Posted By Abby (USA) on 01/25/2026

Replied by Abby (USA) on 01/26/2026

So in my post I did say "severe case of eczema", (doctor diagnosis "Dyshidrotic Eczema"), and that the doctor has me using Cortizone*10 (cream). When bathing I use dove soap, when washing my hands throughout the day at home it is usually Suave Essentials, with essential oils and moisturizers. When I am at work I do not know what they use in their soap dispensers. I am using Gold Bond Healing Hand Cream with aloe, 7 moisturizers, plus 3 vitamins for dry to extra dry skin. I hope this helps, sorry that I was not thorough enough.

Replied by Vera (Colorado) on 01/26/2026

Abby, that helps a lot! I too have battled dyshidrosis, and know lots to pass on. I went from red broken skin, cracks so deep they bled, and insane itch (both hands and feet) to a place where I am 98% free of this, just require some very occasional maintenance.

Crucial step one: eliminate detergents from your handwash. Both Dove and Suave Essentials are detergents, not traditional soaps. Detergents were developed to disturb and penetrate oily surfaces while cleaning them. Great for clothes, bad for skin. Plus commercial soap-like detergents are loaded with other chemicals, colorings and perfumes. Ick. Switching to natural soaps will make a huge difference while your skin is healing. Best without scent. (I have also switched to plant-based free and clear detergents to wash clothes. And I never ever use fabric softeners, nasty stuff.)

Second, learn to knock out the itch. It will help the irritated skin heal. Stick your hand under the faucet, turn on hot water, and as it gets warmer, yank your hand away just at the point when it is getting too hot. The mast cells will release the itchy chemicals and you will get relief for several hours. Can be repeated.

Third, get a barrier ointment for hand care. I use Badger Baby Balm. But any simple ointment will do. Do not use creams, the water in them disturbs the skin barrier. Ok, this should get you on your way. Let me know how you are doing, and I will send more tried and true stuff your way. :-)

Replied by Abby (USA) on 01/30/2026

Thank you Vera, Do you have any recommendations for any hand soaps, dish detergents, or laundry soaps? I did purchase the Badger Baby Balm, it just came today. I am finding a new symptom in my fingers in both hands, however currently it is only my right hand that is affect with the eczema. They are both tingling like they are starting to go to sleep, but that is not what is truly happening. I don't know if it is coming from the eczema, the Raynaud’s Disease, or something else. I am doing the hot water at the faucet, however if my fingers are not itchy, so is it still beneficial to do the hot water? I want to try to make my own hand soap, but I am not sure how quickly I will be able to make it happen. I do not know much about detoxing, so if that is something that would help my situation with the eczema I would need details on how to do it, as well as what I would need to do it. I appreciate that you are willing to share your knowledge!! Thank you, Abby

Replied by Vera (Colorado) on 01/31/2026

Good to hear from you again, Abby! Any health food store will have old fashioned soap. As long as it’s made with lye, and does not have extra “funny” ingredients, you are good. I use 7th Generation free and clear for sensitive skin for clothes washing. Dish detergents are tough, I have used Sonett, but their quality has gone down... 7th Generation is ok too. I put on rubber gloves when I wash dishes. The hot water treatment is for itch. No need to do otherwise. I think your tingling is unrelated to the eczema. No need for detox at this point.

Ok. It’s really important to read labels, and avoid certain ingredients that are known to cause problems, like sodium laurel/laureth sulfate, methylparaben, propylparaben, triethanolamine, fragrances, colorings. Natural cleaning agents with citrus or anything with balsam of peru also can be a problem. I clean everything with simple natural stuff like hydrogen peroxide, or salt, or baking soda, or vinegar. If you look at the Gold Bond cream you’ve been using, it’s loaded with things you don’t want on your hands. (Them saying it’s for sensitive hands is just advertising.) Also true for the hydrocortisone cream. I think you will get much better results from Cortizone 10 as ointment. All it has is vaseline and hydrocortisone. Simplest is best.

For supplements, these are key for your skin health: zinc with quercetin for better absorption (50 mg zinc, 500 quercetin is good), super B complex, and high dose biotin, Solaray makes pleasant tasting lozenges in 10 000 mcg.

Once you stop putting noxious things on the skin, it will begin to heal. To help it along, do full strength apple cider vinegar soaks. Heat up the vinegar to as hot as you can safely bear it, pour into a glass or ceramic bowl and soak until it cools, about 10-15 minutes. If you have a lid for it, you can save the vinegar for next time. Once a day is good as long as symptoms persist. It should make a huge difference and your hands will love it.

The routine is to wash hands with natural soap and rub on the baby balm right away after drying, to keep moisture in and to protect the skin. Have a lovely day Abby and let me know how you do! You are well on your way. :-)

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