'A Patient Voice' Community

hello, C --

here are some resources for finding free/low-cost medical care --

-- check out these websites -- http://www.coverageforall.org/finder/index.php , http://www.freeclinics.us/freeclinic.php , http://www.needymeds.org/free_clinics.taf , http://www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov , http://www.freemedicalcamps.com/index.php , http://www.pparx.org/en/prescription_assistance_programs/free_clinic_finder , http://community.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=292&srcid=288 , and http://www.211.org ;

-- check out this website -- http://www.patientadvocate.org/report.php , be sure to click on both national and state organizations;

-- check out these websites to determine your eligibility for various govt assistance programs -- https://www.benefitscheckup.org/index.cfm?partner_id=0 , http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=gbcc_page_home&_nfls=false , and http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Home.aspx ;

-- check out the NIH website for links to possible sources of financial assistance, http://www.genome.gov/11008842 ;

-- check out the website for the "live united" campaign of the united way -- http://www.liveunited.org -- and use the "search our site" box at the right in the second blue ribbon to do a "search" for your city or state to find medical care programs in your area;

-- call your city, county, or state dept of health and dept of family services (or something that sounds equivalent), and ask if there are free or low-cost clinics in your area;

-- go to the website for your state government, e.g., http:// www.your_state.gov , and click on every social services link you can find;

-- look for free or low-cost clinics at nearby medical schools or large hospitals; often students who are close to graduation provide health care under the close supervision of their instructors; and

-- see if any hospitals near you have a social worker; often they have very extensive knowledge of their own and other hospital and community resources.

i hope you can find some relief. please keep us posted on how you are doing.

-- susie margaret

Hello Concerned2410,

I will try and find an preliminary answer to some of your concerns and will repost. Meanwhile, thank you to SusieMargaret's post with all the resources!

Julie

thanks for all the links!

Hello concerned2410,

Usually eczema doesn't cause nail loss. You need to find a way to get the eczema under control. Hydration helps so maybe soak the hands for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times daily then apply the medicine. Hand eczema is difficult to treat--call the dermatologist and leave a message. He/She might have ideas on how you can get treated without insurance.

All the best!
Julie

My husband has battled eczema on his hands, fingers, and feet all his life (he's 54). He has tried many creams, and pills. At one point he thought that it was from stress. His nails came and went. If you have an out break in the cutical area you may lose your nail, but it will grow back once the inflamation goes down Last year he went for his yearly physical and the doctor found that he had no vitamin D in his system. Once he started taking the supplemnt his nails cleared up. His nails now are the best they have ever been in his whole life. You might want to either look into this or try it.

Good Luck!
Clara

Hi Clara,

Thank so much for your post. There has been a flurry of research on Vitamin D in the last few years. What dosage was recommended for your husband? Was there a noticeable difference in his eczema too?

While we know food sources are usually an excellent way to obtain vitamins, choices are limited for vitamin D. Rich sources are fatty fish, fish-liver oils, liver and egg yolks. Milk fortified with vitamin D is another option.

The current daily recommended dose of vitamin D for adults 50 and older is 400 to 600 international units (IU). But many researchers believe that a higher amount is warranted because of the many health benefits. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends a daily intake of 800 to 1,000 IU per day for adults over age 50. The upper daily limit considered safe for use is 2,000 IU per day, but there's debate about this level. Very large doses of vitamin D taken over time can cause ill effects, including nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, weakness and weight loss.

Julie

1st time in a discussion.
Had to sign up because I empathize.
I had excema on my hands from gradeschool until I had four children. I lost a fingernail at one point also; when I had twins in cloth diapers. Doctors gave me all kinds of creams, ointments and lotions. They helped but it kept coming back constantly.
Then I went to work as a bookeeper for someone who sold NeoLife products. When I started doing my dishes with one of their products called Green Personal Care Cleaner and kept away from any detergents (don't get laundry detergent and cleaners directly on your skin) my hands healed and I rarely even think about excema now. I still use "Green soap" for dishes and personal cleaning. It is well worth the extra cost. Best wishes to you.

Dear Binthair,

Thank you for taking the time to sign up. It's wonderful that you shared your experience of something you found helpful. It's great to know after all those years of suffering with bad hands (and even losing a nail!), that your hands are in good shape now.

I hope if you find any other discussions of interest, you'll share your tips and support.

Yours in health,

Byroney