Re: My skin is horrible!

hi curlygurl.....i do hope you get this message, i see your post was quite some time ago....

i wanted to let you know i too suffer from a severe type of hand eczema that was formally diagnosed as dishydrotic eczema. i only get it on my hands, and i only have a remission in the warm summer months.

from a medical perspective i have tried almost everything to relieve the symptoms, including harmful steroid creams, which i will admit i overused. it was the only thing that helped, as my eczema causes pain and embarassment.

one day someone reccommended to me to cut all meat out of my diet. so, 2 years ago in august i stopped eating all meat including red meats, chicken, poultry, everything. i now only eat fish, veggies, pasta....and let me tell you, it is difficult. BUT, in the last 2 years i have had only 2 short-term flare-ups that were minor in comparison to what i used to experience (one flare-up i'm convinced was caused by me tasting a deliciuos looking steak - 4 bites sent my hands into a tailspin). i still take precautions during the winter months which is when my eczema is at it's worst. i wear disposable nitrile gloves in the shower (latex can irritate the eczema), i limit my handwashing, and i use a prescription moisturizer/barrier strengthener (not steroid). it's called Mymx, (hopefully administrators will not edit that out b/c it really helps me - i swear i do not work for the company that makes it). i use it as many times a day as i need to, and it's the only moisturizer that doesn't further irritate my condition.

i have cut out use of all other medicines and have been 99% better ever since changing my diet. if you decide to try this, good luck and hang in there because it's difficult to get used to and very easy toget frustrated.

all the best to you.....