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Eczema and gut health and stress connection?
I don't really know where to begin, but I have several on and off symptoms and I am confused as to what type of doctor I should see or what tests I should take and what type of treatment is available. If you can take your time to read my whole description I'd appreciate it.
I am a female in my 20s.
Last year (2014) in May I noticed one or two tiny bumps on my hands which quickly developed and spread into bunches of tiny itchy fluid-filled blisters all over my palms and sides of my fingers. Some parts eventually became oozy/crusty/inflamed.
I went to the doctor who first misdiagnosed it as impetigo and gave me antibiotics and prescription strength antibiotic cream, which did not help at all to make it go away. Then I was referred to a dermatologist and they said it was eczema (specifically dyshidrotic eczema). I never had eczema prior to this (I had skin problems like acne, though). The dermatologist gave me a steroid cream which did help to make all the eczema on my hand go away after about a month of using the cream.
After that, during the fall/winter I was on the most part eczema free. I would get one or two tiny bump on my fingers (precursor to the blister) if my hands touched dish soap and certain body soaps, so I would wear gloves when washing dishes and switched to gentler body soaps. I would occasionally use the steroid cream when I see these occasional tiny dots on my hand and it would go away, and it never became inflamed.
So I was basically eczema free for the fall/winter, but again this April 2015, I got a bunch of bumps on my knuckles that became the same inflamed, oozy mess by May (mind you, I never scratched it), except this time it spread only on my fingers and not my palms. Since the steroid cream was not helping this time (it made it itchier and redder) I stopped using it. I turned to the internet for some information and found several fellow eczema-suffers and articles which clearly stated that steroid creams can actually cause it to become worse in the long run and is only suppressing the symptom rather than treating the cause. There's even a site for it talking about the condition and withdrawal symptoms that people go through after prolonged use of steroid creams on this site: http://itsan.org/
I still have the eczema blisters on my fingers, but I have been trying to keep it under control by covering it with cotton finger bandages, giving it occasional salt water cleaning, and occasionally applying a tiny bit of turmeric to stop the weeping/itching. I don't moisturize it because I noticed that any moisturizer I use (whether it's cetaphil or something more natural like olive oil, etc.) would cause irritation.
My eczema has not improved, however, and still remains on my fingers and some of the patches have grown a bit bigger, albeit very slowly.
I keep reading several blogs, forums, articles, etc. which all state that eczema is highly connected with allergies and the gut.
Which brings me to the other on and off symptoms I've been having.
Since around 2012, I have had periods of time where I would have very bad gas and digestive issues and sometimes abdominal pain in the left side under my rib-and both of them coincides with the periods that I am working and under stress. Every time I quit the job, it would mostly subside.
In the fall of 2014, when I started a new job, I had very bad gas, strange body odor and scalp odor, and on and off diarrhea. It would come and go, but it was the worst during October/November. I would try cutting out certain foods in an effort to stop it but it seemed futile. I don't eat all that unhealthy to begin with, so I was not sure what could be causing it.
I did some research and was thinking that perhaps I had some type of IBS, but did not see any doctors to confirm that.
After I quit the job in April 2015, my gas stopped but that was when my second eczema flare up happened on my hands.
And recently I notice that I would get an occasional rectal itching.
I did a self examination (I know that's a bit TMI, but whatever I was concerned) and noticed that that some of the inner lining seemed to be red/inflamed and have tiny bumps.
I should also mention that during the year 2013-beginning of 2014 I was going through severe depression and went through a period of time where I could hardly leave the house. This was prior to getting my first eczema (in fact, I think the first trip outside of my house, other than for occasional walks for exercise, was after I got the eczema and went to the doctor). I am thoroughly convinced that stress and the fact that I was inside a lot probably did play a huge role in why I developed eczema and gut imbalances.
My depression is not really an issue anymore, but sometimes I do have several mood swings, and I'm not sure if hormonal imbalances also plays a role in this.
So with all that said...I don't know what type of doctor to see first.
From the websites that talk about eczema cures
Examples:
http://www.softress.com/eczema_information.php
http://eczema-natural-healing.com/eczema-diet.html
https://eczemaholistichealing.wordpress.com/
http://www.primephysiquenutrition.com/
http://cureeczemaslowly.com/
They all talk about eating only limited types of food to heal leaky gut syndrome, and I have been trying that for the past several days. I don't really expect to see any fast results, as they all say it takes about a month.
I'm most concerned about the eczema and what seems to be the inflammation on the rectum, which I am kind of convinced is a problem concerning the gut.
Should I get an endoscopy to see if the other parts of my digestive tract is inflamed? Should I get an allergy test to see if I have any sensitivities? Should I see a general practitioner or a naturopath? Who should I go to? I want a doctor who understands that eczema is not just a skin disorder.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
I am a female in my 20s.
Last year (2014) in May I noticed one or two tiny bumps on my hands which quickly developed and spread into bunches of tiny itchy fluid-filled blisters all over my palms and sides of my fingers. Some parts eventually became oozy/crusty/inflamed.
I went to the doctor who first misdiagnosed it as impetigo and gave me antibiotics and prescription strength antibiotic cream, which did not help at all to make it go away. Then I was referred to a dermatologist and they said it was eczema (specifically dyshidrotic eczema). I never had eczema prior to this (I had skin problems like acne, though). The dermatologist gave me a steroid cream which did help to make all the eczema on my hand go away after about a month of using the cream.
After that, during the fall/winter I was on the most part eczema free. I would get one or two tiny bump on my fingers (precursor to the blister) if my hands touched dish soap and certain body soaps, so I would wear gloves when washing dishes and switched to gentler body soaps. I would occasionally use the steroid cream when I see these occasional tiny dots on my hand and it would go away, and it never became inflamed.
So I was basically eczema free for the fall/winter, but again this April 2015, I got a bunch of bumps on my knuckles that became the same inflamed, oozy mess by May (mind you, I never scratched it), except this time it spread only on my fingers and not my palms. Since the steroid cream was not helping this time (it made it itchier and redder) I stopped using it. I turned to the internet for some information and found several fellow eczema-suffers and articles which clearly stated that steroid creams can actually cause it to become worse in the long run and is only suppressing the symptom rather than treating the cause. There's even a site for it talking about the condition and withdrawal symptoms that people go through after prolonged use of steroid creams on this site: http://itsan.org/
I still have the eczema blisters on my fingers, but I have been trying to keep it under control by covering it with cotton finger bandages, giving it occasional salt water cleaning, and occasionally applying a tiny bit of turmeric to stop the weeping/itching. I don't moisturize it because I noticed that any moisturizer I use (whether it's cetaphil or something more natural like olive oil, etc.) would cause irritation.
My eczema has not improved, however, and still remains on my fingers and some of the patches have grown a bit bigger, albeit very slowly.
I keep reading several blogs, forums, articles, etc. which all state that eczema is highly connected with allergies and the gut.
Which brings me to the other on and off symptoms I've been having.
Since around 2012, I have had periods of time where I would have very bad gas and digestive issues and sometimes abdominal pain in the left side under my rib-and both of them coincides with the periods that I am working and under stress. Every time I quit the job, it would mostly subside.
In the fall of 2014, when I started a new job, I had very bad gas, strange body odor and scalp odor, and on and off diarrhea. It would come and go, but it was the worst during October/November. I would try cutting out certain foods in an effort to stop it but it seemed futile. I don't eat all that unhealthy to begin with, so I was not sure what could be causing it.
I did some research and was thinking that perhaps I had some type of IBS, but did not see any doctors to confirm that.
After I quit the job in April 2015, my gas stopped but that was when my second eczema flare up happened on my hands.
And recently I notice that I would get an occasional rectal itching.
I did a self examination (I know that's a bit TMI, but whatever I was concerned) and noticed that that some of the inner lining seemed to be red/inflamed and have tiny bumps.
I should also mention that during the year 2013-beginning of 2014 I was going through severe depression and went through a period of time where I could hardly leave the house. This was prior to getting my first eczema (in fact, I think the first trip outside of my house, other than for occasional walks for exercise, was after I got the eczema and went to the doctor). I am thoroughly convinced that stress and the fact that I was inside a lot probably did play a huge role in why I developed eczema and gut imbalances.
My depression is not really an issue anymore, but sometimes I do have several mood swings, and I'm not sure if hormonal imbalances also plays a role in this.
So with all that said...I don't know what type of doctor to see first.
From the websites that talk about eczema cures
Examples:
http://www.softress.com/eczema_information.php
http://eczema-natural-healing.com/eczema-diet.html
https://eczemaholistichealing.wordpress.com/
http://www.primephysiquenutrition.com/
http://cureeczemaslowly.com/
They all talk about eating only limited types of food to heal leaky gut syndrome, and I have been trying that for the past several days. I don't really expect to see any fast results, as they all say it takes about a month.
I'm most concerned about the eczema and what seems to be the inflammation on the rectum, which I am kind of convinced is a problem concerning the gut.
Should I get an endoscopy to see if the other parts of my digestive tract is inflamed? Should I get an allergy test to see if I have any sensitivities? Should I see a general practitioner or a naturopath? Who should I go to? I want a doctor who understands that eczema is not just a skin disorder.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
Along with other symptoms of unwellness I too get the bumps on fingers you describe ..I think mine is caused by environmental allergies,they are doing a lot of spraying in CA and I think many toxins are giving us rashes and making us sick.
Most of my GI problems are gone but I still have itchy skin and cognitive problems. My tinnitus is quite bad but I am learning to cope with it. Maybe a naturopath might work.. I have not yet tried that.
Lowering my stress levels have helped many of my symptoms but I still feel quite messed up.
If you find a magic bullet, let me know.
Lowering my stress levels have helped many of my symptoms but I still feel quite messed up.
If you find a magic bullet, let me know.
My stomach did make gurgling noises now that I recall.
I have been reading many forums and do agree with you that many people seem to be going through these intestinal health issues with unknown causes.
I will definitely try to see with the doctor if it has something to do with parasites.
Have you tried going to a naturopath/homeopathic doctor? After doing a bit of research/reading, it seems more people are going to them for treatment for these types of ailments.
Thank you so much for taking your time to answer. I hope we both can find a way to cure the health issue.
I have been reading many forums and do agree with you that many people seem to be going through these intestinal health issues with unknown causes.
I will definitely try to see with the doctor if it has something to do with parasites.
Have you tried going to a naturopath/homeopathic doctor? After doing a bit of research/reading, it seems more people are going to them for treatment for these types of ailments.
Thank you so much for taking your time to answer. I hope we both can find a way to cure the health issue.
Many of the symptoms you are discussing are being shared by a wide range of people. Recovery seems to be slow in many people. You could get tested for parasites. Doctors will down play the role of parasites in systemic infections so it may be difficult to get such a test done. My GI problems are much better but I have many sleeping problems, rectal itching and pain, long lasting fatigue, mood swings. The only thing they found in me was a parasite called blastocyst hominis. Doctor said it was minor but I beg to differ. I have been sick for 10 months now.
I was ask your HCP to test everything you are concerned about. You know that something is wrong because of how you normally are. The doctor only sees you for 10 minutes so how can they fully understand your situation.
When you had IBS problems... did your stomach make loud gurgling noises all the time? Bad gas and bloating? I have been suffering for quite some time now. Everyone tell me it is all in my head but not sure about that. Seems to in my colon, skin, and head.
Good luck with things
I was ask your HCP to test everything you are concerned about. You know that something is wrong because of how you normally are. The doctor only sees you for 10 minutes so how can they fully understand your situation.
When you had IBS problems... did your stomach make loud gurgling noises all the time? Bad gas and bloating? I have been suffering for quite some time now. Everyone tell me it is all in my head but not sure about that. Seems to in my colon, skin, and head.
Good luck with things
I guess I should add that my depression was onset around 2010 when a close family member passed away.
Hi Normanred.
I don't recall much health problems prior to my depression. I was always under stress however, and with school/college I didn't always have a good sleep schedule.
I did travel to South Korea for a month during the summer of 2012. I developed a cough during that time that went away after a month. I think I just had a weak immune system from the stress and on and off depression.
I should mention that I noticed the tiny bumps (maybe one or two) on my fingers that would come and go since around 2011, but they were always small and not itchy so I thought nothing of it. This coincided with living in an old dorm building that was incredibly dry during the winter, and I think that might have something to do with it, too.
It was only in 2014 that this tiny dot spread and became itchy, inflamed, and crusty.
The rectal itching is really really minor so I feel a bit embarrassed putting that in the details. After reading a lot of articles about the connection between the digestive system and skin problems, however, I just thought that it might have a connection-considering that it is connected with the colon/digestive tract.
I don't recall much health problems prior to my depression. I was always under stress however, and with school/college I didn't always have a good sleep schedule.
I did travel to South Korea for a month during the summer of 2012. I developed a cough during that time that went away after a month. I think I just had a weak immune system from the stress and on and off depression.
I should mention that I noticed the tiny bumps (maybe one or two) on my fingers that would come and go since around 2011, but they were always small and not itchy so I thought nothing of it. This coincided with living in an old dorm building that was incredibly dry during the winter, and I think that might have something to do with it, too.
It was only in 2014 that this tiny dot spread and became itchy, inflamed, and crusty.
The rectal itching is really really minor so I feel a bit embarrassed putting that in the details. After reading a lot of articles about the connection between the digestive system and skin problems, however, I just thought that it might have a connection-considering that it is connected with the colon/digestive tract.
Prior to your depression episodes did you have anything happen to you? Sickness or other possible event that stands out? (Travel anywhere?) I believe your eczema is not just a skin disorder but something much bigger.
Has the rectal itching gone away or does it still linger? Do you have any sleeping issues? Itching skin? Tinnitus? Difficulty concentrating?
Has the rectal itching gone away or does it still linger? Do you have any sleeping issues? Itching skin? Tinnitus? Difficulty concentrating?
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