I was born with eczema on most of my body and face. After a fairly traumatic childhood with a face and upper lip full of oozing lesions that were ultimately successfully treated with multiple steroid injections, I have enjoyed an adulthood with my eczema largely in remission, except for when in a deeply stressful situation. I am now 46 and suddenly dealing with its recurrence but in unlikely places: my navel and the inside of one ear.

Well, this is the first time I have ever had eczema. It started at the end of May this year while I have been deployed. It is funny actually where it began on my body: my butt. Crazy but true. I didn't know what it was at the time. I thought it was just some itch I had and would go away. A week passed and I still had it. It spread to my thighs, then my stomach, then my arms and back and neck, even my crotch. I checked with our medical corpsman on our ship and they didn't know what it was at first but a second time going, they figured it out. They gave me all sorts of medicine for it, but they never really worked. Much later on, it started getting better but then I stopped taking the medicine, thinking it would get better. That pretty much started the cycle all over again. Today, I still have it and of course it has only been three months since it began. My butt is clear of the itching but I think I still might have the little red bumps there. It still itches on my arms, chest, legs and my sides and neck a little. I did however found out what the most likely cause to it is: climate change. I do believe that is why I got it, but I am continuing to take care of myself and get rid of this thing for now.

I have had eczema for about 10 years. I have tried cortisone creams, which help relieve the itching, but only go so far. Recently, I discovered that plain old aloe vera helps to bring my break outs down. I apply it frequently and keep a bottle of it at home and at work, but it really makes a difference. Now I only have to apply the cortisone cream about once a week, or if I get a super bad break out from the weather changes. In general, this helps limit against that and keeps my skin looking wonderfully healthy!

My eczema started two months ago when I moved into my flat. I was so stressed out that my body was shaking, and I had a nosebleed. A few days later, I had rashes on my chest and face, then my neck and the inside of my elbows. I avoided going out of the house, and got upset. My skin got red, ugly, dry and itchy. I found out its genetic, if someone in the family has asthma or allergies, you are more likely to have them too, plus the eczema. It's probably caused by stress, diet or allergies. Get an allergy test done, so you know if you need to change your diet or not. I am still waiting for my allergy test. I would also advice a traditional healer, cupping. It's healthy; a bit weird, but it does make you feel better, and it is good for your body.

From our experience with our now 15-year-old son, it was difficult to diagnose. He saw several doctors over several years and was finally diagnosed with eczema a few weeks ago. He has several areas involved including his scalp, arms, back, and legs. The legs tend to break out due to temperature change and stress. His arms and back are much better since we started using a strong moisturizer. His scalp has flare-ups. That's what I call them. As long as we use the Loprox shampoo at least once a week and follow with a moisturizer, and then use the Olux (topical steroid) at least once a week, it seems to be under control. Talk about “high maintenance!”

I have suffered from extreme eczema for years. I did not have a clear patch of skin on my hands and my nails were nothing but ridges and bumps. I started taking Periostat for another condition and it almost completely healed my eczema and my nails are back to normal. Only my dentist can prescribe Periostat. I called the drug company to report my findings and they said, yes, we know. Why isn't it out there in the medical community for all to know. I really suffered for over 20 yrs and one simple pill - Periostat - has almost completely cured me.

I grew up with these (seasonal) nasty breakouts of tiny, fine bumps when scratched, would turn into blistering sores and then into patches of dry, flaky, itchy skin. I visited dermatologists who told me it was everything from eczema to tinea versicolor and prescribed everything from clobetasol to plain Cortizone. I happened upon a fellow co worker who noticed a fresh outbreak on the inside of my elbow and suggested I try Selsun Blue. To my amazement and relief, the outbreak was cleared up in a matter of 4 days no reoccurrence in weeks. I'm not sure if what I have is eczema or not, but Selenium sulfide 1% (the active ingredient of Selsun Blue) did the trick. If you've tried 'everything else' to no avail, give this a try...what do you have to lose? My treatment was: apply the shampoo sparingly to the affected area and leave on overnight wash it off in the morning. If you are more sensitive, leave on 30 minutes to 2 hours and rinse off. Good luck!