HRT & cea + Photoderm on Extremely Sensitive Skin

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with cea just over 2 years ago. I avoid all

triggers but it is worsening at an alarming rate. My skin is red,

dry, flaking, itchy and lately it is starting to burn. I have tried

every moisturizer and cleanser suggested but they always cause

flares. Fo the past 6 months all I can do is rinse face with cool

water a few times a day. I can't even let my hair touch my face or

use any hair styling products or I suffer flares for weeks. I had a

hair dye four months ago and within one week my face was horrendous

and it has only just starting to improve slightly. I never had any

problem with computers but now every time I use it my face burns.

As I suffer from PMT my doctor has suggested I try Hormone

Replacement Therapy in the form of an Estragen gel plus a Progestagen

tablet. My Hormone Test showed I may be close to Perimenopause but as

my Estrogen is not yet low enough to cause Hormonal Flushes my Dr is

quite sure this is not causing cea to worsen.

I would like feedback from anyone who has used HRT as to whether it

helped cea or made it worse.

Also I would like to hear the pros and cons from anyone with skin as

sensitive as mine who has had photoderm treatments.

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Anne from Australia.

[Guest guest]

on 4/15/02 12:01 PM, chantillylily at lisan30@... wrote:

> Hi,

>

> I was diagnosed with cea just over 2 years ago. I avoid all

> triggers but it is worsening at an alarming rate. My skin is red,

> dry, flaking, itchy and lately it is starting to burn. I have tried

> every moisturizer and cleanser suggested but they always cause

> flares. Fo the past 6 months all I can do is rinse face with cool

> water a few times a day. I can't even let my hair touch my face or

Hi anne,

This is not the specific feedback you have asked for, but have you ever

tried using a very light application of oil instead of a moisturizer? My

skin is red, dry, flaking and itchy more often than I would like and here is

what I have found helps to re-establish calmness:

1. Rinse with distilled water very briefly, sometimes by patting face with

large cotton ball. I try for no pressure especially on the most chapped

areas. (when my skin is calm, distilled water as opposed to tap does not

make a noticeable difference; when inflamed, it makes a huge difference. I

think there is a lot of chlorine in my water.)

2. If even the oil I use causes stinging and burning, what I do is go

without anything on my face for a full day, maybe two depending. I have

found that it is more important to not cause further irritation and let my

skin's protective layer heal, than to put stuff on. (irritation and

inflammation then dry flakiness seem to be a " vicious circle " )

3. BUT, as soon as possible, I start putting a light layer of oil on in the

am and pm. I put a drop or two on my palm and rub both hands together and

then gently pat it on my face (actually it's not really patting: I press.) I

have found that if I put a heavier layer on, my skin turns red very quickly.

4. Eventually I am usually able to start putting a light moisturizer on over

the oil, which is really what helps the dryness. The oil prevents further

irritation and keeps it on a sort of even keel. But there is no reason you

could not just use oil for as long as you need to.

I am currently following this little routine as my skin is acting up, like

it hasn't in a long time, so I can really sympathize with you!

Hope that is helpful,