skinnycappucino ...

Hi! Like your first post, your latest one comes up as 'by Hidden' & I can only read the first few lines, just as happens if I look at an HU site of which I'm not a member. I expect the administrators will sort you out on Monday. Meanwhile, commiserations!

[skinnycappuccino]

Thank you postle2!! This has happened once before..really hope HU'll get it sorted quickly. I've now resorted to using a thermal water spray on my back as I can't put lotion on it! xx

[Hidden in reply to skinnycappuccino]

Why can't you put lotion on your back? Perhaps that's a silly question unless you have long arms like a gorilla that are not affected by stiff joints! Both apply to me so I can therefore reach most parts of my back. It's not easy though.

I eventually got around to pleading with my dermatologist for a really coherent management plan for my psoriasis which I guess might be appropriate for eczema. I have a bath with prescription oil (Aveeno) in it last thing every night, not too hot. Then I apply steroid cream, though I only do that every couple of days as I'm a little wary of using so much steroid stuff over a long period, then wait 15 minutes for it to be absorbed by the skin and then, finally, apply the emollient. It is a bit of a faff but it has most definitely calmed the psoriasis and the itching is negligible most of the time.

I suppose I'm wondering whether the oily bath part, at least, might help with the back situation.

[skinnycappuccino in reply to Hidden]

Haha, exactly, I just can't reach everywhere on my back though I managed most of them last night. I like your treatment plan, I really need to take a bit more time, I tend to rush everything. Sadly, I don't have a bathtub anymore but my parents have one and I think they might allow me to use it once a week or so

[Hidden in reply to skinnycappuccino]

I can't stand spending time doing things to myself that don't have definite benefits ..... I've never ever gone in for 'pampering' and wouldn't know where to start!

So I am surprised that this regime does work for me. Come evening, the rash leaves me feeling very disgruntled, unhappy in my own skin, a bit of a mess. But just tending to myself is soothing mentally and I now believe my dermatologist when she says that allowing the skin to get dry makes matters worse.

I want the rash gone. But meanwhile I'm a convert to damage limitation. I think there are ways around the lack of a bath, hopefully your dermatologist or whoever's dealing with this should be able to advise you how to manage it as well as possible while waiting for it to disappear!

[skinnycappuccino in reply to Hidden]

So you do your routine in the evening? I thought maybe I'd have to get up like half an hour early to get it done before work. I know what you mean, after a couple of hours after applying lotion the rash starts to itch again and I only well ok again when I put more lotion on it. Not sure how I can keep that up at work though!!

I tried to get seem by the 'emergency' dermatology clinic this afternoon but they only had one doctor for all urgent patients and the receptionist very kindly told me it was rather pointless. I think I might take a few more grim pictures and send them to my dermatologist.

I agree, the time it takes to take care of the rash is maybe well-invested as I tend to run around all day, very hyperactive, so maybe it's good to be forced to take care of myself. xx

[Hidden in reply to skinnycappuccino]

Yes, it's an evening thing. My dermatologist said I should apply emollient 3 times a day - to my whole body! Once I'd stopped laughing she explained that that is what she says to patients in the hope that they will then do it at least twice and definitely once a day. And if once was as good as it was going to get, she suggested last thing in the evening.

You could do with a definite diagnosis couldn't you? And if the rash is extensive and itching Dermatology need to sit down with you and talk you through what to do for the best. That's how it was for me, anyway - took them a while to get through to me, or even to try to, but at least I feel that things are in hand, now.

I'm surprised by the level of concern I've encountered after a shaky start .... I mean, it's 'just' skin. But I think dermatologists do realise that skin problems impact on confidence and can cause anxiety as well as being extremely uncomfortable.

[skinnycappuccino in reply to Hidden]

That was my reaction too when my dermatologist said to apply the lotion as often as possible and at least 3 times a day!! The pharmacist then said that twice is also ok.

You're so right about skin conditions and self-confidence..I used to have acne as a result of the steroids and the MTX and my rheumy referred me to a dermatologist pretty quickly. I told him that I thought compared to RA, this was nothing and 'just cosmetic' - he would have none of that though, fortunately!! Once my sin was clear I was so happy I'd listened as it made a massive difference to my quality of life. Right now, I'm back on meds because I've been getting spots again. Fortunately, the meds seem to work again so my skin might be clear by the time I start wor next week Luckily, the rash on my body is not anywhere not covered by clothes. xx

[Jacki08]

Glad you trying to sort that out Postie2 --x