My Eczema Patches, Part 2

Thanks for the all the encouragement, everyone. I'm glad my patches are healing too. Here are the reviews for the products that worked for me. I'm sorry it it has taken me so long to make this post, it took me longer than I expected. Most of the products can be found in drugstores, except for prescriptions which you can get from your doctor. I honestly don't think it's necessary to spend on expensive creams for you to treat your eczema. Unless it's on your face, which requires more maintenance, all you need is a treatment cream (if it's serious), moisturizer, and a lot of self-control.

These products are used to treat eczema present on the body. For facial eczema, I recommend Clarins Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate. See my review on it here.

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I. Treatments

1. Topicort Gel, Desoximetasone 0.05%


Topicort is a prescription medication. I use the gel version as it absorbs better than the cream.

The active ingredient is desoximetasone, which is a corticosteroid that's designed treat to eczema, dermatitis, allergies, and rashes. It works by reducing the swelling, itching and redness that can occur in these types of conditions. To use, apply a thin layer of the medication onto the affected area and gently rub it in. Apply moisturizer afterwards if needed. Remember to wash your hands before and after using this product, as corticosteroids are highly-comedogenic and not recommended to be used on the face, especially if you're acne-prone. Avoid covering the affected area with bandage or wrap unless directed to do so by your doctor. You should see visible results within 3 days.

Topicort gel is very awesome. As you can see, I'm running low on this medication, and I may have to call in for another script. I managed to squeeze out 1-week's worth of product of what's left in the tube. You only need a miniscule amount as it spreads well and effectively relieves you of any sort of itch. I have used the cream-version in the past (for that sunscreen incident, I mentioned), but I find that the gel works much better. It's no coincidence that I see a difference in a few days. The medication is highly potent, and that's probably why you can only get it with prescription.

As with any corticosteroid (which includes hydrocortisone), I experienced some skin thinning and more sensitivity to heat and light in the areas I applied them to. You can see in the photos that although the patches have healed, they're darker pigmented than the rest of my body. This is not a real problem for me since it'll only be temporary and the skin area will revert back to its normal pigment once it's completely healed and normalized. Eczema patches shouldn't cause life-long scars unless you scratch yourself like a nut. Only pigmentation, as far as I know.

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Topicort comes in these formulations:
Gel 0.05% (which I currently use), Cream 0.25%, Cream 0.05% (which I used in the past), and Ointment 0.05%

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2. Diprosalic Pommade


Diprosalic is only available by prescription in the US and Canada, though I heard you can get this over-the-counter in other countries.

The active ingredients are betamethasone and salicylic acid. Betamethasone is another synthetic steriod that helps reduce inflammation. It belongs in the same class as desoximetasone (the active ingredient in Topicort, mentioned above) among corticosteriods. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic which breaks down keratin, a protein that forms part of the skin structure. You may be familiar with it in your acne medications.

In conditions such as chronic eczema, psoriasis, and keratosis pilaris, excessive amounts of keratin in skin cells causes these cells to harden, making the skin become thickened, bumpy, and scaly. This not only makes the skin itchy and inflamed, but also reduces the efficacy of anti-inflammatory medications that aren't able to penetrate through the rough, thickened surface. This is probably the main reason why many people experience unimpressive results from topical anti-inflammatory medications.

Salicylic acid helps to slough off the hard, scaly surface of these areas, improving the appearance of skin cells, and thereby reducing the inflammation that's been brought upon by the build-up of dead skin cells. Salicylic acid also helps with the penetration of betamethasone (the other active ingredient in Diprosalic), making it more effective than if the corticosteroid were to be applied alone. The combination of these two, an anti-inflammatory and a chemical exfoliant, makes it an effective treatment for dry, scaly, inflammatory skin disorders.

Diprosalic comes as an ointment and a lotion for scalp application. The tube I got says 'pommade,' which is the French version for the ointment.

I personally think Topicort works better in treating my eczema than Diprosalic. I find that with continuous use of Diprosalic, my patches become irritated due to the added salicylic acid. I think that Diprosalic would be ideal in the initial stages in the treatment for eczema when you have scaly, crusty skin. For the late stages when the skin has softened, I'd suggest something milder. Diprosalic would be excellent, though, if you have keratosis pilaris, a condition characterized by rough bumps on the skin due to excessive keratin.

Rating: 4.1/5.0

Please note that in the photos I took yesterday, I was using only Topicort, and it has made a dramatic improvement even without an added exfoliant. I'm sensitive to salicylic acid in general, and my skin is already thin enough so I had no problem with having the medication absorb through my rough patches. However, if you're having trouble with anti-inflammatories and have used these with no avail, you can look into these types of formulations but please do so with caution. I personally don't advise using anti-inflammatory medications with chemical exfoliants since they can be harsh and can make things worse. I think that all types of exfoliants should be avoided altogether, and you'd get better results with a more potent formula than one with SA which can make you irritated and itch more. If you're gentle to your skin, it'll heal a lot faster.

[Edit: This just came to mind, but I seriously hope no one's thinking of making their own Diprosalic by adding salicylic acid from their acne medication to their anti-itch cream. Don't be foolish. I'm sure the SA concentration is a trace amount compared to the steroid, practically speaking, since eczema is a sensitive skin disorder. You'll only hurt yourself if you exfoliate, and I can say this from experience.]

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3. Cortizone-10, 1% Hydrocortisone


Cortizone-10 is a drugstore brand. You can find it anywhere in the US for around $6 depending on the size and the formula.

I can't find this anywhere in my apartment, but I use this for maintenance purposes when my eczema isn't so serious. It's not as potent as the other two, Topicort being the most potent in my experience, so I would suggest using this only if your eczema is mild. If you think hydrocortisone isn't cutting it, you may have to move up and use a pharmaceutical-grade medication like Topicort or Diprosalic. Hydrocortisone only comes in 1% concentrations if sold over-the-counter.

Rating: 3.8/5.0

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II. Moisturizers

1. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream


I have the version for Dry, Sensitive skin. There's another one for Normal, Combination skin. Cetaphil Cream for Dry, Sensitive Skin is probably my favorite body moisturizer. I was introduced to it in 2005 when I had an allergic reaction to something that I forgot. I've used other body moisturizers but I always come back to this one since I liked the results. It's a thick cream that absorbs easily into your skin and doesn't leave a sticky finish or weird film. It keeps me moisturized longer than other creams I've tried, and it's completely fragrance free, which I'm grateful for. It's affordable at $11 for a 16 oz tub, and it lasted me for a good 8 months. I'm running low on this too, so I'll have to move on with the Cerave when I use this up.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

I've already hitted pan, and I'm only a handful of scoops away from using it all. Great stuff.

Hitting pan on Cetaphil Cream

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2. Cerave Moisturizing Cream

The Cerave Moisturizing Cream was the second moisturizer that was introduced to me by my derm. The finish is more matte than Cetaphil. Cetaphil is more emollient than Cerave which why I prefer Cetaphil over Cerave as a body moisturizer. I find that I have to reapply more often with Cerave than I do with Cetaphil. Both tubs are the same size but Cerave is a little more expensive since it contains specialized ingredients like ceramide. Cerave contains no petralatum if you're sensitive to that stuff. But if you're ok with it and just want a good moisturizing cream, then go for the Cetaphil.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

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3. Korres Guava Body Butter


I got the Korres Guava Body Butter along with the Showergel as a set that also came with the Guava lip butter. All of these, in all honesty, are mediocre moisturizing products. In terms of elegance and pleasure-of-use, the Korres products are more pleasurable to the senses since they have an awesomely sweet, natural fragrance. Other than that, I don't think the Body Butter is moisturizing enough for me. I had to re-apply every hour. The Body Butter does indeed absorb into the skin well, makes skin soft & smooth to the touch, but it doesn't keep it that way for long if you suffer from severe dryness like I do. I'm trying to finish the rest of the bottle as a light body lotion during the day.

Rating: 3.7/5.0

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III. Body Washes

1. Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash


The Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash is just a basic, moisturizing body wash that's mild, soap-free, dermatologist-tested, hypo-allergenic, with a neutral fragrance. I'm not crazy about so-called "neutral" fragrance, it smells pretty strong to me, but I suppose I have a sensitive nose. I don't have any problems with this body wash other than the fragrance, since it smells awfully strong and off-putting to me on some days (this can be a surprise for someone who's used to products that're fragrance-free). It contains 1/4 moisturizing cream, and it doesn't cause me to have back-acne. The extra moisture boost helps with the dryness of my skin. I have two large 24-oz bottles of these to finish, but if anything, I would opt for the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser since it's more moisturizing and totally fragrance-free.

Rating: 3.9/5.0

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2. Cerave Hydrating Cleanser


The Cerave Hydrating Cleanser was introduced to me the same time the Cerave Moisturizing Cream was. The Hydrating Cleanser is a clear gel that doesn't bubble at all since it contains no soap. It's very hydrating and super gentle. It's a little expensive for a drugstore cleanser, and using it as a body wash isn't economical, but it's a good all-over cleanser for when the skin's become highly intolerant.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

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3. Korres Guava Showergel


I'm using the Korres Guava Showergel as my current bodywash since my skin has healed quite a bit. It's not as gentle or moisturizing as the Dove or the Cerave, but it smells nice. It could be a little drying when I'm particularly dry. Again, I'm only trying to finish the bottle. After I'm through, I'll continue using drugstore products for my body since I find the cheaper stuff gives me just as good, if not better, results as those from department stores. I generally use drugstore on my body and high-end on my face, however.

Rating: 3.7/5.0

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IV. Facial Treatment

Clarins Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate


I use Clarins Skin Beauty Concentrate whenever my facial skin is reactive or irritated. I've been using it for the past year and it's worked wonders for me. Doesn't clog my pores, instantly reduces irritation and almost all redness by the next morning. I will continue to re-purchase it as I'm satisfied with the results. You can read my review on it here.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

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Well, that's all, I hope the reviews has helped any eczema sufferers looking for products to treat their eczema. There are many products out there, these are just ones I've tried, so it doesn't mean they're the best since I didn't actively search for any of these products, except for the Clarins and Korres.

You can practically use any kind of moisturizer, just be sure it's gentle and non-irritating. For body wash, a moisturizing, soap-free body wash could help, nothing exfoliating whatsoever. I wouldn't even recommend using a pouff, I use just my hands and that's enough for when I'm hyper-sensitive.

Again, I think the most important thing is hydration and self-control. Avoid scratching and getting the affected area wet. Moisturize well. Keep yourself busy with things you enjoy (like blogging for example, or tv -- in my case, anime), and before you know it, those patches will slowly disappear on their own (and faster if you use treatment). It's no good that you scratch and complain afterwards, if you want to be better than you are now, then you gotta change something, right. :P