Sometimes when you go to the doctor you come out feeling much worse than you go in, because they prescribed you with a disease that should belong in the middle ages. This happened to me about four months ago, when I found some small, hard lumps in my armpits that were tender and seemed to be increasing in number with some enthusiasm. The doctor had a cheeky feel of my (embarrassingly somewhat sweaty) armpit and diagnosed .... BOILS! Great.
The good thing about boils is that you can really creep people out by asking them if they want to feel your boils. The bad thing about boils is that they seem to be quite hard to get rid of.
First of all I'm going to clarify what I mean by boils before you feel to queasy. My doctor told me boils are caused when a type of bacteria, which lives a happy little life on your skin, manages to somehow get UNDER your skin, and cause infection. This is obviously more common if you have eczema, because you're skin is broken and so the bacteria is more likely to get under it. Some people prefer to refer to them as cysts because it sounds less gross.
I've been getting a few boils here and there, ever since I had a massively infected spot in January. A small spot on my face when completely out of control and took over half my face. It was full of puss and made my eye completely swollen, as if I'd been punched, and would have been kind of grossly cool if I hadn't had to travel to Nottingham to visit friends that very weekend! The amount of puss that came out was alarming, even for me.
To treat the boils I've been on three rounds of antibiotics, taking four tablets a day for a week. The tablets smell DISGUSTING and after swallowing one I always ended up doing a little burp that tasted like tablet. However, they keep coming back so I'm going to go to the doctor again and try and find out why I can't stamp them out for good. I don't want to keep having to take antibiotics.
This week, as well as a few cheeky little lumps in my armpit, I've got a small spot that is very tender on my eyebrow line, and I'm worried it's also infected. An infection near the eye can cause a lot of swelling, and my eyes are very puffy today - the last thing I want because I'm going to a wedding this weekend! It's only Tuesday, so hopefully this will have corrected itself by the weekend.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
GETTING TESTED: the horrors of trying new products when your skin never knows whether its up nor down.
After moving home from uni, I've been clearing through all my old crap at my parent's house. It occurred to me, as I was sifting through piles of barely used ointments and lotions, how much money I've wasted on products that end up causing an allergic reaction. This has to be one of the banes of life for people with eczema or sensitive skin: the unpredictability of this sensitivity. Sometimes my skin copes fine with a bargain high street brand, and there is no reaction, and other times you buy a product that's had great reviews on-line, or even a brand of a product that supposed to be designed for eczema/sensitivity, and it ends up causing a reaction.
In order to try and stop wasting so much money, I've been trying to get my hands on testers to use before I commit to buying a large product. Some places will give you a reasonable sized trial size to use and make sure you don't have a reaction - I've got good ones from Lush and from Estée Lauder. To really trial a product, you need to be able to introduce it into your daily routine, applying it to clean skin and leaving it for several hours - preferably over the course of a few days - to see if anything horrendous happens.
This is why I find the testers available in the Body Shop aren't good enough - yes, you can try a product on the back of your hand in store, but there's no way to know whether or not your skin is compatible with a cleanser until you've used it properly in your own home. I recently bought the Camomile Cleanser from the Body Shop, as it is designed for sensitive skin and was fine on my hands, but I only had to try it on my face once at home to realise how drying it was.... KABAM, £12.00 wasted and a full tin of cleanser left to clog up my cupboards! This goes to show that you need to test a product on the part of your body you'll be using it!
When testers aren't available, try and see if a friend has a product you can try out. I've found people are really eager to share they favourite products and spread the joy. This is obviously a lot easier when you live with friends.
When the budget doesn't stretch to the luxury brands which offer decent trials, we're left to relying on what products say on the packaging. But be wary because I've found even those products that claim to be designed for dry or sensitive skin don't necessarily do any good. My most recent regret was Vaseline's Total Moisture with Oat extract, which I hoped would have similar effects as Aveeno (which also contains oats) but in a cheaper price range. The tell-tale sign that this wouldn't go down well is the promised 'clean feel' - read, STINGING feel of the cream!
There is always a risk associated with buying a new product, no matter what type of skin you have. But when you do have a skin condition it makes shopping tiring and frustrating - and expensive. Obviously the ultimate solution is to find out what ingredients exactly it is you are allergic to, and avoid those at all costs. But in the meantime, I'm trying to regard the process of trialling - and discovering - new products for my skin as an enjoyable experience, which is one of the reasons I started this blog.
In order to try and stop wasting so much money, I've been trying to get my hands on testers to use before I commit to buying a large product. Some places will give you a reasonable sized trial size to use and make sure you don't have a reaction - I've got good ones from Lush and from Estée Lauder. To really trial a product, you need to be able to introduce it into your daily routine, applying it to clean skin and leaving it for several hours - preferably over the course of a few days - to see if anything horrendous happens.
This is why I find the testers available in the Body Shop aren't good enough - yes, you can try a product on the back of your hand in store, but there's no way to know whether or not your skin is compatible with a cleanser until you've used it properly in your own home. I recently bought the Camomile Cleanser from the Body Shop, as it is designed for sensitive skin and was fine on my hands, but I only had to try it on my face once at home to realise how drying it was.... KABAM, £12.00 wasted and a full tin of cleanser left to clog up my cupboards! This goes to show that you need to test a product on the part of your body you'll be using it!
When testers aren't available, try and see if a friend has a product you can try out. I've found people are really eager to share they favourite products and spread the joy. This is obviously a lot easier when you live with friends.
When the budget doesn't stretch to the luxury brands which offer decent trials, we're left to relying on what products say on the packaging. But be wary because I've found even those products that claim to be designed for dry or sensitive skin don't necessarily do any good. My most recent regret was Vaseline's Total Moisture with Oat extract, which I hoped would have similar effects as Aveeno (which also contains oats) but in a cheaper price range. The tell-tale sign that this wouldn't go down well is the promised 'clean feel' - read, STINGING feel of the cream!
There is always a risk associated with buying a new product, no matter what type of skin you have. But when you do have a skin condition it makes shopping tiring and frustrating - and expensive. Obviously the ultimate solution is to find out what ingredients exactly it is you are allergic to, and avoid those at all costs. But in the meantime, I'm trying to regard the process of trialling - and discovering - new products for my skin as an enjoyable experience, which is one of the reasons I started this blog.
Monday, July 7, 2014
CLEANSE by Suti: REVIEW
This is a review of Suti's cleansing balm CLEANSE on eczema prone skin.
I read about Suti online and it had some good reviews, so I wanted to try it. I emailed the company to see if they provided testers, and they sent a personal response recommending the 'trial pack', which includes their best sellers in trial size. This pack is very nicely packaged, in a small bag, with cards explaining the products included. For this review I will focus on the Cleanse balm.
Suti is an interesting brand: its run by a sister-in-law duo who centre their products around their experience in healing, aromatherapy and homepathy. This explains why when you open the balm it smells like you've stepped into a oily massage parlour extravaganza: its got a full combo of citrus and floral essential oils, as well as the fancy pants organic avocado and apricot kernel oils. The balm is full of small balls of shea butter that are meant to 'melt' on contact with skin. Overall, the smell and feel of the balm is luxurious and expensive.
You take a dollop, and rub it onto dry skin, massaging it right in. I could actually feel the little balls of shea melting under my fingers. Before a shower, you can put it on your skin and leave it like a face mask, so the shower steam helps it be more effective. I don't know if that actually works, but it is easier to get the stuff off in the shower than over a sink. Either way, you're meant to use a 'muslin cloth' (read: wet flannel) and rub it off in circular motions. The guide recommends taking 2 or 3 tries to make sure you get rid of all the cleanser - and it certainly doesn't come off easily. Also its transparent, so you can't really tell whether its gone or not, but I kind of poke my face a bit and see if it still feels tacky. I've never spent so long cleansing beforen and the process takes a bit of getting used to, and it added time to my previous routine (which was just splashing water in my face...), but I quite enjoyed it.
When I finished and dried my face I had an extremely alien and unusual sensation - unlike usual, my skin did not have that taught, dry feeling, desperate for my to immediately moisturise. Instead, it felt supple, springy and clean! When I put on my moisturiser, instead of having to do the entire job of moisturising my face, it feels like my skin is already halfway there. Initially I experienced a bit of breakout on my forehead and cheeks - I don't know whether that was my failure to effectively remove the cleanser or just the change in routine, but it seems to have settled down now. Also, from my point of view, I much, much prefer spots to eczema and redness.
Overall, I really enjoyed using this product, its clearly high quality and it does its job. It has really helped keep my face in good condition and I feel cleansing daily helps give my skin more shine. The trial pack is a good idea if you want to try it, to make sure you don't react to any of the ingredients.
Without using it everyday, the trial size lasted me about a month. Now I'm considering buying the full size, but its not a bargain: £28 for 500ml. Although I know this would last for a long time, its a big splurge for me at the moment. So I'm having a go with some other cleansing balms to see how I get on, but at the moment, nothing is proving itself to be better than Cleanse.
The trial pack is available from Suti's website for £6.50 (plus P&P)
The cleanser can also be bought from their website, but if you get it from Naturisimo you get free P&P and some free samples!
I read about Suti online and it had some good reviews, so I wanted to try it. I emailed the company to see if they provided testers, and they sent a personal response recommending the 'trial pack', which includes their best sellers in trial size. This pack is very nicely packaged, in a small bag, with cards explaining the products included. For this review I will focus on the Cleanse balm.
Suti is an interesting brand: its run by a sister-in-law duo who centre their products around their experience in healing, aromatherapy and homepathy. This explains why when you open the balm it smells like you've stepped into a oily massage parlour extravaganza: its got a full combo of citrus and floral essential oils, as well as the fancy pants organic avocado and apricot kernel oils. The balm is full of small balls of shea butter that are meant to 'melt' on contact with skin. Overall, the smell and feel of the balm is luxurious and expensive.
You take a dollop, and rub it onto dry skin, massaging it right in. I could actually feel the little balls of shea melting under my fingers. Before a shower, you can put it on your skin and leave it like a face mask, so the shower steam helps it be more effective. I don't know if that actually works, but it is easier to get the stuff off in the shower than over a sink. Either way, you're meant to use a 'muslin cloth' (read: wet flannel) and rub it off in circular motions. The guide recommends taking 2 or 3 tries to make sure you get rid of all the cleanser - and it certainly doesn't come off easily. Also its transparent, so you can't really tell whether its gone or not, but I kind of poke my face a bit and see if it still feels tacky. I've never spent so long cleansing beforen and the process takes a bit of getting used to, and it added time to my previous routine (which was just splashing water in my face...), but I quite enjoyed it.
When I finished and dried my face I had an extremely alien and unusual sensation - unlike usual, my skin did not have that taught, dry feeling, desperate for my to immediately moisturise. Instead, it felt supple, springy and clean! When I put on my moisturiser, instead of having to do the entire job of moisturising my face, it feels like my skin is already halfway there. Initially I experienced a bit of breakout on my forehead and cheeks - I don't know whether that was my failure to effectively remove the cleanser or just the change in routine, but it seems to have settled down now. Also, from my point of view, I much, much prefer spots to eczema and redness.
Overall, I really enjoyed using this product, its clearly high quality and it does its job. It has really helped keep my face in good condition and I feel cleansing daily helps give my skin more shine. The trial pack is a good idea if you want to try it, to make sure you don't react to any of the ingredients.
Without using it everyday, the trial size lasted me about a month. Now I'm considering buying the full size, but its not a bargain: £28 for 500ml. Although I know this would last for a long time, its a big splurge for me at the moment. So I'm having a go with some other cleansing balms to see how I get on, but at the moment, nothing is proving itself to be better than Cleanse.
The trial pack is available from Suti's website for £6.50 (plus P&P)
The cleanser can also be bought from their website, but if you get it from Naturisimo you get free P&P and some free samples!
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Eczema for Beginners: What is causing my eczema?
Finding out what causes your eczema can help you 'manage' it. In my experience all eczema sufferers are eternally trying to learn how to make eczema 'manageable'. In some ways, eczema is very cheeky because its not only a pain in the arse (at the time of typing this is literally true) but it is also has a really unpredictable element to it. No matter what you do or how you live, sometimes it just pops up. Nevertheless, "PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!!" is a phrase we all know and avoiding things you KNOW cause eczema can save a lot of bother.
If you haven't yet read the NHS's information on the causes of Contact Dematitis and Atopic Eczema, it is quite useful. Some things, like animals, plants or woolly clothes, cause an eczema reaction whereas others cause the skin to dry out, like soaps, which then aggravates the eczema. What's interesting is that in my experience, some eczema triggers are very obvious (for me, contact with cat hair or fruit juice from kiwis or melons causes an IMMEDIATE eczema reaction) but some are bit more unexpected and sneaky. You might not realise these are causing your eczema but avoiding such triggers can make a difference.
This is different for everyone, but here are my experiences that may help you consider something you hadn't thought of.
If you haven't yet read the NHS's information on the causes of Contact Dematitis and Atopic Eczema, it is quite useful. Some things, like animals, plants or woolly clothes, cause an eczema reaction whereas others cause the skin to dry out, like soaps, which then aggravates the eczema. What's interesting is that in my experience, some eczema triggers are very obvious (for me, contact with cat hair or fruit juice from kiwis or melons causes an IMMEDIATE eczema reaction) but some are bit more unexpected and sneaky. You might not realise these are causing your eczema but avoiding such triggers can make a difference.
This is different for everyone, but here are my experiences that may help you consider something you hadn't thought of.
1. Stress
It comes first because its the Big Guns. Stress triggers eczema, IBS AND wrinkles!! It's an absolute nightmare. I'm not going to advise you how to avoid stress because I have literally no idea, but I do know its a disaster to combine stress with...
2. Lack of Sleep
Your skin repairs itself during the night. I often find that if my eczema is being a bit untameable, scheduling a LONG sleep where I sleep without alarms until I wake up naturally, gives my skin a new lease of life. This is an excellent activity for a Sunday because its what Sundays were designed for!
3. Alcohol
This is often linked with lack of sleep....hangovers are itchy, itchy days. Try to have a lot of water when drinking alcohol to avoid dehydration and also monitor what drinks you have. For example, I find I have a much stronger reaction to cider and fizzy drinks than wine. White wine is mainly fine but red wine = red face. Its weird.
4. Shampoo
Its pretty obvious that if you have eczema on your body, you should assess what body wash you're using. But I was astonished to find out that shampoo and conditioners can be equally as damaging. This comprehensive blog by Luxlife really opened my eyes to how many different ways eczema can be aggravated. When you wash out shampoo the soapy water will probably run all down your back, and it caused me back eczema. I'll be writing a longer post about the shampoos I've been using soon...
5. Spray deodorants and hairsprays
Cutting spray deodorants and hairspray out of my daily routine helped me get to grips with my eyelid eczema. I have my own idea why, which is based more on my imagination than any science, but I think when you use these sprays small specks of the chemicals inevitably end up on your face. And, obviously, hair spray isn't going to be pleasant on sensitive skin. The thought of spraying my face with hairspray to 'set' my make up makes me want to peel my skin off.
Its clearly easy to switch to a roll-on deodorant from a spray, but hairspray is a bit harder to replace. When I use it I always go to a different room, cover my eyes and spray my head then RUN like a stealthy cat back to my bedroom. I've also found there is a difference between hairsprays. At the moment I'm using Welle Professionals System Professional Perfect Hold hairspray. You can only get it from salons or online, but they sell handy travel size cans if you want to try it out.
I'm not going to lie: even though I've been avoiding all these things I still currently have full body eczema that won't shift. BUT (and this is a massive, touch-wood but) I don't have eyelid eczema at the moment and very little face eczema.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Review: Aveeno Cream for eczema
This is a review for the basic Aveeno Cream: Moisturising Cream.
I've been using Aveeno for about three years. When I first got it prescribed by my GP, the pharmacist who handed it to me nodded knowingly and said 'this is a very good cream'. The pharmacist was spot on, from the first time I used it I noticed a massive change from moisturises I'd used before (such as Doublebase, aqueous creams, gels and ointments from the doctor). Creams made mainly from petroleum sometimes feel thick on the skin, but I don't feel like they help the healing process once skin has broken, whereas Aveeno is very soothing, never stings and softens the skin to help the healing process.
Aveeno is made with 'Colloidal Oatmeal'. Oats are traditionally used to combat dry skin, for example in several 'home-made' face mask recipes I used to find in Girl Talk and Sabrina's Secrets (hollaaaaa!). I love oats, I eat porridge every morning and then smother myself in Aveeno so I am oaty out and in. When I first put it on, it was how I imagine swimming in a sea made of honey and milk would feel like: cooling, calming and silky. Its hard now to remember life before Aveeno, but I know that a week into use I remember thinking "this cream is going to change my life."My most basic skin routine is Aveeno and Hydrocotizone for flare-ups.
I'm basically Aveeno's biggest UK-based fan as I've been using it for three years now, and I recommend it to anyone who has eczema. I think its espcially good for hand and neck eczema that can be easily irratated (by scarves on hand wash) because it is so soothing. People rarely see me without a bottle of it in my hands. In many ways, Aveeno should employ me for being such an advocate.
Aveeno on my face
For the face, some people find it too thick. Its certainly not designed as a face cream but any eczema babe/badboy will know that face creams rarely cut it when your face flares up like the flaky red balloon. I have combination skin on my face: half really unnecessarily dry, and the other half prone to blocked pores and spots. I use Aveeno on my face about four times a day and it can cause build up on the non-dry sections of my face. It doesn't make me radiant but for me it doesn't cause break outs. We all have to compromise sometimes, you know?
Here are some artist's impressions of my face:
My critiques would be that although it is a highly moisturising cream, it isn't as thick as a balm or butter, which means its not good for focussing on specific dry patches as it kind of spreads everywhere. Personally, having used it constantly for the past three years I'm now trying to find an alternative, as some people think its good to change up your skincare routine now and again to keep the eczema on its toes. However if you haven't tried it yet I'd really, really recommend.
Aveeno is expensive, its currently £8.93 at Boots but usually aroung £13 for 300ml. However it is available on the NHS, so if you are diagnosed with eczema by your GP you can get it prescribed to you. If you have to pay for prescriptions, make sure to ask for a large quantity as this will save mega $$$!
Do you use Aveeno? Do you have any recommendations for the next moisturise to try as I alter my skin regime?
Love from Saz xxxx
 |
| Aveeno Cream with Love Hearts |
I've been using Aveeno for about three years. When I first got it prescribed by my GP, the pharmacist who handed it to me nodded knowingly and said 'this is a very good cream'. The pharmacist was spot on, from the first time I used it I noticed a massive change from moisturises I'd used before (such as Doublebase, aqueous creams, gels and ointments from the doctor). Creams made mainly from petroleum sometimes feel thick on the skin, but I don't feel like they help the healing process once skin has broken, whereas Aveeno is very soothing, never stings and softens the skin to help the healing process.
Aveeno is made with 'Colloidal Oatmeal'. Oats are traditionally used to combat dry skin, for example in several 'home-made' face mask recipes I used to find in Girl Talk and Sabrina's Secrets (hollaaaaa!). I love oats, I eat porridge every morning and then smother myself in Aveeno so I am oaty out and in. When I first put it on, it was how I imagine swimming in a sea made of honey and milk would feel like: cooling, calming and silky. Its hard now to remember life before Aveeno, but I know that a week into use I remember thinking "this cream is going to change my life."My most basic skin routine is Aveeno and Hydrocotizone for flare-ups.
I'm basically Aveeno's biggest UK-based fan as I've been using it for three years now, and I recommend it to anyone who has eczema. I think its espcially good for hand and neck eczema that can be easily irratated (by scarves on hand wash) because it is so soothing. People rarely see me without a bottle of it in my hands. In many ways, Aveeno should employ me for being such an advocate.
Aveeno on my face
For the face, some people find it too thick. Its certainly not designed as a face cream but any eczema babe/badboy will know that face creams rarely cut it when your face flares up like the flaky red balloon. I have combination skin on my face: half really unnecessarily dry, and the other half prone to blocked pores and spots. I use Aveeno on my face about four times a day and it can cause build up on the non-dry sections of my face. It doesn't make me radiant but for me it doesn't cause break outs. We all have to compromise sometimes, you know?
Here are some artist's impressions of my face:
 |
| Pink are the non-dry areas prone to blocked pores. Red are the dry areas prone to eczema. Isn't it weird how I get eczema on that one side of my forehead? |
 |
| This is me once the Aveeno has been applied. It smooths over everything (even my eyebrows!!!!) and although it causes some blocked pores the eczema is quite smoothed. |
My critiques would be that although it is a highly moisturising cream, it isn't as thick as a balm or butter, which means its not good for focussing on specific dry patches as it kind of spreads everywhere. Personally, having used it constantly for the past three years I'm now trying to find an alternative, as some people think its good to change up your skincare routine now and again to keep the eczema on its toes. However if you haven't tried it yet I'd really, really recommend.
Aveeno is expensive, its currently £8.93 at Boots but usually aroung £13 for 300ml. However it is available on the NHS, so if you are diagnosed with eczema by your GP you can get it prescribed to you. If you have to pay for prescriptions, make sure to ask for a large quantity as this will save mega $$$!
Do you use Aveeno? Do you have any recommendations for the next moisturise to try as I alter my skin regime?
Love from Saz xxxx
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Eczema for Beginners: What to wear
I'm going to start my blog with some advice for people who've just been diagnosed with eczema, or maybe you haven't had it in a while and you've forgotten how to deal with it.
One of the oft-cited pieces of advice to people with eczema is 'wear cotton :)'. When I moved to uni, I went to a new doctor for help with a sudden flare up. Her tip was to wear more cotton clothes. This is a bit of a no-brainer if, like me, you've had eczema your whole life. But sometimes the idea of wearing a top - to - toe totally organic cotton hyper-sensitive breathable body suit just isn't what you'd had in mind for the day ahead. Clothing can help to control eczema though, here's some TIPS!!!
Leg Eczema
A dear, beautiful mate of mine had a bit of eczema on her legs during winter. I was FLABBERGASTED to discover she was wearing tights to work! Tights are so bad for eczema that when I was 12 my GP wrote a sick note to my school that said despite the uniform regulations I had to wear trousers, not a skirt and tights. They make you sweaty and don't let the skin breathe and TRUST MEH when I say, if you stop wearing them you'll notice a difference.
For work I wear some soft, cotton trousers (or even soft polycotton/nylon is better than tights) and some funky socks. A cigarette trouser shape is flattering and breathable, my housemate recommends Matalan for workwear and their trousers are great and cheap. For winter, and for casual occasion, embrace corduroy. You won't regret it.
When I want to wear a skirt/dress, leggings are a reasonable compromise as they let the skin breathe more. They don't look as sassy, but if anyone is mean to you, gently remind them you have a Medical Condition.
If its summer, go tights-free and feel that beautiful fresh feeling of a summer breeze streaming up your skirt!! Refreshing! Alternatively I like those nice, patterned roomy trousers they have around these days.
I leave tights for Very Special Occasions or I try to wear those cotton rich ones.
Neck eczema
This is mainly a winter-based problem. Woolly jumpers and woolly scarves may look quirky or chic but after about ten minutes I end up ripping them off with as much enthusiasm as if they had spontaneously combusted. Paschmina scarves are soft and gentle, with not irritating fibres, or try and find a cotton knitted scarf or a woven one. It takes some searching but actually you can get some pretty nice scarves that aren't too itchy. Sequins are a pain in the ass though, and I find if you wear a scarf for too long you get hot and itchy.
I like woolly jumpers, I like to wear a nice crisp shirt underneath to protect my neck and arms! Not only do you get to look like STYLE ICON Sue Perkins, but it also prevents.....
Elbow Eczema
Soft flannel shirts are a good way to cover up and protect elbow eczema, I also like long sleeved jersey tops or roomy cotton cardigans that let the skin breath.
If you can't find cotton in the shops, try charity shops or vintage stores because old ladies love cotton and you can also get some wild fabric patterns.
Hand Eczema
Eczema on your hands is massively normal, because your hands are always out and about and getting into contact with hand wash and too-hot-hand-driers. When its nippy out (if you live in Manchester this means any time between September and June) then wear gloves. Nice gloves, if you want, or those cheap ones from Primark that cost £1.50 for two colours. Also wear gloves (different kind of gloves) when you do the washing up.
Eczema in your secret private areas
They are some itches you CAN'T scratch without removing yourself from social situations into the privacy of a toilet cubicle/bedroom/behind a bookshelf. If its possible for you, ditch the bra as OFTEN as possible. This is great because not only are you protecting your eczema you're also making a small contribution to female emancipation. If that concept is too daunting, try some non-padded, cotton bras or crop tops. You can wear a crop top without looking like a pre-teen. See: Urban Outfitters:
I appreciate that's not a particularly viable option if you don't have tiny breasts.
If you get itchy DOWN THERE may I make the unprecedented suggestion that, if you can't find cotton knickers, go for the SMALLEST knickers you can find. Extra breathing room! Yuhuuuu!
Going out on the town
I have a lovely dress,covered in daisies, that is made of jersey and has mid-length sleeves. Its cheeky, because its low cut, but it covers up my elbow and back eczema and is a fail-safe option that makes me feel very confident.
However, don't feel you have to hide your eczema. You spend the best part of your morning moisturising, choosing from your complicated array of ridiculously priced ointments and organic, home-grown solid shampoos only to spend the next 12 hours painfully resisting scratching your already scabby elbows, or knees, you can't use self-tan and you can't grow your nails because when they're too long they become violent weapons of self-destruction. You eczema is a part of you so don't hide it away! If you want to wear a backless crop top and hot pants then do it. If anybody cares they do not matter. Its just a bit of dry, red skin!
Love, Saz.
One of the oft-cited pieces of advice to people with eczema is 'wear cotton :)'. When I moved to uni, I went to a new doctor for help with a sudden flare up. Her tip was to wear more cotton clothes. This is a bit of a no-brainer if, like me, you've had eczema your whole life. But sometimes the idea of wearing a top - to - toe totally organic cotton hyper-sensitive breathable body suit just isn't what you'd had in mind for the day ahead. Clothing can help to control eczema though, here's some TIPS!!!
Leg Eczema
A dear, beautiful mate of mine had a bit of eczema on her legs during winter. I was FLABBERGASTED to discover she was wearing tights to work! Tights are so bad for eczema that when I was 12 my GP wrote a sick note to my school that said despite the uniform regulations I had to wear trousers, not a skirt and tights. They make you sweaty and don't let the skin breathe and TRUST MEH when I say, if you stop wearing them you'll notice a difference.
For work I wear some soft, cotton trousers (or even soft polycotton/nylon is better than tights) and some funky socks. A cigarette trouser shape is flattering and breathable, my housemate recommends Matalan for workwear and their trousers are great and cheap. For winter, and for casual occasion, embrace corduroy. You won't regret it.
When I want to wear a skirt/dress, leggings are a reasonable compromise as they let the skin breathe more. They don't look as sassy, but if anyone is mean to you, gently remind them you have a Medical Condition.
If its summer, go tights-free and feel that beautiful fresh feeling of a summer breeze streaming up your skirt!! Refreshing! Alternatively I like those nice, patterned roomy trousers they have around these days.
I leave tights for Very Special Occasions or I try to wear those cotton rich ones.
Neck eczema
 |
| Sue Perkins styles out a shirt and jumper and sniffs a cake like an absolute pro. |
This is mainly a winter-based problem. Woolly jumpers and woolly scarves may look quirky or chic but after about ten minutes I end up ripping them off with as much enthusiasm as if they had spontaneously combusted. Paschmina scarves are soft and gentle, with not irritating fibres, or try and find a cotton knitted scarf or a woven one. It takes some searching but actually you can get some pretty nice scarves that aren't too itchy. Sequins are a pain in the ass though, and I find if you wear a scarf for too long you get hot and itchy.
I like woolly jumpers, I like to wear a nice crisp shirt underneath to protect my neck and arms! Not only do you get to look like STYLE ICON Sue Perkins, but it also prevents.....
Elbow Eczema
Soft flannel shirts are a good way to cover up and protect elbow eczema, I also like long sleeved jersey tops or roomy cotton cardigans that let the skin breath.
If you can't find cotton in the shops, try charity shops or vintage stores because old ladies love cotton and you can also get some wild fabric patterns.
Hand Eczema
Eczema on your hands is massively normal, because your hands are always out and about and getting into contact with hand wash and too-hot-hand-driers. When its nippy out (if you live in Manchester this means any time between September and June) then wear gloves. Nice gloves, if you want, or those cheap ones from Primark that cost £1.50 for two colours. Also wear gloves (different kind of gloves) when you do the washing up.
Eczema in your secret private areas
They are some itches you CAN'T scratch without removing yourself from social situations into the privacy of a toilet cubicle/bedroom/behind a bookshelf. If its possible for you, ditch the bra as OFTEN as possible. This is great because not only are you protecting your eczema you're also making a small contribution to female emancipation. If that concept is too daunting, try some non-padded, cotton bras or crop tops. You can wear a crop top without looking like a pre-teen. See: Urban Outfitters:
 |
| Urban Outfitters silk bra, £20 |
If you get itchy DOWN THERE may I make the unprecedented suggestion that, if you can't find cotton knickers, go for the SMALLEST knickers you can find. Extra breathing room! Yuhuuuu!
Going out on the town
I have a lovely dress,covered in daisies, that is made of jersey and has mid-length sleeves. Its cheeky, because its low cut, but it covers up my elbow and back eczema and is a fail-safe option that makes me feel very confident.
However, don't feel you have to hide your eczema. You spend the best part of your morning moisturising, choosing from your complicated array of ridiculously priced ointments and organic, home-grown solid shampoos only to spend the next 12 hours painfully resisting scratching your already scabby elbows, or knees, you can't use self-tan and you can't grow your nails because when they're too long they become violent weapons of self-destruction. You eczema is a part of you so don't hide it away! If you want to wear a backless crop top and hot pants then do it. If anybody cares they do not matter. Its just a bit of dry, red skin!
Love, Saz.
My Eczema Blog
I talk about my eczema so much its become a running joke with my housemates. Maybe if I post my eczema news on here I'll stop talking about it all the time? It's unlikely but it IS possible!
There are only a select few of beauty or skin care blogs really written by people with eczema, and often people who are reviewing products may have 'dry' skin but they're leagues away from the weepy, scabby, blotchy eczema thwarted people who, simply by moving, scatter skin flakes like an old lady throwing confetti at newlyweds. This blog is for you.
Mmmm.
Saz.
There are only a select few of beauty or skin care blogs really written by people with eczema, and often people who are reviewing products may have 'dry' skin but they're leagues away from the weepy, scabby, blotchy eczema thwarted people who, simply by moving, scatter skin flakes like an old lady throwing confetti at newlyweds. This blog is for you.
Mmmm.
Saz.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)