I’m 53 years old and have noticed the menopause has affected my skin, with significant increased dryness and itchiness. It’s having a big impact on my appearance and daily life.
I think we need more research into the effects of the menopause on eczema and skin health, and more support made available to women who are suffering with this, along with everything else that menopause brings
I’ve always suffered from mild-to-moderate eczema on various areas of my body, but mainly on my hands. My eczema has been very bad over the past 18 months or so. I’m now having dermatology appointments and looking at treatments other than creams and ointments. I wasn’t allowed to give a blood donation last August because my hand eczema was so bad. It was really upsetting and embarrassing.
In my 20’s, on the advice of my GP, I started using topical steroids to control the eczema flare ups. I was also constantly reapplying emollient to moisturise and this skincare routine worked pretty well for me. As I grew older though, I was needing to use topical steroids more often on my hands.
I’ve always been aware of the importance of using topical steroids sparingly and these were effective in managing the eczema flare ups. When I reached the menopause though, I found they were no longer helping my hands.
I decided to leave work in 2017, to support and look after two elderly parents, and even after stopping work my hand eczema continued.
By the time 2022 came around, I’d visited my GP several times for advice on treating my hand eczema. Despite me asking repeatedly, I was not referred to dermatology. That’s when I made the decision to stop using any steroid treatment on my hands.
I’m fairly confident I then experienced topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). My eczema became very painful, with red inflamed skin that was cracked and sore places all over. My hands looked the worst they’ve ever been. I was feeling very low and desperate to know what to do.
At this time, I was also suffering from acne rosacea, which flared up more frequently with the menopause and at different times during my monthly cycle. My skin had become so much dryer all over my body, which I believe is due to the menopause. This was especially noticeable on my lower legs and forearms, and on my scalp and ears. Sometimes the itch was terrible and I had to be careful about what clothes to wear so as not to aggravate my skin, and avoid itching triggers like central heating.
In the end, after speaking with my husband, who is thankfully very understanding about my challenging skin, I decided my only option was to pay and see a dermatologist privately. In December 2022, I arranged an urgent appointment and was prescribed a tapering course of oral steroids (prednisolone), a course of lymecycline tablets, and tried Protopic as an alternative topcial treatment for my hands, along with Epaderm emollient.
The dermatologist also referred me into the NHS system to be seen and monitored. Thankfully these treatments helped tremendously, with my acne rosacea clearing up. My hand eczema and eczema on other areas of my body has returned though in the months after finishing the oral treatments.
I think we need more research into the effects of the menopause on eczema and skin health, and more support made available to women who are suffering with this, along with everything else that menopause brings. I’ve always known my eczema could be a lot worse and many people suffer more than me. However, when it’s on hands, it’s so visible and painful. I’m embarrassed by how my hands look and sometimes people ask about them or comment how sore they are.