2016 Year End Skin Regime Post

WOW, it seems again I have left my blog untouched for a full year. But no worries, I do have exciting news for eczema and general skin maintenance lovers. :)

2016
This year has been a year of new things for me. I've started to take my vacation when I am supposed to no matter what and really enjoyed my time and distressed.

Has it helped my eczema? It kind of did, I still get really dry skin.  Depending on my stress level due to work or my own personal stress levels, I do still get flare ups. The key is to stay moisturized of course. It's when I am lazy, my skin get too dry and my rash begins.

I've continued with some of the products I always go to when I have flare ups to decrease any further allergic reactions and I have discovered a new regime to help me maintain my hydration. Here they are:


VASELINE

No matter what, this is a must to have at home. It does the job to keep my skin moist. It's a bit greasy but it does not cause any allergic reaction and it does not sting my skin when I do have a rash.

Works best when applied after a shower when my skin is still damp. Builds a barrier so that my skin does not dry up, and my skin dries up real quick without any moisturizer.



KIEHL'S PRODUCTS

The following are products I ended up buying coz I ran out of lotion during my trip to Asian. I went to Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan. When I left Korea and on my way to Japan, I had to make sure I got my moisturizer for my face or I'll be in big trouble. I was desperate and went into the Duty-Free shop before my flight. I was with my friend and she got the store lady to help me and the store lady recommended me to use the Kiehl's Nurturing Baby Cream For Face & Body. 

She said that I will not be allergic to that, so I bought it. It is the best. Expensive for the size but it worked really well in the humid weather, and also now in the winter. I only have to put it on once a day and it lasts the whole day long!

At the same time that I got the cream for my face and body, I also got the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm for my face...just in case. And I am so glad that I did, it really moisturizes my skin, and a little goes a long way.

So after the two purchases, and as soon as I got back to Toronto, I went and looked for other products that may help me. Check them all out here.

The Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate, I put on first, then I put on the Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm and the Creamy Eye Treatment.

The BEST. Oh my goodness, the eye treatment stopped the skin around my eyes from peeling. Yes, people, it is true, the skin around my eyes was so dry, it peeled. It was the worse part of my face to handle. The corner of my eyes used to split...that is how dry it was. No more flaky skin falling off my face anymore.

I have also purchased other products in the baby range. They all work really well!!!  I think this line of skin product is working well for me, so I'll continue using it. But like all products, sometimes you have to change once in awhile. I don't know why but somehow, products stop working as well after awhile. Let's see how long this line will last for me. :)

Okay, it's almost dinner time and being new year's eve, I better now spend some time with my lovely man!

Happy New Year, 2017 to all.

Hope this coming year will bring you much skin relief and hope this update may help you keep hydrated and less allergic.

Just so you can see my skin, no filter. No flakes, WOOT!!!

Peace, 😆😋💓

EpiCeram(R)

Just read about this new non-steriod cream. Have you heard of it?  I read about it here: http://www.eczemahelp.ca/en/treatment.html

I have not found out how to get it but from what I've read so far, it may have to be prescribed by your doctor.

I will provide a follow-up as soon as I have time to read up more on it and how I can get a hold of it http://www.epiceram.ca/home.php tells you about this cream.

Think I will ask my doctor to see if she has heard about this cream.

NEW DRUGS LESS HARMFUL TO OUR IRRITATING SKIN

So I'm just taking a break from work and reading up on ezcema relief treatments and came across this article. http://www.healthline.com/health-news/clinical-studies-eczema-new-treatments-060214#2

This link is on the same thing but better, as it has images. :)
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/mt-sinai-doctor-leading-breakthrough-treatment-eczema-article-1.1778441

All these creams we are using with side effects that are scary. Just trying to use less as I am using these steriod creams such as Topicort and Protopic (tacrolimus). They were saying that tacrolimus is better than steriods but it also has its side effects, including skin cancer. :( I try not to think about it too much and to try not to use it unless absolutely required.

When my skin flares up, I cannot use anything else but the Topicort to get the relief for the itchy and the red flaring rash. It's so hard when you cannot predict when it hits. When it happens, I think to myself, "What did I eat? Did I not hydrate my skin enough? Did I use something that I am now allergic to? Is it the weather? Am I stressed? Is it my clothes? Not enough sleep?". It goes on and on.

It is a constant battle to avoid using these treatments and finding other means to find relief as I have mentioned in my previous entries. And as you get older, healing is slower.

I recently saw my doctor and at the time my skin was badly rashed up and had broken skin and open cuts. My doctor asked me when my last tetanus shot was and I told her when I was a child for sure. She immediately insisted I roll up my sleeves to take the shot that day. I hate needles but there was no stopping her. So I took it. Was not bad, she was a good needle administrator like she told me before it happened. I think the shot helped me, because I noticed that if I apply medication on those open cuts now, the healing seems faster. I remember before they would stay around forever it seemed and did not heal as fast as it did when I was younger. Guess, I do need to listen to my doctor.

Anyways, I'm still searching for relief. The best thing to do is to take the time to hydrate my dry skin for sure. But that is the key here, TIME. With busy schedule at work, stress filled in my own mind and at work, lack of sleep and lack of time to take care of my skin is not helping at all.  There comes a time when you need to stop, think and see what is important.

If you read the article, there may be better treatment coming soon within 5 years? Time flies, so I wish the doctors the best of luck to come up with something for us ezcema sufferers. Meanwhile, really the only thing I am not allergic to is Petroleum Jelly. And I do mix it with my steriod creams sometimes. As you know, steriod cream dries up your affected skin area and if you do not hydrate, it just keeps the rash cycle going.

More later if I find more interested articles. PEACE.

P.S. Wow, just looked at my blog and realized, I had no entries in 2014. Was a busy year.

La Roche-Posay Products - Something New!

BODY CREAM/BALM
So I was out with my girlfriends the other day and was shopping for body lotion. Really dry as you know in the winter. So again, I walked up to the La Roche-Posay counter to look and see what I can get.


Came across Lipikar Baume AP again. It says it has lipid-replenishing body balm, no fragrance and no parabens. :)

CeraVe was working for awhile but then it didn't. I think I need to switch up the products according to which season we are in.  For some reason it just wasn't giving me the same moisturizing results once I entered winter season.

Then I got Cliniderm because the Pharmacist I see told me that this brand does not have any Parabens. I was surprised to learn that CeraVe had parabens, I was not paying attention on the ingredients there. :(
But then Cliniderm was not really working either. Not very moisturizing.

NEW PRODUCT from La Roche-Posay
Yes, so as I've indicated, on my post heading, there is a new product from La Roche-Posay!  Yup. NURITIC INTENSE RICHE ! I needed a face cream while I'm waiting for my supply of KEYS Tortuga to come in. I forgot to order it last time I made an order for Reflex ProBiome product and now I'm out and waiting for the order to come in. I like Tortuga Super Emollient Lotion because you know why...all natural and it smells so great!

Anyways, it's only been two days but I can see that it does leave my face moisturized. I'm not using it on my eyes, so my eyes are really tight around sides...pretty uncomfortable. So I started using the Hydraphase intense eyes. I'm still dry inside my eye balls. :p It's just dry times right now,but I'm trying my best to cope.

FACIAL - Importance
I'm going for a facial soon. I think I need to pick up on that, I mean I catch myself in the mirror sometimes and think "Who the hell is that?".  I swear I think my face if sagging. I mean I am getting up there so I have to take care of my skin and facials are important!!  Like one of my man in the past said, "For a woman, it does not matter how much you spend on your face and body. You just spend it." I know it's so superficial but you know what?  If you don't take care of yourself no one will.  And before you can love someone else you've got to love yourself first. I've got a lot of love to give!!  Hahaha. :)

Okay, that's all I have for now. I'm just glad I got the Lipikar Baume AP for moisturizing my body...feeling good and moisturized now only have two days and I can see the difference too.

Dry Flaky Skin Around the Eyes

So, it's been a week since I saw the dermatologist and I did not take the pills that I was prescribed. :)  I tried using a bit of Protopic around my eczema affected areas and used Vaseline on my eyelids and around my eyes, especially at the corners.  And it worked!  It may have taken a lot longer but I really didn't want to ingest the Prednisone pills. But it's there in case I have a big flare up!!

Of course, I have to tell you that along with this ritual of putting the Vaseline, Protopic (very very little) and no make up, I was also less stressed out at work.  Stress is the EVIL of all things for us eczema sufferers for sure!

So all in all, right now all is good with my eyes. I hope if you are having issues this may help. For the Vaseline to work and blended in, the area should be a big moisten with water. ;)

Hope this last! I did take my vacation time too so with that and some R & R, I will have less stress and more time to recover fully.

xoxo.

Prednisone v.s. Protopic, Cream v.s. Lotion 

Well, it has come to this again. The new dermatologist I went to seek a diagnosis on my eye issues with eczema. I didn't know what exactly it was but it has been so dry and flaky for almost a month now. I would have one good day when I am not at work and then because of the dry air in the office it drying happens even when I try to moisturize during the day. Doesn't help when colleagues think I'm obsess with looking at myself. They don't really understand the feeling of the tight feeling I have and having the need to look what the heck is up with skin around my eyes. When I see that's is dry and cracked I'm freaking out. What the hell can you put around the area without affect the inside of my eyes. Too much moisturizing seem to build protein from within. There was no winning there.

Biggest mistake was to stretch my skin to make the tight feeling go away. I only split the corner of my eyes and holy cow that hurt. Not to mention I know nicely created more wrinkles. Aaargh.

Anyways, I know if I take the Prednisone pill my skin will miraculously clear up and that is all of my skin, not just around my eyes. But there are side effects for taking Prednisone, it's basically instead of applying the steroids directly to the affected areas you are not ingesting the steroids and it's going to work on your entire body. I've taken this while I worked in Asia and let me tell you that it works. But it also create problems with your body. Especially if you are female, yeast infections comes every time I take them. It could be because of the place I was in, where it's pretty humid in the first place but it's not fun having to see one doctor and ending up seeing another type just because I want the easiest way out of the other.

I took the prescription but I think I need to hold out and see if applying the Protopic will help. He said that I could try to use that first if I am adverse to taking the Prednisone, it's my choice. Well of course it's my choice, I hate to create another known problem from taking the prescription. I've been there many times and it's the worse circumstance. Who needs two problems.

I'm taking the weekend to religiously apply a thin layer where my eyes are affected. It's not a steroid cream so it won't thin my already very thin skin around my eyes. I wanted to see and hear the Dermatologist tell me what I can put around my eyes and eyelids before doing it regularly and he said putting the Protopic will be okay. He also talked about moisturizing and taking lukewarm baths. We all know this already but who has the time to take a bath these days. I guess I really do need to make the time for ME. The interesting recommendation was to use the Aveeno oil NOT the oatmeal powder. I knew that didn't work for me but I guess they know that now too. That powder just makes me itch more.
The other recommendations were Oilatum bath oil and Alpha Keri oil. I like the Oilatum, and the Apha Keri oil I've used before and it smells great but I think I'm a bit allergic to that one.

And get this, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly was one of his choice of recommendation to moisturize with. One of my friends is really against people using it but yet that is the only thing that really keeps my body moisturized, especially after a shower or bath. Especially when my skin is at it's driest and flaky. Once I get over that flaky stage I would switch to use CeraVe Cream or Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. The key is using cream...he said not anything that you can pump out like lotions because lotions contain too much water. He actually he also recommended Lipikar Baume...I've used that and I like it but it's kind of pricey.

It's Saturday so last night I took my anti-histamine Atarax which makes me drowsy but I guess it does calm me down and let's me sleep through the night. Taking two pills was recommended when I really have an attack, but then don't bother thinking I'll wake up for anything after that. Aaaaah, the pleasure of not having to wake up for anything on the weekends (other than your own social and family life calling).  Stress is just everywhere, if you are not working and getting stressed, your family likes to stress you out whether they know they are doing it or not. All I want is to be stressed free, but it seems in order to be stressed free you need to not have feelings and empathy. That's not me, I'm too empathetic and too emotional.

So, I've decided to take the longer approach for now and see what happens with Protopic and Vaseline to moisturize around my eyes. We'll see what happens. If it still does not work...THE PREDNISONE.

Anyways, I know if I take the pill, I'll clear my rash within a few days...however, the side effects and another one is that my face will blow up like a balloon. Chubby or Michelin face is what my colleagues in Asia would call me. :( Nice. NOT.

I will provide an update on my progress with this and hope that my Protopic and Vaseline approach works.

Ciao for now.

Happy 2013! Before I start working again and have no time to post...as you can see from my 2012 entry of only one!  I want to share with you a few products I've been using for 2012 and they have proved to be very helpful.

1. CeraVe moisturizing cream 
I really like this cream, it does not sting my skin even when I have a flare up and it's necessary for me to use a cream to moisturize my very dry skin. It's about $22 -$25 for a 453g/16oz tub. I notice my skin being more supple after a couple of days use. :) Well.ca sells it online if you want to check it out here. 


2. Lipikar BauemAP by La Roche-Posay
This body balm was recommended by these ladies who saw how dry my skin was during a really bad eczema flare up. So amongst other lotions and creams they recommended this balm for my body. I was going into Shoppers Drug Mart to get my CeraVe moisturizing cream but they told me to use this one it's better. Well, I did buy it and did use it and it's really rich but when I had a flare up it did sting a bit. So, not that it's not good but I would not recommend using it if you have a rash flare up. It was also expensive but I forgot how much it cost...maybe because it was too expensive and I didn't want to remember? Hee hee. The bottle I bought was a 400ml and it's probably around $27 or so but since it's not as effective as CeraVe for me, I still have a bit left and use it when my skin is not red with rash patches.

3. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra
Okay so this one I do recommend for prepping the skin before moisturizer and I bought it actually for my really dry and flaky eyelids. Last year my eye lids got so dry and flaky it was driving me INSANE. It was so dry it cracked as well and oh my goodness, what do you put on your eyelids? Well, the ladies recommended me to this lotion because they said I could use it around my eyes and eyelids. It works, but as a primer before something else. The fact this Vaseline is what I put on thereafter and is the only thing that keeps the dry flakes away! Not going to lie, this little bottle of 40ml is not cheap...but comes in handy!


4. Eau Thermale Avene -Thermal Spring Water
This I use to spray on my face before applying any moisturizer...just helps with the absorption of the moisturizers I use. You may not need to use it but because my skin is so dry this mist of spring water helps dampen my skin and gets it ready for moisturizing! And I have one at home and one at work. The office is so dry so sometimes I spray a mist on my face and it wakes me up and helps just before I put on more moisturizer during the day.

5. Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser
I love, love, love this cleanser for my face. It really calms my itchy face down and I think at the same time it moisturizes while I clean my face!!! Some times I use it as a body cleanser. Again it's not cheap but the bottle lasts a long time, you don't have to use a lot of it. The texture is so slippery it works well when you want to give yourself a facial massage...it's awesome!
 


So, that's all for now but I think I'll still be using these products for awhile yet since I still have a lot of it...expect for CeraVe cream, I run out on that faster than the others. And always, have Vaseline petroleum jelly with me ALWAYS. My friend recently was very upset when another friend of mine and I mentioned that we use Vaseline petroleum jelly but the fact is this is the only product that really gets rid of the stubborn dry flakes from my face and lips sometimes. And the only product that gets rid of split, dry cracked lips.

Hope you are able to keep the eczema flare ups at bay! I'm keeping it at bay as much as I can but honestly the best way is to NOT each stuff you should not eat and MOISTURIZE regularly!