contact dermatitis is of the devil

[edenfalling]

I cannot believe it has taken me two whole months to think of using topical cortizone cream on my contact dermatitis. I mean, its purpose is to stop itching. And often itching specifically related to environmental irritants. I only bought it in the first place when I was having hideous itching problems that I think, in retrospect, were an allergic reaction to my deodorant.

So using cortizone to counter dermatitis caused by lack of humidity? OBVIOUS, RIGHT?

And yet, it only occurred to me this morning. *headdesk*

On the upside, it seems to be working! Half the problem with the dermatitis is that even when I use moisturizing lotions to combat the dryness, my hand still itches like I have fire ants under my skin and I cannot always consciously stop myself from scratching. Scratching is only a temporary relief. In the long term, it exacerbates the problem -- raises the welts, distorts skin texture even further, creates open wounds, etc.

Today, my hand has not been itching. :-D

Comments

[doire]

Good you've found some relief.

I'd been meaning to ask if you've ever tried silk glove liners. One of my team had nickel sensitivity which flared up with handling coins. The usual answer is cotton gloves but they are quite thick and make picking up coins difficult. I knew about silk liners because I used them under cycling gloves, but I think they are usually sold for skiing.

[edenfalling]

The problem is that, counterintuitively, my particular dermatitis is caused by a lack of contact with something -- namely, humidity in the air -- so putting a barrier around my skin would not actually help much. :-(

I do keep meaning to buy a couple pairs of cotton gloves to sleep in, so I can slather my hand with a really thick layer of lotion and not worry about getting slime all over my sheets, but I never remember to look for them when I am out shopping.

[marycontrary]

I once had a rash that was like tiny bloody footprints down the outside of my arm -- I hadn't seen it there, so it had gone weeks unattended. I slathered it in hydrocortisone cream and then wrapped it loosely in cellophane for the night, and it was new pink skin in two days.

[edenfalling]

Cortizone cream is very nifty stuff. :-D Two years ago when I was having problems with my deodorant, I am pretty sure it was the only thing that kept me from scratching myself absolutely raw and bloody from the inside of my upper arm to halfway down my sides. And now it is doing an excellent job helping the abused skin on the back of my hand settle down and remember what its normal texture is supposed to be.

[(Anonymous)]

I have found myself to actually be the MOST productive when I have something like that. I managed to do ALL the yardwork outside while I had the WORST allergies. The effort of trying to distract myself from the itching (which requires hard work and not something idle around the house) caused me to have quite productive days. Same thing for my homework for college. It was when I had the WORST sore throat that I did my 6 page essay in 2 hours. Concentrated on the essay as opposed to my sore throat. (Did well on it too). Forced the concentration issue. (which is my weak point)

[edenfalling]

Interesting! I can't switch concentration from illness or allergies that way, but I do find that when I have some important upcoming deadline, I suddenly get very productive on all the other chores in my life as well.