I have a patchy skin condition for years, what is it?

I have some rashes on my legs that have been there for almost 6 years. I have been to the doctor. He put my leg up to a special light and said it wasn't fungus. He diagnosed it as Dermatitis, and prescribed me prescription cortizone which I used as directed for a few weeks, and did not help it. The patches are pale red, thicker than the surrounding skin, flaky looking, very itchy at times, and sometimes not.





My skin, in general, is very dry and sensitive and the rash is only on my lower legs. I do wear pants most of the time. However, even when I was going to tanning beds, the condition was not better than it is now. The patches bounce around alot. I've started to get very small patches on my thighs and torso. I have no idea what it is. My boyfriend has psoriasis, and it looks like his condition, but isn't nearly as severe. It only has morphology (appearance) that is similar.





I'll be thankful for any advice I can get. Hopefully someone has had a similar condition. Thanks.

I have a patchy skin condition for years, what is it?
I have eczema, and I think you have the same thing. Welcome!





The other person is right, that the cream prescribed to you might not have been right for you. However, eczema can be a lifelong condition -- consisting of flares and recessions (that doesn't mean it'll disappear completely, mind you) -- that some grow out of (but that I grew INto, bleh).





It's a very individualistic condition, but things you will/may need are:


1. A good moisturizer


2. possibly a steroid cream/ointment that you are sure not to overuse, as this may thin your skin





Long-term oral steroids can do damage to your system, though used in the short-term they can be kinda helpful. I don't think yours sounds so severe.





These jumping patches can also be due to environmental causes such as soaps, detergents, and shampoos you're using as well. You might try different soaps with less chemicals and see if you notice any change (i.e. castille soap or Free and Clear Shampoo or Ecover items).





Finally, a second opinion never hurt. A combination of dermatologists finally lead me to throw out my Suave shampoo after I developed allergic contact dermatitis (in addition to the atopic dermatitis I already had!) to it. :)





Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions (if you think I can help, heh)!
Reply:It sounds like Dermatitis (eczyma) to me, but he didn't prescribe the correct cream. You need a medicated cream that works for you. I use something called Locoid Lipocreme that you get by prescription. However, you should try tanning. Tanning is the only thing that really, and i mean really really, helps me.
Reply:It could be one of two things, either you also have psoriasis (my hubby has it) or you have excema(?). Not sure of the spelling there. Either way, you have to moisturize like crazy. Both conditions cause dry skin, excema is just a more severe form and it does cause the patches, ALMOST like psoriasis. My friend's daughter has it and uses a cocoa butter cream on it. It seems to help. There is another type of cream, I think Nuskin makes it, and apparently that works to. Good Luck:)
Reply:Dry Skin (xerosis)





Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a common problem. Your skin needs moisture to stay smooth and supple, and retaining moisture is especially difficult in winter. Simple daily routines, such as bathing and towel drying, may actually remove moisture from the skin. Modifying your bathing routine will help preserve your skin's moisture. Bathing provides the skin will moisturize temporarily, but it removes the skin's oily lipid layer and in the long run causes more moisture loss than gain. The wrong moisturizing lotion can have the same effect. Generally, water-based lotions (Lubriderm, Keri lotion, others) are best cosmetically but oil-based creams are more effective in trapping moisture.
Reply:I have eczema which is itchy and sounds like what you are describing. It is usually hereditary. My g-ma had it, my mom me, and now my son, too. It gets worse in the winter and when I eat certain acidic foods like tomatos, oranges or strawberries. It makes appearances all over my body in different places. Make sure you use lots of lotion after bathing and don't take really hot showers as it makes it worse. I found a great product on line called Free Derm. (No, I don't work for them) The Dr. had prescribed a cream that contained steroid ( which didn't help much anyway) but this is steroid free.
Reply:Sounds like eczema. Tanning makes it look worse (more patchy b/c of the discoloration.


Try cortison cream, aquaphore 2x a day. it will probably help.