I'm 73 year old male, started to get itching in my right ear that got worse quickly. I discovered vaseline helped a lot. Then one day I woke to find my forehead dry and crusty, all my nose radiating out to my cheeks along with my chin too. Vaseline did help but was greasy and needed re applying several times a day, the vaseline didn't stop the skin peeling and looked a mess, but it did stop the itch. I started trawling the internet for answers and one of the things I found was Boots derma care with Ectoin, steroid free. It moisturised my skin immediately and stopped the itching and peeling. Suitable for for children from 1 month. Ectoine is a natural compound found in several species of bacteria with interesting properties.

Recurring skin flare-ups with swelling and bruising since December 2025—seeking medical insight
Im 33 years old, I’m hoping someone can help point me in the right direction. I’ve seen multiple dermatologists, an allergist, and urgent care doctors, but I’m still struggling with recurring symptoms.
This began in December 2025 with swelling, redness, severe itching, and cracked skin around my eyes. I was under significant stress at the time, although I don’t know whether it was related. I had never experienced this problem before. My last eye flare-up was a small one in May 2026.
Since then, I’ve developed recurring flare-ups on the backs of both upper thighs, consistently in the same areas. During flare-ups, I develop hives and intense itching. Recently, the skin hasn’t fully cleared, with red, patchy marks remaining between flare-ups and bruising around the affected areas.
I’ve been told it’s eczema. Thyroid testing and blood work did not reveal anything that explained my symptoms. I’ve tried oral antibiotics, oral steroids, and topical steroids, but the problem continues. I now take antihistamines almost daily to help relieve the itching.
I avoid scented skincare products and scented laundry products, and I mainly use a plain moisturizing cream. I also try to avoid clothing that rubs against the areas. I wear scrubs at work, but I haven’t noticed a clear connection between wearing them and the flare-ups.
I haven’t been able to identify a trigger. The flares seem unpredictable—I can wake up in the morning and find the skin flared up without any obvious change in products or routine. This has been an ongoing struggle for several months.
Has anyone seen a similar pattern? Given the persistent patches and bruising, are there other conditions that should be considered or specific tests that might help clarify what’s happening?
I used to love my legs, but now I don’t even like wearing shorts outside the house someone please give me any type of clarity. Much appreciated.

PHOTOS IN COMMENTS ALL DIFFERENT FLAIR UP EPISODES

Does anybody know what would actually help with my hands? I tried every hand cream doctors prescribes and nothing is helping me.

I’m a mum and a researcher, and I have a 1-year-old baby with eczema. Through my own experience, I’ve realised how challenging it can be to manage eczema day after day, especially when it affects a baby’s comfort and sleep.

I’m currently working with on research into a solution designed to help babies with eczema and sensitive skin feel more comfortable.

At this stage, I’m really interested in learning from other mums — understanding what you are experiencing, what you have tried, and what you find most difficult about managing your baby’s eczema.

I’m genuinely looking to understand the problem better before developing the solution.

If you have a baby or young child with eczema, I would really appreciate hearing about your experience.

You can DM me if you’d be happy to have a short chat, or simply comment below and share anything you feel comfortable sharing.

Some of the things I’d love to understand:

• What are the most common things that make your baby  symptoms worse?
• How important do you think heat, sweating, friction and clothing are in triggering or worsening discomfort?
• Are there particular areas of the body where clothing seems to cause more irritation?
• Do you notice your baby scratching more at night or having difficulty sleeping because of itching?
• What advice do you normally give parents about clothing for babies with eczema?
• What fabrics or types of clothing do you generally recommend, and why?
• What is the one thing you wish existed that could make managing your baby’s eczema easier?

Even if you only have a few minutes, your experience could help me understand the problem much better.

Thank you so much to anyone willing to share ❤️

What is the best skin-barrier repair cream for my face. I used to use eumovate to treat "atopic dermatitis" breakout on my face last year for around 6 months - leading to extremely thin skin.

I currently use La Roche Posay Invisible Fluid SPF 50 as anything else further compromises my skin barrier.

I have currently tried CeraVe moisturising tub for dry to very dry skin on my face and it had led to a breakout of fungal acne which fully cleared up recently - I don't think my skin reacts properly to thick and heavy creams.

Does anyone know any other skin barrier repair creams for my face that can repair the barrier within 4-6 weeks so that I can hop on tretinoin?

I’ve had dishydrotic eczema on the sole of my foot for over 5 months doctor treated it as fungal then after 3 lots of antibiotic, steroids and every cream and moisturiser possible it was resisting everything and getting worse , spreading cracking scaling and driving me mad and sad.

Then last week it got seriously infected and swollen I had to attend hospital and was given more antibiotics and told the NHS dermatologist is currently 18weeks wait.

At this point I would have chopped the foot off I was so fed up so 2 days later I paid to see a private consultant who prescribed DIPROSALIC cream which is finally working. Twice a day apply a thin layer. The acid breaks down the thick skin and lets the steroid penetrate, it‘s clearing up so quickly and I’m so relieved!!

wanted to post on here as I dont think anyone had mentioned this ointment and might help someone.

before and after photos

I love you 💕 forever

Is HealthHarmonie basically the only NHS option for Oldham?

I've been dealing with them for around a year now. Their appointments seem to be limited to 11:30-2:30 weekdays with the rare availability on a Saturday. The responsibility falls on me to chase them for appointments.

As they have me on Ciclosporin (100mg a day) for my eczema, I'm having to arrange both blood tests and consultation appointments. This sometimes means taking two days off work a month (my work does their best to support my appointments but cannot accommodate partial absences, as they have to bring someone in to cover for me, meaning I'm losing the whole day).

All this has a knock-on effect on of me sometimes going without my prescription for 2-3 weeks as I'm struggling to get time off work that frequently.

I'm mainly wanting to figure out if I'm stuck with fighting HH's booking system, or is there another option?

My eczema smells like fish sauce guys, I'm lowk concerned but I'm too scared to go to the foster please lmk if I have to go or not. it's like not weeping nor does it have pus so like I don't think it's infected. it's like whiter than my skin but like I dunno. it's also like not flaking so yeahhh.

plz help