Personal Experience
Hi all I’m plaqued by enzema few months back till now. It’s my first time having enzema I’m 33 btw.
It seems like it’s only on my legs and forearm area. Seen doc and given steroids pills and cream as usual. But once med completed, the itchiness and red spots seem to slowly come back again.
Any advice? I really don’t want to go back doc again I have went back 2 times already and each cost $100+. The doc also give the same medicine.
Hello, I saw your post and just felt the need to reply.
I am in the same predicament as you. I am 33 as well and was diagnosed with Eczema since Apr'18. This half a year has been a roller coaster ride of ups and down. Like you, I started off with seeing my GP and to NSC, but will always see a relapse whenever I stop the steroids application no matter how hard I tried to stop. This cyclical process is very disheartening and I quickly recognized that using steroids to solve this is not the solution. I mean let's think about it. Our immune system is supposed to help us fight "bad stuff" and using steroids to suppress the immune system to prevent flares as a solution or management approach to eczema... doesn't really make much long term sense to me from a layman's point of view.
Whenever I visited my doctors and asked about the dangers of using topical steroids long term, I always received very assuring answers that it was safe even when I cited many cases of TSW online. I do not blame the doctors. I believe they have my best interests at heart and is only advising me with what they think is the best solution. TSW is not "clinically proven" and thus is not "accepted or mainstream" in the world of western medicine yet. It is understandable why doctors may not accept this concept.
Anyway, the turning point came when I decided to go on a cold turkey from steroids
no matter what happens and told myself that I had to sustain it for 2 weeks before seeking alternative solutions. I manage to do it with the help of going on a liquid diet to rest the gut and also with the help of topical creams (Eucerin Eczema control or something and Puriya Mother of all Creams. Search it up!). 2 weeks later, the affected areas were all red but no longer bumpy / weeping. Psychologically, it was a very big step for me even though it may sound short.
The next step I took was to visit TCM doctor in Telok Blangah (quite obvious who is he/she, I don't want to look like i'm advertising. Remaining neutral) and did everything I was asked to. I've been undergoing treatment for almost 1.5 months now and my condition has significantly improved. I am not healed, it is not magic. Almost alternate week, I would see my skin recover almost 80-90%, only to flare up again in the next week. But every flare episodes seems to be less aggressive than the last, and I try to see it this as a good sign. Some positive mindset goes a long way in this fight...
If I am to say what really helped me, I would say is the change in diet. This process also is a wake up call for me to recognize that there are so many unhealthy options around us. If the change of diet has such a profound impact on my skin, imagine what adverse effects can long term consumption of these unhealthy options bring about? Wouldn't Eczema only serve as alarm bells, which could easily evolve to some other more dangerous conditions? This is not gospel truth, it is just what worked for me and I hope it works for somebody out there. Eczema is not fun at all and I hope any of these methods can bring relief to anyone out here.
I wrote this, not to demonstrate how this condition is to be handled. I am not 100% healed despite the vast improvements and am definitely not in a position to guide anyone. I still suffer from sleepless nights almost every night because of the itch (nights are the worst!!) and not to mention the despair in those nights. I really hope this can serve as an encouragement to all suffering from Eczema. In those lonely nights when you're awake because of the itch, remember there are many out there fighting this. You are not alone. One day you will find what works for you and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Don't give up and hope you will get well soon!
Fighting on...