Saturday, 9 February 2013

Images Of My Eczema

So because I seemingly cannot order posts in a logical way I thought I'd make a post with pictures that I've taken of my skin. Sadly they're taken on my phone and my phone has a magic ability to try to make images appear smoother which is all fair and good for taking everyday photos but when I want to document things exactly as they are it isn't the best camera to use.

The thing that prompted me to make this post was that today when I showered I glanced at the plug hole and saw that it was completely blocked with my hair. I remove hair from the plug hole every day so I was absolutely shocked to see just how much hair had come off my head this morning. I wouldn't be surprised if I now have a bald patch somewhere :(


I put the disposable razor there for size comparison but it's still hard to properly show just how much it was




Image 1: Elbow flexture. It was much worse than the picture shows
Image 2: Side of my breast
Image 3: My chest
Image 4: My face on Boxing Day
Image 5: Another of my face flaring
Image 6: Bruising from over-scratching
Image 7: My thigh
Image 8: Flare
Image 9: Back of my elbow/ forearm
Image 10: Flare on face with swollen eyes
Image 11: My thigh
Image 12: Skin flare on tummy
Image 13: Skin flare and eczema herpeticum on my birthday
Image 14: Front of my thighs
Image 15: Seborrheic derm on my neck


I haven't posted these images for pity, but to show you how eczema can manifest itself and as I said at the start of the post, the images have had a smoothing effect on them because of the quality of my phone camera so it is not a true representation. The colours should be much more pigmented and the flaking and sores on the skin were much more apparent.

As you can also note, these were some of my better days as I was able to get dressed.
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13 comments :

  1. Unknown9 February 2013 at 14:09

    Hi,
    This is my first time on your blog, and after seeing your pics and reading a bit of what you wrote, im pretty sure this isn't eczema anymore, but "red skin syndrome". It's caused by using topical steroids, which you said you've been using for 10+ yrs!!
    Please please please visit the site www.ITSAN.org . I really think that'll help you. I'm going through the same thing right now, and my skin is looking a lot like yours. Please, that site is the best thing that happened to me, please check it out.

    - MP

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    1. Unknown9 February 2013 at 14:37

      Thank you for your comment. I've read about red skin syndrome before, and although it does sound like what I could be suffering from, it isn't the only thing I suffer from. Also the consequences of going completely cold turkey with steroids isn't something I would be able to deal with at this point in my life as it would indefinitely mean that I would not be able to go to work, and with money as tight as it is right now, money is actually more important to help supplement my health as I need to live in a modern spacious house.

      But this isn't to say I am going to completely dismiss the idea.

      Delete
  2. neti10 February 2013 at 18:16

    oh, hello!
    I'm so glad i found your blog as i also suffer from severe eczema.Antihistamines do not work for me which means that even if i use steroids every single day, i still itch insanely.I have just one question - have you ever tried cannabis (ointment or smoking) as a relief and medication for pain/itching?

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  3. Unknown10 February 2013 at 18:27

    Hi Neti, thanks for your comment! I can't say cannabis works for me (yes, I have tried it in the past tut, tut!) as like smoking, it sets off my asthma. I asked my dermatologist about hemp oil but he told me not to bother with it. Not sure if it would have conflicted with medication at the time or not. Have you tried these methods?

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    1. Unknown10 February 2013 at 18:30

      and also why do you suggest cannabis, as an eczema treatment or to just forget about the itchiness?

      Delete
  4. neti10 February 2013 at 19:30

    hey, thanks for answering!I've smoked weed and it really did help for a short period of time, as it just took the itchiness away.I've never used hemp oil or anything like that though and i just wanted to hear your opionion on it because i can't stay on steroids forever and i thought it might work on extreme cases...but oh well, i guess everyone is different and i have to try it out for myself.good luck and patience with your skin!

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  5. Deviatorz13 March 2013 at 12:24

    Have you tried protopic and elidel? Those have done wonders to my eczema. Also, change your diet to raw. Try it for 2 weeks (don't cave in). Eliminate milk and eggs. Heck even meat. Just go with raw veges.

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    1. Unknown13 March 2013 at 13:54

      Yep, I've tried them and they didn't do anything for me sadly :( I will try out the raw vegi's, thank you!

      Delete
    2. RabarberUndBlume7 July 2013 at 10:43

      Did you try it and how was it?

      Delete
    3. Unknown7 July 2013 at 17:22

      Nope, I'm a failure! Haven't been able to eliminate them from my diet. All I want is comfort right now.

      Delete
  6. What Allergy15 May 2013 at 16:40

    Oh those pictures look just like my skin when it flares, nothing on the nose, like a weird unblemished bit. What is that about? I find that food triggers make my skin like this and it took a very long and complex elimination diet to work out what. You have to be really strict, for me it's celery, which is in most soup, stock, sauces, ready meals, even some meat so they add nitrates I think without declaring. Also tomato does this to me too. And dairy. It really does look like my allergic reactions. Hope you don't mind me sharing... again photos of mine don't really do it justice. http://whatallergy.com/2012-02/eczema-flare-up

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    1. Unknown15 May 2013 at 17:07

      It is rather strange! Do you get it all over or just on your face as I find my hands and feet remain unscathed too and they, and my nose are the only near-constant cold parts of me.

      Have you had a look at my recent posts on Red Skin Syndrome? I'm wondering if it could be this that I'm suffering from after years of slathering on the steroid creams.

      Thanks for sharing :) x

      Delete
  7. Unknown6 June 2013 at 21:03

    hi just came across your blog, red all the comments about RSS/TSW. your face looks like my did. i actually quit my steroids in Oct. 3 months after my second son was born. I'm 7 months in now and skin is looking remarkably better.. it saddens me people have to deal with this. i found for me i was pretty much out of commission for the first four months after quitting... somehow made it thru tho. raising two kids and all :( felt like a bad mum some days. hope you find out what works for you. i only found about RSS once i put my topical steroid on my face and it didn't take the rash away anymore and the Dr. wanted to up the dose.. i found about RSS that night after a quick Google search. i hoped it wasn't me but alas it was, now i don't have as much redness on my face.. it really has calmed down. especially after months of fire engine red skin, and the burning itch...gawh.... hope your well

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