I turned 30 last year. You would think that by now, I would have a handle on my skin condition...but I don’t.
I’ve had eczema probably all my life. I remember going to dermatologist or specialists in elementary school and continuing through middle school, high school, college... and still going today! I had been given ointments, prescribed oatmeal baths, and staying away from certain foods here and there. There have been moments where the eczema is virtually gone, but then it comes back with a vengeance. I am at the point where it is really sucking a whole damn lot.
My latest eczema adventure, and probably the most terrible outbreak I’ve had, happened maybe a month ago. First, it wasn’t a big deal. It was the regular patch I have on my arms. And it just started spreading from there. I soon found it on the top of my arms, my thighs and calves, chest, and then it attacked my face. I was mortified. I decided to go to an allergist and perhaps find out what triggered it.
I found out I was allergic to a few plants, peanuts, and hops (beer! so sad!). The allergist explained staph bacteria and the relation to eczema. I had no idea. He had told me that it looks like the staph had entered my wounds from my eczema, and that is why the rashes spread all over my body. The easiest and cheapest way to get rid of it was to take bleach baths (1/4 cup bleach, full bath, and a whole box of baking soda) and right after, pat dry with towel and apply aquaphor or similar product to your body to keep hydrated. I did this for a week, and my rashes were disappearing! I was ecstatic. I continued this 3 days a week. In addition, I avoided beer and peanuts. I also decided to avoid processed sugar. It seemed like that was something that kept making me itchy. I kept a journal and noted anything I thought was worthy.
And now, I’m here. I seem to be stuck. It’s been 3-4 weeks since the doctor told me to do the bleach baths, and now the eczema seems to be staying the same (not going away), and maybe even escalating more.
I keep reading about eczema and other ways to solve the issues. I started listening to podcasts, and reading reddit. I’ve learned so much, yet I do not know exactly what works for me. I guess it’s all trial and error.
I am currently sticking to a few bleach baths in the week and the aquaphor. Just yesterday, I’ve started to take probiotics in hopes to heal my gut and strengthen my immune system to fight off the rashes. I take Bio-Kult twice daily with food. I’m also trying to eat more probiotic friendly foods, including sauerkraut. I am trying to stay away from dairy and not eating so much meats. It is a slow process for sure, and I am learning more and more everyday. I do hope that I can find the root of my problems and begin to eat things a little more freely without having to worry about any eczema flare-ups.
But anyway, this is just my struggle with eczema. I want to take notes on all the things I’ve tried without forgetting... And so it continues.
