I used to work in offices, for corporations. “They” give you maybe ten sick days a year. If you are ill more than that, you have to figure out a way to remain home for recuperation without losing your job. This does not always work in reality.
I have been under the weather and ill for most of this year. I manage to get up and get around, but if I had to put in a commute and an eight hour workday, I would definitely be unemployed by now. It is the nature of auto-immune diseases like this, to incapacitate for long stretches of time. Yet I expect that I should be well enough for a full work schedule in two weeks or less.
I think I am past the worst of it, barring another round triggered by some allergen. My cough is clearing up rapidly, and I think a longterm infection has caused this long allergic response. I developed a sensitivity to lavender oil; it has taken a couple of weeks to get that sorted out. I am resistant to the pharmaceuticals I’ve been using, so I needed to change gears on that for a while.
I put up a plea on facebook for advice from my friends. One suggested that I needed two things: a strong dose of honey in my beeswax and olive oil salve, and a lot of sleep. Skin does not heal, it seems, except in stage 4 sleep. Honey has long been used as a dressing on healing wounds and sores. I’ve seen it in Amish and Old World books on home remedies.
The honey cure has been great. Here it is, according to what I worked out for myself following an online recipe that wasn’t as effective: 1 part honey, 1 part beeswax, 3 parts olive oil. The beeswax should be all natural – I use drippings and stubs from my Ukrainian altar candles – and the honey should be unpasteurized. The olive oil can be just any olive oil. Heat the olive oil gently, on low heat, maybe over a double boiler but at least while you hover over it and stare meaningfully at it. Then add the beeswax in bits, stirring until it melts. Pull off the heat and beat in the honey (which can be slightly warmed to make it flow easier; warm it by putting the jar in a bowl of hot water). Stir with a wooden spoon until it is well homogenized and cooling. If you don’t stir, stir, stir, the wax may separate out in grains and the honey sink to the bottom.
I have been warming this gently by placing the jar in a pan of hot water raised to simmer, and taking off just as it becomes spreadable. Make sure it isn’t too hot, then spread it on the affected area.
I feel as if I have been waterproofed, but it is amazingly effective at reducing eczema and treating dry skin that resulted from the prescription ointments.
My Life and the History of the World 
Glad you’ve found a remedy which is really helping.
I’m upset at what WordPress.com has done to their notifications. I guess you could say it’s plain, but it’s not useful. They come out in email so that the body is just a plain gray background. No text at all appears. They have really blown it.
Odd, I’m getting text. But some of the changes are disconcerting.
The comments do show up in email, but the original posts are just plain gray. It’s possible some email software is able to display it, but they’ve clearly really upped the requirements for it to display.
I am happy, MJ, that you’ve found something that works! YaY!
Hooray – glad you are seeing some improvement! x
I’m so glad to hear you are on the mend. I’m writing out your recipe for poor Miss Ella. Now that we aren’t swimming (salt water) her little elbows are getting itchy again. The eczema had gone away completely by July.
I think I’m getting sick. I’ve worked all week at the advance polls (9-8 with no breaks) and feel achy and my lungs feel tight. Colin is not pleased because I usually cough for months after a cold.
It’s so hard to be sick at this busy time of year. Feel better soon.
Paula
Good for you. I have heard about the honey being a skin healer but never thought about it as I have not know anyone personally that has tried it. Good that you finally found something that works for you.