My son never had issues with childhood eczema. But some time last year in July, he developed a whole body rash that started from his wrist. It was perplexing for me because I couldn’t identify a “trigger”. There were just too many possibilities that could have triggered the flare and I just couldn’t pinpoint one. Was it newly developed food allergies, dust from the onsite renovation in school, stress from school, alcohol/chemicals from the hand sanitisers, leaky gut, hormonal changes…or what? The list went go on and on and there was just no way I could identify the “cause”.
I brought him to 2 dermatologists and 1 rheumatologist to seek medical opinions and to rule out the possibility of an autoimmune problem. All of them were certain that it was eczema and definitely due to genetics because mummy has it too. The derms’ way to help my son was to prescribe steroids. Knowing my very firm stand against steroids (my own TSW journey began 8 years ago), the first dermatologist wanted to start him on immunosuppressants, cyclosporin instead. I was dead against it! My son was only a 10 year old child! Was it necessary to start him on such a strong drug at his first ever onset of eczema? Wouldn’t this medication mess up his body system further? Should I not find out and address the causes first?
The second dermatologist proposed that I should consider Dupixent since I rejected the use of steroids and cyclosporin. He tried hard to convince me that Dupixent was safe for 6 years and above! I know of dermatologists who would propose Dupixent as a last resort but here is one who felt strongly I should give it to my son.
I left both clinics without any medication for my child except some antiseptic wash, probiotics and moisturisers. Both dermatologists were concerned that I was not doing the right thing by rejecting steroids - the only thing that could bring down the inflammation and itch. It was hard but I remained unmoved and refused the medication that would either result him addicted to the drugs and create more problems for his already eczema battled body. The last thing I want is for my son to go through TSW, being a sufferer myself.
Dealing with eczema is a very tough one. It is not a life threatening condition yet it can affect one's quality of life badly. My son screamed in the shower (so much that our neighbour had to ask what happened). He had difficulties falling asleep, suffered intense itch, redness and inflammation. It was hard to manage as he was suffering and I didn't have a quick fix method to help him feel better. He was given at most a daily dose of antihistamine to help him sleep at night. Honestly, there were many days I felt I should just use steroids on him. But the fear that he might be addicted to the use of it frightened me. I thank God for my sister who was ever so supportive, in encouraging me to press on without the use of steroids. It was her firm belief and for standing by me that enabled me to maintain my non-steroid use.
My son's condition improved over time, albeit slowly. Honestly I am not entirely sure what helped. But I believe it’s a whole basket of things which worked together. There is no one miracle cream or quick fix medication. It was just mummy's own way of doing what she thought would help.
1) Foot reflexology: I sent him for foot reflexology once a week, with the hope that it would help with his blood circulation. It could have been painful but my son found it generally relaxing. This may have helped with his sleep. I was taught by the masseur to do simple foot massage at home for my son to help with his lympathic drainage. Below is the masseur I sent my son to.
(To be clear I have no vested interest in sharing his contact. This is just for pure sharing and reference in the event you may consider this as a possible help for yourself.)
2) Diet: I kept a strict diet for him. I was suspecting "leaky gut" as a cause of his problem though I had no way to prove it. My son was eating a lot of spicy stuff. He loves chilli and anything “mala” (spicy condiments). I removed these "exciting" food from his diet including seafood (except fish) and chicken. Just lots of fresh food and broth with reduced seasoning (bare minimal use of soya sauce, salt and pepper). No processed or food high in salicylates and sugar. As much as possible he was given only food from my kitchen. Even today, he brings home cooked food for his recess in school. My son takes probiotics daily too. This is the one recommended by the dermatologist and (this derma range) is only available from the clinics (it's just how the supplier manages the distribution of this product).
3) Moisturiser and shower oils: I tried a number of moisturisers on him but the one we settled for was Cerave. Economically speaking, it was more manageable compared to other moisturisers that the dermatologists recommended. The amount of moisturiser I had to use on him was astounding. His skin dries up so quickly despite the amount of moisturiser used. In his worst state, he had to bathe and moisturise at least 4 times a day. For months, I mixed in some tea tree essential oils into his moisturiser for antiseptic purpose. Nowadays, I mix Blue Tansy essential oil as I read Blue Tansy could help to heal and calm irritated skin. We are also using Salcura Derma Serum on his face and neck. My son calls it the "special cream" as we use it sparingly due to the cost of it. Its not available in SG so I get my stash online.
4) TCM: A well-meaning friend recommended TCM. No one in the family has ever seen a TCM practitioner! But we decided to give it a try and went to the one recommended, near home and with very reasonable pricing. The TCM practitioner was very balanced in his approach and assured that there was no steroid in the medication he gave to my son. My son’s condition was so bad on the first visit that he told me it was actually alright to work with the skin specialists to use a small amount of topical steroids to first reduce his inflammation. However he was respectful and understood my stand on not using steroids. The TCM practitioner was very assuring and he stressed that I had to be patient to see improvement. We saw him weekly and he would concoct a week’s supply of powdered medication based on his assessment of his health from the listening of his pulse. This practitioner retired 2 months into seeing him and another took over. It has been two months with this new practitioner and we continue to see progress. My son is still taking the TCM medicine today. Below is the practitioner I send my son to.
(To be clear I have no vested interest in sharing his contact. This is just for pure sharing and reference in the event you may consider this as a possible help for yourself.)
My son is not completely cured of his eczema. But his skin is healing slowly but nicely. The pictures below show his progress.
Given that its genetics, my son's eczema is a problem that he likely has to deal with for the rest of his life. But it is encouraging to know that managing eczema can be done in a more natural and sustainable way.
Personally I do not think the use of steroids, cyclosporine or even Dupixent is a sustainable way of managing a child's eczema especially when eczema covers a huge part of the body or may affects a child long term. More damage could be done and when that happens, one cannot be sure if its just bad eczema or "steroids induced eczema".
Healing is possible, but find the right care, accompanied with healthy diet and time, I believe the body can slowly repair and heal. xo
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