What is effective for your itchy skin? And what didn't help?

[aromajoy]

[tracynoe Volunteer]

Hi aromajoy

For me if it's my eczema that's itchy then I have to cut my nails short to stop me tearing the skin and I put lots of moisturising cream on, I have to be careful not to scratch as although it feels wonderful to scratch that itch it causes more problems than it solves. If it's due to allergy then I have to take antihistamines as the urticaria is awful and not only itches but burns too.

I have tried distraction but find it doesn't work for me the itch is to strong.

[Yaffle]

Hi,

Manuka doctor UMF 18 blemish cream is very good. E45 didn't work, it actually caused stinging.

[fairyhelper]

Hi

To be honest, when it gets so itchy, I have to stop all cream. My skin seems to go into hyper-sensitive mode and everything just adds to the itch. I have to leave my skin to dry out (self recover). But I do find Aloe Vera and products which contain it help once my skin has settled and then moisturise continually for the next few days or weeks until my next break out. My break outs can come on at any time and for no apparent reason.

[zurraspa]

I had eczema on the hands, what worked for me was Evening Primrose Oil (EPO). But do NOT swallow the capsules, carefully cut one end open with small, maybe manicure scissors. Then rub in the oil directly on the affected area, thus the active substances go directly where you want it, without being degraded as they pass through the digestive system.

Use large high strength capsules that contain Gamme Linoleic / Linolenic acid, look for GLA on the label, both are substances that our bodies do not synthesise, but are used to make substances required in the inflammatory reaction.

Besides EPO, STARR Oil may work as it has the same stuff in it.

Initially my GP gave me DERMOVATE, it half worked, but the condition did not clear up. With the EPO it cleared, a book suggested that this was due to balancing out two types of Prostaglandins, that have opposing reactions in the inflammatory reaction.

I did not want to get stuck on steroid creams, as there can be unwanted side effects and you might interfere with body feedback mechanisms.

The DERMOVATE gave me a stinging sensation, so did the EPO to start with but it worked after some applications, be patient and ignore the minor irritation. It may not be a magic remedy, but is worh a try.