What works on an excema rash on the hand?

[Imzadi]

I've had this itchy rash on my hand, about the size of a quarter, for a few months now. I looked on the web & the symptoms appear to be excema. I've been applying Cortizone 10 with 1% hydrocortisone or another brand. They seem to bring the red, patchy, scaly rash down til it's almost gone, hardly noticable, not itchy. Like if I apply the cream to it one more day, it will be totally gone - but No! It starts to itch like crazy! Like it knows it's about to be wiped out & is hanging on for dear life.

Of course, I can't stop itching it at this point & it flares up, full blown, bright red (like a burn.) Sometimes it has cracked & bled.

I've got it back down to almost gone again. Help me get rid of it completely this time!

 

[noseybuddy]

I have the same thing on my hand. But the Cortizone seems to be helping. I apply it everyday. With my hands being in water a lot it is always there, but it is getting less severe the more I use the Cortizone. Maybe you should call the doc and get something else.

 

[ElizK]

I have eczema on my hands. What a miserable condition! The best think I can recommend is a trip to the doctor for a prescription. Elidel has worked fairly well, though it has possibly been linked to skin cancer.

For the cracked/bleeding skin... put a thick layer of vaseline on it at night (after a shower, or after washing the area with warm water), cover it with a band-aid. Do that for a couple nights in a row. That works well when my fingers crack.

 

[daisyduck123]

My DS had horrible eczema until he was 2 or 3 & we used a prescription steroid which worked wonders...but we could only use it every so many days per week, according to the doctor's directions. When we couldn't apply the steroid, we used Eucerin creme (not the lotion) & it worked well.

Good luck. What a horrible condition.

 

[dcgrumpy]

DD1 has eczema, I was using a prescription ointment triamcinolone acetonide 1%. Her pediatrician just told me about an OTC moisturizer she heard about at a confernce called CeraVe. I've been using it a few weeks and it has really helped, I hardly have to use the steroid ointment at all anymore.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

As a sufferer for 30 yrs...the only thing that I have found to work 100% is to not clean, do dishes, get your hands around any type of cleaner, cleanser, etc...Use only mild shampoos and soaps.

So if you had a live in maid, chef, and nanny you would be good.

My hands look like I am 80 years old. They hurt and itch all the time. I get creams but I have a house and kids to take care of. I use gloves when I can and use A&D at night and wear cotton gloves.

Recently my doctor (a new one) told me to use food safety gloves when handling raw meat. I already do use them sometimes. She said that I run a high risk of getting bacteria in those open cuts I have.

 

[Serena]

See a dermatologist. In the meantime keep the area well moisturized.

and most of all make sure you get a doctor who is willing to help you. I had a doctor, supposedly a good doctor, that once the common thing didn't help, she gave up.
Finallly I'm seeing another doctor and he has different ideas and they help a lot better.

 

[JELBoggio]

First, I would call your doctor to confirm that you have it.

Have tried lots of things for DS and me! Elidel (prescription) works well, yes it has been linked to cancer but I've only used it in small places (not slathered all around my body) and "they" say for a small area use, cancer should not be a concern of mine. I did stop using it anway, even a small risk was one I was not willing to take.

Aquaphor by Eucerin is greasy (similiar to vaseline) but it keeps my DS's outbreaks at bay. A friend of mine, who has tried just about everything, now swears that rubbing noxema on it helps the best and the itch is gone almost immediately and that the patches go away much faster.

For cracked and bleeding hands (that's me) I use CeRaVe (new over-the counter product that I'm having a hard time finding now that my free samples are gone). On my actual cuts on my fingers - crazy glue works best (forget the liquid band-aids). I know crazy glue sounds, well, crazy but my dermatologist swears by it!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DC, I am going for that cream tomorrow. I will try anything!!!!! I am also trying to do things from the "inside"...I need to get started on that!

 

[mckryan]

I've heard good things from fellow sufferers about this product. We don't have a Walgreens nearby, so I haven't tried it yet. I may order it online this week.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/prod...mp&navCount=0&skuid=sku1648194&id=prod1648206

 

[dcgrumpy]

I use the cream not the lotion and also the cleanser.

 

[JELBoggio]

As a sufferer for 30 yrs...the only thing that I have found to work 100% is to not clean, do dishes, get your hands around any type of cleaner, cleanser, etc...

If only I could convince DH of this!

Recently my doctor (a new one) told me to use food safety gloves when handling raw meat. I already do use them sometimes. She said that I run a high risk of getting bacteria in those open cuts I have.

Try covering your open cuts with crazy glue. My dermatologist swears by this and it works much better than the liquid band-aids. Just a dot of crazy glue on the cut should do it.

Good luck! I can't wait until Spring when my hands look and feel better! They get so bad in the winter and boy, those cuts can be so painful.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Try covering your open cuts with crazy glue. My dermatologist swears by this and it works much better than the liquid band-aids. Just a dot of crazy glue on the cut should do it.

Good luck! I can't wait until Spring when my hands look and feel better! They get so bad in the winter and boy, those cuts can be so painful.

I have too many. Nice thought though. My hands are always in pain.

Here is the old thread. Someone swore by Cod Liver Oil. I am going to get that too.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=975898&page=1&pp=15&highlight=excema

 

[Karel]

For about a year, I had lots of problems with the skin on my hand. I used some sort of creme from the Dr. but also Zim's Crack creme (over the counter). Loved it, worked like a charm. I'm not sure if it work in combo with the prescrip med but my hand cleared up quickly after I used it.

 

[golfgal]

Try covering your open cuts with crazy glue. My dermatologist swears by this and it works much better than the liquid band-aids. Just a dot of crazy glue on the cut should do it.

Good luck! I can't wait until Spring when my hands look and feel better! They get so bad in the winter and boy, those cuts can be so painful.

Crazy Glue/Super Glue works GREAT on cuts. I use it all the time and it doesn't sting like New Skin and some of the other liquid bandaid type products.

 

[MelanieC]

Eucerine & Auquphor (made by Eucerine) are wonderful.

My son had excema when he was a baby. He would get terrible round patches all over his legs and butt. I used Eucerine at the time. I also use it to keep my hands from getting patches on them. This winter has been the worst ever.

Good luck!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

My DD had this problem when she was a baby....I SWORE by Mary Kay's extra emolient night cream...it is great...I think it has beeswax in it

I also swear by Vicks Vapor rub for healing cracks in my elbows and heels...my pedicure girl can't believe that Vicks worked so well (a hint that I learned at the Grand Floridian Spa)

 

[cepmom]

both of my younger girls have excema...the 8 year old is better now that her allergies are under control, but a couple of winters ago she had a terrible rash on her hands. I tried Aquaphor, Eucerin, cotton gloves at night etc. The only thing that cleared it up was a prescription that only needed to be applied once a day. I no longer have the prescription and I can't remember the name, sorry. I would definitely call your Dr. ~ the OTC hydrocortisone you are using does not seem to be working.

I have had similar problems myself in the winter, (although not as bad as yours) and I have found that Curel lotion works wonders. I keep it right next to my sink, so I can apply it every time I wash my hands. Also ~ as previously suggested ~ make sure you wear rubber gloves when doing dishes or cleaning.

I use the Curel ~fragrance free~ on my younger DD every night and it seems to help keep her flare ups to a minimum. She would complain about the Eucerin or the Aquaphor stinging, but doesn't have that problem with the Curel.

 

[Wishing on a star]

My son has excema...

About using the hydrocortizone.

What you describe is classic!! The dermatologist told us (like one other poster mentioned) that you should NOT use it every day for long periods of time, or the flare-up will be what will happen. She described it like the excema will get to where in NEEDS the cream all the time, and will become more resistant, and then can flare up really bad.

So, I would use it very heavy for a few days, then lay off for a few days.

Also, the hydrocortisone helps, but is not strong enough to really put it in remission. My husband got a prescription once for an allergic rash, it was called something like triaminaclonone ??????

When I was out of the hydrocortisone cream, I used some of this on DS excema. It worked GREAT!!!!

I am out now, but I am going to try to remember to ask our Dr. for some next time we need to see him for anything.

Maybe you can ask your dr. about an Rx for it.

 

[Hillbeans]

I just needed to repsond to this post because I too have eczema on a few of my fingers and the only thing that helps me is my prescription Elocon.

Good luck with it - no one realizes how painful and annoying it is to have this condition because sometimes it really feels as if your fingers are burning! Hope you're feeling better soon.