Eczema

[Adian]

I feel that this topic is relevant to this forum not only because some of our members have eczema (I just found out I have it too) but because it is so important for us as massage therapists to be educated about many different skin conditions so we can better understand any symptoms our clients may have. (Not that we diagnose but it's still essential to have a basic understanding of what's what)Now, I have had extremely, itchy, red, irritated skin on my legs since highschool. It would get so bad that I often couldn't go to the beach and I'd wear long pants in the summer just to cover it up. I was really ashamed of it but I never understood what was wrong. I think I've tried almost every different soap and moisturizer ever made and the only one that doesn't completely irritate my skin is Cetaphil. But it still doesn't really go away. And it always comes back. I've felt pretty hopeless and at times I've been really depressed over it. :'( I never knew what to do... and I have been living with it for almost 10 years! It wasn't until the other day when I was reading posts from Dollz and Graci in the Massage Oils thread that I even considered it could be eczema. I didn't even know what eczema was! So I looked it up on the internet and I was blown away. That's me!!! I said to myself. From the pictues on the website, it looks like mine is mild to moderate. I've experienced every single one of these symptoms at one time or another: -intense itching-red inflamed skin-patches of scaly skin-rough leathery patches of skin-temporary pigment loss or darkened patches-oozing or crusting-areas of swellingSo, my questions to the other MT's here with eczema are: 1.) Have you noticed that certain massage oils or creams you use cause the eczema to flare up?2.) What treatment has worked for you? I read that people have used alternative therapies such as: licorice gel, guava leaves, probiotics, St. John's Wort, and evening primrose oil. But it said more commonly people use a topical cream and/or other medication. More than anything, I just want to get it under control. I have suffered long enough.I apologize for the long post. This is just a shocker to me. I can't believe I have lived with this for so many years and had no idea what it was. I made a doctor's appointment so atleast that's a step in the right direction. Thank you for listening.

 

[ssssss]

Eczema

I agree with Susana that what goes inside can make a huge difference on the outside, but absorption through the skin can also be a huge part of the problem, and what goes in through the skin can cause much more of a problem than just rashes, see Does Your Job Make You Sick?Doctors will usually recommend a cortisone cream for eczema, it will alleviate the symptoms, but stop using the cream and it will almost always flare up again as it isn't tackling the cause. The biggest help I found has been eating about half a pound of flaxseeds each week - taking falxseed oil, and other essential fatty acid oils didn't help much, but the actual flax seeds did.

 

[Just a Guy]

I have had exzema since I was a kid. The only thing I could use that would make it go away was to take 2 cod liver oil capsules a day. It was awful somedays, because you taste it everytime you "Burp" excuse the graphics, but it is true. But if you use it diligently then after about 30 days you will start to see a difference. I've taken  it all my life. It does work if you take it. It is one of these "old wives tales" my mom used. My grandfather, a pharmacist, told her about it. I hope it helps. I am also very sensitive to soaps, so be careful what you use.Jenny

 

[Joey .]

I've had eczema since I can remember.  Nothing I have tried gets rid of it, and from everything I have read and what my dermatologist had told me... it's NOT going to go away.  Symptoms can be treated with topical creams and by keeping skin moist, but there isn't an actual "cure".  I've used meal plans suggested by nutritionists, gone to the Chinese herbalist (which gave me a bunch of different things to brew and DRINK *projectile vomit*.. it was the most disgusting thing I ever drank in my LIFE), vitamin supplements, etc etc.  All anything did was alleviate the symptoms.  Another great thing about eczema.. it can get passed down to your offspring.    My daughter is 6 months old and started showing symptoms of eczema 4 days after birth.  It was only a slight bit, but by the time she was 6 weeks old it looked just as bad as mine.  Rough, itchy, red.. etc etc... Occasionally, I will put band-aids on so she won't scratch at it... I also do that for myself to remind me not to scratch.  Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... living with eczema is such a pain in the arse.  Lotmassageplanetirl, you're lucky you only have it on your legs.  I get it ALLLLLL over.  Sometimes I wonder if it scares off some clients.  Many won't even notice.  When I do chair massage, occasionally there are onlookers that will be able to SEE where my eczema breaks out.  YIKES!

 

[great gig in the sky]

I agree with Susanna. Most times it is something internal that triggers the excema outbreak. I've also recently considered fatigue to be a trigger for myself.I've tried to eliminate all sorts of foods and have not yet come up with a definate. The Chiro that I work for is a Nutritionist as well. She said that in a lot of cases it is linked to dairy products or is perpetuated by them. Dairy is a natural inflamatory and the excema really is an inflamation of the skin. I went to an allergist who did the 50 scratch tests down my back. I thought that it was a shellfish allergy since I was eating alot of scallops, clams and oysters during the initial break out. I've since given up all of the above. The dry patches are still there but the itchy part has subsided. The allergist did not find anything. He gave me a Rx for antibiotic and a petrolium based lotion and sent me on my way. He wanted to do a whole bunch of follow up tests, but I opted out. No insurance and each scratch was $7.00. My chiro also said that the seafood allergy should be tested for thru a blood test, that it really doesn't show up on the scratch test. Ooops...  My research has found that most people with family history of allergies and asthama are likely to have excema as well. I luckily enough have all three!!!  :I'm going to try the Cod liver next. Just as a heads up jenny...You can also get the cod liver in an oil with flavors. We have peach and orange at our office. I haven't tried it yet, but most of our psts. say its okay.  :-/It really is a tricky condition to find the trigger for. Yes, there is no cure but there can be relief.   Good luck to all.

 

[GERSON]

Wow, I think you guys read my mind sometimes.I have a client that usually only comes in for 1/2 hour back and neck, but yesterday he came in for an hour full body.  I'd never noticed the eczema on his hand before (he's embarrassed so he hides it pretty well).  He says stress makes it worse.  He's a police officer, so he's got plenty stress.  He told me he'd do anything to make it go away.Has anybody had results with emu oil?  Even just for symptoms?  I'm planning on buying some to use on a couple other clients for other reasons, but if it helps eczema I might purchase a little more.I'll definately tell him about the flax seeds and cod liver oil.Thanks!Katykangaroo

 

[Nuge]

Eczema

I thought about the Emu oil to use on myself, but I went w/ the $$$$$ Rx from my doc first. Works fine  :-/Not sure if you should get it specifically for excema client though. That may be like "prescribing" for his condition. And it's actually a contraindication to massage the excema location. It's usually pretty swollen, and it doesn't feel good when it gets warm.  ??? I find that when mine acts up I like to cool it down w/ an ice pack. I've tried all sorts of OTC creams. The best so far is one that I got on line (Freederm...I think. I can look it up if anyone is interested).Sounds like you could help your client just with your "healing hands". Stress and fatigue are huge contributers! :-* But, hey...I'd like to know how you like the Emu oil.

 

[Jourdane]

Eczema

I looked in a book that is a family guide to alternative medicines and it said for eczema you can take fish oil tablets (like Jenny said) that are omega 3+mega 6 fatty acids, evening primrose oil supplements, and drink calendula or marigold tea. It said dairy foods are a very common trigger. The book also suggested blending some EO's into a light grapeseed oil and applying to the skin. (rose, geranium, juniper, lavender and hyssop.)I'd like to deal with my eczema as naturally as possible. So, I decided that before I go to my family doc, I am going to go see a woman who is a naturopath/nutritionist. She works at the Healing Arts Center where I went to massage school. I'm headed up there for a yoga class tonight anyway, so while I'm there I'll set up an appt. with her. I'll let you guys know what she says. Today I might pick up some fish oil tablets at the health food store so I can start taking them right away. BTW, Thanks for all the advice and support. You guys are the best!  ;DLotmassageplanetirl

 

[d.e]

Eczema

Hi,

For Omega 3's and EFA's,  please consider this company.  

http://www.nordicnaturals.com/

They have products which are flavored as well.

As for Emu Oil, Maestra  and a few others posted a while back about it, which may be for good reading...

Massage Oils
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2359

Lack of sleep and too much stress are real kickers that I have seen with eczema - if that helps anyone.

 

[?!-?SaRaH?-!?]

In massage school last year, I only saw one client in clinic who was referred by her GP (the others all self-referred).  She had some eczema, and her MD had recommended massage for relaxation, and to help deal with stress (not massage for the particular areas of eczema).  She had never tried massage before, and seemed to find it relaxing.  I did get the feeling that her emotions were close to the surface.  One thing that struck me was that her eczema patches were mostly around areas of lymph nodes - inside elbows, neck, back of knees.  I did wonder whether there is a lymphatic component to do with the body moving and breaking down the body's stress bi-products, does anyone know?

 

[brattylilsis25]

I have no idea if it would be related to the lymphs, but I do know that the areas you mentioned are the most common places that eczema breaks out.  I, too, had eczema at all those places.  Occasionally, I will get it on my back and even on the tops of my feet. As a child, I used to get them behind my knees.  Now, my common spots are on the back of my neck, the outsides of my wrist, and occasionally the insides of my elbow and/or my face.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Eczema

My eczema acts up depending on the kind of detergent I use on my clothes. So if it is in those areas that rub against your clothes, try another detergent that is gentler, like Arm and hammer, dreft, ect. I use Arm and Hammer Fabricare. It is alot gentler on my skin. I hope this helps.jenny

 

[secrethq1]

Graci, I didn't massage the eczema on his hand - it was red and he had cracks around his knuckles.  He was understanding, and that lead to a discussion about the things he's tried to alleviate it.  He brought up the topic of emu oil - he'd heard of it helping but didn't know where to get it.I've been meaning to purchase emu oil to try out for a few reasons - a client with an old ankle sprain/surgery that never healed well, an elderly woman with a very thin non-elastic scar on her shin, and I wanted to try it on my own stretch marks  :-X.  If it works, I might try it on some of my tougher chronic pain cases.  It is a bit cost prohibitive though...Katykangaroo

 

[steve J]

Sounds great Katykangaroo!!! آ  ;DLet me know what you think if you do make the purchase...I'd like to try it myself when the finaces allow.  

 

[Messenger007]

Eczema

Okay this thread is now going in a slight direction where I have a question to pose for feedback.When a client comes in for a massage appointment and indicate on their intake form that they have a skin condition (e.g., eczema, psoriasis, heat rash, excessive acne, etc.); how are we, as M.T.'s suppose to automatically think like a dermatolist and mentally go down the list of all the creams, lotions, and oils out there that could hurt or help that particular client? This has got me to thinking that it couldn't hurt if each of us M.T.'s started consulting on a regular basis with a licensed dermatolist; pick their brain, and get some well-needed literature to research/study.I'm surprised this hasn't come up as a topic yet since the first thing we make contact with is the skin. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a bad idea for massage schools to start having a beginner's course to dermatology so therapists could start becoming familiar with all the skin issues out there, get knowledge of all the different creams that can help, and also get a list of those that are harmful.The only contact I had with this was in our Pathology book (if I remember correctly). And it was towards the back and only named mostly the types of skin conditions that we should NOT treat. What say you?Be well,Jen

 

[Bobby Cowboy Man]

Hi everyone!I talked to a girl in Bath & Bodyworks the other day.  There is a cream that she says she swears by.  She really loved it for her excema.  Of course at this moment I can't remember the name of it but I'd imagine if you were to go in and ask, most sales people should know what it is. (of course i'll find out and i'll be sure to post it)a couple of things that i found interesting about excema that i wasn't aware of were these things:to use your hands, not a wash cloth to wash yourself...avoid sudden temp changes...and then of course the typical...use warm water not hot, keep your skin out of the sun as much as possible, use mild everything and rinse really well.  I have psoriasis so I understand how much skin conditions really suck.  There are times where my psoriasis is so bad that you can not see a normal patch of skin anywhere!  My entire arm, leg, stomach, back etc...is completely covered.  I am fortunate enough that I don't get it on my face, hands or neck.  

 

[Cool Dude]

I know of a woman who has eczema on her arm and cleanses the area with Pine Tar Soap.  After 3 days, the itching and redness went away.  (the soap really smells like tar) but she swears by it.Another, treated her 11 year old son's eczema on his hands and arm by cleansing the area with a mild soap and then applied Emu oil with positive results. Hope this helps

 

[kansasfan]

Jen,Here's how I deal with it:  If it's open, hot, or red, don't mess with it.  If it's ok'd by a doctor to massage and it's not open, hot, or red, go organic - use something like grapeseed oil or unscented hypoallergenic lotion with no EO's or preservatives.  Err on the side of caution.  If it looks suspicious, don't mess with it.  If you're trained in treating it, treat it.  If not, don't.Clients are sure to understand if you communicate to them that you're worried about their health, and the health of your other clients as well.I think it would be cool to have a dermatologist come in and speak to a class and give a few handouts!Katykangaroo

 

[Alyssandra]

Eczema

Thanks, KatykangarooI agree...I'm going to email my old M.T. instructor to see what his take is on doing something like that for the Massage program. He's also the director of M.T. at the school where I got my certification.Only thing is, there aren't a whole lot of dermatologists near me so I'd have to really do some hunting to try and collaborate with one or two of them. It couldn't hurt to be able to refer clients to them if they're complaining about this or that skin issue. Be well,Jen

 

[Randal]

Eczema

Looks like there is something about Neem Creme here that might help too.

http://www.massageresource.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001280