Dyshidrotic Eczema & Mani Pedi

(2018 Update at bottom of Article)

Big name, small condition!

I have had this thing for years! Its one very itchy problem and for the first time its gotten real bad, and I actually have a name for it. Its usually on my fingers, generally the tips, it looks like little air pockets under my skin. They itch, hurt and sometimes make my skin peel and split open like really dry skin. For the first time ever i have had to give up my beautiful nails.
Here is the before


So after these beautiful nails were stipped off my lonesome hands, I went and got a Mani Pedi...Ohhh How I love thee! I elected for a plain jane Mani with purple polish.
Here is the after


Emotional Stress is the number one cause of these breakouts, and once you have a break out it can and will take up at a year to clear up. If you dont properly take care of it durring that time it can lead to more break outs and the year time table starts all over again. Well if you know my last 12 months then you can see why this problem is becomeing such a big problem. So we will see how long my mani last and I may give up and go back to tips by the end of the week and deal with the itching. LOL

Well its bed time here so ...Night!



08/06/2013 Update
I went with out Acrylic, gel, solar or shellac nails and while I thought this would make a big difference I did not see any. So I put the nails back on simply because I like the way the look, and I don't seem to itch the spots as much. I have found stress is my biggest contributor and certain times of the year...Spring & Fall. Now those two times for me are stressful with our show schedule (we show goats) and my involvement in helping put those shows on. So I cant really tell if its the season or the stress. I did find out the liquid in those spots are fluid off your nerves, its harmless and not contagious. Whew! I was scratching a spot on my index finger one day, it popped and squirted on my face!!

I have found some relief in Avon's Moisture Therapy lotion, its thick so I only use it at night but use lotion all day. I have a bath and body works antibacterial on my purse so I use it a lot which dries out the skin...which I notice can aggravate the spots...I see less during stressful times if I don't have dry hands.

Good Luck!

Will update later...We are not showing this fall so we will see if its weather related or stress related :)

09/28/2015

Its been a few years since I originally posted this, and to date I've had over 8974 post views. In 2014 I got pregnant with my son (after 11yrs of trying) and the smell of the salon turned my stomach so I removed my tips and stayed out of the salon. It has been over 15 months since I had tips on my nails. I can say with a certainty that not visiting the salon has helped them.  I talked above about fall and spring season is when it was at its worst.  Here we are in fall again and no show season for us...that being said with no added stress my hands are better.  I don't know what it is about the nail salon that makes it worse but the doctor said it might be the harsh chemicals they use to get the nails on, off or color changed.  Im so busy with my little family these days that I don't miss them. 

 I have found a new lotion that I can wear during the day to help
Avon Moisture Therapy Derma Soothing...it is dermatologist tested and approved. It also has the National Eczema Association seal of approval.
(I do NOT sell Avon Nor have I been paid, endorse or asked to promote their product!! I purchased said lotion on a whim and feel in love with it)

8/31/2016

To date I still haven't been to a nail salon and here we are at fall season again and my hands are the worst they have ever been. My stress level is high!! Those small itchy bumps are horrible!! My hands look horrible!!

Nickle is a contributor as well as stress to this. I have been to doctors, homeopathic doctors done steriod creams/pills/shots, antibotics, essential oils, all natural body care stuff, gluten free diet...nothings worked. Most people on line will tell you the same thing...less stress helps. 

I do have a new endocrinologist who says that it can be irritated by autoimmune diseases ( I have 2) and it can be like the cold sore virus. Lives in your body and comes back seasonally. 

I still swear by the Avon lotion and Melaleuca Renew lotion ( I took their body wash, thinned I and use it as a hand soap). 

 

 

05/10/2018

2017 was the year of the unexpected, high stress, weight gain, loss of family members, stress on marriage, financial stressors, terrible twos and a teenager. Through all that my Eczema hasn't been as bad as 2016.  Ive learned how to manage my stress, that Dyshidrotic is like the cold sore virus it will come back yearly and can take a good while to heal. I still have bumps, itchy, skin peeling but I drink half my weight in water every day. Pray, take time for my self...moisturize!! 100% aloe vera gel works great on the ends of the fingers. Posh Big Fat Hand Cream works great for the desk/purse, Renew by Melalecua works awesome at night time or when your hands are very dry.  Take time for your self. Relax, work on finding time for you. I still stay out of the nail salon (except for a girls night pedi) and I do believe that's helped.  Dipping method of nails is great as well if you want the nice look but not the acrylic harsh chemicals. Still had issues but not as many.

 

In short. take time for you self, learn to distress, relax, pray....make time for you. Drink your water, use a good lotion and learn to live with the issue. Sorry I wish I had better news. Nothing the doctors homeopathic or regular have given has worked.