facial eczema

Hi all ! I am new to this site and want to say first that the level of interest/reply and level of knowledge of the posters, as well as overall quality of the site, is fantastic. Kudos to everyone involved.
Now, down to the question. I have had pretty bad eczema all of my life. ... and as many of you know, it tends to move every few years; back then elbows then knees, etc... Well in conjunction with my sleep apnea diagnosis, my eczema has now moved to my face. Daily ( yes I probably glow by now ) cortisone keeps the eczema semi in check - but not really. I was wondering if there was a tissue ( disposable preferred ) or light cloth cover ( washable ) available for the rubber seal / gasket for the full face masks? I think this would help me tremendously. Now, if I am re-inventing the wheel, please let me know. If I am totally off base, also please let me know.
Comments appreciated and again great site !
PS - I use a Resmed Autoset II ( set on autoset ) with humidifier ( set at 2 ) and quatro full face mask.
PPS - When I wake up in the morning I hit the display button and see values between 8.0 and 10.0. Is this
my last setting or max from the night or ? Curious....

I've seen some people here really rave about cutting an old tshirt to put between the mask and the skin. They claim it works, though I can't really see how with the Quattro since that cushion seals by sticking to the skin...at least in my experience with it! I guess it can't hurt to try it, though. The only thing you have to lose is one old tshirt.

panelman01 wrote:Hi all ! I am new to this site and want to say first that the level of interest/reply and level of knowledge of the posters, as well as overall quality of the site, is fantastic. Kudos to everyone involved.
Now, down to the question. I have had pretty bad eczema all of my life. ... and as many of you know, it tends to move every few years; back then elbows then knees, etc... Well in conjunction with my sleep apnea diagnosis, my eczema has now moved to my face. Daily ( yes I probably glow by now ) cortisone keeps the eczema semi in check - but not really. I was wondering if there was a tissue ( disposable preferred ) or light cloth cover ( washable ) available for the rubber seal / gasket for the full face masks? I think this would help me tremendously. Now, if I am re-inventing the wheel, please let me know. If I am totally off base, also please let me know.
Comments appreciated and again great site !
PS - I use a Resmed Autoset II ( set on autoset ) with humidifier ( set at 2 ) and quatro full face mask.
PPS - When I wake up in the morning I hit the display button and see values between 8.0 and 10.0. Is this
my last setting or max from the night or ? Curious....

Things to consider: adding more omega 3 EFAs (fish oils, Krill oil, Salmon, herrings) and reducing veggy and seed oils (olive oil OK as is organic fully-saturated coconut oil), keeping skin esp clean, washing with seabuckthorne soap (there is good evidence that this soap kills pathogens that may cause both rosacea and acne), exfoliating the oily skin in face...very gently with something like St Ives Acne Scrub (I do this twice a day very gently). Ensure whatever you wash your mask with isn't irritiating your skin...after rinsing, I spray my mask with vinegar, let sit 2-3 mins, rinse well, and then let air dry to disinfect and remove all soap residue. Using a skin repair product like DermaE's Alphalipoderm which contains alpha lipoic acid and green team extract to heal inside & outside the cell in the morning (or after work)...I love this stuff and use it on burns, blisters (when mask rubs), irritated skin, bug bites, bruises (helps clear the blood discoloration).

Check with padacheek... she may have something that'll work

http://www.padacheek.com... or just pm padacheek

There are these things you might want to look into:
Discussion: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44447&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=remzzzs
Website: http://www.remzzzs.com/

Me too. Excema and acne both on face. I agree with most of the other posters on remedies and solutions. Just want to toss one more idea into the mix - The Nasal Aire II Mask.

Least facial contact of any mask I've every tried. I still have issues with the chinstrap I wear as headgear/chinstrap, but they are far more minor than the leaking and skin irritation I got from other masks.

I run a free test drive for this mask, so you can try it before buying it. If you want to know more, click on the links in my signature block below.

Good luck!!!!
Barbara

This doesn't really address your question, but as a fellow eczema sufferer you might consider getting a Rx for either Nizoral cream or Desonide (Tridesilon) cream for your face. You might find it controls the symptoms better than cortisone. I apply the tiniest of dabs to the affected areas once in the morning and mine is completely controlled.

I agree with KSMike that nizoral cream works wonders. I also use a thin coat of milk of magnesia on the skin before masking up. It leaves a film that protects the skin. Since using the MOM I have rarely had a breakout on my face.

Brenda

There have been many studies regarding Vit-D deficiencies of people in northern latitudes, (north of Atlanta, GA) dark skinned people, people that use sun screen, etc. The study listed below indicated a strong link between acne, eczema, and low Vit-D. Please read the information at the link provided.
Bill
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2008/10/06/41864.aspx

Thank you all for your replies.... The vitamin D sounds hopeful.... Now why hasn't
the dermatologist ever mentioned this?

I asked my doctor why my fingernails were splitting and pealing every winter. It hurt to slide my hands into gloves or pockets. He just shrugged his shoulders when I asked him if it could be a vitamin deficiency. I started taking Vit-D for another reason and noticed that my nails were better. I gave the Dr. all the clues, but he did not make the connection.
Taking a supplement could take a few weeks before you notice improvement. One 1000 unit pill each day is not expensive and it should not do any harm. But, it might help.
Wishing you some good relief,
Bill

panelman01 wrote:Thank you all for your replies.... The vitamin D sounds hopeful.... Now why hasn't
the dermatologist ever mentioned this?

Regretfully, my observation has been that doctors get their updates on medicines from pharmaceutical representatives... who are paid to insure the docs prescribe THEIR drugs.

Vitamin D isn't under patent. It won't make money for anyone except the vitamin pill maker. So it's unlikely to be recommended, unless you have a superlative doc.

Note: you want Vitamin D3, not the synthetic D2 found in milk and other fortified stuff.

Another item you might try is biotin. Friend of mine who has had eczema for years (her skin is terribly pitted and scarred, and she almost couldn't have her hip replacement because the surgeon was afraid it was a bacterial issue which could affect the outcome of the surgery). About six weeks ago, she began taking 5 mg of biotin per day... and the skin condition has almost cleared up.

wlenz wrote:...strong link between acne, eczema, and low Vit-D...

Gee, taking 4000 IU /day on doc's orders no wonder my skin has so few probls now . Hoping at tomorrows' doc consult, tests results will show my D is finally 'up.' It's been really low for the past year as we slowly increase my supps.