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My personal woes, mostly garden related...
+15
staf74
NHGardener
Glendale-gardener
jamesindetroit
clfraser
middlemamma
camprn
westie42
Old Hippie
Ha-v-v
acara
walshevak
dizzygardener
muffinator
sarah in the garden
19 posters
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My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Been off the forum for a bit, developed a bit of a situation that needed tending to....and then my garden started to suffer a bit Not sure how much I can salvage, carrots are doing pretty well. Something ate the tops, two nights in a row. I don't have a real cage, just a netting stretched around like a fence, mostly a physical barrier so my dog or cat doesn't run through it. I guess the (bunny? or whatever) came up underneath. I secured it a little better, no probs since. Lost a couple of bush bean plants but I have three that are producing like crazy, will be ready to harvest by mid May.
About two weeks ago I saw a couple of spots on my hands, after a few days, it developed into a small rash on my palms. I thought I got into some poison ivy or something while pruning back shrubs in my yard. Or maybe a contact dermatitis. I wear gloves all the time though. Then it started on the soles and insteps of my feet. Had to stay out of the yard, got so bad I couldn't wear shoes. Itchy and painful. Went to the doctor 3 times in two weeks, finally diagnosed with Dyshidrotic Eczema. Develops in the hands and feet, some type of allergic reaction that affects the sweat glands. With the humidity here, I might not be able to garden in the best gardening months anymore.
Anyone have any advice on creams, specially made gloves for sensitive skin, etc? I don't want to give up a hobby that has quickly become a passion.
Sorry if the pics are too much.
About two weeks ago I saw a couple of spots on my hands, after a few days, it developed into a small rash on my palms. I thought I got into some poison ivy or something while pruning back shrubs in my yard. Or maybe a contact dermatitis. I wear gloves all the time though. Then it started on the soles and insteps of my feet. Had to stay out of the yard, got so bad I couldn't wear shoes. Itchy and painful. Went to the doctor 3 times in two weeks, finally diagnosed with Dyshidrotic Eczema. Develops in the hands and feet, some type of allergic reaction that affects the sweat glands. With the humidity here, I might not be able to garden in the best gardening months anymore.
Anyone have any advice on creams, specially made gloves for sensitive skin, etc? I don't want to give up a hobby that has quickly become a passion.
Sorry if the pics are too much.
sarah in the garden- Posts : 40
Join date : 2011-03-24
Age : 47
Location : Panama City Beach, FL - Zone 8b
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
I don't know how well it will work on your type of Eczema, but when I was a nanny, the boy baby got Eczema all over, and we were told to use Aveno with oatmeal and it seemed to help.
muffinator- Posts : 38
Join date : 2011-03-10
Location : New Hampshire
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
I wish I could offer you a solution, but I can't. The best I can do is offer you my prayers and sympathy.
A friend of mine has excema. She says the only thing that has helped her was acupuncture. I have a friend who is an herbalist. I can ask her if she has a tincture or salve that might work.
A friend of mine has excema. She says the only thing that has helped her was acupuncture. I have a friend who is an herbalist. I can ask her if she has a tincture or salve that might work.
dizzygardener- Posts : 668
Join date : 2011-01-26
Location : WNC 6b
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Keep talking to your doctor and ask about "clotrimazole and betamethansone dipropionate" cream. Of all the various stuff mine has given me, this one is the only one that seems to do any good over the long term. Learned about it 50 yrs ago when it helped my Dad. Doctor keeps giving me newer prescriptions because the excema never completely goes away, but I keep going back with this, even when I was overseas. Hopefully your doctor will eventually come up with the right stuff and you can keep gardening.
Kay
Kay
A WEED IS A FLOWER GROWING IN THE WRONG PLACE
Elizabeth City, NC
Click for weather forecast
walshevak
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 4374
Join date : 2010-10-17
Age : 81
Location : wilmington, nc zone 8
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Kay,
I hadn't thought of that. A couple years ago my body decided it wanted to be allergic to the city water. (*shutter* just had a flashback ) The doctor's gave me that cream and it helped quite a bit.
I hadn't thought of that. A couple years ago my body decided it wanted to be allergic to the city water. (*shutter* just had a flashback ) The doctor's gave me that cream and it helped quite a bit.
dizzygardener- Posts : 668
Join date : 2011-01-26
Location : WNC 6b
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
That's not too different looking than my "affliction", except mine covers 100% of the same area a long sleeved dress shirt would, is chronic and comes in 6-11 month "waves".
The Aveno with oatmeal is a good OTC med, as are Epsom salt baths (takes the fluid out of the sores). Bag Balm (what they use on the chapped teats of dairy cows) works very well to keep the skin from drying/cracking/bleeding.
Here is the LINK
I'm not sure if the website "recommends" this for human use ..... but I sure do ....LOL
As far as "conventional meds"; Oral steroids and Triamcinolon Sarna salve (high potency corticosteroids) seem to help sometimes but doesn't ever seem to be able to knock it out completely.
Honestly, I suggest seeing a dermatologist (if you haven't already) ....they tend to be more sympathetic than the general/family doctors (who tell you "it's a rash, go put some cream on it").
If all else fails ..... floodlights are cheap & vampire gardening aint-so-bad
The Aveno with oatmeal is a good OTC med, as are Epsom salt baths (takes the fluid out of the sores). Bag Balm (what they use on the chapped teats of dairy cows) works very well to keep the skin from drying/cracking/bleeding.
Here is the LINK
I'm not sure if the website "recommends" this for human use ..... but I sure do ....LOL
As far as "conventional meds"; Oral steroids and Triamcinolon Sarna salve (high potency corticosteroids) seem to help sometimes but doesn't ever seem to be able to knock it out completely.
Honestly, I suggest seeing a dermatologist (if you haven't already) ....they tend to be more sympathetic than the general/family doctors (who tell you "it's a rash, go put some cream on it").
If all else fails ..... floodlights are cheap & vampire gardening aint-so-bad
acara- Posts : 1012
Join date : 2010-08-27
Age : 54
Location : Wesley Chapel, Florida (Zone 9)
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
I'm not sure if the website "recommends" this for human use ..... but I sure do ....LOL
Bag balm is good We had it for the goats when we were milking. I am going to try it on the boys. I have a couple sons that their hands will get dry and chaffed in areas. I also buy Burts Bees hand salve, but thats a pretty penny. They put that on at night with socks on their hands. (they are germ aware they say, good hand washers I call them) I even buy Dr. Bronner's pure castile soaps for them. I put about a 1/2 inch in the bottom of a foaming pumper and fill the rest with water, it lasts way longer than the store bought chemical infused soaps I buy a couple quarts every other month or so, if not longer. I buy it at GNC in the first 7 days of the month with the discount (20 percent ) card I pay for yearly. I save that way.
Hospitals used to use the bar castile soap for babies My sister brought it home from UCLA when my niece was born.
Ha-v-v
Ha-v-v- Posts : 1123
Join date : 2010-03-12
Age : 64
Location : Southwest Ms. Zone 8A (I like to think I get a little bit of Zone 9 too )
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
All I got for you
Gwynn
Gwynn
Old Hippie- Regional Hosts
- Posts : 1156
Join date : 2010-08-11
Age : 73
Location : Canada 3b
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
In your case it looks a bit severe so a dermatologist sounds appropriate if the condition has not changed much. Many health food stores have a herbal consultant on staff. As mentioned epsom salts can draw a lot of bad stuff out of surface conditions. If it's allergic would benadryl be a good ingredient to bring relief like in poison oak/ivy ointments. A good soap would be a nice find for your situation too. You mite consider soap making as a hobby so you could fine tune the contents to your families needs. Around here winters are tough on hands and the cows udders too so dairy farmers use some kind of udder balm or bag balm. Mine comes from a chain farm store and is called Kens udder cream (Kens is the chain store). It usually has some antiseptic content to prevent mastitis in the cows. It is marvelous at keeping human hands in good condition. A lot is sold and not just to farmers. Years ago I bought an expensive pair of moccasins at the state fair and also was sold a tin of mink oil salve to preserve them. The moccasin artisan said it would also be good at preserving my hands and it is lovely on the hands for protecting and moisturizing the skin. I wish you well and much happy gardening.
westie42- Posts : 512
Join date : 2011-03-22
Age : 82
Location : West Union, Iowa
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
I have a similar condition, mostly on the feet rarely on the hands. It really seems to crop up when stress is high in my life. The steroid ointments and creams help some. Frequent washing helps as well and a diluted H2O2: H2O solution of the ruptured blisters stings but helps simmer down the itching and stuff. Then dry the affected area. Good luck!
I use a very soothing cream called Udderly Smooth, FABULOUS! Bag Balm & Badger Balm are also standard in our home.
westie42 wrote:Around here winters are tough on hands and the cows udders too so dairy farmers use some kind of udder balm or bag balm.
I use a very soothing cream called Udderly Smooth, FABULOUS! Bag Balm & Badger Balm are also standard in our home.
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
I 2nd (or is it 3rd or 4th?) the Bag Balm. I used it instead of Desitin for my babies. It would knock out a diaper rash in hours.
middlemamma-
- Posts : 2264
Join date : 2010-04-24
Age : 46
Location : Idaho Panhandle
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
I had a friend that used to make soap (she doesn't anymore), but many
people were cured of their eczema with the soap. It had natural oils -
olive, coconut and oatmeal and honey with no fragrances or essential
oils, so maybe you can try and find something like it somewhere? Hope
that helps.
people were cured of their eczema with the soap. It had natural oils -
olive, coconut and oatmeal and honey with no fragrances or essential
oils, so maybe you can try and find something like it somewhere? Hope
that helps.
Guest- Guest
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
My daughter has horrible eczema and we were told it was a fungus on her feet, after a year and a half and several oral medications and creams we were referred to a dermatologist. The creams he gave us worked wonders! It was cleared up with in two weeks except for a couple spots that just were very stubborn. She had covering her body head to toe. The creams were Locoid Lipocream and EpiCeram skin Barrier Emulsion. The Epiceram is to use all the time. We both have hyperhidrosis (excessive sweatiness that affects hands and feet mainly) the dermatologist said eczema is common in people with that, and the epiceram has been great.
Could you try a powder in your gloves? Something to maybe keep your skin dry in the heat and humidity (also in your socks if it is a problem with socks and shoes - neither of us wear closed toed shoes often for that reason) so that you could keep gardening. Maybe if your hands stayed nice and dry in your gloves it would help prevent the reaction.
Aveeno is also awesome for just preventative. Oh and no fragrance laundry stuff (soap and softner and dryer sheets).
Could you try a powder in your gloves? Something to maybe keep your skin dry in the heat and humidity (also in your socks if it is a problem with socks and shoes - neither of us wear closed toed shoes often for that reason) so that you could keep gardening. Maybe if your hands stayed nice and dry in your gloves it would help prevent the reaction.
Aveeno is also awesome for just preventative. Oh and no fragrance laundry stuff (soap and softner and dryer sheets).
clfraser- Posts : 127
Join date : 2011-03-26
Age : 38
Location : Richmond, TX - Zone 8/9
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Olive oil.. or Melagel from Melaleuca..
The olive oil is a natural healing agent and works well on outbreaks.. Not sure if it works well with your condition though..
Oh yeah..I also have tinia versicolor....a fungus...Doctor tells me to use Selsun Blue...the Pepcid is the active ingredient I think...put it on every other day or so for 20 mins...wash it off...Each successive layer of skin falls off with the dead cells (containing the fungus) until it recedes for the most part...
The olive oil is a natural healing agent and works well on outbreaks.. Not sure if it works well with your condition though..
Oh yeah..I also have tinia versicolor....a fungus...Doctor tells me to use Selsun Blue...the Pepcid is the active ingredient I think...put it on every other day or so for 20 mins...wash it off...Each successive layer of skin falls off with the dead cells (containing the fungus) until it recedes for the most part...
Last edited by jamesindetroit on Sat 30 Apr 2011 - 17:10; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : forgot to mention...)
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
I got something very similar both times I was pregnant. Not on my hands and feet, but on my belly, arms, legs, anywhere I would sweat "lightly" it seemed. (my husband would call me "fungus belly" throughout both pregnancies-he's a d-bag) What worked for me for treatment was Lotrimin (the athlete's foot lotion-recommended by OB). I also used tea tree powder to prevent it because I would get it or aggravate it every time I went out in the heat (btw- I just called it "heat rash" if people asked-it was easier than explaining it) The second preganancy was worse than the first because by then , I had a 2 1/2 year old that never wanted to go inside. I bought 2 inexpensive stand up fans that oscillate and set them up outside when we went out. Between that, using the tea tree poweder and making sure to always wear lightly colored clothing that was lightweight, it really helped a lot. Also, cotton will hold moisture against your skin. It is breathable, so it lets air in and that is good, but if you are trying to avoid moisture, go with anything marked "moisture wicking" or lightweight wool blends or synthetics. They sell socks like this for boots in the winter a lot as liners but in the summer, you could just wear the liners alone.
GL finding something that helps, it's super frustrating to be on hold!
GL finding something that helps, it's super frustrating to be on hold!
Glendale-gardener- Posts : 293
Join date : 2011-03-10
Age : 48
Location : Cincinnati Zone 6A
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Thank you everyone for all of the great ideas and info.
I've been on a strong prednisone ointment after the doc decided the cream wasn't working well enough. I've also been on an oral pred dose pack; this seems to be working. No new spots have developed, and the old ones are drying up. My skin is dry, cracking and flaking off, but it isn't burning and itching anymore so it's a good day.
I was so overwhelmed when I went to the store with no knowledge whatsoever. All I had in my house were scented lotions, which I knew I had to get rid of. I ended up buying Aveeno Eczema Therapy, it's a cream, not a lotion. I didn't even think about udder balm or bag balm, my mom used to use it when she was nursing and her hands would crack and bleed. Now that it is clearing up, I have to start the tedious process of trying to determine what sets it off so I can avoid whatever it is.
GP is pretty good, his Nurse Practicioner has a special interest and knowledge in dermatological cases, but I will probably see a dermatologist too. I was really stressed out before this outbreak occurred, my daughter was almost hospitalized with a bad case of staph on her legs. Mom thinks that is ultimately what triggered it. I hate to admit it, but I am a high stress person, so she's probably right.
Again, thank you all for everything. The people on this forum are amazing and wonderful, like an extended family that just hasn't met face to face. It makes me feel good to know that there are still kind people who care in the world.
I've been on a strong prednisone ointment after the doc decided the cream wasn't working well enough. I've also been on an oral pred dose pack; this seems to be working. No new spots have developed, and the old ones are drying up. My skin is dry, cracking and flaking off, but it isn't burning and itching anymore so it's a good day.
I was so overwhelmed when I went to the store with no knowledge whatsoever. All I had in my house were scented lotions, which I knew I had to get rid of. I ended up buying Aveeno Eczema Therapy, it's a cream, not a lotion. I didn't even think about udder balm or bag balm, my mom used to use it when she was nursing and her hands would crack and bleed. Now that it is clearing up, I have to start the tedious process of trying to determine what sets it off so I can avoid whatever it is.
GP is pretty good, his Nurse Practicioner has a special interest and knowledge in dermatological cases, but I will probably see a dermatologist too. I was really stressed out before this outbreak occurred, my daughter was almost hospitalized with a bad case of staph on her legs. Mom thinks that is ultimately what triggered it. I hate to admit it, but I am a high stress person, so she's probably right.
Again, thank you all for everything. The people on this forum are amazing and wonderful, like an extended family that just hasn't met face to face. It makes me feel good to know that there are still kind people who care in the world.
sarah in the garden- Posts : 40
Join date : 2011-03-24
Age : 47
Location : Panama City Beach, FL - Zone 8b
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
I had an outbreak of some weird skin thing on the backs of my hands, particularly the knuckle area, it would seem to come every winter, dry, cracked, itched liked crazy, red broken skin/dry patches. But thinking back, I wonder if it had something to do with the hot tub chemicals, because we don't run that anymore, and I haven't noticed it the last 2 winters?
It was on my toes too. Itched like crazy. In the humid summer weather it would go away.
Glad the prednisone is working!
It was on my toes too. Itched like crazy. In the humid summer weather it would go away.
Glad the prednisone is working!
NHGardener- Posts : 2305
Join date : 2011-02-25
Age : 63
Location : Southern New Hampshire
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
my daughter was almost hospitalized with a bad case of staph on her legs
Looking at your location has me wondering :scratch: There have been a lot of reports that people living on or near the beach on the gulf coast have suffered many adverse skin reactions / problems as a result of the massive amounts of Corexit (oil dispersant) that was sprayed as a result of the BP oil spill and for months and months afterwards. Even if you don't actually go in the water, Corexit becomes "aerosol-ized" from evaporation during storm formation off the coast and falls as rain. BP also authorized a GM oil eating bacteria, attempting some form of biological control also that has been implicated in Staph like infections for hundreds of beach goers. Something to look into on google perhaps....just sayin....
My heart goes out to you and your family. I hope you feel better soon
staf74- Posts : 554
Join date : 2010-11-24
Age : 49
Location : York, SC
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Staf, that's an excellent point.
NHGardener- Posts : 2305
Join date : 2011-02-25
Age : 63
Location : Southern New Hampshire
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Thanks NHGardener but I'm wondering if I should have sent that now as a PM instead. I mean, I know the forum is used from time to time for non SFG threads and I do not want to get controversial or open up that suggestion for discussion, I just want to help the poor woman and her family. I could not edit once someone else posted. I have family on the gulf coast closer to the St. Pete / Tampa area and this has been brought up at numerous town meetings. It is actually more than disturbing. Sorry y'all... was just trying to help.
staf74- Posts : 554
Join date : 2010-11-24
Age : 49
Location : York, SC
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Gee Staf, I wouldn't think that was controversial at all. I figured it was pretty much common knowledge.
NHGardener- Posts : 2305
Join date : 2011-02-25
Age : 63
Location : Southern New Hampshire
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Okay.....I feel better for the suggestion now NHG. Its something perhaps they can research if they get no better answers from dermatologists etc.
Oh the folly of man....
Oh the folly of man....
staf74- Posts : 554
Join date : 2010-11-24
Age : 49
Location : York, SC
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Thankfully, I know what the cause of the staph is...my daughter is highly allergic to mosquitos. She got bit several times while playing outside (and I didn't know), she scratched the bites until they bled, then scratched them open again. I was mostly worried about the staph because once the blisters opened up on my hands I was open to a secondary infection. We are both cleared up now, just trying to figure out how to keep us both that way!
I know it's not SFG material but I'm thankful for all the advice and concern!
I know it's not SFG material but I'm thankful for all the advice and concern!
sarah in the garden- Posts : 40
Join date : 2011-03-24
Age : 47
Location : Panama City Beach, FL - Zone 8b
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
Dial or Safeguard deoderant style soap used with a wash cloth whilst bathing will help to keep the staph colonies on the skin at reduced number, which will in turn reduce your infection risk.. . good luck with the skeeters!sarah in the garden wrote:Thankfully, I know what the cause of the staph is...my daughter is highly allergic to mosquitos. She got bit several times while playing outside (and I didn't know), she scratched the bites until they bled, then scratched them open again. I was mostly worried about the staph because once the blisters opened up on my hands I was open to a secondary infection. We are both cleared up now, just trying to figure out how to keep us both that way!
I know it's not SFG material but I'm thankful for all the advice and concern!
Re: My personal woes, mostly garden related...
You might want to look at this site:
http://www.internationaleczema-psoriasisfoundation.org/dyshidrotic_eczema.php4
http://www.internationaleczema-psoriasisfoundation.org/dyshidrotic_eczema.php4
mcduff- Posts : 10
Join date : 2011-03-07
Location : Memphis - Zone 7
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