Okay, they don’t quite go together, but I’d love if my skin were no longer an issue in the New Year! Since I’m getting emails asking where I am, I thought I’d explain I’ve been a tad quiet as my skin is driving me around the bend, it is so bad in fact that I can not concentrate for more than 2 minutes at a time.
- My legs look like I’ve been burnt (they are the colour of blood! I wish I was kidding…)
- All contact with any fabric or material hurts (including sheets & clothing)
- My legs itch constantly, actually more correctly, burn.
- I awake at least once an hour feeling like my body is on fire!
I’ve tried
- switching detergents (no chemicals, for hypoallergenic skin, for babies)
- coconut oil (gives mild relief for about 20 minutes!)
- extra virgin olive oil (does nothing!)
- vitamin E cream which caused a severe allergic reaction and swelling as did aloe vera
- water, soap and no water, no soap
- no wheat & no dairy (very easy at the mo)
- no high allergy trigger foods
- drinking more water 10 glasses a day (!)
- no caffeine
- no swimming (I normally swim every day)
- loose clothing
- tight clothing
- herbal teas
- Ave*no
- Baby oil
- No showering
- Showering but not drying my legs
So helpful readers, do you have any further suggestions?? If I didn’t work long hours and could put coconut oil on hourly I’d probably get a little more relief, but at the rate I’m going my skin isn’t going to last much longer and the very last thing I want is to be skinless ;0)
As for the New Year, wow I’m filled with anticipation, I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about what a New Year will bring! And I have a lot to blog about because January is:
- A month for humane and ethical eating
- The Classics book club (is everyone reading Emma??)
And I have a theme for the year plus a really neat daily project in the works so I hope to get the posts up tomorrow and Saturday!
But in the meantime my legs are taking up a tad more energy than I can muster!
For a few days could you just set an alarm clock and put the coconut oil on hourly? If it is semi working then maybe with a few days of excessive amounts it will make the skin less inflammed and then you could go back to applying less often?
I can’t wait to read about your 2011 plans, they sound exciting!
A few things that have worked for me are to get a humidifier for inside, trying staying inside for a couple of days. The outside is cold & dry in winter and inside is dry because of the heat blowing out. A humidifier will really help!
Love your blog!
This time of year after I take a shower, I slather on the baby oil before I even towel off when I’m still dripping wet and that has helped. I also shave my legs more as that exfoliates them and gets off some of the dry skin but I’m not sure that would help since your legs are so bad already.
Are you open to visiting a naturopath? Seems like this is really a problem that needs to get addressed from the inside out. I’m sure you have that feeling too, or you wouldn’t have tried the dietary changes. Have to admit that I was a total skeptic before, but my naturopath helped to clear up some issues that my doctor didn’t think were treatable.
You are walking to work, right?
It could be the wind on your walks. Try either having a wind-proof layer on your legs, or maybe taking the bus/other transport so you don’t spend so much time outside?
Most people bundle right up in the cold, but then only have one layer on their legs, and that layer isn’t wind proof. If it’s not too cold, you don’t need snow pants, but you can get a thin pair of nylon-type pants to go over your normal clothes.
Hope it helps – I know how distracting dry skin can be! Fortunately, a detergent switch worked for me.
Wow. I’ll be praying for you. And I am reading Emma.
Oh my you are having a tough time with your body adjusting to the different temperature and dryness! I also suggest lathering every 30 minutes to an hour, just to get things under control. I think layering your legs sounds like a good idea too, I’d have never thought of that!
I wish I had a good suggestion for your poor legs, but alas I don’t. I hope they resolve soon though-I can only imagine the distraction. Take care!
What do the doctors advise?
I have really dry, sensitive skin. I use lotion, but what helps especially in winter is exercise. I think it gets the blood moving, and going to the skin more. I exercise inside in the winter, enough to sweat. I itch like crazy at first, but when I am done, not only is my mood improved, but my skin seems better as well. I hope you find something to help you.
1. Allergy? Eggs did this to me, and I’m since able to eat them but only if they’re fully cooked.
2. Eczema? (Clobetasol rocks) Could be psoriasis. You need to see a doctor for this. IF it’s itchy and you’re scratching unbearably it could be eczema
3. Heat? Too much heat = causes irritation.
4. Shower, don’t dry your legs, slather mineral oil or petroleum jelly on or coconut oil while your legs are damp. Then wrap in saran wrap… It traps in the moisture
5. Or buy Olay Quench Therapy Concentrate $11 CAD a bottle but it REALLY works on super dry skin
6. Take allergy pills to help calm the itchiness and inflammation
I’ve never commented before but maybe my suggestion will help. We lived in Utah for 18 months and I sufered terribly from dry skin. The dermatologist said first off, only shower once a week. Use Alpha Keri soap, bath oil and lotion. I patted dry after the shower and used the bath oil afterwards. Used the lotion during the day. After a few weeks I could tell a real difference. Limiting a shower to once a week was the real difference. Sure was hard to do tho. Good luck
The reason I asked about doctors is that I was home medicating a rash for months and months without getting around to seeing a doc, and when I did, doc diagnosed it as something I hadn’t even thought of, gave me a cream, and it cleared up within days. Also — hate to say this, but in re allergies: could cats be making it worse? Tell the docs about the cats.
I swear by the healing effects of pure shea butter!!
If coconut oil is helping, apply it over damp skin, wait a few minutes, then layer Crisco over top. Crisco is an old treatment for eczema/psoriasis and actually melts into the skin softening and restoring moisture balance. Wear old socks, or tights to keep from smearing onto clothes and furniture. Because it is localized on your legs it is much more likely an environmental issue than internal allergy. Focus on keeping your legs hydrated and covered with appropriate layers when out in winter weather.
I get winter eczema from dry heat indoors, this works better than any medication for me.
Good luck and sound health in the coming year,
Kate
You have my sympathy. I’ve suffered with skin problems before and I know it can be a constant distraction. Are you getting enough good fat in your diet? I recently read “The Coconut Oil Miracle” by Bruce Fife. I learned a lot about the benefits of consuming the right kinds of fats. I hope you find relief soon.
Yes, you need to see a really good doctor. It could be the cats. Or a myriad of other things….Comfrey (tea, ointment) is an herb that often helps a lot with skin issues. I am so sorry you are going through this. It sounds terrible, and I am praying that it goes away soon………
Have you tried normal porridge oats tied in a muslin cloth dipped in water? The oat milk from this is applied directly to the skin. When my son was a baby I used this on him to soothe his eczema. I hope you find a remedy that works soon!
You poor dear! That sounds miserable.
My husband sometimes has a reaction like this to certain (even vegetarian) processed food stabilizers. Thickeners in sauces and salad dressings seem to be the worst. I bet, though, that you need another layer on your legs, too. I have a friend who swears by cuddl duds for layering, but I haven’t tried them myself.
http://www.cuddlduds.com/
I also wonder if you could have scurvy or anything like a vitamin deficiency disease. Do you take a really good multiple vitamin? Your diet doesn’t sound dificient, but perhaps some minerals are missing? What might have changed since this began?
My only recommendations are either Bag Balm or else milk baths/lotions that contain milk.
I wish I had some suggestions. Oh wait, have you tried Curel? There is a product called Anti Itch Moisture Balancing Lotion. I haven’t tried it but I bought some for my mom. Well actually I tried it on my hands once but that wasn’t enough to get much relief. Mom and I both suffer from something similar to you and like you we’ve tried everything. It is very frustrating I know to be itchy, sore, red…sometimes I bleed. Anyway, I am gonna read all the comments you get in case someone has some good suggestions.
And, I hope you get some relief soon. In your case it might be the cold weather as you aren’t used to that. I think extra padding for warmth, fewer showers and slathering on lots of thick lotions will really help you. Putting Saran Wrap or other plastic wrap on to keep in the lotion (like FB above said) will probably help too, especially at night when you go to sleep. Hope you get some relief soon
Ooh FT you have my sympathies. I second (third, whatever) a really good doctor, easier said than done I know. I had a similar, though not as extreme issue with my face and neck a couple of summers ago and thought it was some kind of reaction so continued with my anti-histamines. My doc realised it was a reaction to my anti-histamines (in conjunction with other medication) and I was able to get it sorted in a couple of days.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
And I haven’t started Emma yet cause I really want to finish P&P which I had already started but I will get caught up!
have you tried tea tree oil?
xxx
I hope it clears up soon!
My mother-in-law who is similarly afflicted, uses Aqueous Cream (very cheap), both to wash with and as a moisturiser on the advice of a dermatologist. It seems to work if applied twice a day. It might help while you try to find out what’s causing the problem. Hope it clears soon.
De-lurking to comment – because I can just FEEL what that must be like- I’ve had similar skin problems though not, touch wood, on such a large area of skin.
I have several thoughts – first, I’m a big believer in natural remedies and use them all the time, but, there comes a time to pull out the coritsone cream.. or desonide .. prescription strength, just for a little, just to start to get it under control. And then continue with coconut oil etc. after. But sometimes you need to.. just give it that little pharmaceutical edge to get the healing started. Some will disagree. But it has been my experience.
Also.. someone else mentioned this too.. oatmeal is one of the best things I’ve found to soothe skin. Do you have a bathtub as well as a shower? If you don’t have a little muslin bag, just fill a hanky or a thin cloth napkin or any square of cloth with oatmeal, gather up the edges, tie it off with an elastic band, and drop it into the bath as it’s running. While in the bath, run the bag over the affected parts – very very soothing and sometimes a cure all on its own! If you just have a shower, you can’t soak in it, I guess, but you can still wet the bag and glide it over all the itchy parts..
Also, I’m glad you stopped swimming, just for now. I know you love it but the chlorine can wreak havoc on your skin. Where I live (Vancouver) there is ONE pool that’s cleaned by ozone instead of chlorine – it’s at the YWCA and very expensive to join, which seems wrong, but, anyway, maybe you could see if there’s an ozone pool where you live? Mind you, I think they still use SOME chlorine, so maybe better to hold off till the skin problems are resolved or under control?
Have a blessed New Year. I love reading your blog.
It doesn’t sound like all that is just caused by dry skin – otherwise a lot of people would be in the same boat. I would take benydryl if your doctor says its OK just for some relief – even half a pill helps. I would also go to the doctor. Can you trace it back to anything? Maybe it is the cats if you just started feeling that way. It could be the soap used for the cats as well. Very frustrating – hope you feel better soon.
We love aquaphor here! I agree with seeing a doc to rule out anything more than irritation from the cold.
I agree — go to the doctor! You are miserable. Hot, red, swollen, itchy skin can also be cellulitis. You want to get it treated ASAP if it is this. Get to a doctor, please!
See a doctor! Could be lots of things. Shingles comes to mind, actually. But you need a diagnosis, and not from me.
You really should see a doctor. Just from your discription is sounds like it could be cellulitis which is a bacterial disease frequently found on lower extremeties. Only an antibiotic will clear it up. Sorry, didn’t see the previous post but as a nurse I*’ve seen this way too many times and you don’t want to mess around with home remedies. Even I, totally anti-doctor went to one when I knew I had shingles! DEE
Please see a doctor. I had similar things going on as Leslie did. I self-treated at home (being sure it was contact dermatitis) and it wasn’t. The doctor gave me a cream that cleared it right up. I could have avoided months of suffering.
Autumn H.
Sorry I’ve no remedy for your poor skin. I agree with whoever it was up there, maybe a visit to the doctor’s would be an idea. Hope you are feeling better soon. So glad to hear you are looking forward to the new year. Great blog. Thanks for being here.
A huge massive thank you for all your suggestions! If it were anyone else I would have thought of cellulitis, it is always when it comes to my own health I’m less analytical about it all. I will try the remedies suggested and I will go to the Dr, in fact it was so bad at work today that I ran to the walk in centre during a quick break at 5 and they had already closed their queue for the day, even though they are open until 9pm (their estimated wait at that point was 5 hrs – for a walk in centre), so I’ll try tomorrow. The rash doesn’t look like a shingles rash but I guess could be cellulitis.
For those that wondered about vitamins, yes I take a multi-vitamin (pre/post natal – not because I am but it was recommended for me for higher iron levels) and a vitamin E every day and I eat loads of veg & fruits. I’ve been carefully watching my diet and the only thing I’ve had consistently is nuts, but usually nut allergies show up elsewhere. As for the cats, I don’t think it’s them as I’ve had no coughing, sneezing etc and my legs are covered so they don’t come into contact with the cats.
Thank you so so much again for all the fabulous suggestions, you have to be the absolute best blog readers around!
This sounds semi similiar to what I had when I was 15 and recently a small bout of it last year. Please look up Erythema Nodosum (if your not squeemish). This is a symptom I got due to my illness. Its very painful itchy red welts (bruise like). It makes the skin feel very tight like its pulling in all directions. Some people get swelling others don’t. Legs are very tender and my feet sometimes go numb. If you only have it on your legs there is good possibility that you have Erythema Nodosum… Can be treated with meds…
Well since skin is my specialty, I’ve just finished Aesthetics school ( today actually) and I recommend going to a Dermatologist. If you’ve tried several things and it’s gotten to this point I think honestly that is the best suggestion I have from a personal and professional stand point.
Yes it could be from the cats ( hate to say that but it’s possible). It could be from your apartment. It could be from a number of things but like I said if it’s this bad I definitely recommend a dermatologist!
I find lavender essential oil is healing for burns and other issues with my skin. I can tolerate it neat, but some can’t. You could try mixing a few drops into some coconut oil and putting it on a small test spot (size of a Loonie maybe) to make sure it is okay for you. If it is, then apply daily, and over 2 to 3 days you should see some improvement. I also like the above idea of wearing wind pants when outside to protect yourself from the elements. A humidifier at home is important too. If nothing works soon, you may need to see a dermatologist if you haven’t already. BTW, your kitties haven’t been doused with some nasty insecticide at the shelter that you are reacting to, have they?
Mitty, thanks for the suggestions, I hadn’t thought of anything on the kitties from the shelter, but I’ll bathe them tomorrow, thank you!
Pingback: 2010 In Review | Notes From The Frugal Trenches – A Downshifting Journey
I am Coeliac which I only found out after months of suffering from intense burning and itching on my legs; raised blotchy areas and my legs were bright red and scabby as I could not help but scratch. I had had blood tests to see if I was Coeliac but these had all come back negative, you need to have an Endoscopy to be diagnosed and you have to have been eating wheat for weeks before the Endoscopy so they can test you. Even if you haven’t had wheat for a while if you still eat anything with gluten in you will still suffer from the effectss of Coeliac. The skin condition is called “Dermatitis Herpetiformis” but it has nothing to do with Herpes. Please look it up and get tested, it will probably take some time for it to improve completely, I have been totally gluten free for over 3 months and it still hasn’t gone but it has gone and given me hope. I totally get where you are coming from as it drives you crazy and you really can’t concentrate, nothing you do seems to help but I assure you that if you are Coeliac a completely gluten free diet will eventually sort it out and you will get your life back.
I wish you a very happy and healthy New Year x
Sorry an oopsy in my post above
“it still hasn’t gone but it has gone and given me hope”
should read
“it still hasn’t gone but it has improved and given me hope”
x
Chinese medicine teaches that what is on the skin is a reflection of what is happening on the inside. I strongly suggest seeing a doctor asap (ask them to do some blood tests on your liver too), but even more strongly encourage you to see an acupuncturist.
Have you read the book Nourishing Traditions? Many interesting theories about diet and health.
I’m sorry to hear about your legs. I would go see a doctor but as mentioned by Lissa Grubbs in a comment just above mine, Chinese Medicine and also Ayurveda view skin as a living organ that indicates what is going on inside….Ayurveda considers skin as part of the digestive system actually and I think TCM would indicate an imbalance in the colon if I am remember correctly. If you can find an MD that emphasizes these practices you will find long term healing solutions but any doctor will help you more than a topical lotion. You need to know what is going on. Good luck.
Pingback: Thankful Tuesday! | Notes From The Frugal Trenches – A Downshifting Journey
Okay, maybe better late than never. But as someone with very sensitive skin (just in past 10 years) I will give you my scoop. I cut out dairy and wheat like you. But the most dramatic difference came when I cut down on sugar big time. It seemed to get my stomach bacteria back in balance and my skin came back into balance too (naturopath’s advice). Stop putting stuff on your skin- there is no magic cure if your skin is really sensitive. Make sure your showers are not too hot. Only use base soap (allenbury in Canada) when and where you need it (likely next to never on legs) and base cream (Glaxo Base in Canada) to keep yourself moisturized. Don’t use other things that claim to be for sensitive skin- they are still full of perfumes- including Aveeno. You made need cortisone (or some other) cream (prescription strength) to get it back under control first. Don’t even bother with over the counter cortisone- it isn’t strong enough! I agree- go see a doctor. And good luck! Itch free days are coming soon.
Thank you again for everyone for your suggestions & helpful comments and emails. I will find the time to reply more personally soon.
That sounds terrible! I hope it is getting better. I don’t know if you can get this in Canada, but here in the US we have something called Gold Bond Medicated lotion, and it is really the best I have ever used for very dry cracked and itchy skin.
Have you consider celiac disease? One form is dermatitis herpetiformis. Just a thought.
Hi! I’m new to your blog, but I was interested to read about your skin problems, and I wondered if you’d tried oil pulling? I’ve been doing it for about 6 weeks and it has almost completely cleared up my dyshidrotic eczema on my hands. I would have tried almost anything to help, and though it took it a few weeks to really work, I can honestly say that I’m a firm believer in it now. At least for me.
Best to you!
Revely