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Itchy allergy
I was at my dermatologist a week ago. I am on 2nd prescription of prednisone and it helps a bit. He said it is most likely the new shampoo I was using, but after 2nd visit (still itchy) he was not sure and said to go to Mayo Clinic. I am red and itchy in head, neck, forehead, around nose, chin, arms, back, chest, abdomen and one leg on top. I am always prickly. I am very itchy most of the day. No clear area on my body to do allergy patch tests says doc. This has been going on for 3 1/2 months. It does not wane or disappear. The red fades but always comes back when I am moving around I made a list of the things I have used new at the onset that I don't use now of course. This is just a horrible guessing game. Nothing relieves the itch. I've tried, clay, baking soda, and the creams from my Dr. are safe to use though and help.
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Keep in mind if papergarden has ACD we don't know what is safe until tested. For example I know I am allergic to an ingredient in Cerave and what's even more maddening even though Vanicream for face and Free and Clear are technically safe for me I still react with itching and burning. I can only assume they contain a ingredient missed on my 5 Day Extended Patch Test for ACD.
I was told Free and Clear was developed by 3M for my kind of problem. I could be making me itchier I feel sometimes. Anything on my head right now is not fun, even just getting it wet w/o shampooing or putting it in a shower cap nothing really seems to create hope for a solution. I am 64 and went most of my life w/o any allergy problems. Occasionally I would gets hives, twice in my 20's, same in my 30's and once 3 years ago. The hives would do its course and be done. What I am dealing with now is a monster. I have graves disease but that's it. Well, I have high level enzymes in my liver right now. I am overweight. My arm and leg and stomach do seem to have lessoned in color. (not as red a rash), but it fools me sometimes and comes back. I am still on Prednisone which does help. I asked my GI doc if the rash could be caused by high liver enzymes she said no. Graves Disease is an autoimmune condition and I bet might be a hindrance to healing. So do I get rid of My Pillow? I buy poly fiber fill and shredded foam because I make pillows. Maybe that's the end of that craft.
Most of us with eczema have another autoimmune disease, or will develop one in time. Like you my itchy skin started in middle age, common for ACD. With a shower cap I use a wide 100%, elastic free head band made by Cottonique, then place a shower cap over the head band area so the elastic can't touch my skin. One of my allergies is to an element in rubber, which is in elastic, spandex and so on. I do treat myself to my VMV Clark Wash for hair and body to shampoo about once every 2 weeks or for a special event, otherwise it's Grandma's. Also their conditioner is safe for me. VMV does leave the hair a bit fluffier than my Grandma's bar soap for face and body.I don't use the VMV as a body wash, it's expensive and I love my Grandma's. I have no tested reason why Free and Clear doesn't work for me or others I blog with on my Inspire eczema site, but about 50% of the products that should work for me based on my Patch Test results. So if I find products that work I stick with them. Just because your derm says it should be allergy free for you doesn't make it so. For example Aquaphor Healing Ointment works for me, as it should, but Hydrolatum which should be ok causes stinging.
Also you really need to consider diet changes. I have given up all forms of sugar, even natural in fruits and all carbs for 2 months. Now can gradually add a few back. Still I have lost my sugar cravings. I have never been overweight, but one cannot help but loose weight on this detox regime.
Don' stop your pillow hobby because fiber fill is safe. Keep the pillows you have if they are polyurethane or polyester fiberfill, both available in all stores these contain no rubber. If memory foam, a foam which feels different and can be molded to the touch and contains elements from rubber, avoid.
Keto diet will be the first of the year challenge. Where can I get Grandma products?