Eczema or Dry Skin? Other?!
Question: Eczema or Dry Skin? Other?
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Ok, I have these since last year (not the actual ones on the image, they come and go, and these are the latest ones) arround June 2010 it started. I have gone to the doctor twice about it, and they keep saying it is dry skin. I dont believe in this because I have never had this before, and how could someone possible have dry skin in summer? I take a bath daily, morning most of the time, and I use palmolive for body wash which contains moisturiser. I have applied E45 cream on the areas where I find these after I have a bath, always do. But still have them, they here for weeks, think they only go away with time and leaves a few marks, like white dots in a circle format on the skin.
This only shows up on my arms, also have had 1 in the back of my neck. My aunt told me she had this when she was about my age (19/20) too and that after a while it went away.
What is it? Could be a genes thing? Is it eczema or some weird type of dry skin? Could it have to do with my health or with my eating?
I dont use any type of chemicals that could do this... But someone has told me I could get this because, some parts of the skin could be dry and as I work with computers, static energy could be passed on to my arms and these dry bits could be affected by it...
Confused, help? Would be very much appreciated!
Thank you
Answers:
You've certainly done the right thing by going to a doctor, although if you're unhappy with the diagnosis, I would suggest going to a different one. They do look a little like mild eczema patches to me, and they can occur at any time of year, so I wouldn't rule out a dry skin condition just because you get them in summer.
I would strongly suggest that you avoid any soaps, bodywashes, shampoos etc. with SLS (sodium laureth sulphate) in it, even if they do contain moisturisers, as they are terrible for sensitive and dry skins. Check the labels on the ones you use - I'd bet that your Palmolive has it. After trying a bunch of soaps and creams for eczema, I use the Dead Sea ones you can get from Boots. They don't contain any SLS or other nasty chemicals and have great reviews. I also read an interesting article in the Daily Mail this week on how good Dead Sea salts are for psoriasis and other dry skin conditions, so there's definitely something in it (links below).
Do try and get a second opinion, though. At the very least get some clarification on what kind of dry skin condition he thinks it is (e.g. eczema (type?), psoriasis etc.) so you can read up about it and make sure you're doing what you need to to treat it.
Daily Mail article 'Psoriasis: The Dead Sea Cure' - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/articl…
Boots.co.uk Dead Sea Range - http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Brands-A-t…
More info on the Dead Sea range and dry skin conditions - http://www.deadseabathcare.co.uk/
Dry skin is common in summer as the sun dries the skin out. People always say the sun clears eczema but i find it makes mine worse.
Just use strong moisturisers like vaseline and emolients. Try to use natural things, i use a natural cream made from bees wax, lavender and things like that. If the doctor says its not eczema it probably isnt. If your not happy though go to a specialist.
Has your doctor checked for tinea?..Ringworm is not caused by an actual worm but an infection of the skin..Your small circular places look similar to a mild case of tinea..I would have doctor check and tell you for sure..