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Since our skin is the largest organ of elimination, it easily can get overloaded due to the way we eat, environmental factors and allergic reactions. Last summer, when I first complained to my doctor of suffering from very itchy skin, she told me it was just dry skin. It turned out a few weeks later, that I had a number of red pimples that were itchy on my hip areas, legs, lower back and butt. It woke me up in the middle of the night and I was out of town for a family celebration.
Some looked like hives and others were pink patches. There was also redness on my inner elbows. The itching was quite strong and it made sleep almost impossible without antihistamines.
I saw a few doctors and was told I had scabies by a gp. The dermatolgist I saw after him said it was spongiotic dermatitis due to the biopsy results. The next doctor said it was erythema multiforme minor and put me on steroids. It took a couple of other consults and additional opinions to finally get the correct diagnosis of eczema. Getting diagnosed is very important both for peace of mind as well as for accurate application of creams, lotions and prescriptions.
The first thing that is important is to find out if you have hives, eczema, pithyriasis rosacea, a drug rash or a different rash. Each of these conditions will have a different treatment. Though taking steroids and using a cortisone cream helped to some extent, I was not moisturizing my skin which really what was sorely need to treat the eczema properly. I've spoken with an number of people that only treated their skin with hydrocortisone creams and weren't instructed to use a good moisturizer.
In addition to using a moisturizer, drink water during the day regularly to hydrate your skin. In the summer, people drink a lot of iced tea but this can actually dehydrate the body. Soda also isn't hydrating plus it is quite acidic. Many healers say that it is best to keep the body akalinic by having lots of green vegetables and cutting back on meats. Drinking alcohol is also something to avoid while you try to heal your eczema skin.
Use ingredients that you trust in your personal care daily products. Get allergy-free products to launder your clothing, apply after showering and use after exercising. Get out of damp clothing after you go to the gym or jog. Take supplements to restore your skin and add oils into your diet including olive oil and coconut oil. Be sure to do healthy activities for yourself and don't isolate yourself due to the itchy rash. It is easy to feel alone during this period. Stress makes itching more severe so continue to participate in your ordinary activities plus add in relaxation techniques.
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