Tuesday 31 January 2012

My latest concoction: Neem oil, Coconut Oil, Shea butter and Hemp oil

The items used
The final product

Hi all, so, I spoke earlier about a new skin regime. I'm still finding my feet with it, and I literally started a few days ago.

My moisturising and healing concoction is made up of: Neem oil (about half a tea spoon) Coconut oil (about a tea spoon), shea butter (1 teaspoon) and half a tea spoon of hemp oil.

I zapped this all in the microwave for about 20 seconds and left it near the window to reset.  Let me tell you, the scent of the Neem oil is not for the faint hearted! What a pong. However, on application it didn't sting. Which was a plus. I've made this concoction in an empty cream jar, it's very small though, so I'll have to make it quite often. For the first batch a used a tip of peppermint oil to help tame the smell, but I was concerned it might hinder rather than help, so I opted out for the second batch as seen above.  

The hemp oil was also a need addition for the second batch and I noticed a difference in the consistency of the cream, it's much more oily than without it, although I only used a tad. Either way it sinks into my skin nicely. I'm currently using this twice a day across my back and inside of my elbows, which are all in the process of a flare up.  I've been trying to reduce my hydrocortosine to every other day and my skin doesn't like it, which causes a rebound flare, however, I haven't used my hydrocortosine since Saturday as I've been using this mixture instead, and although my skin still gets itchy now and then, the texture is not inflamed at all, in fact its smooth.

I just need to work out how I'll incorporate either Aveeno or Cetaphil throughout the day into my new regime and see how I go. But so far, thumbs up for this blend of oils and butter!

Friday 27 January 2012

What products am I currently using to manage my eczema?

Some of my many products!

Well, firstly, I've been using Aveeno cream for 10 years and it worked really well. I found out about it through researching the internet. I hadn't touched steroids in over 15 years and wanted a new moisturiser. I haven't looked back, ALTHOUGH, it's not the best cream for the winter time, but I'll save that for another post.

1% Hydrocortosine: I use this mixed with Aveeno cream and Vitamin E oil once per day, never on it's own. After using Elocon (high strength steroid) for three years I really don't want to use this directly. I've used this since September 2011 when I tried to wean off Elocon cold turkey (big mistake!!)

Vitamin E oil, I purchased this from Holland and Barratt. It's pure, sticky and again I hate it on it's own so mix it with the two above.

I use Cetraben which I was prescribed in September on my inner thighs, back of my legs and quite frankly, my feet! It's really thick and I don't particularly like it, I don't know that it actually penetrates the skin. I won't get this again.

I use 99.9% Aloe Vera gel when my skin is very inflammed and itchy, it really soothes my skin.

Organic Aloe Vera Lotion is a new lotion of mine and it penetrates the skin quite well. I only use it on my boobs at the moment as I'm getting a new eczema patch on them as well (Fun times!!)

I've also recently purchased Shea and coconut butter lotion from Superdrug after reading reviews. I don't know if it's the winter, but this isn't doing anything special to my skin (I only use on my lower legs) but at the same time it doesn't irritate it, so I'll finish the bottle.

I occasionally use St Ives. Soothing Oatmeal and Shea butter lotion. Another one that claims to do wonderous things, but this is just average!

I was using Allercalm last year, but have switched back to Cetirizen as I'm still breastfeeding and didn't want to use it for an extended period of time. I take this once in the morning and once at night.

I'm soon to embark on a totally different regime as currently, I'm having a flare on my shoulders and really need to get it under control. My next post will go through some capsules I'm using and some more products I'm using! I know it seems like a lot but I know fellow eczema sufferers can relate!!

Just to clarify, I stick to Aveeno for the top of my body and thighs, and can use whatever I want on my lower legs, as some posts coming you'll see various creams but these are for lower legs only which tend to get dry but don't really flare a lot.

Catch you all soon!

Hello and welcome to my blog!


Hi to anyone reading.

I've decided to create a blog regarding my eczema. My aims are to share with you my daily battles against this irritating (pardon the pun) skin disease I have been living with since childhood.

I'll be sharing some tried and tested products, skin regimes that have once worked, what works for the moment and ones to try in the future.

I will also share with you some never posted on the web before eczema photos from very severe flare ups over the years (be warned, some are pretty gruesome)

So sit tight, I have plenty to say, as eczema dominates my life when I'm in a flare up battle, which, would you believe I'm in right now! Speak soon.

xx