09/02/2023
Who: Little warrior ST
How: ST was prescribed steroids for rashes that developed at the arm folds and the back of the knees when she was 3 months old.
Usage: About 7 months. Vizomet on the arm folds and back of knee subsequently Fucidin H on same areas including ankles.
Symptoms: The rash spread from ST’s limbs to the rest of ST’s body. Elephant skin (thick and rough skin with deep wrinkles) also developed at certain parts of ST’s body and limbs.
Relief Tips: No moisture treatment (NMT), TCM, anti-scratch sleeves, and silver gel to prevent infection.
Recovery time: About 14 months.
Observation: Elephant skin might have developed because of usage of moisturiser. After ST’s caregiver stopped moisturising her, her skin showed visible improvement.
Takeaway: TSW is a vicious cycle of Heal - Dry - Itch - Scratch - Bleed on repeat. But with every such cycle, the skin got stronger and the same forceful scratch did not cause as bloody episodes as previously.
ST’s caregiver does not view eczema as a skin problem but a symptom of internal issues like leaky gut and/or poor immunity. Helping your children get through TSW is like helping a drug addict stop an addiction. It is a painful journey but necessary for them to not rely on steroids for the rest of their lives.
Getting rid of the steroid addiction can be a long process. Take more pictures so that you can see and celebrate small wins and improvements. Do note that flares may still occur after each time the skin shows improvement but each flare will be milder than the previous.
Back then, ST’s caregivers felt like they were in a long dark tunnel and could not see the end of it. There were times when they wanted to go back to steroids but thankfully, they did not.
Now, ST is a happy child with no recollection of the hell she went through.
Fighting and don't give up!
