I have skin issues as well as my children.
I have dyshidrotic eczema. Basically, under certain triggers (or sometimes for no apparent reason) the skin on my hands and fingers bubble up (these fluid-filled bubbles are called 'vesicles'). During this time, I have immense itching. Then the vesicles pop and weeping/bleeding and a burning sensation occurs. And then the crusting period begins. Many times, before the break-out site can completely heal, vesicles reappear. This causes lichenification (or a leathery appearance to the affected area).
Sometimes these outbreaks can become infected, badly. As far as I can remember, this has only happened to me twice. One infection became really bad. I (as well as doctors) didn't realize it was a secondary skin infection, so it got pretty bad (it was a staph infection). The second time I developed cellulitis, which was painful, but it wasn't nearly as scary as the first time.
I suspect that the kids have eczema, but not the dyshidrotic subtype. I believe they have the more common 'atopic dermatitis'. They have rough, itchy patches of skin.
I also am wondering if Olivia has vitiligo.
She has a few very light birthmarks on her forehead. She is mixed, so her skin is naturally darker. But these birthmarks are VERY light, in fact, they appear to lack all pigment (as these patches are lighter than MY skin tone). There is bloodflow to the area (which I have no clue if that is or isn't a disqualification for vitiligo), because she she gets hot or mad, these areas tend to become flushed. I have noticed that a few of them have gotten slightly 'bigger', but the main one has stayed consistent. Everytime I have it checked (by her nurse practitioner) she dismisses it for a 'regular' cafe au lait birthmark. But these are different than the cafe au lait birthmarks that my kids have (the cafe au lait marks are more 'coffee-colored'. They are darker than their natural skin tone, not lighter. But these marks on her forehead are FAR lighter than the rest of her skin tone....I dunno. I guess I need to see a dermatologist.
Anyways, that's my intro and I hope I can join!
ETA: Oh, and up until last year, I couldn't find ANYTHING that helped with my skin condition (Eucerin cream helps the kids, but it doesn't with me), UNTIL good ol' Courtney (Oceanchild) shared with me a secret that is just a Godsend!! Emu Oil!! It really helps with the healing! If you or your child has this problem, try it out!
