History of my Eczema

When I was still a baby my mom told me that I had scaly skin all over my body. They didn‘t know what was wrong with me. Not until they discovered that I was allergic to Cow‘s milk. They fed me with soya milk instead. I wonder why my mom did not breast fed me..Then after 2 years I outgrew my Cow‘s milk allergy like what normal allergic babies do.

Then I turned 5 years old, I got eczema behind my knees. I am not pretty sure what my mom used to cure it.

Puberty went normal just like any other teenager with occasional pimples. That awkward stage that I would like to fast forward. *lol

The real journey started on October 2010 that I suddenly had itchy, flaking, red, burning eyelids. That‘s when I got my first steroid ointment (I can‘t recall the name of the steroid) from a Dermatologist. I was diagnosed with Eyelid Dermatitis. I had Allergy patch test with result of Dog and Cat fur allergy, Dust mite allergy. I was instructed to use steroid for a week. Few days later my eyelid allergy was gone, I was so happy because I‘ll be having a visitor from Dubai and my Birthday is coming up. I thought I was cured but then again it became worse. The redness, flaking, itchiness happened again. I used the ointment on and off only.

2011 I came back to my Dermatologist again to show her my armpit and neck. It was itchy and red. I asked her why is it now spreading down. She said I have Eczema. I just need to avoid the allergens. We don‘t even have a pet at home and I also bought a pillow and blanket encasing for allergic people. She said that I was using the steroid for too long. (But that was she instructed me). As far as i can remember I used the steroids on and off for about 3 months. Then she gave me a new prescription which is Protopic. It Burns for 2-3 days after application,  after that I noticed that the redness was gone. I came back for follow up check up told her that protopic burns like hell. She gave me Elidel for my eczema. I find Elidel not that bad, it doesn‘t burn or anything. But my eczema kept on spreading from one side of the neck to another, one armpit to another and my right middle finger.

Sometime in 2012 I went straight to a Dermatologist/allergist in The Hospital. Assessed me and gathered my history and at the end They said the same thing, I have eczema. I need to use Protopic for it. Well they‘re Doctors they know what they‘re doing -thought to myself. There‘s nothing I can do.

After a couple of months I went back for my Follow-up check up. My eczema was at bay everytime I have a follow up check up. They said that i was doing good with protopic blah blah.

February 2013, I suddenly had Perioral Dermatitis and used Erythromycin as prescribed for 5 days. Few weeks later I developed Lip eczema. My Clinic Dermatologist gave me Ecural ointment for 3 days for my lip eczema (oh I‘m back to steroids).

Finally had my appointment at the Hospital for a check up and I told my derma the new steroid I applied on my lips. He was somehow shocked, according to him it‘s potent for the lips. And oh, I now have Steroid induced Rosacea at the age of 28. My eczema is now spreading from right middle finger to my thumb.

Imagine it all started with an eyelid eczema back in 2010. I was so devastated.

Last May 2013, because of my Vesicular eczema of the right thumb. Yes it was kind off oozing and disgusting! Doc instructed me to use Ecural ointment alternately with protopic. The treatment ended Last June 4. I also had my 2nd allergy patch test, I now have tree pollen allergy as well.

After few days I got some weird red chicken like patches on my right arm. I googled it and Keratosis Pilaris came up but according to my derma it‘s Eczema.

Kind of weird because after the Steroid use I suddenly developed weird eczema patches on my arm even on the sides of my breast. Then I searched the internet and found ITSAN.ORG and Topical steroid withdrawal or Red skin Syndrome.

Now, This is all about my Steroid induced Eczema! How great is that. It all started with the real eczema because of steroid use I got steroid induced eczema.

I aslo stopped the application of Protopic and we‘ll see how I get through with my TSW.