Pea gravel just around the foundation is a dumb idea. It will make the ground around the house more porous,and water will drain to those areas, rather than away. So water drains into the porous soil you've produced, but can't drain down or out because there is heavier, less free draining soil under and round it. You are creating a reservoir of water to seep into your house. But if you have a way for water to drain through the pea gravel and soil and out away from the house, that would be good. In most cases, the best thing is to grade the soil surface away from the foundation, without changing soil consistancy, so that water drains away from the house naturally. (Grading the soil surface away from the house means the soil is higher at the foundation and lower as it goes away from the house.)

Read this article this morning. Can't remember where I found the second one, but hopefully, it might be helpful. Dust mites, roaches can weaken your skin Researchers say finding is important for eczema patients Feb. 28, 2008 HONG KONG - Dust mites and cockroach allergens can weaken defense mechanisms of the human skin, making it more permeable and vulnerable, a study in South Korea has found. In an article in the latest issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, researchers said it was important, especially for people with eczema, to protect themselves from such microscopic bugs and filth. Cockroach allergens are particles of feces, saliva and other matter found on the bodies of these insects. In the study, the researchers disrupted the skin barrier function of a group of volunteers by repeatedly sticking cellophane tape on a part of their forearm and then stripping it off. They were then exposed to roach allergens and dust mites. These particles were later found to have triggered a receptor in the skin, known as PAR-2, which delayed the skin repair process. "The skin barrier function is already damaged in eczema patients and it has to repair itself. But allergens like dust mite and cockroach allergens will delay the repair function," said Jeong Se Kyoo, senior researcher at Neopharm Co. Ltd. "Then more allergens will penetrate the skin, it's a vicious cycle," he said in a telephone interview. Over 15 million Americans suffer from eczema, a chronic skin condition characterized by dry patches of very itchy skin. The most common form, atopic dermatitis, affects between 10 and 20 percent of the world's population at some point during childhood. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23392655/ How You Can Use Your Body's Bacteria for Better Health Many scientists have begun to argue that the trend of using antibacterial soap and other antibacterial products may actually cause diseases like eczema, irritable bowel syndrome and even diabetes. What's more, the solution may be to feed patients bacteria. Probiotics, which are pills containing bacteria, have resulted in complete elimination of eczema in 80 percent of the patients treated with it. Probiotics have also been used to treat irritable bowel disease, acne and premenstrual syndrome. In one recent study, infants given a probiotic were, after two years, 25 percent less likely to develop eczema. From 50 trillion to 100 trillion bacteria live in your digestive system, where they have a complex relationship with digestion and health. Antibacterial products can disrupt the balance that protects you from allergies and malfunctioning immune responses. Wired April 26, 2007

Don't give up.I wish you could see my brother.He is65 years old and has the skin of a lady.Sometimes what works for one might take longer for another.Over the years they some times take out the main ingredients that works.Midol use to work but they have changed that too.Do you remember Wilkinson razor blades?they worked forever and they took them off the market.Finish the jar and say a prayer.I still think it will work.

Here's an update - from my sister, the aesthetician: "First of all, make sure she is not using soap on her skin. She needs a good moisturizing cleanser for the face.Scrubbing will also make it worse. If she is on meds, that can cause a change in the skin. Not enough "good" fats in the body. Hot water. Wrong type of moisturizer for her skin type. Change in diet meaning eating something that she might not have been eating before. And as always with us female folk, hormonal changes can play a big part in changes in the skin. It might not be Lubriderm, it might be her body that is changing. I would suggest having a facial treatment with a licensed aesthetician. Ask friends, family, who they have gone to and enjoyed, the same as you would about a doctor or dentist. If she is flaking, it may be the beginning signs of psoriasis or exzema. In that case, she needs to see a physician. I would say a holistic physician since I have been told by some of my clients that the drugs given out by the regular physicians don't do well. There are many more reasons but that is a start." Her answer is much as I suspected - she's been doing this for a VERY LONG time, so I'm used to her responses. If you don't understand something, or have more questions, let me know.