having chronic eczema can be hard as a mom, but the support from my adorable cheerleaders makes me stronger. I also keep things in perspective with gratitude. I focus on the special moments with my children. Ultimately, I’m most grateful that it’s my body with eczema and not my children’s skin. I am, after all, a mother above all and want the best for my babies.

Did my Dirty Face Mask Trigger My Flare-Up?

A few weeks ago, I started getting a little itch on the tip of my nose. I had no visible flare-up, but just a consistent little itch. (The cutest little itch!) Fast forward to a few days ago and I started getting an itch on my left cheek that then became a visibly flared-up spot within a few hours. “Oh no, not my face again,” I thought. But I stayed positive. Well, I woke up this morning to obvious eczema flare-ups throughout the bottom half of my face and on my lips. Specifically, my lips were swollen and flared at the edges (like an eczema lip liner!) and I had flare-ups throughout my cheeks.

I don’t know why, but I immediately thought this was caused by my face mask. I admit, I haven’t washed my face masks nearly as often as necessary. And maybe a few times I’ve ridiculously worn lipstick for patio date nights with my husband. Lipstick that swelled up my lips and that I probably smeared on the mask that covered my face. Yes, these are the same masks I put on again later without washing them. Not my finest moments!

I used Protopic ointment on my face this morning to get it under control. Thankfully, after an itchy morning, it started improving. I think my face will clear up within a few days - fingers crossed!

So, did my dirty face mask trigger my facial eczema? Who knows?! Maybe it did. Or maybe it was that faux fur blanket I used last week, or the pillow I laid on over the weekend knowing it didn’t have a dust-mite cover. Oh, the joys of skin allergy mysteries! Just to be safe, all of my face masks are currently in the washing machine being cleaned in hot water.

An Itchy Mom's Morning

I won’t go into the details now on what it’s like to have an itchy life with kiddos, but I will share what happened to me this morning.

This morning by 6am, my 2-year-old was screaming in his crib. He used to stay in his crib “talking” to himself until at least 6:30am, sometimes even 6:45am. But that was long in the past (i.e., stopped two days ago). I’ve had three straight nights of only 5-6 hours of sleep (not enough!), so am sleep deprived. But, it was my turn to do the early shift, so I get up and go to the restroom. With very little light, I brushed my teeth with my eczema ointment.

As I put the medicine on the toothbrush, I thought, “this feels a little weird,” but I confirmed in my head that it was fine. Then I brushed for a few seconds when I realized it wasn’t minty. That’s when I felt the ointment in my mouth. Blah!

It was too greasy to get off the toothbrush and I didn’t want to deal with getting a new toothbrush head, so I put toothpaste on my finger to clean my mouth and went upstairs to my toddler to start my morning. 😴

Patch Tested Again

Patch testing is an allergy skin test procedure to determine contact dermatitis allergies. Small amounts of potential allergens are put in tiny containers and taped onto the patient's back, with the substances exposed to the patient for a few days. Unlike an allergy skin prick test (also known as a puncture or scratch test), which are used to diagnose hay fever allergies, patch testing is used to diagnose contact allergies. Patch testing is recommended for patients with dermatitis.

It has been 5-10 years since my last patch testing and I wanted to find out the latest of my body’s skin allergies, specifically if I have new metal allergies, because I can’t find any metal jewelry to wear without causing skin rashes. My previous patch tests were done by a dermatologist, but this time I got tested by my allergist, Dr. David Engler from The Allergy Clinic in Houston.

The test takes 4 days. And if you test positive for any of the allergens, then it’s going to be an itchy week.

Tuesday, December 1, 2020 (Patches Applied)

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I make note of my existing flare-ups on my neck, skin and lowerback. The nurse applies patches of allergens onto my back, avoiding my flared lower back. Once the patches are on, I cannot get my back wet (i.e., can’t shower or sweat until) or scratch until the test is over on Saturday. Almost immediately I start having really itchy spots on my back. This is going to be tough.

Thursday, December 3, 2020 (Patches Removed)

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By Thursday, I am using breathing techniques to not scratch my back. The itching is intense and I cannot wait for this skin patch test to be over. The nurse removes the patches by aggressively ripping the clear tape off my back. It hurts, but feels so good, because it feels like my itches are being scratched. The nurse documents my skin’s reactions using a scale: Irritant reaction (IR), Uncertain (?), Weak positive (+), Strong positive (++), and Extreme reaction (+++).

My back is intentionally not cleaned. I must continue not scratching or wetting my back. At this point, we continue waiting until Saturday to see if late reactions occur. My back feels so much better without the patches on, so I’m already very relieved. I can’t wait to find out the results of my test on Saturday.

Saturday, December 5, 2020 (Results)

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It’s test result day! The nurse confirms I’ve had no new reactions. My allergist comes in to review the results with me.

Colophony: Positive Reaction
According to AllergEAZE, “colophony comes from the sap of coniferous trees such as pines, junipers, firs, and cedars. Colophony (or rosin) is found in personal care and beauty products, topical medications, surface coatings, lubricants, adhesives and sealants.” This allergen is new to me, but it makes sense. In a previous patch test, I reacted positively to composite mix, which is basically an allergy to a super long list of plants. My body does not like plants and trees! This allergy result clarifies things for me: why I still react to fragrance-free makeup products and why I’ve been reacting to some bandaids (note: my 4-year-old reacts to some bandaids too!). I will definitely be researching my new colophony allergy.

2-Ethylhexyl-4-Methoxycinnamate: Positive Reaction
Say what? According to Chemotechnique Diagnostics, 2-Ethylhexyl-4-Methoxycinnamate is a chemical that is a UVB absorbing agent used in products such as sunscreens and cosmetic creams, lotions, lipsticks, hair care products, sun oils and some insect repellents. Well, that makes sense too. These are all products that cause reactions for me and I avoided because of their fragrance ingredient. I would be confused when the products didn’t have fragrance and I still reacted. I will be researching this new allergen as well.

Hydrocortisone: Positive Reaction
Oh, come on, universe! I have chronic eczema and I am allergic to hydrocortisone? My allergist told me this positive reaction may indicate I’m allergic to certain steroids, but since I don’t use them often (due to my Topical Steroid Withdrawal from a few years ago), I should be okay. Still, I’m going to be researching this as well.

Negative Reaction on Existing Allergens
My results showed negative results for fragrance mix, composite mix and dust mites. What?! These are my main skin allergens. I know I react to products that have the fragrance ingredient, whether it’s hand soap or makeup. And my dust mite allergy is undeniable. My allergist told me to continue avoiding these things if my body reacts to it, explaining that the patch test is not the most scientific type of testing and has limitations. He told me to pay attention to the positive results and not the negative results. Interesting.

Metals: Negative Reaction
Sigh. I didn’t get any positive reactions to the metals from my patch test. At this point, I’ve reacted to copper, most fake gold, 14k gold, some 18k gold, some stainless steel and some sterling silver, to name a few. I really hoped to find out which exact metals caused reactions, so I could avoid those specific metals. Looks like I’ll have to avoid metal jewelry in general, since my patch test wasn’t helpful.

Next Steps

In a nutshell, I have to avoid both my newly diagnosed allergens and my previously diagnosed allergens, plus metals, which makes me feel like I need to avoid everything. The silver lining is a new dust mite allergy treatment my allergist recommended. As an alternative to allergy injections for the dust mite allergy, there is an oral immunotherapy option called ODACTRA. It’s a prescription pill made of dust mite extract that dissolves under the tongue. Patients take it daily. I’m excited to try this immunotherapy. It would be a game changer for my dust mite allergy to improve!

Overall, I’m glad I did the skin patch test and plan on researching my new allergens and changing my lifestyle as needed to avoid my newly discovered allergens.

Polka Dot Eczema

My 3-year-old daughter asked me today, “why do you have polka dots on your back?”
“It’s eczema,” I told her.
“What’s eczema?” she asked.

It was super cute hearing her say “eczema” in her toddler voice. And I am very grateful that she doesn’t know about eczema from first-hand experience. My sister’s daughter has been dealing with it since she was a baby and it makes me really sad. I hope my daughter stays lucky - and I hope the same for my little boy, though he’s already exhibited skin allergies and sensitivities.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for them both and trying not to let this fear consume me.

Surviving Itchy Days with Eczema Communities

This article was published on the National Eczema Association blog.

I’m a chronic eczema warrior, and many times, I’ve felt confused and alone. Luckily, I’ve found emotional outlets to support me through my eczema journey. Social media platforms are full of eczema groups, forums and influencers that provide support 24/7.

You are Not Alone

Whether you are dealing with eczema or have a loved one with eczema, there are many eczema communities to help you learn, feel supported and vent when you need it.

It’s comforting just knowing that others are on a similar skin journey and that you are not alone. Also, keeping in touch with the community lets you see what others have tried and helps you keep up with the eczema industry.

Express Yourself

Online forums provide an outlet for discussing your eczema without overwhelming your loved ones. I needed an outlet specifically for discussing my skin so that my relationship with my partner didn’t revolve around my eczema.

Four years ago, I started a personal skin allergy and eczema blog (Itchy Pineapple) as a therapeutic journaling medium with the hopes that it would also help fellow eczema fighters. It has done both, but the best part for me has been the many people that have contacted me to either ask for support or offer advice.

Find Your Tribe

My favorite online eczema communities are on Instagram, Reddit, Twitter and Facebook, and I use them for different purposes. My activity ranges from from reading and following to commenting and posting.

If you are hesitant to post publicly, you can send direct messages to individuals or even post anonymously on certain platforms. I created social media accounts specifically for my blog’s brand, but many people post from their personal accounts; either is fine. Below is a summary of the online communities I follow and how I engage on them.

I use Instagram to post photos of my skin during good and bad days, and to be exposed to other eczema journeys by following eczema influencers and hashtags. Tip: search “eczema” and specific hashtags and organizations to follow, such as:
@nationaleczema
#eczema
#eczemaproblems

I use Twitter to vent in a burst of limited characters. Note: There are many eczema accounts available to follow, so search and follow your favorite. Trending hashtags include:
#eczema
#eczemaproblems

Facebook groups are similar to Instagram but with more Q&A opportunities. These groups help me keep up with the eczema industry and thoughts on the latest eczema medications. Tip: There are many Facebook eczema groups available, some of which are focused on a specific topic (e.g., TSW, medications), so select the ones most relevant for you.
Eczema Support Group
Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema

I use Reddit to get swarmed with support or find answers to questions. I engage with the eczema and skincare subreddits when I need help. Note: Reddit is an anonymous forum.
r/eczema
r/skincare_addiction (people mostly post about acne, but it’s a popular skin forum and helpful to those who post about eczema)

As for blogs, I write on my own blog, but there are many eczema blogs available and I enjoy reading relevant and insightful content. Tip: If you enjoy certain eczema influencers on social media sites, check to see if they have a blog.
National Eczema Association’s Blog

Use Caution

As with all things on the internet, take everything you read with a grain of salt. Get confirmation from your doctor before taking advice from someone else or coming to a conclusion based on what you read. If you communicate with others online, be prepared to engage with opinionated people who may disagree with your approach.

Helping Yourself Helps Others

What’s great about interacting with the eczema community online is that your engagement helps others. It’s a win-win situation when you collaborate with fellow eczema warriors. For example, if you ask a question and get answers, it’s very likely that those answers helped someone else. If you are having a bad skin day and vent online, it could help someone else who is also having a bad skin day and no longer feels alone.

From Online to In-Person

Online eczema community activities can lead to in-person engagements. I’ve met with a few of my local blog readers after they reached out when they were going through a tough time and realized we were in the same city.

What if online communities aren’t for you? Then find your support network elsewhere. The National Eczema Association hosts an annual Eczema Expo, which is a great opportunity to meet others on a similar skin journey. I find it quite special to be able to share eczema stories in person with fellow eczema warriors.

As you hear about other people in or near your network that have eczema, reach out to them. These folks could be your family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances or strangers. One eczema warrior is a source of strength for another, so don’t take this journey on your own.

Best Hand Soap for Eczema Fighters During Coronavirus Situation

None. There is no hand soap we can use 30 times a day for 20 seconds at a time without it hurting our skin.

My hands are raw. I have never had eczema on my hands, but now I can add hands to my eczema’s territory. I’m using my free & clear, fragrance-free hand soap (my recommended type of hand soap!) at home and am not in public enough to use any other soap. I have, however, used regular hand sanitizer (with alcohol and fragrance) about 3 times in the last two weeks. My hand eczema could be result of using regular hand sanitizer, but it could also be related to my washing my hands more often.

The reality for eczema fighters is that we struggle with just water.

My flare-up has spread up my forearms and jumps onto to my right inner elbow and underarm. My knuckles feel and look like they have little cuts in them.

Washing my hands hurts and giving my babies a bath makes the skin sting. Really, though, they hurt on their own, without any activity. I think about my hands all day long now. Ironically, because of COVID-19, others are also thinking about their hands and rushing to wash or sanitize them; meanwhile, I’m cringing at the thought of washing mine.

Of course, as always, the silver lining brings me back to reality and puts things in perspective. My hands and skin could be much more severe or, even worse, my family, friends or I could be sick. For me, my hands being in pain is a part of my COVID-19 quarantine life. Nobody likes quarantine life and it will get better.

Today’s Wish List

1. I want to take a bath. Full bath tub with bubbles. I want to read a book in the tub with good-smelling candles lit all around. I want 10 smelly candles around me.

2. I want to come out of the shower smelling fabulous. I want to love showering. I want to take long showers with yummy smelling shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Body wash! I want to use body wash and a loofah.

3. I want my husband to smell good. I want him to wear a manly, yummy cologne. I want him to come out of the shower smelling good - from those dumb, “manly” gendered body washes, shampoos and conditioners.

4. I want to lay on my leather couch for more than 5 minutes without having to clean it first.

5. I want to love on my dog. I want to pet him without having to instantly wash my hands. I want to snuggle with him without worrying about his allergens.

6. I want my baby boy to not get skin rashes every few weeks. I want to feel guilt-free about passing on my genes to him.

7. I want to be girly. I want to wear all the makeup. I want to have bright, dark or weird-colored lips. I want to wear fun eyeshadows. I want to be able to use real makeup remover instead of Aquaphor ointment to remove my eyeliner.

No need for a list of 10. I’m not in the mood to be contrived.

Scratching is Bad – Even a Toddler Gets It

I’m sitting on the couch with my almost-3-year-old watching Mickey Mouse when I start aggressively scratching my lower back. “Don’t scratch, don’t scratch! Ruuuub,” my daughter told me, rubbing her leg softy with her hand to show me how to do it. What?! How does my toddler know about the itch-scratch cycle? Daycare sure does prepare toddlers for the real world!

Thinking back, Nina has probably noticed my scratching, flared spots, blood and scabs. It’s time for me to be more careful about how I treat my body when I’m in front of Nina, as well as be more transparent about my eczema condition. My little baby is getting more mature every day!

What NOT to Wear

Jewelry. I cannot wear any jewelry. Okay, I’m being dramatic. I can’t wear 90% of the jewelry available in the world. Beautiful, colorful, jewelry. Accessories that make me feel good and help my outfits look better. Woe is me.

A few months ago, I splurged and bought a custom 14K solid gold name necklace. I’m allergic to fake, copper and metal jewelry and had given up on buying trendy costume jewelry. Spoiler: it didn’t work out.

Within the first day, I got a little tingle on my neck. Then, it was more than a tingle. I knew it was the necklace, but I didn’t want to believe it. How could it be?! It was solid gold! A few times, I took the necklace off and tried again a few days later, still in denial. Last week, I stubbornly ignored my body and kept the necklace on my neck. Not a good idea.

My skin worsened until I couldn’t take it anymore. It got better (thankfully!) a few days later with the help of Protopic ointment. I felt ridiculous. I risked my skin’s health over a necklace.

But it was solid gold! Here’s the deal - I learned that 14K isn’t actually pure gold, because it is still mixed with metals. 24K is 99.9% pure gold, but it is very malleable. Maybe 18K is good enough for my skin, but I’m not sure I want to spend the money to find out.

Last weekend was my birthday and I stumbled across an all-rubber necklace at the Museum of Fine Arts. I splurged and purchased it - I have to support artists that make plastic or rubber jewelry, because it’s so hard to find!

I think sterling silver may be okay for me, but I don’t know at this point and prefer gold anyway. Who knows if I can wear 18K gold. For now, I’m going to give my skin a break and stay clear of jewelry … unless it’s made of all rubber or plastic.

A New Lipstick

I got a new lipstick.
I’m not wearing it.
My skin reacted to my new lipstick.
My sister is getting a new lipstick.

Skin Status: 3 Months Post Baby

My baby boy was born 3 months ago. I had a skin-healthy pregnancy with mild-to-moderate eczema. Since giving birth, my eczema has stayed in the mild to moderate range, leaning more on the moderate range.

Possible Protopic Withdrawal Effects

I wonder if my worsened skin is a reaction to my hormone changes or my having to back off a bit from using Protopic. I still used Protopic the last three months, but was low on it for about 2-3 weeks. I’ve since gone back to liberally using Protopic and my skin has been improving. I’ve heard Protopic causes withdrawal effects; it’s something that makes me nervous.

Skin Condition

In the last two months, I’ve been flared up on my forearms, triceps, elbows, shoulder blades, lower back, hips, hamstrings, calves and ankles. There’s bleeding, painful showers and through-the-night scratching, but my face has stayed healthy, so I am grateful.

Current Eczema Treatment

I’m still only on Protopic and I don’t plan on backing off at this time. I don’t want to go back to Dupixent yet if Protopic is keeping my skin from having severe eczema. I worry about Protopic side effects, but also worry about Dupixent side effects. Eczema is an autoimmune condition. I don’t think I’m going to like any medications, because they suppress my immune system and the immune system has a very important job. That said, I don’t want to live with severe eczema. It’s a dangerous game of balance that I am playing. For now, I will not change things and will keep putting my trust on Protopic (as I bite my fingernails nervously).

A Letter to My New Dry Patch

Hi there, 

I noticed you a few days ago. You landed on my face, under my left eye, and haven’t left. I have to say, I’m uncomfortable with you staying so long. I’d rather not see you at all, but definitely not for more than two days. You’re probably thinking, “What’s the big deal? I’m tiny and basically unnoticeable.” Well, I know your game. You’ll make yourself at home and get louder every day. You’ll get bigger and bolder.

At your worst, you’ll be noticed by everyone I meet and you’ll be itchy, oozy, red and swollen. And then you’ll bring your friends and they’ll cozy up on my face as well. Eventually, you will all take over my face, inhabiting it for months or even longer.

I don’t want you on my face and want you to leave. You can go to any other spot on my body. How about my left arm next to my super red, itchy and bumpy tricep? Or maybe my lower back where you stayed for a few years and left a permanent reminder through darker skin pigmentation. Seriously, you can go anywhere but my face.

I hope you respect my wishes and leave before it’s too late. I’m not ready. I’ll never be ready.

Climbing the Corporate Ladder with Eczema

Published on the National Eczema Association blog.

My eczema exploded when I was 22, and it has been a significant part of my life since then, with consistent mild-to-severe flare-ups. Today, I am a 35-year-old eczema fighter with an exciting marketing career. Eczema impacts far more than a person’s skin, including one’s social life, sleep cycle and emotional health, to name a few. One of the most challenging areas eczema affects me personally is in the business world.

I am a marketing leader at a global tech company. I work at the company headquarters in Houston and interact with hundreds of employees, including the executive team. I work alongside an amazing marketing team, and together, we promote our brand and drive sales while tackling aggressive deadlines. I’ve had to handle my chronic eczema in this work environment, and it’s not been easy.

You Can’t Always Hide from Eczema at Work

A face cannot be hidden. People are shocked, confused and made uncomfortable by a flared-up face – all feelings you don’t want to trigger when walking into a room. Facial eczema is especially challenging because eczema is misunderstood by the general population. Most people don’t realize the extent to which eczema affects one’s skin.

So how do you run meetings, present to an audience or walk by the CEO if your face looks unpresentable? By balancing a fine line between being antisocial, honest and indifferent. On my bad days, I avoid seeing my coworkers by working from home. That’s not always an option, though, which is where honesty comes in.

When my skin is not well, I am open about my eczema with my peers and answer their questions, basically getting past the skin barrier to get back to business. You can’t constantly be talking about your skin with everyone you come across though. So, there’s a point where you have to stop caring what someone thinks when they see you. That is really hard to do, and I’ve not mastered it yet, but I understand its significance.

When “Shedding Skin” isn’t Just an Expression

Oh, the skin flakes and blood! Skin shedding and bleeding is embarrassing, unhygienic and definitely unprofessional, but it’s very common for eczema warriors. During a shedding phase, I don’t lose my entire skin layer all at once like a lizard. Eczema shedding is more like snow. At work, I walk from one meeting room to another, snowing onto the tables and chairs. Sometimes, I put my arm on a table and leave behind a little blood.

Bleeding and shedding might not be avoidable, but it must be contained. Be aware of your shedding and bleeding, then clean up as needed. As silly as it may seem to pile your skin flakes and throw them away after a meeting in a conference room (as if you just ate a crunchy toasted sandwich), it’s much worse for someone else to walk into a conference room with your leftover skin all over the furniture. It’s just good eczema manners!

Itching is Universal, But Scratching is Personal

Eczema doesn’t discriminate by body parts – it can show up anywhere. The inner thighs, feet and under arms are just a few itch locations that are a little too personal to scratch in front of coworkers. I’m no superhero; I’ve scratched all of these areas at work and hope nobody noticed. The reality is that scratching any area for too long is inappropriate.

I’ve lived through enough flare-ups to not be of the “never scratch” mentality. If I must scratch in the workplace, I tend to follow a few guidelines: scratch only when absolutely necessary, rub instead of scratch if possible, keep the scratching low key and keep minor itches untouched.

I keep a fun, unsharpened pencil at my desk for quick back scratches. If scratching is necessary for an inappropriate spot or for an extended period of time, I go to the bathroom. Bottom line, I’m at the office to work, not to scratch all day.

I do my best to block out my itchiness and concentrate on my priorities, diving into my work to keep my mind distracted. As difficult as it is, I do feel proud when I accomplish things at work. To achieve things while itchy is amazing. Eczema warriors should all receive a “worked while itchy” bonus at the end of the year, because we’ve definitely earned it!

Your Health Matters! Know When to Put Yourself First

Tips for working during an outbreak of eczema are great when a flare-up is bearable, albeit annoying. During these times, eczema warriors can prioritize their work and personal life over their body’s dysfunction. But when it’s beyond a bad flare-up, we must put everything aside. There is just no other option.

When my eczema is severe and completely takes over, it is a very dark, emotional period for me. I try to get past my anger and blues by feeling compassion for my body and skin. It helps to have hope. My flare-ups eventually calm down, so I can always look forward to the recovery. During very severe eczema flare-ups, my advice is to take personal time off, if possible, to heal physically and emotionally.

I want to be represented by my strengths, not by my eczema. I might need to work on overcoming the impression I believe my eczema has on people, but ultimately, I want my peers and leaders to think about the quality of my work, not my eczema, when they hear my name or see my face.

My advice for professionals with eczema: be so good at your job that your unhealthy skin is dwarfed by your accomplishments, no matter how bad your eczema may be. It’s what I try to do every day.

Doing Well, Sans Dupixent

It's been a four months since I stopped taking Dupixent and I'm happy to share that I've been doing okay! My eczema has maintained mild to moderate, as it became with the help of Dupixent.

Being On Dupixent

I began Dupixent one year ago and took it for eight months before stopping it in order to get pregnant with my second child. I came to the conclusion that Dupixent, along with periodic use of Protopic (which I also took before Dupixent), significantly improved my skin. Aside from healthier skin, Dupixent also caused an intense face-flushing reaction to my first sip of alcohol (very red and super hot), but it would wear off once the alcohol was out of my system and I would be able to have more drinks at that point without the flushing. 

Based on available animal testing data, my allergist and I estimated that I should be off Dupixent for three months before trying to get pregnant. It's now been four months since I stopped Dupixent. 

Being Off Dupixent

I was scared to get off Dupixent, but it's been okay - my skin has not worsened. Currently, I have flare-up spots throughout my body, but I can sleep, there's no shedding and the spots are containable with Protopic. And there are even times when my flare-up areas are sparse. Let me be clear: the only products I'm using are aquaphor on my face and Protopic for any flare-ups. I'm not even using an antihistamine at this point and have rarely touched my steroid creams. I find my healthy skin situation to be remarkable.

I do still have a face-flushing reaction to alcohol, but it is very minimal. Does this mean that Dupixent is still in my body and whatever's left behind is still helping? Or is the face-flushing caused by something else — maybe Protopic, as a few fellow eczema fighters experience? If so, did Dupixent permanently improve my body somehow? Who knows?! Time will tell. For now, I will continue to live my life, grateful that it does not revolve around my eczema and staying positive that the future will stay on this healthier path. And I will keep my fingers crossed that when I do get pregnant again, I do not experience the eczema nightmare my first pregnancy triggered. I'll take it one itchy day at a time. It's easy to do when the days are unbearably itchy!