How do I properly use steroid cream for discoid eczema? I had a withdrawal flare-up.

[Dermwhereartthou]

Hi! I seem to have gotten my first flare up of discoid eczema a few months ago. I went to the doctor and she gave me a cream that says “Clotrimazole and Betamethasone Dipropionate, 1%/0.05%” on it. I used it twice a day as directed and it worked really well! The small pink circle I had on my chest went away completely. Then since we aren’t supposed to use steroid cream for more than three weeks, I decided to stop using it. After I stopped, it came back with a vengeance. It was larger, a lot more red and had become itchy. Before it was only a little pink circle. I’m terrified of applying more cream and having it get even worse. But now that it’s worse I hate the sight of it. What should I do?

Additionally, I want to learn a little more about discoid eczema. Will I get to have periods of time where I have no eczema at all? What moisturizer should I use to prevent dry skin? Could I eliminate something from my diet to make this better?

Thanks in advance!

[AndrewT]

Dear Dermwhereartthou,

Yes always a 'Toss Up' between, what you find Works, and How Much you are supposed to use. A Difficult One that.... I tend to use, an almost, 'Ad Hock' approach. I try to Use 'enough', to keep my skin Healthy and, not so much, as to do Harm. Tonight, for example, I have used a Good Coating on my Hands but less on 'Other' areas.

I often use Sudocrem, between my legs and (sorry about this) around my Bum, and Privates. This is particularly necessary if like me you, tend to, 'leak' as it were. On my 'Poor Bl--dy FEET I use Athlete's Foot cream, ointment and recently powder (this Does seem to be Helping). Eye irritation, is a 'tricky' one.... best see either your Doctor or, your local Pharmacist- never overlook, the Pharmacist, often a good source of advice. Scalp irritation, is often Helped by Coconut Oil- available in both liquid and, more solid, forms- use over night... Work into your Hair And Scalp, before bed, and the wash out in the morning. Be aware, that this IS an oil, so cover your pillow- I use an old towel- and that you ARE going to need 'more than one wash'.

Ears are another Problem, all together... between, Dry Skin, Eczema and Stray Hairs..... Sometimes I could SCREAM!!!!

I have recently bought, from the USA, a new Shower Head that has 'pieces of rock' in it. These round 'rocks', along with the way water is mixed with air, produces a very 'Soft' effect. Let me explain further.... Suppose you go out for a walk (alright NOT right now) and it is Drizzling. 'That won't get me very wet' you think however, ten minutes later, you are absolutely soaked- without even noticing. Well, this Shower Head, is like that. I'm finding it VERY helpful....I'm Racking My Brains, trying to remember where I got it. I believe, that it was an Advertisement I read, in a mag. or newspaper.... though maybe On Line. It was, fairly expensive, about Thirty Pounds, and delivery about three weeks (I think). But don't let, any of this, put you off, just BUY one, no really.

I'll be going, back to bed, in a minute- I got up needing the loo.....

I hope, at least, some of this is helpful my friend.

AndrewT

[MossAT]

im really suffering from my discoid eczema too and its on my arm expanding and growing. i hate looking at it, its so red and sore i have lost the motivation to even treat it because it keeps getting bigger. my dr gave me eumovate (clobetasol) ointment and that really helped, i followed the regime strictly but when i finished the tube (and i also know steroids should be limited to 2-3 weeks use) it came back and has begun to get worse again