Wedding Blog

Miss Kiwi, you’re talking my language. Altho I don’t have eczema on my face, I’ve battled with it on my body my whole life and I feel your itching and scar pain (I will never ever wear a bikini!)

I’ll tell you about alllll the prescription meds I’ve tried:

Elocon, Elidel, Cutavate, Pramosone, and Clobetasol. Elocon is a very powerful steroid, so I only use it when it gets bad. Elidel is too weak and is supposed to be more preventative. I’ve found Clobetasol to be the most effective for itching - also very strong and not supposed to be used on face.

As for otc stuff, I use sarna to help with the itching, and try to keep moisturized esp in the winter months. i like cetaphil cream because i like my lotion thick, but aveeno has a thinner one (i’m not crazy about the smell, but my cat licks it when i put it on).

oh and it totally flares up in times of stress!

if you want to conceal the scars on your arms, you should be able to do it with concealer. maybe one that’s thicker than one for the face.

good luck miss kiwi! i feel your eczema pain.

Thanks everyone! Mrs. Bee, thanks for the rundown on the meds, god- there are so many!!

I think I may have one of the first blog tags of “Eczema” on a non-skin related site. Whoo hoo!

And I’ll blog about the dress hunt tomorrow, hopefully!

Ms. Kiwi,

I can totally sympathize as I have asthma, have issues with the sun although I’m not “allergic” to it, and I have chronic eczema. For the eczema, have you ever tried MimyX? I have tried many steriod cremes (even with all the risks) and not had any success just a temporary fix. However recently I had a dermatologist prescribe me Mimyx. Its a preventative deep hydrating creme that you use every day in areas you get eczema. The best part is that it is safe. The dermatologist told me that the FDA approved it for use even on newborn babies. It’s been my miracle cure!

I have really bad eczema as well. Stress definitly causes it to flare up. I use only cetaphil to wash my face, dove soap for my skin, no purfumed laundry detergent (my dermatologist recommended ALL) and I dont use dryer sheets. I also was scratching in my sleep. I tired everything, sleeping with socks on my hands and I even once, I kid you not, tied my hands to the bedpost. It’s not that kinky when all you want to do is sleep! I found that taking a benedryl before going to bed was a good way to reduce the itchiness. I currently use protopic for good days and some other steroid cream for bad days. But, if this makes you feel any better, miraculously on my wedding day my skin was fine. You could still see some dark patches but overall it was fine.

I don’t have eczema, by my FI does. He used to have it everywhere–face and body. Then I found Atopalm and read about how it’s lipid formula helps restore skin’s barrier function. I knew FI would NEVER spend over $30 on a face cream, so I did some research and found that Dove’s line of cleansers and moisturizers is supposed to also have a helpful blend of lipids and moisturizers. I convinced him to try them, and his skin has improved dramatically. I’m even jealous of how smooth and even the skin on his face is. Maybe you could try something along those lines?

Good luck with the dress shopping. **cheers for Miss Kiwi!!**

I have very bad eczema too. Only in the recent year has it come under control (still have it but sooo much better than before). I use Cera Ve cream (not lotion) you can get it at CVS. I also use ALL free detergent and only Neutrogena and Clinique products. My dermotologist recomended all of this. I keep my ointments handy when I see a patch breaking out, I use it immediately to keep it under control. When my wedding comes closer I will probably take oral steroids b/c it really does make your skin look very nice (even though you gain weight) but I know the stress will cause breakouts.

I also think the thing that helps the most is relax. I get acupuncture on my legs (the doctor said that’s the itchy skin’s trigger point) and it does seem to work.

Wow, I too felt like I was the only one dealing with this sort of thing. I have psoriasis (and some eczema) on the backs of my arms, my legs, my eyelids, my ears…etc. Every time I’ve gone dress shopping I get a bad flareup and my arms turn bright red. It’s so embarrassing! The same thing also happens when I go regular clothes shopping as well, but I’m not trying a sleeveless dress on in front of strangers, so I don’t care as much. I think it must be a combination of stress and chemicals in the clothing. The last time I tried on a wedding dress I mentioned the chemical possiblility while the saleslady was in the room and she seemed a little offended. I’m so afraid that I’ll have another flareup on my wedding day and everyone will see my arms.

I use prescription hydrocortisone creams but they don’t really help that much. I know this is a long post. But thanks for letting me vent.

i;ve had a skin condition (the doctors don’t know if it’s eczema or not) and it’s still on my arm, the back of my neck, and the back of my arm…and i’ve tried every kind of cream out there..but it still there. However, recently my dad who’s an acupuncturist did cupping…which is breaking the skin w. needles (not puncturing..just lightly picking at it) and little pricks of blood will come out which is then wiped with a towel…and held in place…

It’s helping! There’s patches of my neck that are completely healed now…just an idea! I hope you find whatever works for you!

I get psoriasis patches on my arms, which aren’t so bad, but occasionally I also get either that or eczema on my eyelids. The first time it happened I was younger and the top of layer of skin pretty much peeled off, like it was sunburnt. I looked like I had pink eyeshadow on all the time. At least that doesn’t happen so much anymore.

My big issue is that I get hives w/ my allergies, and they’re unpredictable. I may be fine for days and then *BAM*, a red rash all over my chest. I already use unscented everything, and take meds, but I can’t go through life on benadryl. Clarinex works pretty well (although claritin doesn’t as much!), but it’s something like $90/mth since I don’t have insurance. I sucked it up and bought some for now until the wedding, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Miss Kiwi, I can totally sympathize!! I have asthma, allerigies, and eczema too, and it stinks! I have the same worries about showing too much skin with regards to my eczema, and the scarring. I’m actually panicking about wearing not so much my dress, but a bridesmaid dress in June… My legs are the worst, and the dress is tea-knee length… yikes. For me, it gets worse when I’m sick, asthma/allergies are bad, eating things I don’t realize I’m allergic too, stress, and the weather. I too have yet to find anything that helps considerably… last year I discovered Sarna Sensitive lotion that someone has already mentioned… definitely calmed down the itchiness a little bit. Good luck while dress shopping, I do hope it goes well. And thank you for writing a post about this- it’s nice to know that I’m not alone!

I have eczema too - cutivate helps, but I need to practically bathe in it, and unfortunately it’s a prescription. I really like anything Aveeno, and use the shower gel in a warm (definitely not hot) shower, followed by generous amounts of moisturizer.

As for the face, Creme de la Mer is the absolute best, but it is prohibitavely expensive. if you don’t have the extra cash, I definitely suggest Aquaphor head-to-toe and warm pajamas, socks and cotton gloves before you sleep.

When I know I don’t want to be super red and blotchy, I take a Benedryl as soon as I wake up. The only problem with that is that I get sleepy immediately.

I have heard that green-tinted foundation helps to even out the redness of irritation or eczema.

I think on the day of our wedding, I may take a Benedryl, cover myself with green-tinted foundation, meditate before I walk down the aisle and hope for the best.

I think someone else already mentioned this, but Aquaphor lotion and comfortable clothing are the best choices.

Now, we all know that a wedding dress isn’t always [but really, shouldn't it be?!] a comfortable choice–but a little preparation and relaxation definitely help. Also, I find that spending a little time to yourself definitely helps. Keeping your stress levels down, especially when planning for your wedding, is so important to keep the eczema in check.

I have not only eczema, but several large groups of scarring that I have to cover. Mainly my scarring is on my arms, from years of self-abuse and a bad car accident, in which I was thrown through a windshield. I’m really not sure what to do other than buy a dress with sleeves–but we’re having a beach wedding, so…kind of negates that idea. Anyone able to help me, please, PLEASE let me know. I’m running out of ideas, and time to buy the dress!

you should try a non-steroidal cream for your eczema, like elidel. i’m surprised your dermatologist/dr hasn’t prescribed one for you yet. steroidal creams, like cortisone, thin the skin, leading to more tears and more damage when you scratch.

I have had eczema since I can remember and have tried all the prescription creams out there. I hate how the steroids are so damaging and only relieve the itching and pain temporarily so I’ve been looking into other safer remedies. I’ve been taking fish oil and they have helped keep my skin moisturized. I use Dove Sensitive bar on my face & body and Cetaphil cream on my face. I also use baby oil gel on my body for those super dry days. I still use steroids for the really bad flare ups but they hardly occur now that my skin is pretty moisturized.

I’m taking an immuno-suppressant for my eczema and it works wonders. Everything else I tried before was an utter failure — and that *included* cortisone shots, hormone treatment, steroids, clobeastol, etc.

After a prolonged and deeply unhappy succession of mostly unsuccessful treatments, I went to one of the best dermatologists in NYC. He gave me cyclosporin, which is normally used to prevent organ transplant donors from rejecting their new organs. I have to be careful not to get sick, but it’s AMAZING.

I feel better knowing that I’m not the only crazy girl out there in the world who is embarassed from eczema. At my brother’s wedding, I suddenly had a huge flare up, and my whole back and chest were bright bright red…and of course itchy. But of course, this happened while standing during the ceremony, all throughout pictures, everything. The wedding was outside, the dress material was a bit scratchy (I think the inner lining had polyester mixed in it…) and it was a backless halter. I don’t have any good advice, as I’m still suffering right now but refuse to give up good fashion just because my skin rebels against me. Have confidence and good luck! I’m sure you found your dress by now.