Hives and eczema, or any sensitive, inflamed, irritated skin condition can not only be painful and debilitating, it can affect mental and emotional wellbeing. For 21 year old Amber Pongrass, her journey with hives and eczema started at the age of just 10. Here, she reveals how she found relief using Avene’s Cicalfate+ and supporting products from the French skincare line.
Hives And Eczema – The Onset For Amber
“I first got hives on my body when I was around 10 years old,” reveals Amber, who at the time of our interview was clearly struggling with a lot of pain and anxiety. “After many years, and many specialist visits, I realise I have chronic urticaria. At the same time, I started getting eczema, but recently, it has flared up terribly.
“Both my hives and eczema are extremely itchy and overall very uncomfortable. They cause my skin to feel hot to the touch, but often, I am freezing. It is a very strange mix of internal temperatures that I can’t quite explain. When I swell, I feel a throbbing sensation, as well as tingles throughout that specific area.
“A typical breakout of hives can last up to one week. But, it all depends if I take prednisone. Unfortunately, no creams have yet helped my hives. For my eczema, I am currently in the midst of a breakout and have been dealing with this one for over two months now. This is now the worst and by far longest eczema breakout I have ever had.”
A Travelling Rash of Hives And Eczema
Amber has found that her skin condition travels around her body over time, in various forms of intensity.
“It is often random in how it spreads,” she says. “For example, it moves from my face to my lower legs; it is never expected. As fast as it moves around, it also goes away. The rash on my face has been prominent now for weeks, but the dry, red skin on my arms comes and goes.
“As I have grown older, my hives have lessened and become more manageable. However, my eczema has become a lot worse. After having COVID-19 about three months ago, my skin completely broke out and has not been the same since.”
Environmental Aggressors
Amber also looked at environmental elements in her hives and eczema, including temperature, weather patterns and humidity.
“This one is hard to determine as well. I have noticed that my recent eczema outbreak has only lasted through summer. With winter coming, I am not sure how my skin will fare. However, I do notice it can feel better with a lack of humidity. With that in mind, the winter air might make my skin even drier, so I have no idea what will happen when we get into the depths of winter.”
Diet Check
With the knowledge that many skin conditions can be related to diet, Amber took a look at the foods she was eating.
“Sometimes, I do indulge in processed food. I love chocolate and the occasional cookie or healthy chips. Besides that though, I eat a very well-balanced diet. I would not consider my diet high in processed foods. Recently though, I have started being very cautious with what I eat and I am only eating whole foods that are prepared and cooked in the best way possible. It is probably too early to determine if this will help, but I remain hopeful!”
Skin Care
Obviously, skin care is high on Amber’s list of finding relief, and she has tried the gamut of products.
“I could not possibly list all of the products, as there are just so many! But I have recently found relief when I discovered the Avene range of thermal spring water products.”
“I have started using a selection of Avene products. These are XeraCalm Cleansing Oil, Cicalfate+ Cream, XeraCalm Balm and their iconic Thermal Spring Water.
Relief In Plain Sight
“My Avene skincare products arrived in the midst of my terrible eczema attack. My skin was inflamed, red, itchy, and painful. I received instant relief with the Avene products. They were very soothing and made my skin feel very moisturised. The itch subsided and I felt a cool and calming sensation.
“When I applied the Cicalfate+ cream, there was slight discomfort and stinging to the drier patches on my face, but overall I felt less stiff and far more comfortable to talk, exist in my own skin again. I need to apply it every few hours, sometimes more often. That is no reflection on the product, but my severely dry skin flakes up quite fast. Avene, by far, is the most moisturising product I have tried on my skin. I do not have to reapply as frequently as I would when using other products.
A Journey To Calmer Skin
“I literally noticed a calming difference overnight – I really did. My skin felt softer to the touch and was not as dry in the morning. On the first day, my skin felt more moisturised and seemed to retain much more moisture than it had previously been able to. Three days later, my skin felt softer to the touch and the dryness on my skin subsided, though I was still red and blotchy. After a week of using the products, combined with UV Light Therapy, there was a drastic difference in my skin. I had better sleep at night and I felt hydrated. The redness has decreased but I still have dry patches on my skin. After two weeks, my skin seemed to be slightly clearer. However on week three, it began to become dry again and nothing seemed to help.
“One month later though, my skin sways between being well hydrated and at times very dry. But my consistent use of the Avene products has really been helping. The Cicalfate+ is by far the best moisturiser I have used on my face. I appreciate its lack of smell and I also love its thick, soft application.”
Medical Intervention
Amber has seen innumerable leading dermatologists and skin specialists over the years, but to no avail.
“I have seen countless doctors and allergists about my hives and eczema and I have never had any luck solving the issue. Recently, I saw a dermatologist about my eczema, and he said he thinks my dry skin is related to my long-term prednisone use. I have since started UV light therapy to assist with the discomfort, which seems to be helping.
In terms of medical relief, I have used steroids, a mild anti-depressant to help with the anxiety and a birth control medication to help regulate hormones.
Amber now has been approved to use the Dupixent injections, a prescription biologic medicine given under the skin that targets a key source of inflammation deep beneath the skin to help prevent flare ups on the surface.
“It’s early days yet, but the holistic routine I am using certainly seems to be providing relief from the hives and eczema,” she says happily. CBM
