I have  not been posting but that is a good thing because it means my skin is doing ok.  I had a few bouts with protopic but now I am clear.  I have a few things to post and will update in a bit.

Hydrocortisone cream 1% is Over-The-Counter (OTC) in the U.S. but requires a prescription in Canada.  If in CA, use hydrocortisone cream 0.5%.  It is very low dose but it gets the job done (longer period of time required).  This OTC cream is safe for use on the face and hence I use it.  I use it twice a day when my skin breaks out and then reduce it to once (at night) and then every other day- and then discontinue and maintain with my usual regimen.  This way, your skin is not addicted to it.  I say no more than two weeks of applying – you should really use it 2x a day for about 2-3 days only – then reduce as above.  Do not immediately stop – this will cause your skin to rebound and the problem will come back right away.

I recommend everyone keep HC cream in their house- you never know – and a rash is likely to happen for anything.  Better to be safe.  I also did some research on the safety o HC.  HC cream 1% is relatively safe -you can use it everyday for a year and it will not cause skin atrophy as opposed to a strong steroid that you need an RX for.  However, it does lose its ability to work as well if your skin gets used to it -requiring a stronger steroid.  So play it safe and limit your use.

Aveeno products are often highly recommended for eczema and severely dry skin.  Aveeno is gentle and non-irritating according to many users.  Let me be honest.  I have never had much success with Aveeno.  Aveeno’s Skin Relief Lotion made me feel itchier!  Aveeno’s sunblock made my skin burn!  Aveeno’s anti-itch concentrated steroid free cream didn’t do a thing for me.  I basically was pretty much anti-aveeno.

 I saw this on sale at Bed Bath and Beyond (by the way- if you live near one of these- they are THE cheapest place to go for makeup and beauty products).  I could not let such a deal go so I tried to give Aveeno one more chance.  I applied this for a month after my showers once a day.  My skin rarely itched or was inflamed at the end of the day.  I hardly need to reapply – which was a shock in itself.  I do warn you - this is a lotion- therefore lighter than a cream and may not be as strong as you want or need for cold drying winters.  It works great for a day lotion – but if you require heavier moisturization for the evenings or at night – you should add another cream to your regimen.

I am pretty pleased with this product.  Aveeno  -Im glad I gave you another chance. 

I think that this is one product that is worth trying.  If you are worried about spending so much on water - you can spend less on an Evian spray – but I cannot promise it will work.  Also many think buying regular spring water at a drug store and sticking it inside an spray bottle can give a similar effect and save money.  Try it and report back!

I chose La Roche because it has selenium and has been marketed for eczema.  I am happy and I recommend. 

• Petroleum Jelly (PJ) is NOT cancerous.  Do not believe the hype.  The form it comes in when sold in stores (e.g. vaseline) is a different form and this cannot cause cancer.  http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics1440.htm for proof.  The PJ sold cosmetically is highly refined white PJ and therefore it is not classifed as cancerous (but yellow PJ that is not refined IS – not used cosmetically!!)
• PJ does not clog pores.  The difference is, it blocks your skin so that impurities cannot get in.  So no, it does not moisturize your skin in that sense.  It doesn’t sink in or do anything TO your skin.  It just protects it from harsh things (wind, etc) outside.  
•  It is considered safe and recommended by dermatologists for people suffering with eczema.  One dermatologist cited it as one of the FEW things out there that hardly ANYONE can be allergic to. 

So there you go.  I have been using vaseline/PJ on my face and eczema for months now.  It is the one thing that has kept my skin soft.  I think if your skin is oily- you may want to skip this one.  But for those of us with awful flare-ups and dry desert like skin -please try it.  Here is a tip I learned from makeuptalk.com – mix PJ with water…apply.  It should not be as greasy.   Also – why does it work?  I think personally it works because it protects your skin.  Eczema can be caused from anything.  What this does it keep your skin at its normal condition.  So it may be that you may require a regular moisturizer during the day- I recommend this only at night so your skin can heal itself.
And -wash hands before use each time to keep the tub clean!

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/62/71802.htm

Gammaderm is basically a cream that contains 20% evening primrose oil.  It has been recommended by many parents with suffering children.  I tried this cream and my eczema was the worst it had ever been.  I gave this away to a friend suffering too – in the hopes that perhaps I am just the oddball.

Proceed with caution. 

Lubriderm has been highly recommended by many dermatologists…my own included.  I can safely say that this is one of the worst lotions I have ever come across.  Lubriderm makes my skin burn!  And not just when on cuts -but on skin that isn’t even eczema afflicted.  I know that I may be more sensitive than most but this is hands down an awful lotion for me.  I am highly disappointed.  Of course I tried this before I knew that creams were better for me than lotions.

Lubriderm? Lubri-dud is more like it!

Nizoral also was once available only by prescription.

Both of these products are highly reviewed so if you DO have dandruff give it a try but otherwise – avoid.