Neem oil and eczema

So I have eczema, and for the last 2 years or so I've been working my way through how to heal it naturally. I had some other dermatitis infection on my ankles as well, went to the doctor and true to form they said just use Hydrocortisone cream but I have to use it for the full 7 days.

I've never used it for the full 7 days because after day 2 it starts to burn, I could feel the sting was not a 'healing stinging sensation' but a chemical burning sensation. But I was really bothered by all the fuss down by my ankles so I said fine I'll just stick it out and use it for the full time. I got to 5 days and my skin was officially burnt. It looked horrible like I survived a fire.

I had no idea how to deal with this and my instant reaction was to scrub it away, which of course then set off a chain reaction of displaying bare sensitive skin, which still itched, and I scratched, which caused a further infection and spread.

I am not comfortable sharing this information. I'm not a child, I know I should know better. But I panicked and was, if I'm honest more concerned about how it looked rather than how to heal it. Which meant I treated it enough to not look messed up if I was going out, but didn't focus on the healing it for good so that it doesn't permanently scar my skin. This society and the need to look good will mess up your priorities like no ones business.

My ankle status at the moment is mostly hyperpigmentation which is fine. One patch of wet eczema with two smaller patches on both ankles. One patch of dry eczema on the other ankle which is so close to healed but likes to remind me it's there every now and again. I am healing the wet eczema with neem oil after multiple attempts and impatience at everything else. I got so frustrated and was researching online about what to buy to fix it already! And then I just heard the little more calmer me say "you already have everything you need" and then I remembered Neem. Neem oil is what I put into my water mix creams to ward off bacteria, and I only use the smallest amount because that stuff is strong and smells wicked (the original meaning of the word, not the cool version).

So I mixed up some neem with Jojoba and resisted the temptation to top it up with an essential oil. And you know what, it's only been a couple of days but I can really see/feel that it's doing the deep healing work. Yes my ankle looks like a right state, and I will be hiding it away other than when I'm indoors, but I swear I'm looking at it now and I know it's doing the work that needs to be done. It will take time and there will be hyperpigmentation, but I've already got my hyperpigmentation oil worked out which is as we speak happily and healthily getting rid of my older scars.

I don't think I ever really took eczema seriously, I only developed it about 6 years ago when I was going through a ridiculously stressful time at my old job (it was just one of other stress induced conditions). My niece has eczema quite thoroughly and has done since birth, her mum has done all the research about the foods to cut out and what causes it, I just never did that. Whilst it was brought on by stress, I am a person with allergies and probably should have just acknowledged it for what it was sooner rather than just pretending it will go away and never come back. This like with everything else, I need to find a balance with.

Wish I had just put my health before my looks sooner. Check out http://www.flawlessprogram.com/how-to-get-rid-of-weeping-eczema/ was really helpful to me.