Nonetheless, yesterday a tweet in my feed got me riled.
Claudia Aguirre is scientific communications manager at Dermalogica, a skincare/cosmetics company headquartered in California.
The tweet apparently came from an audience member in a talk Aguirre was giving in Antwerp, Belgium. [update: via Twitter, Aguirre implied that I took her words out of context, since she says the talk was not about eczema.]
Aguirre has tweeted the "don't scratch"/eczema message a couple times that I've seen, so my conclusion is that she believes it.
For the record, Aguirre does understand that eczema is a complex problem with many causes and treatments. If you like 17-minute YouTube videos, she's got one for you.
But “don't scratch”? That would be nice. I've spent my whole life trying to pull that off.
With my customary tact, I made my opinion known. Aguirre replied. My man Gary beat me to the punch.
The problem: you can TELL someone not to scratch, but it doesn't work. It’s not that you won’t stop, it’s that you can’t stop. Google "eczema don't scratch" and the results fall into two main categories: pages advising you not to scratch your eczema, and pages from outraged eczema patients and parents saying that this is bullshit. (See this recent discussion on the NEA forum.)
Not only does it not work, telling people to stop scratching makes them feel bad. They already suffer from the itch, sores, and shame of eczema; now you’re telling them they don’t have any self-control. They then believe it’s their fault they look and feel the way they do.
The urge to itch in cases of extreme eczema is so intense that willpower is no defense. Not to mention that willpower is irrelevant while you're asleep, which is when many patients scratch.The intensity of eczema itch is hard to believe. I know, because I and my daughter have eczema, and when she’s itchy and I’m not, I can hardly understand what she’s going through. But when I’m itchy, it’s like a demon has possessed me, like Linda Blair’s character in The Exorcist.
So is it possible to exorcise the demon?
- Topical steroids give you some control, but not many people would claim they are the answer.
- Yoga and meditation: meh.
- Keeping your hands busy with art or a musical instrument might work as long as you keep doing that activity. Once you stop, the itch starts.
- I am aware of a handful of psychiatric techniques, including habit reversal, made popular by Christopher Bridgett in the UK. I like habit reversal, and believe that it works to reduce habitual, nervous scratching—and thereby calm the itch/scratch cycle and bring overall relief to a degree. But it’s not a solution for everyone. It takes work, and commitment, and for some people, habitual scratching is not the dominant factor in their eczema. (E.g. I get eczema on my face which is caused by pollen. I get outbreaks caused by weather, exercise, food triggers, dust mites, animal dander and stress.)
It's not perfect (what is) but cold is helpful against the burning itch - e.g. an ice pack in a clean cotton tea towel or pillowcase held against the itchy bit
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I have tried that and it's a pleasant, if temporary, relief. As is a sharp pain, like a pinch, at the itchy spot! Unfortunately, neither method is good when you have eczema spread over wide areas.
ReplyDeleteReading about scratching makes me scratch more! Hehe!
ReplyDeleteWhat a ridiculous thing to tell somebody with eczema! "Don't scratch!" Thank you so much! There have been times when my back or neck have been so itchy that I literally have to sit on my hands and bare my teeth just so that I don't rip my skin off!
ReplyDeleteI have tried a fair number of gimmicks myself. Sitting on your hands is a new one!...but I imagine you would then just find yourself rubbing your back against the chair.
ReplyDeleteAguirre and I have exchanged a few tweets about this. Her position is that my post is bad journalism because it is based on an RT of a tweet from a talk I wasn't at. Fair enough. But beyond saying "there are ways to control the urge" she has not shown that she understands the intensity of eczema itch. This is what you'd expect if you approach the skin from the perspective of beauty rather than basic function.
ReplyDeleteHow can you resist an urge when you're asleep!? Even when wearing cotton gloves, i will take the gloves off (in my sleep!) to scratch. Does Aquirre have eczema? She's clearly never had The Itch!!
ReplyDeleteYes, first question that came to my mind too! Does Aquirre have eczema? I suspect not, given the complete lack of empathy demonstrated by her tweet. Everyday, without fail, I quietly declare to myself that; "today I will not scratch!" I have never honoured this declaration, despite trying every method under the sun to stop this self harming behaviour. Do I want to harm myself? Hell no!! Can I stop myself from doing so at the hands of this merciless, tormenting disease? Hell no!!
ReplyDeleteI have been suffering with eczema for ten years now, I know its useless to advise an eczema patient not to scratch but off late I have been trying this technique of telling myself, that, the bleeding and open wounds are not worth the momentary relief from scratching. This technique doesn't always stop me from scratching but helps me to at least mellow the ferocity of my scratch. Oh this life!
ReplyDeleteHey guys try this,when ur showering in your bathtub, aim the shower towards your patch of eczema,use cold water and shower that part. it will cause the area numb. but do not turn the pressure too high, it will break the skin. It should done no harm and slightly relieve and gives u pleasure towards the itchiness.
ReplyDeleteHope this works
Good tip, thanks! ...though I'm a wuss when it comes to cold showers. Might use an icepack for the same effect.
ReplyDelete