Jocelyn's Eczema Journal 2012

2/12/12

I really enjoy the new Aveeno lotion I bought. It is a nice moisturizer for my skin. It is not too expensive to buy as I run out. I don't like to spend money very often, but I will spend a couple extra dollars for a good moisturizer on a daily basis. I need to write my review for it! xD

1/15/12

Instead of using Curel for my hands, I purchased an Aveeno lotion. It is a "Skin Relief" lotion. I have been keeping my hands moisturized throughout the work day and at home. I was not a fan of the last Aveeno lotion I tried, but I love this one already

1/08/12

The eczema on my arms and legs hasn't been flaring up as much as it usually does. But for the first time ever, I have been having bad breakouts on my hands. It itches like crazy and my job makes it so my hands are in water a lot of the time, which does not help. I have been bringing my bottle of Curel lotion to work and every time I was my hands, I have been putting some lotion on them. It has been helping a little bit. There are not as many open sores on my hands as there was before.

Curel: Itch Defense

This is a new lotion that someone recommended to me through email. 

Curel is meant to be a very good lotion for eczema sufferers. It is highly spoken of and after going through two bottles, I can see why. It is a great moisturizer for one with eczema. It  is not a cure, but as I said, it works wonders at moisturizing, which in due time can help to heal open sores.

There are a few different versions of Curel. I tried the Itch Defense, which is for people either with eczema or other sensitive skin conditions. I wanted to try a different bottle that is directed solely towards eczema, however, when I ordered it, they accidentally sent me another bottle of the Itch Defense, which is why I have tried two bottles. Lol.

Anywho, let's get to why this is an awesome lotion

Why Curel: Itch Defense is so Awesome

For one, it is accepted by the National Eczema Association–Something I was not aware of before. There are a few lotions that are approved by the NEA, and after learning about them, I plan on trying those next.

It is fragrance free, which is always great. This eczema lotion is also dermatologist tested, allergist tested, and pediatrician tested (Gentle enough for BABIES). It does not sting. I had no problems placing it on open sores. I usually don't have eczema on my hands, but lately they have been breaking out really bad and I have had a lot of open sores on them. I just rub the lotion in and it goes on nice and smoothly and is also pain free

The lotion is white/cream colored and is VERY SOFT. It kind of smells like… oatmeal? Nonetheless, it smells really nice. Curel is suppose to relieve dry skin and flare ups, so the oatmeal makes sense. 

It lingers on the skin after you put it on, but not in a bad way. Some lotions linger in more annoying ways, but this one does not annoy me. You can just tell it is there. It is not too thick and not too thin. This lotion really is perfect in that aspect. I can see people using it during both the cold and hotter seasons–I have kind of grown addicted to it =P

Do I Recommend?

As I said earlier, it, like many others is not a cure for eczema. But It definitely will help in good ways.

It is a great moisturizer that can help heal sore spots. For moisturizing purposes, I would recommend it to others. It is not overly expensive. I think it is like 2 dollars more than the Vaseline Moisturizer I reviewed a while back that I was crazy about. Honestly, after using this for so long, I don't want to go back to the Vaseline one. Not saying anything bad about the Vaseline lotion, because it is an amazing lotion itself. I just have grown really fond of this particular moisturizer. It seems to have a good balance all around that I have not found in any other lotion so far. 

As I mentioned, there are multiple versions of the Curel lotion. You may want to shop around and try a different version. In all, Curel is one of the better lotions I have come across and has ratings that go through the roof. Check it out!

Sarna Sensitive Lotion

I am not sure if it is called Sensitive Sarna or Sarna Sensitive, but it is all the same, right?  ^_^

To start off, I have found that Sarna Sensitive Lotion works better once you have your eczema under control. During break outs, it is nice and cool, but I think it works a lot better once your skin is back under your control and you need a moisturizer to help keep it looking and feeling nice. If you want to use it or something like it during a break out, I would suggest using the Vaseline Hypoallergenic Moisturizer because these two lotions are relatively the same, with the exception that Sarna is designed with eczema in mind and the Vaseline lotion is not.

The Vaseline moisturizer comes in a much larger bottle for about 5 dollars. Sarna is 7.5 fluid ounces and is about 13 dollars. I do like it as much as I like the Vaseline moisturizer, if not more. But if money comes into play, I would stick with the vaseline moisturizer.

You can read the Vaseline Hypoallergenic Moisturizer here.

Sarna is Dermatologist Recommended

One of the great things about Sarna, as I mentioned earlier, is that it is made with eczema in mind. Sarna Sensitive Lotion is steroid and fragrance free. Therefore, it is dermatologist recommended. Woo hoo!

Apart from those three important factors, the lotion itself is very relieving. It is white and has a soft texture to it. When you put it on, it is cool. It is not greasy nor does it leave a weird after affect feeling on your hands or skin. It does not smell funky. It moreso smells like a lotion that is there to help you. It smells a lot like that of the Vaseline Hypoallergenic Moisturizer. The two lotions are a lot a like, which is why I keep comparing them to one another.

A few more pros of this lotion is that it doesn't sting in any way. It is not heavy on your skin. It would make for a great spring/summer lotion. As I like to stress to everyone, it is better to use a thicker lotion during the winter. However, it is not a requirement. I, myself, still use thinner lotions during the winter. Especially if they work and feel great. 

Anti-Itch Eczema Lotion?

This eczema lotion is advertised an anti-itch lotion that has 1% Pramoxine Hydrochloride in it. I think Sarna is a great lotion for eczema, but as for it being "anti-itch", I would disagree with that. Although it is a very wonderful moisturizing lotion, it did not once stop my itch.

Sarna is Jocelyn Recommended

=P I would recommend Sarna to someone with eczema, however, if you spend a lot of money on your skin and are on a tight budget, I would suggest sticking with the Vaseline lotion that I talked about above. They are not 100% the same, but are a lot alike.

I do like this eczema lotion very much and I would definitely buy another bottle in a heart beat. Therefore, I would recommend this product to those of you who look for different things to try for your skin.

Please Note:

However, if you are looking for something to heal your skin, this is not the lotion to buy. This lotion simply just makes for a great moisturizer to help you keep your skin moisturized and clear. It most definitely will not heal your skin. You will need to find a way to get your skin back under your control and THEN use Sarna to help keep it that way.

Click Here For More Sarna Sensitive Products

Jocelyn's Eczema Journal 2011

8/19/11

Okay, so the creases of my elbows and my wrists have been breaking out. UGH. I am trying so hard not to scratch too. I have been using my Curel lotion. I also began taking my allergy pills again and my arms stopped breaking out so much. Allergy pills really do help!!! If you don't take one, you should try. If you have a doctor with good health insurance, ask about Xyzal. They also have a cheaper brand too, but I don't know what that name is. But a great over the counter allergy pill that is just like Xyzal is Zyrtec. Xyzal is a bit stronger but Zyrtec works just as good. It really helps and it is A LOT cheaper.

08/07/11

My skin is doing relatively great. A lot of it has to do with my doctor prescribing me to take 5 days of prednisone. It has been about a month since taking it and my skin is still doing great. Usually my eczema comes back very quickly. All that I have been using is Curel Defense Moisturizing lotion. I was using it before I got the prednisone and I have been using it afterwards too. It is really swell and I will be writing a review on it in about a week.

6/16/11

I love neosporin I love how it helps with all my open sores and stuff. After I put neosporin on my hands I kept applying the lotion Sarna, that I will be writing a review on soon. It give a nice cool feeling that relieves the heat of my skin.

6/15/11

My hands and wrists have been breaking out more than ever before. I applied neosporin to all the open sores. 

6/05/11

I just woke up from a good nights sleep and my skin feels so much better! The Blue Emu really helped my legs. Especially the large patches on the backs of my legs. I can't even feel them anymore =) That is why I love Blue Emu for eczema. Since is a pain reliever (for muscles) I feel like it gets rid of my surface pain when it gets too bad–and it is a nice cool down for my skin. 

(will continue later tonight)

6/04/11

Yesterday my skin began to get worse and last night I was unable to sleep because it itched so bad. It made me upset because I have been working hard to keep it leveled out and it doesn't seem to be working. My whole forearms broke out, as well as the crease between my elbows and patches everywhere on my legs and behind me knees and on the knuckles and wrists of my hands. 

Since I had a long car drive today (drove to Delaware, from Virginia), I slabbed lots of Eucerin Calming Creme on and put a 100% cotton jacket on and kept my skin out of reach of my hands. I applied lotion again throughout the ride. At about 5:30 that night after we returned, I went swimming. I have been trying to swim more because 1) the sun is suppose to help eczema, 2) I heard that chlorine may help eczema, and 3) swimming is just a good workout =P

After swimming and drying off, I went home and took a shower and the whole time my skin stung =( especially on the backs of my legs. I had all these large hot patches of eczema forming and I did my best not to scratch. The thought that ran through my head was to cool it down, and that is when Blue Emu comes into play. I rubbed it all over my patches and on my knees and it instantly cooled it and made it feel better. I then applied Vaseline Hypoallergenic Moisturizing Lotion onto my arms and upper body. 

6/03/11

All winter long my eczema had been okay. I am use to breakouts every day, all the time, 24/7. But this past winter I was able to keep my eczema under control–Mainly due to my dermatologist giving me new prescriptions of Prednisone every two months. 

However, this summer, my skin is just breaking out all over. It almost makes me want to go insane! Usually I don't have one better season than the other. My eczema just breaks out all year round. The cold makes it dry and itchy and the heat makes it sweaty and itchy; So it's a lose/lose all year round for me. 

I am going to try to stay off Prednisone for as long as I can because one of the side effects of it is stretch marks and that is one side effect that I endured. I literally have stretch marks now in the oddest places–And I am not a large person to where I should be getting stretch marks.

Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisturizer

I came about this lotion randomly when walking in store. I can never help but go down the lotion isle to hopefully find something that looks interesting, is cheap, and may possibly help my eczema skin. On this day that I decided to take a stroll down lotion lane, I found this vaseline moisturizer and let me tell you, I love it!

View Your Vaseline Options

It Has All The Pluses

To start off,

this lotion is Fragrance Free. Yay!
this lotion is non-greasy. Double yay!
this lotion is hypoallergenic. Triple yay!

Just by looking at the bottle and reading all three of those, I was bout ready to snatch it up, and I did ^_^ 

Honestly, the hypoallergenic part is what really bought me. For those who may not fully understand what hypoallergenic means: it is a lotion that will not cause an allergic reaction (most of the time). With my skin, everything seems to agitate it, which is why I was really drawn to this particular product.

The Purpose Behind This Lotion

The purpose behind this lotion is to heal dry skin without the feeling of "sticky" or "greasy". As the bottle reads, "Its unique formula accelerates skin's healing process by tripling skin's moisture reserves instantly."

And then it has check marks that read "Repairs & softens", "24 hours of therapeutic moisture", and "for dry to very dry skin."

To be honest, I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this product–apart from the fact that it is not meant for eczema and will most likely not cure your skin. This is just a really wonderful moisturizer that has never had a negative impact on my skin. 

Great for Summer

When buying eczema creams and lotions, it is best to have a thick moisturizer for the winter and a thin moisturizer for the summer. This moisturizer is definitely not heavy on the skin and is something that would work wonders for someone with eczema. From personal experience, if I wear thick lotions during the hotter seasons, I tend to sweat more, which is not a good thing. 

More Vaseline Intensive Rescue Info

Ingredients:

The ingredients aren't much different from the average lotion or moisturizer. I have not come across anything that could be harmful to your body or skin. 

Money versus Value:

Your definitely get what you pay for when you purchase this product. I bought it a couple times and each time it averages between $5 and $7 and you get a large 24.5 fl oz bottle. (That is big compared to some moisturizers you buy for eczema).

The Smell:

If you have read any of my other eczema reviews, you will find that I love commenting on the smells. I guess smell is something that matters to me and if anyone else happens to be like me, they may want to know too. You never know. =P

Anyways, the smell is not disturbing like other eczema lotions I have reviewed, such as Dermarest. It is a nice, calm smell. I don't really know what to describe it like, but I personally love it and it is one of the reasons I like to put this lotion on so much.

Texture:

This lotion is white and creamy. When you put it on it is very gentle, very soft, and cool. I wish I had more words to describe it because this lotion is truly awesome! After putting it on, it doesn't leave any nasty after-feels. Your skin actually feels soft.

Recommended to Everyone

I would recommend this product to anyone who suffers from eczema. I have used it all over my body, after showers, before bed, and randomly throughout the day. I have not once gotten a bad reaction. 

I would also recommend this product to anyone who has dry skin or simply wants a nice moisturizer. You never know, if you end up trying it, maybe your friend could benefit from it as well. =)

Aquanil Cleanser is Gentle

I used Aquanil before I found Sappo Hill Natural Bar Soap. To be quite frank, if I had not found that soap, I would most likely still be using this product. 

Aquanil Cleanser is meant for cleaning sensitive skin. The one thing that makes this product stand out from all the others is the gentleness it brings to the skin. As someone who suffers from eczema, gentle is an important factor.

Hypoallergenic, Fragrance Free, and SOAP FREE

Soap can be very harmful to the skin before and after applying it. Not only is Aquanil Cleanser is hypoallergenic and fragrance free, it is also oil and SOAP FREE. However, being soap free, doesn't mean that it does not do it's job of cleaning the external part of the body. Aquanil contains purified water, glycerin, ceteraryl and stearyl alcohol, and a few other random ingredients. The directions say to apply a generous amount to the skin and gently rub it on. (I remember loving it so much that I did not have a problem with that rule =P)

As you are rubbing it on, it cleanses your skin. But it does more than just that. It helps to soften the skin as well as help it to keep the moisture in.

Aquanil Cleanser Provides a Cool Feeling

My favorite thing when it came to using Aquanil was the coolness it applied to my skin surface. It is VERY soft and has mix between a white-ish and clear color to it. The bottle is very handy because it is just like a lotion bottle. It stays in the shower and to use it, you just press down on the top and out squirts your handful of Aquanil Cleanser. 

Good for the Whole Family

Aquanil is an amazing product and I praise it for all that it does, not just for eczema sufferers, but for anyone with extremely sensitive skin.

It is hard to find a product worth defending, and the Aquanil brand is one I definitely will always defend. It can be used for the whole family. I actually recommend that if you are buying it because of eczema, or any other reason, that you should also try it on little children. I believe it would work wonders for kids. Some children hate when they have to use soap, and this could be a neat alternative. I have never come across something more gentle for skin in my search for better skin. 

As for the picture, I still have my bottle, but it is all messed up 

Sappo Hill Soap For Eczema

I should have written about this product a long time ago!  I have used this soap for my eczema for a couple years now and it is phenomenal. 

To start off, after experiencing this soap, I have not let any other body cleaning product touch my skin.  For the longest time I used soap very sparingly and was scared to even touch it.  Once I was introduced to Sappo Hill Natural Bar Soap, I instantly fell in love.  

Sappo Hill–No Fragrance, No irritation!

There is no scent or fragrance to it at all, which allows you to use it all over your body and not have to worry about your skin getting irritated.  An interesting fact about Sappo Hill's natural, no scent soap is that it is air dried.  The ingredients remain simple and to the point; Saponified oils from palm and coconut, and the ingredient Glycerin. 

The price for a box of 10 seems a little expensive at first, but in the end it is not.  You get 10 circle bars and for me personally, the one box lasts me about a year everytime.  Sometimes they will last for even longer than that!  It just depends on how much you use it.

A couple other interesting facts about Sappo Hill Soap is that is has never been tested on animals and it is vegan.

Many Different Types Of Sappo Hill Soap For Eczema

I love this product, because it is simple and to the point.  This product may even replace your oatmeal baths!  There are many different types of this soap, ranging from Natural Oatmeal Fragrance Free, Aloe Vera, Almond, Sandalwood, and Glycerin Creme soap.  I think that all of them really would be good for eczema–especially the oatmeal and glycerin ones.  I have never tried any other typed except for the natural bar soap, but if I were to switch it up, I would try the Oatmeal and then try the Glycerin bar soaps.  

Sappo Hill Soap Can Be Used For The Whole Family

This is not a soap just for someone with a skin condition, but good for the whole family as well!   Buying a box of 10 is worth it and it makes it that much more worth it if you can knock out soap for all the showers in your house at once! =D

Please Please Please, if you do not have a body cleansing product for the shower that does not irritate your eczema, or any other skin condition, please try the Sappo Hill Natural Bar Soap!  I would never steer you in the wrong direction!

O'Keefe's Working Hands Creme

O'Keefe's Working Hands Creme is a very gentle, hand repair creme.  It is a Water and Glycerin based creme which is meant to hydrate your skin.  Glycerin will pull and hold in moisture in the different layers of your skin.  It is important to keep your skin moisturized because the hydrated cells are the cells that are capable of replacing themselves.  One other important ingredient of this hand creme is Allantoin, which is a skin protectant.  The purpose of Allantoin is to remove dead skin cells to allow greater penetration of the moisturizing ingredients.  

O'Keefe's Hand Creme is for dry and cracked hands.  This product is not made specifically for eczema.  However, if you have eczema on your hands, you should consider this product.  I applied O'keefe's Creme all the way around my wrists, hands, on the back of my knees, and the creases of my elbows.  

• The smell is very subtle.  
• It is fragrance free, which is a major plus!
• Somewhat feels sticky after a while, but not so extreme.  The O'Keefe's Working Hands Lotion felt a lot lighter. 
• When you first open the jar, the creme seems hard, but once you dip your finger and work it in, it feels very smooth and cool.  This is by far one my favorite feeling products when applying.  

O'Keefe's Working Hands Creme Can Help Your Eczema

As soon as you apply it to your affected areas, it feels cool, but it does sting.  The sting is very minor and not bad if you can just ignore it.  I applied it when I was going to sleep and after showers.  It did not do anything for the back of my knees.  It did however, begin healing my wrists, and faintly worked for the creases of my elbows.  My case of eczema is very severe, so it did not fully take away my eczema.  But there are plenty of you out there who have less severe cases, that I truly believe it would work for you.  It may even work for those who have psoriasis on their wrists and hands.  I would recommend trying O'Keefe's.  My overall satisfaction with this product would be 4 out of 5 stars =)

Don't hesitate to give O'Keefe's Working Hand Creme a try!  Also, don't forget to look for the O'Keefe's Working Hands Lotion post!

Aveeno Active Naturals Collodial Oatmeal Bath

About a month ago, I was out all day and I had been sweating and as we all know, sweat aggravates eczema.  So it's safe to say that my skin was really aggravated on this day.  I can't help but scratch a lot of the time and I scratched the back of my knees and the crease of my elbow and under my arms so bad that I didn't even want to move.  I knew I needed to take a shower but I really didn't want to deal with the pain.  I figured I would go buy an oatmeal bath for my skin so that way, if i'm going to have to deal with the pain anyways, I may as well get some benefit out of it.  

I went to the store and bought Aveeno Active Naturals 100% Natural Collodial Oatmeal.  The box came with 8 pouches of oatmeal and was instructed to pour the oatmeal under the running water.  I filled the tub, got in and there ended up being very little sting from the water.  When you pour the oatmeal into the tub, you will get some balls of powder that didn't separate and as I was in the tub, I would grab the balls and rub them on the crease of my elbows and anywhere newly sored.  Because I was so newly scratched, I opened another pouch and used about half of it by putting the oatmeal directly on my skin and adding extra oatmeal to the water.  

Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal Reduces Eczema Symptoms

I talked about collodial oatmeal on my other Aveeno post and how it is suppose to coat to the skin and sooth and relieve the symptoms.  I must say, this holds true to it's word.  One of the main reasons I decided to buy this product is because on the box, it says that this product is used specifically for eczema, which is very good.

After I soaked for about 30 minutes, I got out, patted myself dry, and I put on two different eczema lotions.  I used the Dermarest Medicated Lotion for my sore spots (underneath of the arms, crease of elbows, back of knees) and for the rest of my body I used a my Jergens Shea Butter.

I wore long sleeper pants instead of shorts and a long sleeve shirt to bed to keep the moisturizers on my skin as much as possible.  The next morning, I kid you not, the creases of my elbows looked normal again.  The redness was gone, they didn't hurt or itch.  I could walk without the back of my knees hurting.  This is one of my favorite counter-act treatments that I have done.  I did the same exact thing about a week after the first time and got the same results.  Just last night I took another bath because I had sweated again and scratched sores only this time I used a different lotion that was prescribed to me instead of the Dermarest.  However, I still used Jergens Shea Butter for the parts of my body that weren't sore.  I still have 3 pouches left and I can't wait to use them.

Try Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Treatment

I recommend trying Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal Bath.  It is very beneficial for people of all ages.  I definitely think if you have a child, that you should have them take an Aveeno Colloidal Oatmeal Bath before they go to bed.

Soap: If you have yet to find the soap that works for you, my top reccommendation for you is Sappo Hill Fragrance Free Natural Soap. It works wonders for me and my fellow family members and I am sure it will do the same for you.

If you have already tried the Sappo Hill, my next best suggestion would be Aveeno Active Naturals Moisturizing Bar. I have not tried this, however, if I had not found a soap that works for me, this is one I would try. It is the same as the oatmeal bath, just in bar form.

Eczema No More

I found Eczema No More a couple years ago on the internet.  I have been wanting to try it ever since, but didn't want to waste my money on such a small bottle. I finally got up the nerve to do so and sadly, my instinct was right. 

Eczema No More's Bottle Is SMALL And Hard To Use

This product came in a small 11 ml bottle.  I was shocked when I saw it for the first time.  I was aware of the size, but for some reason it didn't hit me until I opened the package. My first words were, "I spent 23 dollars for this?!  It better be something amazing."  .  

Okay, so I got over the fact that it was so small.  I tried to open it and test some out on my wrists.  I have had the bottle for 7 days now and I still can't figure out how to get a good amount to come out.  The saying, "A little goes a long way" is suppose to apply to this product.  So I know you are only suppose to have a couple drops for a large area, but I had trouble even getting one drop to come out.   And when I finally got a couple drops, I felt like it wasn't enough.  A little didn't really go so far.  Two or three drops hardly covered the top of my wrist.  

Shipping Of Eczema No More Was Fast

Let me start being nice: The people who shipped it, got it to me only 2 days after I purchased it  OH! and I loved the smell.  I showed it to other people around me and some liked it and some didn't. So I guess it depends on what kind of person you are and what smells you like to give the smell any rating. 

Eczema No More Did Work.. to an extent

I can't say Eczema No More didn't totally work.  There was a spot on the crease of my elbow that had been scratched the night before and I had open wounds.  I got as many drops out as I could and put it on my spot and let it stay on overnight.  The next morning I looked at it and I could see the difference.  It had already started closing up my sores and I could see how they would be completely gone within a day or so.  

Just because it worked for a little spot, does not mean I am going to continue investing in this product.  Part of me feels as if a whole bunch of oils were mixed together and they slapped a catchy eczema phrase on a ity bitty bottle to try to sell.  However, I can't say that is true.  Even if it is not, I feel that the amount you get each purchase is not worth the price. 

I Do Not Recommend Eczema No More

I am going to provide the link and let you figure out for yourselves if this is something you may want to try.  I don't want to make an all high and mighty "You should try this" post for a product that is so ify. 

Honestly, if your question now is, "Should I purchase this product?" My answer is no. Your money has the potential for better use.

Remember, if you do decide to try this, send me an email or leave a comment and talk about how you feel. This is all about helping others who are in your shoes and leading them onto the right path.

Thanks and good luck!