Kimberly Robinson2, it's hard to say much just from a photo since the quality isn't great, but it looks like nummular atopic dermatitis to me... Could psychological stress have been the trigger? Perhaps. But that's rarely the root cause. Usually, there's an underlying allergy involved. That’s why getting allergy testing is a smart move. Did your doctor send you for both prick and scratch tests?
Neutrogena works fine if you aren't allergic to parabens. I’ve used it myself and had no issues 😉 since I don't have that allergy. I’ve cycled through about 50 different creams and lotions, and honestly, I haven't found a single one that hits all the marks. My list includes everything from Adermá to Uriage Pruriced, Eucerin with urea, and various baby brands like Hipp, Balee, and Johnson's... Right now, I'm using a Hippov product. Generally, I stick to baby products because they cut out the preservatives, fragrances, and other unnecessary junk.
A few posts back, Nicholas Myers mentioned this is a chronic condition. That means you’ll never truly cure it. You might manage to heal the current flare-ups and get some relief—maybe for a month, maybe for six—but it’s unpredictable. Eventually, it will return. It usually pops up in the exact same spots. You'll likely see improvements during the summer thanks to the humidity and ocean air, but the dry winter chill tends to make things worse.
Nummular eczematous dermatitis is essentially synonymous with nummular atopic dermatitis. It's just a specific subtype of atopic dermatitis. While classic AD presents with irregular, larger patches, the nummular variety shows up as distinct, coin-shaped lesions. The treatment approach is pretty much the same. Hopefully, that clears things up so you don't have to be so anxious about what you're facing.😉
mistyfox15, there’s no need to panic. Most descriptions of this condition point toward a simple allergy or some internal inflammation rather than anything malignant. If you're worried about something more serious, go see a dermatologist. They can order the necessary workups: blood panels, urinalysis, autoimmune markers like ANA, throat and nasal swabs, vaginal cultures, and allergy testing—including RIST, RAST, or patch tests. I went through all of that myself and ended up with a nickel allergy. Whether that's the sole cause of my condition? Who knows. But my skin has definitely improved since I started being careful. To me, every patch of eczema starts out looking like a tiny, intensely itchy spot. Once I inevitably scratch it because the itch is unbearable, it starts weeping fluid. Then the itching intensifies, and it spreads into a red, eczematous circle about 3-5 mm wide.
I can't believe I'm not the only one struggling with this... I thought I was alone. For me, it all started two years ago with a single tiny spot on my forearm. I was convinced something had bitten me because the itching was absolutely maddening. Three weeks later, that spot had expanded into a two-inch red patch that wouldn't stop itching. I went to a dermatologist in downtown Chicago, and they prescribed a corticosteroid cream mixed with acetylsalicylic acid, which cleared it up. But after a while, the same thing popped up on my legs... and during the winter, on my face too. I eventually saw a specialist at a major hospital... diagnosed with nummular atopic dermatitis, or nummular eczema. I went through a mountain of tests: swabs, blood work, autoimmune markers... everything came back negative. Finally, I did full allergy testing, and the only culprit was a nickel allergy. I stopped wearing costume jewelry and haven't worn a watch since. I can say things have improved significantly, but it hasn't vanished entirely... and I doubt it ever will.😢 The only silver lining is that I don't wake up in the middle of the night scratching myself like a maniac anymore. My dermatitis is always limited to my arms, legs, and occasionally my face. My torso, back, and chest stay clear. What I've learned is that the golden rule is: your skin must NEVER be dry. I apply moisturizer 2, 3, 4, or even 5 times a day using whatever neutral creams are available. It doesn't matter if they are expensive or budget brands; the effect is the same. Every once in a while, when things get really bad, I have to use corticosteroids for a few days... but that's just how it is.😢
I hope this long-winded post helps someone out somehow.😉
Regarding the cure—I’m not sure if you all were aware, but this discovery was quite something. Basically, certain local pharmacies won't carry birth control pills because the owner is affiliated with the Catholic Church. They actually have the legal right to refuse to sell them! I found out firsthand yesterday when I went to pick up my prescription at one of those shops and they told me straight up.
If you actually have that student account you mentioned, there shouldn't be any fees—no card issuance costs or monthly maintenance charges. Why not just head down to Chase tomorrow and get the facts straight from them?
Brandon Palmer7, if you have a Chase student account, you can link their Visa debit card—that new orange one—directly to PayPal. I’ve got a student account myself and already linked mine to my PayPal.
chupy, if you're talking about that new orange Visa debit card from Chase—it works perfectly on PayPal. I used mine to buy something online just two days ago without any issues... and I successfully verified it today. Did you perhaps enter something incorrectly?? Because my card works just fine.
Kate Price27 said:I have a question about birth control pills. So you take them for 21 days, then have a week off for your period. I read somewhere that sperm can survive for up to 9 days, so what happens if I have sex (no condom, just the pill) during those 9 days before my break? Since afterstopping the pills, ovulation occurs, could I get pregnant? Thanks for any answers 🙂
p.s. I just noticed the women's subforum, so mods please move this there. I don't check this section often, so I didn't realize there was a specific area for us.🙂
It seems you don't quite grasp how contraceptive pills actually work. When you're on them, there is no ovulation at all.
If you take your pills consistently, you are protected from pregnancy for the full 28 days of your cycle.
So, I just realized that Valette is exactly the same as Jeanine!!!!! If anyone here has actually dealt with them, I'd love to hear your take. Thanks. 😁
Has anyone here actually tried Valette birth control?
I’m considering starting them, but I don't know a single person who takes them. Most girls I talk to haven't even heard of this brand. I took Yasmine for a very short time—only four days—because it made me vomit constantly for three days straight. Now I'm looking for an alternative that might also help clear up my acne.